HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Harlem Sisters Door decorated for Christmas

CHRISTMAS DAY 

Christmas dinner and no this isn't our dessert plates although Elder Berry might say these Chocolate ones are mine darling.

Our little Christmas tree

Christmas day was started with Breakfast for our district Elders -  Wilkinson, Potts, Olsen, Tippetts. Our
Elders had dinner appointments and members had invited them to Skype their parents so they were busy the rest of the day.We had a wonderful Christmas day.  We enjoyed dinner with Elder and Sister Gowans. The Gowns and Berrys prepared the dinner. Our guest were a less active couple who live in our apartment complex, a single girl from Grovetown and two of the Grovetown Elders who didn't get invited to a ward members home. The food was delicious, company great and we enjoyed playing games after dinner. Elder Gowans took the Elders, one at a time, to his apartment to Skype their families while the other Elder stayed and played games. When everyone  left and the kitchen cleaned there was a knock on the door and Elders Olsen and Tippetts came by and we were playing a game when Elders Wilkinson and Potts dropped by to end their day. Our son's family sent a box of goodies and in the box was a  puzzle to solve so everyone worked on that challenge until we got a beep and it was time to face time with our Vegas family, our favorite part of the day. We were just so happy that we didn't get in the car but once the whole day except to deliver a plate of cookies. This Christmas was one of the best we have ever spent as we celebrated the birth of our Savior. Among all our festivities and eating we did take the time to ponder on this great event and what it means to the world and that we had the opportunity to serve others.

CHRISTMAS EVE AT CRUNK HOME - SISTER PATTI & FAMILY

Christmas Eve our district Elders had dinner with us. When dinner was over and the Elders left we quickly left our apartment and drove to my sister Patti's home to enjoy their family festivities. When we got there they had been celebrating for a while. We got there said hello, visited a bit, took a few pictures and was getting some food to eat. Patti was gathering up some food for us to take and was slicing a pumpkin pie to give us a piece. All of a sudden I remembered there was a pumpkin pie in the oven at our apartment which should have been taken out before we left. That pie had been nothing but trouble since we bought it. We usually buy our pies at Costco because we don't have time to bake but when we were grocery shopping we decided to buy a frozen pumpkin pie that just needed to be baked. That was our first mistake. Christmas Eve our District Elders had dinner with us and that was to be our dessert. Elder Wilkinson loves pumpkin pie and whip cream. The pumpkin pie was in the oven and everything was on schedule until we checked the potatoes and they weren't getting done, so out of the oven (spilling as it was removed), back in the oven when the potatoes were done. Sad to say the pie wasn't ready for dinner so we promised the Elders pie if they would come by before returning to their apartment for the evening. When Elder Berry and I left the apartment we forgot to turn the oven off. It wasn't until Patti offered me pie that I rememberd the pie in the oven.We quickly grabbed our treats, told everyone good-by and Merry Christmas. (They teased us and accused us of planning this so we wouldn't have to stay.)  We had a twenty minute drive home but when we turned into our apartment complex there were no flashing lights by our building and no smoke billowing out of our apartment. We got there in time. Elder Wilkinson didn't have pumpkin pie.

Before the Christmas Eve party at the Crunks and pie disaster this is how we spent our day:We left our apartment about eight in the morning delivering treats. We trove to Aiken, South Crunkarolina and gave the Elders a box of honey buns. The Elders love honey buns and there is no shortage of them in the stores. From Aiken we drove to Waynesboro then to Grovetown and gave the Elders them honey buns, then back home, packed up went to several ward members delivering cookies, back home for lunch, then off again. This time we went downtown to assisted living and delivered cookies to three ladies. One lady was in a crisis. She knitted hats for her grandchildren and was finished with the last one and ran out of yarn for the tassel on the top. She had no car and no one to take her to the store. Elder Berry and I delivered another box of honey buns to the Elders in North Augusta, South Carolina, then toys for a family in the ward, drove across town to the fabric store, bought yarn and drove back downtown with the yarn. The lady was so grateful and couldn't believe we would take the time on Christmas Eve to help her out. It was time to return home and finish dinner for the Elders. This is when the pie disaster started.

 After we rescued our apartment it was still early so we decided to finish our Christmas deliveries, so off to Grovetown to the Sister's apartment, weren't home but left goodies, next stop the Sisters in Martinez but weren't home so left goodies, last stop Stevens Creek Elders and they weren't home so left them honey buns. By the time we got home about nine we had driven almost 190 miles. We had a wonderful time! The only disappointment was we didn't get to spend more time at my sisters home.

Wednesday morning we decided we would only make one hospital visit and rest the remainder of the day. Well that morning we got a phone call and was informed one of the less active sisters we visit was in the hospital. We got Elders Tippetts and Olsen and headed to the hospital to visit these two sisters and give one a blessing. We visited the first sister and while we were visiting the other sister we got a phone call that a teenage girl in the ward was in the emergency room. Off to the emergency room to check out what was happening. The girl came in earlier in the morning with side pains and was being tested for appendices. While I was visiting with the girl's mother the Elders asked if she would like a blessing. The girl told them she would be OK and didn't need one so we visited a few more minutes then left. 

The day was rainy and bad.Elders Olsen and Tippets are the bicycle Elders and they needed to visit a lady who didn't have a phone so we drove them to the house and waited while the Elders had a short visit with her. We dropped the Elders off and headed home to rest. We hadn't been home long but thought of another sister we needed to visit. Just as we were walking out the door the Elders met us and informed us the teenage girl was going into surgery shortly to have her appendix removed and would like a blessing so back to the emergency room and a blessing was given. It was still raining and the Elders weren't having any luck knocking on doors and they hadn't been able to get any appointments so they accompanied us to visit our lady. While we were driving to this appointment we got another phone call from a sister who was sick and had been to the emergency room because of an abscessed tooth. We made an appointment to visit her and give her a blessing before we returned home. 

 

While we were visiting this lovely lady she thought the Elders looked a little down and needed to hold a warm fuzzy.

It was getting late by the time we made it to our last visit. The lady was in extreme pain. We visited for a short time, the Elders gave her a blessing which was a great comfort to her. Today was a very different day, two trips to the hospital and three blessings. The best part was watching as these young Elders exercised their Priesthood. They both said this was the first time they had the opportunity to give that many blessings in one day and they were thankful they were able to bring comfort and peace to others and for their Priesthood. They also said they loved hanging out with a senior couple. It was shortly after nine by the time we finally made it home Wednesday but it had been a blessed day.

Sunday Sacrament program was missionary themed. Elder Wilkinson, Elder Berry and I spoke, Holly and Curtis, two recent converts bore their testimonies, and Brother Ficklin our assistant ward mission leader spoke.We were grateful for this opportunity. 

TRANSFERS ARE COMING 

Elder & Sister Berry, Elders Wilkinson (District Leader), Potts, Olsen, Tippetts

Transfers are Wednesday and Elder Wilkinson will be leaving us.He is a truly dedicated missionary and he will be missed.

I told them they had to give me one serious picture then they could be silly. They obeyed

Our last Sunday dinner with Elder Wilkinson

Sunday dinner and we were joined by Holly who joined the church six weeks ago. This girl is so awesome! She is serving as a ward missionary and loves to serve. She plans on going on a mission after she has been a member for a year. She studies hard and is so mature in the gospel. We have invited her to join us for Sunday dinner but hasn't because she works nights and on Sunday. She usually leaves church Sunday and goes directly to work. This Sunday she told us she was off and didn't have to go to work and excitedly asked if she could  join us for dinner. We were honored. After dinner the Elders left promptly but Holly stayed and visited with Elder Berry and me until after midnight. We talked ninety miles an hour until she left. We love this girl!.

We thank everyone for the Christmas Cards and thinking of us at this time of year. It's good to know we haven't been't forgotten.We loved the cards from the Ward-Thank you. We love being missionaries, we love Christmas, and we love you.

We love Elder Garrett Berry - sitting in front of Santa who will be returning home next week.
God Bless, Garrett.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

INCREASE IN FAITH

Elder Potts, Nadia, Elder Wilkinson

A baptismal service was scheduled Saturday for Nadia. Holly, a very recent convert drove to Nadia's home  to pick her up but when she knocked on the door no answer. Holly waited and waited so decided she wasn't home, then called the Elders. The Elders told her several places to look around the apartment complex. Holly finally learned a lady named Margaret told Holly that a church downtown was giving away toys for those who couldn't afford to buy Christmas presents for their children. Neither lady had cars so they took off walking downtown in hopes of getting Nadia's children Christmas toys. Nadia figured they had enough time to go downtown and get back in time to be picked up by Holly. As circumstances would have it they didn't make it back. Holly reported back to  Elder Wilkinson and was instructed to drive downtown in hopes of finding her and told her what streets to take. While Holly was doing this Elder Wilkinson and Berry decided to join Holly in the search so off they drove. Meanwhile back at the church everyone patiently waited. In constant communications Holly and the Elders drove around searching, finally Elders Berry and Wilkinson decided to check her apartment hoping she had enough time to get back home. Sure enough she had just arrived home and, expressed her regret over what had happened and she still had a desire to be baptized this very same day. Due to the length of time that had passed those waiting at church had finally decided to leave so the baptismal font had been drained. Nadia was very disappointed. Elder Wilkinson explained to Nadia that she needed to have faith enough to do the important things first and everything else would work out. The rest of the story: Nadia is a single mom of three girls. She worked hard doing odd jobs and bought her girls Christmas presents but they were taken from her apartment this week. When the Elders called Nadia about final baptismal plans Nadia told them of her plight but she assured them she would be ready when Holly came to pick her up.. The Elders called President Holm who told them he would reimburse them fifty dollars for gifts for the children, they called  the Bishop and were told to get children's clothes sizes , plus other people when they heard of the situation volunteered donations. Saturday morning Elders Potts and Wilkinson called asking if we could take them shopping and assist in picking out gifts. Nadia was unaware that through the Elders efforts that her children come Christmas morning would have toys. In Nadia's case everything else had been taken care. Elders Berry and Wilkinson opened the trunk of  the car and showed Nadia the toys and promised to deliver them Christmas Eve. Hopefully this was a learning experience for Nadia. No matter what the heartaches or circumstances may be, if  the important things are done first  everything else will work out. Increasing in faith requires that we do His will, His way. Nadia was baptized Sunday after church. (3 Nephi 13:33 - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.")

Holly is an amazing girl. She joined the church October 25th and hasn't slowed down since that day. She is a ward missionary, she gives new member lessons, gives talks, fellowships, assists with rides and happily goes about doing good and spreading the gospel. She says it has changed her life and given it more meaning so she wants to tell everyone. Isn't it amazing how eagerly Holly assisted the Elders with Nadia? Holly wasn't able to attend the baptism today because she had to go to work right after church. Holly is the girl that wanted to know if you had to cry to be a member of the church. 

CHRISTMAS ZONE CONFERENCE IN LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Wednesday morning bright and early the Augusta Zone headed for Lexington for the Christmas Zone Conference. Fifteen of our zone rode in the van including myself and Elder Berry (the driver). As we rode the van was filled with singing, Christmas songs of course. I looked back from the front seat and saw little hymn books in most every hand. Conference began at nine. First we had three and half hours of instructions, training, and guest speakers, a break for lunch, then skits by each district. We were well fed this day both spiritually and physically. The day ended all too soon at four in the afternoon so we all loaded back into the van and off we drove into the sunset back to Augusta. The day still wasn't over. Everyone returned to their district to appointments and we got back in time for our Book of Mormon class. After the class Elder Berry and I returned the van to our generous ward member who loaned it to us, finally arriving home sometime after nine. Wonderful day! We love being missionaries and we love spending time with the Elders and Sisters. We stand all amazed at their desire to serve and their love for our Savior, they increase in faith daily.

Seven Elders in the back of the van

 Then three sisters were added

Then thee more sisters were added

It was a tight squeeze but we got them all in

We're missing our driver - Someone had to take the picture

The driver - the birthday boy

 Sisters enjoying lunch. 

 Elders

 Three Zones in attendance. The other zones were held earlier in the week.

Senior couples

Waynesboro District preforming skit - Words changed and sang 12 Days of Christmas. Cute, clever

Another district singing

This was beautiful. Elder Tonga and his district sung Silent Night and Elder Tonga sang one verse in native language. 

This was the best skit of the day. This district pantomimed in slow motion with background music finding, teaching, and converting. The expression on the Elders face as they performed was hilarious. Job well done  

The office staff preformed. The couple standing in the back arrived yesterday.

 Returning home

 Nothing  could be finer than to be in Carolina

This has been an extremely busy week but we have loved every minute of it. We have heard so many faith building stories, life experiences and sad family crises. Many people that we visit are dependent upon others and charities to assist their families with Christmas toys and food. We are very humbled and grateful to serve and grow in faith as we trust in the Lord that these families lives will blessed as they live the gospel of Jesus Christ and that they will be able to overcome their circumstances by doing the important things first..

Sister Berry taught the four year old Primary class yesterday

 Tonight and tomorrow as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. it is our prayer that you will enjoy peace  and increase in faith as we weather the storms of the advisory, knowing "all things shall be added unto you."

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
 Elder and Sister Berry