Southern Storms & April Temple Trip

Keith (Left) is deaf mute & did his first
baptisms for the dead. He loved it.
Sister Woodard (3rd from left) was happy
to start temple work again for her family.

We didn't realize how much danger we were in until we started receiving phone calls from home to make sure we were okay.  We had heard that there were chances of severe weather for Saturday afternoon so thought it was still okay to attend a session at the temple in the morning.  So, we loaded up our car early and went to Columbia.  After the baptism session, President Harvey said they were headed home because of the oncoming storm.  We asked the sisters who were with us if their faith was strong enough to stay and without hesitation, they wanted to stay. We felt very special because it rained alot while we were in the temple. When we got out it was sunshine. We stopped at Cici's Pizza (pizza buffet) because it would be quick. While we were eating the rain dumped down, but the sun came out again when we were finished. Then it changed -about 20 miles out, it was as if we caught up to the storm. The rain was heavy, lighting and thunder were close, but didn't last too long.  The rest of the trip was light showers until we got close to home and then it came down heavy again.  The rest of the day was mild.  We found out later that a tornado touched down just a couple miles from where some of our members live.  It's very interesting that most severe weather stays on the west side of Highway 95 and we live on the east side.  We were told this evening that there were more than 200 tornadoes in this storm, more than they have had in one storm.  More than 40 people were killed.  Most of the damage was in North Carolina. We feel so blessed!  Our branch is safe, we have not heard of any damage.

Thank you so much for concern for us, for your prayers and your love.  We love all of you.