Welcome to the new missionaries in the California Riverside Mission!

We shed great tears when missionaries leave. And we smile big when new missionaries come. On Tuesday evening, we greeted three new missionaries: Sisters Magante and Edwards and Elder Lewis. Their flight came in almost 15 minutes early. Thankfully, we all arrived safely and on time.

New missionaries arrive: Elder Heilbut (Assistant), Sisters Edwards and Magante;
Elder Lewis; President and Sister Hammon; and Elder Moloney (Assistant)

 The assistants readied the banner, and then unrolled it just as the missionaries started down the escalator. What a joy to see them! They wore wonderful smiles as we welcomed them to the California Riverside Mission. We gathered their luggage and headed to the curb where the assistants came with the truck and loaded up the luggage. Elder Lewis rode with the assistants, and the sisters rode with us.

We arrived at the Mission Home safely where we ate a delicious meal of carne asada street tacos or taco salad, whichever they chose. We topped it off with Scotch-a-roos and ice cream. Delicious all! We then had a get-to-know-you-activity. It was fun to get to know them just a bit better.

Sisters Magante and Edwards and Elder Lewis in the Mission Home

Soon it was time for them to get some rest as it had been a long day for all of them. Elder Lewis went with the assistants, and the sisters stayed at the Mission Home.

It was “rise and shine” early on Wednesday morning. Everyone was ready to leave by 7:30 a.m. Traffic was a bit slow at that time in the morning, and we arrived just a minute or two before 8:00 a.m., just in time for a delicious breakfast. Sister Shirley had made Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches and the trimmings for a yogurt parfait, complete with berries, yogurt, granola, and orange juice or milk. Yum! Then on to training.

I started it off with Mission Basics and Expectations. I then left with Elder Lewis and had a nice chat with him. I then talked to Sister Edwards, our visa waiter waiting to go to the Vanuatu Port Vila Mission.

Once I finished the interviews, I did pray to find out who should be Sister Magante’s and Sister Edwards’ trainers ought to be. I know there are only two, but both of these sisters have such different personalities and needs. It didn’t take me long to determine who should be their companions. We have two incredible trainers—Sisters Moore and Neerings—who will do well, no matter which ones they receive.

They all went back to the New Missionary Orientation where they learned all about seeking with faith and finding people to teach, cars, driving in California, finances, housing, phones, Safeguardsfor Using Technology, health care, and a host of other administrative things.

I walked over to the Trainer Training. I gave them my expectations of the Mission Culture and what role they play in all that. We shall see how it all goes. We have three exceptional trainers!

We had a delicious lunch of ham, cheesy potatoes, salad, etc. It was divine. Once we finished, we headed to the Relief Society Room where Sister Magante was introduce to Sister Moore;

Sister Moore (trainer) and Sister Magante (new missionary)

Sister Edwards to Sister Neerings;

 

Sister Neerings (trainer) and Sister Edwards (new missionary)

and Elder Lewis to Elder Hull.

Elder Lewis (new missionary) and Elder Hull (trainer)

 Then, the testimonies. They were short and powerful testimonies from new missionaries. Here are snippets:

• Sister Edwards—“The Church is true. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. Repentance is real.”
• Sister Magante—“Heavenly Father loves us. “The Gospel brings peace in our lives. The Gospel brings us back to God’s presence.”
• Elder Lewis—“We are constantly improving ourselves. Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world.”

We love hearing these sweet testimonies from these young missionaries. They are going to do well.

             

We then took pictures of them with us and then some with them with their companions. Plus, we took a group shot of them once more with everyone, new missionaries and trainers. And then they were off to preach repentance and baptize converts.

New missionaries and their trainers

 One of the traditions we have is each new missionary then goes to the President's Office, takes his or her picture from the middle of transfer board, places it in the spot where they are going to serve with their new companion. Once that is in place, then are officially a missionary in the California Riverside Mission.

Sister Magante placing her name on the transfer board

Elder Lewis placing his  name on the transfer board

Sister Edwards placing her name on the transfer board

Receiving new missionaries and witnessing their vigor and excitement of coming to their mission can almost be overwhelming! They are excited to be here. Plus, they seem to instantly love and bond with their companions. We shall see how they do once they get settled and comfortable in their new areas.

Another glorious day in the California Riverside Mission!