WE SAT AT THE FEET OF AN APOSTLE

ELDER BEDNAR- ONE OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES

Saturday November the 3rd we had the wonderful privilege of attending a mission wide Zone Conference and be taught by an Apostle of the Lord for three hours. They were the shortest three hours we have ever spent. Now we know how the Nephites in 3rd Nephi of the Book of Mormon felt when the Savior left them. There are many things we could tell you that was said but we will keep them and ponder them in our hearts. We also wrote some of his words on our "small plates" as Elder Bednar called the notes we took. He also counseled us not to write what he said but instead write the feelings we received and what we learned. He is truly a great teacher. Elder Bednar left the mission with his testimony and an apostolic blessing. After the closing prayer we all had an opportunity to shake Elder Bednar's hand. Before the meeting started and Elder Bednar arrived all the zone was poised in the cultural hall for a picture with Elder Bednar. When he arrived we weren't all in place and as Elder Bednar was walking to his position I was standing at the end of the line and he shook my hand, so I got two hand shakes from Elder Bednar. (He didn't shake hands as he walked down the line.)

Before Elder Bednar's arrival

After picture with Elder Bednar

On the road - Sister Lundholm. Elder Berry drove the van to Columbia. Going up we had eight Elders and two sisters. Coming back we had nine Elders, luggage, and two sisters. I rode in the van also.

Off to see an apostle

Our driver - Elder Berry

Elder Ultra and Elder Cardon both served in Augusta at different times. They are companions and zone leaders in Columbia

Elder Bogden and companion. Elder Berry and I love seeing and shaking hands with those who have served in Augusta

Elder Ultra and Abankwa

Wednesday in preparation for mission wide Zone Meeting we had a Zone Training Meeting in North Augusta, South Carolina. Since it was Halloween the Harlem Sisters wore their costurmes. The dressed as Elders only they still wore skirts. They were cute.



Harlem Sisters

Martinez and Harlem Sisters

Zone Training Meeting - Elder Berry was trying to get a picture of all the pony tails.

Tuesday Elder Berry and I baked six dozen cupcakes to deliver to ward members. After the zone meeting and visits with the Elders we got them delivered but not until after eight that night. Since the Elders and Sisters were required to be in their apartments by six, we took cupcakes to the sisters in Martinez and Harlem, and pizza and cupcakes to our district elders. Elder Berry and I ate lunch and dinner in the car as we drove around town.

Monday afternoon Elder Berry and I spent two hours with one of our favorite ward members, Sister Hill. This spring we bought two ferns and hung them on our patio. Over the summer with Elder Berry's watchful care, they grew to be huge and beautiful. Since winter is coming on the ferns can't withstand the cold weather and will die so we took them the Sister Hill's green house. Sister Hill has many ferns and other plants throughout her yard that needed to be put in the green house. Elder Berry organized and nailed up hooks to hang the plants while Sister Hill and I gathered up all the plants. Then we raked leaves. What fun!

Right Sister Hill with her sister Ann who lives next door, Ann is eight six and not a member of the church. When we go to Sister Hill's we usually take some dessert left over from Sunday dinner. When Ann saw us at Sister Hill's she came over to visit and get her dessert, she is holding in her hand.



At Zone conference Elder Bednar taught that we are agents, not objects and should act and not be acted upon. We also learned that we are not the teacher, that the Holy Ghost is the teacher. In our teaching we need to observe, listen and discern by the Holy Ghost then we will know what to say. We are thankful for the opportunity to be taught by an Apostle, Elder Bednar and through the Holy Ghost which bore witness to us we know the things he taught are true and he is a living representative and witness of Jesus Christ.

Love, Elder & Sister Berry

Only in the South

"Nothing could be finner than to be in Carolina"