Dinner for 36 Seniors,15 MLS Missionaries - And a Story of 2,000 Minus 800

One of my love languages is gathering people. On Friday evening President Quinn and I welcomed 32 of our 36 senior missionaries into our home for a Christmas dinner. I served my mother’s famous sweet n sour spareribs. It felt wonderful to have them all together with four tables of people. We played games, laughed and visited.

17 of these missionaries serve as MLS—Member, Leader, Support—missionaries. The Curdys, Sittons, Lindemans, Somers, Wilsons, Harmers, Millers, Rupps, and Brother Ritchie (whose wife serves as our mission nurse) are spread across seven of our eight zones, working directly with stake presidents and bishops strengthening wards and branches, supporting leaders, and assisting with retention and reactivation.

Earlier in the day we had a MLS training meeting where these missionaries got together and exchanged ideas.

After the dinner, I visited with the Harmers and asked them a few questions about their service as MLS missionaries in the Ukiah Stake. Since arriving in March 2024, they have traveled nearly every back road in Lake and Mendocino Counties searching for members listed on church records but are no longer reachable. Many have moved or the contact information was incorrect. The Harmers began with more than 2,000 names and, through research using things such as an app called checkmate, and countless miles of driving, have verified and resolved over 800 of them.

For instance, in the Clearlake Ward alone, the bishop originally had 500 names on his ward list. The Harmers personally investigated over 300 addresses, helping refine the list to 275 members who are real, current, and reachable. Now, as the ward embarks on a major effort to contact every member, leaders can focus their time and love on people who truly live within their boundaries. This is a tremendous blessing for the ward and a tribute to the Harmers’ diligence.

The Harmers also bless new and returning members by “playing the long game.” Helping recently baptized members stay active and assisting those who have stepped away to find their way back. They prepare people to go to the temple by hosting addiction recovery groups, and walking alongside individuals as they work toward temple recommends. They have also helped many find family names to take to the temple. During their mission they have helped more than 40 members participate in baptisms for the dead and have supported 12 individuals in receiving their own endowments. Each one of them has a beautiful and quite miraculous story.

Their newest effort is a monthly temple trip specifically for newly baptized members, giving them a consistent, supportive way to feel the spirit in the House of the Lord. The Harmers have themselves visited the temple more than 75 times during their mission. They will complete their service at the end of January 2026.

I want to give a big shout out to the Harmers as well as each of our MLS missionaries! They all have many stories to tell and miracles to account for everywhere! The Lord’s work is going forward and the sacrifice and service of these missionaries is an amazing thing to witness! Dear MLS missionaries - We’re grateful we get to rub shoulders with you here in the California Santa Rosa Mission! Thank you for your service! We love and appreciate all you do!

*The Curdys, Sittons, Somers, Rupps, Lindemans, Wilsons, Harmers, Ritchies, and Millers*

It was a busy week of transfer planning and meetings. We spoke in the Fairfield Stake Conference today and then joined in on our monthly zoom meeting with our area presidency member. Along with having the all the senior missionaries over for dinner this weekend we enjoyed some other Christmas activities. Thank you for following along on our mission updates. I’m excited to announce our Coming to Know Him journal prompt #22

Here are some more photos from the week

Dinner for 36 Seniors,15 MLS Missionaries - And a Story of 2,000 Minus 800

Anxiety - and A Grateful Heart