Training and Training and multi-zone activity: What’s there not to like?

Evening from our backyard

Multi-Zone Activity (south zones)

Every couple of months, the mission divides into two multi-zones and gathers for an activity. Sister Hammon and I were able to go to Monday’s “south zones’” activity. She had purchased four spike ball kits, and we set them up. Plus, we also provided a space for “gratitude” where the missionaries could create thank-you cards and such with card stock, stickers, and other paraphernalia. It turned out well. We think the highlight of these activities is two-fold: 1) getting together with other missionaries and 2) basketball.

Selfie of missionaries in the south part of the mission

Elders Willes, Simpson, and Brown--wanting to play BB

Spike ball, anyone?

Sisters Carson, Gray, and Greenhalgh

Loving spike ball: clockwise--Elders Holyoak, Jensen, Saxton, and Phister 

The creative ones: Clockwise--Sisters Hernandez, Price, Bartschi, Butler, Ford, and DiPietro

More creatives:  Clockwise--Troncoso, Harper, Hernandez, Grover, and Carson

Sister Harper

Elders Roper, Baum, and Dew

Elders Rose, Anderson, Olsen, and Yang

Sisters Butler, Troncoso, and Bartschi

Sisters Ruggles, Chandler, and Hernandez

Sisters Regan and Goodwine

Sister Ford, Elders Maughan and Watson

Mission Leadership Council (MLC)

Every mission has a Mission Leadership Council (MLC), comprised of zone leaders and sister training leaders. We had a wonderful MLC this week. What is delightful about this Council is we are able to share doctrinal subjects and participate in training to help our mission. I initiated the training with “A process of learning, teaching, sharing, and being accountable.” Sister Hammon followed up with “Seeing yourself as Heavenly Father sees you!” (or “Comparing yourself to others is not part of the plan!”). Our Assistants, Elders Anderson and Dew, discussed “Accountability: The Lord’s way. President Norman, a member of the Mission Presidency, spoke on “Relying on the Lord and Just Serve. Sisters DiPietro and Goodwine and Elders Anderson and Dew spend time discussing and showing “Studying, finding and teaching with the Book of Mormon: A missionary’s perspective.” Hermana Hernández and Elders Steed and Fairbanks focused on “Seeking with Faith” and did role plays to show us various ways to seek with faith. Elders Anderson and Dew shared “Companionship Inventory: A positive revelatory experience.” I then gave a burst of leadership and doctrine. Overall, it was a revelatory session with so many people participating. 

Zone leaders, Sister Training Leaders, and our new Mission Counselors, Presidents Norman and Hansen

Plus, we had traditional MLC lunch of pizza (biggest pizzas I have seen!), brownies, and salad. 

Sisters Wilde, A. Harris, S. Harris, Goodwine, Moran, Garcia, DiPietro, Hernandez, and Ruggles

Note: The MLC ate all of these pizzas and salad!

Trainer-Trainee Training (T³)

Each new missionary in the mission goes through 12 weeks of training. After the first four weeks, they attend a Trainer-Trainee Training. We were able to have one of those this week as well. The trainer missionaries have done an exceptional job. Sisters Goodwine/Carson; Greenhalgh/Gray; and Elders Peterson/Beddes; Briggs/Carlisle; and Overman/Kocherhans spent some time explaining how the first four weeks went and how they have utilized the Book of Mormon in the teaching, studying, and finding. It is amazing how well everyone is doing in their companionships. Elders Anderson and Dew discussed companionship study and expectations of trainers. Sister Hammon shared her thoughts on the importance and purpose of missionary work. I spoke on the Doctrine of Christ of coming unto Christ. The spirit was abundant. Sister Hammon and I appreciate all the training missionaries and the new missionaries who are doing so well.

Our new missionaries of four weeks and their trainer missionaries--Awesome group!

Lake Elsinore Stake Conference

Sister Hammon and I attended both the Saturday night and Sunday sessions of Lake Elsinore’s Stake Conference. Exceptional and revelatory! Saturday’s session’s theme was “Become and help others to become true followers of Jesus Christ and enjoy the blessings of the temple.” Six members of the Stake discussed their conversions and experiences in the temple and how they were able to go to the temple. Incredible stories? We spoke afterwards with Brother Michael Morton. He had been a less active member of the church for many, many years. On Saturday morning, just before Stake Conference, he went through the temple with his brother and received his endowment. His wife had been baptized just a year before. He told us how appreciative he was for the missionaries, particularly Sisters Palmer and Wilde (who was with him and his wife in the temple) and what incredible missionaries they were to help him and his wife. His story—and the other stories—made our hearts swell. The influence you all have on members, less actives, and investigators/converts is enormous. Remember that: Your companionships along with the Holy Ghost, the third member of your divine companionship, help people come unto Christ. How powerful is that feeling! Thank you for being such great examples.

President Wilson with us and some of the Ward Mission Leaders in Lake Elsinore Stake

 The Sunday Session was equally as wonderful! One of the sisters who spoke has been a member just for two years and was sealed to her husband only six months ago. She said that the Church through temple has the “ultimate message of hope and love.” President and Sister Northcutt, who are the San Diego Temple President and Matron, spoke about temples and how we can be in the temple, and the world just goes away while we bask in the spirit and truth. President Wilson spoke on “Emotional Congruence,” a type of alignment when we are able to feel in the moment the emotions and feelings of those who we are with. It’s like the people at the Waters of Mormon who understood about what they need to do to mourn with those that mourn. It is also about feeling happy when someone is happy. In essence, we need to be completely present during any conversation sans any digital device.

Sister Hammon and I are loving our calling and being with the missionaries, the members, and those who are being taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. We met a high school senior, the captain of her cheer squad, who is investigating the Church at Lake Elsinore’s Stake Conference. What a wonderful example of a young woman of virtue who is seeking truth.

And thus it is, every single day! The Lord is definitely watching over us and our family.

Our sweet Avonlea posted this week.

Anna Rose and William posted this week.

Emiline and Anna Rose 

A painting spree!

This is what these angels really look like at Church!

The Johnsons having fun in the hot tub

We love you all!

President and Sister Hammon

  

In our backyard