I am going to be transferred to an Island called Masbate, and apparently I will be the new Zone Leader there! I am really grateful for the opportunity that I have had to serve here in Libon. So much has happened for the good and I thank God for it every day.

Soooo lots happened this week, but I don't have hardly any time to email!  First off, last Wednesday (while we actually slept) we got a call from President Kotter.  So we woke up and spoke with him and he first talked to me and said that I am going to be transferred to an Island called Masbate, and apparently I will be the new Zone Leader there.  Then he told Elder Cabelles (my current companion) that he will be training next transfer as well!  I was soo excited for hi that he will be training ALREADY!  That just means that he is already 10x the missionary I ever was.  It was actually kind of sad though to know that I am going to be transferred.  Elder Caballes has truly become my best friend out here, and we were really hoping that we would get another transfer together.  But I guess it's just not in the stars.

Myfriend and member named Wengie

Taken just before church

I am really excited for Elder Caballes because I know that he's going to do great things in life.  I don't just mean in the mission only, but throughout his whole life.  I know he will be a disciple of Christ until his last day.  I will have to sadly say goodbye to him tomorrow at 6:30 am and then I travel out to Masbate with all my luggage and stuff.  Also, Mom I don't need anything, I'm all good with what I have :) Elder Caballes will be left here in Libon to train...Thank goodness! So the good work will continue.  I just hope his new trainee realizes how lucky he is to have Elder Caballes as a trainer !!

With Aries Perez Leonor and other incredible members

I am really grateful for the opportunity that I have had to serve here in Libon.  So much has happened for the good and I thank God for it every day.  I will miss the sweet people and members here and especially Aries Perez Leonor, one of the best and faithful members in this area!

I am glad to say that I actually know my new companion out in Masbate.  He use to be an assistant to the President, and he is one of the nicest guys ever.  I really don't know anything about the new area but I just heard it's a really good area.  I just hope and pray that the water is cleaner than it is here in Libon.  lol   I am grateful to get another good companion, but this is actually his last transfer, so I hope he stays focused on working hard :)

I think this might be all for this email this week.  Sorry that it was so short.  I love you all and hope you have an awesome week!

Love Elder Austin Cook

Meet Queenie, another sweet member here in Libon!

We helped clean the church again this last week, found these Helping Mormon Hands shirts and took some pictures

We took these all before heading to church yesterday.. First two are of me and Elder Caballes.  The six after that are of my companion and two other elders :)

This is Nanay Cerilo! She is a champ and by far another 

one of my favorite people in the branch here ).

The photos below were sent to my mom on Facebook from my incredible friend Aries Perez Leonor.  These are just some photos of just a few of my experiences in Libon!

Message from Elder Cooks Mom:

There is NOTHING BETTER in this world than receiving messages from people clear across the world letting you know how special your child is. These are blessings from our Heavenly Father and tender mercies from the Lord. I received this today from an incredible young man, Aries Perez Leonor, whom my son Elder Austin Cook has grown to love while serving in the Libon, Philippines area. This sweet young man sent me this today:



"It is my pleasure to help Elder Cook do the work of the Lord, your son is an amazing missionary, he really does value the people he met and encountered here. He really did a great job. We're gonna miss him for sure...actually I already miss him. He is like my younger brother, his influence really has affected many lives here specially to those he has taught and baptized.. we love him so much! I love him from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for raising such a great son... he would never be what he is now if it weren't for you, you did a great job as his parent so thank you so much...  I am so grateful that we crossed paths.  I am actually from Manila and moved here to Libon and it just so happened that Elder Cook and I arrived here in Libon at the same time and I believe Heavenly Father wanted us to meet and help each other grow spiritually...your son reminds me of what I was like during the time I was serving my mission. He is such a loving friend and a brother.  I am the youngest of three brothers and Elder Cook, Elder Caballes and the two other missionaries from our branch are like my younger brothers and it makes me happy.  Saying goodby was never an easy thing to do but I am grateful for his love for us.. like you said we are eternal friends.. I would like to consider him as my brother from white parents... haha.  Last night they visited me in the cafe where I work to bid farewell and at first I just felt a normal feeling cause I know missionaries just come and go but talking about him right now makes me sad because I am gonna miss that funny, witty, adorable and loving friend and brother, I have teary eyes right now but I am sure he will be a blessing to those people waiting for him in Masbate, just like he was a blessing to all of us here in Libon.  I am sad because he plays the organ in our branch but we don't have him as our pianist anymore.  He helped us to have a wonderful sacrament meeting by playing the organ and I know for sure that all of us are going to miss him and his music! I served in Cagayan De Oro Philippines Mission the northern part of Mindanao.  All of the missionaries there were Filipino due to terrorist not liking foreigners, but it was a great place.  I told him a lot of my beautiful missionary experiences hoping that it will inspire him to enjoy his work even if it's hard.  Elder Cook already has a Filipino accent and is very good in speaking Tagalog.  Every single person they talk to are so amazed to hear a white guy speaking our language fluently.  It's really cool and hilarious seeing their facial reactions every time Elder Cook speaks Tagalog...lol.  I am also fruit of missionary work.  I was baptised when I was 19 and since that time I promised myself to love and help missionaries do the Lords work, that is the reason why I served a full time mission.  My father and I are the only members of the church in our family and I am trying everything to set the best example I can and convince my brothers to also join the church.  My mom passed away last year but I am now working on her baptism by proxy hoping that she will accept it on the other side of the veil.  I love my family and I will never get tired showing them my love for the gospel." ♥ 

Eating with Aries night before my transfer