Thanksgiving, family, baptisms--A week full of gratitude and love!

Hibiscus in the front of the Mission Home

What a generous week this has been! When Elder Keetch asked us about some of things that we love about being here as Mission President and spouse is “We love being with the missionaries.” This week has been no exception. We have been privileged to visit with the Menifee, Riverside, Jurupa, San Jacinto, and Hemet zones. There is something about sitting down with each of the missionaries, praying with and for them, hearing their stories, listening to their challenges, and sharing their joy and your turmoils, and most importantly feeling of their spirits. If I could say, “Poof! Let there be joy in every missionary’s heart (in everyone's heart), I would.” But, alas, it cannot be done. What I can do, though, is pray with you, share our faith with each other, encourage each other to do better, and ultimately come to know whose we are—for we are Heavenly Father’s children. He loves us immensely and intensely.  I have no doubt of that.

California Riverside Missionaries 

Thanksgiving was a very special time for us. Some of our family came. My brother came from Idaho Falls; Sister Hammon’s sister and her husband and her brother, his wife, and their 15-year-old daughter came and spent a couple of days with us. What a wonderful time we had with our family. We had breakfast a couple of mornings outside on the patio. 

Breakfast on the patio at Thanksgiving

We were going to have Thanksgiving dinner on the patio, but it was too hot. Too hot? Can you believe it was 95 degrees on Thanksgiving? We had the opportunity to Skype with Hailey, Joseph, and Family and Anna Rose, Christiaan, Emiline, and William. William made sure to tell us that he was coming to our house for Christmas. We are looking forward to that. We hope all of you had a delightful Thanksgiving.

Artwork by Elder Frazier

We also toured the California Citrus State Historic Park. It was quite good. There is just something about orange groves and the beauty that takes place here. We loved it.

Grapefruit

Palm trees mixed with the oranges 

Avocados

Budda's hand (citron)

We also had a chance to go to Idyllwild, a part of our mission, which is in the mountains, so we could find some giant pine cones. We have a couple of the large ones at the mission home, and Sister Hammon's sister and brother-in-law wanted to find some so they could take them home. After visiting the Citrus State Park, we drove up to Idyllwild. Along the way to the branch building, we saw a few along the road and decided to stop and hike up into the forest a bit, not too far from the road. The big ones were everywhere. I stacked up a few and then hauled them to the van. We were totally amazed at the largess of the cones. 

A comparison--large vs. regular pine cones

We had a special visitor in the Mission Home on Saturday after Thanksgiving. Elder Murphy (a.k.a. “McKay”), his parents, and his sister stopped by to say hello. He misses his mission, and he misses all of you. We stared at the missionary board in the office. He talked so lovingly of all of his companions and other missionaries. Reminiscing or “bringing to remembrance” as the scriptures call it is a wonderful thing to help us remember the incredible spiritual times we have had.

President and Sister Hammon and Elder Murphy (McKay).

Sister Hammon and I went to a baptism on Saturday of Bryson and Blake Buckwalter, two young men whose father is a member and whose mother is taking the lessons. Their Grandfather Buckwalter baptized them; their Grandmother Buckwalter gave the baptismal talk; their father gave the Holy Ghost talk; and their mother gave the closing prayer, just like someone who had been a member of the church for some time. They had many family members there. Sisters Marks and Fortin did the restoration presentation. Well done!

Sister Marks, Bryson, Blake, and Sister Fortin

Hermanas Buitrago, Diana, Daniel, Hermanas Tonini and Sorensen, and the parents of Diana and Daniel

Chinese Elders Crowther and Nelson, Diana and her daughter, and Elder Willes. Diana is from mainland China

Elders Jackson and Dunn (returned to be here); Joan, Amber, their brother, Elders Whiteside and Herald

Sister Hammon and I had a training meeting in Lake Elsinore on Sunday morning early. After the meeting, Brother Steve Demke of the Stake High Council approached us and gave us a carving that he had done. The carving read: “President & Sister Hammon: Our mission is to bless.” How cool is that? We were impressed and honored to receive something that personal and precious. Thanks, Brother Demke!

Sister and President Hammon and Brother Demke

What a glorious time of the year we are in—Thanksgiving, Christmas, time with family and friends, and feeling the wonderful spirit of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in our lives. As we begin this Christmas season, we hope you enjoy the blessings of remembering whose you are and coming unto Christ. The Church is Celebrating “Light the World.” Please go to lds.org and click on “Light the World” and participate in sharing.  

Light the World @ lds.org

We love you all! May you all feel Heavenly Father’s love for you as His children.

President and Sister Hammon