two years later.

Two years ago, my cousin Austin left on a mission for our church. He went to spread the happiness that is the gospel and he was an inspiration to me, and to many. He taught me so much before he left, he taught me from his letters home, and I'm sure I will continually learn from him. His plane lands in just a few hours and I have gone over the moment in my head many many times. I can't wait to give him a big hug.

Did you know they have internet missionaries now? Austin served with someone named Elder Menaso, who is an internet missionary. When their time together was coming to a close, Elder Menasco wrote some wonderful things about Austin..

"As a missionary, we are called to preach the gospel two by two. We cycle through different companions throughout our mission. Elder Hinton was my 7th one! From each of these companions, I have learned various life long lessons. Some were taught to me in joyful moments, other were taught as I was in the lowest of lows. But I have served with Elder Hinton for 4.5 months! That's 6 weeks longer than any of my other companions. There has been so much I have learned from him.

When I came up to Eureka, I was not quite sure what to expect. More than a year ago, Elder Hinton and I served in Vacaville together, but we never saw each other very much.

I would have to say that hands down, the biggest thing I have learned from him is Faith and how to apply faith in many various ways. Faith is always there when times are tough, when you feel like all is lost and you have no energy left to put forth. We can accomplish anything if we have the faith that we can accomplish the task ahead of us.

When I came up to Eureka, I was not the most faith filled missionary out there. I had many doubts about my efforts because I never saw very many results from anything I tried to accomplish. When I told Elder Hinton about this, he gave me the mindset that there is nothing that can ever get in the way of the Lord's work. But, it was not really in anything he ever said, but what he did. When trials came, or our goals were unreached, he would continue with the attitude of persistence. Nothing was going to get in his way, and if something tried to stop him he would shatter it.

It is something I am really going to remember: Elder Hinton has the most solid faith I have ever seen. It is amazing! I am going to strive my whole mission to make sure I keep that fire, and allow nothing to ever hurt my faith or bring it down what so ever."

I am so proud of him and the missionary work he has done. I look up to my 'younger brother' in so many ways. He inspires me. I am so happy to (almost) have him home.

Happy happy Tuesday.. :)