Monday, July 30, 2012

Thank You! Thank You! THANK YOU!!!

Sister Hermansen wants everyone to know that she is deeply grateful to Elder Shamanis for getting our new mission blog up and running!!!  We wouldn't have one yet without his talents and willingness!  Way to go Elder Shamanis!  We love you!!!

A New Chapter In Church History

On July 1, 2012, the Nevada Reno Mission was established, with President David N. Hermansen as the first mission president, along with his wife and companion, Cheryl Hermansen. President and Sister Hermansen have lived in Pocatello, Idaho, for the past 25 years, and are the parents of 8 children, 4 in-law children, and 15 grandchildren.  Joining them on the mission is their son Bradley (24, a returned missionary), and a daughter Kaitlyn (16), beginning her junior year of high school.  They also have a son Brian, who is currently serving a mission in Taiwan, returning in December 2012.

We began with 86 wonderful young elders and sisters which were designated to be part of this new mission, having first been called to either the Nevada Las Vegas or the Nevada Las Vegas West Missions.  The first Assistants to the President are Elder Sparks from Idaho,  and Elder Marks from Canada.  The first office couple to serve are Elder and Sister Lynn, from South Jordan, Utah, who have given many, many hours of dedicated support to help get the mission off the ground!  We began the mission with 5 zones, Reno, Reno North, Fallon, Carson City and Elko.

On Wednesday, July 18, 2012, we were joined by 16 wonderful new missionaries, the first ever to be called to the Nevada Reno Mission, 11 elders and 5 sisters!  At this time we created the Sparks zone, for a total of six zones. Three days later we welcomed Elder and Sister Smigelski, from Kennewick, Washington, an additional office couple!

The Stake Presidents, Bishops and many others in the Nevada Reno Mission boundaries are excited and supportive of the creation of this new mission, and are anxious to do all they can to further the work of the Lord in this part of His vineyard!

We expect to receive many more missionaries over the next few months, as the full complement of our mission will be around 190 young missionaries!  We have a great work to do to get ready for so many new missionaries, but we welcome the challenge, as we know the Lord has exciting plans in store for this part of His Kingdom!  We are all dedicated to doing our very best, and with His help we can accomplish all that is required!

As we launch this website, we hope that it will be a fun and exciting way to keep in touch with missionaries, past and present, and their families, and hope it will allow them the opportunity to take part in the excitement of seeing our new mission blossom and grow!  We treasure the opportunity to watch our 102 youthful missionaries blossom and grow as well, and become the fine future leaders of this magnificent church we are privileged to be a part of!

We have been called to serve Him, and we humbly ask for His help to find all those who will hearken to His word!  We are grateful and proud to serve alongside these wonderful young elders and sisters!

With Love, President and Sister Hermansen