Redlands Temple, FHE, and Baptisms

We had another incredible week in the California Riverside Mission! One thing we are learning is that it never slows down, but we love being here and associating with these marvelous missionaries and members throughout the mission.

from our backyard

We were privileged to share our first Family Home Evening (FHE) with the senior couples serving in the California Riverside Mission on Monday evening at the Mission Home. What a wonderful group of people! 

Elders Powell, Hubbard, Thorne, and Fuller

Sisters Norman, McCracken; Elder and Sister Davis; front: Sister Norman's mother from Argentina

The following couples attended: McCracken (Office: E. McCracken, missionary secretary; S. McCracken, finances); Fuller (Member-Leadership Support), Hubbard (Member-Leadership Support), Davis (Housing, Church Service Missionaries), Thorne (E. Thorne, cars; S. Thorne, Referral Secretary), Powell (Member-Leadership Support); 

Sisters Hubbard, Fuller, and Powell

and President and Sister Norman (Mission Presidency) and his mother-in-law who was visiting from Argentina. It was potluck, and Sister Hammon had made this delicious pasta and chicken dish for the main course. We definitely did not starve. It was such a great event.

President Norman and Sister Thorne

We went to the Redlands Temple with the outgoing missionaries on Thursday: Elders Brinkerhoff, Drebot, Jackson, Jones (A), Jones (C), Murphy, and Wood; Sisters Godoy, Keith, Rodriguez. Plus, Elder and Sister Powell accompanied us, too. What a marvelous experience to be in the temple and to be with missionaries whom we have grown to love in such a short period of time! 

Elders Brinkerhoff, Drebot, Jackson, Jones (A), Jones (C), Murphy, and Wood; Sisters Godoy, Keith, Rodriguez

We felt a very sweet spirit there within the walls of the Temple, a House of the Lord. After the session, we met outside and, of course, took lots of pictures.

Redlands Temple

Saturday morning dawned bright and early for Sister Hammon and me. After a brisk walk, I rushed in and began calling all of the new leaders and trainers. What an incredible experience that was! We truly appreciate all of you who have accepted new assignments to lead, train, and teach. I realize that many of the calls came as a bit of a surprise; some of you are feeling somewhat weighed down with the new responsibilities; others are ecstatic about the new opportunities that are now before you. We have some trainings this coming week to help the new leaders with their responsibilities. Helping our missionaries in becoming leaders in our Mission is one of our priorities. 

On our walk

On Sunday, we attended two of the baptismal services for three people in Moreno Valley, two in the Nuevo Ward (Elders Spittle and Dew) and one in the Valley View Ward (Ford/Mackley). Both of the baptisms were wonderful, and the rooms were packed. Two young people—Monserrath and Jonathan—were baptized in the Nuevo Ward;

Hermanas Tonini, Hernandez (f); Hermanas Moran, Mother of Monserrath,
Monserrat, and her sister, and Hermana Hernandez

and one young woman—María—was baptized in the Valley View Ward.

Elders Carrillo and Mounts; María, Sisters Ford and Mackley

What was even more impressive was María’s testimony about her conversion. She said when she first heard the discussions from Elders Carrillo and Mounts, it just “clicked.” From the time she was a freshman in high school, María’s friends were great examples to her and played an integral role in her conversion. Now, one of them is on a mission, and the other one is preparing to attend BYU-Idaho. Plus, Elder Mounts sang a duet with one of the friends. What a wonderful voice!

Elders Jackson and Broadhead gave the restoration presentation in Valley View

Elders Rivas and Whiting gave the restoration presentation in Nuevo Ward

John and Ann Stone came to visit us today and had an early dinner with us. We had a delightful conversation. We took them to the Mission Office and showed them around.

Ann and John Stone and Sister Hammon at the Mission Office

One of the scriptures I shared with the missionaries this week is one from Alma 32: "But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life....and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst" (See Alma 32:41-42. Actually, review all of Alma 32, taking time to read, study, and ponder each verse. It is so full of wonderful counsel!).

Outside our front door

May you nourish your lives and thoughts and work and companionships this week with the prophetic words and counsel from the prophets! Continue talking, rejoicing, preaching, prophesying, and writing about Christ! He is our Savior and our Redeemer!

Painting of the Redlands Temple, which hangs in the Mission Home

We love you!

President and Sister Hammon (a.k.a "Darrel and Joanne")