New missionaries are here!

Incoming missionaries: July 16 and 17, 2018

Change is always delightful and worrisome. As the outgoing missionaries returned to their homes and families, we received incoming missionaries who have left their families and the MTC. With 27 missionaries leaving and 15 new missionaries arriving, our Mission changed drastically, and this transfer was an extensive transfer. Here are some data points:

1.  Twenty-seven (27) missionaries went home.
2. Two (2) zones collapsed: La Sierra into the Jurupa Zone; San Jacinto into the Hemet Zone.
3. Eight (8) areas collapsed.
4. Fifteen (15) new missionaries, five of them visa waiters.
5. Fifteen (15) new trainers.
6. Two (2) new trainers to finish training.
7. One (1) new assistant.
8. Three (3) new zone leaders.
9. Four (4) new sister training leaders.
10. Seven (7) new district leaders.
11. Thirteen (13) double ins (new companions, new areas)
12. Sixty-five (65) missionary changes

We welcomed 15 new missionaries to our Mission. It is good to see all of them: Hermanas Brown, Christensen, and Ruben came on Monday night from the Mexico MTC and began working immediately. Sisters Grant, Andersen, Rane, Schmutz, Tanner, Weston, Ashby; 

Elders Davis and Briggs, Assistants holding the Banner. Front: Sisters Ashby, Weston, Grant, Schmutz,
Rane, Andersen, and Tanner; Back: Elder Tippetts (back from an illness), President Hammon, and Elder Chapman

and Elders Flint, Pyper, Sharp, and Wilkinson all came Tuesday evening on two separate flights.

Elders Davis and Briggs, Assistants holding the banner with Elders Wilkinson, Sharp, Pyper, and Flint

We had an incredible orientation time with them and the new trainers. After a meal of sandwiches and scotch-a-roos, we gathered in the Chapel where I made the assignments of who their new trainer were going to be. Then, the incoming missionaries bore strong testimonies of why they were here and the truthfulness of the Gospel. Here are the summaries: 

Hna. Schmutz—“I know this is where I need to be. God is in the details.”

Hermanas Stettler and Schmutz (new)

Hna. Rane—“I have always had a testimony. He has prepared a way for me.”

Hermanas Rane (new) and Peters

Hna. Grant—"“God loves every one of us. We are here for a reason. There are so many lives that we are going to bless.”

Hermanas Whitaker and Grant (new)

S. Tanner—“I love this gospel, the Book of Mormon, and the Prophet.”

Sisters Bryant and Tanner (new)

S. Andersen—“Through charity and the Spirit, we can be the most powerful teachers.”

Sisters Andersen (new) and Parker

S. Weston—“Every single doubt or question for has been answered in the MTC. I want to scream that the Church is true.”

Hermanas Weston (new) and Maxfield

S. Ashby—“I am so excited to teach the gospel in my native tongue.” Sister Ashy is a visa waiter, waiting to go to Taiwan.

Sisters Ashby and Peterson

Hna. Christensen—“I know the gospel is true with all my heart.”

Hermanas Christensen and Troncoso

Hna. Ruben—“I realized we’re not alone. The Spirit is always with us.”

Hermanas Chase and Ruben (new)

Hna. Brown—“I have been waiting to serve my mission since I was a little girl.”

Hermanas Esplin and Brown (new)

E. Pyper—“Through Jesus Christ, we can do all things. Jesus loves each one of us.”

Elders Pyper and Sanchez

E. Sharp—“I know the Church is true. Plan of Salvation is our plan of happiness and is meant for all of us. I feel I am meant to be here.”

Elders Treviño and Sharp (new)

E. Wilkinson—“God has a hand in all things. God knows us individually.”

Elders Wilkinson (new) and Jensen

E. Flint—“I felt the love of Jesus Christ. We can find hope, and I am excited to share it.”

Elders Lawlor and Flint

E. Chapman—“The Church is God’s church restored in the last days.”

Elders Gregory and Chapman (new)

Once we finished with these beautiful testimonies, we took pictures of everyone, and away they went with their new companions off to their areas of service. They were all excited to go. They will all do well.

We also had District Leader Training this week. It was good to see eight new district leaders and 12 current district leaders on Thursday. We spent a bit of time on “Becoming Leaders, Understanding the Importance of Your District Leader Calling, and Working in District Councils.” The Assistants discussed “Gaining trust of members and missionaries,” “Kind and Judicious Correction,” “District Councils,” “Personal Priesthood Interviews,” “Completing Nightly Calls,” and “Missionary Accountability.” We also worked as a council of district leaders to revise the “Mission Training Plan.” Be sure to download a copy from the portal. We ended with teaching the district leaders how to conduct a baptismal interview with all of its nuances.

District Leaders

Plus, we have had a few baptisms to top off the week. We love to see people come unto Christ! 

It truly was a week of comings and goings. Lots of tears were shed this week, both because people were leaving and coming but also for those missionaries who returned to their families. We are so happy for the new missionaries who arrived this week, despite a variety of itinerary changes. They are here, safe and sound. Despite the many changes, we have great faith and confidence in our missionaries as they move to their areas, acclimate to their new surroundings, and take on the challenges of being doubled in or receiving a new assignment or becoming a leader. It’s all new but should be exciting! It’s all about choice and doing and relying the Lord’s will.