This is a day late but we wish to everyone a Happy Mother's Day! It is so great that mothers are honored one day of the year although they deserve more credit for all they do. In our role as missionaries it has been interesting as we observe different cultures as mothers interact with their children. We love our children and have always been so thankful for them. With our new experiences we have come to the conclusion that our children are blessed to have us as their parents. Most important we are blessed to have each other. When Mother Teresa received the Nobel Prize in 1979, she was asked, "what can we do to promote world peace?' She answered in six words, "Go home and love your family."
We enjoyed celebrating Mother's Day. It started with 2 boxes of cake mixes, a tank of gas, knocking on doors, a bite from a dog, and lots of love. We made 48 cupcakes, wrapped each one in a cellophane bag and for two days drove all over the city of Augusta delivering them to some active members but mostly inactive and inviting them to church Sunday. A few weeks ago we wrote of a couple that wished to have their names removed from the church records. The bishop asked us to visit the couple before he took action. Thursday when we drove up to their house the husband was trimming hedges and visited with Elder Berry so we asked if we could go inside and talk with him and his wife. He took us inside his house, went to get his wife but came back some time late and told us she was asleep and he couldn't wake her up. Saturday we delivered a cup cake.The wife answered the door. She was very surprised to see me standing there but was very friendly. I told her we missed them and invited them to church Sunday. She took the cup cake and didn't respond to my invitation,. As I was returning to the car their daughter came walking up the street and said I know you but we don't go to your church anymore. I asked where she went to church. The little girl told me they were going to Beulah Baptist Church but she missed our church. We have been trying to get an appointment to visit an inactive family but they keep putting us off. Saturday we delivered a cup cake. They weren't home so I was writing a note while Elder Berry was standing beside me. A pit bull came sauntering up and was sniffing around. Elder Berry was watching him but I didn't see him because I was writing. I felt a pain on my ankle and looked down and saw the dog. Elder Berry thought he was harmless so didn't bother to block him from me. Friday evening we had an appointment with an inactive family. We knocked on the door and the husband opened the door a crack and came outside and talked with us on the porch. He didn't know his wife made an appointment with us but said his wife had been to the emergency room because she had a bad tooth ache, was taking medicine and was in bed asleep. It seems that whenever people don't want to see us even when they have made an appointment with us someone in the house is asleep and they can't wake them up. We left a cup cake and told them we would reschedule. Sleeping is a common excuse for not seeing the missionaries but being bit by a dog is a first and hopefully the last. Elder Berry says in order to receive the blessings of the Gospel we must always be awake.
We do have many rewarding experiences. We visited the young man with Down syndrome to get to know him. We took him ice cream. His care giver was happy to see us. We visited with him on the porch and as we visited he began to talk to us. He said he takes his Book of Mormon to work each day.He seems very aware of what's going on around him We still haven't learned if he can read but we've decided when we go back this week we will read from the Book of Mormon with him.
One day we drove up to the home of an inactive older couple. The lady is very frail but was dragging her garbage can off the street, with a cigarette in her hand. She saw us but went in the house so we knocked on the door. She has two big dogs and can't invite us in her house. She did come out on the front porch and visit with us. We had a delightful visit and learned a lot about her. She told us of a special dream she had concerning her family. Our next visits when we return will be to help her start her family history.
The magnolia trees are blooming now and the flowers are so beautiful. This last week we have had lots of rain which has been good. Something is blooming here all the time. Day lilies are in full bloom along with the crepe myrtle. As we drive around the city we are amazed to see how quickly everything grows.
One thing we are looking forward to Saturday is a Mission wide conference with Elders Gonzales and Gene R. Cook in Columbia, South Carolina then Sunday a special Augusta, Georgia Stake conference is being held. Each week is so different and we are still figuring out how we can be more effective missionaries. We love the people and they love us but we want them to love the Lord so much they will be at church every Sunday. One thing we did learn is that cup cakes won't get the people to church even if it is Mother's Day but it sure was fun visiting and spreading a little sunshine. Elder Berry and I are thankful for our Mothers and we are also thankful for our daughter and daughter-in love who are such wonderful Mothers. Our advice to all the Mothers who read this blog is LOVE YOUR CHILDREN it does make a difference.
Love Elder and Sister Berry
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