BAPTISM BY IMMERSION

Elder Muhlestein, Carol Proctor, Elder Caldwell

Elder Muhlestein, Ann Smith, Elder Caldwell

Cliett Family Darrell, Ethaniel, Bobbie with Elders Oliver & Caldwell
They were baptized in December
The Cliett family spent New Years Eve with us at our apartment. All missionaries were required to be in their apartments by 6pm. The Cliett's have six children and three grandchildren. All were present except two. The toddlers called me Grandma. Last week at church one of the toddlers saw me and ran over and and said hi grandma.

We have many baptisms in Augusta but this Saturday the baptism was very special. An older lady, Carol Proctor, with many health problems was baptized along with a twenty one year old girl, Ann Smith. The Elders taught Carol Proctor the gospel and she wanted to be baptized but the problem was getting her to church. She rides a motorized chair and can't walk without crutches. She has a car but can't drive it because of her eye sight. The Elders invited Elder Berry and me to go with them as they visited Carol. We all fell in love with each other. We started going with the Elders every time they visited Carol. Finally when Elder Berry didn't drive the van to church on Sunday and before anyone called us for a ride we made arrangements to pick Carol up in our car and drive her to church but she would have to walk from the car to the church with the aid of her crutches. During the week we checked all the thrift stores in Augusta for a push wheel chair. We found one in North August which is across the Savanna River in south Carolina. The price was right but the size wasn't. She made it to church with us, the walk from the car on crutches was difficult and she stayed for all the meetings. She was one tired lady when we finally returned her home. The following week Carol's nephew was staying with her so he drove her to church. That was her third time to attend church so now she could be baptized on Saturday. The problem was she was very heavy, had health problems and getting down the font steps to be baptized would be very difficult. Elder Berry and the Elders started making plans on just exactly how to baptize her without causing injury or embarrassment. They decided to put both Elders in the font and a chair for Carol to sit on and she was to sit on it sideways. After the baptismal prayer they would simply lean her back and immerse her. It all went well but when they immersed her she started floating. From above Elder Berry was a witness and an instructor. The Elders listened and followed his instructions well without any complications. Everyone was happy. The scary part was that the next day Carol drove herself to church because her nephew went back home. The other person baptized was Ann Smith. When we first arrived in Augusta the Elders were teaching Ann and she wanted to be baptized but she had to be interviewed by the mission president so he made a special trip to Augusta. The Elders arranged for us to pick her up and drive her to the interview but when we arrived to pick her up no Ann. She just disappeared for a week or so then she showed up again and arrangements were made for another interview. The mission president was in Augusta and agreed to work Ann in his schedule. Again arrangements were made for us to pick her up and when we got to where she lives she came to the car, we drove her to the interview and returned her home. The mission president gave his permission for her to be baptized. So a baptismal date was set and arrangements were made for us to pick her up. When we got to her apartment she wasn't home. We learned later she was across the street visiting and saw us drive away and tried to get our attention but we didn't see her. Then she disappeared for a week or so and then she shows back up and wanted to get baptized. Before her baptism Elder Berry and I had an opportunity to get to know her a little better. When we first picked her up we weren't very impressed with her. Once we got to know her and learned more about her we learned she has goals, is working hard to achieve them but she is at a disadvantage. She told us she lived with her grandmother until she was eleven years old and her grandmother always took her to church. Since her grandmother's death she has come to her in dreams tell her to go to church. We explained to her about genealogy and temple ordinances and told her she better not mess up because her grandmother was depending on her. Saturday we drove to Ann's apartment and drove her to her baptism. Sunday she rode the van to church and was confirmed. We sat together during Gospel Essentials and Relief Society and she would answer most of the questions under her breath. She is reading the Book of Mormon and is now reading from Alma. Sunday after church she showed me where she was reading and asked me to explain it to her because she couldn't understand it. We have great hopes for Ann and are looking for her a math tutor.

We had a great week if you subtract the two days Elder Berry had the stomach flu and the water heater in the apartment above us busted and flooded our apartment. "After we scooped up the water we made lemonade" (Elder Berry)
Love,

Elder and Sister Berry

PLAN YOUR WORK/WORK YOUR PLAN/NOT

Sunrise

Church parking lot

Sunset

After Sunday dinner and the Elders are leaving

No matter how hard we plan our schedule for each day it seems nothing goes as plans. Our days don't fall apart but they are filled with more important things so we put our plans on hold. For example: a member who lives in assisted living may call and need a ride to the doctor then after the doctor she needs us to drive her across the street to pre admit for outpatient surgery, the Elders call and invite us to accompany them as they teach a single girl, or someone needs a ride to church for an interview with the bishop. The list goes on and on. Saturday we had rides arranged for church on Sunday. We were to pick up Carol Proctor (an investigator) who lives downtown, then pick up Lee Ann (a recent convert) drive them to church and drop them off, then drive around the corner to pick up the Mathis family. Saturday Carol Proctor called and she had another ride. Curtis Fielding had been calling because he, his wife and baby needed a ride to church. Our schedule changed. Now we would pick up the Fielding family drive them to church drop them off, go pick up Lee Ann drop her off at church then pick up the Mathis family (a mother, 2 toddlers and baby), The phone woke us up from a deep sleep 12: Saturday night (or is that Sunday morning). It was Annette Jackson. She and her husband needed a ride to church. Elder Berry wasn't very kind but told her we would manage to get them to church. He also told her he was going to buy her a big clock to put on her wall so she wouldn't call people in the middle of the night and wake them up. Sunday morning we got a call form Christian Smoot who needed a ride to the hospital because his van was giving him trouble and he didn't have money to put gas in his van. The Schedule changed. We went to missionary correlation meeting then picked up Christian and drove him to the hospital. Now it was time to start our rounds picking up for Sacrament meeting. Lee Ann called and wouldn't be going to church because she had the flu. Our schedule changed. Elder Berry dropped me off at the Mathis so I could help Allisa get her family ready for church. Brother Berry picked up the Fielding family drove them to church, then picked up me and the Mathis family. At missionary correlation we made arrangements to get the Jacksons to church but their ride was late so they called us. We were able to track their ride down, the ride was on the way and they made it to church on time. Our schedule after Sacrament meeting can't be written for your understanding in the English language.

Friday was the only day our schedule didn't change. We drove three of our Elders to Columbia, South Carolina for a leadership training meeting and Elder and Sister Atkinson drove four. We didn't have to attend the meeting so we and the Atkinsons spent the day shopping and sight seeing in Columbia. Sister Atkinson noticed at transfers last month that one of the Elders wore a suit that was probably three sizes too small and holes were in both the elbows. He had grown so much since coming on his mission. Sister Atkinson notices all the Elders suits and checks to see if any ones suits needs mending. She mends and even alters suits. Sister Atkinsons's mission was to "check out that boys suit and buy him another one because there was no way that suit could be mended and not enough material to alter it and make it look decent." We checked out that boy and sure enough he had on that same small, ragged suit. We went to the mall, found a Penny's and the Atkinsons bought him a suit. During lunch break the Elder tried on the suit and it was almost a perfect fit. The pants needed to be lengthened and waist let out. Sister Atkinson said she could fix that so she took the suit back to Augusta with her when the meeting was over, did the alterations and drove back up to Columbia the next day and delivered the suit to the Elder. The Elder was thrilled and humbled. Sister Atkinson told the Elder when they returned the new suit they were on a "seek and destroy mission." They were seeking the old suit to destroy it. The Elder refused to let them destroy his suit because he wanted to take it home. So we all decided the suit had character. After our fun and relaxing day when the meeting was over we picked up our Elders and drove them back to Augusta. We saw the sun rise in the east as we drove toward Columbia and saw the sun set in the west as we drove back to Augusta.

We ask ourselves can we serve the Lord on a schedule/Not

Love Elder and Sister Berry

LIVING WATER

As we drive around Augusta and into South Carolina high above the buildings and trees we see water towers, many water towers. We can be driving on a ridge and far on the horizon above the trees on another ridge we see a water tower. We became fascinated with these water towers and started taking pictures of them. The thought came to us about water and the symbolism of "living water" as written by John in the New Testament. The last three months of 2011 we have been serving in Augusta along with the other Missionaries offering "living water" to those who would drink. Many drink but walk away while others listen and never drink yet others drink and enter the waters of baptism. This past week we had two baptisms. One on Thursday evening and one on Saturday afternoon. The baptism Saturday was two teenage boys, their mother should have been baptized with them but she can't stop smoking. Friday the Elders who have been teaching this woman invited Elder Berry and me to a discussion with her. She told us she still hadn't stopped smoking although her baptism due date was Saturday. We discussed her dilemma but she consented for her children to be baptised. We had a beautiful discussion and read from the Book of Mormon. We each took turns reading and we read the 8th chapter of First Nephi about Lehi's vision of the tree of life. The reason we started reading there is because that was where she was in her reading. Each of us took a turn reading and as Elder Berry read he would explain what he was reading. Occasionally we would stop and ask her if she had any questions or comments but she understood that she needed to grab hold of the iron rod. Before we finished she shed tears and we were all touched by the spirit. Elder Caldwell called the Mission President and got permission to baptize her the next day if she promised never to smoke again. With tears of gratitude she accepted the commitment. Saturday afternoon only the boys were baptized. Our hearts were breaking for her because she let a cigarette prevent her from drinking of the "living water".

We enjoyed New Years Eve with a recent convert family. They came to our apartment with all their children and grandchildren, nine in all. All missionaries ( including seniors) were required to be in their apartments by 6pm and stay. We ate and enjoyed visiting, tried to watch Legacy on the computer (the screen was too little) plus the toddlers wouldn't settle down. About ten the toddlers and baby got so tired they went home. I guess they enjoyed our evening because they sat by us at church on Sunday.
Early in the week we arranged to pick up an investigator for church on Sunday. The Elders have been teaching her but she can't get baptized because she hasn't been to church. She is large, handicapped and uses a motorized chair plus has poor eye sight. Because of her handicap she can't get into the van. She can walk short distances with the aid of crutches. The walk from the parking lot to the building is quite long. Tuesday we spent the day trying to locate a push wheel chair but had no luck. Sunday she came to church with us, stayed all three hours, and when we returned her home she was exhausted. She loved the meetings and the spirit she felt. She drank of the "living water"

Our days are busy and challenging. We love to serve. We love the people and we love Aususta. Our goal for the New Year is to help others come to Christ whether investigator, new convert, or less active by bringing them to drink of the "living water" and hold tight to the "iron rod" and serve the living God the remainder of their days. This is our desire and our testimony.

Love, Elder and Sister Berry

I love TOUGH things

Our district Elders brought their gifts to our apartment Christmas morning to open them and have breakfast

Our district Elders Cardon, Caldwell, Holyoak, and Muhlestein

Christmas morning cooking breakfast for our district Elders before going to church.

The following pictures are of our zone transfer dinner Monday Evening. We, the senior couples, give a dinner before the transfer meeting on Wednesday. This transfer many of our zone will be transferred, lots of changes are being made, and this will be the last chance to be together in this zone.

Elder Billings and Elder Boyd, Spanish speaking

Elder Oliver, one of our zone leaders but will be transferred

Sister Atkinson and Sister Berry

Wednesday, transfer day. It was cloudy and drizzling rain. These pictures of just a sample of the activity in the parking lot getting everyone back to their old or new locations. We received 19 missionaries from the MTC this transfer.

Sister Hunt works in the mission office over housing and her husband is over transportation

Elder Berry assisting a member load his vehicle for the return trip home with 6 missionaries, luggage and bicycles. There is even luggage tied and wrapped in canvas on top.

Sister Berry and Sister Lusk with her new companion. Sister Lusk was in our zone but was transferred in November. It was good seeing her again.

We have had a very busy week. We made two trips to Columbia, South Carolina transporting missionaries because it is transfer week. We have visited with many wonderful people and had experiences that will change our lives. We have seen and felt the outporing of the spirit of giving in the ward and in the community. Although we missed our family this holiday season we are thankful to be serving the Lord at such a special time as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

As the New Year is fast aproaching we will share with your one of the standing quotes for our mission and a mission moto:

I love TOUGH things

I am first to do TOUGH things

I do TOUGH things first

I'm a finisher.

We wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love, Elder and Sister Berry

CHRISTMAS, TEMPLE, AND CHURCHES

We had the opportunity to go with the ward to the Columbia South Carolina temple Saturday. The youth and recent converts did baptisms for the dead. The temple is about an hour and half from Augusta. Tim and Annette Jackson rode up with us. The temple is located outside the town of Hopkins, a suburb of Columbia, nestled in a grove of trees. It is very beautiful! We know this temple and all the temples of the Lord throughout the world preform His work of redeeming the living and the dead.
Tim and Annette have been members almost two years and are preparing to go the the temple for their endowments soon.


Elder and Sister Berry leaving the temple. This is the first opportunity we have had to go the the temple since our mission. Last week at zone conference the mission president encouraged us to take time now and then to explore and get to know our mission area. So now we know we can take off from time to time to attend the temple.




Zone Conference last Thursday. What a wonderful day. Three of the zones in our mission were in attendance. This was the third and last conference. The meeting started at 8am with instructions and lasted until 1pm. then we had lunch. The afternoon was filled with skits, fun and games util 4pm, then everyone changed back into suits, had a closing assembly and sent back out to work.

Elders Flake and Caldwell from our district. Look at their plates they wiped them clean.

Some of the senior couples enjoying the lunch the ward in Lexington South Carolina had prepared for us. They treated us like royalty. They decorated the cultural hall, covered the tables with cloth table clothes, and served us the most delicious holiday food! They went the extra mile and it seemed they were honoring the missionaries for their service. Before lunch the mission president invited those who were responsible for the lunch to line up in front of the chapel and the elders were instructed to stand and sing Called to Serve with all their heart. The Elders belted out the hymn and there wasn't a dry eye in the chapel. I have never heard that hymn sung with such boldness and love before. How privileged we are to be part of this and how proud parents would be if they could see their sons and daughters.

This picture and the following pictures are some of the churches in Augusta, Georgia. There is not a street we drive down without a church. Some are huge and beautiful, some modest, old, new and others very small. There are more churches here than gas stations.

This is the First Baptist Church of Augusta. It is huge and very beautiful. Thursday evening we had the opportunity to attend a concert there by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Band stationed at Fort Gordon. It was a big production with music and vocals. SPC Jamison Walker sang O Holy Night and we don't think anyone we have ever heard sung it as well. We attended the concert with the Atkinsons and yes we wore our missionary badges and was very proud to do so.

At zone conference we received training for a new missionary program. Our mission president, President Holm, developed it and with the approval of the missionary depart our mission will pilot it. The program is called "Best Relationships Proselyting". The purpose of this approach is to find investigators, rescue the less active with members, missionaries, and Mormon.org all working together. Everyone knows that if the members give missionaries referrals that through these referrals there are more baptisms with the converts remaining active. The missionaries make appointments with ward members, show film strip encourage members to set up profile on mormon. org and invite members to recommend friends or family members they can send letters to. The ward member selects one of four pre written letters and give missionaries names and addresses. The missionary sends the letters and a week after they are mailed the missionaries go to the home of the investigator or less active member. This has been tried by a zone in our mission and the missionaries involved said they got into nine out of the ten homes they visited and are teaching. This is just a short review of the program and we in our mission feel it is inspired and the missionaries are all fired up ready to begin.

This Wednesday is transfers so tonight is our zone dinner before everyone gets reassigned. We are very sad because we are loosing Elder Flake and Elder Oliver. These elders get under your skin.

So what does Christmas, temples and churches have in common? This morning early we went to the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner tonight. People were already out and about rushing to accomplish their Christmas preparations. Even though things do get rushed from time to time this Christmas season we have the opportunity to teach others about Christ, his humble birth and atonement. We have temples to attend and worship in, learn and renew our spirits that have been dedicated to the Lord. There are many churches in Augusta but there is only one LDS chapel within the city limits but others in surrounding areas. We are thankful to be members of that one true church and are not confused about which of those other churches to attend. We love visiting in recent converts home. Their children love us and hug us and like to sit by us. One family we visit have two little dark skinned boys that are 5 and 6 years old. The five year old hugs us so tight and sits by me and rubs my hand and cheek and when he hugs he puts his cheek right on my check and hugs sooo tight. This is a choice family that is no longer confused as to which church to attend.

We wish you all a MERRY AND WHITE CHRISTMAS!

Love, Elder and Sister Berry

WE WISH YOU A WHITE CHRISTMAS

District Meeting

Left to Right Elders Oliver,Cardon, Caldwell, Berry and Flake

Many of you live in places that seldom if ever get snow and some of you may even have a white Christmas most every year. So why are we wishing everyone a White Christmas?
Each month our mission has a different theme. In November it was Thankful November. This month of December our theme is White Christmas. What does White Christmas have to do with Christ? That's what our district leader wanted to know and so he went to the scriptures. This past week at district meeting Elder Flake taught us why President Holm chose this theme. Six of us make up our district. Elder Flake gave each of us some scriptures to read.

The Scriptures:
D&C 33:3, 7
Isaiah 1:18
1 Nephi 8:11
Alma 5:21
Revelation 3:5
Joseph Smith History Verse 31
1 Nephi 12:11

We would like for you to read each scripture for yourselves. This could also be used for a Home Evening Lesson.We read our scriptures out loud then Elder Flake asked us to explain what we had read. After we had all read our scriptures and discussed them, Elder Flake asked us what word each scripture had in common. Each scripture contained the word or words white. For more scriptures look white up in your Topical Guide. Then we talked about the symbolism of white in each scripture. White is symbolic of being clean and pure. We talked about the symbolism of being baptized in white and wearing white clothing in the temple. We even mentioned the Elders and Priesthood holders wear white shirts while performing their Priesthood responsibilities. We are thankful for Jesus Christ, the Savior of this world, and that we can be made white again through the blood of his atonement.

This year as we celebrate His birth we wish each of you
A WHITE CHRISTMAS

Love

Elder and Sister Berry

P.S. We love our Elders. They are always teaching and leading us and they are truly inspired from on High.

DECEMBER GREETINGS

The Smoots

Sister Berry holding Lyric Michelle Smoot

Every week here is so different. Last week it was cold and rainy but this week it is warmer and cloudy. Our work each week is so unpredictable. We spend a lot of time in our car. Monday we drove an investigator around town putting in applications. Tuesday since it was cold and raining Elder Berry drove the bicycle Elders around on appointments and joined them for the discussions. That evening it was still raining so we picked up the Elders and joined them on a discussion. Wednesday morning Anthony, a recent convert who we have been fellowship called and needed a ride to the store to get his baby some diapers. We did that then had a discussion with the Elders. The appointment was at church because the investigators have several young children and they are very disruptive. The husband has set a baptismal date but the wife is undecided. Before the wife gets baptised she needs to be interviewed by the Stake President. It just so happened that President Holm was coming to Augusta Wednesday for meetings and the Elders had already set up an interview appointment with President Holm for another girl. Elder Caldwell suggested to the lady to just go ahead and have an interview with the Mission President since he is in town today and she agreed. They hung around for about thirty minutes for President Holm to arrive and while they waited with me and Elder Caldwell. Elder Berry took Elder Oliver with him and drove downtown to pick up the young girl for her baptismal interview. After the girl's interview Elder Berry and I drove her back home, then returned to church for a very special meeting with President Holm and another district. There were ten of us in all at the meeting. Wednesday evening we were to assist the Elders with a discussion but when we got to church to pick them up they told us it got cancelled. We hung around church and visited with those who were waiting in line to see the Bishop. We got to meet several people and decided we needed to visit some of them. It was getting late when we left church and there was a man who came to see the Bishop and needed a ride home so we drove him home. Thursday we drove around visiting and dropping off Friends and Ensigns. We tried to get around without the GPS but gave that up after doing a lot of unnecessary driving. Friday we visited one of the ladies we met at church Wednesday night. We got the directions mixed up and drove around before finally figuring our what we were doing wrong. Let me explain, we aren't dumb we're still learning. We had quite the visit with Lee Ann. Her six year old niece who lives next door was visiting. Lee Ann sent her home but she immediately returned and plopped down on the couch. Her little mouth ran the whole time we were there. She told us about having a broken collar bone. She said her friend pushed her to the ground and held her down and that's how her collar bone got broke. She said her momma got really mad. I said if my little girl got hurt I would get upset too. The little girl said her momma and her friends momma had a fight. I thought she meant they had words so I said I would probably fight anyone who hurt my little girl. The girl said my momma got a busted lip and the other momma had a black eye. Moral of this story: choose your words wisely.

Friday evening just as we were about to leave for an appointment the phone rang and it was the Smoots. Christian was having severe stomach pains and Lakisha was recovering from having all her wisdom teeth pulled Monday. She had a really hard time. Christian was concerned because Lakisha wasn't eating. Christian needed a ride to the emergency room and didn't want to take the car for fear he would be admitted. So off we drove stopping to pick up soup, pudding, and applesauce for Lakisha. Lowell drove Christian to the hospital and I stayed with Lakisha and kids. After running a few test Christian was released and sent home. Saturday morning we picked up Annette Jackson and drove her to church for a budget and finance meeting and then fill out a food order. On the way home Annette mentioned lots of people got food stamps and food from the church. She said if you got food stamps you shouldn't get food from church also. She said that was wrong and those people were just greedy. Saturday night was stake Christmas program. It was a beautiful program. We picked up Anthony and we were so glad he could experience such a program. Another thing that touched my heart was Patty. She would go and find her friends and bring them over and introduce them to Elder Berry and Me. She would start by saying I want to introduce you to my sister. That warmed my heart that she was proud to introduce "my sister". Thanks Patty. Sunday was another taxi day. Elder Berry didn't drive the van but he made many trips transporting members in our car. We picked up the Jacksons for church but the games started after church. The Jacksons needed to see the Bishop and they were waiting in line so Elder Berry drove me home to finish preparing dinner for the Elders. He drove back to church to pick up the Jacksons and return them home but they weren't ready so he drove another lady and her son home who lived downtown because she missed the van as she needed to see the Bishop. Elder Berry was returning to church to picked up the Jacksons when he noticed a lady walking away from church and recognized her as one of the recent converts we had visited this week. This girl is eight months pregnant. He drove to church picked up the Jacksons and returned to find the pregnant girl. They finally caught up with her, put her in the car and drove her downtown to her home then he took the Jacksons home. He and the Elders walked in the door for dinner at the same time. We had a very spiritual testimony meeting although Sister Jackson and Sister Hobbs sat behind me and talked and ate. One of the things they ate was oranges because I smelled them. I ordered some candy from kids at church and they gave it to me before church started. During the meeting Annette leaned up to me and said Sister Berry do you have candy in that bag. I told her I did but it was fast Sunday and I couldn't open it. Another inspiring thing the ward did today was have the Relief Society and Priesthood meet together for opening and showed the conference talk by Elane Dalton "Love Her Mother". We then separated and discussed what we had heard. I was pleased because the Smoots made it to church today.

Wednesday in our meeting President Holm introduced a new missionary approach with ward members to involve them in missionary work. President Holm developed this program and it has been approved by the missionary department and our mission will pilot this program.. If it is successful it will then be used throughout the church. One district in our mission has been using it and it has proven to be very successful. Next week in zone conference we will be given more detail and instructions and be sent out to use this approach. I think it is a very inspired program.

Although this letter may seem light hearted and mocking it is not meant to be so. We love the people in August, we love serving them, we love to hear their stories and visiting with them. We hope to be an instrument in the Lord's hand to bring these choice people to Christ and that they will endure to the end.

With all our love,

Elder and Sister Berry