Hiking, Training, Serving, Enjoying, and Eating--It's What Missionaries Do

What an amazing week plus we have had. Lots of announcements and upcoming changes, trainings, and community events. Yes, missionaries have experienced sickness, sprained ankles, colds, running noses, and a few digestive challenges. The weather has been good, a bit chilly for California, but the sun seems to continue to shine each day.

 

Sisters Parker, Mackley, and Hammon 

Probably the biggest upcoming change is that the California Riverside Mission is this message from the Missionary Department: “We are pleased to inform you that your missionaries are now authorized to fulfill their purpose using smartphones, social media, and other technologies.” Just like that. Well, we knew it was coming. When the letter came, I had to read it a couple of times to make sure. In Monday’s weekly letter, I sent it to the missionaries. Plus, at the Monday multi-zone activity (more later!), I announced it. Most everyone seemed to be happy. A few who are going home wondered whether they would be able to participate.  We will begin our first conversation and training during the upcoming multi-zone conferences. Please note that this will not happen immediately. It will be a two month process. I will be sending out a letter to parents and family this coming week to explain the details.

On Wednesday, we met with the trainers and trainees who have been here now for four weeks. We had a great morning with them. We had discussions about the First 12 Weeks pamphlet that they follow religiously. A few of the companionships talked about their experiences with role plays; using the Book of Mormon in the studies, contacts, and teaching; their feelings about the First 12 Weeks. We also discussed expectations of new missionaries and their trainers. I finished with how we center our lives on Christ to help us elevate our mission.

Trainer-Trainee Meeting

On Monday, we traveled to Menifee where we met all of the “south” zones. We made the announcement of the transition to technology and were greeted with “Hurrahs!” Then, they began to play a variety of games, from four-corners to garbage ball to Jenga to ultimately basketball. Some made thank-you cards; others just went from one set of missionaries to another and greeted them. Some of them didn’t know each other or hadn’t seen each other for several transfers. They love being together!

Sisters Reagan, Hammon, and Price

Elders Royce, Rollins, Sorensen, Lance, Evans, and Victorino

Crafty ones: Sisters Marks and Brereton and Elder Baum 

Elders Saxton and Yeaman

Elders Akana, Carter, and Nielsen with Sisters McDaniels, Parker, and Hackley

Last week, we hiked Mt. Rubidoux with all the missionaries in the “north” zones. This is a fun hike to the top of Mt. Rubidoux, which is mostly paved to the top. It was early morning, and we hiked noisily to the top. Once there, we took pictures, basked in the son, and enjoyed being together. Missionaries like being with one another, especially seeing their former companions. It’s like a big reunion every time they come together in groups, which is not that often. We do multi-zone activities every other transfer—so every 12 weeks.

North Zones on top of Mt. Rubidoux

Hermanas Moran, Hernandez, Flores, Harper, Hammon, Coffeen, Troncoso, and Roque

Elders Lewis, Jackson, Phister, Medearis (b), Tobiasson, and Balls

Elders Hale and Steiner; Sister Wilde; Elders Lowry and Porrazzo

Feeding America honored the Riverside and Rubidoux zones during a soup luncheon for their service there. Missionaries from these two zones go to the Feeding America warehouse and sort food and do other service. Sharon, Director of Volunteers, is an enthusiastic supporter of these missionaries. Many from these two zones were able to attend the luncheon. We took pictures with Sharon and Stephanie, the Food Bank Executive Director.

Receiving a service award from Feeding America

We have some incredible baptisms this past month—families, individuals, and one 86-year-old woman who is just delightful. We love going to baptisms and feeling the spirit of those who are going to be baptized and the members who have helped them along the way.

Elders Heward, Briggs, Baum, and Jensen with Matt, Vanessa, Kristiannah, Kristian, and Isabella

Elders Moon and Royce with Raquel--86-years-old and going strong

Kalebh's father, Elder Lewis, Kalebh, Elder Dunham, and Brother Masico

We love being with our missionaries, no matter what they are doing. This is what we love to do:

“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (Book of Mormonmormon.org, 2 Nephi 25:26).

There is something spiritually uplifting being with them, whether it is having interviews, which we have had the last couple of weeks; attending church and baptisms with them; hiking mountains; taking pictures; participating in trainings with them; attending community events; and teaching them the doctrine of Christ. Every day, Sister Hammon and I feel so blessed to be here, serving these phenomenal young women and young men.

President and Sister Hammon

A busy week in the California Riverside Mission comings and goings and lots of trainings.

What a week this has been! With incoming and outgoing and training of both the Mission Leadership Council (MLC) and the new and returning district leaders and sister training leaders, it has been quite busy. But would we want it any other way? We resoundingly say, “No!”

Bogendilla (Bougainvillea) just down the lane from the Mission Home

When you think of outgoing missionaries, though, we were both extremely happy and sad, happy that they are going home to their loving families and new lives and sad because they are leaving our mission where they have been such excellent representatives of the Lord, Jesus Christ as His missionaries.

The outgoing missionaries began to trickle in around 3:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon. Elder Patterson came first; then, Sisters Padilla and Ford, and Elder Braunstadter followed. Only four this time. I interviewed each of them and talked about their “My Plans,” their post-mission strategic plan. 

Elders Patterson and Branstadter; President and Sister Hammon; Sisters Ford and Padilla

Sister Hammon had prepared pulled pork sandwiches with all the trimmings for the outgoing dinner. Of course, she also topped it off with the usually delicious tres leches cake. Is there anything better than this?  After a very spiritual testimony meeting, we engaged in a companionship study about light. The elders then left to go to Elders Phister and Gregory’s apartment to sleep. The rest of us stayed at the Mission Home.  We all went to bed, tired and anxious for morning.

Bright and early the next morning, we arose once again, made breakfast, ate, loaded up the vans, and trundled off to the airport. We checked everyone in, said our goodbyes, and then watched them go up the escalator. Sister Ford was with us because her flight left out of Terminal 4. We slowly walked back to the car and then drove to Terminal 4. Because of no parking spaces, I said my goodbyes to her, and Sister Hammon took her and checked her in and then watched her go up her own escalator by herself. It was a sad drive home.

And off they go....

A blurry Sister Ford leaving from a different terminal...She looks happy!

We also had five of our visa waiters leave as well. We were so excited for them to be going to the countries where they had been initially assigned: Philippines, India, and Portugal. We were blessed to have them for a transfer or two. They made incredible impacts on our mission and our missionaries. They were sad to go; yet, they were simultaneously excited. We wish them well. We would love their mission presidents say to them, "Wow, you were so well trained and prepared. Maybe we ought to redshirt all of our missionaries in the California Riverside Mission."

Sister Harris and Sister Reese (Portugal). 

Sisters Gray, Brown (Portugal), and Goodwine

President and Sister Hammon, Elder Johnson, and Elder Francis

Hurrah! We received new missionaries this week! On Monday and Tuesday, the following missionaries arrived in the California Riverside Mission: Monday—Hermana Peters from the Mexico MTC; Tuesday—Sisters Hackley, Parker, and McDaniels; and Elders Carter, Nielsen, Pells, and Akana. It was wonderful to see them. Hermana Peters went right to work after a good night’s rest at the McCracken’s apartment. A huge thanks to Hermanas Moran and Roque for taking her to do missionary work on Tuesday. We picked up the rest of them at the airport. They were all in good spirits, happy to be here. After driving back to the Mission Home, we ate fabulous burritos with yummy salsa and guacamole. Then, the elders went off to the zone leaders’ apartment to sleep. The sisters stayed at the Mission Home.

At the airport: Sisters Hackley, Parker, and McDaniels; Sister and President Hammon;
Elders Carter Akana, Nielsen, and Pells; Sister Peters came the night before

Early the next morning, we rose, ate a delicious breakfast, and headed to the Mission Office where they spent all morning hearing about mission basics, health, housing, and finances. 

Elders Carter and Nielsen; Sisters Peters and Parker; Sister and President Hammon;
Sisters Hackley and McDaniel; Elders Akana and Pells

Once they were assigned their trainers, they each bore a strong testimony. One of the things, we enjoy doing is taking pictures of the new missionaries and their trainer-companions. Then, off they went with their new trainers with all their stuff, including their new bikes, which will probably get a lot of wear and tear.

Elder Broadhead and Elder Akana (new)

Elder Shurtleff and Elder Pells (new)

Sister McDaniels (new) and Sister Moffit

Sister Parker (new) and Sister Mackley

Hermana Peters (new) and Hermana Schooff

Elder Carlisle and Elder Carter (new)

Elder Holyoak and Elder Nielsen (new)

Sister Hackley (new) and Sister Gray

We had an incredible Mission Leadership Council (MLC) this week, too. We welcomed several new zone leaders and two sister training leaders. Sister Hammon spoke about the “Hows and Whys” of the Lord’s Gospel Culture,” which the sister training leaders will be teaching in the upcoming multi-zone conferences. The Assistants navigated their way through accountability and set new baptismal goals. President Norman focused on “being positive by developing intrinsic diligence and striving to become better each day.” The Assistants also presented on three topics that will be taught at the multi-zones: 1) “The Art of Pausing People,” 2) “Setting Realistic Goals and Achieving Accountability,” and 3) Utilizing Time Effectively.” My topic focused on “We make Christ our Center by being obedient to His teachings and coming unto Him.” 

Mission Leadership Council

Friday dawned early for the new and returning district leaders and sister training leaders in another training. After some bagels and yogurt, they began immersing themselves in learning how to become more effective leaders. It was great to see these emerging and “seasoned” leaders participate and discuss a variety of topics. My topic focused on expectations of leaders. Later in the morning, we spent a bit of time on leadership principles, particularly those espoused by the Book of Mormon prophets and leaders. The Assistants discussed PPI’s, accountability, district meetings, and other district leader things. We look forward to seeing how you all do. 

New and continuing district leaders and sister training leader training

The beauty of missionary work hinges on the comings and going of missionaries, the training of new missionaries, the training of new and emerging leaders, and watching them grow and develop. We enjoy immensely our mission.

In front of the Mission Home

President and Sister Hammon

Beautiful Hibiscus in front of the Mission Home