While out apartment searching we saw our Elders and fell behind them and took this picture. If you notice there are three bikes, our Elders are a three companionship because one Elder got very sick and had to return home. This week is transfers and we will get a new Elder or should I say two new Elders. Elder Tippitts will be transferred and Elders Pack and Meyer will be split and they each will get a new companion. So Wednesday we will all go to Columbia with the aid of a ward member to help transport Elders and luggage. This will be a sad transfer for us not only because we will be loosing Elder Tippitts but because this will be our last transfer. It is tradition for new Elders and Sisters to bear their testimonies as they arrive and the "seasoned" Elders and Sisters to bear theirs as they prepare to depart the mission field. Elder Berry and I will have the opportunity to bear our testimonies.
Spring is finally arriving to Augusta, trees are in bloom or budding, bushes and flowers are blossoming. The live oak trees are yellow and dropping their leaves and soon will be green again. The live oak trees line the streets and make a canopy.
Last Sunday the Bishop gave us an assignment. Help a Sister find a place to live. This sister will be evicted from her home on the 28th of April but before the week was over she was informed they have moved the date to be out to the 20th.This lady is on a list for public housing which provides housing for low income families and seniors but the waiting list is six months to a year. We were given a list of apartments that rent is based on income. It's difficult to find a place to live when the person can't even afford to pay four hundred dollars a month. Last Monday morning early we started calling the apartments on our list but to our disappointment learned there were no vacancies plus they weren't even taking applications as the waiting list for an apartment would take over a year to get in. We went to the store and bought a community magazine, got on line and searched, then started calling and hunting down apartments or houses, then spent every day except Tuesday afternoon and Thursday apartment searching. Several apartments were the right price plus they were ready to be occupied but she didn't qualify because she didn't have enough income. So we just started driving around the areas we thought she could afford and when we saw a for rent sign in a yard we made a phone call but still had no luck. While driving through one neighborhood we noticed we were following a car around doing the same thing we were doing.A mobile home and a house were found in Grovetown but they were too far away so that wouldn't work. This Sister and her nephew were out looking also plus she had many doctor appointments during the week. We did find an apartment building for seniors that was taking applications but only on Thursday during certain hours and the Sister needed to come in person with legal documents to fill out an application..This sounded promising but they didn't provide emergency housing. This Sister had a doctor appointment at the same time she needed to be filling out an application for the apartment and she didn't change her doctor appointment in order to apply for housing. Finally after a long exhaustion day Friday and traveling many miles we had to call and tell her we were sorry but just couldn't find a thing. She told us she thought she found a little house but needed to talk to the Bishop Sunday and Monday would go rent it. Sunday at church the Bishop asked us to work with her Monday, collect all paper work bring it to him and he would take care of it and we could rent the apartment.. We were all hopeful everything would work out because she only has two days left to be out of her house otherwise Wednesday she would be locked out. Today about one o'clock we got a phone call from this Sister telling us the house had already been rented and she had put a deposit on an apartment that wouldn't be ready until two days after her eviction date, plus it was more money monthly than she can afford. Elder Berry and I became frantic, looking over all the papers from housing we had and calling anyplace we thought that might help, nothing. Out of desperation we drove to an apartment building for low income but their office was closed. We thought of a real estate company that works with low income people, got a list of rentals, and off we drove hoping for something. Finally two houses were found, we picked up the Sister and drove her to the two properties, she liked one but by this time the real estate office was closed. We collected papers from the Sister, met the Bishop at church and tomorrow morning when the real estate office opens we plan to be there bright and early and hopefully rent the house, then tomorrow evening priesthood can move her..We hope and pray this plan will work.
INTERVIEWS, TRAINING & NO MORE STRANGERS FIRESIDE
Sister Berry's favorite missionary
Thursday was a busy day. The Augusta district had interviews with the President at 11:30 so we picked up our three Elders and drove to North Augusta for interviews then returned home for about two hours then drove back with our Elders for training then the No More Strangers fireside. Elder Berry and I had a brief interview with the President because we will have another interview before departing the mission field. The plan is to go to Columbia on April 2nd for our interview, have senior training that afternoon, then dinner at the mission home with all senior couples that evening. After this meeting we will be officially released to return home. Can't believe that is only two weeks away. First we will go to Florida to visit our dear friend Marie then return to the apartment pack up and visit our daughter Jana, brothers and sisters as we return home. Thursday was such a special day as are all meetings when the missionaries gather. We learn so much and are always inspired by such wonderful Elders and Sisters and are in awe of their strong testimonies and leadership abilities. We were asked to read 2 Nephi chapter 31 and 3 Nephi chapter 27 then write one sentence describing what we felt the chapter was about. These Elders and Sisters wrote the most profound sentences. After listening to their sentences I hated to read mine. The fireside was truly inspiring. Two sisters who had not been baptized but were scheduled for baptism this past Saturday bore testimony and told their conversion story. President and Sister Holm spoke, a group of Primary children sang a song and a member of the Stake Presidency spoke. This was a blessed day and this is only a brief outline.
We are so thankful for Sister Hill because she is helping us get family names temple ready for Sister Lynch Sister Hill has poor eye sight and isn't suppose to drive so we picked her up and went to visit Sister Lynch. We loved watching them talk genealogy and it was surprising to see how much information Sister Hill could gather, plus this is transferring the responsibility for helping back to ward members. Also Sister Hill decided she liked the place where Sister Lynch lives and we waited for her while she talked to the manager and got an application. Now she needs to sell her house.
Our Relief Society lesson was taught by Sister Owens. She was baptized about two years ago and studies and reads and loves to learn. She was nervous but did a wonderful job. Sunday evening a special meeting was held in the stake center for the Augusta, Harlem, Grovetown, and Martinez Wards for a boundary change. Augusta ward now has Fort Gordon and all the families that live on post plus other areas. This will give our ward more priesthood plus lots of changes especially with the missionaries. Grovetown and Harlem with be meeting in the Harlem building. Augusta ward will be the only ward in the Augusta building and the meeting times will change in April. Changes, changes and more changes we will be made and we won't be here to experience them. As we reflect back over the past eighteen months we realize how blessed we have been to serve in Augusta. We have seen how the people's lives have changed when they are obedient and live the commandments and receive blessings. Our heart aches for those who could have received but choose not to follow their baptismal covenants. We are blessed because we are financially able to support ourselves as we serve and although we do budget we don't have to worry about having enough money to meet our needs. The hymn Count Your Many Blessings is a favorite. Some days more than others we count our blessings but this past week has been a counting week.
Saturday Nick was baptized. His grandmother attended his baptism and was very touched and felt the spirit. Before leaving to return home the Elders gave her the first discussion. What a blessed day!
Helped out in the nursery one Sunday. Entertained the children by taking their picture then letting
them look at themselves.
Waffle House is almost on every corner her almost as many of therm as there are churches and gas stations. Sorry about that David
The apartment complex is doing lots of renovations here. The buildings are all getting new roofs, the apartments are getting updated, and many pine trees on the grounds are being cut down. It is fascinating watching as the trees come down..
Nothing could be finer than to be in Augusta Georgia! Spring is busting out all over.
Love Elder & Sister Berry
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS Hymn 241, 4th Verse: So amid the conflict,whether great or small. Do not be discouraged God is over all. Count your many blessings angels will attend. Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. Chorus: Count your blessings, Name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God hath done. Count your blessings . Name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God hath done.
Alma 34: 38
"That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doeth bestow upon you."
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