Learning and Growing Together in Multi-Zone Conferences!

Multi-zone Conferences

Recently, we had multi-zone conferences. We have divided the mission into three parts, and the missionaries gathered together in three different groups on three different days. While the messages that Sister Hammon and I shared were the same, the zone and sister training leaders from their respective zones trained on similar topics but presented according to their inspiration on those topics.

Corona Zone

Jurupa Zone

Riverside Zone

Overall, Sister Hammon and I thoroughly enjoyed multi-zone conferences with the missionaries! The musical numbers were sensation. Sister Hammon had asked each zone to sing “Consider the Lilies” as one of the special musical numbers. Wow! Impressive and incredible! 

Moreno Valley Zone

Here are some of the topics we discussed:

New Beginnings—I spoke about three major changes in our mission: 1) the new 2019 Mission Plan, 2) Missionary Community Service Test, and 3) mission boundary changes (more below). We now have four new mission priorities: To become disciples and bearers of light unto the world, we will:  

1.      Fulfill our missionary purpose

2.      Be exactly obedient

3.      Become spiritually self-reliant

4.      Encourage members to be active participants in missionary work

Each missionary received a copy of the Mission Plan 2019. All district, zone, and mission goals will adhere to these four mission priorities. Many of your personal goals will also.

Hemet Zone

Menifee Zone

 Disciples of Christ and Being a True Light— President Norman and President Hansen addressed this topic. President Norman said “We all carry light. If our light is dull, what image are we showing?” He also taught: “Disciples serve and love others, no matter what. President Hansen approached it from outward thinking vs. inward thinking. In order to be a light unto the world, he taught that we need to 1) liken the scriptures unto ourselves, 2) strive to look at our outward thoughts and 3) consider what our inward thoughts really are. He spent a great deal of time in Mosiah 27 and Alma, discussing the importance of repenting of our sins, seeing joy in the work, laboring much in spirit, blessing people with our light and the gospel of Jesus Christ, and doing things a prophet 
does—by and by.

Lake Elsinore Zone

Faith to Reap—Sister Hammon discussed the important of “faith to reap.” She taught that we must have “faith enough to know to put our trust in/on Him to know and do. We need to rely on Christ and turn to Him to help us solve our problems and challenges eventually comfort us.” She also taught that “the Lord refines you, tries you, helps you grow and develop, helps you find out who you really are.”

Relief Society Sisters in the Menifee Stake who prepared a delicious meal!

Relief Society Sisters in the Riverside Stake who prepared a delicious meal!

Obedience—Elders Loveridge and Moloney spent a great deal of time of teaching us the importance of obedience. They asked questions about being obedient and what we must do. Sister Tanner answered with this: “We cannot expect to become like our Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ if we don’t live a life like they did. They live disciplined lives.” They also taught, “The biggest reason we are obedient is because we love the Lord. We are just happier when we are obedient.” Plus, when we are exactly obedient, we are constantly repenting.

Corona Relief Society and Priesthood who prepared a delicious meal!

Diligence—We learned much from Hermanas Chase and Peters, Whitaker and Kaiser, and Sorensen and Maxfield about diligence. We will be successful if we couple persistence with diligence, obedience, and patience. Sisters Maxfield and Sorensen taught that “All of our heroes and those we look up to are diligent and energetic.” Their counsel was: “Don’t wait to do what you are Asked to do! Just do it! Be anticipatory!”

L-R: Sisters Anderson, Sorensen, Longshore, Esplin, Ruben; Elder Schaeffer; Sister

Communicating to Unify—Sisters Moffit, Loranger, and Gray discussed communicating with our Heavenly Father and having Christlike communications. They taught that we must all help to develop “a culture of unity, obedience, compassion, caring, vigilance, and accountability, and the ability to work in unity.” Sister Loranger said, “We look to this mission as our unified family.” Elder Tippetts chimed in: “When you let your light shine, you liberate yourself and others.”

Golden Plunger Wards: Elder and Sister Dickinson; Hermanas Grant and Hernandez

Golden Plunger Awards: Elder and Sister Troxel; Elders Escobar and Wise

Fulfilling our Missionary Purpose—Elders Santos and Castro, Moon and Davis, and Carlisle and Lance discussed the blessings of dedicating and setting apart the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. as prime-finding and teaching time.

Birthdays: Sisters Stettler, Van Quakebeke, and Gray; Elders Escobar and Wilson

Golden Plunger Ward: Elder Troxel (Sister Troxel in the back); Elders Hite and Wilson

Fulfilling our Missionary Purpose—Elders Parata and Royce, Su’a and Heilbut, and Beddes and Tippetts enlightened us on how we can fulfill our missionary purpose. One of the invitations for us was this: “Will YOU more fully ‘come unto Christ’ so YOU can more powerfully invite others to do the same?” Additionally, Elders Tippetts and Beddes asked us this question: “Why is it important to have a spiritual testimony of your missionary purpose? How can we best gain a spiritual testimony of our missionary purpose?” I will use these as our questions to contemplate.

L-R: Elders Akana, Webb, Nelson, Greathouse, Ngatuvai, Komers, and Treviño

L-R: Sister Peterson; Elders Campbell, Lowry, Casper, Barnes, McConahay, Egbert, and Hunt

L-R: Sisters Winters, Bascom, Neerings, Preator, and Fountaine; Elders Carlisle, Moloney, and Loveridge

Mission Boundary Changes

There will be mission boundary changes on July 1, 2019. We will be gaining three new stakes. From the Rancho Cucamonga Mission, we will receive the Chino Stake that currently has 20 missionaries: two sisters and 18 elders; four Spanish (two sisters; two elders). From the Carlsbad Mission, two stakes—Murrieta and Temecula—will be coming to our mission. These two stakes currently have 40 missionaries: 12 sisters and 28 elders (two Chinese elders and four Spanish—two sisters and two elders). The changes will occur on July 1, 2019 although the June 18, 2019 transfer in both the Rancho Cucamonga and Carlsbad missions will place the missionaries in those stakes who will eventually become a part of our mission on July 1, 2019.

L-R: Sisters Foster, Hackley, Durham, Begay, Brown, Cardiel, and White

L-R: Sisters Gaughan, Whitaker, Kaiser, Andersen, George and Davies

Mission Leadership Council (MLC)

The same week we were able to meet with the zone and sister training leaders in the MLC. We were wonderfully taught by President Hansen, 2nd Counselor in the Mission Presidency, about repentance. His main message was that “We need to get the people we are teaching into the scriptures. Help people recognize the change they need to change. Don’t skim over the principle of repentance. We do know we need to repent.”

 

The Mission Leadership Council (MLC) on February 1, 2019. Transfers are February 11, 2019

Sister Hammon discussed unity and being an “extraordinary force for good.” She asked the question: “What are you doing in your zones and districts to build unity?” Sometimes, in order to be unified, we must change ourselves.

Elders Loveridge and Moloney, Assistants,  taught us about “Be Thou an Example.” They discussed five important traits of a leader: 1) A leader recognizes and relies upon the Holy Ghost. 2) A leader utilizes the strengths/spiritual gifts of those they serve to bless them. 3) A leader speaks by the power of the Holy Ghost to inspire and lift those they serve. 4) A leader radiates light. And 5) A leader is a spiritual rock (like the Savior, Peter...)

My comments hinged on this topic: “Leadership Principles: Fear of Being Exceptional vs. Being Aspiring—Alma to Shiblon.” Please read Alma 38, all 15 verses, paying particularly attention to the qualities/Christlike characteristics that Shiblon’s father talked to him about. I also visited with the MLC about the “Doctrine of Working with Leaders and Members.” 

We had a panel of the outgoing sister training leaders—Sisters Moffit, Loranger, Gray, Sorensen, and Whitaker. Their insights about missionary work were wonderful they each answered this question: “What carried you through the mission?” Their answers: “My love for the gospel of Jesus Christ (H. Sorensen). My love for Jesus Christ and my willingness to put Christ first” (S. Loranger). “It’s the happiest I have ever been. It’s been the little victories. I wanted to see people grow” (S. Gray). “My relationship with God. I have never been happier” (Sister Moffit). “The nitty-gritty of seeking with faith. It rejuvenates me! Just doing things that brought me joy” (H. Whitaker).

We also made some incredible goals and heard about numerous miracles.

We love being with the missionaries!

Sister Hammon sharing her lasagna with Elder Voellger!

Pancakes, Training, and Interviews: The Life of a Mission President and His Wife!

For the past several weeks, Sister Hammon and I have been traveling around the mission, participating in meetings and interviews and going out with missionaries. Every six weeks, I interview all missionaries. The interviews are short—probably 15 minutes or so, some a bit longer. We currently have 138 missionaries in the mission, seven zones in seven stakes. We thoroughly enjoy our time with them.

Sister Hammon and I decided that during interviews, we would select various companionships, and they would teach Sister Hammon a particular concept from PreachMy Gospel. Seventeen (17) companionships or 34 missionaries taught her gospel principles and doctrine. She learned much from them. We were able to gain some insight as what training needs to be done at multi-zone conferences and other trainings.

One of the training events we have every six weeks is District Leader Training. This new transfer, we have eight new district leaders, and the rest are moderately new. We spent time on the following topics: strategic planning for the new Mission Training Plan, baptismal whites, emergency preparedness, technology, the basics of being and effective and spiritual district leader, how to counsel and hold counsels, and baptismal interviews.

District Leader Training

 We believe the training went well. Our mission is full of leaders, and our current district leaders are very capable. One of the quotes that the Assistants used was this from Hugh Nibley: “Leaders are movers and shakers….True leaders are inspiring because they are inspired…Leadership is an escape from mediocrity.”

We had a good meeting and a very good lunch that Sister Shirley provided. We also sang to her. These are her words she posted about the experience:

Sister Shirley

“Yesterday as I was cleaning up from serving lunch at the District Leadership meeting Sister Hammon came in and asked if I would come out to the cultural hall. Of course, I said yes. I was unprepared for what happened next. I was so caught off guard that I cannot tell you what scripture they recited in unison but then they all sang We Are as The Army ofHelaman. I couldn't help but think of all the mothers who have been responsible for teaching these righteous young men. My heart felt such joy that these missionaries have chosen to serve the Lord over everything else they could be doing right now. Afterward, they each shook my hand and thanked me for lunch. I know this will be a sacred mission memory I will cherish forever.”

 

Missionaries singing to Sister Shirley

This past week, we participated in a rousing training with the new missionaries who have been out for four weeks and their companions. It was quite a day! We started off with a delightful breakfast, prepared by Sister Shirley with help from Elder and Sister Miskin, one of our senior couples serving in the Mission Office with Elder and Sister Shirley. She prepared pancakes, eggs with bacon, with all of trimmings, including Nutella, peanut butter, syrup, and whipped cream. She added bowls of berries to put on top of the pancakes. I looked at mine when I finished adding all of the accoutrements and felt it looked more like a dessert than just pancakes with syrup.

 

Elder and Sister Miskin (Photo by Sister Shirley)

Having fun with pancakes and whipped cream (Photo by Sister Shirley)

Hermana Hernandez with her creation! (Photo by Sister Shirley)

 Four of the companionships presented. Sisters Hindman and McDaniel discussed “How have companion inventory/companion study helped us establish a positive relationship? Elders Stewart and Bailey talked about “How have you used Preach My Gospel in teaching lessons and/or in your personal and companion studies? Sisters Frehner and Caldes did “What specific teaching technique have you learned that has helped you teach more effectively?” and Elders Lea and Ballard presented on “How have you been “bold but no overbearing” in seeking with faith or even inviting people to do things?” They all did an incredible job. We enjoyed the presentations and the manner in which they presented them.

All the new missionaries and their companions and two
(Sisters Longshore and Reynolds) who are finishing their training.

Being with the missionaries, whether in interviews or trainings or just in the Mission Office is truly a delight and inspiration. Watching the new missionaries after just four weeks present was incredibly amazing. For those who throw their entire might, mind, and souls into it, their growth and development are tangible. They become new beings or as the scriptures say: “new creatures” (See Mosiah 27:26 in the Book of Mormon). That is what missions do for young people.

 

Early morning, sun rising, the moon still hanging on from the front of the Mission Home.

We love serving in the CaliforniaRiverside Mission!

President and Sister Hammon

Oranges just down the street

Redland Temple, Missionaries Coming and Going, and Chile Verde

Redlands Temple

As the new year came and went, so did one missionary—Elder Rodriguez—who flew home on New Year’s Day to Iowa, to be with his family although they live in Georgia. They happened to be vacationing with family in Iowa. Instead of trundling home to a warmer Georgia, cold Iowa it was. Nonetheless, he was happy to see his family after two years of serving the Lord in the California Riverside Mission, the greatest mission on earth.

Sister and President Hammon and Elder Rodriguez at the Airport

The week before Elder Rodriguez left, we went to temple with him. When he arrived, he was greeted with an incredible surprise: His grandfather. What a joyous reunion! They hadn't seen each other for a few years.

President and Sister Hammon, Brother and Sister Rodriguez, and Elder Rodriguez

Have you ever thought of starting a new year in a new place and with new people? That's what eight new missionaries recently did in the California Riverside Mission on December 31 and January 1, 2019.

Elder and Sister Shirley with the Office missionaries went to the airport on New Year’s Eve to welcome three new missionaries from the Mexico MTC—Hermana Frehner and Elders Atanasio and Wise. They fed them a delicious dinner at Elder and Sister Shirley’s apartment, and then took them to stay with other missionaries to await the coming of missionaries arriving the next day. 

Elder Wilson (Office Elder), Elder and Sister Shirley (Office Couple), Hermana Frehner,
Elders Wise and Atanasio (new), and Elder Hite (Office Elder)

We picked up the other five new missionaries—Sisters Hernandez and Hindman; Elders Talataina, Stewart, and Lea—on New Year’s Day. They literally ran down the stairs and greeted us with glee. We grabbed their luggage and headed to the Mission Home where we connected with the other three missionaries who had come from the Mexico MTC.

Elder Lea (New), Sister Hindman (new), Hermana Hernandez (new),
President and Sister Hammon, Elders Talataina and Stewart (new)

Once they had all gathered at the Mission Home, we had a delicious dinner of Chile verde, rice, beans, cake, and ice cream. Delicious! They filled out a questionnaire, and then we heard a little bit more about each of them. Soon, the elders went to other missionary apartments, and the sisters stayed the night at the Mission Home. I interviewed all of the sisters before they went to bed.

Hermanas Grant and Hernandez (new)

Sister Hindman (New) and Sister McDaniel

Hermanas Frehner (new) and Caldez

Hermanas Longshore and Rane (new trainer for Hermana Longshore)

On Wednesday, we had a great training and lunch.

First lunch in the mission field

They learned about mission basics, mission goals, their missionary purpose, how to be good missionaries, health care, cars, apartments, mail, cooking, etc. During the training, I interviewed all of the elders. Then, after a delicious lunch, we gathered in the Relief Room where I made area assignments where they were going and who was going to be their new trainers. Once assigned, they each shared a short and powerful testimony with all of us. We have incredible new missionaries with equally incredible trainers.

Elders Escobar and Wise (new)

Elders Ballard and Lea (new)

Elders Stewart (new) and Bailey

Elders Talataina (new) and Staley

Well, they are now making their new “homes,” or what they will call home for the next two years or eighteen months, in the new areas where they have been assigned. For now, they will be here, serving the Lord and doing His will and growing and developing in ways they never thought imaginable. Oh, the joy of all that!

Elder Lea pointing to his new area and companion

Elder Wise pointing to his new area and companion

Sister Hindman placing her picture in her new area

Elder Talataina placing his picture in his new area on the transfer board
with his new companion Elder Staley looking on.

Hermana Hernandez placing her photo in her new area on the transfer board

Elder Lea placing his picture in his new area on the transfer board

Hermana Frehner placing her picture in her new area on the transfer board

We are so excited to have them here, serving with us in the California Riverside Mission.

One of California's gorgeous flowers