Coming down by the Riverside

Twenty-one new missionaries arrived in the 

California Riverside Mission on July 14, 2015! 

Here, the hermanas from the Mexico City MTC (CCM) arrive.   

In an effort to have the missionaries arrive in the mission less tired we 

tried a new schedule on this transfer.  The plan was that both the Provo 

and Mexico MTC groups would arrive about 4:00 pm instead of 9:00 am 

so they wouldn't have to get up so early.   The group from the Provo MTC 

arrived about 4:00.  Somehow the sisters from Mexico City got scheduled to

arrive at 1:00 pm.  This meant the sisters from Mexico had been up since 

1:00 am (11:00 pm Monday California time!).  Their luggage got did not arrive 

when they did.  By the time they got to the mission home they had 

been awake fifteen and half hours.  We fed them a light lunch then sent 

them up to take naps!  Eventually everyone was gathered together 

for dinner.  After dinner we all gathered for their first mission

field meeting.   

Wednesday morning we headed to the mission office for breakfast, 

training, lunch, and testimony meeting where the new elders and 

sisters met their companions for the first time.  

Afterward there was time for dessert and getting acquainted. 

Here are the new companionships.  

Sister Cramer (r) from McCammon, Idaho

and her companion, Sister Miller

Sister Burris (r) from Castle Rock, Colorado

and her companion, Sister Bjork

Elder Golder (l) from Syracuse, Utah

and his companion, Elder Jensen

Elder Mayo (l) from Mount Pleasant, Utah

and his companion, Elder Griffin

Elder Moss (r) from Riverton, Utah

and his companion, Elder Anderson

Elder Olsen (l) from Jerome, Idaho

and his companion, Elder Tui'one  

Sister Babb (l) from Maple Valley Washington

Her companion is Sister Castrillon (not pictured)

Sister Sager (r) from Salt Lake City, Utah

and her companion, Sister Rutherford (c) 

Elder Stabler (l) from Herriman, Utah

and his companion, Elder Knight

Elder Williams (l) from Kellogg, Iowa

and his companion, Elder Uasike

Elder Calder (l) from Herriman, Utah

and his companion, Elder Merriman

Sister Bradshaw (r) from Versailles, Kentucky

and her trainer, Sister Cultura 

Elder Cornaby (l) from Yukon Oklahoma

with his companion, Elder Camper

Elder Frost (l) from American Fork, Utah

with his companion, Elder Higashi

Sister McCulloch (r) from Bancroft, Idaho

and her companion, Sister Moore

Sister Petersen (l) from Hyrum, Utah

with her companion, Sister Sterner

Elder Moyers (r) from East Wenatchee, Washington

and his companion, Elder Folau

Elder Smith (r) from Thatcher, Arizona

and his companion, Elder Muir

Sister Visick (r) from Logan, Utah

and her companion, Sister Horne

Elder Young (l) from Lapoint, Utah

and his companion, Elder Noyes

Elder Jewkes from Hyde Park, Utah

Somehow the companionship picture has gone 

missing!  Elder Jewkes companion is Elder Manson.

WELCOME TO THE WORK!

Here and Home

We have a red-tailed hawk that keeps watch

over the mission home.  She is often present

when we have out-going and incoming missionaries.

The morning of July 13, 2015 she arrived right on schedule. 

The missionaries are ready to celebrate as they arrive

at the mission home.  We celebrate that they have 

successfully completed their missions.  While 

parents can hardly wait for their missionary's return, 

we find it hard to celebrate the fact that they 

are leaving.  Every departure leaves a hole.  

There were eleven outgoing missionaries and 

the two assistants.  The lower table was set for 

twelve.  Elder Epley moved himself down and 

set a place at the head of the table 

(who could blame him?).  

He was so far away in the photo (above)  

that he got his own close-up.  

Sister Palmer was the only sister going home on this 

transfer.  As my dad would say, 

"A rose among the thorns."   

Just before testimony meeting.  

The California Riverside Mission Presidency

and wives. 

President Plocher, President Mullen, and President Crippen. 

It's such a joy to serve with these good people.  

Everyone gathered to turn in their miracle stories, mark Pres. Mullen's 

scriptures and look at the binders of missionaries already at home.

President Mullen gathered with the outgoing elders and sister 

for one more discussion from the scriptures.  

Tuesday morning dawned.

Elders Child, Epley and Lavender waiting to head to the airport.

One last photo together. 

A group hug. 

A last smile ...

... and they were gone, leaving behind a pair of black socks, 

hearts changed, and the memory of all the service they gave.  

June Mission Leadership Council

We have shrunk in numbers (temporarily) so our mission leadership

has also decreased in number.  This leadership council we focused 

on implementing the challenges given to us by 

Elder Nielsen when he visited.  We are grateful for 

the leadership of these missionaries in helping to 

achieve those goals.  

Celebrating the 4th of July!

Begin with a flag raising.  Add a pancake breakfast with stacks of hotcakes and sausage.  Mix in patriotic music performed by talented musicians.  For fun add an antique car show.  Stir in lots of members, investigators and neighbors to celebrate.  Later in the day add more good food with members and top with zone activities to end the day.  It was a delicious July 4th here in the California Riverside Mission.

Sister Garlitz and Sister Palmer ready to enjoy breakfast.

Elders Anderson and Fisher sit with a part member
family they have been teaching.  Pres. Mullen joins them.

Elder Giguiere and Elder Felix celebrating with lots of
members of the Jarupa Stake.  

A band of brothers:  Pres. Mullen, Elder Bangerter, Elder Luedke, 

Elder Blackburn, Elder Rampton, and Elder Felix.

Check out those patriotic ties!  

Elder Giguiere, Elder Dayley, Elder Wilkes, 

Elder Bushman, Elder Fisher and Elder Anderson.  

Elder Zeng is from China.  Elders Merriman, Dyer and Murray

made sure his first 4th of July was great!  

The Jarupa Stake fielded a great band.  They played the marches
of each of the branches of the military and invited those
who had served in those branches to stand while their song
was played.  Most who stood were elderly and rose with difficulty
but still stood with great pride.  We had a chance to thank them.

This was a talented group made up of musicians of all ages.  They really
contributed to the celebratory mood of the morning with their music.

Many people who attended the breakfast were investigators.
The stake had also handed out 700 fliers to neighbors
of the stake center.  Sister Madrid and Sister Rasmussen
with an investigator friend they invited.  

Sister Sterner and Sister Cuzzins visit with stake members.

The antique car show brought many members of the community

to show off their autos.  They had great stories to tell

about their cars.  This car was a 1957 Ford with a pristine

white interior with yellow piping.  The gold scarf hung from

the rearview mirror was once worn by Elvis.  

Hermana Vorkink and Hermana Carlson 

dressed in the colors of the day.

Elders Murray and Dyer with two of their investigators.

Neighborhood guests and Elder Catchatoorian, Elder Perez 

and Brother Alec Brown (who was serving a mini mission). 

Of course we all tried to pretend the kids were having the 

most fun.  They loved the old cars.  For the senior 

missionaries most of the cars didn't seem that old.  

We remember when they were the latest models!  

None of us remembered riding around in one like this though! 

Hey guys... will you be missionaries one day?