Mission Completed!

Redlands Temple

The days have flown by since the last blog. I will use this space to write about the outgoing missionaries and then the blog that follows about the new missionaries coming in.

We had a Mission Leadership Council (MLC), the last for several missionaries who are going home. We talked about “Living up to Your Potential,” “Ministering to Your Zone Members,” “Working with Ward Councils,” and “Being Accountable.”

MLC July 2018

MLC....Elder Royce with his thumb up

One of the most difficult things we do is to say goodbye to outgoing missionaries. We bid a teary, happy, fond farewell to the 27 missionaries who are going home to their families! Prior to their going, I sat down with each one of them to review their My Plans, their post-mission strategic plan. All of them have planned well and know what they are going to do.  

All outgoing

As part of the outgoing missionary plan, we are able to go to the Redlands Temple with them. The Redland Temple was beautiful and peaceful. Outgoing included: Sisters Palmer, Harper, Hernández, Ruggles, Tonini, and Wilson; Elders Medearis, Cox, Steed, Frisby, de Mare, Hale, Lewis, Watson, Tobiasson, Osberg, Dew, Balls, Sorensen, Bailey, Holyoak, McCracken, Eldridge, Avei, Holloway, Rose, and Day. The session was packed. I greeted them as they each walked in. What a wonderful feeling it was to greet each of them. There is something celestial about doing this. When Sister Hammon came in, she went around and shook the hands of the elders and hugged the sisters. What a great day. Later, we all went outside and took pictures.

All of the missionaries at the Redlands Temple

Twenty-seven missionaries came for their last supper, testimony, and companion study with me. I met with a few of them around 3:00-4:00 as I did my last exit interview with them. It was a bit teary. Dinner was delightful! The Tenorio family came and prepared street tacos outside. Delicious! We ate until our hearts content. No records of eating street tacos were broken, but Elder Hale ate 12 tacos, just one shy of the record. We’ll see what happens to the records next outgoing.

Sisters Powell and Davis, Elders Powell and Davis, and Brother Smalley. 

The testimony meeting was sensational. Because there were so many of them, they were admonished to deliver “short and powerful” testimonies, and they did.

• E. de Mare—“We come to know our Savior more. Our goal is to become like He is.”
• E. Sorensen—“I learned how much God cares for us and helps us improve. My greatest miracle: How Heavenly Father has helped me change through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
• E. Balls—I have seen many miracles. My great miracle: How Heavenly Father has put people in my path to help me.”
• Hna. Tonini—“I know Jesus is the Christ. I am learning to become like Him.”
• Hna. Harper—“Christ is my best friend. He overcame all. Have I not reason to rejoice because of my mission?”
• Hna. Hernández—“My mission has become the most sacred and powerful time in my life. Jesus Christ and my mission have transformed my soul. I am returning home a different person.”
• S. Palmer—“I felt the Savior by my side. He has taken my burdens away from me.”
• S. Ruggles—“I have said so many prayers of gratitude for this past transfer.”
• S. Wilson—“I have been able to act as Heavenly Father’s hands. He can help us become mighty.”
• E. Hale—“I don’t want to take off the tag. It will be written on my heart forever.”
• E. Steed—“If we hearken to His Spirit, it will nudge us to do good things. The Atonement of Jesus Christ covers everything.”
• E. Cox—“I have thought a lot about Jesus Christ. His hand is in all things.”
• E. Holloway—“My mission has prepared me for service. This mission has improved my life.”
• E. Frisby—“The biggest thing I learned  is how much my weaknesses and shortcomings can be taken care of through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As long as Christ is by my side, everything will work out.”
• E. Rose—“I love another chance to bear my testimony. I cannot deny how I feel about the Book of Mormon.”
• E. Lewis—“I have received an extra dose of the Holy Ghost. I know Jesus Christ lives.”
• E. Bailey—“I am so thankful for Heavenly Father helping me through the mission. I stand as a witness because I have felt the Holy Ghost.”
• E. Osberg—“The Gospel makes us happier people. I have trials, so I can learn from them. I am so grateful to have made eternal friends.”
• E. Eldridge—“Every person in the world has a whole set of experiences. Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.”
• E. Dew—“All things we have done have prepared us for the decades to come. We have divine potential.”
• E. Tobiasson—“We have been able to share the message to help our brothers and sisters to know the truth they once knew.”
• E. Watson—“It’s been a long two years; it’s been a short two years. Serving has been the best two years.”
• E. Medearis—“I know why I am here. I need to embrace my Savior. It’s been an uphill battle, but it has been marvelous.”
• E. Holyoak—“Before the mission, I sometimes ask: What is the gospel? The answer was simple: scriptures and stuff. I know so much more now.”
• E. Avei—“True change can only occur through sacrifice. My mission has done great things for me.”
• E. McCracken—“I can grow my own testimony now instead of just relying on my parents’ testimony.”
• E. Day—“What inspires you? Great miracles have happened. The missionaries inspired us to return to Church.”

All of our assistants who have served with us:
Elders Sorensen, Balls, Dew, and President and Sister Hammon

All former assistants leaving for home, plus Elders Davis and Briggs, our current assistants

After the testimony meeting, we had companionship study with each other. We again searched the topic “light.” I love this topic because it “enlighteneth” our minds and souls. We had a great discussion about light and how it helps us see things we have never seen before because it enlarges our thoughts. We spent a bit of time in Doctrine and Covenants 50, 88, and 93. Once we finished, they all went to their respective places to spend the night. Twelve elders came to our home to sleep. They were scattered everywhere on the floor and in the bedrooms.

All outgoing missionaries

Breakfast came early! We rose early, readied ourselves, and then trundled down to the Grand Building where we had a lovely breakfast. Then, we began loading the luggage into the many vehicles. Think of it: 27 missionaries x 3 items each = 81 pieces of luggage. We had lots of places and spaces for the luggage. One member, Brother Keating, brought his truck to help us with the luggage.

Luggage being loaded

We dropped most everyone off at Terminal 2. It was a tough goodbye. Tears were shed by many of us. We couldn’t believe how sad their leaving made us. These missionaries have become part of our family. Like any family leaving, we were saddened; yet, we did feel joy that they were going home to see their families whom they haven’t seen for two years or 18 months. It will be a glorious reunion for sure.

And away they go!

We want to thank all of outgoing missionaries for their missionary service and for being such great examples and leaders in the California Riverside Mission. Their incredible legacies will live on! Their missionary service has literally prepared them for their next transfer. Their gospel foundation has increased. Their testimonies have grown and are strong. They are becoming who they need to become. Thus, our message to them is this: Follow your My Plan, stay close to the Lord and Heavenly Father, and stay on the covenant path. If you do, the Lord will bless you exceedingly.