Saturday, December 9, 2017

The Beginning of Christmas in the California Riverside Mission: Christmas trees, lights, and nativity sets; baptisms; and trainings!

At Mission Inn downtown Riverside
Yes, mission presidents go on dates. Sister Hammon and I have dated every week for 38 years, and we had a wonderful night on Friday. After eating at the local Elephant Tai  Cuisine restaurant across the street from the Mission Inn, a world-famous hotel and spa, we sauntered over to the Mission Inn and walked through it. A sweet older couple took our picture after we took theirs in front of the big Christmas tree in the Lobby. Everything at the Mission Inn is decorated in a dizzying array of lights, decorations, drummer boys, etc. We were front and center when they flipped the famous switch at 5:00 p.m. Poof! The Christmas lights burst in full color and beauty. We again walked through although this time the lights were dazzling and bright. We enjoyed ourselves immensely and will be bringing the family down when they come for Christmas.

Entrance to Mission Inn

Mission Inn

Inside Mission Inn

Mission Inn

Along the street in front of Mission Inn
Also, the lights and tree went up at the Mission Home this past week. We haven’t had a Christmas tree for the past couple of years; so, it was delightful to put up a tree in the Mission Home. Plus, Sister Hammon had brought with her a variety of our Christmas things: the Mary and Joseph from the Dominican Republic, various nativity scenes, and some of her Santa Clause collection. The decorated Christmas tree, the nativity scenes, lights outside, and the many pictures of Christ and the Redlands Temple lend themselves to a feeling of awe and wonder. 

Christmas tree at the Mission Home

Go Ye Into All The World ornament 

Santa collection
Mary and Joseph from the Dominican Republic
We had a delightful Trainer-Trainee meeting this week. After four weeks of in-field work after they first arrived, the new missionaries returned to the Mission Office with their trainers to receive additional training on topics such as “The importance and purpose of missionary work” (Sister Hammon); “Companionship Study and Expectation of Trainers” (Assistants); and the First Twelve Weeks,” “Expectation of Trainees based on the companionship of Alma and Amulek (Alma 8-15),” and “Come unto Me” (the President). Of course, we started the whole training with delicious bagels and yogurt.

Trainers and new trainees after four weeks. They are all doing great!
Sister Hammon and I went to the Moreno Valley Stake's "A Prelude to Christmas," A Community Creche & Choral Festival. We saw over 1,000 nativity scenes from private collections, mostly from members of the Church although some came from community members. It was a three-evening event: Friday, December 1 through Sunday, December 3. We were finally able to experience this great annual event on Sunday after viewing the First Presidency Devotional. We were delighted to greet most, if not all, of the Moreno Valley missionaries. Plus, the Moreno Valley Stake Christmas choir was fantastic!





Sister Hammon and I were able to attend the baptism of Tabby and Thomas from the Echo Hills Ward. Their father, Michael who was recently baptized and who recently received the Aaronic Priesthood, was able to baptize both of his children. The changes in this family have been amazing! Thanks to Elder Brown and Briggs (and Elder Olsen) for teaching this family. Thanks to Elder Andrew and Elder Beddes for the Restoration presentation. I was impressed with the Echo Hills Ward members who came to the baptism. President Norman was able to attend Kevin’s baptism (Hermana Hernández y Padilla) in Tres Lagos. President Hansen went to both Juan’s (Elders Match and Shurtleff) in the ASL Branch and Jordan’s baptism.

Elders Briggs and Brown with Michael (father), Thomas, and Tabby
Elders Shurtleff and Match and Juan

Elders Heward, Steed, Ly, Jordan; Elder Steiner and Fairbanks
Elder Osberg, Hermanas Padilla and Hernandez, Elder Bailey, Kevin, Elders Hansen, Svenson, Eldridge, and Sanchez
We also had a delightful and spiritually-stirring Mission Leader Council this week. The zone leaders and the sister training leaders came to to the Mission Office, and we spent most of the day discussing and learning about miracles, accountability: the Lord's Way, and parables found in Luke 15 and how they relate to missionary work.

Mission Leadership Council

Mission Leadership Council studying prior to beginning

L-R: Sisters Harris (S), Grover, Harris (A), Hernandez, Schooff, Garcia, DiPietro, and Ruggles.
 We love this time of year—the Light the World campaign about the light Christ shares with all of us, the lights that adorn the houses around us, the gleeful smiles when missionaries receive packages from home, the sweet Christmas music that reverberates everywhere, and the kindness that enters the hearts of most everyone during the Christmas season.

President and Sister Hammon: Light the World
It’s no wonder Isaiah’s words permeate the entire Mission Home, the California Riverside Mission, and, hopefully, the entire world: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
 
Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, picture on the wall at the Mission Home
May your Christmas season be incredible as you light the world with your love and kindness just as Christ, our Savior, would.

We love you!


President and Sister Hammon



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