HIS WILL, HIS WAY

District Development Meeting - Grovetown District & Augusta District

Elder &Sister Gowans, Sister Berry at DDM

Tonight we got a phone call from Annette asking us to pick up her grandchildren from her house and drive them home. Annette doesn't have a car and depends on others. We have no idea where the children's parents were. Annette also keeps her grandchildren over the weekend so she can take them to church with her on Sunday. The van picks them up. Her children and grandchildren aren't members of the church. By the time we got Annette's call it was getting late, we were preparing for bed, to relax after a long day and it sure was hard getting back out. It would have been easy to say, where are the children's parents? As we serve we invite others to come unto Christ, and at times when we are asked to do things we really would rather not do, we have to pause and think what would be the Christlike thing to do. We are here in Augusta serving the people and we should do His Will, His Way, sometimes without questions. President Holm uses these four words frequently as we (all the missionaries) meet in training. He reminds us we are here doing His Will, His Way and then he repeats these words three or four times.for emphasis. As we were driving the children home we asked them to share with us what they learned in Primary. One little girl started telling us what she learned and it went something like this: Nephi was a Book of Mormon Prophet. Some good people were telling the bad people that Jesus was going to be born in thirty years. When he was to  be born there would be light for three days and no dark. The bad people were getting ready to kill the good people because they thought the time had past but there was three days of light so the bad people's mouth fell to the floor. All the children told us what they learned and we were impressed at how well they had been taught and that they remembered because these concepts aren't taught to them except when they
attend primary. We enjoyed visiting with them.

Transfer time has come around again. Wednesday Elders Phillips, Agular, and Lee will be leaving. Elder Cahoon will be staying. Transfer time is always hard because we love these Elders and Sisters so much. Augusta Zone will have many changes. Sister King from Harlem will be going home, three Elders from Grovetown will be transferred and most of the other districts will have changes. Elder Abankwa one of our Zone Leaders will be leaving. We wish our departing missionaries God speed and welcome our new missionaries with open arms. We know whatever changes are made that it is His Will, His Way

  Last Sunday dinner with Elders Phillips, Agular and Lee.

Another change that was made today is that the Missionaries will no longer be responsible for planning, and assisting with the van transportation on Sunday morning. The van belongs to the ward mission leader and he furnishes all the gas and loans it to us to get investigators and recent converts to church who don't have cars. Each week Elder Berry drives two Elders around town in our car knocking on doors getting a count of those who are coming to church, then calls the van and tells them to pick up or pass over.  Two Elders ride in the van assisting the driver. Although the Elders make many phone calls on Saturday night and get commitments for  rides, when the van arrives on Sunday morning some still change their mind. The van makes two trips around town picking up . We spend an hour every Saturday night planning the van route and making phone calls. This takes precious time from their busy schedules, plus all the time that it takes on Sunday. Missionaries purpose is to baptise and the wards responsibility is to fellowship and assist the missionaries. It was decided that the assistant ward mission leader along with the Elders Quorum and High Priest would be responsible for the van and getting members to church. The goal is to eventually get the ward members to pick up those who don't have transportation and eliminate the van. There is one ward member that makes a trip around town picking up members drops them off at church, picks up his family drives to church, then picks up a handicapped lady and her son who lives near the church. Another couple picks up two ladies who don't drive and they do that faithfully every Sunday. We need more ward members to follow their example. Elder Phillips is our District Leader and he is the one who approached the Bishop about the change. The Bishop eagerly gave his approval so today after three weeks notice the Missionaries handed over the van. Elder Berry did offer to assist the Elders, High Priest and Ward Mission Leader as they begin this new responsibility. As we, the district talked about, and Elder Phillips, our District Leader, made the decision concerning the van we know it is "His Will, His Way" so the missionaries will be free to use their time serving as they are called and the ward will be able to assist the missionaries and fellowship the converts. We are grateful for our Ward Mission Leader's generous assistance and his support and for the experiences we have had. We are also grateful for a wise District Leader that had the ability to make this decision, plan to make it happen and most important to be here on his last Sunday in Augusta Ward to announce the change. Elder Phillips you did a good joy! We stand all amazed and are proud to be led by such dedicated Elders.

As Elder Berry and I were driving around town this week we followed this van so decided to take a picture while stopped at a light. Many churches here have a van/vans or even buses.

Four year old Miriam came to Crystal's  baptism with her family. Miriam fell in love with Crystal. Miriam wants to sit with Crystal in sacrament meeting so Miriam's mom invited Crystal to sit with their family during Sacrament meeting. Miriam recently turned four years old and  last Sunday her family celebrated with a special dinner. Miriam was given permission to invite a few friends. Her first choice was Crystal. Although her parents tried to convince Miriam that Crystal was an adult, that she should invite children her age, she still insisted on Crystal. Crystal was invited but Miriam wouldn't join in any games because she wanted to sit on Crystal's lap. Crystal spoke in Sacrament meeting today and did a good job. Elder Berry and I along with Elders Lee and Cahoon visited with Crystal Saturday evening. We invited her to practice her talk on us but she told us a few things she wanted to say and mentioned she wanted to speak from her heart. She also said she wanted to tell a little about her life and how the church has helped her. The topic she was given was the ninth article of faith. We asked if she had read and studied from church magazines or other books. She told us she really had not but said since she had spoken before groups many times so she felt confident in herself. Elder Lee got really nervous and suggested very strongly that she let Sister Berry help her write a talk. Again Crystal told us she wanted to speak from her heart but she did ask us how to begin and end the talk. We were happy to help and again we offered to assist her but she thanked us and told us she could do it. When we left we were very nervous. We knew Crystal was very capable of speaking to large groups but we were nervous about what she might say in a sacrament meeting. Before leaving we suggested if she wanted to tell a little about herself not to go in great detail. We all prayed hard for Crystal Saturday night. Crystal gave a good talk on Sunday, it wasn't long, her thoughts were a little unorganized, she did tell about her life but not to much and she did speak from her heart. We are proud of Crystal. She has only been a member since June 20th. Another recent convert Kathy spoke in church Sunday also. She did lots of research and prayed hard as she prepared her talk. Elder Berry and I went to her apartment Friday to help her order temple clothes. She asked us to look at her talk and tell her if it was OK or not. We had a dinner appointment and didn't have time to be of help but promised to come back the next day which we did. Her talk was on the 13th article of Faith. She did a great  job Sunday and bore a beautiful testimony. Two inactive ladies we have visited before were at church today. One sister is moving from the ward and the other sister is a school teacher but decided to come but didn't want lots of attention. It's so unpredictable who will come back to church and if they will return the following Sunday. Some of these people have good home teachers and visiting teachers and a great desire to return. Some return for financial assistance and have problems living the gospel. We love them and are happy to see them no matter what reason they come to church. Hopefully they may hear something that will enable them to have a change of heart. As missionaries we promise these people blessings if they will do "His will, His Way" their lives will be blessed.

Last Wednesday was a car day for us. It started by Elder Berry and I driving a Sister to College that morning then at one o'clock we pick her up from college and drive her back home. While Lee Ann was at school we decided to bake cookies to take to members who have recently moved into the ward. Just as we got home Elder Lee called and needed a ride to the dentist. Elder Lee is a bicycle Elder. Elder Berry picked him and Elder Cahoon up and drove them to the dentist. Before Elder Berry got home he got a call from Lee Ann and she was ready to be picked up from school. She got out early. Elder Berry drove to the apartment picked me up, we picked up Lee Ann and drove her home. Just before picking up Lee Ann we got a phone call from the Grovetown Elders needing a ride. Because they had to make two trips to Columbia in their car this month they have run out of miles. They tried calling ward members but no one was able to help, We dropped off Lee Ann then drove to pick up the Grovetown Elders and take them to the area they would be working in for the day. Grovetown is very rural and things aren't close together. Just as we were picking up the Grovetown Elders our Elders called from the dentist needing to be picked up. We drove the Grovetown Elders to their drop off area then rushed to pick up Elders Lee and Cahoon from the dentist. We finally made it home and got some cookies baked but not many delivered. President Holm tells us we are to assist the Elders in their service. This particular Wednesday morning we had no appointments and were available for the Elders when they needed us. We know this is His work and we strive to do His will, His way."  Cookies can always wait, they are nice but not necessary.

Love, Elder and Sister Berry



The 4th Missionary having a bad day

HAVE A BLESSED DAY

MTC Provo Utah Oct 10, 2011

Our third companion got us here and takes us everywhere.

First Transfer

First District Development Meeting

First transfer dinner with the Atkinsons

Baptism of Cliett family and Terry

South Carolina Temple

Bunny cake for little firends

Sunday dinner, Elders having a little fun

Zone at Columbia, South Carolina

Zone Conference

Transfer Dinner

Transfer day

Zone on the road to Newberry, South Carolina

Transfer Dinner

Ward 24th July Celebration

Gowans replaced the Atkinsons in Grovetown Ward

Elder Walker and Augusta Zone - Newberry South Carolina

Senior Training Meeting and Dinner

Elder Caldwell transferred

Sister Johnson last transfer

Elder Cardon transferred

Since we have reached the half way mark of our service in the Columbia South Carolina Mission we are sharing some pictures of the past nine months.We have put many miles on our car and our bodies but all three are still going strong. Over the past nine months we have met many wonderful people. We have rejoiced with them, cried with them, and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. As we visited the less active and invited them to come back some have answered the call and are struggling to return. Others that we had great hopes for just can't seem to get it together, which causes us great sadness because we can see how their lives would be better and happier if they lived the gospel and applied its teachings in their lives. As long as we are here we will never give up. The Elders and Sisters have come and gone. As mentioned before this is a sad and happy time for us. Sad to see our dear Elders and Sister go because we love them so, but happy to welcome and serve with the Elders and Sisters transferred into Augusta. As you all know we are in the Bible belt. One of the things we really love here is that many people when we leave their home, or finish a conversation with them they will say "have a blessed day".  No matter how they receive us at the door when we leave they will say "have a blessed day." It seems that when our day doesn't go as we plan. all it takes is for someone to share that greeting with us and things get better.

Shortly after we arrived in Augusta the Elders Baptised Karen and a few weeks later baptized her husband Chris. Chris never came back to church after his baptism to get confirmed although we and the Elders have encouraged him to return. Elder Berry and I have visited in their home many times. We accompanied the Elders giving lessons and Elder Berry and I have given home evening lessons to their family and have shared many happy times together. Karen works on Sunday and can't come to church but Elder Berry and I still go to their home. If we can't get them at their home we go to Karen's work and say hello. Chris and Elder Berry have become friends. Although we haven't seen Chris in several months, this week he was having some issues with long term health problems, etc and called Elder Berry. We are thankful for this opportunity to serve him and give him the encouragement he needs. They are a wonderful family and the gospel will bless their lives if they will return and this is our hope. Tuesday we had dinner with a young new couple in our ward. He is military and they just got transferred to Fort Gordon. When I asked her at church if we could come visit them she invited us to dinner, what a surprise and joy. Tuesday we were a few minutes late and the young man was standing outside waiting for us. We had a delicious dinner and got to know this wonderful young couple. They are eager to receive church callings and serve. One of the ladies we visit husband passed away this week.He had cancer and has lived longer than expected. The Elders had great hopes of baptizing him. July 24th he was at church with his wife and finally expressed a desire to be baptized. His wife was thrilled. Since he had been baptized when he was a young man he didn't see the need to be baptized again. He finally had the understanding he needs to be baptized by one having authority and that's what the Elders have and he also said he knows he can live it now. The Elders didn't have the opportunity to baptize him because his health quickly declined. This lady's family aren't members of the church but were very appreciative of all the support she received from the church and the missionaries. Saturday we made many visits to inactive sisters inviting them to church Sunday. Two of those sisters are living with men but not married to them. It saddens our heart because of the example they are setting for their children and blessings they are denying themselves and their families.  

Following is a copy of an article that made the newspaper this week. Two weeks ago the Elders met a nice young man and introduced him to the gospel. They brought him to church for our Book of Mormon class that the missionaries have for investigators, less active and new members., Our hope for this class is to instill in them a love for the Book of Mormon and to obtain a better understanding of the things they read. This young man participated in the lesson and read from the Book of Mormon. After the class the Elders took him on a tour of the building. They had an appointment to return to his apartment and teach him. Before the return appointment the young man read some anti-Mormon material on the computer so the Elders got an angry threatening phone call followed by a text message. The message threatened them and all those who attended the scripture study class. The Elders called the Mission President and he instructed them to call the police. All meetings at the building were cancelled Wednesday and this Sunday both wards that met in our building had priesthood patrolling the parking lot and halls as a precaution. Sunday in our missionary correlation meeting the Bishop counseled all the missionaries to be careful and use caution in some of the areas we go, although we wear a black name tag it isn't bullet proof. What a sobering thought and made us realize how blessed we have been while serving in Augusta. Most places we go the people treat us with great respect, acknowledging us with a nod of the head as we pass on the streets. We have never felt threatened and know that we are watched over as long as we follow the spirit. Saturday as we were out finding people, police cars were all over the neighborhood we needed to be in. We decided that wasn't the place we needed to be so we drove on.

Each day, week and month seem to bring many and varied experiences and we can feel the hand of the Lord as we travel around the city of Augusta. We feel each day is a blessed day. We wish to everyone "A BLESSED DAY!" today and every day.

Love, Elder and Sister Berry

"Nothin could be finer

 than to be in Carolina"  (Mission that is)

DESIRE-THOUGHTS-ACTION

Sisters, Elder Berry (Our Grandson) and his companion

Seattle Washington Mission

We would like to share a thought from our grandson this week. Elder G. Berry is serving in the Seattle Washington Mission. His letter was very inspiring and we also love the picture he sent. Elder G. Berry wrote that he and his companion were studying from Preach My Gospel and they read that we need to be Christlike missionaries, not just do missionaries things. That started them to "thinking about their desires as missionaries. In life if we desire something we think about it, if we think about it it will happen, so if you desire baptizing you will think about baptizing and then you will baptize. This really goes for anything in our life. If we desire to do it then we will begin to think about it and then those thought will turn to action. It made us realize that we need to direct our thoughts more toward baptizing and our purpose as a missionary.If we direct our thoughts toward Christlike things we will all begin to be more Christlike." He wrote , "it really made me think about what my thoughts were and am I directing them to where they need to be."

Crystal with her daughter and granddaughter

Crystal is a perfect example of directing her thoughts to more Christlike things. Recently Crystal was baptized. The more she studies and learns the more excited she gets. She lives the gospel and desires and receives blessings from her efforts, and recognizes those blessings. Because of her desires and change of heart and efforts she is having more success in her work. Before Crystal was baptized at the end of a discussion she asked us to pray that she would get to see her four year old granddaughter whom she had never met. Crystal was recovering from a difficult past and because of this had become separated from her two children for many years. Crystal was very doubtful that her daughter would forgive her and allow her to see her granddaughter. Many months ago we said that prayer and because of Crystal's efforts in living the gospel, reading, studying and serving this weekend her daughter came for a visit and stayed with her in her apartment. Crystal's desires and thoughts of reuniting with her daughter lead her to action.She lived the gospel, changed her life and opened the door of communication with her daughter. This weekend we rejoiced with Crystal. Heavenly Father truly hears and answers prayers and blesses us with the desires of our heart when we live the gospel and strive to be more Christlike.

Elder Phillips, Brother Williams and his sister Sister Hobbs

Saturday morning we woke up to dark clouds and heavy rain. It rained "buckets" most of the day along with thunder and lightning. It was so bad we had to get our rain coats out but we still got wet. Although it was a dark and dreary day outside, the bright spot of the day was the baptism of Brother Williams.

This has been a rewarding week for us. One sister called  and was very excited and wanted to share an experience she had while reading the scriptures. We went to visit and rejoiced with her over her new understanding of receiving inspiration while reading and studying the scriptures. This sister is going through a very difficult time in her life and Elder Berry and I have been encouraging her to read the scriptures, attend church, and live the gospel. We promised her with the help of the Lord she will receive the ability to handle her challenges. Her challenges are far from over but she is coping much better. When we first met with this sister she was weeping and so full of grief she could hardly talk. She told us since our visit she has been prompted to read the scriptures more and has been responding to those promptings. By reading the scriptures and applying them to her life she has received inspiration and hope.

Monday evening Elder Berry and I were leaving our apartment to visit some families and take them some banana nut bread. We have a less active couple that live in our apartment complex that we and the Elders have been working with. This couple weren't on our visit list but we decided to stop by, say hello and give them a loaf of bread. The husband had arrived home from work shortly before we knocked on the door. He invited us in and we found his wife crying so uncontrollable that she couldn't talk. We finally learned that she received a call early that morning from a relative in Washington State that her aunt had died suddenly. After some time of talking and trying to comfort her we found she had other issues that were bothering her. We shared Alma chapter 40 with them. We promised them if they would come to church every Sunday, live the word of wisdom and serve in callings they would be blessed with the desires of their heart. We didn't say these things to them but were inspired to say them. Elder Berry and I have been set apart to be missionaries and were given the power and authority to promise blessings. Receiving these blessings depend on the desires, thoughts and actions of those to whom they have been promised.

Today in Sacrament meeting Brother and Sister Cliett, converts of eight months, gave talks. They both gave such beautiful talks. We have shared many events in the lives of the Cliett family. They are a perfect example of a family that has the desire to live the gospel, they learn the things they need to do and then they do  them. Simple things to us like not shopping on Sundays and going to church every Sunday and staying for three hours are all things they have had to adjust in their lives.

Another experience we had was very humbling. A sister who is a convert of two years got her temple recommend and plans to attend the temple soon. The stake president asked her who would be her escort. The sister thought and thought and couldn't think of anyone to ask. Finally the stake president suggest she ask her visiting teacher or home teacher's wife. She doesn't have a home teacher or visiting teacher that she is aware of. This sister asked Elder Berry and I if we would be her home teacher and asked me to be her escort when she goes to the temple. This sister has such a strong testimony of the gospel, the Book of Mormon and Prophets. She quietly comes to church every week with Sister Hobbs, they sit in the back of the chapel and are hardly noticed by other sisters in the ward. This sister is truly an inspiration to us.

Friday was Zone Conference in West Columbia, South Carolina.  We arrived in West Columbia 8AM about the time the Elders and Sisters started arriving. They had to drive their cars because they had

to be inspected. The Elders and Sisters were all moaning and groaning because this trip took up too many of their miles for the month which means lots of them will have to take to a bike. While the Elders and Sisters were in meetings getting instructions on car safety, apartments all the senior couples helped inspect the cars. The husband and wife working together as a team, one inspecting and the other making the inspection paper. After inspecting the cars we joined the Elders and Sisters for Zone Conference. We had an enjoyable time as always and learned much. The theme of the conference was to become more powerful teachers by study and prayer, teaching by the spirit, with power and authority and promise blessings. We studied from Preach My Gospel and did lots of roll playing. President Holm's plea was to be better missionaries, study harder, teach better. He encouraged us to be our "best self, give it all you've got and don't quit until you've got nothing left, treasure up knowledge, control what we are thinking rather than let others plant their thoughts and views in our minds and hearts. President Holm promised many, many wonderful blessings that would go throughout the missionary's life if they would serve with all their heart, might, mind and strength. The meeting ended all to soon at 4PM. Since we were in Columbia we decided to attend a temple session before returning to Augusta. It was a long and blessed day and we gave it all we had and were thankful for our bed when we returned home about 10PM.

Elder Caldwell who served 6 months in Augusta returns home in 3 days.

Sister King and Sister Roos, Harlem - Sister King will return home at next transfer

Sisters King, Roos, and Lusk. Sister Lusk served in Augusta Zone when we first arrived.

We always sing to show our appreciation for those who provided our lunch

                               After lunch a few baskets to get some of the kinks out.

We love this work, it is very challenging and we are given strength beyond our own to accomplish this great task. We testify that all missionaries everywhere can become better missionaries through our desires, controlling our thoughts and working until we have nothing left. And we along with Elder G. Berry agree that we can become more Christlike and our lives will change for the better through our desires, thoughts and actions no matter what stage of life we are in.

Love, Elder and Sister Berry