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