REAL INTENT

FOR REAL - LAST SUNDAY DINNER

Dinner Guest- Left side of table: Brother Johnson, Brother Ficklin. Holly's dad, Elders Tippett, Meyer, Me, Holly and Elder Pack

Elder Berry and I thought we had our last Sunday dinner the last Sunday in March but last week Holly asked us to have one more Sunday dinner; "please. please, please" How could we refuse, so this week was our last Sunday dinner. Holly's dad who isn't a member of the church and whom she hasn't seen in eight years was coming to town to visit her. She wanted him to experience a Sunday dinner with the Elders and good food. It was a joy to have an excuse to have one more dinner, also it was Holly's birthday Saturday and this gave us the opportunity to celebrate. Holly asked for As You Like It for dessert since she had eaten it here once before and loved it so we just put a candle on it and sang happy birthday to her. Holly also asked that we spend some time after dinner visiting with her dad and answering any questions he might have after attending church for the first time today. When Holly's dad called and asked if he could visit her on her birthday she said he could if he would spend Sunday with her at church which he did. She was so excited to share the gospel with him. After dinner the Elders left, Brothers Johnson and Ficklin stayed and we had a wonderful visit and the spirit was felt. Holly's dad was told if he really wanted to know if the church was true he needed to pray with real intent. With real intent means that if you really and truly want to know. Brother Johnson told him if he prayed half heartily he wouldn't get an answer as the Holy Ghost confirms the truth and the spirit won't lie". Moroni 10:4  reads "ask with a sincere heat and real intent."

CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA - MONDAY & TUESDAY

While in Charleston we met with the Huntington's and enjoyed a buggy ride through Charleston.

Since we have been serving in Augusta, Georgia we haven't had the opportunity to visit Charleston, South Carolina. Our mission president has been encouraging the senior couples to take some time and visit our mission especially Charleston so we finally decided we better go as our time here is drawing to a close. My sister Patti and her husband, who live in Augusta, went with us and we had a wonderful time. We left early Monday morning, spent the night and returned Tuesday evening. There are so many things to see and enjoy there just wasn't enough time to take everything in although we did experience some delicious southern food. Our trip included a ferry ride to Fort Sumter, Battery Park, a buggy ride around historic Charleston, shopping at the market and just enjoying Charleston.

The remainder of the week was spent searching for members and inviting them to church. We had a phone slammed down on us after introducing ourselves as the person said "Mormons". A young man answered the door, smiled because he knew who we were then said, "no thank you, have a good day" and politely closed the door. Others didn't even bother to open their doors. Visits were made to the sick and those who needed to be cheered up. Elder Berry and I know we have been called to find the less active and those who have lost their way and invite them back to the fold. It appears the real intent of some who joined the church was for financial aid and it appears they were never truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.. Moroni 6:8 "But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven." We know that as we search for those who's testimonies are weak with real intent the Lord will bless them and us.

Love Elder & Sister Berry

THE SURGE

Sister & Elder Nash - President & Sister Holm

This has been a very special week. Wednesday we were privileged to attend a three zone, Zone Conference in Lexington, South Carolina with Elder Nash of the First Quorum of Seventy.We were spiritually fed as we listened, participated and took notes. Before the conference all missionaries had been given an assignment to prepare a five minute talk on one of three subjects. Two Elders and one Sister were called on to give their talks. The Sister who was called on to speak said she had prayed that she would be called on to give her talk because she felt inspired in what she had to say and felt so strongly that she needed to share her thoughts with everyone to help them become better missionaries and avoid making the same mistakes she made when she entered the mission field. All three talks were powerful and inspiring. We were taught by nineteen- twenty one year old missionaries what the Lord wanted us to hear. Some of the seasoned missionaries gave brief testimonies, some who will be returning home at the next transfer. We wished that the parents of these missionaries could have seen and heard their sons or daughters. President and Sister Holm spoke then Sister Nash spoke and she was followed by Elder Nash. Elder Nash instructed and spoke until lunch time which came much too soon. The Relief Society prepared us a delicious lunch, we took pictures then returned to our meeting. Elder Nash let the missionaries ask him questions about their concerns as a missionary, which were written on a black board, He answered most of these questions and more. Elder Nash told us what we are experiencing with the surge of missionaries entering the mission field is history. Never in history has there ever been such a a surge in missionary work. The Lord trust us and put us here at this time. Elder Berry and I were thrilled to be sitting in this meeting and being an eye witness to this great surge which is taking place as we watch as more and more missionaries arrive in the South Carolina mission. Before we knew it time had passed and it was time to return home. When we got back to Augusta we dropped off the Elders, returned the van to the owner and returned to our apartment to get a bite to eat and gather our books for Book of Mormon class. Our Elders knocked lightly on our door, we invited them in, and they very quietly and humbly told us they accidentally left Lexington with the car and apartment keys to a set of Lexington Elders and that was the only set of keys they had. Their request was would we return the keys tonight (right now) to Lexington. We missed Book of Mormon class and returned to our apartment about nine thirty.

Augusta, Georgia - getting loaded & heading out

Arriving in Lexington, South Carolina

Smile - We need a picture of everyone before heading in the chapel

Monday and Tuesday Elder Berry and I spent the day in the hospital. Katy was scheduled for a heart procedure Monday morning so Monday morning bright and early we were at the hospital to be with her and take care of her when she returned from her procedure. We waited until one thirty and learned it had been cancelled until Tuesday because of emergencies which had to be taken care of first. Tuesday we got there at nine thirty and they had just taken her but we were there when they brought her out of surgery and stayed with her until she had recovered. Katy's family lives in North Carolina and couldn't be with her although they had visited on the weekend. We love Katy and didn't want her to experience this without anyone near.

Today  was testimony meeting which got interrupted by a deacon who was passing sacrament and threw up   in the overflow part of the chapel, thankfully he was passing the water. An Elder who was sitting near took the tray and finished passing. After the trays were returned everyone in the overflow were asked to move into the chapel area and the curtains were closed. After this distraction we had a wonderful testimony meeting. Jomo bore his testimony and is was beautiful and humble, a true testimony. He held up a Gospel Art Book and said he wanted to thank the Berry's for giving it to him. Then he held up a set of scriptures and thanked the Bishop for giving him the scriptures. Then said he knew President Monson is a true prophet, Joseph Smith was a true prophet, Jesus is the Christ and Heavenly Father is the head of it all and ended in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. This made our week.

We are thankful to live in Augusta and be a part of this great missionary effort and to witness such righteous sons and daughters, who have been taught and are prepared to teach the world the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Love Elder & Sister Berry