The Farewell Tour and the Handing over the Mission President's Phone!

Artwork by Sister Savana Moore--a gift

As we entered the weekend before leaving the California Riverside Mission, we decided that we must see our missionaries. We have seen them via video conferencing for several months now. We did have interviews face to face—mask to mask—in May, with a few of the zones, but we have not seen them all, face to face, just via video conferencing. So, we scheduled a drop by with each zone to take pictures, say goodbye, and then leave.

Ontario Zone

Jurupa Zone

Lake Elsinore Zone

Dropping by is one thing. Taking pictures is another thing. Saying goodbye was the most challenging part of the whole trip, perhaps one of the most challenging things we have done in the mission. We do not like to say goodbye, so it was a mere farewell "until we meet again."

Menifee zone

Murrieta Zone

On Saturday, June 27, 2020, we began with the Ontario Zone,  then drove to Riverside, Jurupa, Corona, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Temecula, Hemet, and Menifee, stopping along the way, saying goodbye and taking photos of all the zones.

Riverside Zone

Temecula Zone

Many of the zones quoted in unison our mission scripture—2 Nephi 25:26: “ 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.” Then, they sang “Armies of Helaman.”

Hemet Zone Sisters

Hemet Zone Elders

Tears came readily and naturally as they always do at the beginning of the scripture and streamed through the hymn! Sadness and rejoicing, two diametrically opposed feelings, coalesced into one sweet, immense feeling of love for these young men and women, now “bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh,” (see Genesis 2:23).

Corona Zone

Other zones sang “God be with you.” Again, tears streamed to its somber beat. We wondered where the tears kept coming from. The tears should have been done, water gone, drained from every tear duct after every single zone goodbye. We knew it would be that way, so why did we even think differently?

A few extra in Hemet

Good bye from Menifee!

On Sunday in the evening after all of your meetings, we drove over the Old Lake Building, the Moreno Valley Stake Center. After pictures and tender and joyous goodbyes, President and Sister Norman, our first counselor in the Mission Presidency came to say goodbye. He brought with him a Sister Malmberg print that we love that depicts California in the winter—orange groves, palm trees, and snow on the yonder mountains. How special that was to see them!

President and Sister Norman and President and Sister Hammon

Gift from President and Sister Norman and President and Sister Hansen:
a print of her painting of Bradley Road that depicts both the growing of
oranges palm trees and the snow on the mountains

Then we were done. We drove off in our car; the missionaries drove off in theirs. The drive to the hotel was a bit solemn, laced with some gladness, some joy, lots of tears, knowing that these missionaries will always be our missionaries, our friends throughout eternity.

Last transfer board, June 23, 2020

The final goodbye happened on Monday when we greeted President and Sister Watson and their beautiful family. After spending some time at the Mission Home, discussing ministrative things, we gathered in the Relief Society Room of the Grand Building, the home to the Mission Office. There the senior office couples, the assistants, and the office elders introduced themselves. It was a nice round-robin dialog. We then completed the most important task of the day: the handing over the phone.

I stood; President Watson stood, and I handed him the mission president's phone, lasting a mere four seconds. 

"Here is the phone..."

"Good luck with everything!"

Our tags had already come off the moment President and Sister Watson drove up the driveway of the Mission Home. Now, the phone, the last vestige of being mission president and spouse, was handed over. And it was done. We took lots of pictures.

The handing over of the phone: from President Hammon (r) to President Watson (l)

We have had some of most incredible young men on the planet to be our assistants. These two--Elder Peterson and Elder Larsen--are among these incredible young men. They have served and will continue to diligently under the keys held by President Watson. 

Elder Peterson, President and Sister Hammon, and Elder Larsen

President and Sister Hammon and Elder and Sister Glaus

President and Sister Hammon and Elder and Sister Aird

We do not know what we were expecting, if anything. We had prayed about it and knew that was what needed to be happening. We took a few more pictures with the assistants, and then we were off! We headed to the car, got in, and drove off as if that was the most natural thing to do. Actually, it was more than a bit surreal. 

President and Sister Watson with Elder Peterson and Elder Larsen, Assistants

We loved our mission! We love our missionaries! May the Lord continue to bless them and their families. May they understand whose they are "at all times and in all things, and in all place that ye may be in..." (see Alma 18:9).

Gift from Sister Arnold 

*Note: For some reason, all of the pictures from the Moreno Valley Zone visit were missing when I download all of the pictures--and for that I apologize profusely. We know the missionaries took some individual pictures with us, and we hope they have them and will send them to us, so we can have remembrances of those blessed times.

New and reassigned missionaries: Gifts to enhance the missionary work in the California Riverside Mission!

June 2020

We received 34 new and reassigned missionaries the last week we served in the California Riverside Mission. Five were brand new missionaries from their home MTC. Twenty-nine of them came from home via numerous countries.

What a sensation to know that these incredible missionaries had chose once again to serve and were assigned to us. In their former missions, they were zone leaders, sister training leaders, district leaders, and trainers. They have come to serve the Lord, show their love for Him, and help God's children come unto Him.

They came on a variety of flights, and it was fun to meet them as they came down the stairs since the escalators were under repair.

We assigned them to missionaries who had been serving here and to some who just came last transfer after being reassigned. In all over the past six weeks, we have received 73 new and reassigned missionaries. They are like the 2060 stripling warriors [and warrioresses] who have come to strengthen the Mission and enhance the missionary work in the southern California!

Elder Price (new) and Elder Lewis

Elder Gonzales and Elder Young (new)

Elders Ash (new) and Hobbs

Elders Updike (new) and Koyle

It appeared that as soon as they met their new companions, they bonded instantaneously. We also know it takes a bit of getting used to as they find their ways in the companionship. We seek for being equally yoked at all times.

Elders Syme and Andreasen (new)

Elders Ricord (new) and Butters

According to the Doctrine and Covenants 100:4-6 "I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place....therefore...lift up your voices unto this people [in the California Riverside Mission] speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts....For it shall be given you in the very hour, ye, in the very moment, what ye shall shall say."

Elders Green (new) and Andrus

Elders Ferrin (new) and Allen

Some will be in trios for a bit like Sisters Low, Ellsworth, and Shunn. Sister Low has been here for just a short time after being in Taiwan and then going home and then coming here. Apparently, Taiwan is ready to receive missionaries once again, and Sister Lowe will be returning. She is a wonderful young woman with lots of talents.

Sisters Low, Ellsworth, and Shunn

Elders Searcy and Wardwell (New)

Elders Steadman and Lee (new)

Some missionaries just exude happiness and positivity, and that's just how they roll. We pray they will continue to roll this way. These two elders were companions in the MTC, went to different places and are now reunited in California.

Elders Tindall and Toelupe (new)

Lots of talent has just arrived. They will be able to help our mission as it continues to work through the social media challenges. The missionaries have been doing well by being spiritual creative and innovative.

Elders McCammon and Jeffs (new)

Elders Whitmore (new) and Jensen

It is exiting to see these missionaries arrive and begin to become acquainted with their new surroundings. They expressed great happiness to be here.

Sisters Noble (new) and Maxey

Hermana Webb and Yergensen

Sisters Arnold and Neal (new)

The missionaries who were here are also excited that these new missionaries have arrived and will begin their service anew!

Elders Webb and Zierenberg (new)

Elders Chapman and Bentley-Dyches (new)

Have to love these smiles and enthusiasm!

Elders Tenney (new) and Winsor

And then some of them of the new ones--Hermanas Martinez and Howard--were assigned to serve together. Spectacular missionaries (en este caso, misioneras!).

Hermanas Martinez (new) and Howard (new)

As to when they might be returning to their countries, that is a question yet to be decided. Meanwhile, they will be "standing up and being all in" while the serve here. This is where the Lord assigned for the next phase of their mission.

Elders Kam and Killips (new)

Elders Lingwall and Johnson (new)

As the Lord taught us in  Doctrine and Covenants 100:15: "Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the Church."

Elders Pearce (new), Pedigo, and Farr

And sometimes, we even have to capture a few photos from the new Facebook pages!

Elders Yumisaca and Thomas (new)

Sisters Gunnell and Woolf (new) from their video

President and Sister Hammon and Elder Austin (new)

For some reason, we are missing the following photos of missionaries: Elder Avitia, Elder Price, Elder Saunders, and Elder White. Lo siento, jovenes!

Ah, the mission will definitely thrive with the current missionaries and new and reassigned missionaries--now just missionaries in the California Riverside Mission. What power comes from these young men and young women. It is no wonder they have been saved for these latter-day days to help gather Israel!

President and Sister Hammon