LIVING WATER

As we drive around Augusta and into South Carolina high above the buildings and trees we see water towers, many water towers. We can be driving on a ridge and far on the horizon above the trees on another ridge we see a water tower. We became fascinated with these water towers and started taking pictures of them. The thought came to us about water and the symbolism of "living water" as written by John in the New Testament. The last three months of 2011 we have been serving in Augusta along with the other Missionaries offering "living water" to those who would drink. Many drink but walk away while others listen and never drink yet others drink and enter the waters of baptism. This past week we had two baptisms. One on Thursday evening and one on Saturday afternoon. The baptism Saturday was two teenage boys, their mother should have been baptized with them but she can't stop smoking. Friday the Elders who have been teaching this woman invited Elder Berry and me to a discussion with her. She told us she still hadn't stopped smoking although her baptism due date was Saturday. We discussed her dilemma but she consented for her children to be baptised. We had a beautiful discussion and read from the Book of Mormon. We each took turns reading and we read the 8th chapter of First Nephi about Lehi's vision of the tree of life. The reason we started reading there is because that was where she was in her reading. Each of us took a turn reading and as Elder Berry read he would explain what he was reading. Occasionally we would stop and ask her if she had any questions or comments but she understood that she needed to grab hold of the iron rod. Before we finished she shed tears and we were all touched by the spirit. Elder Caldwell called the Mission President and got permission to baptize her the next day if she promised never to smoke again. With tears of gratitude she accepted the commitment. Saturday afternoon only the boys were baptized. Our hearts were breaking for her because she let a cigarette prevent her from drinking of the "living water".

We enjoyed New Years Eve with a recent convert family. They came to our apartment with all their children and grandchildren, nine in all. All missionaries ( including seniors) were required to be in their apartments by 6pm and stay. We ate and enjoyed visiting, tried to watch Legacy on the computer (the screen was too little) plus the toddlers wouldn't settle down. About ten the toddlers and baby got so tired they went home. I guess they enjoyed our evening because they sat by us at church on Sunday.
Early in the week we arranged to pick up an investigator for church on Sunday. The Elders have been teaching her but she can't get baptized because she hasn't been to church. She is large, handicapped and uses a motorized chair plus has poor eye sight. Because of her handicap she can't get into the van. She can walk short distances with the aid of crutches. The walk from the parking lot to the building is quite long. Tuesday we spent the day trying to locate a push wheel chair but had no luck. Sunday she came to church with us, stayed all three hours, and when we returned her home she was exhausted. She loved the meetings and the spirit she felt. She drank of the "living water"

Our days are busy and challenging. We love to serve. We love the people and we love Aususta. Our goal for the New Year is to help others come to Christ whether investigator, new convert, or less active by bringing them to drink of the "living water" and hold tight to the "iron rod" and serve the living God the remainder of their days. This is our desire and our testimony.

Love, Elder and Sister Berry