From Jan. 23, 2012: Training Elder Cooley; Faith and Optimism; Welding the Hull Back Together

On Monday Elder Macaulay made a few preparations with his packing for the transfer. While it hasn't always been easy, I have grown a lot these 4.5 months. I was thinking of the great opportunity I have to be in Ghana changing lives by teaching them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In sharing this message and changing the lives of others, I have also become a better person as well. 
  On Tuesday we were told about the changes for the transfer. I will be training with another sister in the district. I was excited for the opportunity to train. I had a great trainer and I want to convey that to my new companion. I was thinking about how I really don't have a huge idea on what to do to make my upcoming companion's mission a success. I have to do my best. I can tell I am going to do my best because I don't even want to think of doing something that would disappoint him and cause him pain (I came to this understanding as I have been living with him for the past few days).
  On Wednesday I picked-up Elder Cooley from the mission home. Elder Cooley is from American Fork, Utah. He is 19 years old and graduated high school in 2011. He has a brother as a missionary a month behind me in Uganda. He loves scouting, the outdoors, and woodworking. He really knows all about the gospel, all he needs me to do is to convey how to teach the knowledge he has to the people here. One great thing about the companionship is how he is taking the initiative on contributing to the plans for the day, what to teach, and really all aspects of missionary work. He isn't afraid to voice what he wants to say.  While I have learned an infinite amount of things for the betterment of my life these past many transfers, I know this companionship will the be best I have had in a year. 
  Friday we had the Adenta district leader training where we talked about the districts and I felt that my district was the iceberg in the Adenta zone's Titanic. With Elder Cooley, people tell us that I am happier and with a great new mindset, determination, and unity where we are working really hard, but it seems like an ease. I am excited to weld Adenta's hull back together.
  Saturday We had a great lesson, full of the spirit, with Nii. We identified that he doesn't understand that the church can be the only one with the full Gospel and that he hadn't prayed to ask God about it. He was able to see my happy state and the optimism I have again.
  On Sunday Elder Cooley and I had 6 people come to church. Some were brought for the first time by members and we were able to get some of our current investigators there as well. It was a great Sunday and we will work with optimism, faith, and effort to show that this Sunday wasn't a fluke and that we are welding more of the Hull back together.