Christmas! Trainer-Trainee Training, and Joys of Missionary Work!

Merry Christmas!

We enjoyed a delightful Christmas, quiet and peaceful! The Riverside Zone came over on Christmas Eve and sang Christmas carols in the four languages of our mission: English, Spanish, Mandarin, and American Sign Language (ASL). It was touching! They came in, and we shared with them some of the cookies we had received, and they shared with us some of the cookies they had made. We love these young missionaries. We know they were well taken care of this Christmas! They were blessed!

Trainer-Trainee Training

What a wonderful Trainer-Trainee Training we had on Friday morning. They all came early and excited about what has happened the last four weeks. We enjoyed hearing from three sets of missionaries about their experiences. 

First, Elders Jones and Rice talked about “How have role plays helped you become a more effective missionary and teacher?” 

Then, Hermanas Maxwell and Opager discussed “How have you utilized the Book of Mormon in your studying, finding, and teaching?” They also included a conversation about trusting and having confidence in your companion to do missionary work. 

Finally, Elders Tye and Steadman role played and show us “How have you been bold in seeking with faith or even inviting people to do things? 

Sister Hammon taught us about “The Importance and Purpose of Missionary Work.”  One of her quotes came from Preach My Gospel: “The attitude you have toward your mission experience is a reflection of your love toward your Heavenly Father and His Son and your respect for the priesthood” (Preach My Gospel, Chapter 8: “Use Time Wisely,” p. 155).

Elders McLaughlin and Abraham taught us about “Becoming a Preach My Gospel missionary: one companionship study at a time” and “Teaching When You Find, Finding When You Teach: Teaching in the Moment.” Everyone learned how to do the restoration presentation in one minute. It was fun walking around and seeing the excitement about teaching the restoration. Elder McLaughlin stated: "The messages and doctrine we teach much become a part of lives. They must become us."

I was able to teach about “The Last Four Weeks: Leading, committing, teaching, and inviting, role-playing, and becoming incredibly prepared missionaries” and Expectation of Trainers, Trainees, and all Missionaries: Patterns of Learning and Teaching by the Spirit and Being Obedient.” Overall, it was a delightful and spiritual day! Sisters Shirley and Davis prepared a wonderful breakfast of breakfast sandwiches and yogurt parfaits.

We just had an incredible week with Christmas, visiting missionaries, having missionaries visit us, participating in training with the trainers and trainees. They have grown much over the past four weeks, which have flown by. They seem to be flying faster and faster.

President and Sister Hammon