P-Day, Hikes, Trainings, and Pizza: The Life of a Mission President Couple

Sister Hammon and I had the privilege of speaking in the Mountain View and Diamond Valley wards on Sunday, July 30, 2017. Elder Thacker and Elder Sorensen, the zone leaders, spoke with us in the Diamond Ward and spoke with power and conviction. They each shared some personal experiences that showed how testimony and testimonies of others can play an integral role in conversion. Also, Elder Thacker said this was the first time he had spoken in his 20 months of being a missionary. Now, he had shared a few testimonies but no talk. Both Elder Thacker and Elder Sorensen did a great job.

We actually took a partial P-day on Monday. We woke up early and finished my weekly letter to the missionaries and then trundled over to the Mt. Rubidoux Memorial Park where we met the Mt. Rubidoux and Riverside zones for a hike. 

Mt. Rubidoux Memorial Park

Elders and President Hammon

We met the Jurupa Zone at the top when we arrived. They had called the night before for permission to take the hike as it is a bit out of their zone. We left the parking lot around 8:25 a.m. Some of the missionaries weren’t there yet, but they had told them to begin gathering at 8:00 a.m., and we would be leaving around 8:15 a.m. We began!

An arch and tower along the way

The trip up was quite easy because the trail was paved all of way, except climbing up the top where the cross had been planted. There were these huge steps that you had to almost climb to get to the next step. We stopped several times or least I did to take a few photos.  

Rocks: One of my favorite things to photograph

It was quite fun. We talked to the missionaries, both young and more mature. We finally made it to the top and just visited with missionaries from all three zones and took lots of pictures. We’ll insert a few here, but most of them on my Facebook page.

Las Hermanas

Today was our first Mission Leadership Council also known as the MLC! The MLC is comprised of all the Zone Leaders, the Sister Training Leaders, and the Assistants. Overall, we had 30 people in our training.  These 30 missionaries are the leaders in our missionaries. We were impressed during the entire Council meeting because all of them participated in some way. Joanne did a wonderful review of the “Divine Companionship,” which Elder Holland taught us in the 2017 Seminar for Mission Presidents. My topic was the “Power of the Word in the Book of Mormon.” Plus, President Norman, a member of the Mission Presidency, came and did a presentation on “Gaining the Trust of Members.”Before we could eat, we took a lot of pictures. 

The California Riverside Mission Leadership Council (MLC)

Plus, Sister Hammon took pictures of the missionaries at their tables eating and talking. It was a great lunch, and we think everyone had enough to eat.

Elders Brown, Langley, Luthy, Thacker and Sorensen

Elders Olsen, Pennington, Brown, and Langley

Hermanas Moran, Hernandez, and Garcia

Sister Wilde, Elders Wood and Ly, and Sister Goodwine

Elders Spittle, Anderson, and Patterson

Elders Dew, White, and Spittle

Elders Osberg, Eldridge, Dew, and White

Elders Patterson, Parson, Osberg, and Eldridge (Elder White's head)

For lunch, we ordered these giant pizzas, salad, and brownies (made by the Office missionaries).

Sister Garcia, Sister Thorne, and Elder Thorne

President Norman, Elder McCracken, and Elder McCracken (Senior and not related), and Sister McCracken

We had a delightful meal. Of course, the pizza and brownies were very popular. I think we probably ought to eat more greens. Sister Thorne made up little baggies of the leftover salad for the missionaries to take home. While it took a bit of cajoling, she was able to convince enough missionaries to take home all of the leftover green salad. 

Elders Phister and Wood and President Hammon

Participants in MLC

Sisters Harris and Hernandez with Elders Thacker and Phister in the background

Sister Harris (we have three sisters named Harris) and Hermana Garcia

We felt a great spirit with our Mission leaders during the MLC. They are incredible young men and women. They have taught well and serve as good examples to the rest of our missionaries.

What a great week!

Another sunset in our backyard

Rain on the horizon. It does rain in southern California!
We had two rainstorms this week alone.