Leadership, Lunch, Baptisms, Stake Conferences, and Interviews: The Life of Missionaries in the California Riverside Mission

From the Mission Home front yard

One of the best parts of last week was attending Mission Leadership Council (MLC), comprised of all zone leaders and sister training leaders. They are super leaders. My topic was “The Art of Holistic Leadership: Administering, Training, Planning, Being Good Examples, and Following the Mission Plan.” I also talked about “Companionship Study”; Joanne spoke on “Finding Joy in Our Trials.”

The Mission Leadership Council (MLC)

Sisters Harris and DiPietro sharing accountability

After a delicious lunch of pizza, salad, and brownies, Elder Anderson and Elder Dew presented both “Short-term and Long-term Planning” and “Working with Members.” I finished with “Principles in planning according to the Brother of Jared.” We also discussed Accountability: The Lord’s Way. I also introduced the new “Mission Elevated!” (Misión Elevada!) theme, which will be my topic for multi-zone conferences. Stay tuned. We are looking forward to multi-zones in a few short weeks.

Always sisters first in line

We try to convince them they need 1/2 plate salad and the rest pizza....

We had the privilege of speaking during the Saturday evening session of the Corona Stake Conference. We attended both the Saturday and Sunday sessions. The Conference theme was “Connecting with Heaven,” from Enoch’s walk with God. It was a wonderful theme. Bret, a recent convert from the Prado View Ward, bore a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and how it has changed his life and vision. His parents and two sisters attended to support him. 

Brett in the white shirt with his family!

Sister Hammon shared five ways of connecting with Heaven included praying; reading, studying, and pondering the scriptures; fasting with a purpose; partaking of the Sacrament; and serving our fellow beings, which includes our investigators, members, and our companions. For me, connecting with Heaven means that we connect with our Father in Heaven through prayer and acknowledging He is our Father; we connect with heaven by using sacred language in prayer (Thou, Thee, Thy, and Thine); we connect with Heaven by teaching our families and helping them grow and progress; and we connect with Heaven by inviting missionaries into to our homes and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Happiness with our family, friends, and those within our sphere of influence. We each had about ten minutes. I think we took up the entire twenty minutes, I more than Joanne. It was a delightful conference.

On Saturday morning, we drove to Moreno Valley where we witnessed the baptism of Destanie Federica, a young girl. Sisters Mackley, Ford, and Palmer taught her. It was a wonderful baptism with President Norman from the Mission Presidency and a member of her ward giving the baptismal talk and Bishop Danielson giving the Holy Ghost talk. Elders Rivas and Staley gave the restoration discussion while Destanie and Brother Jackson were getting ready after the baptism. 

On Sunday after Stake Conference, we trundled down to Hemet where we attended the baptism for Zack, a young 10-year-old. Elders Phister and Holyoak taught Zack. What a wonderful baptism this was. Both his Grandfather and Grandmother spoke, and Elders Hite and Tippetts gave the restoration presentation.

Elders Holyoak and Phister and Zack

We started interviews for this transfer. I am interviewing 116 elders and 50 sisters and three senior couples in ten zones who work in seven stakes. They are incredible missionaries who work hard and spend a great deal of time studying, teaching, seeking with faith, working with members, and doing services. I hope they enjoy our conversations as much as I do. Their insights, goals, and what they are doing encompass great learning opportunities for me. I am encouraged by all their goals and willingness to plow forward. Yes, missionary work is hard, but I know they will all do just fine. Note: These are just a FEW of the photos we have taken during interviews.

Elders Gibbons, Osberg, Larsen, Bailey, Aland; Sisters Bryant, Gray, DiPietro, and Wilson

Elder and Sister Powell

Elders Clark, Mohlman, Shurtliff, Williams, and Darling

Elders Marrow, Balls, Sanchez, Staley, Cox, Frisby, and Broadhead;  Hermanas Grover and Moran

Some of the bike missionaries: Elders Peterson, Gregory, Hunt, and Beddes

Sisters Fountain, Butler, Chandler, Ford, Price, and Harris

back, l-r to front: Elders Su'a, Revill, Andrew (sitting), Olsen, Avei, Escobar
Beatty, Brown, Simpson, and Royce.

Unfortunately, we did not post all of the photos (Sorry, Parents!). We have lots more!

A few more in collage: Many mini pictures of our missionaries who came to interviews

We are having an incredible time. Come join us!

President and Sister Hammon