CRM Post - Christmas devotionals and transfers!

(This is an edited version of the entry on the California Riverside Mission:  http://hammoncaliforniariversidemission.blogspot.com/2017/12/christmas-devotionals-and-transfers.html)

We have had an incredible week with Christmas devotionals, testimonies, transfer calls, and just being with the missionaries. The weather has been delightful!

Sister and President Hammon #LightTheWorld

We love the Christmas devotionals! This week, we experienced our first ones. We had two Christmas devotionals, one for the south zones: Hemet, San Jacinto, Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley, and Menifee and one for the north zones: Riverside, Mt. Rubidoux, La Sierra, Jurupa, and Corona.

Corona Zone  

Sister Hammon had prepared a wonderful story with picture about the Grinch and his epiphany that “Maybe Christmas…doesn’t come from a store. Christmas…. perhaps…is a little bit more.” She focused on Christ’s birth as the reason for Christmas. Her slides were about Christ, His birth, Mary and Joseph, and the Christmas story.

My focus was on how the Christmas hymns also teach doctrine. So, we did an exercise where they chose a phrase from the hymns, discussed how it taught doctrine, and then showed where that doctrine came from in the scriptures

Sisters Bryant, Sorensen, Tonini, DiPietro, and Wilson

The zones had prepared four musical numbers for each devotional. Phenomenal! We have some incredible musicians in our mission. We were all just in awe. Music does bring a spiritual tone to the meetings.

One of the highlights was hearing the testimonies from the missionaries who came this transfer and the missionaries who are going home. It was a spiritual and teary time for both sets of missionaries. The outgoing missionaries have served well; those who have been here for six weeks have progressed and grown so much. It is delightful to watch them as their testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are enhanced by their obedience, teaching, and service.

As they were all leaving, Sister Hammon and I were able to shake each of their hands. What a delight to look each one of them in the eyes, wish them a Merry Christmas, and hand out a bag of MMs and a new temple recommend holder that Sister Hammon had someone design. Inside of it was inscribed: “California Riverside Mission, President Darrel and Sister Joanne Hammon, 2017-2020.” 

Front and inside covers of the temple recommend holder

Part of the devotional was eating cookies and oranges, drinking milk and orange juice, chatting with each other, picking up their Christmas packages (which hadn't already been delivered), and taking photos. It was a nice time for many of the missionaries to say good bye to those who are leaving on Monday, re-connecting to old companions, and meeting new missionaries or missionaries they haven’t met.

Selfie: Sisters Price, Fountain, Butler, and Chandler

Sisters Ford, Grover, Moran, Mackley, and Carson

One of the highlights of transfers is transfer Saturday. I begin calling at 6:30 a.m. This Saturday, I was on the phone for 2.5 hours with missionaries who are receiving new leadership, training, and area assignments. I love transfer Saturday mornings every six weeks to call missionaries and tell them about their new assignments. Of course, they all say yes and are so excited. They know the transfers are coming and anticipate something happening. One asked when I asked him to train after being here since August: “Is this for reals?” I told him that it really was. They are so delightful, willing to accept any new leadership assignment, new areas, and new companions. They just know this is what they are supposed to do, and I feel this is what the Lord wants them to do at this time. They will transfer on Monday.

 Love these missionaries!

President and Sister Hammon