This has been a great last week to end my service as a full time missionary in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!

This has been a great last week to end my service as a full time missionary in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I won't spend this email getting sentimental, but I am very grateful for the time that the Lord has granted to me to serve the people of the Philippines.

This last week we had the baptism of Aries and Jambie Bron! It was an amazing baptismal service, and the Spirit was felt strongly by all who were in attendance. As we stepped outside to take pictures before the actual service started, the sky was so beautiful as we could see huge beams of sunlight breaking through the clouds, almost as a testimony from God himself to Aries and Jambie that their decision to be baptized was right. I had the opportunity of baptizing Aries, and Elder Abrigo baptized Jambie. As Jambie came up out of the water she had tears in her eyes and told us that she felt so much lighter and peaceful about her entire life.

Elder Villegas and I were also able to find an AMAZING family yesterday, and they were very very excited to learn about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. They were actually taught by missionaries about two years ago, and they still remember Nephi and Lehi's dream about the tree of life. They had many questions, and they even want to come to church this next Sunday. I won't be there to see them, but I hope that things go well for Elder Villegas in this area when I'm gone.

Anyways, I'm very excited to come home this next week! I always thought that if you have been a successful missionary, then you will be sad to go home. I almost believed that it was required for good missionaries. So I started to feel a lot of sadness about two weeks ago, but then I realized that I don't have to be sad, and that the Lord wants me to be happy and at peace about the work that I have done for Him on my mission. So now I've chosen to be happy instead. Funny how happiness is a choice right? So I am excited to see all of you again, especially my family and close friends. I'm excited to continue life as I return home to Las Vegas.

I know this church is true, as is the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith was the Prophet chosen to restore the Gospel here in earth, and President Nelson is the living Prophet chosen to guide us in these times. God lives and loves us, as does His Son, Jesus Christ. I love you all and will see you in a short couple of days!

Elder Austin Cook