Tears galore! Outgoing missionaries going home to family and friends!

What a week of outgoing and incoming missionaries, sadness mixed with happiness on so many levels. It has become challenging for us to say good bye to these incredible missionaries who have diligently served the Lord as His true representatives. They have taught much and learned even more. We have grown to love them as part of our new growing family.

The highlight of the outgoing missionaries agenda is the sacred temple trip to the Redlands Temple. 

Redlands Temple

It was definitely a wonderful temple trip with Elders Aland, Cousineau, Goodrich, Herald, Jensen (Jaxon), Ly, Overman, Phister, Willes, and Yeaman. It was just an incredible experience to be there. Sister Hammon and I served as the witness couple and were able to greet everyone as they entered the Celestial Room. There is nothing like seeing these dedicated missionaries enter the sacred Celestial Room and watching them break into a glorious smile as we said, “You made it!” 

Back: Elders Ly, Aland, Herald, Phister, and Goodrich;
Front: Elders Overman, Willes, Cousineau, President and Sister Hammon, and Elders Jensen and Yeaman.

Isn’t that what Heavenly Father and Christ will say to us, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”? Afterwards we took lots of pictures. What a glorious finale to a great mission.

Elders pointing to Angel Moroni

First the exit of our visa waiters.

Almost every transfer we receive young men and young men who come to us from the MTC because they have not received their visas prior to finishing their MTC experience. We have the privilege of receiving many of them here. Thus, after just one transfer, we also said good bye to Elders Pyper, Flint, Sharp, and Wilkinson whose visas arrived. They left Monday morning temprano (early) to fly to Ecuador. We woke up very early. Sister Hammon made a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, waffles, and cantaloupe. We left around 4:00 a.m., arrived at the airport, checked in, took a picture or two, and then walked to where they needed to go up the escalator to security. We gave each other abrazos (hugs) and said our goodbyes. As they went up the escalator, I took a picture of them. A lump rose in my throat. They were here for just a transfer, but we have enjoyed them thoroughly. They are incredible missionaries who will represent well the California Riverside Mission when they arrive, mostly—if not all—trained and ready to teach repentance and baptize converts.

President Hammon, Elders Pyper, Flint, Sharp, and Wilkinson off to Ecuador

On their way!

Now, the returning missionaries going home to meet their family and friends after two years of incredible service.

Later that afternoon, the outgoing missionaries began arriving at the Mission Home for the “My Plan” interviews. What a great final formal visit I had with each of them before they departed.

Dinner was next on the list. Olga and her mother had come from Moreno Valley and made street tacos, maybe the last street tacos they every will experience in California unless they return. Elders Ly and Cousineau demonstrated their prowess of champion-like eating habits. They both downed 15 street tacos, worthy of new record held by Hermana Grover at 13.

Left: Elders Jensen, Willes, Ly, and Overman; Right: Elders Goodrich, Phister, Cousineau, Yeaman, and Herald.

One of the most inspiring events we do with the outgoing missionaries is participating in a testimony meeting. While it is difficult to record all their words, I would to pen just a few that are represented of the words they expressed:

Back: Elders Phister, Willes, Aland, Goodrich, Herald, Overman, Yeaman, Cousineau: Front: Elder Jensen and Ly

• Elder Jensen (Jake)—He quoted Alma 14:10-13: “Be it according to the will of the Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished…” The Lord’s timing is perfect. I will keep declaring his word wherever I go.”
• E. Revill—God is in control. I definitely needed to come to the California Riverside Mission. We have had so many miracles in the past three weeks. 2 Nephi 2:24.
• Elder Herald—“This to me is a rollercoaster of emotions. At home the Book of Mormon was a good book. Here, it was a powerful book. The answer was always within three or four verses after I began reading. The Book of Mormon really brings safety for the soul.”
• Elder Overman—“The Book of Mormon is the word of God. Remember to learn about and apply Christ’s mercy. When we trust in Him, he will bless us.”
• Elder Cousineau—“It’s been awesome. (See Doctrine and Covenants 126). Our time is not ended. It is time to send the words abroad.”
• Elder Ly—“The time on our missions is sacred. We make sacred bonds. Even though you leave a family, you grow a family here.”
• Elder Phister—“I am grateful for all of the experiences. We have the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Atonement has an extended reach. There are still changes ahead of us.”
• Elder Aland—“God is amazing. He makes our lives way better than we can by ourselves. You can create a temple in your homes.” See also Alma 17:2-3.
• Elder Willes—“My testimony of Jesus Christ has grown leaps and bounds. Strive every day to become like Jesus Christ. I am excited to apply the things I have learned on my mission.” 

Everyone with President and Sister Hammon

After testimony meeting, we partook of Sister Hammon’s famous Tres Leches cake with oozing drizzles of caramel. Once we finished oohing and awing over this delicious dessert, we spent about 40 minutes discussing light and the importance light in our lives, initially focusing on Doctrine and Covenants 50:24-25: “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you…” I loved spending just a bit of time, discussing Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, the sources of all Light.  

Sisters Davis, Hansen, and Hammon

The next morning dawned early for all of them. We ate a hearty breakfast of egg bake and all the trimmings, including fruit. Elder Jensen’s mother and step-father came and picked him up. What a joy it was for him to race into her arms. That kind of reunion never gets old. He was so appreciative of seeing his mother. 

Elder Jensen and his mother as she arrives!

We then loaded up the van and the truck and away we went to the Ontario Airport.

Good morning, California Riverside Mission!

Since missionaries were going to two different terminals, we first went to Terminal 4 and left off Elders Aland, Jensen, and Revill. What a teary time this was. 

Elder Aland going home; Elders Revill and Jensen returning to Puerto Rico

And off they go!

Then, we trundled off to Terminal 2. We let off Elders Ly, Willes, Yeaman, Goodrich, and Cousineau, checked them in, and headed to the security point. Again, tears flowed as we gave each other rounds of good bye and hugs! Then, they climbed onto the escalator and up and out of sight. Elder Phister did not leave with the rest. I returned to airport later that afternoon. We had lunch together at the Avocado Burger before I dropped him off at the airport. We took pictures, and I sent it to his mother. She then posted it on Facebook. It was difficult to let Elder Phister go, too.

Elder Phister and President Hammon

It was with heavy heart that I trundled home, knowing, though, that we would be returning in just a few short hours to pick up the new missionaries, and happiness would reign once more in our hearts although there still hovers tinges of sadness of remembrances of the outgoing missionaries.

More in another blog about the incoming missionaries.