November's Beginnings: Outgoing, Incoming, Training, Interviewing!

Another sunset from our backyard

Sister Hammon and I have had an incredible week or two. We have not been able to blog about every single detail, unfortunately, but we wanted to share a few highlights. As you can guess, the life of a mission president and his wonderful wife--in my case, Joanne--is filled with incredible opportunities to serve, observe, speak, train, travel around the mission, and just be with missionaries. We have been blessed this week with lots of events: baptisms, incoming and outgoing missionaries, district leader and sister training leader training, and other wonderfully-spiritual events.

Hermanas Roque and Alvey; Rosaana and Jesus

Elders Briggs, Simpson; Karolyn and her children; Elders Avei and Yang

Sister Davies, Suzanne, and Sister Harris

Also, what a special week this has been with transfer week conversations. So many things go into determining who goes where. We have to look at: thinking last transfer and the next several transfers at the number of missionaries going home; the number of missionaries arriving; and the potential leaders, including sister training leaders. Then, you throw in the number of visa waiters who might be coming, the number of potential new areas needing to open, the different housing situations, the number of trainers you will need, who can drive and who cannot, those who cannot ride bikes, mileage. We methodically look at every single companionship and area, the leaders needed, and any other special circumstances. The Assistants bring their thoughts and suggestions. We have three formal meetings for a total of 12 hours and that doesn’t count the various phone calls and texts before and after the meetings or any of the ponderings at home. Plus, we do a lot of praying to make sure we know exactly where the Lord wants you all placed. Once we finish, then there is the part where the Assistants input all this data into the computer. Then, they make the call list.

I love Saturday transfer mornings because I have the privilege of making transfer calls and discussing the missionaries’ new assignments. I had 45 calls to make on Saturday morning. Some of you were ecstatic; others say, “Really, Me?” Most of them just said, “President, I will do it.” The spirit that comes with the calling is almost overwhelming because of your willingness to do the Lord’s will. It is truly a miracle to me. Thank you, parents, for raising incredible missionaries, for just wanting to do the Lord’s work because you love Him and Our Father in Heaven.

With transfers come incoming and outgoing missionaries. And Monday meant missionaries going home. Around 1:30 p.m., the missionaries began arriving: Sister Diamond; Elders Pennington, Anderson, Olsen, Dunn, Langley, and Walker. I visited with each of them about their “My Plan” and then just a wonderful visit about their missions and future goals. These are incredible young men and young woman. They have made their families proud of them.

Elders Walker, Olsen, Langley; Sister Diamond; President and Sister Hammon; Elders Pennington, Dunn, and Anderson

Dinner traditional: street tacos and all the fixings and horchata, one of the traditional Mexican drinks. Once dinner was done, we then shared testimonies. It was wonderful to hear their testimonies and feel their spirits. They have grown so much over the past two years and 18 months. They came on the mission as great young people who had the desire to serve; they are leaving even greater young men and young woman with a desire to serve the Lord, no matter where they go or what they do.

Tuesday morning dawned way too early. The leaving began with breakfast of egg bake, French toast sticks, yogurt, fruit, and orange juice. After eating, we began loading the vans. Just as we loaded everything, Elder Walker’s mother and brother came to pick him up. What a heart-warming event, the same event the rest of them received later in the day.

Traffic was thick, but we arrived at the airport in pretty good time. We unloaded the vans, got them all check in, and then we watched them climb the escalator and beyond security. The lump continues to rise in our throats as we watch these missionaries—our missionaries—leave the California Riverside Mission. What a life they have to lead!

And away they go! Tears flowed freely!

Later that afternoon, we retraced our steps and headed back to the airport to pick up the incoming missionaries. We hadn’t been their three minutes when they began descending: Sisters Peterson and Sister Fortin; Elders Ballard, Egbert, Heilbut, Lance, Morris, Santos. Elder Treviño arrived on Monday evening and spent Tuesday with the Spanish elders. It was definitely a sight to see: eager missionaries ready to do the Lord’s work.

Elders Treviño (new) and Moloney

Elders Heilbut (new) and Watson

Elders Castro (new, came mid-transfer) and Eldridge

Elders Gibbons and Santos (New)

They all came to the Mission Home for dinner. After dinner, some went to the zone leaders’ apartments; the sisters went to the McCracken’s home; and five of the elders stayed at the mission home.

Sisters Fortin (new) and Marks

Elders Ostler (new) and Mounts

Elders Morris (new) and Simpson

Sisters Palmer and Peterson (new)

Wednesday dawned bright and early. The missionaries arose, readied themselves for the day, helped set the table, then ate breakfast, and off we went to the Mission Office where we spent the next four or so hours in trainings, interviews, lunch, assignments to new areas, and testimonies. 

Elders Herald and Whitesides (new)

Elders Egbert (new) and Cousineau

Elders Day and Ballard (new)

Elders Rollins and Lance (new)

Elders Lewis and Dunham (new)

What a whirlwind of a day. Before too long, they had loaded up all their things—and they had a lot of things—and headed out to their areas.

Christmas comes early to the incoming missionaries. Bikes, package, and the luggage they came with.

Close up of the piles. Elder Egbert with his pile

We had District Leader and Sister Training Leader Training on Friday. We trained them on being new leaders, emerging leaders, and seasoned leaders. We also discussed becoming disciples of Christ as it relates to our new theme “Mission Elevated.” 

All district and sister training leaders

The Assistants spent time of the purpose of district leaders and how they should plan, develop, and execute district meetings. Sister Hammon spent time with the sister training leaders, discussing their responsibilities. We have such incredible district leader and sister training leaders.

New sister training leaders and district leaders

We love interviews, and we started this transfer’s interviews this week as well, between incoming and outgoing and leadership training. There is something about one-on-one conversations with our missionaries. I learn so much from them.

One of the best parts of the week was being able to visit with our family: Anna Rose and her family and Hailey and her family. There is nothing better to hear those sweet little voices, telling us about school, counting to twenty in Spanish, giving his first oral report on trees, talking about coming in second in the “planking” contest in her class, and just hearing the goings and comings of these two busy little families. We love them!

Our time continues to fly by. We personally do not understand it, but it happens, and we will do the best we can.

We love our missionaries!

President and Sister Hammon