Another Historic Day!

It was an exciting week in the California Redlands Mission!  We were pleased to welcome 32 Elders and Sisters with only 4 going home. 

With the number of "trios" we ended up opening 18 new areas.  This brought some unexpected challenges - especially since we didn't receive any new cars and need to remove another 5 cars from our fleet.  Without the luxury of additional cars we needed to move several Sister's apartments to put them in areas that wouldn't require a bike.  All in all every companionship but two had to be changed.  There were several tender mercies in the transfers that left no question as to who was at the head of this great work.

 

One of our two visa waiters this transfer is being trained by his brother who will be going home in a few weeks. The older brother has never been so nervous to train correctly as he is now.  We had a Sister that came from Saudi Arabia that was assigned to the area where she was blessed as a baby. It is exciting to see the hand of the Lord in this great work.

 

 With two missions on the same flight there were over 50 missionaries.  That led to

 

14 lost suitcases.

 

 

30 of the 32 that came on the same flight

 

 

 

Sister Van Cott with three departing missionaries

Elder Witham - Sister La'ala'ai - Elder Wasson

 

 

 

Transferring cars, apartment keys, bikes, and luggage

 

I Love My Mom

There are amazing things going on in the mission.  This coming transfer we are receiving twenty nine new missionaries (thirteen of which are Sisters) and we only have four going home.  There are several "trios"  that need splitting up so overall we are looking at opening around seventeen areas.

This is going to bring some wonderful opportunities for the wards and stakes here in California. 

The missionaries are all working hard and are working on being more and more obedient.  I have been counseling them to read D&C 123:17 and really focus on cheerfully doing the things that lie within their power.  We are putting emphasis on the morning studies and preparation and also on the evening planning and giving an accounting of their day to God. Those are things that the missionaries can control with EXACTNESS. Most of the people they are working with are not within their control but if they are obedient and cheerful then the arm of the Lord will be revealed in this great work.

On a selfish note, my mother spoke at a recent BYU Women's Conference.  My brother gave me the link and so I listened to it tonight.  It has great insights on raising a family without a lot of resources.  I was the second of nine children and my father was a school teacher.  We were always blessed because of my parents obedience and faithfulness.  It is well worth the fifteen minutes to listen if you have the time.

http://utahcoupons.com/mom/WC2013VANCOTT.mp3

I am grateful for the wonderful parents of these wonderful missionaries.  Thank you for your prayers and support. 

President Van Cott

Meet and Greets!

Our Excellent Senior Missionaries - The Housers

 



Elijah Always Loves the Missionaries

Palm Desert Zone

 

Yucca Valley Zone

Banning and Yucaipa Zones

 



 

Redlands Zone

San Bernardino Zones A and B

 

Fontana Zones A and B

 

 

Rialto Zones A and B

 

 

 

 

Sister Van Cott and the Fontana Zone Sisters

 

 

We had a wonderful time meeting with all of the missionaries during our "Meet & Greet" meetings.  All of the children were able to participate.  Elijah particularly enjoyed getting to know all of the Elders and Sisters. 

 

We are extremely grateful for how obedient and wonderful the missionaries are.  They are all working extremely hard and have been great examples to our family as we have had the chance to meet them all.

 

The work is hastening!  We are looking forward to our upcoming transfers.  It will be hard to let four of the Elders and one Sister go home.  We are however going to be receiving around 28 new missionaries.  Approximately half of the new missionaries will be Sisters!

 

We would like to thank any families that are following these posts for the great job they did in preparing these wonderful missionaries to serve.

 

President and Sister Van Cott

Historic Day in the Redland's Mission

It was an historic day.  We held our first Mission Leadership Council.  We are blessed to have the greatest Zone Leaders and Sister Trainers.  We look forward to meeting all of the misionaries in the coming days! 

Sister VanCott at General Conference

Sister Van Cott after General Conference 2013

We cannot wait to get to Redlands and get to work!



California Redlands Mission Map

Effective July 1st 2013

California Redlands Misison

July 1, 2013 California Redlands Mission

California Redlands Mission!

July 1, 2013