BLESS THESE SIX MISSIONARIES

The District with Brother Fickllin, assistant ward mission leader

The New District - Elders Olsen, Potts, Cahoon, Wilkinson

After Sunday dinner just demonstrating how full they were

The Augusta District consist of two sets of  Elders and a Senior Couple which equals six missionaries serving the Augusta Ward. Every Sunday morning we have a missionary correlation meeting with our ward mission leaders and twice a month members of the ward council attend.  The four elders sit on the front row and Elder Berry and I sit on the row behind the Elders. This week the closing prayer was given by our assistant ward mission leader and in his prayer he prayed for "these six missionaries".  The prayer was very touching, especially to be included with the Elders because we are missionaries and we are united in our purpose "to bring souls to Christ."

This week we wish to share our joys as we serve with the Elders and Sisters in Augusta Zone. It is very humbling, fun, and brings us such great joy. This was transfer week so there was lots going on. Monday we with Elder and Sister Gowans had a transfer dinner at our apartment for the zone for those who could attend. The dinner usually starts at four and goes until six during preparation day time and the Elders and Sisters can come and go according to their schedule. The Sisters in Harlem usually don't come because it is to far and uses up too many of their miles. So Sister Berry left the apartment at three, drove to Harlem and picked up Sisters Roos and Steimle returning at four o'clock, then drove them back to Harlem another hours drive. It was worth it. We love these dinners. What a blessing to share the joys of transfers with all the missionaries and give them an opportunity to meet together before moving on to their next assignment. We delight in their growth and progress while serving in Augusta Zone.

Elder Olsen probably has on Elder Cahoon's jacket

Elder Stever

Elder Stever - last transfer

Sisters Brand & LundHolm

Augusta District

Elder Berry receiving instructions for i-pad

Elders Olsen and Cahoon

Sister Lundholm Martinez Ward

Sisters Roos & Steimle - Harlem Ward with Elder Gowans

                          Sisters Brand & Berry - The short & tall/young & old of missionary service

Tuesday six of the Elders in our Zone needed to be in Columbia, South Carolina for training meetings prior to transfers on Wednesday. These Elders receive training for their new assignment as a trainer for a new companion coming from the MTC. Arrangements were made to borrow or ward mission leaders fifteen passenger van, Elder Berry to dive it and transport the six elders to Columbia. Early Tuesday morning we left our apartment, drove around the corner and  picked up our two Elders, drove to Stevens Creek, Georgia exchanged our car for the van, picked up two more sets of Elders, then drove to Aiken, South Carolina and picked up two more sets of Elders. From Aiken we drove to Columbia and dropped off our Elders. After visiting briefly Elder Berry and I got back in the van, returned to Stevens Creek, traded vehicles then returned to our apartment after a round trip of about two hundred miles and almost seven hours. Our day wasn't over. After a brief rest we had a visit to make and drive a sister to the grocery store. We finally returned to our apartment after 8PM. Great Day! We felt we had truly been blessed as we served, especially transporting our Elders safely to Columbia.

Wednesday, transfer day. Elder Stever is the only Elder to leave our district, his last transfer. God bless you Elder Stever on your return home. Elder Stever has a great testimony and it could be felt and he is wise beyond his years. He worked hard until his last day. Since our Elders were already in Columbia, Elder Berry and I drove to Columbia Wednesday morning to drive Elder Wilkinson and his new companion back to Augusta. We love the transfer meetings, the hustle and bustle as new championships are made, luggage exchanged from auto to auto, new missionaries coming in and missionaries returning home. It is truly a happy and sad time as we experience the hand of the Lord in these meetings and feel his spirit. Elder Berry and I are grateful we are a senior missionary couple and don't have to experience transfers and new companions. Elder Pots is our new Elder straight from the MTC and we look forward to serving with him. The return drive to August is always informative because we get to know our new Elders. Upon returning home we made preparations for our Book of Mormon class, made phone calls and made arrangements for transportation to the class. We love these Book of Mormon classes and know it will help our recent converts and less active members develop a stronger testimony and understanding of the gospel as we liken these scriptures to us today.

Elder Berry speaking with Elder Bogden. Notice the colors of the trees.

Elder Berry visiting with Elder & Sister Bowman, office missionaries

              

Elder Flake last transfer. He was serving in Augusta one year ago when we arrived

Sister Serafine last transfer. She served in Grovetown

Elder Ultra good to see him

Elder Potts our new Elder from the MTC

Sister Namutebi from Africa taught Brother and Sister Norris from Grovetown Ward. They went to the temple last month. Sister Namutebi 's last transfer so Brother and Sister Norris came to transfers to wish her well

Elders Berry, Cahoon, Olsen viewing pictures from transfer meeting.

The rest of our week was spent visiting the members of our ward and searching out the less active, and following up with our families who are experiencing trials. We rejoiced with Linda and Zack. Zack reports to the MTC October 24th so he and his mother attended the temple together Wednesday for the first time. Elder Berry and I weren't able to attend because we were assisting our missionaries with transfers but our hearts were with them.

Visiting Indiana (left) and Joyce (Sister Berry talking to her) at a nursing home

We always take Indiana green grapes. Sometimes Joyce doesn't seem to recognize us and she doesn't always visit with us. This week she was excited to see us and wanted to visit so we just happened to have extra treats in the car so we had something to give her also.

Heart warming - Elder Cahoon needed a CD so Elder Berry and I took it to church to give to him. This is what we saw. The Fry family feeding the missionaries. Since it takes up too many miles driving to their home, they brought dinner to church, set up a table in the kitchen and were enjoying a delicious meal.

Saturday morning early Elder Berry and I went to the Mathis home. Elder Berry instructed Tony how to install an electrical outlet in their kitchen. When we got there the children were outside playing. So I took pictures while Elder Berry worked. What a fun morning!

Regie and Patience - Regie is really driving this little car all over the back yard.

Alyssa and her three children "little" Tony, Regie, Patience

"little" Tony

"little" Tony loves to play in the dirt

Patience and Regie

Elder Berry and "big" Tony - finished job heading home

Preparation Day October 8th

Slave house

Having fun

Elder & Sister Gowans

Elder & Sister Berry

Last Monday morning before transfer dinner we took a little trip with the Gowans across the Savannah River to North Augusta, South Carolina to a living history park. We plan to return in two weeks for a special day at the park as Colonial Times will be reenacted. Sounds fun and we have put the date on our calendar. The only thing that will keep us away is a baptism.

We love being a missionary and we love our missionaries and we love the people of Augusta, Georgia. My sister Nita and her husband Tom are serving a mission in Yellowknife, Edmonton Canada Mission. Yellowknife is the capital and largest city of the Northwest Territories. They arrived at their mission assignment this past week and have already experienced several inches of snow. Elder Garrett has been called to be the new Branch President. They will be living many miles (two days drive) from other missionaries and their mission office. Our prayers will be with these two missionaries as they serve in their new area and among the Saints in Yellowknife. God be with you Elder and Sister Garrett!

Love, Elder and Sister Berry