THE GOSPEL OF EVERYTHING

Crystal and Elder Cahoon Great------great grandson of Reynolds Cahoon



Elder Lee, Crystal, Elder Cahoon

Sister Berry, Crystal, Elder Berry

Being a missionary is a challenge but listening to the news and hearing of all the disastors and heartache that many are suffering because their homes and all their earthly possessions have been destroyed due to fires or other disasters, make us realize how blessed we are. We are safely living in Augusta attempting to teach the people here, who have the desire to listen. Many of the people we meet aren't suffering from physical disasters caused by fires or other acts of nature. They are suffering spiritual disasters as they don't have a true understanding of Christ and how that can bless their lives. They just keep shoveling the consequences of all their actions upon them until they are almost buried, what a disaster. Wednesday we had Zone Conference and interviews with the president. We were taught the principles of the Gospel of Everything and how it can change lives. The principle is found in Preach My Gospel which we sturdy from constantly, during our own study time, at zone meetings, district development meetings, leadership meetings, and even when we have general authorities. Our white missionary handbook, the scriptures, and Preach My Gospel are the tools of missionaries. Preach My Gospel states "Do all you can (Everything) to persuade people to read the book of Mormon, understand it, and ask God sincerely whether it is true." Another, "Do everything within your power to achieve your goals while respecting the agency of others." Also, "Your role is to help strengthen people in their resolve to change. You should do all (Everything) you can to help people keep their commitments."  Crystal is a perfect example of this principle. When the Elders became acquainted with Crystal she was recovering from a life of many disasters. Crystal had been introduced to the Gospel on several different occasions. She said that whenever anything good happened in her life it was because she had been having the missionaries in her life. Elder Berry and I had the opportunity to accompany the Elders as they taught Crystal because she is a single Lady. We have grown to love her and her unique way of expressing herself. Crystal loves the Book of Mormon and would read whatever the Elders asked her to read. Each time we went back she had done her reading and was excited to discuss what she had learned. Finally one visit she told us she was tired of reading only what she was assigned to read so she started from the beginning and was reading it all the way through. Unlike many investigators Crystal is one of the few who kept all the commitments given to her and she recognized the promised blessings. Crystal stopped drinking coffee and tea but didn't stop smoking. She cut back but no amount of encouragment seemed to work. She always had a reason why she just couldn't stop and they were good reasons according to Crystal. The Elders were patient and respected Crystal's decision. Finally when Crystal got her clearance to get baptized and had her final interview with President Holm she quit smoking that very moment. The Elders goal was for Crystal to stop smoking. They did Everything they could to help but at the same time respected her agency. Saturday Crystal was baptized and what a blessing for her. We picked her up and drove her to church. When she got in the car she said she felt like she was floating and was so excited. The baptism was very special and what a special spirit was felt. Crystal asked me to give the talk on baptism. Elder Cahoon baptized her. Elder Cahoon's relative, Reynolds Cahoon is mentioned in the D&C, so Crystal chose him because his  relative was a friend to Joseph Smith. Elder Cahoon is a small Elder and she was afraid he would drop her but she chose him anyway. Elder Lee gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. A young family from the ward came to Crystal's baptism. Their four year old daughter, Miriam, just fell in love with Crystal which thrilled Crystal. Today in Sacrament meeting Elder Berry confirmed Crystal a member of the Church. Crystal was just glowing and was so happy. Four year old Miriam found Crystal when she came in the chapel and sat by her during church services. 

Sisters Roos, King, Johnson, Brand with Sister Holms



Elder Tonga from Tonga. He has been out for two transfers and is always so happy. His most repeated statement is "Oh, my no". He is loved by everyone. He has been trough more pairs of pants since he has been out. He tears them on his bicycle or just his rough ways, then throws them away. He was down to one pair of pants until Sister Gowans told him not to throw them away but bring them to her so she could mend them, if it was possible., She and Elder Gowans bought him a pair of pants and he came by some extra money and was able to get another pair plus the apartment the Sisters moved into had a perfectly good suit an Elder going home left behind. It fits Elder Tonga perfect.



There are so many churches here. You just wouldn't believe it. There are more churches here than gas stations. We love to read their names and signs. This one is very intresting.

Crepe Myrtle trees, bushes, or whatever size are in full bloom. They are beautiful. 

The tempatures soared into the tripe digits this week. Elder Berry and I drove the bicycle Elders around one afternoon. Another afternoon Elder Berry drove them around while I stayed home and did some cleaning. We are seeking out the less active and with a driver the Elders were able to get around faster and see more people. Elder Berry loved standing back and watching the Elders meet people and share the gospel. If a person wasn't home or didn't answer their door whoever was around, in a yard or parking lot, they introduced themselves and talked with them. At apartments where the member had moved, whoever answered the door was a contact. They gave out a Book of Mormons and got some appointments to return. Although this prevented us from going around on our own, we still felt we were productive. No matter how we serve we are still serving the Lord. 

Our experiences vary from week to week. Monday  Elder Ultra and Elder Phillips had a dinner appointment at an active members home. The sister didn't know if her husband would be home because he works out of town so much and his schedule is so unpredictable that Elder Berry and I were invited. Her husband did make it. We had a delicious dinner then the Elders gave the home evening lesson. They explained how the program works that we are using in our mission and asked for some referrals to write letters to. We have sample letters to choose from and can be printed right from the computer. They committed three families and to volunteered to come to Crystal's baptism Saturday because they wanted to support the missionaries, even though they didn't know Crystal. Their son agreeded to play the piano for the baptismal service and it was their daughter Miriam that found a new friend Saturday. We are so grateful for this busy, beautiful family and their eagerness to assist the missionaries.

Wednesday evening was a zone fireside in the North Augusta, South Carolina building, which is just across the river from Augusta, GA. Members and missionaries were invited to bring converts, less active and investigators to the fireside to meet the Mission President and his wife, President and Sister Holm, and the Stake President, President McArthur. Elder Berry drove the van. He and the Elders picked up those they had invited since it was more than we could get there in our cars. I picked up Crystal and was to pick up another sister but she canceled. The fireside, No More Strangers, was very inspiring. Recent converts gave the opening and closing prayers and another gave his testimony. President and Sister Holm spoke along with President McArthur.

Finally on Saturday after two previous attempts we met a single lady that cares for her mother in her home. We had a lovely visit and when we left we asked if there was anything we could do for her. We mentioned that Elder Berry was a very good handyman and could fix almost anything. He eyes lit up but she didn't take us up on the offer. After we left this lady's home we decided the way to get her back to church was to get her to pick up Mattie, who is legally blind and can no longer drive. Mattie is active and is about the same age of this less active sister and they live almost in the same neighborhood. We drove right over to Matties and told her the plan and she said she would work on it. Sunday this sister came to church but got there late and left after Sunday School class and Mattie left with her. Elder Berry is Mattie's handyman and we are going by Monday to repair the ceiling fan in her bedroom. As you can see our duties are varied and many but most aren't covered in Preach My Gospel, our white handbook but they are all covered in the Scriptures.. As we serve Elder Berry drives the van, we assist the Elders, at times Elder Berry is a handyman, we seek out, visit and teach the less active. or anything that needs to be done. You might say we practice the Gospel of Everything. Our goal is to strengthen those who have a desire to change and we will do Everything we can to accomplish this goal.

Love Elder and Sister Berry