Incoming Missionaries: the Lifeblood of a Mission!

We love new missionaries! We had 16 arrive recently, two of them who are waiting for their visas to go to India! They are excited to be here, and we are excited to have them come to our mission.

Look at all these smiling faces. We feel so blessed to work along side these dedicated servants of the Lord.

Elders Stoddard (new) and Herrick

Elders Ottman and McCarty (new)

They came from both the Provo and Mexico mission training centers where they learned to be great missionaries. Then, they arrive to the mission field and finally understand that missions can be simultaneously challenging and wonderful. There is nothing like coming to a foreign world like California and experiencing the diversity it offers. Plus, the weather is wonderful, especially this time of the year.

Elders Li and Searcy (new)

It is exciting to see the excitement these new missionaries bring to the mission! Of course, they come with some trepidation: new state, new companion, new surroundings, and new growing experiences. Yes, a plethora of new experience await them. Ready or not, your mission is here!

Elders Lephart  (new)and Huffaker

We love new sister missionaries who come to the mission. We now have several sister missionaries--almost 40% of our mission! They are incredible!

Sisters Searle and Jensen (new)

Sisters Mork (new) and Durham

Elders Harp and Latimer

Elders Olson and Clawson (new, waiting for his visa)

They come from all over the United States and outside the United States, including Georgia, Colorado, Utah, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Nevada, Virginia, and even Samoa!

Elders Tindall (new) and Kam

Elders Quigley (new, waiting for his visa) and Hull

Elder Sanofsky (new) and Higbee

Elders Gonzales (new) and Aamodt

We went out and taught with Elders Smith and Bryce in their area just a few days after Elder Smith arrived. Impressive! He taught like he has been out here for several months.

Elders Smith (new) and Bryce

Elders O'Connell (new) and Jones

New missionaries at the Ontario Airport

Thank you, parents, for preparing your children to serve missions and be such kind, wonderful young people! We will enjoy watching them grow and develop into disciples of Jesus Christ!

President and Sister Hammon

Going, going, gone! Seven missionaries leave for home!

Yes, missionaries have to go home at some point in their missions! The seven below did not really want to go home for the most part, but we know they need to in order to carry out their "My Plan." President Hammon interviewed each of them before they left and talked about their future: Spiritual, Academic, and Social! They all have great plans. We hope they will continue to follow through.

Elders Nielsen, Lawlor, Carter, McLaughlin, President and Sister Hammon;
Sisters Tanner, Andersen and Welker

We always have incredible food for the outgoing missionaries! Tonight was one of President Hammon's favorites: Chile Verde. It had just enough zip to it. If you wanted more, there was a special salsa that would give you a jolt all the way down.

Chile Verde for dinner. Sister and Elder Hunt and Sister and Elder Miskin

Sister Hammon, Elders McLaughlin, Nielsen, and Lawlor, Sisters Andersen, Tanner, Welker

One of the most exciting moments is when we gather as a group and study a topic. Our topic this evening was "light." We talked about light and how we need to inject it every day, including weekends. Light comes from praying, reading, studying, and pondering the scriptures and the words of the prophets.

One last study hour with President Hammon

Elder Lawlor's flight was leaving very early Tuesday morning so he left Monday night to stay with Elder and Sister Hunt and they took him to the airport very early Tuesday morning. 

Elder Lawlor before he left!

It was a bitter-sweet moment with the sisters as we dropped them off at the Ontario Airport! Their flights were the first ones in the morning. We said a teary goodbye, watched them go up the escalator, and then through security. Then, we headed for the other terminal to say goodbye to the elders.

And off they go........from Terminal four. Sisters Tanner, Andersen, and Welker

The last wave and the last smile! Oh, my heart!

This transfer from the airport was a bit odd. The elders left from one terminal and the sisters left from another, but we made sure we were there for both groups. We left tears and shouts of joy in each terminal!

All the elders left from terminal two. Elders Nielsen, Carter, Sister and President Hammon and Elder McLaughlin

And off they go!

One of our missionaries, Sister Lifferth, was supposed to go to Brazil three transfers ago. She finally received her visa to go. We are going to miss her. She is an incredible missionary!

Sister Lifferth left Monday morning very early for Brazil. God speed Sister!

And off she goes to Brazil!

Ah, the tenderness of it all! While we were sadden on our end, great happiness and joy surely erupted on the other end as these missionaries burst back into the lives of their families and friends! May they all remember who they have become: disciples of Jesus Christ.

President and Sister Hammon

Christmas! Trainer-Trainee Training, and Joys of Missionary Work!

Merry Christmas!

We enjoyed a delightful Christmas, quiet and peaceful! The Riverside Zone came over on Christmas Eve and sang Christmas carols in the four languages of our mission: English, Spanish, Mandarin, and American Sign Language (ASL). It was touching! They came in, and we shared with them some of the cookies we had received, and they shared with us some of the cookies they had made. We love these young missionaries. We know they were well taken care of this Christmas! They were blessed!

Trainer-Trainee Training

What a wonderful Trainer-Trainee Training we had on Friday morning. They all came early and excited about what has happened the last four weeks. We enjoyed hearing from three sets of missionaries about their experiences. 

First, Elders Jones and Rice talked about “How have role plays helped you become a more effective missionary and teacher?” 

Then, Hermanas Maxwell and Opager discussed “How have you utilized the Book of Mormon in your studying, finding, and teaching?” They also included a conversation about trusting and having confidence in your companion to do missionary work. 

Finally, Elders Tye and Steadman role played and show us “How have you been bold in seeking with faith or even inviting people to do things? 

Sister Hammon taught us about “The Importance and Purpose of Missionary Work.”  One of her quotes came from Preach My Gospel: “The attitude you have toward your mission experience is a reflection of your love toward your Heavenly Father and His Son and your respect for the priesthood” (Preach My Gospel, Chapter 8: “Use Time Wisely,” p. 155).

Elders McLaughlin and Abraham taught us about “Becoming a Preach My Gospel missionary: one companionship study at a time” and “Teaching When You Find, Finding When You Teach: Teaching in the Moment.” Everyone learned how to do the restoration presentation in one minute. It was fun walking around and seeing the excitement about teaching the restoration. Elder McLaughlin stated: "The messages and doctrine we teach much become a part of lives. They must become us."

I was able to teach about “The Last Four Weeks: Leading, committing, teaching, and inviting, role-playing, and becoming incredibly prepared missionaries” and Expectation of Trainers, Trainees, and all Missionaries: Patterns of Learning and Teaching by the Spirit and Being Obedient.” Overall, it was a delightful and spiritual day! Sisters Shirley and Davis prepared a wonderful breakfast of breakfast sandwiches and yogurt parfaits.

We just had an incredible week with Christmas, visiting missionaries, having missionaries visit us, participating in training with the trainers and trainees. They have grown much over the past four weeks, which have flown by. They seem to be flying faster and faster.

President and Sister Hammon