This week has been an incredible week of new
things happening in the California Riverside Mission.
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Elders Heilbut (new Assistant), Ottman, Amago, Van Orman, Lambert, Heine,
President and Sister Hammon, Sister White, and Elder Moloney (Assistant) |
New
Missionaries
No missionaries left our mission this transfer, but six new missionaries arrived on Tuesday
evening. We waited for them just a bit at the airport before they came trundling down the
stairs and escalator: Sister White, and Elders Lambert, Van Orman, Amago, Heine,
and Ottman. It was good to see them all. The Shirleys and Miskins met us at the
Mission Home where we ate a delicious meal of chili verde, rice, beans, green
salad. We topped that off with dessert of chocolate cake and/or seven-layered bars—all
very delicious.
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| Chili Verde and all the trimmings! Yum! |
On Wednesday morning, we held orientation for
them after a delicious breakfast. Meanwhile, their trainers were being trained
by the Assistants. Then, lunch came upon us. We had a delicious meal of pulled
pork on nachos with all the trimmings. Plus, we had root beer floats, one of my
all-time favorites. Once we finished, we went into the Relief Society room where
we heard short and powerful testimonies:
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| Trainers and new missionaries |
E.
Lambert—He gave his testimony in Chinese but didn’t
interpret for us. I am assuming he bore testimony of the truthfulness of the
Church and that the Prophet Joseph restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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| Elder Lei and Elder Lambert (new) |
E.
Amago—“My mom is a returned missionary. I made the
correct decision to come on a mission. I want to show what I know and share
that by example.”
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| Elder Amago (new) and Elder Dalmas |
E.
Van Orman—"Even though I am waiting for my visa, I
am going to act like I’m staying here for the entire two years. I am glad to be
here. I know I am supposed to be in Riverside.”
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| Elder Emery and Elder Van Orman (new) |
E.
Heine—“I love Christ. I can show my love to everyone.”
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| Elder Staley and Elder Heine (new) |
E.
Ottman—“My mom served in this mission as an ASL
missionary. I appreciate the Priesthood that I possess. I would like to share
blessings with the people here.”
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| Elder Steiner and Elder Ottman |
S.
White—“I am excited to serve here. I know the
Savior lives. I am grateful to be here” (said in Portuguese).
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| Sister Moore and Sister White (new) |
S.
Hammon—“It’s through the scriptures that the Lord
speaks to us. The enlightenment is how God talks to us. When we reach out and
touch the hearts of the people, we will feel blessings. It’s the only way to
find peace."
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| Elder Ottman placing his name on the transfer board! |
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| Elder Heine placing his name on the transfer board! |
What a wonderful testimony meeting. I stood
and shared mine with them and told them we have high expectations for them. I
shared with them my thoughts about companionships
and used Alma 8 and Alma and
Amulek
as examples of a great companionship. Both Alma and Amulek
shared that
which they had with one another.
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| Sister White placing her name on the transfer board! |
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| Elder Lambert placing his name on the transfer board! |
Once they finished, we sang and prayed. Then,
we went into the cultural hall where we took lots of pictures—one with us and
one with their companions. Plus, we took one with everyone, including
companions. We love these missionaries already and know they will do well. Now Adelante
!
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| Elder Amago placing his name on the transfer board! |
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| Elder Van Orman placing his name on the transfer board! |
District Leader Training Meeting
We had an incredible District
Leader Training Meeting on Friday. Eight new district leaders—Elders Contreras,
Newey, Larsen, Webb, Hull, Mackay, Rich, and Saxton—joined the rest of the district
leaders. Topics included: “Teaching Repentance: The Powerful Combination of the
Scriptures and Preach My Gospel,” “District Leader Responsibilities,” “Fundamentals
of Baptismal Whites,” “Emergency Preparedness,” “Integrating Safeguards for
Using Technology in District Councils,” and “The Fundamentals of a District
Council.” We role played an entire district council and a baptismal interview. Those
who participated did a wonderful job.
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| District Leaders |
One of the amazing things
that occurs when young, emerging leaders come together is that you watch them
grow from the beginning of the meeting to the next. Then, as you watch them
continue to mature as leaders, it is wonderful to be a witness to the growth
and development.
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| New district leaders: Elders Contreras, Newey, Larsen, Webb, Mackay, Hull, Rich, and Saxton |
One of the principles we
continuously teach missionaries, including emerging leaders in our Mission is
the importance of being obedient. The following is a passage from King Benjamin’s
speech in the Book of Mormon: “And behold, all that he requires of you is to
keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his
commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that
which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you
and prosper you” (Mosiah 2:22).
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The ones who make the Office work and the ones who prepare the food:
Elder and Sister Shirley, Sister Davis, and Sister Miskin |
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| Missionaries singing and reciting |
That is how we progress and
grow and develop. It’s all about obedience in doing what we need to be doing
and what Heavenly Father would like us to do. And then we go and do. Diligently!
Persistently!
Orchard Park Mandarin Branch—A historic day in the
Jurupa Stake!
On Sunday, the Jurupa Stake
in our Mission organized its first Mandarin Branch. Sister Hammon and I
attended the Eastvale Ward where President Jergensen, Stake President, with
Elder Kevin Miskin, Area Seventy presiding, organized the Orchard Park Mandarin
Branch. President Miao was called as the Branch President with two counselors,
executive secretary, ward clerk, and an Elder’s Quorum president. All of our
Mandarin-speaking missionaries were there: Elders Lai, Bailey, Chase, Stewart, Yeh,
and Lambert. Elder Willis, a former missionary came from Provo Utah, to be a
part of this historic event.
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| President Harris; President Jergensen; Presidents Miao, Jiang, and Chang (New Orchard Park Mandarin Branch Presidency; Elder Miskin; and President Tolley |
The spirit was strong during
this meeting. President Miao and his wife and his two counselors bore strong testimonies. Elder Miskin gave the analogy of the Orchard Park Mandarin Branch
being a branch being grafted into the natural tree. He said, “You are
witnessing part of the restoration.” He told a story from a couple of years ago
when President Nelson said in a meeting with the general authorities, “The
Spirit of the Lord is brooding upon the Chinese.” He then promised them after
reading Doctrine and Covenants 97:8, that the Lord “will make you goodly and
fruitful trees.” It was truly a blessing to be a part of the incredible event.
We love our mission and what
we are doing. Our missionaries are some of the greatest in the world! We love
and appreciate them.
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| Lily found just down the road amidst some shrubs |
President and Sister Hammon
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