MAKE THE SCRIPTURES YOUR FRIEND

AUGUSTA ZONE WITH ELDER WILLIAM R. WALKER OF THE 1ST QUORUM OF THE 70

Elder William R Walker of the First Quorum of the Seventy toured our mission this past week accompanied by his wife. Elder Walker is over the temple department. Our zone along with two other zones had the opportunity to sit at his feet and be taught by him in Newberry, South Carolina this past Friday. We were the last stop on his tour of our mission. Saturday and Sunday he spoke at a stake conference in Columbia, South Carolina. Usually when guest visit our mission we are instructed to stand as they enter the chapel and remain standing until we are motioned to be seated. This time we were instructed to remain seated and after Elder Walker entered the room we would all have the opportunity to file by and shake his hand. President and Sister Holm, Sister and Elder Walker stood in the front of the chapel and greeted everyone. Elder Walker mentioned that he would speak to each of us but don't try to get in a long  conversation, tell him where we are from and answer any of his questions because there was more than 100 missionaries to pass and shake his hand and he didn't want to cut into the meeting time. As we shook Elder Walker's hand we told him our home is Las Vegas. He asked what stake because he reorganized the Lakes Stake a few years back. He told us President Larkin was released and President Teshimo was called to be the new Stake President. Of course that is our stake and we were very impressed that a General Authority who travels all over the world would remember coming to Las Vegas and even the names of the men who were called and released. Elder Walker was recently in Manus Brazil when the temple was dedicated there on June tenth.
The reception line took about forty five minutes as Elder Walker greeted each missionary with great warmth and love in an unhurried manner. The meeting was conducted in the same manner, with great love and unhurried. The meeting began at nine thirty, at twelve we had a lunch break and picture session, at one o'clock the meeting resumed and was over at three thirty which ended much too soon. Just after the meeting started Elder Walker had to leave the stand and take a phone call from Elder Russell M. Nelson.Elder Walker instructed us to make the scriptures our friend. Use them, study them, mark and write in them. He gave some suggestions on how to mark scriptures and make notes in them. As Elder Walker instructed us he told what he had learned from the twelve and whenever they referred to scriptures in their teaching he would put that apostles initials beside that scripture. President Faust taught that all temptations yield to immersion in the scriptures. As Elder Walker taught when he wanted to use a scripture instead of telling where it was found, he would give the subject and ask where it was found. Elder Walker loves the scriptures and the words of living prophets and apostles and he shared that knowledge with us. He not only shared his knowledge but also his love, the love of the Apostles and that spirit could be felt.

 

The Zone Conference was held in Newberry, South Carolina, about a two hour drive from Augusta, Georgia. We drove straight up the state of South Carolina on state highways and saw lots of beautiful country. Elder Berry drove the van with fourteen Elders and I followed behind in the car with four Sisters. Elder and Sister Laudie drove and transported two Elders and Elder and Sister Gowans drove and transported two Elders also. Only one pair of Elders drove themselves. We do this to help the Elders and Sisters conserve miles on their cars as they are desperately needed in their missionary efforts. The Zone Leaders made all transportation arrangements and we just followed their instructions. Tuesday before the meeting on Friday, Elder Berry and I drove up to Newberry in our car to get a feel for the highway, the best way to get there, time it would take and locate the church. We felt that since we would be responsibility for the safety of so many we needed to be prepared. We know Heavenly Father watches over his servants and protects them but we also needed to do our part and we felt his love and protection as we magnified our calling.

Arrival in Newberry-We just love these missionaries!

We have many joys as we serve with the young Elders and Sisters but this Friday we transported one of our Elders to Newberry along with his luggage which was unusual as this was not transfer day. This Elder came out about eight weeks ago. He came to Augusta from the MTC and was in our district. As we attended District Meetings and other meetings he sat leaned over with his head in his hands and didn't get his scriptures out or Preach My Gospel as we studied and learned how to be more effective. On occasion he would look up and participate. He came to our house on Sunday for dinner and we just loved this missionary and desired for him to have a change of heart. The other Elders never complained about him but we knew President Holm had been in Augusta several times working with this Elder. We don't know the plans for this Elder but we pray for his success.

This week we got good news for a sister the Elders are teaching and since they can't teach a single lady by themselves, Elder Berry and I have been accompanying the Elders. She was interviewed for baptism by President Holm, then President Holm had to get a clearance from the First Presidency. That clearance came through this week, President Holm interviewed her again. Her baptismal date is this Saturday. Since the missionaries have been teaching this Sister she has half hardily been trying to stop smoking. After her interview with the President she stopped that day. This lady has come to church every Sunday and stayed for all the meetings since she she has been taught. This past Sunday she was at church but just couldn't stay awake. After struggling to stay awake in Gospel Essentials Class she sat on the couch in the foyer during Relief Society and slept. We had to wake her up when it was time to go home. She had a busy Friday and Saturday and stayed up late because she was at a family reunion plus not smoking just got the best of her. The family reunion also lasted through Sunday but she decided not to go because Sunday was church day. We are so proud of her, she was at church although she slept through most of it.

Francine was baptized Saturday. There is a long story that goes with Francine. When Elder Caldwell was here she was scheduled to be baptized, the font was filled but no Francine. The Elders tried to contact her all morning by phone but she didn't answer her phone.  Elder Berry and I drove to her house, a granddaughter told us she wasn't home but after asking the granddaughter a few questions, Francine stuck her head out the door and told us she wasn't going to be baptized. Francine had been having some problems with high blood pressure and getting some teeth pulled. Instead of counseling the baptism she just tried to avoid us. About two months have gone by and we haven't seen Francine. When we call she is out of town or other similar excuses. Two Sundays ago she showed up at church and requested to be baptized so Saturday Elder Berry picked her up at her house, drove her to church and Elder Phillips baptized her. Sunday she was confirmed a member of the church.

Elder Ultra, Francine, Elder Phillips



Saturday afternoon at the home of  Francine. Elder Berry loves to take pictures while sitting in the car waiting.

Sunday we had many people return to church who haven't been for a long time. The van had a busy Sunday afternoon picking everyone up and returning them home. One family who wrote the Bishop a letter requesting their name be removed from church records, who Elder Caldwell testified to so boldly, were at church Sunday. The bishop sent Elder Berry and I to  visit them which we did and the Elders also visited. We visited them Saturday afternoon, expressed the Bishops love for them and his desire that they return to church and arranged for the van to pick them up. Although the Elders had done the same thing the previous two weeks and made arrangements for them to be picked up they didn't make it. Sunday they were at church. It saddens us that so many of the people who have been baptized are no longer active and receiving the blessings of the gospel. One of the things we do as we visit the less active and inactive is encourage these people to read the scriptures and learn for themselves and strengthen their testimony. We get commitments from them to read assigned scriptures but when we go back the scriptures haven't been read. Because they don't read and learn for themselves and gain a testimony when people speak against the church they listen and then doubt what the Elders have taught. We desire for them to feel as Nephi felt: "....For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children." (2 Nephi 4:15) We know the scriptures are true and are thankful for this time in our lives for the opportunity to sturdy and ponder them. They give us the strength to go out each day and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are thankful for General Authorities who share their love for the scriptures with us and encourage us to make them our best friend.

Love, Elder and Sister Berry

GOD LOVES YOU ANYWAY



Sunday morning as I was in an elevator going up to the 13th floor a man in a wheel chair was in the elevator also. He looked at my name tag and asked who I was. I told him that I was a missionary for The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The man told me God loves you anyway and about that time the elevator door opened and he preceded to roll out but not before I told the man God loves me because I am His missionary. As we have served these past few months in Augusta we have felt God's love for us and the people we meet as we have shared the message of Jesus Christ. We know He loves all of us no matter what we believe but He wants all to have the opportunity to be taught the true Gospel of Jesus Christ restored to earth in these latter days. That's why we are here assisting the Elders, finding those who have gone astray, inviting them to come back, and encouraging them to live the gospel. God loves us, He knows us and as the sign reads above, "Allow God to be involved in your life He has great plans for you.

Thursday Elder Berry didn't feel well. When he took his blood pressure it was extremely high so we decided a trip to the emergency room was necessary. In the emergency room medication was given to bring his blood pressure down and test were begun. A night and day was spent in the hospital with lots of blood work, test and tread mill. Friday evening the doctor told us all was well and we were allowed to go home. We know God  was watching overs us, we could feel His love for us and we know He has great plans for us in Augusta.

We had many varied experiences as we visited members of the ward this week. Some were happy while others were troubling because some of the people said they weren't members of the church. One lady told us she is divorced so she is no longer a member of the church and didn't want any contact with the church.Her x-husband was a member (she is listed as member on records of church).As we visited on her porch she became friendly. Hopefully she realized we weren't a threat to her. We will return some day in the future and hopefully her heart will soften, God loves her anyway. We found an eighty year old lady. She was very frail and had suffered some mini strokes. She told us she wasn't a member of the church and that her son was a Baptist preacher and her grandson would soon be one also. As we visited with her she explained that she joined the church when the young Elders came around, taught her and picked her up in the van and drove her to church. Eventually the Elders stopped coming around and her health began to decline. She told us she got baptized because there are so many churches teaching so many different things, she didn't know which one was right so she got baptized so she could be covered. God loves this dear lady and we know we can bring her comfort as we return to visit and reteach her what she has forgotten. 

Churches in Trenton, South Carolina

Saturday we decided to take a little time and visit a little town in South Carolina about a 30 minute drive from Augusta. The little town of Trenton was having a peach festival and we thought this would be a good opportunity to buy and try some southern grown peaches.

 

We saw miles and miles of peach orchards

Upon arriving back in Augusta with a bushel of peaches, we visited some members and left them a few peaches and invited them to church Sunday. When we drove up to the health care home where Indiana lives the porch was full of residents so we just grabbed a bag full of peaches and started giving them out. Indiana was excited to see us as usual. She told us her knee had been painful so she would just pat the cast where the pain was and pray to Jesus and then Jesus would make the pain go away. God loves Indiana and all the residents at the health care home. We arrived home with enough peaches for the Elders and a few for ourselves. It's amazing how fast a bushel of peaches disappears. The day was beautiful and the drive relaxing plus it gave Elder Berry a little time to regain his health. This beautiful world is evidence that God loves us.

Sunday dinner Elder Ultra

Elder Lee



Happy Birthday Elder Ultra. Celebrating after Sunday dinner.

Sunday we were blessed to have a visit from my Sister Norma (Lives in Utah), her daughter Stephanie and her son Bradford who live in Birmingham, Alabama. My sister Patti who lives in Martinez along with some of her children and grandchildren came to visit also. Our little apartment was humming. We had a very joyful visit but it didn't last long enough although Norma and her family did spend the night. We love our families and love their visits. We appreciate their love and prayers for us. We also love our friends and appreciate their prayers. We know these prayers carry us through tough times. No matter where we are or what we are doing or where you are or what you are doing, God Loves Us Anyway because we share his gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Love, Elder and Sister Berry

WE STAND ALL AMAZED

Elder Bogden served in the Augusta district for two transfers. Wednesday he was transferred to Charleston. We will miss him. He is a great missionary and his new district will be happy to have him.

After transfer meeting the parking lot is buzzing with luggage exchange. Elder Lee, pulling the luggage, was just assigned to the Augusta district and will be taking Elder Bogdens place. Elder Lee comes to us from the MTC. He is excited to be here and says. "I'm all pumped up and ready to get to work. I love this work and I love these people."

One thing we can always count on in the mission is transfers, every six weeks. This past Wednesday was the day. As always it is sad to loose the Elders we have served with and loved, but exciting to meet our new Elders and watch them grow as they teach and serve the people of Augusta. We love transfer meeting because it is so humbling. We stand all amazed at the spirit the arriving Elders and Sisters bring with them. We had nine Elders and two sisters join us in the South Carolina mission. Most of them came from different locations in Utah. Their parents are certainly raising "Stripling Warriors". They introduced themselves and gave brief testimonies. One Elder said he "may have a glazed look on his face now but it would go away". Two senior couples also recent arrivals gave their testimonies, Elder and Sister Gowans and Elder and Sister Wakefield.

Elder and Sister Wakefield, Military Relations

.Following the new arrivals the nine departing Elders gave their testimonies. What powerful testimonies, We stand all amazed at their growth, knowledge and dedication. The testimonies were sincere and emotional. One Elder advised, Be here now, because someday you can't, so be here now. One Elder told us the secret to missionary work is, "Love Lord, people and companion."  These are some remarks that were made by those departing: "May god Bless You", "It was all worth it", "Keep the Faith",  "I have a testimony that burns with fire", and "Work hard".

Elder Cahoon is Elder Lees trainer. Loading up bikes for return trip to Augusta.

 We had the privilege of driving them back to Augusta. We were humbled with Elder Lee's excitement to be serving and his excitement at finally arriving at the area he would be serving. Even though he has never been here and met anyone he excitedly expressed his love for the people. We loved his attitude and we know he will be a great missionary but needs a little humbling,  that will come. Latter that evening we accompanied He and Elder Cahoon as they taught a single sister who is waiting for a clearance from the first presidency to be baptized. This is a special sister who reads and studies and keep every commitment that she is given. As she expressed some concerns and desired she had, Elder Lee asked her if she would like a Priesthood blessing. She looked puzzled so Priesthood blessings were explained and how they work on faith, etc. She gladly consented to having a blessing. When asked who she wanted to give the blessing she looked at Elder Lee and told him since he brought it up he should do the honors. And so he did with confidence and humbly. Elder Lee gave this dear sister a beautiful and conferting blessing. We stand all amazed.

Elder Bogden leaving Augusta apartment and loading up bike

Monday before transfers on Wednesday we have a transfer dinner for the Zone. This transfer Elder and Sister Gowans helped with the dinner and were able to meet many of the Elders serving in the Augusta Zone. We love these dinners and enjoy watching the Elders bid those farewell who will be leaving. The dinner is between 4 and 6PM, during preparation day time.

Elder Kailany, Grovetown District, last transfer

Elder Edwards, North Augusta District, last transfer. (Big Elder with back to us)

In addition to transfer dinner on Monday and transfers on Wednesday, which means a trip to Columbia, we drove Elders  Cahoon and Angell to Columbia for training on Tuesday. They will be training new arriving  Elders so they receive training and then work with the new missionaries. They spend the night in Columbia and return to Augusta on Wednesday with their new companion. Tuesday we dropped off our Elders in Columbia and headed back to Augusta to fulfill our missionary responsibilities.Wednesday drove to Columbia for transfers, as mentioned. Thursday we drove the zone leaders to Barnwell, South Carolina, about seventy miles south of August, to interview an investigator for baptism. We drove them because they needed to conserve miles on their car. At transfers Wednesday we got a new set of Sister missionaries. They replaced the Elders from Martinez. Elder Berry and I decided to check on them Wednesday night and we found them very distraught over the condition of the apartment and uncertain of the safety of the new location. We helped them some, said a prayer and promised to return the next afternoon. On returning from Barnwell, the Zone Leaders and Berrys assisted the Sisters. The beds were taken from the living room and returned to the bedroom. The dining room table was taken from the bedroom and returned to the dining area, and the couch was taken from the dining area and returned to the living room, plus a few other things were moved around. While the Elders moved the furniture, I vacuumed and Elder Berry did small repairs. When we left two hours later the Sisters were happy. This has been a very unusual week although no two weeks are the same. We stand all amazed as we observe the Elders and Sister work together whether it is teaching the gospel or looking out for the welfare of  each other. They express their love for each other and truly serve each other with their hearts.

Elder Berry and I did have the opportunity to visit a few members. Part of the day Saturday was spent helping a sister, who is in a wheel chair, pack up her kitchen. She has to move from her home but hasn't found a place to live yet. Saturday afternoon as we were making the rounds visiting and encouraging members to come to church the next day, Elder Berry happened to think about Indiana, a sister who lives in a personal care home. Indiana fell and did lots of damage to her knee and is in a cast. She loves visitors and she misses coming to church. It was getting late and the area she lives in isn't very safe but we went anyway. She was sitting on the porch waiting for us. When we pulled into the parking lot she was so happy and repeated over and over , "I knew you would come." When we left I hugged Indiana and she kissed me several times. Before I could kiss her back she said, give me some sugar so I kissed her cheek. After I kissed her she took her hand and rubbed her cheek and told us she was rubbing the sugar in.

                                                                        

Indiana with her bright purple cast.

Elder Ultra and Phillips taught Charley. They invited Elder Berry and I to join them in a discussion and to fellowship him. Elder Ultra invited Elder Berry to baptize Charley. Elder Berry felt one of the Elders should baptize him since they had done all the teaching. Their argument was that since we assisted them it was time Elder Berry had the opportunity to baptize someone and Charley was in full agreement.

We stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers us, for the the opportunity of serving  in Augusta. We stand all amzaed at the Elders we serve with, for their dedication, knowledge, testimonies,and their love for each other, the gospel and the Lord.

Love, Elder and Sister Berry

THE FOURTH MISSIONARY

Much has happened this week. Elder and Sister Gowans made it to our mission Tuesday Evening. It was so good to see them. Their apartment is in our complex so we are neighbors. Elder Berry spent the day at their apartment waiting on a furniture delivery. It finally arrived after 5PM then Elder Berry started frantically assembling it before the Gowans arrived but didn't make it. Although it rained hard all day when the Gowans arrived it was like a ray of sun was shinning through. No the furniture wasn't finished but with Elder Gowans help the job was quickly finished.

Welcome Elder and Sister Gowans

They woke up in Knoxville, Tennessee Tuesday morning, drove to Columbia, South Carolina to the mission home, interviewed and had lunch with the Mission President and wife, then drove to Augusta, Georgia. Their assignment is Grovetown Ward and Military Relations at Fort Gordon. Wednesday morning they were at Zone Conference with smiles and ready to get to work.

Elder and Sister Holm

We always enjoy Zone Conference. The Elders got started at 9AM but the Seniors don't arrive until 10AM. The Conference goes until 4PM with a lunch break. The North Augusta Ward provided the lunch and it was delicious. To show our appreciation the Missionaries all stood and sung to them Armies of Helaman. The Sisters expressed their joy at having the opportunity of serving the Missionaries. It brings tears to the eyes to see how happy and dedicated these sisters are in serving so hard by preparing, serving and cleaning up after  all these missionaries without pay but serve because they love the Lord and love his missionaries. They radiated love for us.  Many topics were discussed and we received much training. Sister Holms did some training on etiquette, table manners and that sort of thing. The Zone Leaders and Assistants to the President gave training and we did lots of role playing.  We were encouraged to use the Book of Mormon more in our approach and to answer questions. The theme of the meeting was to encourage everyone to repent and be obedient in order to be more effective missionaries.  We were encouraged to be "The Fourth Missionary." We were given a handout which describes the four types of missionaries. The first missionary is disobedient and does what he wants to do and doesn't last a full mission. The second missionary is disobedient, he does what he wants to do , he is dishonest, his frame of mind is to do what he wants without getting caught, but he serves entire mission. The third missionary is obedient and worthy, does his duty, serves faithfully, but withholds his heart, does what the Lord wants, but he wants to do what he wants to do, measures success by comparison, and his frame of mind is to not cross the line. The third missionary does great good but is not changed by mission. The fourth missionary is obedient and worthy, total surrender, consecrates himself, charity, disciple of Christ, measures success from within, his dominant desire is to do what the Lord wants him to do, and frame of mind is faith in Christ, to do what Jesus would do.The fourth missionary does great good, gains great knowledge and benefits immensely and is changed by mission. Although we are a senior couple we know we can strive to become a fourth missionary couple. As we served the remainder of the week we strived to become the fourth missionary and will continue to do so for the remainder of this mission. We will study harder, use the Book of Mormon as we visit families, and seek out Heavenly Father's children who have gone astray.

One of the highlights of our week was a visit on Monday from Elder Berry's sister, Ann, and her husband, Conrad, from Atlanta, Georgia. Even though it was short we had a great visit. Today at church I talked to a young married girl named Kinsey. She is from Atlanta and her husband is going to school in Augusta. She grew up in Elder Berry's sister Marys ward and knows all her family well. It's a small world in the church. We hope when Kinsey returns home for a visit with her family she will report to Elder Berry's sister and family that we are "the fourth missionary couple."

 Augusta Zone just having a little fun

Love, Elder and Sister Berry