Our Trip to the Temple Site

This is our first view of the temple lot.

We were waiting to see if they would let us inside the lot, or if we could only view it from the outside. We lost and had to view it outside the gates.
Our 3 amigos who came into the mission together and will leave together.
Elder Champlin, Elder Zolman and Elder Brinton

With the AP's, who drove us there.

Looking over the fence, to see what we could see.

We were so excited to see so much work being done. It is in the early stages, but at least it's finally moving forward. It's in a beautiful location with nice houses all around.

Here is another beautiful view from the temple lot. Our last picture as we were leaving.

We can't wait to see the temple completed.

We Are On Our Way to Pick Up Tate!

We just arrived at the airport. We are so excited for this day to finally be here! Honduras, here we come!!!

Heidi is all smiles while waiting at the gate for our plane. Robert is checking to make sure we have all of our documents.
Our first views of Honduras. It's much greener than we pictured it. It's because we arrived during the rainy season. Otherwise, this would be all brown.

Tegucigalpa...we have arrived!

Touchdown! We made it. We survived the 2nd most dangerous airport in the world.

We made it through customs and are now waiting for Elder Brinton to arrive.

Max Champlin traveled with us to pick up his brother. He and Heidi are waiting

with all of our luggage, for our boys to arrive. We all arrived together. This is our first photo together after arriving.

Heidi was the first one to give Tate aka Elder Brinton a big hug!

These two are all smiles after not seeing each other for 2 years. Love that brother-sister love!

More hugs!

Now it's time for Mom's hug :)

And now dad!

Tate and Heidi share more hugs inside the airport, picking up our luggage.
Waiting for a taxi.
Checking into the Marriot's very nice hotel!
Elder Hernandez is Tate's comp for a few more hours. He came with Tate to meet us at the airport.

I Wouldn't Trade This Experince For Anything!

Hola famila (por la ultima vez),

Wow I can’t believe this is the last time to write!!!!! Crazy!!!!! Where has the time gone??? I also can’t believe that in less than a week you will be here. Crazy. Well I’ll try and answer some of your questions. About renting a car, if we want to go to Copan together I’m sure that would be fine, but for the rest of the time I would say we rent separate cars. It would make it a lot easier to travel. And for a car like I said an SUV would be fine I’m sure, but I don’t know if that decision matters until you get here anyway. So ya I would plan on it about the house, bring the Marriott thing just in case, but I’m pretty sure the house will be fine, it’s probably like the hotel room we stayed in when we went to Mexico. They’re a nice family and so I’m sure it’s a nice house, and from the outside it looks nice. I still don’t know everything about it I think tonight I will find out. But I’m sure it will all work out, and I’m sure it has hot water, I know it has a washing machine that I’m sure they would let us use. And I’m sure it has flushing toilets. There are a lot of places that ask you to put the toilet paper in buckets, but I’ve never done that in my mission because I think it’s just a bad tradition they have here. But I think we could save that money and use it on other things. But don’t worry. Yes we will go to Valle de Angeles of course that’s where you get souvenirs. It’s more expensive, but its one of the only places. And ya its like 20 minutes from Santa Lucia, but we will go there probably the same day. If not it's easy to go to so ya we will go there. Um La Ceiba would be fun to go to, but no I don’t think we will have time and it’s a place more known for its beaches and as a missionary... well I can’t really enjoy that much. But I’m sure you would like Copan more and I want to go there too. Heidi don’t worry. You’ll be fine here. Gustavo also told me that they just cut peoples arms and legs off in the middle of the day to rob them and its not true (well mostly not haha). It's not as bad as it sounds and we will be fine don’t worry. I’m going to ask pres if I can call you this week to better work out the plans and I’m sure he will give me permission. So well so if that happens. For President and Sister Chaverri you could bring something from Arizona. I’m sure they would like that, and a clock if it would fit I’m sure they would love. If you do that I would put Misión Honduras Tegucigalpa on it and the years so you remember are 2008-2011. But it’s up to you. And ya beef jerky (I don’t know what flavor) would be great to. If you want you could do a picture, I’m sure one of the Reflections would be nice or if you wanted you could maybe do the Costa Rica temple (they may have that), but whatever you want. They have invited us to dinner that Sunday night that you get here.

I think you would be fine with jeans or whatever. A jacket I wouldn’t worry about it I don’t think you’ll need it. An umbrella if you want. It has been raining, but it doesn’t have to be the greatest one cause we will be in car or inside most of the time I imagine. The food don’t worry (too much) I’ll only take you to clean places and the water no I wouldn’t drink, but there’s pure water easily accessible so don’t worry. The shirt sizes or how many I couldn’t tell you, but it doesn’t have to be a ton, but I’m sure whatever could be used. But you don’t need to worry too much. For me I think I’m pretty good with what I have. I don’t think I need anything, just what I said that you pack somewhat light to make sure we have room to bring stuff back.

In church I’m pretty sure we will go to the ward I’m in right now, that way I can say bye to everyone easily at church, and they asked me to talk that last Sunday in my ward so for that to. Aww your going to get to see me talk... how fun. But I was already planning on going to this ward before they asked me. But I think I answered most your questions, and like I said I will probably get permission to call.

But any way my week was good. I’m good now, the only bad part is when you’re getting over dengue your body starts itching and that happened Monday and Tuesday my legs itched and were really sensitive. But I’m good now and glad I got it before this week or next week. So ya I’m good. This week was good, we got 2 people to church yesterday which was really good. And I think they will both be baptized at some point. And so that’s been good. That one girl (Vanessa) I told you about a while ago that we had the really spiritual lessons with were not really teaching her anymore unfortunately. But I think she was scared to change, but I think one day she will accept the church. Other than that the week was good. This week will be weird cause it’s my last, but everything is good. We also had zone conference this week which was good, it was weird that it was my last one. And I bore my "last testimony" there, and that was kinda weird. But ya that’s was about my week. This week I will have my last interview with president and will have to get everything packed up for the last time YAY (I hate packing)....WEIRD. But ya I think that’s about it. I can’t believe this is the last time. I have loved my mission. It has been an amazing experience. You learn a lot and have trials, but in the end it is definitely worth it. I feel I have changed for the better (I hope) and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. Well I love you all. THE CHURCH IS TRUE! That’s probably the best thing I have come to know for sure. Well... until this Sunday for mom dad and Heidi, and for the rest Sky Harbor July 27th. Its almost here!
Love Elder Brinton

Oh ya, um about Sunday I don’t know, you can be picked up if you want... I don’t know where you would be, but I’m sure I can figure it out, or you can wait for like an hour and a half in the airport. I don’t know. Well write and let me know in case I can see my email before then, but if not I will probably call.

Mr. Dengue Mosquito Bit Me!

Hola Famila,

Well I'm glad to hear your all doing well. Well I guess the news of the week is that it appears I jinxed myself in my letter last week. I guess going the whole mission without getting sick didn't appear very fun so Mr. dengue carrying mosquito decided to stop by and give my a bite and make me go missing in action for five days. So ya that was basically my week. Lots of fun. I woke up Tuesday at like 2:00 in the morning with a fever and I couldn't really sleep. Then my body started aching and all that good stuff and I was like that off and on until yesterday before I finally felt good. Now my skin is just all itchy, but I guess that's the sign that it's ending. But the best part (not really) is on Thursday I had to get a blood test done. YAY I LOVE NEEDLES! So the area presidency is sending all missionaries that feel like they have dengue to go get blood tests, and I got to be one of them. It just so happened that Elder Falabella was here that day and although I didn't want to go it's hard to tell a general authority no. So I went. And they sat me down and I told the guy, "Just so you know, sometimes I pass out", and he's like, Oh! Well let's lay you down then. So they put me on the bed thingy and took my blood. I had my comp take a picture just for you. I told the guy I'm taking a picture for my mom. She's going to laugh at me. And I think he was like poor kid, his mom is going to laugh at him for being sick. Luckily I didn't pass out. Yay for me. The test was to see the level of my platelets to see if they were low. They were low, but not out of the normal so I didn't worry to much. So that was my fun hospital experience. But I'm good now. Dengue is really bad right now here. There has been like 13 deaths from it and a bunch of cases. So when you come I don't think you can bring 'off' on the plane, but we can buy it easily here. But I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Other than that church was good. We didn't have anyone go however. One of our investigators, Linda supposedly went into labor 2 months early yesterday. I haven't heard anything else, but hopefully everything went well.

The guy I told you about his name is Julio Ardon. Um well I think that's about all for me this week. It wasn't too exciting. Well that's about all for now. My camera, yes I still have it. Well I love you all. Have a good week. The church is true.

Love Elder Brinton

I Can't Believe The Time Is Almost Here!

Hola Familia,

First off, ya Honduras did really bad in the world cup. They’re not happy, but it’s not a big deal to them.

Glad to hear your all doing pretty good. Well ya everything here is pretty good. About coming, wow that’s soon. The car, no it doesn’t have to be 4 wheel drive, but I would recommend an SUV. About what to bring I’ll think and let you know. One thing is a little girl here wants a doll. So if you want to you could bring a nice doll and her birthday is actually when you will be here.

So today is the 1 year anniversary of all the political stuff that happened last year... crazy how fast time flies. I can’t believe it. There’s been a lot of people here dying of dengue. There is good medical attention if you have money, but if not you don’t have much. With that bishop they supposedly misdiagnosed him until it was too late. But ya I hope I can make it a month without getting it haha. Yes I know that missionary that was here very well. But ya that’s a small world. That’s cool about your calling. That’s something a lot of people don’t understand here. They like to brag about there callings. It’s like a totem pole and if you teach primary after being in a bishopric you must have committed a big sin or something they think. But that’s fun, I know if dad could choose his calling it would be primary music director haha. But everything has been going good here. This week was a little tuff with teaching our investigators, but everything is good. Well I think that’s about all.

I can’t believe the time is almost here, I feel like just last week I was writing for my first time in Honduras. Well I love you all.

To all the others in the newsletter: Time goes really fast. Do all you can while you can, do the work the Lord’s way because it’s the only way. Leave everything you have in the field (on the court). During all this time of the world cup I have thought. Wow this is the biggest sporting event in the world. Every soccer players dream is to go there, but because its only every four years and for other circumstances most players 'if' they go will only go once in there lifetime. And once they’re there they try everything the can to succeed. Well it’s the same with us and the mission. We’ve waited our whole lives for this moment; we really are on the world’s stage. This for many will be the only time we are here. Now we have to decide if were going to play hard and leave everything here or if were going to blow our chance. We have God as our coach, Christ as our example, and the spirit as our teammate. Now it depends on us if were going to win. And don’t wait till the last minute to try your hardest. Start strong, play strong and finish strong.

The church is true. I love the mission.
Love Elder Brinton

Great Friends Going Home!

Tate with some of his great friends in the mission. He was blessed with the best group of missionaries to be a part of.

Goup Hug!
These were sent to me by Elder Olsen's mom. This was after a fun hike with Elder Olsen on one of their P-days.
Returning from their hike. The funny part is that Tate always hated hiking when he was a scout. Looks like he is enjoying himself now.
Bit group of friends. Tate was a little anxions to get his camera out of his backpack.

BIg Boys Do Cry!

Hola Familia,
Well sounds like you all had a good trip to Brazil. I still can't believe you went haha, but I'm glad you had fun. Well this week was long/fast and crazy. First Monday I went around with Gardner saying bye to people (not good for someone who only has a change left) haha. Then yes I got to go to the airport to say bye. (also not good for someone so close to going home), but I'm really glad I was able to because I was really close to this group that went home. They're most of my best friends here. Well I first was at the mission home and thought I was going to say bye there, and when the time came a 'few´ tears were shed haha. But then Hmna. Chaverri invited me to the airport. So I got to say bye there and that was pretty hard, and after that that whole day was pretty hard.

Well then on Thursday I got my comp. His name is Elder Hernandez from El Salvador. I've known him since he came to the mission and we're getting along good, and it has gone well. I've been showing him the area.

Then on Saturday morning I got some crazy news. My bishop that I had in La Joya died. I was shocked. He's only 28, but I guess he had a really bad form of dengue. I feel horrible for his wife. She's young, has two little kids and is pregnant. So please pray for her. I got along real well with them and they were really good to me. So that was sad.

Then we had church and that was good. An 18 year old kid came on his own cause he wanted to know what we do and so we're going to start teaching him and he seems pretty positive. But ya that's pretty much my week. I can't believe how little time I have left, it's unbelievable. Um ya let me know the plans you have. Are we renting a car that first day? I think it would be easiest for me to do all the driving even to Copan then you don't have to worry about that person and we would be more free. But ya I'll talk to president and see what he would like.

Congrats Amy that's awesome. Have fun at the ranch. Well I think that's pretty much all. Dad happy Fathers Day. Well I love you all. Something I've learned about lately is, the importance of families. I've seen it first hand here. Everything depends on the family and the gospel can only be fulfilled in the family. I love you all. The church is true.
Love Elder Brinton

Tate's Sister Heidi Graduates from High School!

Since Tate hasn't sent any pics lately, we decided to post pics of things happening in our family. Two years ago Tate graduated and just a couple of weeks ago, Tate's sister Heidi graduated. Here are a few pics of her happy occasion. Heidi was recognized for being the 7th and last child to graduate from Mesa and for being the only 5th generation to graduate from Mesa this year.

Cheering that she finally made it!!! She and Tate will start school together when he gets home.
Heidi receiving her diploma, while wearing Tate's graduation gown. She wanted to wear it because Tate wore it.

Short and Sweet!

Hola Familia,
I can't believe you guys are in Brazil. That's so crazy. I can't believe that in a month you will be here also..time is going so fast. So my comp goes home tomorrow, it's so crazy and so do a lot of my friends. I can't believe it, its weird cause my comp has been saying bye this whole week and it makes it hard some times knowing that I'm next. It's crazy! Well everything is good here. I've been thinking about what we're going to do when you come. Well this week was good cause a part member couple that were teaching told us the are going to get married. They were going to wait till Sept, but they said now and so that's exciting! Nelson is doing well. That's pretty much all. I hope you're all doing well. Thats crazy about the vandilism, it sounds like here. Sorry this is so short. I love you all. The church is true.

Love Elder Brinton

Nelson Gets Baptized!!!

Hola familia,
Well how are you all? Sounds pretty good. That’s crazy that mom and dad are in Brazil. I can’t believe how fast time has gone. Heidi you’re so old...relief society? That’s just weird. That makes you sound like an old lady haha.

So anyway this week was great. Last Wed. we had a conference with Elder Martino of the area presidency, and the general Sunday School President and a councilor from the General Young Men’s presidency and that was really good. We’ve got a lot of leaders here lately. But the best part of the week was Saturday and Sunday. Nelson got baptized!! It was an awesome baptism. He shared his testimony at his baptism and he was so ready and excited. Gardner baptized him and I got to confirm him. It was awesome. And then yesterday in testimony meeting he got up a shared his testimony. It was good, and he told the ward how he has a study journal for when he reads the Book of Mormon so he can write down what he learns, and then he challenged the whole ward to do the same: To get a journal. It was so awesome. He’s going to be an awesome member. But ya that’s the good news of the week.

We’re trying as a mission to focus more on finding families. So pray for that. Well this is my comps last full week in the mission. He leaves next Tuesday. It’s going to be so weird because this group has a lot of my best friends. And then I’m next. CRAZY. But ya that’s pretty much all, everything here is going good. The work is going. Just trying to stay focused.

Well I love you all. The church is true. Have fun
Love Elder Brinton