OUR TRAINERS

Let me introduce you to our trainers, Elder and Sister Atkinson. They have been so helpful. They are assigned to the Grovetown ward which meets in our building. Elder Atkinson is retired military and they are also assigned to Ford Gordon, wonderful people. This picture was taken after district meeting this past week.

Two fun things happened to us this week. We rode over to Akin South Carolina with the Atkinsons, just across the river from Augusta, to take some mending to the Elders there.

Sister Atkinsons mends all the Elders clothes. Two sets of Elders live in the same apartment. One set of Elders had been on splits with ward members. One Elder went with the son and the other Elder went with his Dad. The dad and son came in to visit, introduced themselves, their last name is Brooks. The younger Brother Brooks said to Elder Berry and me I know who you are. He said he served a mission in Las Vegas about three years ago and had dinner at our house. He also said Lowell shook his had every Sunday. We didn't remember him but what a wonderful visit. The older Brother Brooks thanked us for taking care of his son while serving in Vegas.

The second thing happened this past Saturday night. We were at a Baptism and the ward mission leader said he had a surprise for us. About that time Ann and Monte Stewart walked in the door with their son Tommy and daughter Elizabeth. What a joyful visit. Their son David lives in Martinez and was blessing his fifth child on Sunday so they stopped in at the baptism for a short surprise visit.

We met the sweetest young couple this week, Christopher and Lakeysha Smoot. They have four young children, 2girls ages 4 and 6, a 2 year old boy, and a 4 week old baby. They welcomed us into their home and we had a wonderful visit. They have been members of the church about a year so they are young in the gospel and struggle. They love the gospel and just need lots of love and encouragement. That is something we can do. They let me hold their baby and told us she was getting blessed this Sunday. That was one of the most beautiful little babies I have ever seen. She had beautiful skin big brown eyes and dark short curly hair. I fell in love. Saturday we took them a little white dress for the blessing. They were so appreciative. We also had the opportunity to teach about the sacred nature of ordinances. The baby was beautiful in her little white dress being held in the circle by the Priesthood. Christopher held the microphone and took the baby back to their seat. The baby was beautiful. The Smoot's home teacher blessed the baby. When Christopher and Lakeysha walked in church they looked a little sad. After Church they told us his mother had passed that morning so they had to leave and take care of funeral arrangements.

We stay very busy but are still figuring our exactly all the things we need to do. Two families were baptized since we have been here. One family is mother and two children. The other is father, mother, and three boys. We decided we would go into their homes, have home evening and nurture them for a while. We have two appointments this week. One of the draw backs to the converts is they don't have cars and they have to depend on others for rides to church.

The ward has many challenges but they are working very hard to overcome them. The Relief Society lesson yesterday was how to fill out a tithing/donation slip. They taught about each donation, where it went and how it was spent. They even showed how to put in an envelope and who to give it to. Our job is easy compared to theirs. One thing we have learned is this is not a nine to five job. Our desire is that everyone that is baptized stays on that straight and narrow path to Christ. We know it will bless their lives and help bring them up out of their circumstances. We love the work and love being here.

Love Elder and Sister Berry