Trainers and Training Wheels
Elder Sommers and Elder Latham on bikes in Fairfield, California.
The training meeting for new missionaries ended, Elder Latham and his new trainee, Elder Sommers, walked out of the Badger Building and put Elder Sommers’ suitcases in the car with Elder Jensen and Elder Valle. Off they went to Fairfield, California. Elder Sommers had just flown into Santa Rosa the day before and was excited to be here. Elder Latham was ready to be his trainer and started telling Elder Sommers all about what to expect in their area. Elder Latham casually mentioned that in their area the mode of transportation is bicycles. Laughing, Elder Sommers said, “Oh, I have never been on a bicycle.”
“What!?” Elder Latham was surprised. He had just received a new companion who didn’t know how to ride a bike in a biking area?! Out of our 70 plus companionships only eight are on bikes. It just happened by chance or maybe by divine design that Elder Sommers was assigned to a biking area.
The next day the two missionaries walked everywhere. And the day after that they walked everywhere. Elder Latham realized that something had to be done. Missionary trainers are supposed to teach the new missionaries everything they know, but who knew it would include how to ride a bike. Determined, Elder Latham made a plan. And bless his heart, Elder Sommers was ready and willing to learn.
So off they went to a parking lot. Elder Latham said he felt like a dad trying to help Elder Sommers find his balance as he steadied him on the bike, running alongside of him. Elder Sommers was a champ and didn’t give up, trying over and over again.
Elders Ririe and Sommers riding in for interviews.
I am so proud of Elder Sommers that he didn’t call President Quinn and insist that he be put in a car area. And Elder Latham did not insist on a new companion. They just worked together. When President Quinn found out about the situation he teased and offered them training wheels and then said “Good luck, I know the two of you will figure this out.” And they did! To Elder Sommers’ credit he learned how to ride a bike! He has been in bike areas three out of his four transfers so far on his mission. That means he has ridden a bike every day for 18 weeks – 4.5 months. Talk about baptism by fire!
We love and admire Elder Sommers. He had his usual smile on his face as he rode up to the church building on his bike a few weeks ago for interviews. His companion is now Elder Ririe, another great missionary. Through rain and through heat our biking Elders ride their bikes without complaining, dutifully wearing their safety vests and helmets. At this point we do not have sisters on bicycles even though they have asked to do so, including me!
Elders Brost and Shields, two of our biking missionaries.
Elders Owen and Young standing by their bikes.
President Quinn and I are grateful to awesome trainers like Elder Latham for all that they do! This week as we worked on the transfer board, we picked out twelve strong and faithful missionaries to be trainers to the new twelve missionaries who will be joining our mission this coming week. Trainers are very important to our mission as they teach the incoming missionaries about the culture of the California Santa Rosa Mission which is serving with high love and high expectations as the Savior does. Trainers are also wonderful examples of obedience and hard work! Ask any missionary and they will always remember the name of their trainer. Thank you, trainers! We love you! President Quinn and I see beautiful examples of missionaries loving and supporting their companions every transfer.
Have a great day. Thanks for reading my mission updates. I so appreciate all of your support! Love, Sister Quinn
Below here is a photo dump from the week!!
A fun visit from former missionary, Sister Lamb, and her parents!
Our awesome office missionaries! They made a Cafe Rio lunch for the MLC. It was such a treat! Pictured here are the Cawleys, The Nates, The Ritchies, and the Frodshams. The Wilsons (not pictured) from the Santa Rosa Zone helped, too.
MLC - Mission Leadership Council. These leaders work hard to uphold our CASRM culture!
Elders Wilson and Dixon loading up boxes of scriptures and other materials after MLC to take back to their zone. Thank you to Sister Nate for ordering all the books.
Elders Wright, Hart, and Martin.
Sisters Brady and Drying with Elders Willhitte and Farnsworth. I love all the blue!
Sisters Chappell and McMaster changing the registration on their license plate.
A visit from former missionaries Elder Bullock and Sister Rohr. Rumor has it wedding bells are in their future. So happy for them! #CASRM Couple
AP’s getting reading to make transfer announcements. Elders Gardner, Ritchie, and Lunt with President Quinn. #lovethegreenshorts Saturday evening at 9:00 pm the week before transfers all of our missionaries Zoom together while the AP’s announce the new assignments using photos of each missionary. Transfers will take place Tuesday morning.
A fun way to announce transfers!
Elder Ritchie, our new AP.
President Quinn with Elders Grambo and Jackson watching the announcements.
Announcements projected on the wall from the Zoom call.
President Quinn with Elders Gardner, Ritchie, Jackson, Lunt, and Grambo.
Sisters from the Hmong Branch. President Quinn and I spoke in their Branch on Sunday. We loved getting to know these sweet people at the linger-longer after church.
Hmong Branch Brother - such a beautiful vest.
Elders Brown and Mecham wearing colorful clothing given to them from the Hmong members.
Linger Longer at the Hmong Branch. I enjoyed seeing all of their colorful skirts! Their love was just as bright.
Linger Longer at the Hmong Branch. The traditional food was delicious! President Vang, the Branch President, gave me a gift of a beautiful Hmong skirt and President Quinn a Hmong tie. We felt so honored.
