I now will be training my NEW companion! I have my vision back of what I want this area to look like, and that's what we are going to be working on this transfer! With my new companion, miracles are going to happen, and I can't wait!!

This week I finally got back in the grove of good, dedicated missionary work.

I traveled by myself to the mission home on Wednesday to pick up my companion, and let me tell you what, it was so weird being by myself, just not use to it, but we got to the mission home and President Kotter gave us a run-down of what it means to be a trainer, and the sacred nature of the calling. He told us that before they became mission presidents, President Kotter and his wife were taught by Elder Holland in multiple seminary. I guess he was kind of like their mentor in teaching them how to be mission presidents. Anyways, in one of the seminars, Elder Holland explained to them that out of anyone that he has EVER met in his life, the one single person who has had the most impact in his life was his trainer on the mission. Despite all of the prophets, apostles, and great church leaders that he has worked with, his trainer left the biggest impact on him. If that doesn't put the pressure on, I don't know what will!

Elder Alutaya (now assistant to the President) and I

Oh and I also got to see Elder Alutaya again! I don't know if you remember him, but he was my

roommate in my last area in Irosin. He just became Assistant to the President, so I was able to see him at the mission home. I'll be honest I almost cried when I saw him because we were so happy to see each other again.

Anyways, after that they introduced us to our trainees and mine was announced to be Elder Caballes! I was so excited to meet him that I just gave him a huge hug and couldn't stop smiling.

That night we slept at a hotel close to the mission home called Jennifers. I remember sleeping there on my first night in the mission and I haven't been there since, but I remember thinking that it was such a disgusting place full of bugs and dirty water and I didn't even want to shower because I thought the bathroom was so dirty... Funny how time changes things. When we slept there this night, it was HEAVEN. There was Air conditioning, soft beds, the water was warm in the shower... Seriously the best nights sleep that I've had since I got here. Nothing changed in the hotel, just my perspective on it, so I thought that was really funny.

Elder Caballes and I with President and Sister Kotter

In just these past couple of days, Elder Caballes has proved himself already to be a hardworking, insanely obedient missionary. He is always smiling, always helping, and always listening to any sort of advice I give him. He really is the trainee that I've been praying for! He's got a vision, and in just these past three days, so much progress has been made in the branch because of our work! God has blessed me so much with giving Elder Caballes to me as my trainee.

All I know is that everything is going to get better this transfer. My whole countenance feels different. You know that scripture, 2 NEP 28:30 “For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon  precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.”  It’s just like the scripture states and I noticed that with my last companion…. I stopped receiving. We didn't get much work done and as a side effect, my drive and my joy was being taken away. But in just these past 3 days, I’ve started receiving it all again, and the Lord is happy to give it all back to me. I have my vision back of what I want this area to look like, and that's what we are going to be working on this transfer!  With my new companion, miracles are going to happen, and I can't wait!!  That's the update for now!

I love you all and take care!

Elder Austin Cook

All of the trainers and their trainees