May 3, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,
We are 36 feet above sea level here and the only way you can see above the trees is to go over a bridge or overpass. On the way home from church we do go over an ocean inlet (New River) which is always so beautiful-especially at sunset.  Miss those mountains and valley views. The new food of the week is mustard greens.  Had it with fresh flounder and a sweet potato.   Does that sound southern enough.

I forgot to tell you about a miracle for me last week.  I started having a lot of pain in my right hip all of the sudden and within a few hours I could barely walk.  I took a non inflammitory pill left over from my shoulder surgery, said a heartfelt prayer and went to bed.  We had volunteered to help a sister clean her base house for inspection the next morning and I didn't see how I could possibly do it.  By  morning I was mobile again and able to help.  I called the mission doctor who lives in Atlanta, Georgia and he diagnosed it over the phone as bursitis.  I am most grateful for healing.

Tuesday we had 10 young adults show up for Gospel study night at the church.  The topic was our Heavenly Father and refreshments was strawberry pie.  They consumed both with great vigor.  What a great group of young adults.  Two sisters drove here from Wilmington to see their boy friends. Most are planning on driving to a YSA dance in Raleigh this Friday.

P day was spent getting registered at the base hospital so I could get some booster immunizations I needed and shopping at the MX (base exchange) and commissary. Sign on the wall in the hospital registration office reads: "A call from the operating forces is not a disruption of our daily routine." The Camp Lejeune title says: Expeditionaroy Forces in Readiness.  There are 19 Military Commands at the base including one Navy unit.  The base has 80 live fire ranges.  Military personel in this area are greatly affected by decisions by the President to deploy.

We meet weekly for a district missionary meeting and a great J2 ward missionary correlation meeting.   The 6 elders and 2 sisters in our district work very hard.  We give them rides occasionally.

I need to correct something I said last letter.  Brother Copelands from Smithfield received the Navy Cross not star.

That is all for now.   Love, Sister and Brother Johnson



the May 3 moon as seen from NC.



Our apartment is the ground level one with the light on.  It faces east but seems like it faces south.