BLESSED ARE THE FLEXIBLE

Tuesday was a busy day for us. In the morning we had DDM at the church. Three districts meet at the Augusta building in three separate meetings, the Augusta, Grovetown and Harlem districts. These meetings usually last an hour and half. We love these meetings and learn so much plus there is always such a good spirit in as we learn and study together. We also stand accountable for how we spend our time and the visits we make. Since we have been in Augusta for a year now and have gotten to know the members of the ward and have visited many recent converts, less active , etc., we are able to assist the Elders with information as we work together to reactivate. The Elders come and go but since we stay we have gotten to know the ward  and it's a great help to the Elders.

Harlem Sisters leaving DDM. Aren't they beautiful? They are beautiful inside and out and are dedicated missionaries. Our church building is located in an area that isn't very safe. Sisters are not to be left in the building without priesthood. We thought Augusta district was the last to leave the building but when we got to the parking lot the Sister's car was still there so Elder Berry and I waited until they came out and got in  their car to leave. Got this picture as they were coming out. Worth the wait.

We rushed home had a quick lunch then picked up Elder and Sister Gowans for senior training in Irmo, South Carolina then dinner at the mission home with President & Sister Holm. We had training from 2-5 PM and were trained by President Holm, his two assistants and Sister Holm spoke to us and bore her testimony, then we drove to the mission home for dinner. We arrived back home in Augusta around nine that night. President Holm frequently repeats little sayings and quite often shares some of his own. In our training he talked about being flexible, then quoted, "Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape." I'm sure most of you have heard this quote before or probably even repeated it. As we look back at our week we recognize that  there were times when we could have been more flexible and patient. As we waited for the Sisters to come out of the building we were flexible and didn't get bent out of shape because we love them so, they are just so full of goodness. We even took their picture.

While the senior couples were arrive for training two young Sisters serving in Irmo came to greet us. They decorated their T-shirts to welcome us. The young missionaries tell us they love working with the "senior couples" and appreciate us so much. Serving with the Elders and Sisters in Augusta Zone has truly been a joy for us. Picture taking turned into a flexible moment. Picture taking started with a few sisters then grew as more sisters arrived and were invited to join. Finally we thought we had everyone and had them poised but just as we all got to our seats another couple walked  in but it was time to start the meeting. What fun to be flexible and watch as different ones joined the group. No one got bent out of shape because picture taking was running into training time, not even President Holm as he stood back and watched

Elder & Sister Stowell 

Elder & Sister Ripley

Elder & Sister Gowans

Elder & Sister France (just arrived)

Sister & Elder Decker

Elder & Sister Tower

Elder & Sister Benedict

Elder & Sister Wichmann

Elder & Sister Putnam

Elder & Sister Wakefield

Sister Holm

Oops! What is this young fellow doing at a senior meeting? This is Elder Israelsen, an assistant

  

Another flexible moment - attempting to take a group picture of all the senior couples, get them arranged, stack up some boxes and then find a camera that has delayed timing. Our camera broke on us so we never got a finished picture and these pictures didn't turn out clear. It was fun!

 Monday is our Preparation Day so it started out with a doctor appointment for Elder Berry then clean the car. Before the car was washed, we got a call from a ward member needing a ride to the store, so off Elder Berry went to be a taxi driver. This is good opportunity to teach gospel principles as our passenger is held captive until we reach their destination. The good thing is we have them twice, going to the store then returning them home. Shortly after arriving home another phone call to pick up prescription for another ward member and deliver it to him. Finally got the car washed. A little girl in the ward is having difficulty reading so Elder Berry and I tutor her after school each day, so off we go to do that. We enjoy reading with Amber not only her assigned reading but it gives us an opportunity to read from The Friend and sing primary songs. Amber loves to sing so we down load primary songs on our I-pad with words and music and she sings along.  Amber and her mom are returning to activity so this is extra help to stay committed. An Elderly Sister in the ward with health problems has become a dear, dear friend and she needed her grass cut so back home a change of clothes for Elder Berry and off we go for Elder Berry to cut grass while I visit. While I was visiting with our friend I remembered we were invited to a birthday party. Celestine, a recent convert, and her daughter Raven were celebrating their birthday and we were invited to have cake and ice cream with them. (She invited us at church on Sunday and I didn't write it in our calender)We made it for cake and ice cream with Elder Berry wearing his work clothes.

 

                                    Amber

Raven, Celestine, and Hunter



It seems all the little simple things we attempted to do this week didn't turn out as we planned. We noticed a young man at church that passes the sacrament needed a new white shirt. Wednesday morning we attempted to quickly buy him a shirt so when we picked him up to take him to a ward member's house to get a hair cut we could give him the shirt. The hair cut that should have taken about an hour turned into over two hours, and the shirt was too small. We drove the young man home, went back to he store returned the shirt and finally found a shirt that would fit after going to several stores. This activity took up most of the day but it was well worth it. Other things we had planned will get done another day because we flexed and didn't get bent out of shape. No matter what we do we know we are "only in the service of our God" (Mosiah 2:17). The whole week seemed to follow this pattern. President Holm's message was very timely.

The highlight of our week of course was the baptism of Holly. What a special young lady and so ready to claim her blessings as a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints.

Elder Olsen, Holly & Elder Cahoon 



Saturday night we enjoyed a ward Halloween dinner and trunk or treat. We had a great time. When we arrived at the church the cultural hall wasn't set up and people were arriving. Quickly Elder Berry and other members hustled and got the tables set up while I helped put table clothes on the tables. This is another time this week where flexibility sure helped

Our ward missionaries. Elders Cahoon, Olsen, Potts & Wilkinson



Elder Berry and I wish to spare you all the details of the rest of our week but let us assure you it was not without much more flexibility."Nothin could be finer than to be in Carolina" and this is certainly the place to be serving and assisting in Augusta, Georgia part of the Columbia, South Carolina Mission. Now that's what we call flexibility. May you find joy as you become more flexible and please try not to get bent out of shape.

Love, Elder & Sister Berry

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA

The Living History Park in North Augusta, South Carolina

Celebrating Colonial Times from 1735-1785

Benjamin Franklin

General George Washington

Battle demonstration and skirmish

Saturday we took two hours off and returned to the Living History Park. We enjoyed visiting the displays and learning the history of this area's early settlers. We listened to General George Washington as he told of his love for his country and his home Mt. Vernon. Benjamin Franklin told of some of his inventions and some events in our country's fight for freedom. These reenactments were very inspiring. We are so thankful to be living in this choice and free land and for those who have made it possible throughout history. In the Book of Mormon in Nephis's vision he saw, "...that their mother Gentiles were gathered together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them. And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle. And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations." (1 Nephi 13:17-19) The Book of Mormon makes it clear that we are living in a choice land " which is choice above all other lands." (1 Nephi 2:20) We are living in a very difficult time in history and we need to follow the example of Captain Moroni and boldly declare our love for this choice land, our freedom, our families and our religion. Serving as missionaries along with thousands more seniors, elders and sister we are representing the Lord in the battle against good and evil. As we invite others to come unto Christ we are waving our "title of liberty" (Alma 46:13) the Gospel of Jesus Christ which offers freedom to all who will repent and follow Christ. God Bless America!

You would think we would get into some kind of routine or schedule but with so many unexpected things happening life is never dull. Our Elders moved into an apartment in our complex Monday. Elder Berry spent the day assisting. Monday night his legs hurt from going up and down stairs so much. The Elders love their new apartment and it was remodeled before they moved in. As a matter of fact the workers were finishing up as they moved in. We are happy to have them in a safer environment. We knocked on lots of doors this week and lots of doors weren't opened to us. We try calling members on the phone, leave messages but they are almost never returned. If the door is opened the person we are seeking is either sick or sleeping. We are thankful we live in a county that allows us the freedom to knock on doors and invite our members to return to church and worship with us. 

Elders new apartment. They said they love to sit on the balcony in the mornings. Creative way they secure their bikes.

It turned cold last night, fall time has finally arrived. November 3rd we are having a mission wide zone conference. Elder Bednar will be here. He requested that all the missionaries study two of his talks and that is what the papers are in the Elders hands. We are so excited and waiting for the conference is almost like waiting for Christmas.

A very humbling experience this week was our visit to a young man who was converted almost two years ago. He lives in an apartment to our standard would be very meager. Jomo has some disabilities but we don't know what they are as he isn't able to work. The first Sunday we attended church in the Augusta Ward we watched as a big young man, much to large to be a deacon, passed the Sacrament holding a stick with a back scratchier attached. Jomo is his name and he has probably only missed one Sunday since we have been here. About six months ago he was ordained a Priest and blesses the Sacrament now. When he first started he had a difficult time but now he is able to say the prayer without any trouble. We always have a prayer in our heart for him. Jomo doesn't drive so he needs a ride to church. His home teacher picks him up along with three other people he home teaches. As we drive around town we spot Jomo walking with his stick pulling a little cart. Jomo welcomed us into his home and was very happy to visit with us. He is a very kind, soft spoken and mild mannered man. Elder Berry and I felt very humbled to visit with Jomo in his home.

Jomo at July 24th celebration

Elders Wilkinson and Potts had a baptism Saturday. Hunter was baptized. His mother was baptized three week ago. The primary president gave a talk on baptism, I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and Elder Berry gave the closing prayer. Hunter has asbergers syndrome. Elder Berry and I attended a lesson with the Elders as they taught him. We were very impressed with the Elders. They made a match game on index cards and played the game until Hunter remembered the concept they were teaching. It was fun and Hunter's mom was impressed with his interaction with the Elders because he usually doesn't respond to people. Hunter even went to eleven year old scouts Wednesday night which was a hard thing for his mom to let go. The Elders opened the door, sent him in and told his mom, "he will be ok". and he was. She had tears in her eyes when Hunter returned to her all in smiles. Saturday after he was baptized Brother Ficklin invited him to come up and speak and he did. His mom was in tears because that is something that the old Hunter wouldn't do. Hunter loves the missionaries and sits up close as he can to them. He is a sweet boy and the gospel will be a blessing in his life.

Sister James, Hunter, Elders Wilkinson & Potts

Happy Birthday to our grandson serving in Seattle Washington. Happy Birthday Elder Garrett Berry!

Congratulations to my sister Patti (Patti lives in Martinez). She had a new grand baby last week. Congratulations proud mom and dad, Jenny and Spencer for your beautiful baby girl. Picture and name later.

We encourage everyone to prayerfully exercise their right to vote this November that our country may remain strong and free. God Bless America!

Love, Elder and Sister Berry