Elder Paddock's Adventures in Omaha: The Perks of Being a Leader

Mission Leadership Council February 2015
Zone & District Leaders
(pic by Sister Weston)
Elder Paddock is on the right side behind the Sister in the red skirt.

Mission Leadership Council February 2015
Zone & District Leaders
(pic by Sister Weston)

This week was full of lots of fun opportunites that I was blessed with due to the fact of being a leader.

For example, there I was Thursday morning in District Meeting, standing up to give my training to the District, and in walks President Weston. "Is it alright if I sit in on your training, Elder Paddock?" he asks. No pressure or anything, right? Luckily this time, I was really prepared for my training. I'm actually really thankful that he was able to come since he was able to add some good inspiration and great input into the discussion we were having on Repentance. It was a big surprise, but I'm thankful that he was able to come.

Friday was just an absolute party, with a 4 hour serious meeting in the middle. I had the blessing of attending a Mission Leadership Training for all the District Leaders, Zone Leaders, and Sister Training Leaders in the entire mission. We were able to receive some great council from President Weston, Sister Weston, and the Assistants. President talked about our covenants that we make as missionaries. Basically what him and I talked about during my interview last transfer.

We talked about all the covenants that we've made and the reason that we keep those. We talked about this mission is what helps us prepare to Become. IT helps prepare for what's ahead. We talked about how if we as missionaries aren't willing to keep the commitments and mission rules and our covenants, then that's a reflection of how we'll be for the rest of our lives.

I loved what Sister Weston said. She said that the word LEADER actually stands for the things we need to be and do:

Loving

Example

Always rely on the Spirit

Devoted to our Heavenly Father

Excited to be here

Repentant

I know that there's things that I can change. I know there's things that I can do better to help my district become better missionaries and to help the work in our areas progress and become better.

Elder Johnson & Elder Paddock at Mission Leadership Council February 2015
(pic by Sister Weston)

Mission Leadership Council February 2015
(pic by Sister Weston)

In other words, Crete is doing great. We're teaching between 17-21 Lessons every week, which is awesome! We're seeing so many of our people and the work in our area is going so well. I'm absolutely loving the people that we're teaching and the awesome people we've been finding as well. I'm really excited about a guy named Eric that we've been teaching. He's a college kid that's insanely smart. He says he just thinks of things sometimes and tells us his ideas, and then we whip out a scripture in the Book of Mormon that talks exactly about what he's been thinking. He was blown away when we showed him 3 Nephi 11 and talked about his idea that the Godhead is actually 3 different beings, God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, and how they work together and that's how they're one. He said he'd just been thinking in his Philosophy class and that idea came to his head. He really liked the story of Joseph Smith as well and at the end of the lesson he prayed and asked for himself and got an answer. He wants to know and he's definitely progressing forward.

I love this work. I'm happy to be a part of it. I love you all and I hope you have a great day!

Lots of Love,
Elder Zack Paddock