Elder Mason Shoaf: Week 30 - Changes and General Conference

Wow, this week was a very busy week for Elder Quispe and I and just getting to do a lot of cool things all week to end the transfer of week 6. Well, today we know what the changes are and I am staying in Urcos for this next change and going to be with Elder Damazo, who is an elder who has less time than I do. From what I have heard about him from other missionaries, he will be a challenging companion to work with and hard to get things done at times, but I am excited. President Harbertson has put him as my companion to help me and him to grow more as missionaries and see progress in Urcos. It will be hard, but I am willing to try and put everything into this great work of Salvation. Elder Quispe is going to another zone, but will still be in Cusco, just another area as a district leader. I will miss him like crazy and I am so glad that I could call him my companion for these short 6 weeks. He has helped me so much to be able to teach better and be a better missionary overall. But I just thought about it, that all my companions so far have went up to a district leader after me, but we will see what will happen here in the future with Elder Damazo and I.

Well, also this weekend we had the wonderful privilege to listen to all the sessions of General Conference, and it was amazing!! We heard so many wonderful talks from the prophet and all the apostles, and all the wonderful general authorities. I really enjoyed all the sessions and as gringo missionaries, we were able to go to another room and watch it in English, so I could fully grasp all the Gospel topics of Conference. But many topics were talked about, but a few jumped out at me.....especially families, marriages, and enduring to the end by accepting the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Saturday, almost all the talks were about strengthening families and creating a strong Gospel centered home. And another thing, that when I get home, the apostles have said that I need to get married quick and create a family centered upon the teachings of the Gospel. So I will try my best AFTER the mission....hahaha. But overall, the talks were amazing and it was the best opportunity to listen and sustain all of our wonderful leaders of the church and I cant wait again until October to listen again!!

Also before we went to Cusco to watch conference, we had the chance to hang out with our little branch of Urcos and have a wonderful branch activity. So the whole branch, a whopping 60 came out for this activity, we all went to Huaraypata, a small little pueblo out of Urcos. And all we did was have a bunch of food so lovingly prepared by all the sisters of the branch and we played a bunch of games to have fun. Volleyball, dodgeball, relay races, and many other fun games. It was a great time to hang out with all the members, friends, and have a good time to celebrate all the Easter week. So we also as the missionaries talked about the new initiative of the church, Because He Lives. To remind all of us the importance of Jesus Christ in all the time we have, not only for Easter or Easter Sunday, but to remember his resurrection and Atonement for all the children of God. And I am so glad I can testify of the truth and power of the Atonement in our lives, as we can repent and be saved upon the everlasting sacrifice of our Savior. It was a wonderful week to remember the Savior and all he has done for us, but we all need to do this each day, each week, and not just for the convenience of Easter.

Well I hope all have a wonderful week to come, and all had a great time this week with General Conference and the wonderful Easter season! Love you all, until next week!