New Missionaries in September 2015

A lot of work goes into getting a missionary ready to begin service:  missionary prep class, medical appointments, mission application, calling extended, setting apart, everything purchased at home that is then packed into a suitcase, bicycle chosen, shipped and assembled, orientation binder, food prepared...  Finally, everything is ready and waiting... all that's needed is a companion.

After a morning of orientation and interviews, 

getting acquainted over lunch.  

Almost ready for testimony meeting and receiving

new companions.

President Mullen, Elder Dyer and Elder Fisher.

 Sister Blanchard playing the prelude,

a new missionary already serving.  

Who is already sitting next to their new companion

but doesn't know it yet?

Meet the new companionships!

Elder Smith (r) from Spring Hope, North Carolina

and his companion, Elder Young

Sister Pielstick (l) from St. Augustine, Florida

and her companion, Sister Moore

Sister Blanchard (r) from Ft. Collins, Colorado

and her companion, Sister Meza

Elder Grandon (l) from Springfield, Missouri

and his companion, Elder Cornia 

Sister Lineback (l) from Overland Park, Kansas

and her companion, Sister DeSilva

 Sister Nielson (l) from West Valley City, Utah

and her companion, Sister Greeff

Sister Young (r) from Mayer Minnesota

and her companion Sister Parker

 Elder Porter from Riverdale, Utah

and his companion, Elder Page

 Sister Ogden (r) a from Plugerville, Texas

and her companion, Sister Roberts

Elder Luthy (l) from Sugar City, Idaho 

and his companion, Elder Golder

Elder Hagler (l) from West Valley, Utah

and his companion, Elder Thompson

 Elder Gossett (r) from Bozeman, Montana

and his companion, Elder Biegler

Ready to go!

Ye Elders of Israel and Sister Lindsey!

Outgoing missionaries in September 2015

Sisters/Hermanas gathered for breakfast to honor Sister Lindsey as she

prepared to go home.  She had a big smile despite the brace

on her knee!

Because Sister Lindsey had already left, the outgoing group consisted entirely of elders!  They had served long and well.  It was a great evening with them as they met the last time together to share memories and testimonies.

Dinner together.

Elder Snyder, smiling despite the craziness going on behind

him!  Those headless guys?  Photoshopped out!  :)

Just before testimony meeting. 

Meeting with President Mullen

 Breakfast the next morning.  No one felt like eating...

but they did. 

Arrived as boys... going home as men.  

 Elder Pritchard and Elder Godfrey flew out very early.  

We wanted to remember them in the departing photo though 

so the elders had a "missing men" formation.

Just after prayer together.  Time to head for the cars, the airport

and HOME.  

At the airport with Elder Harmon.  

Staying Safe and Healthy

Most things in the mission are repeated on a regular schedule:  

incoming missionaries, district development meetings, MLC, etc.

In September we had two days of unique meetings.  The Church,

in an effort to keep missionaries safe, installed TIWIs in every

missionary car.  TIWIs provide a voice in cars that talks  to drivers,

reminding them to put on seat belts, obey speed limits, etc. 

While their cars were getting worked on in the 

parking lot, elders and sisters gathered for missionary training and

to learn about these new devices in their cars.

Brother Russ Fountain, the vehicle coordinator for the Missionary Department, 

trains elders and sisters in safe driving.  

After Thursday's meetings

In addition to safe driving instruction, missionaries who had requested them

received flu shots paid for by Missionary Medical and provided by a 

local pharmacy.  Here's to healthy, safe days ahead.  

An Abundance of Blessings!

The end of August brought an abundance of blessings.  

First Elder and Sister Just arrived from Maryland to

assume assignments and mission secretary and referral secretary.

We are so grateful to welcome them as part of the mission.

The Duvalls stayed an extra couple of weeks so they could

help to train the Justs, which was also a blessing.  The Justs'

training started off with a bang because they arrived only days

before a new group of young elders and sisters.  

In addition to the Justs, nineteen new missionaries arrived in the California Riverside Mission in August.  Here are our new elders and sisters and the companions who will help them train.  

Sister Jensen (R) from Burlington, Wyoming 

and her companion, Sister Spencer

 Elder Phipps (R) from Hyrum, Utah

and his companion, Elder Gill

 Elder Parry (R) from Morgan, Utah 

and his companion, Elder Turner

Sister Pitman (R) from Pocatello, Idaho

and her companion, Sister Carlson

 Elder Macki (L) from Colby, Kansas

and his companion, Elder Reeve

Elder Denning (L) from Elk Ridge, Utah

and his companion, Elder Frost.

Elder Wood (L) from Fort Gibson, Oklahoma

and his companion, Elder Glathar 

Elder Dunn (L) from McCammon, Idaho 

and his companion Elder Catchatoorian

Elder Jones (L) from Ozark, Alabama

and his companion Elder Battaglia

Elder Murphy (L) from Meridian, Idaho

and his companion Elder Giguiere

Elder Jones (L) from Otto, Wyoming

and his companion Elder Anderson

Sister Petersen (L) from Mapleton, Utah 

and her companion, Sister Buhler

 Elder Jackson (L) from Winnemucca, Nevada 

and his companion Elder Andrus

Elder Brinkerhoff (L) from Emmett, Idaho 

and his companion, Elder Foster 

Elder Truman (L) from Nolensville, Tennessee

and his companion, Elder Dall

Sister McGuire (L) from Chino Valley, Arizona

and her companion, Sister Simpson

Sister Turner (R) from El Paso, Texas

and her companion, Sister Cozzens

Elder Drebot (R) from West Valley City, Utah

and his companion, Elder Hoyt

Elder Paxton (L) from Springville, Utah

and his companion, Elder Taylor

The incoming elders and sisters arrived on Tuesday afternoon.  

They came first to the mission home for dinner.

So many missionaries made for a long table in the living room!

Gathered for instruction.  We think Sister Jensen blinked in 

this picture, but if she were asleep no one could blame her.  

Using California time, the sisters who arrived from the Mexico MTC 

had been up since 11:00 p.m. the night before!

After a night's sleep things look brighter at

 lunch on Wednesday.  Everyone was anxious to know

who their new companions would be.

Waiting for the last meeting where new missionaries will share

their first testimonies in the field and receive their companions.  

With the meeting over it was time to grab bags and bikes

and head out to begin the work.  Welcome to Riverside!