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| Our new banner for the California Riverside Mission to greet new missionaries! |
The California Riverside Mission is an incredible place. The past ten days have literally been a blur until we go back and analyze what has gone on. We wanted to share a few things that have transpired in our mission. Once we review the ten days, we marvel at the greatness of the blessings we all have received. We love Heavenly Father and how He watches over our missionaries.
What an incredible weekend the Mission had for
baptisms! We
attended the baptism for six from one family. It was one of the most well-attended
baptism we have been to. Many of their friends were there. Just beautiful! The
chapel was nearly full. So many people were involved in the baptism—from friends
to brother to missionaries. Elders Holyoak and Nielsen did an excellent job
with the restoration presentation.
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| Austin, Cassidi, Kalie, Matt, Sydni, and Tyler with Sister Price and Reagan |
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| Elder Gibbons, Esteban, Elders Parata and Lawes |
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| Elder Medearis, JC, Elder Maughan, and Ray |
President Norman attended the baptisms
for two brothers from Arlington Heights Ward with Elders Maughan and Medearis. According
to President Norman, “It was another great baptism.”
We finished multi-zone conferences with the La Sierra, Corona, Jurupa,
Hemet, and San Jacinto zones this week.
Last week, we had two more multi-zone conferences with Moreno Valley, Mt. Rubidoux, and Riverside
Lake Elsinore and Menifee zones
They were wonderfully done! We appreciate everyone who participated and presented.
Again, we focused on Elder Bednar’s words: “Am I fulfilling my purpose when I
turn on my phone?” We hope that this phrase will continue to ring in all our
ears each time we turn on our phone. We must filter everything through our
missionary purpose. He also said that “what you learn now will benefit
generations of missionaries.” Perhaps, these words: “We trust you and have
confidence in you. We pray for you in every meeting. We know you have the
capacity to honor that confidence” will help our missionaries understand who
they are and why they are.
We gave out the "Golden Plunger Awards" to those companionships whose apartments were spotlessly clean. These are our first Golden Plunger awards. Thanks to Elder and Sister Davis, our housing coordinators.
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| The Golden Plunger Award for clean apartments! |
We celebrated a few birthdays:
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| Birthdays! We shout Hurrah! |
And then we took a few other pictures that represent our missionaries:
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| Fun photos--Sisters Adams and Wilde with matching dresses; Elder Mohlman with a tie e hand-stitched from three different ties; missionaries who helped with the Corona mudslide with a token of appreciation from those whose homes were involved. |
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| Our great Relief Sisters and Priesthood who provide all of the meals during multi-zone conferences |
What an incredible Mission Leadership Council (MLC) meeting we had
on Thursday of this week. Sister Hammon spoke on “We make Christ our Center by
believing that the Father and He are the sources of all light, understanding,
inspiration, revelation, and eternal blessings.” President Hansen talked on “Do
we trust Him? Hard is good!” He helped the missionaries understand that we literally
asked if we could come on a mission. The Lord said, “Yes, please come!” And now
we are here. Sometimes we learn things during the most difficult time. He
quoted President Monson when he said, “May we ever choose the harder right instead
of the easier wrong.” Elders Balls and Sorensen helped us understand the New
Chapter 8—“How Do I Fulfill My Purpose”—in Preach
My Gospel. My comments hinged on “Centering on the Whole—All In.” We spent
a bit of time talking about our eyes, heart, head/mind, feet, ears, and mouth and how
each of these things is important individualy, but when they are combined they
make the great whole—Us.
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| Mission Leadership Council (MLC) |
Sister Hammon and I attended and spoke during the Hemet Stake
Conference this weekend. Elders Taniela B. Wakolo and Elder Jay D. Pimentel
were the General Authorities for this conference. They came to reorganize the stake.
Elder Pimentel talked about Doctrine and Covenants 43:8 and Ephesians 6:13-18.
He also urged us to “dream big and then work big” while “beginning with the end
in mind” (President Monson). Elder Pimentel counseled us to “hold tight to our
core beliefs” in times of trials and challenges, just like we used to do with
our teddy bears and blankets. Elder Wakolo urged us to develop “holy habits”
and always “remember who we are.” He quoted Elder Bednar: “Your testimony will
not save you in the last day. Your continuing conversion will save you.” He
said he no longer calls his trials and tribulations as such. Rather, he calls
them his “learning experiences and development opportunities.” We also met many
of the missionaries’ investigators! It was just wonderful! We also had a delicious dinner before the Saturday evening session. The dessert was fabulous!
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| They were so pretty we dared not eat them, but the temptation to eat them was way too strong! |
Not only were we able to witness a leadership change in the Hemet
Stake on Sunday, but I was also able to talk to the wonderful saints in the
Mountain View Ward as part of their missionary week. Sisters Greenhalgh and Marks
had invited me on behalf of Bishop Tippetts. This ward had spent a week in
fasting and prayer to help with their missionary efforts. My fireside topic was
“The Joy of Leading People to Christ.” It was a good discussion with lots of
participation. The sisters were able to do a role play with an 11-year-old
young woman. She wanted to invite one of her friends to activity days. She chose
to talk about unicorns to help transition to the invitation. Sister Marks and
Sister Greenhalgh were magnificent in the navigation. Afterwards, Sister
Greenhalgh said, “I have never had to transition from unicorns to an invitation
before.” Sister Tippetts had made cinnamon rolls for refreshments. It was
definitely a sweet experience!
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| Snow this week on the far mountains! Rained here. Beautiful! |
Sister Hammon and I had the opportunity to be with some of our
missionaries in teaching opportunities. We were able to participate in a missionary
discussion with a new investigator who Elders Jensen, Guyman, and de Mare are
teaching. Her name is Debbie, and she had come to conference to find answers.
They taught her the plan of salvation and answered her questions. Her highlight
was having the privilege of talking to Elder Wakolo. He promised her that if
she read and studied the Book of Mormon,
she would receive a powerful witness of its truthfulness. She said she had
never had a feeling so strong in her life when he testified to her. She knew
that her question had been answered.
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| Just down the street! Don't you love the clouds! |
On Tuesday evening after multi-zone conference in Corona, we went
with Sisters DiPietro and Carson to a family’s home they are teaching. Their 20-something
son was baptized last fall. We had an incredible time participating in the
discussion and discussing the Book of
Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith. Prior to his surgery, the father’s friend
from church gave him a blessing. He said, “I felt the tingling from the top of
my head to the bottom of my toes. It was powerful.” We explained it was the
power of the Priesthood and the Holy Ghost working in him. Sisters DiPietro and
Carson left them with the invitation to read, ponder, and pray about its
truthfulness. It was a delightful experience.
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| Gotta love early morning walks down our lane! Something every morning. |
We love being with our missionaries! Their excitement about life
and the gospel propels us forward and engulfs us in immense love for them and their
growth and progress.
President and Sister Hammon
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