MASTERS WEEK

Blake and a horse shoe crab

The crew spent the day in Savannah Georgia. Beautiful old town with lots of history

Savannah Georgia, Paula Dean's resturant The Lady and Sons

Augusta Georgia just arrived from Vegas for Spring Break

This past week was spent with our children, spouses, and grandchildren in Savannah Georgia and Tybee Island. We had a very relaxing and wonderful time. David and Carol rented a beach house on Tybee Island large enough for all of us to stay so we could be together. Jana and Phillip and David and Carol wouldn't let us pay for anything because they said Senior Missionary Couples were free. We spent a day in Savannah enjoying history and eating dinner at Paula Dean's restaurant The Lady and Sons. It was delicious.
We relaxed on the beach, hunted shells both morning and night (when the tide was out), played with our grandchildren and just loved spending time together. It had been six months since we had seen our children and it was a delightful break although it seemed strange to be in play clothes. When we got back into our "missionary clothes" Friday it sure felt good. Thanks Jana and Phillip, Carol and David, Lex, Blake and Hallie. We love you and miss you and are so grateful for the time we had together and the memories that were made. Although we are grateful for the break we are excited to return to our missionary responsibilities.

Last week was a good time to be out of town because it was the week of the Masters Golf Tournament. Everyone says it gets crazy in Augusta with all the extra people and traffic around the golf course. Many people rent their houses out for the week and leave town. Thursday when we returned things didn't seem to be out of control although all we heard on the news was the Masters results and play by play action. During the Masters week many people experienced joy according to how well their favorite golfer was playing. Following a masters golfer is joy for a week but following our Master (Jesus Christ) will bring joy for eternity. Last week Elders Caldwell and Ultra visited a less active family. They told the Elders they wanted their records moved to the Baptist church they attented previous to their baptism. Elder Caldwell very boldly said to the Brother "Do you realize that by having your names removed from the records of our church you are forfiting all your rights to eternal life and living with Heavenly Father." The man responded that he knew what he was doing. Then Elder Caldwell said to him again boldly, "Brother I don't think you understand. Let me say to you again do you realize you are forfiting all your rights to eternal life and living with Heavenly Father and you will no longer have the Holy Ghost." His answer was still the same so Elders Caldwell and Ultra had the couple write a letter to the bishop stating their desire. We read the letter and were sad because of their lack of understanding, faith and testimony. One of the things that bothered them was that the hymns were boring and they felt we should sing more spirituals as sung in the black churches and other similar things. This couple is denying themselves and their family eternal joy by not following the Master and enduring to the end. We are thankful for our children and their desire to follow the Master and teach their children the gospel, so hopefully we will all enjoy eternal life as a family. This past week we enjoyed a little bit of heaven.

Love, Elder and Sister Berry