Lots more first! Incoming! Outgoing! Interviews! Sister Training and District Training Meeting!

Incoming! Outgoing! Interviews! Sister Training and District Training Meeting! All in one week! We love the firsts of everything.

Outgoing!

The following missionaries left for home this week: Elders Brinkerhoff, Drebot, Jackson, Jones (A), Jones (C), Murphy, and Wood; Sisters Godoy, Keith, and Rodriguez. They arrived at the mission home around 4:00 p.m., and we began eating around 5:00 p.m. Olga and her mother had made street tacos and a refreshing drink from orange juice and cucumbers. 

Olga and her mother. They prepared street tacos! Excelente!

Everything was delicious! Our testimony meeting with all of these elders and sisters was incredibly spiritual and enlightening. These missionaries spoke of miracles and tender mercies while serving here and growing and progressing spiritually. After the testimony and a little dessert, 

Dessert: Tres Leches. It was divine. Sister Hammon did an incredible job.
We think this might be the start of a tradition for outgoing!

Sisters McCracken, Rodriguez (outgoing), Thorne, and Davis

Elders Thorne, Davis, and McCracken

the outgoing missionaries and I had “companionship study.” We studied light and how to keep that light within us, particularly after mission.

Last hurrah at the Mission Home: Dinner, testimony meeting,
and dessert with incredible missionaries!

Tuesday morning dawned early, like at 5:00 a.m. because we needed to have breakfast ready to go early so the missionaries could catch their flights. We began eating at 6:40 a.m. We cooked French toast, eggs, and sausage, coupled with fruit and juice. They ate heartily. Soon, though, it was time to go.

We loaded the truck and the vans and headed to the airport, arriving in plenty of time for them to check in. 

Truck loaded and ready to go!

Once they were checked in, we took even more pictures at the airport with them, mostly with their cameras. Then, we gave them all big missionary hugs and off they went, up the stairs and escalators and through security, and then they were gone. Tears came to ours eyes. We have known these missionaries just one transfer, but our hearts have known them much longer. What a challenge it was to let them go—but what happiness we had, knowing they would be seeing their parents and their families in such a short time. Could there be a happier time when their families saw them for the first time after two years or 18 months? Lo dudamos mucho. We doubt very much!

             

Final group pictures before heading off: Elder Jones, President and Sister Hammon,
Hermana Godoy, Elder Drebot, Elders Brinkerhoff, Jones Jackson, Murphy, and Wood

Incoming!

We didn’t have to wait very long before the incoming missionaries arrived. The first came flying down the stairs, and we didn’t recognize him from the pictures we have had. In fact, his name tag was in Chinese. We greeted him like we would any others and discovered he actually was going to the California Arcadia Mission. No one was there to pick him up. :(  Soon, though, ours began to trickle down the stairs and the escalator. 

Elder Molony and Elder Staley

Sister Carson, Sister Hammon, and Sister Gray

Before too long, they were all there. What a joy to see them all, ready and eager. We then hustled them out to the vans and cars, loaded them their luggage up, and away we went.

Incoming missionaries! Excited to be here! Finally1

In about 45 minutes, we arrived back to the Mission Office where we had some goodies for them. After they had had some nourishment, knowing they had been up since 3:30 this morning. Once nourished somewhat we began with Mission Basics, other important details about their new lives here in the mission, and interviews. After all that, we had a delicious dinner. Once we finished, the Assistants and we met in my office to finalize my thoughts about who should be with whom. Once we finished eating, we walked to the Relief Society Room where I revealed who their new companions were going to be. What a choice experience that was. Then came testimony meeting.

We were extremely impressed with the testimonies of the new missionaries—

Sister Carson 

Sister Gray

Elder Beatty 

Elder Beddes

Elder Carlisle

Elder Kocherhans

Elder Loveridge

Elder Molony

Elder Saxton

Elder Shurtliff 

Elder Simpson

Elder Staley

Elder Stark

It was definitely a great spiritual feast for all of us.

The last event of the evening was picture taking, dessert, and off with their new companions. Sister Hammon and I had a picture taken with them, then they had one by themselves, and then one with their companions. What joy it was to see them take a picture with their companions. I can already see the love that they all share. Hurrah for Zion! As they go out to work.

Sister Training and District Training Meeting!

What a wonderful group of current and new sister training and district leaders! We met in the cultural hall and participated in discussions about leadership in the Book of Mormon, following the patterns of Book of Mormon leaders; exchanges; district planning, using the Organize, Review, Analyze, and Revise (ORAR) method of planning; and sister training leader exchanges. We appreciate the spirit and the vigor you all bring to the Mission leadership. We look forward to seeing how your districts progress and grow. 

Current and new district and sister training leaders

Sister Goodwine, trying to learn by osmosis;
Elder Avei in background wondering when it is his turn!

We have enjoyed this week thoroughly! We love doing what we are doing! May the Lord continue to bless all of you.

Redlands Temple, FHE, and Baptisms

We had another incredible week in the California Riverside Mission! One thing we are learning is that it never slows down, but we love being here and associating with these marvelous missionaries and members throughout the mission.

from our backyard

We were privileged to share our first Family Home Evening (FHE) with the senior couples serving in the California Riverside Mission on Monday evening at the Mission Home. What a wonderful group of people! 

Elders Powell, Hubbard, Thorne, and Fuller

Sisters Norman, McCracken; Elder and Sister Davis; front: Sister Norman's mother from Argentina

The following couples attended: McCracken (Office: E. McCracken, missionary secretary; S. McCracken, finances); Fuller (Member-Leadership Support), Hubbard (Member-Leadership Support), Davis (Housing, Church Service Missionaries), Thorne (E. Thorne, cars; S. Thorne, Referral Secretary), Powell (Member-Leadership Support); 

Sisters Hubbard, Fuller, and Powell

and President and Sister Norman (Mission Presidency) and his mother-in-law who was visiting from Argentina. It was potluck, and Sister Hammon had made this delicious pasta and chicken dish for the main course. We definitely did not starve. It was such a great event.

President Norman and Sister Thorne

We went to the Redlands Temple with the outgoing missionaries on Thursday: Elders Brinkerhoff, Drebot, Jackson, Jones (A), Jones (C), Murphy, and Wood; Sisters Godoy, Keith, Rodriguez. Plus, Elder and Sister Powell accompanied us, too. What a marvelous experience to be in the temple and to be with missionaries whom we have grown to love in such a short period of time! 

Elders Brinkerhoff, Drebot, Jackson, Jones (A), Jones (C), Murphy, and Wood; Sisters Godoy, Keith, Rodriguez

We felt a very sweet spirit there within the walls of the Temple, a House of the Lord. After the session, we met outside and, of course, took lots of pictures.

Redlands Temple

Saturday morning dawned bright and early for Sister Hammon and me. After a brisk walk, I rushed in and began calling all of the new leaders and trainers. What an incredible experience that was! We truly appreciate all of you who have accepted new assignments to lead, train, and teach. I realize that many of the calls came as a bit of a surprise; some of you are feeling somewhat weighed down with the new responsibilities; others are ecstatic about the new opportunities that are now before you. We have some trainings this coming week to help the new leaders with their responsibilities. Helping our missionaries in becoming leaders in our Mission is one of our priorities. 

On our walk

On Sunday, we attended two of the baptismal services for three people in Moreno Valley, two in the Nuevo Ward (Elders Spittle and Dew) and one in the Valley View Ward (Ford/Mackley). Both of the baptisms were wonderful, and the rooms were packed. Two young people—Monserrath and Jonathan—were baptized in the Nuevo Ward;

Hermanas Tonini, Hernandez (f); Hermanas Moran, Mother of Monserrath,
Monserrat, and her sister, and Hermana Hernandez

and one young woman—María—was baptized in the Valley View Ward.

Elders Carrillo and Mounts; María, Sisters Ford and Mackley

What was even more impressive was María’s testimony about her conversion. She said when she first heard the discussions from Elders Carrillo and Mounts, it just “clicked.” From the time she was a freshman in high school, María’s friends were great examples to her and played an integral role in her conversion. Now, one of them is on a mission, and the other one is preparing to attend BYU-Idaho. Plus, Elder Mounts sang a duet with one of the friends. What a wonderful voice!

Elders Jackson and Broadhead gave the restoration presentation in Valley View

Elders Rivas and Whiting gave the restoration presentation in Nuevo Ward

John and Ann Stone came to visit us today and had an early dinner with us. We had a delightful conversation. We took them to the Mission Office and showed them around.

Ann and John Stone and Sister Hammon at the Mission Office

One of the scriptures I shared with the missionaries this week is one from Alma 32: "But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life....and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst" (See Alma 32:41-42. Actually, review all of Alma 32, taking time to read, study, and ponder each verse. It is so full of wonderful counsel!).

Outside our front door

May you nourish your lives and thoughts and work and companionships this week with the prophetic words and counsel from the prophets! Continue talking, rejoicing, preaching, prophesying, and writing about Christ! He is our Savior and our Redeemer!

Painting of the Redlands Temple, which hangs in the Mission Home

We love you!

President and Sister Hammon (a.k.a "Darrel and Joanne")

P-Day, Hikes, Trainings, and Pizza: The Life of a Mission President Couple

Sister Hammon and I had the privilege of speaking in the Mountain View and Diamond Valley wards on Sunday, July 30, 2017. Elder Thacker and Elder Sorensen, the zone leaders, spoke with us in the Diamond Ward and spoke with power and conviction. They each shared some personal experiences that showed how testimony and testimonies of others can play an integral role in conversion. Also, Elder Thacker said this was the first time he had spoken in his 20 months of being a missionary. Now, he had shared a few testimonies but no talk. Both Elder Thacker and Elder Sorensen did a great job.

We actually took a partial P-day on Monday. We woke up early and finished my weekly letter to the missionaries and then trundled over to the Mt. Rubidoux Memorial Park where we met the Mt. Rubidoux and Riverside zones for a hike. 

Mt. Rubidoux Memorial Park

Elders and President Hammon

We met the Jurupa Zone at the top when we arrived. They had called the night before for permission to take the hike as it is a bit out of their zone. We left the parking lot around 8:25 a.m. Some of the missionaries weren’t there yet, but they had told them to begin gathering at 8:00 a.m., and we would be leaving around 8:15 a.m. We began!

An arch and tower along the way

The trip up was quite easy because the trail was paved all of way, except climbing up the top where the cross had been planted. There were these huge steps that you had to almost climb to get to the next step. We stopped several times or least I did to take a few photos.  

Rocks: One of my favorite things to photograph

It was quite fun. We talked to the missionaries, both young and more mature. We finally made it to the top and just visited with missionaries from all three zones and took lots of pictures. We’ll insert a few here, but most of them on my Facebook page.

Las Hermanas

Today was our first Mission Leadership Council also known as the MLC! The MLC is comprised of all the Zone Leaders, the Sister Training Leaders, and the Assistants. Overall, we had 30 people in our training.  These 30 missionaries are the leaders in our missionaries. We were impressed during the entire Council meeting because all of them participated in some way. Joanne did a wonderful review of the “Divine Companionship,” which Elder Holland taught us in the 2017 Seminar for Mission Presidents. My topic was the “Power of the Word in the Book of Mormon.” Plus, President Norman, a member of the Mission Presidency, came and did a presentation on “Gaining the Trust of Members.”Before we could eat, we took a lot of pictures. 

The California Riverside Mission Leadership Council (MLC)

Plus, Sister Hammon took pictures of the missionaries at their tables eating and talking. It was a great lunch, and we think everyone had enough to eat.

Elders Brown, Langley, Luthy, Thacker and Sorensen

Elders Olsen, Pennington, Brown, and Langley

Hermanas Moran, Hernandez, and Garcia

Sister Wilde, Elders Wood and Ly, and Sister Goodwine

Elders Spittle, Anderson, and Patterson

Elders Dew, White, and Spittle

Elders Osberg, Eldridge, Dew, and White

Elders Patterson, Parson, Osberg, and Eldridge (Elder White's head)

For lunch, we ordered these giant pizzas, salad, and brownies (made by the Office missionaries).

Sister Garcia, Sister Thorne, and Elder Thorne

President Norman, Elder McCracken, and Elder McCracken (Senior and not related), and Sister McCracken

We had a delightful meal. Of course, the pizza and brownies were very popular. I think we probably ought to eat more greens. Sister Thorne made up little baggies of the leftover salad for the missionaries to take home. While it took a bit of cajoling, she was able to convince enough missionaries to take home all of the leftover green salad. 

Elders Phister and Wood and President Hammon

Participants in MLC

Sisters Harris and Hernandez with Elders Thacker and Phister in the background

Sister Harris (we have three sisters named Harris) and Hermana Garcia

We felt a great spirit with our Mission leaders during the MLC. They are incredible young men and women. They have taught well and serve as good examples to the rest of our missionaries.

What a great week!

Another sunset in our backyard

Rain on the horizon. It does rain in southern California!
We had two rainstorms this week alone.