Outgoing Missionaries from the California Riverside Mission attend the Rendlands Temple!

We thoroughly enjoyed an incredible day on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at the Redlands Temple with 12 missionaries who will leaving to go home next week—Sisters Parker, McDaniel, Peters, Hackley; Elders Casper, McInnes, Davis, Ngatuvai, Gallacher, Jackson, Porrazzo, and Escobar; and one missionary going to her mission in New Caledonia after being here for six weeks (visa waiter)—Sister Edwards. We love these missionaries!

Front: Sisters Edwards, Hackley, Parker; President and Sister Hammon; Sisters McDaniel and Peters;
Back: Elders Casper, McInnes, Davis, Ngatuvai, Gallacher, Jackson, Porrazzo, and Escobar

 Going to the temple with outgoing missionaries is a highlight of serving with them. Every six weeks, missionaries go home. As part of the many events prior to going home is attending the Redlands Temple for the last time as a missionary. We love going with them and enjoying the quiet, sacred time being in the temple with some of the finest people we know and have ever associated with.

All the missionaries going home or back to their missions with Elder and Sister Samuelson
who are serving here as Member Leadership Support. 

Many years ago, President Gordan B. Hinckley said, “Until you have received the sacred... ordinances of the [temple], you have not received all of the wonderful blessings which this Church has to offer. The great and crowning blessings of membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are those blessings which come to us in the house of the Lord” (President Gordon B. Hinckley “Recurring Themes of President Hinckley,” Ensign, June 2000, p. 19).

Elders Ngatuvai, Davis, and McInnes with President and Sister Hammon. These three call themselves
 "the refugees from Nicaragua." They arrived in our mission after their missions were closed.
 Incredible missionaries and leaders, all three!

Sister Hammon and I completely believe what President Hinckley said. In fact, to us, the temple is truly a place where we feel peace, a place where we can quietly worship, a place where we can and shall receive personal revelation, a place where our vision is open and we see things as we have not seen them before, a place where we can feel safe and secure from the evil elements of the earth, a place where the spirit of the Lord whispers to us, a place where the renewal of our spirit and soul culminates, and we become one with our Father in Heaven.

Outgoing missionaries in front of the Redlands Temple

President Hunter once wrote: “...the temple ordinances are absolutely crucial; we cannot return to God’s presence without them…[it is in the temple where] “we learn more richly and deeply the purpose of life and the significance of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ensign, February 1995, p. 5).

Facing the Redlands Temple

Yes, temples are special places, even the House of the Lord. May we all remember the reasons why temples are built and dedicated unto to the Lord: to seal families together for time and eternity so that we may live with them forever.

Sister and President Hammon at the Redlands Temple

Multi-zone conferences, spiritual experiences, and food galore!

This week has been one of those incredible weeks when the missionaries gather in three different areas in multi-zone conferences (MZC). We listened to and participated in a variety of trainings that help us become better and more effective missionaries and leaders.

First day, the Corona and Jurupa zones met in Jurupa.

Corona Zone

Jurupa Zone

Second day, the Moreno Valley and Riverside zones met in Moreno Valley.

Moreno Valley Zone

Riverside Zone

Third day, Hemet, Lake Elsinore, and Menifee zones met in Menifee.

Hemet Zone

Lake Elsinore Zone

Menifee Zone

The spirit was strong every single day. We enjoyed every minute of it. Part of what makes MZCs incredible are the phenomenal musical numbers. We have such wonderfully talented missionaries who sang and were accompanied by missionaries playing the piano, flute, and cello.

These were the topics the sister training leaders, zone leaders, and we trained on:

1. Spiritual Self-Reliance Principle 7: “We Gain Self-Reliance when we come to realize that the Lord requires hard things of us.”
2. “Increasing Baptisms and Retention”
3. “Now is the time: The Urgency and Willingness to Do the Work All the Time”
4. “How to Work Effectively with Members and Branch/Ward Leaders”
5. Skill Training: “Teaching a Coherent Lesson—a Beginning, a Middle, and an End/Invitation”
6. “Power of Family History in Conversion and Retention”
7. “How to Work with Part-Member and Less-Active Families”
8. Skill Training: “Faith to Pause”
9. Skill Training: “Contacting and Teaching in the Moment”
10. Summary, discussion topics, and invitations

The leaders did a really good job, expounding upon these topics. One of the things we did differently this MZC is the leaders previously met together in our Mission Leadership Council (MLC). Three companionships of leaders were assigned one topic. They worked and developed the topic and presentation together. Thus, every missionary received the same training throughout the Mission. Every leadership companionship were impressive in their training, their spirit, and their invitations and brought a wonderful sense of unity to the Mission. We were impressed.

A bonus was Elder Bruce and Sister Julie Jones from Hemet came to participate. They are the new Church Service Mission Leaders. Their mission overlaps our boundaries and are in charge of all of the young Church Service Missionaries in our area. The unique thing is Elder Jones is from Menan, Idaho. Can you believe two Menan boys serving in the same mission? Amazing!

Of course, the food was delicious. The Relief Societies from Jurupa, Menifee, and Moreno Valley stakes provided meals from pizza/salad to a baked potato bar to enchiladas, topped with brownies, ice cream, and “Sweet is the Work” bags full of candy and goodies. One of the highlights of lunch is when the missionaries recite 2 Nephi 25:26: “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” Then, the missionaries sing “The Armies of Helaman.” There is not usually a lunch that goes by without someone—or lots of someones, including us—shedding a few tears as the missionaries sing this poignant missionary hymn. Some of the Relief Society sisters have sons and daughters and even grandchildren on missions. It is a happy reminder that their missionaries are being taken care of by others, too. We thank them for serving our missionaries.

Moreno Valley Relief Society

Corona Relief Society with High Councilor

Menifee Relief Society with a Bishop

Sisters and lunch

Sisters enjoying lunch together

Elders and food: Perfect match!

Of course, there are lots of birthdays from the last multi-zone conferences.

Birthdays: Sisters Gaughan, Durham, and Grant: Elders Newey, Webb, and Carlisle

Birthdays: Sister Dickinson; Elder Ballard; Sisters Christensen, Reynolds, and Rane

Birthdays: Sisters Weston and Anderson; Elders Castro, Escobar, Ngatuvai, Steiner, Atanascio, and Bailey

Then, there is the issue of clean apartments. We give out a “Golden Plunger Award” to the apartment in the zone who has the cleanest apartment after they were inspected by the housing inspectors who are Church Service Missionaries from each stake.

The quad: "Elders Mackay, Mills, Ottman, and Evans

Another quad: Elders Carter, Hunt, Steiner, and Chapman

Elder and Sister Dickinson (Housing) and Sisters Ellsworth and Foster

Elders Dalmas and Amago

Sisters Preator and Corder

Hermanas Stettler and Cardiel

Everyone multi-zone begins with a car inspection. We have only one picture. I am sure there will be others posted to the website. Watch for them.

Hermanas Rane and Maxfield with Sister McDaniel in the middle
who helped them wash their car while she was on exchanges.

Yes, we had a grand week with all of the missionaries in our mission! There are not many things that excite us, motivate us, and simultaneously exhaust us more than multi-zone conferences do. They were definitely a spiritual feast. President Norman who spoke on “The Lord Will Expect Hard Things from Us,” said it best, “It’s been my best week for a long time.”

Ready to recite and sing!

And thus it was!

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers of all of our missionaries in the California Riverside Mission!

Mothers have influenced their children for good since time began. There is no greater influence on children than mothers. Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest presidents of the United States, said, “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”

Today, we would like to wish you a glorious Happy Mother’s Day and pay divine tribute to all the mothers of our missionaries!

Thank you for teaching them that Heavenly Father loves them—If there is one principle which we hope all mothers teach their children is this one. We do have a lovingly Heavenly Father who wants us to return to live with Him and our Heavenly Mother, and He will provide a way through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for encouraging them—Missions. Are. Hard. Period. They need all the encouragement they can receive. Your words, your letters, your conversations, even your admonitions propel them forward, to help them become better. Please keep encouraging them in all that they do and through their challenges. 

Thank you for teaching them how to work—While not all missionaries come to us knowing that missions are hard work, they soon learn it is. They did learn that work is important. On the mission, they learn that work is imperative for them to grow and develop and become what they want and need to become. 

Thank you for teaching them respect—They understand how to say please and thank you. They respect others, and they learn to respect their companions and those whom they serve.

Thank you for teaching them that they can be better than they were—All mothers try to teach their children this principle. Some missionaries struggle with this until they remember the words their mothers have taught them. They can be better than they were. Missions have natural tendency to imbue in them this grand principle.

Thank you for teaching them to be clean and organized—Granted, many of them were taught to keep their rooms clean with a bit of periodic cajoling. During the mission, they continue to strive and learn how this is important for them now and in the future. Please encourage them to enhance their organizational skills. 

Thank you for loving them enough to encourage them to serve a mission—This constant encouragement boosts our missionaries to continue forward. We often say to them, “What would your mothers say if….?” They instantly know what you would say to them, and they strive to do what needs to be done.

Thank you for allowing them to grow up and become independent souls with their own personalities—We love to continue teaching them “spiritual self-reliance” to add to your teachings. We know they want to learn to become independent and think for themselves, and we encourage them to develop the all-important principle of spiritual self-reliance on our Heavenly Father and His Son. They are so unique and individual when they come to the mission. We want to keep those great qualities their personalities bring.

Thank you for extending additional love to them when they arrive home from their missions—Mission change missionaries, mostly for the better. They return differently, thinking differently, doing things differently. Most of them have changed for the better and need space to continue to grow and develop. Continue to love them as never before. 

Thank you for seeing the growth and development when they return home from their missions—With their letters and now the telephone/Skype calls home, you have begun to see the enormous growth and development they have experienced. Please tell them and encourage them to continue in, especially when they arrive home. They have gained so much more capacity. Please continue to encourage them to keep moving forward, ever onward.

Again, we appreciate you sending us such incredible young men and women who love the Lord and who want to do everything in their power and ability to serve Him and continue to grow and develop. Our greatest joy comes when we see them climb out of some of the abysses they find themselves in, when they discover they can teach well, when they realize that the Atonement of Jesus Christ can really help them overcome any obstacle and challenge in their lives, when they finally discover why they are here, and when they come to know who they are and whose they are.

Thank you, moms, for what you have done, what you are doing, and what you are about to do. We will continue to do our part in helping them enhance all of these skills you taught while teaching them additional principles and skills to help them during the post-mission life. 

We love your sons and daughters!

Happy Mother’s Day!

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!

Tears, smiles, and great memories as missionaries complete their missions in the California Riverside Mission!

Outgoing missionaries

This week was a week of outgoing and incoming missionaries. This blog will touch only on those who went home.

Outgoing Temple Trip

One of the most spiritual parts for outgoing missionaries before they return home is attending the Redlands Temple. Last week, we went with the outgoing missionaries: Sisters Fortin and Peterson; Elders Broadhead, Rawlings, and Roper; Elders Lambert and Van Orman and Sister White, all three going to their respective countries; and Elder and Sister Powell, our senior couple who will be going home in June. The day was gorgeous. Outside, the temple grounds were well cared for, and flowers were flourishing everywhere. Inside, the beauty and peace never subsided; they just engulfed you with the quietness and grandeur we need to discard the worldly distractions and align ourselves with Heavenly Father for those brief moments we are there. We loved every minute of it, especially when we were able to greet the outgoing missionaries individually as they entered the Celestial Room. What a joyous, spiritual occasion!

Front: Sisters Peterson and Fortin; President and Sister Hammon;
Back: Elders Rollins, Roper, and Broadhead

Missionaries off to Portugal, Utah, and Taiwan

Early Monday morning, we took two of our visa waiters, Sister White, Elder Van Orman, and Elder Ogan, one of our missionaries returning home, to the Ontario Airport. Since they had a very early flight, we left the Mission Home at 4:00 a.m. It was a bitter-sweet moment to watch them go up the escalator. Elder and Sister Shirley took Elder Lambert to the airport at a different time. Sister Shirley described her experience this way: "It was all I could do to hold back the tears, and he was only here for six weeks." That's how it goes when you watch missionaries go home. 

When I interviewed Sister White and Elder Van Orman the night before they left, they both said they felt this was their mission. They thanked all of us, especially the missionaries in their zones, for their kindness in making them feel very comfortable and at home while they served here.

Elder Van Orman, President and Sister Hammon, and Sister White

Elder Ogan and President and Sister Hammon

Elder Lambert in the suit and tie. Others include Elders Chase, Bailey, and Lai, his Mandarin-speaking companions.

And off Elder Lambert goes to Taiwan!

Missionary returning home

Tuesdays at the beginning of each transfer are challenging, mainly because missionaries go home on those days. This past Tuesday, we had five missionaries go home after completing their missions: Sisters Peterson and Fortin; Elders Broadhead, Rawlings, and Roper. On Monday afternoon, they began to gather at the Mission Home so I could have one last interview with each of them and discuss their “My Plan,” their going-home-strategic plan. It was wonderful visiting with each one of them and hearing about what they plan on doing. They all have great “My Plans” and will be moving forward when they arrived home.

Front: Sisters Peterson and Fortin; President and Sister Hammon.
Back: Elders Broadhead, Rollins, and Roper

At the end of dinner, we had an incredible testimony meeting, hearing from each missionary going home. Here are some snippets from the testimonies:

• Sister Fortin—I have seen the effects of the gospel has had on all the people we taught. Heavenly Father wants the best for His children.”
• Sister Peterson—“I was called here to save myself. I know there is a God and Jesus Christ. Without this gospel, life would be really hard.”
• Elder Rollins—"My mission has made me better. I have come to understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how it us heal make things possible. I am a child of God.”
• Elder Broadhead—“Sometimes our Book of Mormon testimony comes form other people. The testimony of those who read and study the Book of Mormon go way beyond. I have a testimony of the effect that the Book of Mormon has on people.
• Elder Roper—"I didn’t necessarily know where the gospel was taking me. The biggest miracle on my mission is how I have changed. The love I have gained comes to fill my heart and charity for this people."

"Companion study with President Hammon" (Thanks to Sister Shirley for the photo!)

The next morning, we ate a quick breakfast and headed for the airport. At the airport, we took pictures and quickly sent them to the mothers so they would know their missionaries “were on their way.” The responses were immediate. The parents were excited to have their children come home. We, on the other hand, were both sad and glad, sad that they were leaving and glad that they were going to be reunited once again with their families.

Calla lilies in front of the Redlands Temple

Seeing our missionaries return home is a challenging time for us. We shed tears as we give them final hugs and wish them the best. As they slowly ascended on the escalator, we waved and tried to hold back the lumps in our throats. We watched them as they inched their way through security and disappeared on the other side, out of sight, and then gone.

Good bye, missionaries! Elders Rollins, Roper, and Broadhead; Sisters Peterson and Fortin

These young missionaries have grown and developed so much while they have been here in the California Riverside Mission. The sisters came while we were here, and the elders came the transfer before we arrived. We have grown to love each and every one of them.

We wish them well! May the Lord continue to bless them and their families!