I'm staying in Kadoma!

Transfers!

Yes this week is yet another week of transfers! And as for the news... I am staying in Kadoma for another 6 weeks!! Although sadly my companion Elder Barrus will be headed to Harare. And I will miss all of his hard work and dedication. But this transfer will be a little different. I now have TWO companions and TWO areas to cover. Basically Elder Caziers companion Elder Mayett left for Bindura, and now Elder Cazier is going to be with me, as well as a new guy Elder Richardson who I actually already know. We met and saw each other in Bindura, when we both served there. But I am excited. These two guys will be very fun to be around! It will be hard to adjust, now that we cover both of our areas, with our investigators, and... we have to walk everywhere. So public transportation might get a little expensive if we  don't want to walk for hours. But it will be fun. And looking forward to this new transfer!

General Conference: The Pure Love of Christ

This week we got to see General Conference. And wow, was it spiritually uplifting. It was EXACTLY what I needed in my current stage in my mission. I've heard once that if you come with any question to general conference, then it will be answered. And I testify that this is completely true. ALL of my questions were answered. So let me tell you a bit of what I learned:

Something that I have had on my mind recently is leadership. How can I be a good leader. Recently frustration has over taken me. Frustration of the reality that everyone has their agency. Obviously agency is essential, it's the best gift we ever will have, but sometimes dealing with other people's agency can be hard. You realize that you have no control in their decisions and what you say may have no effect. But how do you guide someone when you have no control in their decisions. 

S. Mark Palmer's talk really helped me on this one. To summarize, he talked about his experience as a mission president, and how he had a similar question to mine, "How do you help guide and lead someone to change their heart?" He related this question to a story of Jesus Christ in Mark chapter 10. 

There was a man who asked Jesus, "Good Master, What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" And Jesus asked if he was keeping the commandments, and the man said that he has ever since his youth. "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me." And the man left with his soul grieved: for he had many possessions. 

The most powerful part that Bro. Palmer pointed out was the phrase, "Then Jesus beholding him, loved him" That was the key. Jesus beheld him, comforted him, loved him so much, that he even asked more from that man. So much to ask him to give up everything he ever owned and follow him.

 Jesus Christ loves with All of his heart. I can just see Jesus, with his arms beholding this man, his heart bursting with love, and his eyes starting to get wattery as he looks straight into this man and asks him, to sell everything he has and follow him. Then the man, walking away feeling the love that Christ had for him, but his heart sunken because of his unwillingness to give all that he has. It made me realize, I really don't even comprehend yet how much love Jesus has for everyone. I'm just starting to learn.

But that love was key. It was the key to a great leader, a follower. Bro. Palmer went on and described 4 things that we need in order to help teach those we may be over.

1) We need to see others how the Lord sees them

2) No teaching or learning will happen with frustration and hatred.

3) Love should never be withdrawn.

4) The Lord expects much of us.

This message really touched me. I realized how wrong I have been. Sometimes when things go wrong, or tension occurs, we need to look inwardly first. Look at ourselves and ask "Do I have that Christlike love within me?" "Is what I'm saying coming out of love, to help, to support, or is it for my selfish reasons?" Like Uchtdorf also said, "Fear is temporary and will never change hearts" But Christ's love is the antidote to fear, and Christ wants our hearts to change.

I absolutely loved General Conference and can't even tell you how much I learned from it. I know that Love conquers all, and that Heavenly Father sent the perfect example in our lives. Jesus Christ. Whenever we struggle with a problem, look to him. Whenever we are going through hard times. Always look to him. For he is always there and will help you, and be an example through everything you go through in life. 

I love you all and hope that your weeks were great! 

Love,

Elder Parco 

Pictures!:

Before conference we were in a room with the chalkboard. And all the kids were drawing. I jokingly asked them to draw a picture of me and they did. So I took a picture of each of their drawings.

Oh and we celbrated Prince's Birthday. We told him it was tradition to eat the cake with your hand behind your back in America. So he did haha

Also here is our zone