We received new missionaries this week!

Just as our outgoing missionaries return home, later in the evening, we receive new missionaries. What a delight it was to watch them come down the escalators, full of hope, a bit of trepidation, and a sense of courage for their adventure in the California Riverside Mission!

New missionaries arrived at the Ontario airport Tuesday evening excited to get out there and save souls

Missionaries arrive from the Mexico CCM Monday night. Elders Messenger, Garner, and Vaenuku and Hermanas Salmon and Butikofer

Once we train them, feed them, hear their testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon, we assign them to their new missionary companions. I review their missionary applications, interview them, pray about who should be their companions, and then assign them to their new companions. Once I have the draft done, Sister Hammon and I review the names to make sure this is what the Lord wants. Then, we have lunch with them and then begin the much-anticipated assignments in the Chapel. Once the assignments are made, the new missionaries bear testimony. Then off to the cultural hall for pictures.

Missionaries with their trainers:

Elders Griffiths and Garner (new)

Sisters Tobler and Huffaker (new)

Hermanas Rane and Butikofer (new)

Sisters Searle and Martin (new)

Sisters Tanner and Dyer (new)

Sisters Weston and Jeppsen (new)

Sisters Reynolds and Clyde (new)

Sisters Frederick (new) and Henderson

Elders Coreau and Andrus (new)

Elders Vaenuku (new) and Wise

Elders Bistline (new) and Atanascio

Hermanas Longshore and Salmon (new)

Elders Liddell and Campbell (new)

Elders Harp and Schultz (new)

Elders Messenger (new) and Crichfield

Elder Doutre and Emry (new)

It's fun to see them line up and take pictures with their new companions. We also take a picture with them. Those pictures are on our Facebook page. Go take a look!

Elders Butters (new) and Li

This will be a trio of Mandarin-speaking missionaries. They are excited to be together!

Elders Stewart, Farr (new) and Peterson

Elder Hansen (new) and Woo Chjng

Elders Higbee (new) and Christensen

Elders Talataina and Thomas (new)

Elders Brooks (new) and Ottman

Of course, they eat after landing and trudging back through traffic to the Mission Home. We had street tacos and all of the trimmings. The salsa was a bit zippy tonight! Delicious!

Dinner at the mission home Tuesday night

Dinner consisted of chicken street tacos, rice, beans and salad with peanut butter bars for dessert

A tradition that we began not long ago was to have the new missionaries come into the President's Office and take off the "star" that designated they were a new missionary and replace it with their photo to the transfer board.

Hermana Butikofer

Hermana Salmon

My picture is placed, and I am ready to go....My bag is full of copies of the Book of Mormon!

Elder Garner

Elder Messenger

Elder Vaenuku

At last, true missionaries now they are on the transfer board!

Elder Andrus

Some have to reach really high to place their photo!

Stretch, Sister Clyde

Elder Bistline

Elder Brooks

Elder Campbell

Sister Jeppsen

"Yes, this is where I will be serving," said Sister Martin!

Clear up there, Sister Martin

Sister Frederick

Elder Farr 

Elder Emery's cousin is in our mission!

Elder Emry

Sister Dyer

Elder Thomas

Elder Hansen

Interestingly, Sister Huffaker was assigned to serve in the California Riverside Mission. Her brother was serving in the Rancho Cucamonga Mission when she received her call. On July 1, we received the Ontario Stake where her brother was serving to be a part of our mission. So, this is the first time we have ever received a sibling of one or our missionaries already serving in this mission. We don't believe they will ever serve as companions....

Sister Huffaker joining the transfer board that her brother is also on. 

Elder Higbee

They are wonderful young people who are ready to serve the Lord! We are excited they are here, and we are more excited to serve with them!