A busy week in the California Riverside Mission comings and goings and lots of trainings.

What a week this has been! With incoming and outgoing and training of both the Mission Leadership Council (MLC) and the new and returning district leaders and sister training leaders, it has been quite busy. But would we want it any other way? We resoundingly say, “No!”

Bogendilla (Bougainvillea) just down the lane from the Mission Home

When you think of outgoing missionaries, though, we were both extremely happy and sad, happy that they are going home to their loving families and new lives and sad because they are leaving our mission where they have been such excellent representatives of the Lord, Jesus Christ as His missionaries.

The outgoing missionaries began to trickle in around 3:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon. Elder Patterson came first; then, Sisters Padilla and Ford, and Elder Braunstadter followed. Only four this time. I interviewed each of them and talked about their “My Plans,” their post-mission strategic plan. 

Elders Patterson and Branstadter; President and Sister Hammon; Sisters Ford and Padilla

Sister Hammon had prepared pulled pork sandwiches with all the trimmings for the outgoing dinner. Of course, she also topped it off with the usually delicious tres leches cake. Is there anything better than this?  After a very spiritual testimony meeting, we engaged in a companionship study about light. The elders then left to go to Elders Phister and Gregory’s apartment to sleep. The rest of us stayed at the Mission Home.  We all went to bed, tired and anxious for morning.

Bright and early the next morning, we arose once again, made breakfast, ate, loaded up the vans, and trundled off to the airport. We checked everyone in, said our goodbyes, and then watched them go up the escalator. Sister Ford was with us because her flight left out of Terminal 4. We slowly walked back to the car and then drove to Terminal 4. Because of no parking spaces, I said my goodbyes to her, and Sister Hammon took her and checked her in and then watched her go up her own escalator by herself. It was a sad drive home.

And off they go....

A blurry Sister Ford leaving from a different terminal...She looks happy!

We also had five of our visa waiters leave as well. We were so excited for them to be going to the countries where they had been initially assigned: Philippines, India, and Portugal. We were blessed to have them for a transfer or two. They made incredible impacts on our mission and our missionaries. They were sad to go; yet, they were simultaneously excited. We wish them well. We would love their mission presidents say to them, "Wow, you were so well trained and prepared. Maybe we ought to redshirt all of our missionaries in the California Riverside Mission."

Sister Harris and Sister Reese (Portugal). 

Sisters Gray, Brown (Portugal), and Goodwine

President and Sister Hammon, Elder Johnson, and Elder Francis

Hurrah! We received new missionaries this week! On Monday and Tuesday, the following missionaries arrived in the California Riverside Mission: Monday—Hermana Peters from the Mexico MTC; Tuesday—Sisters Hackley, Parker, and McDaniels; and Elders Carter, Nielsen, Pells, and Akana. It was wonderful to see them. Hermana Peters went right to work after a good night’s rest at the McCracken’s apartment. A huge thanks to Hermanas Moran and Roque for taking her to do missionary work on Tuesday. We picked up the rest of them at the airport. They were all in good spirits, happy to be here. After driving back to the Mission Home, we ate fabulous burritos with yummy salsa and guacamole. Then, the elders went off to the zone leaders’ apartment to sleep. The sisters stayed at the Mission Home.

At the airport: Sisters Hackley, Parker, and McDaniels; Sister and President Hammon;
Elders Carter Akana, Nielsen, and Pells; Sister Peters came the night before

Early the next morning, we rose, ate a delicious breakfast, and headed to the Mission Office where they spent all morning hearing about mission basics, health, housing, and finances. 

Elders Carter and Nielsen; Sisters Peters and Parker; Sister and President Hammon;
Sisters Hackley and McDaniel; Elders Akana and Pells

Once they were assigned their trainers, they each bore a strong testimony. One of the things, we enjoy doing is taking pictures of the new missionaries and their trainer-companions. Then, off they went with their new trainers with all their stuff, including their new bikes, which will probably get a lot of wear and tear.

Elder Broadhead and Elder Akana (new)

Elder Shurtleff and Elder Pells (new)

Sister McDaniels (new) and Sister Moffit

Sister Parker (new) and Sister Mackley

Hermana Peters (new) and Hermana Schooff

Elder Carlisle and Elder Carter (new)

Elder Holyoak and Elder Nielsen (new)

Sister Hackley (new) and Sister Gray

We had an incredible Mission Leadership Council (MLC) this week, too. We welcomed several new zone leaders and two sister training leaders. Sister Hammon spoke about the “Hows and Whys” of the Lord’s Gospel Culture,” which the sister training leaders will be teaching in the upcoming multi-zone conferences. The Assistants navigated their way through accountability and set new baptismal goals. President Norman focused on “being positive by developing intrinsic diligence and striving to become better each day.” The Assistants also presented on three topics that will be taught at the multi-zones: 1) “The Art of Pausing People,” 2) “Setting Realistic Goals and Achieving Accountability,” and 3) Utilizing Time Effectively.” My topic focused on “We make Christ our Center by being obedient to His teachings and coming unto Him.” 

Mission Leadership Council

Friday dawned early for the new and returning district leaders and sister training leaders in another training. After some bagels and yogurt, they began immersing themselves in learning how to become more effective leaders. It was great to see these emerging and “seasoned” leaders participate and discuss a variety of topics. My topic focused on expectations of leaders. Later in the morning, we spent a bit of time on leadership principles, particularly those espoused by the Book of Mormon prophets and leaders. The Assistants discussed PPI’s, accountability, district meetings, and other district leader things. We look forward to seeing how you all do. 

New and continuing district leaders and sister training leader training

The beauty of missionary work hinges on the comings and going of missionaries, the training of new missionaries, the training of new and emerging leaders, and watching them grow and develop. We enjoy immensely our mission.

In front of the Mission Home

President and Sister Hammon

Beautiful Hibiscus in front of the Mission Home