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



UPS & DOWNS



This has been a week of Ups and Downs, lots of joys and lots of heartaches.Some of the families we have been fellowshiping and love so much and had great hopes for are just falling apart because of poor choices. It seems Satin is working overtime to destroy these beautiful families. Husbands don't work or single mothers who have financial difficulties, budget unwisely, impatient, criticize, selfishness, priorities, and the list goes on. As we visit we teach them how to apply gospel principles to improve their lives, get commitments, and promise blessings. We carry a supply of "The Family, A Proclamation to the World' teach from it and leave a copy in their homes. One paragraph reads, "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." This is a divine principle and it can bring happiness.

This week we visited with a sister with three young children and another on the way. Her husband is without a job but was out fishing. Our hearts ached as she cried and poured out her heart and told us she couldn't go on much longer. Elder Berry and I have visited many times with both husband and wife. Elder Berry continues to strongly urge the husband to get a job, bring home a pay check each week, and support his family. We encourage them to pray together and with their family, read the scriptures,  attend church, obey the word of wisdom and even how to budget. As we go back and visit and check on their progress, we find they haven't applied these principles in their lives but do them sometimes. This sister cried and said but Sister Berry prayer, reading the scriptures and coming to church won't pay the light bill. We asked her if she was doing that, the answer of course was sometimes, then not really. We suggested she pray with her husband and ask the Lord to bless her husband that he will be able to find and keep a job so he can help support the family. She still has a problem with smoking so we encouraged her to stop. Her reply was well I only have one or two a day which is much better than a pack or two. We reminded her that she was not keeping her baptismal promises which is to obey the word of wisdom. After a good cry and a listening ear hopefully her day was better but her problem was not solved. This family will continue to have problems until they live the gospel of Jesus Christ and  apply these divine principles.

 Another sister locked her husband out of the house and got her family involved and the situation has turned ugly.This is a young couple which appeared to have a good relationship with four young children We visited them often, taught home evening lessons, baked cookies together and encouraged them to attend church. If they came to church they were usually late.seldom staying for classes. The husband is devastated. He has only one brother who is in the army, his mother died earlier this year.  Since he was without a job the bishop was arranging to get him a bus ticket to go live with his dad in another state when he learned his dad had just died. Planes were changed and his brother in the army is coming to pick him up this Thursday and take him home to live with him. Elder Berry and I have spent some sad times this week as we visited and checked on him and tried to encourage him. This family has had many ups and downs in their marriages but mostly downs. If they had applied or will apply divine principles in their lives they could or would have mostly ups.

We visited a single sister this week with two children. When she joined the church she had one little boy but fell into inactivity. Now she has another child, a little girl and no husband but a boy friend. Each child has a different father. Our heart ached for her situation, financial problems, a broken down car and no job. We asked about her parents and learned her mother died when she was very young and was mostly raised by an aunt and lived with her dad when she was in high school until she had to leave when she was in her last year of school. Since then she has been on her own. As we drove away I thought of my grandchildren and the security they enjoy and shed a tear. Saturday we went back to visit her between conference sessions. I visited with her while Elder Berry checked on her car. I talked to her about chastity, the need for repentance since she was a baptized member of the church and remaining chaste until she married, and returning to activity. I promised her if she would do these things her life would change and she would get the job she needs, she would not only have security but would be able to experience peace and joy.

Another lady in the ward learned last Wednesday that her youngest daughter who lives in South Carolina was stabbed to death. Someone broke into her home and it is still under investigation. Her boyfriend was ruled out as a suspect. Her delima - they needed seven hundred more dollars to have her body shipped to Augusta, Georgia, have it cremated and have a memorial service. Since Elder Berry and I had visited with this sister, who is a recent convert, the bishop sent us over to check on her. We talked to her about death and the plan of salvation. She was surprised when we told her her daughter's spirit was in heaven and was greeted by loved ones who had previously died. After assuring her that her daughter was in heaven she excitedly named off family members who had welcomed her home. Her heart was heavy over the tragic, senseless, sudden death her of daughter, she was angry and the stress of insufficient funds was more than she could bear. This dear sister will experience many ups and downs as she morns the loss of her daughter. We hope to help her strengthen her understanding of the atonement and how this understanding can bring her hope and peace. Elder Berry and I can't imagine how difficult it would be to loose one of our children to such a tragic and sudden death. Our hearts sorrowed for her as we drove away.

Now for the Ups. We had a wonderful Zone Leaders Training Wednesday. Once a month the zone meets together under the leadership of the zone leaders. Each companionship stood accountable for all that they are doing or planning to do to increase baptisms. Since Elder Berry and I don't do the same things the Elders and Sisters do and since their main focus is finding, teaching and baptising, we usually don't stand accountable in our District Development Meetings. This meeting we were asked to stand accountable. We reported to them how we spend our time and offered to assist any of them as they serve. It was very humbling to stand at the front of the room before young Elders and Sisters and stand accountable. The zone leaders gave training from Preach My Gospel and we did lots of role playing.The meeting was very inspiring. We love meeting with the missionaries and watching as they respond to these training times and applying what they have learned and practiced. After the meeting Elder Berry and I went to lunch with our four Sister missionaries. It was such a pleasure to visit as each of us shared our different experiences. The two sister companionships live such a distance apart that they don't get to see each other or visit except maybe once a month. As we were finishing our lunch Sister Brand quietly spoke to our waitress and invited her to learn more about our church and beliefs. The waitress excepted, names and phone numbers were exchanged and she took a pass along card. Elder Berry and I were so impressed with Sister Brand and her dedication and sweet spirit.

Saturday and Sunday we had the opportunity to watch all four sessions of General Conference at our church building. We loved the messages, testify that what was spoken is true and they are the Lords message for us. Many of our recent converts have never seen or heard the prophet or the apostles speak at general conference. We testify that we have a living prophet, President Monson so our desire was to get as many of the recent converts to church to see and hear the prophet and  feel his spirit and experience a general conference. To many this is just a time that they don't have to come to church. In order to give them this experience Elder Berry and I planned a pot luck dinner between sessions on Sunday with the approval of the bishop. We encouraged the members to come and listen to our prophet and bring a dish and stay and have dinner. We had about sixty for dinner and lots of food. We were sad many of our members returned home after dinner but we were happy they had experienced a general conference session and saw the prophet as he spoke. Mission accomplished!

 

Although this has been a week of ups and downs emotionally. We have shed tears of sadness for our sisters in such unfavorable circumstance and tears of joy as we bear testimony and especially as we listened to our church leaders. We hope the people we visit will experiment upon the things we teach,and have hope in Jesus Christ and his atonement, turn to him in their trials, live the gospel and endure to the end. The seesaw of ups (joy) and downs (discouragement) has been busy this week. 

Love Elder and Sister Berry 

WILL YOU?



Elder Berry loves to sneak and take pictures. Me preparing Sunday dinner.





As President Holm instructs the Elders and Sisters he frequently ask them "Will You'' not "Can You". Some of his "Will You" questions are: Will You be completely obedient, Will You get up on time, Will You leave your apartment at 10 o'clock every morning, Will You study Preach My Gospel, Will You have personal study time and companion study time, Will You use the Book of Mormon while teaching and many other questions. President Holm tells us he knows we can do all these things but Will You. After he gives us a Will You, he expects a verbal response yes which is given loudly and in unison. After he gets his yes then he promises blessings. This is the doctrine of Will You according to President Holm. When the missionaries are teaching investigators to make and keep commitments they ask Will You questions.

Will you pray to know that what we have taught is true?

Will you repent of your sins?

Will you attend church with us this Sunday?

Will you follow the example of the Savior and be baptized on ______?

Two weeks ago the Grovetown Elders asked us "will you give six hours of marriage lessons to our investigator?" They had permission from their bishop for us to help them out. Their investigators got their marriage license last week and were married Friday evening by the Bishop in the Relief Society room and were baptized along with their daughter Saturday morning. We had the privilege of being in attendance for both and what a special occasion to share their joy. Friday morning the Grovetown Elders called and ask "will you pick us up and drive us to the church for the wedding this evening?" We picked them up and were going to make it to church hopefully before the bishop arrived. As we were driving along the conversation turned to who the witness would be because the witness name would be on the marriage license. At that point Elder Clark realized he left the marriage license in his apartment. We were about two miles from the church and about six miles back to the apartment so we turned around as soon as possible and headed back to Grovetown. We got on the express way and exceeded the speed limit somewhat, got to their apartment and because they didn't have a front door key (the other Elders had the only key), Elder Oviatt climbed up the iron railing to the patio and opened the front door for Elder Clark as he ran up the stairs. They were back in no time. Elder Clark told us they went with the couple to get their license and they asked the Elders to keep it for them so it wouldn't get lost. The Elders put it in their backpack but because it looked like rain when they left their apartment that morning they took it out because they were afraid it would get wet. They completely forgot about it until our conversation. We got back on the expressway and rushed back to church. I was watching the clock the whole time and it seeded as if time stood still. We pulled into the parking lot ten minutes late right behind the Bishop and our couple were patiently waiting for us. We drove the Elders home and shortly after getting on the expressway we came to a screeching halt, there was a wreck ahead. It was stop and go until we reached out exit. We were sad for those involved in the accident but know we were blessed as we rushed to retrieve a marriage license to assist a couple who are willing to keep the commandments.

Last week we wrote about Holly. This Wednesday night she went to a missionary fireside and listened to recent converts speak. President Holm and our Stake President. The talks touched her heart. The stake president talked about the priesthood and how it blesses live. After his talk she was concerned over the role of the women in the church but decided to start taking the missionary lessons. Elders Olson and  Calhoon were very excited and taught two lessons this week. They invited Holly to attend a baptism for Celestine Saturday afternoon. Holly came and upon meeting Celestine they hugged and Holly didn't have a dry eye after that. She was given a box of Kleenex. During the Bishops closing remarks he had a paper in his pocket which he had received at a training meeting about the sisters and Relief Society. He took it out of his pocket and explained he felt prompted to read it. After the service Holly told the Bishop now she understands about women in the church. We see miracles like this every day and it is very humbling. Holly was at church Sunday, stayed for all the meetings, and I spotted Elder Cahoon and Olson teacher her in the Relief Society room after church. She is drinking in everything they teach.

Celestine with Elders Phillips & Agular who began teaching then got transferred, Elder Hansen AP

Elder Hansen, Celestine, Elders Stever & Wilkinson

This has been a "Will You" Week for Elder Berry. Most everyone thinks he can do or fix most anything. A sister in the ward bought a bike at Goodwill that needed a few adjustments. She bought it because she knew Elder Berry could fix it. We received a call willing us to come fix her bike. A few bolts and screws needed to be tightened and it was as good as new. Elder Berry has been driving a man to work every morning. Someone gave the man a bike that needed to be repaired, then he could ride it to work. His wife called willing Elder Berry to fix her husband's bike. Elder Berry picked up the bike, bought some parts, brought it to the apartment, made the necessary repairs and returned the bicycle. Since this was the last week of the month and car miles were almost used up, our Elders have been calling willing us to drive them to appointments. We said yes because we knew we would become better missionaries as we listened and felt the spirit as the Elders shared the gospel. We also said yes to the mission office request, "will you inspect missionary apartments?"  This week we inspected four apartments in our zone.

 We take the doctrine of President Holm and apply it and become better senior missionaries. We Will contact more people, We Will work harder with ward leaders, We Will work harder to reactivate the less active, We Will assist the Elders & Sisters as they teach the gospel and bring others to Christ, We Will study harder from the scriptures and Preach My Gospel, and last but not least We Will work harder at memorizing the standing quotes. Now we have a question for everyone Will You look for more opportunities to share the gospel and bring others to Christ, Will You eagerly assist the full time missionaries and Will You be completely obedient in living the gospel. Complete obedience brings miracles.

Love, Elder and Sister Berry

1John 2:17 "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the Will of God abideth forever."

Although it isn't very cold the leaves are changing colors a little more every day.

DO YOU HAVE TO CRY?

For the last three weeks the Elders have been visiting a beautiful young girl who desires to know more about our church. She doesn't want any lessons, she just wants to know about Mormons and what makes them special. She served in the Army and is now a civilian working at Fort Gordon Army Post. She works with many men and women but two young men stood out above everyone else. They are married and have small children. She said these two young men just had a glow about them, they don't use profane language, are always courteous, kind and don't smoke,etc. She was so impressed with them and finally one day as they were talking they told her they were Mormons and members of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints. She of course wanted to know what is a Mormon so they began to tell her some of our beliefs and suggested she have the missionaries teach her the gospel. As a young girl she went to a church but when she became a teenager she stopped going because the Pastors couldn't answer her questions. She said she stopped praying and until this day she will not pray. Because of her earlier experiences she didn't want anyone teaching her the doctrine of a  religion, push her toward baptism and make her say prayers. She just wanted to know what makes these men so different and special. She eventually invited the Elders to her home for dinner with instructions that they would answer questions she had and they were not to teach her any lessons. After the Elders first visit they reported to us that although they didn't formally teach but through Holly's questions were able to share the plan of salvation. The first Sunday Holly attended church was fast Sunday but she went home afterward. The second Sunday she attended Sacrament meeting, stayed for Sunday school class then went home because she works nights and had to get some rest before going to work plus she had a cold and wasn't feeling very well. That Sunday she invited Elder Berry and me to dinner with the Elders. She also invited a couple that are helping the Elders fellowship her to her home for dinner the following week. The Elders invited Holly to come to our Book of Mormon study class we have on Wednesday evenings and she attended the class last week. Thursday we had lunch with Holly and the Elders. She was very gracious, we enjoyed a delicious lunch but as we visited she let us know she didn't want to be pushed or rushed, she wasn't sure if she was ready for religion in her life but just wanted to know what makes us different. The only question she had for us  this visit was "Why does everyone cry and do you have to cry to be a member of the church?" She explained to us that she isn't a very emotional person and very seldom cries. In her church attending days when she was younger she couldn't remember anyone ever getting emotional.  The first church meeting Holly attended was a testimony meeting. Many touching and emotional testimonies were shared and tears were shed by those sharing and those listening. We explained that when the heart is filled with feelings of love, tenderness, or truths that are being spoken we feel joy and it brings tears to our eyes because the spirit is testifying to us that what is spoken is true. We assured her the tears she saw were tears of joy. After Christ was resurrected and visited the Nephites and seeing their faith and devotion he told them "Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full. And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it." (3 Nephi 17:20-21) Sunday we attended Stake Conference and there was a great outpouring of the spirit and many tears were shed. Because a change was made in the Stake Presidency, after ten years, we had two general authorities, Elder Corbridge of the Seventy and Elder Parker, area authority. I sat by my sister Patti and she could have used a whole box of Kleenex if they were available. The things we were taught were true and they brought great joy, comfort and tears because we could feel the great love our Savior has for us.The experiences we have are very humbling. For the Saturday evening session of stake conference, we drove two sisters who have been members less than two years. One sister went with a heavy heart because just that morning her mother had told her to leave her house and never come back as long as she was a member of the Mormon church. The other sister has very heart breaking family problems. As we left the meeting the sisters countenances had changed and one sisters said she saw angels. Because of what they saw, heard and felt they knew Heavenly Father knows them and is aware of their trials which gives them hope.

Tree in our apartment parking lot and if you look close you will see touches of yellow on the tree. After the first frost the leaves on the trees will all turn brilliant colors. Can hardly wait.

The weather is starting to change here. It's getting a little cooler, the days are a little shorter, and the leaves on the trees are beginning to change colors. We have had lots of rain. This week hasn't been as productive for us as usual because Elder Berry has been trying to get over a cold and bronchitis. Thanks for antibiotics and rest he is feeling much better. Elder Berry did drive a man to work most mornings last week. Tonight his wife called and told us he has a bike to ride to work but needs an inner tube for the tire and would Elder Berry come over and have a look at it tomorrow. Reading between the lines Elder Berry could you come over and fix the bike. Tomorrow the bike will be repaired.We are excited about our Book of Mormon class for recent converts and investigators. Each week it grows. The Elders teach it and they do a wonderful job. We take turns reading and discussing what has been read and how it applies to our lives. We know this class will strength them in the gospel and bring them closer to Christ and help them as they struggle with their challenges. We feel sure that the class helped a sister who was taking the missionary lessons decide to get baptized sooner than she planned. Our challenge is getting everyone to class that would like to come. Our faithful third companion (our car) only has three passenger seats. As we serve and read from the Book of Mormon with those we visit we can feel and see the difference it makes in their lives.

We are following the Grovetown Elders to a teaching appointment. They have a couple scheduled to be baptized this Saturday but first they need to get married. If a couple have six hours of marriage counseling by a clergy the license cost less and this couple is living on a limited income. Enter Elder and Sister Berry. The Grovetown Bishop gave us permission to give instruction so for three days we visited them for two hours each day and discussed with them marriage and family relationships as designed by our Heavenly Father with the aid of film strips and scriptures. We covered finances, budgeting and the importance of tithing and blessing that come from tithing and sacrifice. The couple were very receptive and we look forward to attending their baptism this Saturday. As we were packing up to leave the last day of teaching, the couple ask us how much we charged for counseling because they have family members that need to hear exactly what we discussed with them and they can afford to pay.

 

Elders Oson and Stever taking five after Sunday dinner

Tears are not always tears of sadness but also are shed because of joy and when we have special experiences in our lives. Tears are a good thing and are nothing to cause embarresment as we share our deepest feelings with others. No Holly, you don't have to cry because you can have these same feelings without tears but the time will come when your seed has grown and you have a testimony the tears will come.

Love, Elder and Sister Berry

WEEDING & WATERING

Sundays we drive downtown and pick up a sister for church who lives in an assisted living high rise building. We noticed that when she came out of the building she had a small cooler and she gave it to us. Inside was a baggie of fresh shelled butter beans with lots of ice cubes to keep them cool while we were at church. Today I cooked the butter beans and they were most delicious. We southern people love fresh vegetables. This lady started coming back to church since we have been here and told us she had been inactive for twenty years. The things she learned many years ago have returned and she seeks greater knowledge. We have talked to her about the temple and hope we have planted a seed that will grow within her that she may receive the fruits of temple blessings. The butter beans were her token of thanks for all the rides and friendship and was received with great appreciation and love.

In the New Testament Luke 8:5-15 Jesus gives and interprets the parable of the sower:  a sower went out and sowed seed, some seed fell by the way side,  some fell upon rocks, some fell among thorns, and some fell on good ground. The seed is the word of God. We missionaries are striving to nurish and water the word of God in those who have fallen by the way side, upon the rocks and thorns and strengthen those that have fallen on good ground. Wednesday as we were leaving Book of Mormon study class a sister told me, "Sister Berry I need you and Brother Berry to come to my house and talk to me. I am so troubled and I need someone that can help me." All day until we got to this sister's house we couldn't imagine what was troubling her and what her needs were and if we really could help her. This sister's son was in jail, she witnessed the incident, her son wasn't involved other than it was his friends he hung with and he was present at the time. Her heart was troubled, she was sad that her son was in jail and she was angry. One of the boys friends was beating up on his girlfriend, two of his other friends tried to stop the fight, but the boy pulled out a knife and started after the two boys, someone shot the boy with the knife in both legs. Everyone scattered, the police came, the gun hasn't been recovered and the two boys who were defending the girl have disappeared and can't be found. The police picked up her son because he was present during the drama and her son was going to court the following day. How do two missionaries respond to such a situation? This sister is a convert to the church, loves the Lord and is at church every Sunday and is attending the Book of Mormon class. We love her and have become great friends. Sometimes we feel the recent converts think the missionaries can work miracles and solve all their problems but how do you mend a broken heart and calm a troubled soul. We started planting seeds. We listened with love and compassion, shared her sorrow and tried to give her hope. We suggested she write down everything she told us on paper exactly as it happened, get dressed up in her Sunday best, attend court the following day and control her anger. If she had an opportunity share what she had written on the paper. Her response was, "I'll do everything you told me to do Brother and Sister Berry".  We shared some scriptures, a short video by Elder Cook "Hope you know we had a hard time", and  we had prayer. Hopefully we planted the seed that Heavenly Father loves her and knows her and her trials will strength her faith in Jesus Christ and help her endure.

Elder & Sister Berry Sister Owens, Sister & Brother Markel

                                                                       

Sister Owens temple day - Columbia South Carolina Temple

Saturday September 15, 2012

Alma 32:28 "Now we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say withing yourselves-It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me"Alma 30: "But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow." 

The high light of our week was the opportunity to attend the temple with Kathy Saturday. Kathy joined the church about a year and half ago.The missionaries who knocked on her door taught her the word and planted a seed in her heart. Kathy knew the things the missionaries taught were true. She nourished that seed with scripture study,  prayer, faith,  church attendance and desire to know the truth. When we first met Kathy she was so quiet and sat in the back of the chapel every Sunday and still does. (Elder Berry told her he wants her sitting in the middle row of the chapel every week close to the front with her friend..) We started visiting her several months ago and enjoy her sweet spirit and love the time we spend at her home. When she mentioned she was working toward the temple we were a little surprised that was her goal. When we visited we shared information about temples and encouraged her to attend temple preparation class which she did. A few weeks ago she approached me at church and told me she had her temple recommend and asked if Elder Berry and I would go to the temple with her and asked me to be her escort. I helped her make the necessary arrangements and get her clothes. Saturday morning bright and early we picked Kathy up and drove to the Columbia, South Carolina temple. This is one of the sweetest experiences we have had and are so grateful Kathy wanted to share it with us.

Alma 32:42: "And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst." (fruit of eternal life)

Our week is spent traveling throughout the ward visiting ward members, plucking out weeds of discouragement, doubt, and loss of faith. We water them with hope, and faith in Jesus Christ. One sister is trying to return to activity in the church and overcome her many years of smoking. The seed is planted in her heart and she has the desire but the weeds and thorns have a great hold upon her. We visit almost daily with words of encouragement and prayer (weeding and watering) and for a report on her progress. If we don't see her or call her one day she will call and report to us her progress.

May we all strive to grow in faith and continually weed and water the seed. Remember the Elders and Sisters need your help as they seek out those who are prepared to have the seed planted in their heart. Help them nurish (water and weed) these people seeking the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Love, Elder and Sister Berry

Sorry computer is down