Honduras

Our Trip to the Temple Site

2010-10-29T23:09:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-10-29T22:18:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-07-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-07-05T23:28:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-15T18:50:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2010-06-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

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

Elder Falebella Was Here!

2010-05-31T21:36:00.000-07:00

Hola Familia,
Well I don't have much time to write so it's going to be short. I'm glad to hear you're all doing good. Well this week was awesome. Elder Falebella was here and we had conferences with him Wednesday and Friday and his flight got cancelled so we had another one today. They were awesome and he talked about a lot of good things. It was really good.

It's been raining all week and yesterday there was some flooding in downtown, but nothing major. This week Nelson will get baptized. I'll tell you more about it later, but he's awesome. But ya I think that's pretty much all.

I can't believe time is going so fast. I hope you have fun in Brazil. I'm sure you will. I'm glad to hear everything is good there. Congrats Heidi (on graduating). Well I love you all. The church is true. Take care.
Love Elder Brinton

Sprayed By Two Taxi's

2010-05-24T21:37:00.000-07:00

Hola famila,
Wow I can’t believe how fast time is flying. That’s crazy that Heidi is graduating, she doesn’t seem old enough. Well that must make you feel old haha. 7th and last graduate and 5th generation. Impressive. Sad day....because Mesa which has been apart of us for so long is drifting away. Haha. That’s crazy too how soon you go to Brazil. Time is flying so fast. So my comp has 22 days left that’s crazy and I think it actually makes my time go slower. But we’re working good.

Nelson was supposed to get baptized this week, but he was out of town and he couldn’t make it back for church so were going to wait so he can have three Sundays. He’s still awesome and excited and everything is going good. Nothing too exciting has happened this week.

It has rained since Thursday and everyday since Friday we have gotten our feet all wet, and every night when we get home we have to leave our shoes in front of the fan so they dry out by the next day. Kinda funny (in the moment it wasn’t) we were walking along the road and a taxi drove by while it was raining and sprayed us with water, and it got my feet all wet. Thanks Mr. Taxi driver. (Oh ya it was followed by another one that did the same thing), but hey that’s life.

I can’t think of much else that has happened. This week elder Fallabela is here in the mission, we have a zone conference with him on Wed. And that should be good. He’s a councilor in the area presidency. About moving rooms, I probably could, but you could just leave the stuff on the walls for now if you want. Oh ya happy anniversary. And if you want to check car prices you could probably email that guy I talked to you about awhile ago who arranges that stuff and get some prices. Well I can’t think of much else for now, everything is going good. The end is getting near and it’s so weird to think about, but we are still working. Well I think that’s all for now. I love you all the church is true.
Love Elder Brinton

Nelson Is Ready For Baptism!

2010-05-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

Hola familia,
Well I’m glad to hear you are all doing good this week. Sorry I didn’t write you yesterday, I don’t really know why, but we didn’t have time so I’m writing today. Anyway this last week was good. I can’t really remember what we did exactly, but on Thursday we celebrated mother’s day and me and my comp dressed up as mariachis and sang a song. It was pretty funny. I’ll show you the video some time.

This week was good. Nelson who we’re teaching came to church. His baptism is going to be the 29th of this month. He is awesome! He wants to be a member and is willing to do what it takes. He told us the other day he wants to be a missionary, so that was cool. The girl I told you about, Vanessa is good. The last time we went there her very catholic grandma told her she didn’t want us there. Last night we had a FHE with her and two other investigators and made pizza and watched ‘Finding Faith in Christ’ and it was really good. And today were going to go teach Vanessa, so hopefully everything goes well.

Right now I have a pretty toe. I’m pretty sure I broke it yesterday playing soccer. It’s all dark purple and pretty. I tried to send a picture, but this computer won’t read my camera. Sorry. Good job Heidi on your track meet.

Um about the going to Copan; the only thing is if you do that you would have to pay for him and take care of him for three days while he’s there. I don’t know. A guy in my old ward also told me he would take us there too and that he knows the area. But either way. I don’t think it would be to hard to just drive either. But I don’t know what do you think. Also I talked to Denise about the house and she said ya we can still stay there. So if you want to I’m fine with it.

I can’t really think of much else. Everything is good. Dad I’m glad your surgery went well (Tate's dad had his thyroid out on Thursday). That’s crazy Joe is engaged do you know to who (A friend from our ward)? And that’s funny about Abby haha (His niece swallowed a set of luggage keys. They came out just fine, haha). Send a copy of the x rays if you can.

We did find a new investigator who said he wants to be baptized so well have to see how he is because we have only been there once. Well I think that’s pretty much all for now. I love you all. Take care. The church is true.
Love, Elder Brinton

More Pics from Hermana Dixon: Fun With Tate's District

2010-05-11T23:09:00.000-07:00

Enjoying some time with his district while serving in the office.

More fun!
Hermana Dixon says, "This missionary (meaning Elder Brinton) likes to tease me...

...until I feel like this".
Hermana Dixon's comp (Unsure of her name)
Elder Whiting is the only one who seems to notice he is having his picture taken.
Looks like Hermana has the last laugh.

This Has Never Happened to Me Before!

2010-05-10T23:00:00.000-07:00

Hola Familia,
Well it was good to talk to you all... for the last time haha. But everything is good. Well this last week was good. Let’s see, on Monday we went out with two new missionaries that came to Honduras, and that was fun, then on Tuesday we went with the 9th member of the church to go visit the first member of the church (this is the first member baptized in Honduras in the 50’s), then after that we went to go visit a girl named Vanessa, and we had an awesome lesson there. I’ve never felt like that while teaching someone and it was really good, you could just tell she was looking for this. So pray for her that she will be able to progress. Then on Wednesday we had changes, but as you know me and my comp will stay together which means I will most likely finish in this area which I’m glad because I like it. Then on Saturday we went to visit someone named Nelson, he’s 20. He came to church last Sunday with his cousin so we went to go visit him, and as we were teaching him he was like, “So what do I have to do to be a member of your church? I imagine I have to get baptized right?” And me and Gardner just looked at each other and were like yes. And he’s like, “I don’t know why, but I just feel inspired to be a member of your church and I really like it, and he’s like and then after hopefully I can take this religion to my family so it can change them to”. Let’s just say that never has happened to me before, but it’s pretty exciting. So ya that was basically our week. It was pretty good. Just pray for them.

This coming week we have our ward’s Mother’s Day party and me and my comp are planning on singing a mariachi song. It should be pretty funny. But ya I think that’s about everything, it was a good week. Well I love you all, take care and have fun. The church is true.
Love Elder Brinton

Hermans Dixon's Photos

2010-05-08T22:16:00.000-07:00

Soaking it all in.

Tate's District while serving in the office with Elder Whiting.
Tate has not been able to send pictures for awhile due to the bad computers in his area. One of the sister missionaries, Hermana Dixon sent these pictures home and her mom forwarded them to us. Enjoy!

Love that look.
We think he is trying to win the ugly tie contest...if there is one.
These pictures are from one of their zone activities.
Either Tate has grown or his tie has shrunk.

Building Zion in Our Lives

2010-05-03T22:14:00.000-07:00

Hola familia,
Well I’m glad to hear your all doing good. I can’t believe I call for the last time Sunday. That’s so crazy, that must mean I don’t have much time left. Haha. But I’m sure I can call at whatever time. We are an hour ahead, but ya at like 5 or 6 I think would be fine. I may try and call a little earlier and make sure, but we'll see what I can do.

This week was good, there wasn’t anything to special. Although I have been able to see satan working hard amongst us and the members of the church. I think the time is near when we as members are going to have to step it up. That what we’re doing right now isn’t good enough and we will need to do more. This week we had an experience, its kinda long to explain, but it was basically satan working through a girls catholic grandma trying to prohibit us from teaching. Just from what the grandma was saying we felt that it was satan trying to get us mad and to fight. Especially since me and Gardner both felt her grandaughter needed to hear us. But we weren’t able to teach with the grandma there, but hopefully things work out. We had some investigators at church, but it was kinda hard to teach them this week so not much progress was made. But everything here is good. We have changes Wed, but I think we’ll stay together, well I hope so. It would be my comps last change in the mission and then I’m next weird. But ya everything here has been good. This week I talked about the importance of building Zion in our own lives and families (companionships, areas) and it’s true. It’s something that relates to what I was saying about stepping up. I like this scripture D&C 88:22

22 For he who is not able to abide the alaw of a celestial kingdom cannot babide a ccelestial glory.

One of the celestial laws is consecration, giving ALL we have to God. Are we willing to do it? We have to because that’s what it takes to build Zion. I love the church, its true, it’s perfect although we aren’t. But we have to do all we can.

Um for your questions the temple site is like 15 minutes away. And I would like to see it. Today we played soccer with the zone and after well go eat. I think tomorrow me and my comp are going to have a bbq so that should be fun. Well that’s all I can think of for now. I love you all. Take care and well talk on Sunday.
Love elder Brinton

I Got My Honduran Birthday Celebration!

2010-04-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

Hola familia,

Well here we are another week gone, can you believe next week (actually it will be one more week) I will making my last phone call home... crazy! Also ya that is really crazy that we have the plans and all that to go home makes it so much realer (is that a word?). Weird. They actually sent me a copy of the plans (just the flight home). That’s unfortunate that it’s so late (10:45pm, on Tuesday, July 27th), but what can we do. Um about the time you get here... that will be interesting because all church’s here go until 12:00 so maybe you’ll just have to wait in the airport for a while or maybe you’ll get delayed, cause I wouldn’t want to miss my last Sunday. But that sounds good I guess, so well have one more day. I’ll have to check with Denise about the house and see how much room it has. I actually had a member in Palmira offer their house too. But I’m more comfortable with Denise’s family although the other one lives in a beautiful area. Anyway I guess I’ll start planning exactly what to do and where to go. That’s nice that that family emailed you (A family that has traveled down there too). It’s funny cause I have no idea what the Barrio Los Angeles is (they shopped at this place and said it was huge). Haha. But ya a car like that would be good. And I don’t think it’s too dangerous. (For example a Toyota Prado and Hilux are the most stolen cars here and so I would recommend not renting one) but whatever car would be fine I wouldn’t worry to much.

But ya this week was good. We had three investigators at church and we think we will be able to baptize them and maybe 2 more. So hopefully everything there works out good. Everything else is good here. Changes are next week and we are hoping to stay together because that would be fun. I really enjoy this ward. We’ve had some good experiences with our investigators saying they believe the church is true so hopefully its enough to make they want to do what they need to do. But ya that’s basically all.

Tonight we have an FHE and we are making ice cream in a bag. Oh ya on Tuesday, I got a late Honduran birthday celebration. I got an egg cracked on me, then frosting smeared all over my face then I got thrown in the pila, (a big water basin where they wash clothes) and then flour thrown on me. So that was exciting haha. Oh ya I’ve been practicing making flour tortillas so that when I get home I can make them. I made some last night and they were actually pretty good. I would send pictures, but I can’t figure out how to on this computer. I don’t think I can. But ya I think that’s pretty much it. Remind me not to say that knowing-believing thing in my homecoming talk since you used it haha, (We spoke Sunday and I used something he wrote last week in my talk), but I’m glad you are all good.

I love you all. Take care. The church is true.
Love Elder Brinton

The Difference Between Believing and Knowing!

2010-04-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hola Familia,
Glad to hear everyone is doing good, and having fun. Yes I can’t believe I’m so old haha. I was going to go out to eat Saturday with my comp but we weren’t able to, so I might some time this week. Anyway, everything here was doing great. We had a pretty busy week this week helping other areas prepare for baptisms, but it was a good week, we had 143 people at church which is really good, the most I’ve ever had. We are going to look for some more investigators this week.

Um the thing about Copan, it might be good to have one more day, but it’s up to you, it might give us a little more time. Oh and about the house well I’m sure the Marriott would be nicer but I’m pretty sure the house would be fine. Here in the city it’s pretty good, and this family has good houses, so I wouldn’t be worried, but it’s up to you.

That’s fun that Bro Powell is in the single's ward, maybe I’ll go just for that. I’m excited to help the church when I get back. That’s unfortunate that a lot of youth are making bad choices. A lot of it is related to people that don’t have testimonies. I’ve said it before, but it’s the difference between believing and knowing. Believing is a testimony given by parents. Believing will only help you for so long. On the other hand knowing is knowledge that comes from personal experience. Yes it starts with believing, but it is believing that has been tested. Believing put in action, that through personal experience and gospel living has allowed us to know these things are true, and that knowing is what sustained Joseph Smith through trials, that knowing is what carried pioneers across plains, and that knowing is what allows us to have an eternal perspective and make decisions differently. It’s like normal glass and tempered glass. The normal glass when the rock hits, it shatters. It’s strong, but not strong enough. The other is tempered glass. That what ever you throw at it won’t break it, even if you shoot it. It might make a hole, but it won’t shatter. But what’s the difference, how the two are processed, and it’s the same with us we have to have experiences 'temper´' our testimonies so when the rocks come they just hit but we are not shattered.

Oh ya I talked to Elder Zolman and he told me that Adalid from my last area directed sacrament meeting on Sunday. That makes me happy. Well I love you all, and we need to temper our testimonies because the rocks are coming and we can’t shatter.
Love Elder Brinton

Elder Brinton Leaves Elder Zolman, and Welcomes Elder Gardner

2010-04-12T23:43:00.000-07:00

Elder Brinton and Elder Zolman hard at work! Haha

Tate in his new area at a Family Home Evening with his new comp, Elder Gardner.
Tate trying to figure out what way they should go.

Drinking an orange Julius that they made. YUM!!

Tate and his comp, Elder Gardner having fun.

The American missionaries watching conference in English.

149 People at Church!!!

2010-04-12T23:14:00.000-07:00

Hola familia,
Well I’m glad to hear you are all doing well. Everything here is going good too. First of all that’s funny about Gemma (I never knew she broke her foot). Oh ya also I never told you that my comp has a tape player so I was finally able to listen to that one tape you sent me which allowed me to know that Amy isn’t pregnant anymore. Which is unfortunate, but good I guess that I finally found out so I wasn’t expecting another baby when I got home. (Ya you never told me). (Yes I did, it was on the tape he has had for a long time) Anyway everything here is good. My comp and I are doing good. His mom just sent him Nutela so we have been in heaven. Yes I got your package. Thanks, although nothing really is for me... haha, but I’m sure I’ll find kids to give it all away. But thanks for the package. (It was mostly little toys and things he can give to kids on the street or in the homes of family's. I figured he won't need much at this point, so send things he can use or give away).

Yesterday at church was good, we had 140 people which is the biggest sacrament meeting I’ve had since I’ve been here and it was good. We had some less actives we’ve been working with come which made me happy. But ya this week was good. It was pretty normal, but good. I made milk shakes and an orange Julius so we’ve been doing good. It’s crazy that I’m going to be 21. I’m so old, and it’s also crazy that I have just over 3 months left. I can’t believe it. It’s so weird to think about going home. It’s been interesting because I’ve just been trying to get the people we teach to realize the need for the gospel in there lives. Asking them what they want from life (usually to live with God), how they’re going to achieve that, and if they're doing all they can to achieve it. And then testifying to them that the gospel is how they can achieve that goal. Just trying to get them to want to know if these things are true, to do just as Alma says: "experiment with these words". It’s been tough, but I have grown a lot as well. And they are questions we need to ask ourselves as well.

Well today we just played soccer and then we’re going to go eat... pretty normal. But it’s fun. Well I think that’s all that happened this week. This church is true! I love you all.
Love Elder Brinton

Oh ya what do you think I should to about school? I should probably start applying soon. Do you think probably just MCC or what... let me know please? I don’t know what to do and its scary haha.

My Last General Conference As A Missionary!

2010-04-05T13:57:00.001-07:00

Hola familia,
Well here we are yet again, another week come and gone. But this week was a good one, especially with conference. It’s crazy that that was my last conference that I will watch as a missionary. Who knows the next one I could be watching with my fiancé....haha. Well maybe not, but still weird. So ya I really enjoyed conference. I thought they were all good talks, and I thought the same that they talked a lot about the family. But it was really good. I think my favorite quote of all was:

"The Book of Mormon is the only book that God himself has ever said is true" - Elder Bednar

That shows the importance of it. That’s why we can get closer to God by reading it, then we can with any other book. So why would we read other books if it’s the most true and helps us get closer to God... I don’t know. But I really liked as well President Monson’s talk which was followed by the choir singing, ‘He is Risen’. It was really powerful, and a testimony that he is a prophet. But ya it was a great weekend.

Other than that we've found some good new people, and hopefully we can find some more, and they can progress. I still really like this area. About that missionary that served here, he was like 21 when he was here and when did I say he was here (1957)…he would be like 80 I think. Anyway things are going good here. Me and elder Gardner are getting along well, its fun being with him.

Oh ya by the way we meet this in active member here (we actually got him to go to church) he’s a really nice guy, he’s like 30, but anyway he started a travel agency here, and he said he could help you with whatever for the trip cars, hotels, advice, whatever. and I asked him and he recommended if we go to Copan from here we should do 1 day driving, 1 day there, and come back the next day.

But let’s see this week... I don’t think we did anything too exciting just been here working... which is the best. But I’m glad everyone is doing good, that’s unfortunate about Jeff’s car, but what can ya do (It got broken into). I can’t believe I’m going to be 21 soon. I’m soo old. I don’t know what to do. Haha. Oh ya this last week here was Semana Santa (holy week) and kinda like Latin spring break. And so there were a lot of people gone to the beaches and what not. But ya I think that’s pretty much all. Everything is good here. I hope you all have fun, and take care. I love you all. The church is true, and it has a living prophet called by God. I love this gospel. Remember what the prophet said, “Live in a way so that we can touch heaven”.
Love Elder Brinton

I've Been Changed Again...Back to Tegucigapla

2010-03-29T13:45:00.001-07:00

Hola Familia.
Well this week was kinda crazy. So changes were on Wed and I got changed again! I was taken out of the area, which was really surprising. We both thought Zolman was going. But I'm now back in Tegucigalpa, in the same zone that I was in when I was in the office, but my area is called Girasoles (sunflower). (This is my third ward in this stake haha) Anyway my comps name is Elder Gardner, from Lehi, Utah. Yes another gringo haha. He's probably one of the happier people I've met (I know your thinking...what he's happier than you ha ha ha) He's got 6 weeks more than me in the mission and I'm his first gringo comp. But it's been awesome so far, I've loved it. I'm glad to be back in Tegucigalpa. So it should be fun. This area is huge and it has so many long time members (like from the 50-80's) it's crazy. I've already met a bunch of people that knew the Bingham’s in this ward. Speaking of which, I have a question. I was talking to a member that was baptized in 57 by a missionary from phoenix named Kelly H. Black. She wants to contact him so I said I would ask if you happen to know him. If not don't worry, but I thought there's a very small chance. But ya I've been liking it so far. Um that picture with Adalid, no it's not his family, he's single. There are other investigators and yes that kid has all his toes. But ya it sounds like everything is going good at home. Like everyone is having fun. I can't believe how fast time goes. It's crazy. I'm so excited for conference, but I can't believe it is going to be my last one. It's crazy. But I'm excited. But ya everything here is going good. Well I think that's all for now. Today the stake president took us and showed us an area up in the mountains he wants to put missionaries in and that was fun. Well I love you all. The church is true.
Love Elder Brinton

Happy birthday to Kylie and Grandma Nancy. I hope you have a great day.

Working Hard...Only 4 Months Left!

2010-03-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

Hola Familia,
Well sounds like everything is going good. Here everything is great. It’s crazy changes are already this Wed. and Zolman is probably leaving so well see what happens. So ya last week we had the baptisms of Maria and Adalid. No they’re not related, but it was a good baptism, especially for Adalid. He was just meant to be I think. He was already basically living the gospel and the missionaries found him the first day he moved into this area, and two months later he got baptized. And even better, yesterday he was called to be the first counselor in the branch pres. Crazy I know. But he’s awesome because he has the attitude that I’ll just have to work hard and do it. And its crazy too because he’s pretty poor and usually people would put a million excuses for not being able to serve in the church, but he’s willing. He’s going to be awesome. So ya that’s the big news. Um everything else is going good. Working hard. We don’t have as many people now to teach, so hopefully we find so more.

It sounds like you all had a fun/interesting experience while camping. I’m jealous. Also the baseball pics made me jealous and I can’t believe you got to take the sister missionaries. I’m sooo jealous. But so enough right. Tomorrow I have 20 months in the mission...crazy!! I can’t believe it.

Anyway about the trip, Zolman and I tried to plan some of it. Um with the cars it might be better to rent separate ones for most. Going to Copan we could go together, but other than that it would probably be more convenient to have separate cars to visit the areas, just because they’re not together, but we still may go to like the south the same day and what not. Also I was thinking and I know dad likes to go to a lot of countries just to say he’s been there, haha, so something maybe to think about is you have Nicaragua like 30 minutes from one of my areas (that well probably be able to do anyway) also El Salvador like 45 minutes away and Guatemala is close to Copan (I think) just maybe something to think about. This is kind of what we thought of, but its just an idea.

Monday- I don’t know
Tuesday morning-leave for Copan
Wed- be in Copan drive back that afternoon/ night (we may need another day like you said, I don’t know)
Thurs-Monday - visit areas, shop (I don’t know how much time we’ll need is the only thing)

Pres also said he would like to have our families over for a dinner with just us as well and we’re thinking maybe Sunday night, but we would have to see. Also yes I did get the package from the Bingham’s, thank you. I got it the day I ran out of memory so it was perfect. Also they called me yesterday morning before church to say hi, and it was fun talking to them for a few minutes. It will be fun to see them after the mission. But they left today and they said they loved their trip. Um oh ya about a car you could probably get anything. There’s an Avis and I think a Hertz, I’m not sure though. We’re in Teguc right now, so maybe we can check haha. Speaking of which, did you ever fix the white truck? I hope so.

Oh ya our hike it was probably like 8 miles or so I really don’t know, but ya it was beautiful. It was one of the prettier places I’ve ever been, so ya that was fun.

Anyway ya I think that’s all for now. I only have three changes left...weird. It will be interesting to see what happens. Well I love you all. This is the work of the Lord. Jesus Christ is our savior. The church is true.
Love Elder Brinton

He Did Write!

2010-03-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

I was out of town and forgot to write Tate before I left, so I had his sister Staci write him. He sent his reply back to her and she thought he sent it to me too. She just sent me what he wrote today.

Tell mom not to worry about it, but glad to here everything is going good. Tell everyone happy birthday. No I haven’t seen the Bingham’s and I might have got the package. I’ll find out later today. Hopefully I did because I’m out of memory. So everything has been good here. I’ll try and sum it up. On Saturday we had two baptisms and they were really goood. One is going to be a great member. Their names are Adalis and Maria. It’s interesting to see how the Lord prepares people. So that’s the big news.

Then today we went on a hike to a jungle called La Tigre. It was beautiful. We hiked to a waterfall. It was way cool, but I’m really tired right now. It was a long, but good hike. But that’s about all the exciting news, I know not much, but it was a good week. Time flies I can’t believe how soon I get home. Crazy!! But I love you all the church is true-
Love elder Brinton

Fun Hike to the Falls

2010-03-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

We didn't hear from Tate this week, and not sure why. We don't know if his email didn't go through or what happened. His comp's mom always sends us her son's emails and so this week I will share what Elder Zolman wrote, since they are comps and it tells us what they did. Enjoy!

Email from Elder Zolman:
This week was so good and I am so thankful for being a missionary of full time! Yes I realized that is backwards but that is how I have been talking in this country. I thought I could correct it but it just adds that my English is not that great! It’s really such a blessing to bring the truth to all those that want to know.

Yes we had 2 baptisms this past weekend, Adalid and Maria, two people in their 50s, who are way positive. Especially Adalid, he has been one of the greatest most laid back converts I have ever had. The animo in the branch is still good but we do not have any people with a specific date right now. We still have some good investigators but almost all are living in fornication and need to get married. We are working with them, but it is a long process. Maryury is one of our most positive. She loves going to church and all of the activities that we are having. She can basically memorize a chapter in the book of Mormon after reading it only once!

Thanks for asking about parasites, the Lord will bless me, and at the end of my mission I will receive some medicine for them. No need to worry now, for maybe I will blessed with a parasite that will eat all my extra skin and make me stronger! :) That would be an awesome one!

We are on our way to the gas station to see if we got the package, I hope so but I don’t know for sure yet. About schooling, will you do me a huge favor and send me the registration stuff from USU, UVU, and BYU? I doubt I will get in but it would never hurt. I still need to keep my options open, but it’s something I should start on now.

We had another noche de hogar on Saturday night, and it was awesome, cause for once we didn’t have to teach the lesson. I don’t mind teaching, but we had a really busy day with the baptism, and other appointments in the morning! Oh how the mission life is so busy, but I would not have it any other way!

The weather is heating up, and a lot, I am in a full sweat writing you at the computer right now! We just got back from another waterfall! It was a ton of fun, unfortunately not the entire zone came but it was still way fun. We are all a little sun burnt but it was so refreshing. It was all green and jungle like with huge trees and odd looking plants, all covered with moss because of how lush it was! It was so awesome, and we all enjoyed it!

Life is so good, that is basically what is on my plate of things to do right now, and I am loving every minute of it! There is hardly time to think about going home, although it’s always there! I love you all and hope you have a super week!

Con amor,
Elder Zolman Jr. (Tate's Comp)

This email is from Tate's old office comp, Elder Olsen. He is in the same zone with Tate and this is what he wrote about going on their hike today.

So let's talk about today... Today me and elder Borja and the rest of the
Zone went to a place called San Juancito, hiked a huge mountain, and went
and seen a really cool waterfall. The waterfall was big in the sence of
the water fell about 100 feet, but there wasn't a lot of water falling. It
was still cool, but if we would have hiked up during the rainy season it
would have been better. No worries.
It was about 3 or 4 miles into town and up the mountain, which doesn't
sound too bad, but it was all up hill, expecially once we got to the
mountain. I am really tired. I'm not much of a hiker, although I'm a little
more used to walking now that I'm on the mission. It was fun, and I got some
cool pictures. The mountain was way green and jungley.
Love, Elder Kyle Olsen

*I only included the parts that had to do with the hike.

Adalid Ready for Baptism!

2010-03-08T22:50:00.000-08:00

Elder Zolman and Elder Brinton enjoying watermelon with a great family. Adalid, on the far left is scheduled for baptism this Saturday. He is so excited to be a member of the church.

Tate and Elder Zolman have been invited to eat dinner at least two times, where all they ate was a half of a watermelon for their meal. This could be one of those times. It sure makes you appreciate what we have, or it makes us wish we had watermelon right now. :)

Baptisms and More Baptisms!

2010-03-08T22:28:00.000-08:00

Hola Familia,
How is everyone doing? Sounds like everything is great. Good job Heidi on clearing 5'5". That's crazy. Maybe you just shouldn't ever know how high it is until after. (We told Tate the Heidi thought she was jumping a lower height when she cleared 5'4", so maybe that helped her. She set a personal best at the first track meet of the year) Anyways I'm glad to hear everything is going great. Thanks for sending the memory cards, I'll let you know if I get them. Oh and I don't know if I told you, but I got the last newsletter last week, and the tape, but I don't have anything to listen to it on. (He had one. Wonder where it went) So anyway this week was good. Tiring as always. Yesterday we had three baptisms. Three girls Alejandra, Celeste, y Karina ages 12, 14, 15 got baptized, and it was really good. And this Saturday we have two more planned. I'm really excited about one. If you look in the picture where we're all eating watermelon, the man on the far left is getting baptized. His name is Adalid, and he will be an awesome member. He's gone through a lot in his life and it will be good. So ya that should be exciting. We're also working with some other good people so hopefully it all goes well. So pray for Maria and Adalid this week. So ya that's the big news.

Today we had a three zone activity with President for p-day and it was fun. I got to see some friends and play. Tomorrow we have zone conference in Danli, which should be good, cause it's the only part of the mission I don't know.

Yes I still eat lots of watermelon. That's good that you invited the YSA over. Did you set up my screen outside? (Yes we did) Glad to hear the Cubs are doing good. How are the negotiations to get funding?

Well I think that's all for know. I love you all. The church is true. I taught a class this week about how in the church there are three P's. People, principles, and programs. And how our testimonies have to be based on the principles and nothing else. So make sure that's where our testimonies are.
Love Elder Brinton

Great Moments in Ojo de Agua!

2010-03-01T22:39:00.000-08:00

Can Tate eat it in one bite?

Elder Zolman and Elder Brinton enjoying some watermelon in the watermelon capital of Hondurs: Ojo de Agua. Anyone home??? Zone Activity to spread the "Word".

Elder Brinton and Elder Zolman at the baptism of Ariel who is 12 years old and was so excited to get baptized!
This is the day Tate left the office and found out his new comp was his old MTC comp, Elder Zolman. He had hoped they could serve together one day, but never thought it would really happen. Talk about Tate being EXCITED!!! Elder Zolman and Elder Brinton are standing with President Chaverri.
On the bus to Tate's new area: Ojo de Agua
The shoes of a missionary.

Elder Zolman and Elder Brinton held a Family Home Evening, made a bon fire and taught the people how to make smores.
Elder Brinton and Elder Zolman enjoying their bon fire they made.

A Great Central American Conference

2010-03-01T21:50:00.000-08:00

Hola Familia,
So actually I did read your email, but right when I left the internet I was like oh ya I forgot to answer her questions haha. (I teased him that he didn’t read my email last week because I asked two questions and he didn’t answer either one of them) But it’s ok if you come like the 19th to pick me up that would probably work. I think I want to go to church here in one of my wards, but maybe if we went to Copan like the 23 and 24 that’s would work out. Then on the 26th at night is when all the missionaries have their dinner, so to go to that would be fun, and we don’t have a testimony meeting so don’t worry. I’ll try and make a plan of where and when we could go to places.

I’m glad to hear everything is going good. I’m sure dad is really busy, but usually being busy is a good thing. It’s crazy it’s already March. Time goes so fast. I think me and Zolman had a breakdown the other day realizing how little time we had left. Yesterday at church was good. There was a Central America conference with Elders Eyring and Christofferson and Elder Acosta. It was really good. They talked about a lot of stuff that these people need. And we had 10 investigators there, which is really good. So ya the work is going good. We’re always very busy.

So this week since Thursday I’ve had a cold (not bad for the first time in 19 months), but I don’t count it because I’ve still been able to work, but I’m sick of being stuffed up. I’m doing good so don’t worry (I know you won’t). This week we had another zone activity in another new area to help them out and that was fun. But ya I think that’s about all for this week. Ya everything is holding up ok still (well you probably wouldn’t think so), but I think I’m good. (I asked if his clothes and shoes were holding up) I’m about an hour and a half outside of the city. Oh ya I forgot to tell you. Here in my area is the watermelon plantation, what does that mean, we eat lots of watermelon. Haha. I think everyday last week we ate watermelon. But I don’t mind. I’m sure you would love it. Well I love you all. Have a great week. The church is true. We should have 3 baptisms this week. So I’ll let you know.
Love Elder Brinton

A Tall Stand Out!

2010-02-23T23:06:00.000-08:00

Enjoying his district

This Is How the MIssion is Supposed to Be!

2010-02-22T21:50:00.000-08:00

Hola Familia,
Well this week was good, and pretty tiring. It’s awesome being with Zolman. We are working so hard, and it’s so tiring. But this is how it’s supposed to be. We just get home at night and plan and then go to sleep because we are so tired. But it’s awesome, this is how the mission is supposed to be. We had 9 investigators at church yesterday which was awesome. We have been finding lots of new people. Which is good, but sometimes it’s like we don’t have enough time to visit them all. But what a complaint right. Haha.

Let’s see last week we played soccer, and I got sunburned on my neck, but that’s what happens after the office. Um this week we taught a lot. On Tuesday I went on divisions with my branch president, and then on Wed. we did an activity in Olsen’s area to help them find people. Then Thursday we did divisions with other missionaries. On Saturday we had an FHE and we made a bon fire and showed everyone how to make smores. It was really good. I like this area. I miss the city (I’m a city boy), but this area is good. The branch has a lot of good people, but there’s a few problems between members. It’s hard because everyone just complains to us, and it’s creating a division, but hopefully it can get solved. It’s hard, but that’s what happens in these little branches.

Me and Zolman talked in church yesterday, and I talked about forgiveness specifically for the members. It was good, and we also taught the class of investigators. And that was good. Well I think that’s about all for my week. Its awesome being with Zolman and being able to work really hard and always being tired.

I’m glad to hear you’re all doing good, sounds like everyone is having fun. Well sorry I don’t have much time so that’s all I can write. Oh ya and if you want to send something with the Bingham’s you could send a memory card. I think I’m using my last one, I know I should just erase some of the other ones, but I don’t want to just in case. So if you can send a few more (I don’t think I’ll need many) that would be great. Well I love you all. The church is true.
Love Elder Brinton

Back in the Field With Elder Zolman!!

2010-02-15T23:20:00.001-08:00

Hola Familia

Well here I am back in the real world. You will never ever guess what happened in changes... I AM COMPANIONS WITH ELDER ZOLMAN!!!!!!!! Yes my MTC companion, the same one you’re thinking of. I know I never thought that I could happen. It’s crazy! So we are together in an area called Ojo de Agua. It’s like a little town on the side of the highway in the middle of nowhere, but it’s good, I like it. So ya everything has been going great of course. I don’t know if I’ll be able to send many pictures while I’m here because there is only one internet in the whole zone, and it’s kinda slow, but I’ll try. I forgot to bring my cable anyway so I’ll try next week, but it’s ok. Also Elder Olsen was put into the same zone with me so that will be awesome! It’s going to be so much fun. But ya that’s the big news of the week. I’m so happy to be out of the office and here working. It’s so different to come home dead tired every night haha, and I’m sure I’ll lose all the weight I gained in the office.

Last Saturday we had a baptism of a boy named Ariel. He’s twelve years old and was really excited to be baptized. It was good. We have a lot of other people we’re working with and we are being blessed everyday with more. We have put a goal to find a family to baptize while we are together so we are working for that. Pray for us. But everything here is awesome. I know I have a lot to learn and its different being out of the office, but it will be good for me. It’s nice to work for a whole day. Well I hope everything back at home is going good.

I talked to Pres about you coming and he said, “I would love for them to come”. So me and Zolman were maybe thinking that you come on the 20-27?? How does that sound? Then we would leave and eat with our group the last night, but let me know what you think. I think that’s everything for now. I don’t have much time so I’ve got to hurry, but I love you all, the church is true! The gospel is amazing and blesses lives!! Share it, live it, love it!
Love Elder Brinton

Painting Fun With the AP's

2010-02-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

Cute painter...just look at those cute paint clothes. Who knows where Tate came up with that outfit.

This is the building they were getting ready to paint.
Here is the building after they painted it. They are preparing apartments for new missionaries in new areas. This area hasn't had missionaries for 18 years.
Elder Brinton with Elder Fairbanks and Elder Holmes

A Little Trip Planning and Getting Ready for 26 New Missionaries

2010-02-06T22:24:00.000-08:00

Hola familia,
First off Mesa better figure out how to keep the Cubs, they better not blow this one. And about coming to pick me up, I don’t know for sure how long, I think a week at the most. But Elder Zolman talked to president this week about him and my parents coming, and president was fine with it, so you have his permission, I'll talk to him probably Monday too. But he said he doesn’t care when you come or for how long. He said whatever you want is fine. But I think to visit areas like 3 days probably at the most, to go to Copan we would need to drive there and get a hotel there and drive back the next day. It's about 8 hours from Tegucigalpa. Ya it would be fine renting a car here and driving it, I think that would be easiest and best. I know my way around pretty much the whole mission. Staying in Tegucigalpa every night would probably be easiest. I’ve also had a few people offer their houses for us to stay. Haha. But other than that I don’t think there's a whole lot more to do. I would like to go to Valle de Angeles, that’s where you can get all your souvenirs, but I can't think of anything besides that, unless mom or Heidi wants to go shopping for cheap clothes and stuff here. I would actually probably like to do a little of that to. But I'll try and make a better schedule and time frame, but you do have permission. So ya these are my last few days here in the office. I officially leave on Wed. so this will actually be my last p-day for a week, until the 15th, and my p-days will be Mondays again, so another schedule change. But just so you know. So ya I find out Tuesday night where I'm going. It will be interesting. This could be my last area or I might have 2 more, who knows, but it’s the last chapter more or less, it’s so weird.

So let’s see what did I do this week, all was pretty normal, except for yesterday. The mission is receiving 26 missionaries next week, so that means we have to open a lot of areas. So we're opening 6 areas. So yesterday the AP´s were going to the south to paint one of the houses (also the church) and take the beds and all the stuff for the new house, so they needed to take 2 cars, and since I'm kinda an extra missionary right now, I got to go down there with them. It was pretty fun. We went to an area called San Marcos de Colon, which is like three and a half hours from here. It’s an area that hasn’t had missionaries for about 18 years, so it was fun going and seeing it. So I did that all day yesterday, and it was fun because I got to drive back. Also when in the south I saw a member from my first area and it was fun to talk to her. So ya that was pretty much my week. Nothing too exciting. This next one will be crazy with 26 missionaries coming. And to see what my change will be. But it sounds like your all doing good, glad to
hear you had a good birthday.

That’s sad to hear about Granny, but she lived a good life, and I don’t think left any regrets. I think these scriptures are good for her:

34 And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen.
Moroni 10:34

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:6-8

We will all miss her, but she will always be remembered by good memories. I love you Granny, thank you for everything.

Anyway I think that’s about everything for now. I'm sure I'll have a big update next time I write with everything that will happen. Well I love you all, the gospel is true, live it and love it.
Love Elder Brinton

…the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
Alma 40:12

Denise's Baptism Pictures

2010-02-06T21:56:00.000-08:00

Tate standing with Denise before she was baptized. Tate said she is an amazing young woman who will be a strength to her ward.

Elder Brinton and Elder Whiting with Denise and her Grandma after her baptism.
Elder Whiting and Elder Brinton with Denise's family who are all members.
A little girl at a Family Home Evening they attended.

Tate in front of a huge Soccer Ball! Now we know why Honduras wins when they play soccer.

Elder Brinton decorated a pair of pants in celebration of 18 months in the mission.

Getting ready to set them on fire.

Hey Mom, look we still get to play with fire.

Burning nicely

Burned to ashes!

The office elders and AP's, went bowling for P-day.

How We Found Denise

2010-01-30T23:01:00.000-08:00

Hola Familia,
Well this week was pretty good. I’ll start with the baptism last Saturday. It was awesome. I made some programs to give out, and we had a lot of people from the ward and her family came, it was really good. So we had her sister and an uncle speak, and it was really good. I was so happy for it all. She’s going to be such a good member. And I got to baptize and confirm her, it was awesome. She is one that will make sure she is a good member. So I don’t know if I ever told you about how we found her. So it was alooong time ago, when we were new in this area. We were going to visit our bishop, but he wasn’t home, and I knew her family lived in our area and were inactive so I wanted to go meet them. So we found their house and went to meet them. And we talked to them and made an appointment to come back for a FHE. So we went to the FHE and we were there talking to them and I was asking if everyone in the family was a member and they were all saying yes, yes, yes, and we got to her and she said no, so I asked her why. She said goes go to another church, and explained that she had be living in San Pedro and all that. And I was like well can we teach you, and she was like its ok I have my church. And so we had the FHE and as we were leaving we asked, so is it all right if we come and just talk to you, and she said sure, and from there the rest was basically history. There was a time when we stopped going cause she left for a week and then we had a really busy week and we kinda lost contact, but then we saw them at the grocery store and they were like when are you coming back, so we went back. And through all the teaching we came to find out that she had a lot of doubts about her church and she wasn’t that active in it anyway. But it was awesome, we really didn’t have any problems, baptizing from the time we started teaching. So ya that’s her story.

On Monday we had a fun FHE with a dad and his 4 daughters who are members (the wife no). And we played and it was fun. Then this week was busy because the end of the month always is with all the preparation for the next month. We have a new investigator named Tatiana, and she likes listening her only problem is she smokes, drinks, and is addicted to coffee. So those will probably be big problems. But other than that we’ve just been finding and teaching here and there, but it’s been good. Today for p-day we went bowling and it was really fun.

Oh ya for my 18 month mark, a I completed the burn cycle burning an old pair of pants. (6 months-tie, 1 year-shirt 18 months- pants) man time flies. I feel like I just burned my shirt. Crazy. But ya that’s basically all.
I’m glad to hear the cubs are staying, that should be good. I’ll have to do some campaigning when I get home to make sure it passes. I hope so.

But ya I’ll ask about you guys coming. Have you talked the Zolman’s at all to see if they’re for sure coming and when? Maybe you’d come together I don’t know, but what days do you think, and for how long do you want to stay. If you can answer that soon, the sooner I can talk to president. So ya changes are in a week and a half, I have no idea where I will go. But I guess it doesn’t really matter. We’ll just have to wait and see. Well that’s pretty much all. I love you all, the church is true and so is the book of Mormon.
Love Elder Brinton

Love That Face, Elder Brinton!

2010-01-23T20:54:00.000-08:00

Tate eating the famous Mondongo Soup. He said it is supposed to be made from cow's stomach, but he thinks it's intestine. He said it actually wasn't too bad. It was more the thought of eating it that was the worst part. YUM!!

Tate and Elder Lowe are both from Arizona. They are enjoying the little Arizona flag Tate got for Christmas.

18 Months - Denise is Getting Baptized Today!

2010-01-23T20:53:00.000-08:00

Hola Familia,

Well here we are, I complete 18 months in the mission today… CRAZY!!!! I can’t believe I only have six months left. I feel like it was just last month that I was writing my first email from Honduras. Time goes so fast. So the good news is today is the baptism of Denise. It’s today at 2:30. So in a little bit we will be going to that. I’m so excited it will be awesome. So ya that’s the best news. It’s been amazing teaching her and although she hasn’t had to change a lot, it’s been cool seeing the changes and how she’s accepted the gospel. I know it will bless her life and she is going to be a great member. It’s going to be great.

I’m happy to leave the office in two weeks but I’ll be sad to leave people like her. So let’s see what else has happened this week. We had zone conference yesterday. That was good. Other than that this week has been pretty normal. We’ve been working some more which is good, and we’ve found some more people to teach so we’ll have to see how that goes.

What else, oh ya yesterday we were coming back from zone conference with president and we were making a left turn and the car behind us tried to pass us on the left side, and they nailed the front left well and basically brook it lose. Like it’s still there, but you can’t turn it. Well the guy that hit it being the nice guy he is, just speed off because he didn’t want anything to do with it. So ya that was fun. Luckily no one was hurt. And the thing is if we would have turned a little more he would have t-boned us right in the driver door, and he was going fast, so count your blessings I guess.

Oh ya I was thinking about selling my camera to another missionary and buying a new one, because in Pricesmart they have the same camera just the newer model. I was just wondering what you think. Well that’s all for now, I love you all. The church is true.
Love Elder Brinton

Elder Gonzales Finishes His Mission

2010-01-16T22:23:00.000-08:00

It got sooooo COLD! Tate slept in his pajama pants, sweatshirt, blanket, socks, and more to keep warm. That is so unusual for Honduras.

Elder Gonzales is going home. It was sad for Tate to see him leave, but had a great time with him when they were companions.
Another pic of Elder Gonzales with Elder Brinton

Denise is Getting Baptized Next Week!!!

2010-01-16T22:13:00.000-08:00

Hola familia,

Well it sounds like you are all having fun in Vegas. That’s a lot of you that went, but I'm sure that you had/are having fun. (29 of Tate's sisters, cousins, aunts, sister-in-law and mom went to be together for a couple of days. They all went to the game show "Let's Make a Deal and Tate's cousin Holly ended up being picked to be on the show and won the BIG DEAL! She won a car and a trip.)

So ya I heard about the earthquake in Haiti that’s sad, and I heard it's getting worse. But ya everything here is good. Denise’s baptism is this Saturday so I'm really excited! It will be great. It's amazing how good of an investigator she is. So ya I'll let you know how that goes. And yes I also got my replacement here in the office. I'm really excited cause in three weeks I leave!! I will train him till Feb. 10th so it will be four weeks. He will be really good here in the office, a lot better than me which is good. The only bad thing is I'm so ready to leave that I hope I don’t train him bad, but he'll do a good job. Also this week like Monday through Thursday was so cold at night and in the mornings. (see picture) it was crazy. I slept in socks, pajama pants, jacket, sheet, and two blankets. It was so cold, well at least it felt like it.

So other than that I don’t think a whole lot has happened. We’ve just been trying to find some new people and what not. Oh I also got the calendar you sent me, thanks it will be great. It's been different without Olsen here, I miss him. But he's liking it in the south. Um I can't really think of a whole lot of other things that have been happening. I think Magoffin will like his area. He thought he was going to were I had served before, but it's actually the area on the side and it's a lot better. It will be really hot, but I think he’ll like it.

I'm jealous dad is in Chicago. I wish I could be there. So have they decided if the Cub's are staying in Mesa or not. (The Chicago Cub's have their spring training games in Mesa, but have been looking at Florida to see if they want to move when their contract is up. Tate loves the Cub's so he is hoping they will stay)

Oh ya and yesterday Elder Gonzales, my third companion went home. It was really cool cause he stayed with us the night before and I got to take him to the airport. So that was fun that I got to be with him his last day. I will miss him. It's weird cause he is my fourth comp that has left since I've been in the office and before I leave my fifth one will go home. Well I know this is short, but I can't really think of much else that has happened this week. This next week should be a good one though, with the baptism and everything.

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

Fun at the President's Mansion

2010-01-10T11:30:00.000-08:00

The office elders and Bro. and Sis. Adams with the President of Honduras: Pres. Micheletti

Another view of some good looking missionaries!
Tate said this is sooooo GOOD! It's called Sandwich de Basura or Garbage sandwich
Can Elder Brinton really eat the whole thing?

The President's house

Inside where the pictures of all the president's pictures hang. One president's picture is missing behind Tate....hum, wonder who that could be?

Posing with some important Hondurans

This is where the President of Honduras speaks to his country.

Acting like politicians

Elder Brinton enjoying some Honduran small talk

Climbing a pole...but we don't know where this is. Coming down the stairs of the president's palace
A beautiful woodcarving
Bro. Adams takes their picture with the ladies who let them into the Palace.
Thanks for the great experience! It was truly a wonderful opportunity !!

We Met the President of Honduras!!!

2010-01-10T11:24:00.000-08:00

HOLA FAMILIA
How are you all doing? Well I'm glad to hear everything went well with the wedding. Where was the reception? Anyway, I didn’t even remember that his wedding was yesterday until Sis Adams told me haha kinda funny. But ya you all sound pretty busy.

So let's see this week we’ve taught Denise a lot. She still has a date, but it might have to be changed for some school things, but everything is still good with her. On Tuesday Pres told Olsen he's leaving this Monday, not next so that changed things up, and that my replacement is coming on Monday as well, which means I'm probably leaving the office Feb 10 which I'm happy about.

Anyway this week has been pretty normal, except today was a cool p-day. So we know this member that works at the house of the president of Honduras. So we got her to give us a tour. So we went and we were seeing all the rooms, and then they're like, “We'll see if the President has time to meet with you guys.” So they came back and were like “Let's go, he said yes”. So we hurried to his office and they were like he's really busy today so you only have 2 minutes because you weren’t in the schedule. So we went in his office and WE MET THE PRESIDENT OF HONDURAS! He shook all of our hands, and was like nice to meet you, and he said thank you for coming here and helping my country. And then we got to take pictures with him. It was pretty cool! How many missionaries meet the president of the country where they're serving? And it was cool cause after we left his office our tour guide was like he would like you guys to send him a copy of the Book of Mormon! So we're going to send him one. We all felt dumb because we didn’t have one there. But well make him a card and what not and send it to him. So we got to meet him and tour the presidential house and all that and it was pretty cool. Then we went and ate, so it was a fun p-day. So ya that’s basically what has been going on. Ya Zolman left the office and we have a new AP.

Well I love you all, the church is true. Have a good week.
Love Elder Brinton

Oh and I got your package thank you. The flags were great.

New Year's Food and Fun!

2010-01-02T10:38:00.000-08:00

Tate's caption for the picture is: "Me just being me". It fits, doesn't it?

This was their New Year's eve dessert.
Tate's caption: "Anyone home"?
New Year's Eve dinner...Yum!

Happy New Year 2010!

2010-01-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

Hola familia,

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND 2010! Isn’t it crazy that a whole year has already past? I now come home this year that is so crazy!! That seems so weird, I left in 2008 and it's now 2010. So let’s see what happened this week. Saturday we ate lunch with the Adams, that was fun. Then Sunday was church and we had president's other granddaughter’s baptism. We sang a Childs Prayer there. Then Monday the new missionaries from the states came in (I forgot they were even coming till Monday) and they stayed at our house. Also the missionaries that went home stayed with us because there was no room at Pres´s house because his family was there. Then on Tuesday the Latin missionaries came in. They also stayed at our house Tuesday night. So we had 16 people staying with us Tueday night, it was kinda crazy. And that night the pila decided to overflow AGAIN, but luckily it wasn’t too bad. Me and Olsen had to take a girl to the airport Wednesday morning that was leaving for the mission, and when we woke up at 4 we heard some dripping down the stairs and we were like what's that! And we were like oh no not again! But yes it happened again. I think one of the new missionaries opened the valve and left it open. It wasn’t nearly as bad as before, but we just bought brand new mattresses and they were on the floor, but luckily we hadn’t taken them out of the plastic yet or they probably would have gotten ruined. Then Wednesday were changes. We had Elder Olsen's and Fleischel's replacements come in. So in three weeks they will leave when they finish training them. So the new one for Elder Fleischel is Elder Olenslager from Utah, and for Elder Olsen is Elder Rodriguez from Guatemala. He's really cool, and this is only his second change in the mission.

Let's see what else. Thursday was normal, then Friday was New Year's. Denise invited us over for lunch and it was so good. We had bbq chicken and mashed potatoes, with brownies and ice cream after, it was so good. Oh ya I forgot to tell you the best news of the week, on Wednesday we put a baptismal date with Denise!! We put it for Jan 16th. So pray for her. It was awesome, I love teaching her be cause she actually reads and she takes notes when we teach her. It's awesome. So ya that’s basically my week. It was really good.

Sounds like you all had fun. Just think next time you go to the desert I'll be there…maybe engaged haha:). Its so crazy. Sounds like you are all real busy. Buenas suerte en se matrimonio Jeff, ojala que toda sale bien. Well that's all for now. Talk to you next week. I love you all. The Church is true.
Love elder Brinton

Oh ya also on Wednesday we were contacting and this lady came out and was like (in English) I have my church, but I just wanted to wish you a happy New Year. And we started talking to her and she was here in the peace corp 30 years ago and got married here and has stayed. And then she’s like I just made some cookies wait I'm going to bring you some, and she brought down fresh chocolate chip cookies, so good. Well that’s all.

Christmas in Honduras 2009

2009-12-26T23:55:00.000-08:00

This is called a pila and is usually found outside of homes. However, in the house that Tate lives in right now, the pila is inside. Last week the water came into the pila during the night and flooded their apartment. They had fun cleaning it up at 4:45am.

The red line shows how high up the water rose during their flooding. Elder Brinton and Elder Olsen enjoying the "Christmas Train".
Elder Brinton is acting like he is the train conductor.
Tate enjoying a yummy breakfast on Christmas morning.
Tate enjoying a fun time with Elder Parker at the Mission Christmas Party.
Elder Parker and Elder Brinton acting like a couple of reindeer.
They lost power during an outage, so Tate thought up a clever way to heat water for his shower. He hates cold showers, so I guess this shows he will go to great lengths to be able to take a warm shower.
The man in this photo just celebrated his first year in the church. So Elder Brinton and Elder Olsen took him out to dinner.
Tate and Elder Olsen pose with Denise who is progressing so well in her discussions.

We Had So Much Fun Talking!

2009-12-26T22:46:00.000-08:00

Hola Familia.
Well I don’t have much to say since we just talked yesterday, but anyway. Oh I was talking to Zolman and he was telling me that you convinced his parents to come pick him up to. Haha. So that should be fun. We should do something together. But anyway, this week was asi (okay); I don’t even remember what I did Monday-Wed, but on Wed night/Thurs morning our pila overflowed and flooded the house and that was fun. We had to clean it all out at 4:45 in the morning. Then Thursday we had dinner at President’s house. That was fun and we got to play with all his grandkids that are here. Then Friday we had lunch with an investigator, and talked to you and that’s basically all. So ya that was pretty much my week, it was a good Christmas and crazy to think I’ll be home for the next one. Weird. Time goes so fast. Well it was fun talking to you all and I love you all. Love Elder Brinton

This is a funny phrase that Tate’s 8 year old nephew told him on the phone while talking to Tate. He was talking about his brother. Tate laughed and laughed.

“No please don’t, I beg you not to, you don’t know the horrors I’ve suffered from him”
Mason

Amazing Christmas Party With the Entire Mission

2009-12-19T22:47:00.000-08:00

Hola familia,

Well how’s everyone doing? Isn’t it crazy that Christmas is in less than a week! Thanks dad for the email. That’s too bad that the Cub's are taking so long to decide, and that they’re even considering leaving. You’d think a team that’s all about traditions wouldn’t want to break a 57 year tradition and leave. But unfortunately $$$ is what it’s all about.

But anyway this week was good. I should be leaving the office in the middle of February. So that’s good, I just wish it was sooner. This week we started teaching Denise again and its going really good. She likes it and she is so smart so she actually understands what we’re teaching. She is gone this weekend, but I think on Monday we will go back and she also invited us over for Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas lunch. (Christmas Eve is bigger here). So we’ll see what we do. Also Pres. invited us over. Ya that’s fine to call you at 4 (5 here) and I may call earlier just to make sure everything’s good. So ya this last week we said bye to Elder Foster and Elder Wright who are two of my really good friends that went home. Then on Tuesday me and Olsen got to go to Sabana Grande which is a little town like 45 minutes away which was fun. Then that night we taught Denise and also Wed night we taught her. Then Thursday was the mission Christmas party. It was really good. We had the whole mission there and we did it in the Marriott. It was like the nicest thing I’ve ever been too, but that was fun. Let’s see yesterday we went and gave a blessing to one of the sister’s investigators. That went well. I think they really liked it. I always love giving blessings because it’s a testimony that the priesthood is real! Then today we went to the baptism of one of president’s granddaughters cause his family came for Christmas and then we did some shopping. So that was pretty much my week, it was pretty good. I’m happy because we’re teaching Denise again so that’s good.

Well it sounds like you all had a good week. Sounds like everyone is nice and busy. That’s good. It’s too bad that Mesa didn’t win, but oh well. Well I need to go because it’s getting late, but we will talk on Friday which will be fun. I love you all and have a good week. The church is true.
Love Elder Brinton

Christmas Devotional

2009-12-12T22:24:00.000-08:00

Hola familia,
How are we all doing this week? Ojala bien. Anyways this week was good…I think. On Sunday we went to the Christmas devotional which was good, then President invited us over to go to (my trainers) elder Vasquez’s last dinner. So we got to go eat. It’s weird that he is home now. Then he stayed with us Sunday night and me and Olsen dropped him of at the airport Monday morning. So I got to come into the mission with him and he got to leave with me. Haha. Also this week we went out and did visits with our ward. Which was good. I just hope that they can continue doing them because it would help the ward so much. Hopefully they will realize they aren’t that hard to do. The only bad thing is the only reason they did them in the first place is because we have ward conference this week and they want people to come. But hey at least they did them, it’s better than nothing. Also we finally got a hold of the girl we were teaching a few weeks ago and Monday were going there so that should be good. Oh ya and on Monday we had a big mission activity with three of the four city zones. We went up by the Christ statue and played soccer and basketball. It was a lot of fun but also very tiring. I haven’t done physical activity in so long it wore me out haha.

Let’s see what else. Oh ya a funny story that just happened today. So we were in this store buying some stuff and we were walking around and this worker girl came up to us and gave me and elder Fleischel a piece of paper and then walked away. And we were like what’s this, and we flipped them over and they both had girl’s names with phone numbers on them. And we just started laughing. It made us feel pretty good too. Haha. Hopefully that happens after the mission though, not just because I’m a gringo in a Latin country. Oh gotta love livin in a foreign country. Haha. Maybe ill just stay…it would be easier to get married haha.

Well good luck MESA that would be awesome and crazy if they won. Well sound like all the wedding stuff is going good. And everyone else is doing good. Oh ya I got the package you sent me….HUGE!! I couldn’t believe it. I think it’s bigger than anything I’ve gotten for Christmas at home. haha. But thank you it’s great. And I’ll be sure to get president his stuff. I’m sure he will be very happy (especially with the beef jerky) haha. Well I think that’s all for now. Elder Guernsey gets married today weird… tell his mom to tell him congrats. Um well ya I think that’s all. Have a wonderful week. We have our mission Christmas party next Thurs that should be good. Well I love you all. Take care the church is true.
Love Elder Brinton

Thanksgiving with the Adams', Stress, Cut Head and Beautiful View

2009-12-05T12:15:00.000-08:00

Sis. Adams preparing a yummy turkey for Tate's belated Thanksgiving dinner.

Elder Olsen and Elder Brinton enjoying their delicious dinner. It looks more like a Thanksgiving Christmas because of the colors. They sure love Bro. and Sis. Adams. We are so thankful for their service, because they take such good care of the missionaries.

Does Elder Brinton's desk say he was a little "stressed" this week? Never known him to get stressed, but I guess it caught up with him.
Tate said: "I hit my head on the corner of the roof of a house". Ouch!!! Good think he is hard headed, huh? This is a beautiful evening view of the city of Tegucigalpa.
Another view of the city.

Locked Down with Presidend Chaverri

2009-12-05T12:06:00.000-08:00

Hola familia,
First off that is crazy that Mesa is going to state! I can’t believe that. Man I wish I was there. But good luck Mesa. Well anyway I’m writing late so I don’t have a whole lot of time. Last Saturday we went on a trip with President Chaverri to a bunch of little towns and that was fun. Then on Sunday when we were locked in and Pres. invited us to stay at his house. We had a way cool sacrament meeting there with them. Then not much has happened this week. Let’s see what else. Today the Adams invited us over for a turkey dinner because we weren’t able to on thanksgiving. So that was really good. We had a good time with them.

Um what else… well I can’t really think of much. Um it sounds like all of you are doing great. Feliz cumpleaños Granny, Ryler, Gemma and Tanner. Thanks for the pictures they were great. Everyone is getting so big. That’s crazy. How is dad doing? I assume good cause you haven’t said much about pain or anything so I assume that’s a good thing. Um and have the Cubs said anything about if there going or staying?? Let’s see what else. Sorry I’m kinda in a hurry cause I need to go, but I didn’t have much time earlier to write. It was kind of stressful here in the office this week. But I made it through. I’m usually fine, but sometimes it can get a little rough. But anyway sorry it’s so short. Maybe I can write a little more later. But I love you all. Have a great week. And remember the church is true. ByeLove Elder Brinton

Elder Olsen's Birthday!

2009-11-28T23:36:00.000-08:00

Tate was able to take his trainer, Elder Trujuillo to the airport and see him as he was leaving to go home.

Elder Olsen getting ready to blow out his candles.

The night looks like it's going to be so nice, opening his presents and all....

....and everyone is being nice taking pictures of the birthday boy!

...and President and Hermana Chaverri want Elder Olsen to enjoy his Birthday...
....Hermana Chaverri says, "Let the fun begin!"
This tradition continues for each missionary that has a birthday in the office.

It starts out simple enough, but progresses until the birthday boy is covered with egg.

Then to make things worse...here comes the flour!

Luckily, the hose comes to Elder Olsen's rescue.
Elder Brinton and Elder Olsen after washing the office cars.

Elder Olsen's Birthday!

2009-11-28T22:34:00.000-08:00

Well hello familia,
It sounds like everyone is doing well. It’s weird that next Thanksgiving I will be home. Yes that was my last one, and now Christmas will be here before we know it and I will call. CRAZY! Let’s see, for Thanksgiving we were going to have a dinner at the Adams, but they were out of town. So it was the only night this week we didn’t have something planned, so I took Olsen out to Chili’s for a Thanksgiving /his b-day dinner. That was fun. We are going to have our Thanksgiving dinner next Saturday at the Adams. So we’ll still have it, just late. But it sounds like you all had fun out on the desert. I didn’t know Savannah Hancock got married, that’s cool. I did know Kimber was though. Weird that I have friends getting married. Happy b-day Rob. Thanks for the pictures, that’s crazy how big Hallie and Abby are. I can’t believe it. I think you if you didn’t send me pictures I wouldn’t know who she was when I got home.

The new missionaries last week were good. They looked like there were a lot of good ones. And ya Elder Anderson looked like a really good missionary, funny how you can just tell by looking at someone. Oh and of course I haven’t forgotten how to sign my name. I only do it about 100 times a day. I always have to sign stuff. I think only for that I have this job. Haha.

So anyway last night we had Elder Olsen’s b-day dinner at the mission home. That was really fun (pics attached). We got him a little messy. But it was really fun. Then tonight this gringa that’s in our ward invited us over for dinner. I don’t think she gets many visitors here so she really likes it when we visit here and hey it’s food so we don’t mind either, she’s actually really cool too. So yes this week went super fast!!! I think knowing we had all this stuff planned this week made it go really fast.

Today Pres invited us to go on a trip to a few areas so we’ll see how it goes, it should be really fun. Um what else. I think that’s pretty much all that happened. Oh ya so tomorrow here is the big day: Election Day. So yes we are locked down, but Hrma Chaverri invited us to stay at the mission home while we are locked in, so it will probably be pretty fun actually. No one really knows what the people will do, hopefully they are all calm, but I doubt it. But hopefully it just lasts for Sunday and doesn’t carry over or things don’t get to crazy. I don’t think they will, but we’ll see. Just make sure you pray for us. Well I think that’s pretty much all. Sorry it was so short, but it’s just a reflection of the week… really short.

Well I love you all, the church is true. Love Elder Brinton

Oh ya I forgot to tell you, the gringa that were going to visit tonight, we went there two weeks ago and she told us her conversion story (she’s a convert of 1 year). Anyway she was talking about in the scriptures were the people had to see Jesus to believe he existed. And she said she was like that about the church, she had to see proof, but she said something really cool. She said, “I was one of those people that had to touch God to believe, but better yet God touched me”. She was referring to the answer she received to here prayers. So just a thought, has god touched us, and if so when was the last time? Pienselo.

Farewells, Christmas Tree, Glitter Fight, Egging, and Talent Show

2009-11-21T21:50:00.000-08:00

Elder Muellek and Elder Brinton before E. Muellek leaves for home. Mission accomplished, Elder Muellek. Thanks for the great companion you were for Elder Brinton.

Putting up the Christmas tree at the Mission Home. (Looks like ours at home...all those individual branches. We bet Elder Brinton would never have imagined they had one of those in Honduras.)
Doesn't it look good. Tate put all the lights on by himself. He said he did it like Mom always does. Even though he had never done it before, we are so proud that he actually watchted and learned.

The finished tree, with the office elders, the AP's, and President Chevarri and his wife and daughter.

Glitter, glitter everywhere.

Tate got in a glitter fight with Elder Zolman.

When you have a birthday while you are in the mission home, you get egged. Well Elder Brinton was lucky enough to get some of the egg intended for Elder Esplin.

More egg... ...the most egg. Elder Esplin was new to the office last week and look how they made him feel loved. This is what you get when it's your birthday!

These are some cute kids that were dancing at the ward party.

Tate said: Cool chicken, lays cool egg. This happens to be his signature...that he thinks is really cool. In case you can't read it, it says: Tate Brinton

Our 2nd Group of Missionaries

2009-11-21T21:21:00.000-08:00

Ya we actually receive a lot of box packages, we receive everything. So if you want to send me a big package don’t worry that you already sent the Christmas package, there’s always new years? Packages are always welcome. Um I don’t really need shirts, mine are still doin pretty good. Socks you could send more if you wanted, there always really comfortable when there new, and I could probably start to retire some of my other socks. But whatever. If you wanted to send one of those books to the Adams you could, it doesn’t really matter, and you could send me one too. But ya I don’t know. I’m sure Pres will love the beef jerky. It’s like giving you Baskin Robins German Chocolate ice cream. Let’s just say it doesn’t get shared. But ya we’ll have to see when it gets here. So in changes this week, Elder Estrada’s replacement came in so he’ll train him for two weeks and then leave. But his name is Elder Esplin, and guess where he’s from? PHX AZ. Hopefully you understand those letters. But he’s way cool and I’m excited to have him here. He’ll share an office with me so I was thinking maybe an AZ flag?? Who knows? So it’s been good having him here. I’m thinking I’ll be out in Feb, but who knows. Other than that, that was the only change here. There is a new missionary in my district so that will be fun.

Well this week was fun, (not as good as the last one) with all the new missionaries. It was also sad seeing some of the missionaries that went home. So on Monday the gringos came in from the airport, there were only 5 this time, but we got to talk with them a little, then on Tuesday morning we woke up at 5 to take all the leaving missionaries to the airport. It was sad seeing this group go because I had a lot of friends in it. Including Elder Muelleck and Elder Trujuillo my old comps. So we dropped all of them off, then we went and picked up the new missionaries (gringos) from the mission home and brought them to the office. Then we gave them their little training class things. Then all the Latin missionaries came in this afternoon. There were 19 of them. It was a lot of missionaries. So ya we didn’t get to take them to work or anything, but we did have some stay at our house with us and that was fun. Then Wednesday is the actual changes and it was busy to. We had to take 23 missionaries suitcases to the church were the changes are which = A LOT OF SUITCASES. Then I had to make sure the bus drivers that take the missionaries to the south and to Danli were paid and what not. So ya it was a busy week.

Last night we celebrated Elder Esplin’s b-day at the mission home. It was fun. And while we were throwing eggs at him, some of them didn’t break and well I was the recipient of three eggs, one of which some how went right into my pocket. So even though it wasn’t my b-day I got some lovely egg on me. You should try it I’m sure its great for the skin. (Pictures coming) Elder Olsen’s b-day is this week and I can’t wait. He’s going to get soooo many eggs. Also this week we put up the Christmas decorations in the mission home. And I did the tree and put the lights on. And they were like wow that’s good you must have done that before. I was putting the lights up and down each branch and they were like, “Wow I would have just wrapped the tree, but it looks better like that. You’ve done it before haven’t you? And I was like no I’ve just seen my mom do it a lot and she said you have to do it this way. So there you go. And it actually made it feel a little like Christmas.

Also last night we put on a ward talent show, and it was pretty good and fun. Well ya that was pretty much my week. It was pretty busy and it will be nice to kinda rest haha. That’s funny. That’s crazy that Mesa beat Brophy. I’m sure they shocked themselves. Also if you want to buy me a house go for it. That would be convenient. Oh also if I happen to use some money to take Olsen out to eat or something for his b-day this Sat. is that all right? Congrats Craig that’s cool. I think I know someone there, but I can’t remember. Have the Cubs said anything about where they’re going for spring Training?

Well I think that’s all for now. Have a great a week. I love you all, the church is true! Love Elder Brinton

Zone Meeting and Moving!

2009-11-14T20:58:00.000-08:00

Meeting up with Elder Vasquez who was Tate's trainer when he first got to Honduras.

A young boy, hitching a ride. Moving furniture for P-day. Elder Olsen, Brinton and Zolman inside the car.
Zolman, Brinton and Olsen giving big smiles after they are done moving furniture.

23 New Missionaries Are Coming!

2009-11-14T20:49:00.000-08:00

Hola Familia,

Well hello again. Sounds like everything is going well back at home. Everyone’s still doing good. I think were so close to the states that you can get most things. Peanut butter, chicken soup and corn flakes. So food wise I don’t know. I don’t necessarily need anything. So I’m sure whatever would be fine. (Tate is talking about things we could send him) Oh and I don’t wear my ties short. I wear them normal. Some ties are kinda short so when I tie them the turn out a little short, but other than that there all pretty normal. (I asked him how come his ties are always to short, LOL)

Um this week, let’s see what happened. I don’t really remember much. Yesterday we had zone conference. That was good. Um, we had a lot of office work and errands to do this week and that means working overtime sometimes, so no still not much working in the area. I was able to do 4 baptismal interviews, that was cool. It’s amazing to thing that these people a few months ago knew nothing and now they know the gospel. The new missionaries get here Monday and Tuesday so I’m excited for that. That’s always fun. My bishop is getting better; he’s slowly gaining more confidence. We have really good hermanas in the ward with us right now so that helps. But changes are next Tuesday, so I’m a little worried that they might put another bad hermana here. But we’ll have to see what happens. I know I’m not going to have changes, although I wouldn’t mind.

Today me, Olsen and Zolman, were here in Teg and we moved a bunch of furniture out of a house. It took a long time, but it was fun cause it was just the three of us. This next part comes from his comp's email which provides a little more description why they moved furniture. (Hey Family, I didn´t forget to write you today, I´ve been getting missionary houses ready for changes on the 18. The mission is opening 4 new areas and we have had to rent out more apartments and get furniture and stuff to put in them today so that everything will be all set when the missionaries get there.) This next part was written by Elder Zolman: We have changes this coming Wednesday and it's going to be quite the week!! 14 missionaries are leaving and 23 are coming.)

Well that’s all I can really remember from this week. Not much happened. The girl we were teaching finally got back from San Pedro, but she was supposed to call us and tell us when we could visit her, but I think she forgot so we didn’t see her yet. But hopefully tomorrow we can go visit her. Well I don’t know I can’t really think of much else that has happened. Kinda an uneventful week. Well that’s all I got for now.

Remember the church is true. Live it, love it, study it, SHARE it. That’s what we’re here for.

Well I love you all.
Love Elder Brinton

Wardrobe, Bugs, Bowling and Rootbeer

2009-11-07T22:07:00.000-08:00

Tate's caption for this picture: What should I wear today???

Here are some bugs I saw for Mason, Powell and Tanner
More Bugs...

...and even more bugs

The office elders and AP's went bowling for P-day.

Tate trying to focus on his game.

He broke 100 and took a picture to prove it. His score is MO
A member of their stake presidency invited them to their home (up in the mountains where there are pine trees) for FHE and gave them ICB rootbeer. He said it tasted great.
They got to play UNO and drink rootbeer.

Motorcyle Story

2009-11-07T16:32:00.000-08:00

Hola familia,

Well how is everyone doing? Sounds pretty good. First of all that’s CRAZY that Jeff is engaged! (Jeff is Tate's brother) Didn’t he like start dating her last week! Well I guess that’s a good thing. Estás loco, ya tan pronto jajá. Pero sabes cuándo vas a hacerlo? Yo se que antes de que regreso, pero está bien, hay muchos aquí quienes tienen hermanos que están comprometidos y ellos están bien enojados porque no van estar allí por la boda, pero no te preocupes, yo no voy a sentir mal. Jaja. Felicidades! Well ya so that was the crazy news I guess.

Everything here is going good. It's been a good week. President Chaverri has been in Guatemala for a mission president's seminar right now (we say our parents are gone) haha. But ya. Um the girl were teaching has been in San Pedro this whole week at her friends wedding, so we haven’t seen her this week yet. Also yesterday I got to do my first baptismal interviews, and it was really cool. It was a mom and her two sons ages 13 and 8. It was cool to see how smart the kids were and how much they knew, and to talk to the mom about the changes that have happened since she's learned about the gospel. So we're going to go to the baptism too in about an hour. But that was probably the best thing that has happened this week.

Um I can't think of much more. Oh ya there was one thing, I was going to save it for one of those after the mission stories, but anyway, we were going to the bank in a taxi, and when we got in front of the bank we were stopped in traffic so I paid the driver and I opened my door to get out (everyone just gets out wherever here so it's not unmoral) any way when I opened my door a motorcycle was driving by on the side of the road (motorcycles here just weave in and out and drive on the sidewalks and wherever they can) and he ran into my door, (it was kinda funny). Any ways we got out and stood the bike up, the guy was fine, and the taxi door was a little loose, but it shut, so anyways the driver and the motorcyclist were arguing with each other about how they need to pay each other. The motorcyclist saying that the taxi was breaking the law by opening the door on the road, the taxi driver by saying the motorcyclist shouldn’t have been driving there on the side of the raod (which was the best argument) anyways after a while they both realized, hey we could blame it on the gringos! So they both turned to us and told us we need to pay for the damages, so me and Olsen were like whoa! No! and we told the motorcyclist he shouldn’t have been driving there, and then the taxi driver how we’re foreigners and it’s his responsibility that we get in and out legally, and that he said it was ok to get out right there anyway (which is true) and how no we shouldn’t have opened the door there, but if you two did your parts none of it would have happened. And Olsen said look, your car's fine, your bike's fine let's just call it good. And they thought about it for like a minute and then said fine and left. Anyways that was our fun experience for the week. When you come here I'll explain it to you better and you'll understand.

Anyway, for Halloween kids don’t do anything, there's a few parties and what not at the clubs, but they don’t do much more than that. That would be bad if the Cub's left Mesa (the Chicago Cub's play here during spring training, and are Tate's favorite team). You would think just for the tradition they would stay, but for some reason I have the feeling it's all about money, whoever offers the most money. For some reason people (even if there true cub's fans, a team of which is all about traditions) will betray anything just to get more money. But anyway they BETTER stay.

That’s crazy that volleyball is already over. Um for Christmas, I don’t know whatever, although that bag of candy that you sent was awesome! So things like that are always good. Oh ya and if you want to make Pres Chaverri happy, send me or him beef jerkey. He loves that! I don’t know why, but most latins do. Anyway I think that’s pretty much all for now. Thanks for the pics. I'm going to send some too.

Oh ya and today we went bowling. That was fun. It’s been a long time, but I actually did all right. Oh and on Monday we went to an FHE with a member of our stake presidency, who's way cool and lives like up in the mountains, and its cool and in the pine trees. It was awesome and he gave us IBC rootbeer. I don’t know where he got it, but it was very tasty none the less.

Anyways that’s all for now, I love you all, take care. The church is true, read your scriptures everyday and say your prayers. Adios

Love Elder Brinton

Conquer We Must!

2009-10-31T14:40:00.000-07:00

When you're hot, you're HOT!!! (At least they think so)

Hot dogs and Root beer floats at the Adam's home. Tate said it tasted sooo good! He loves Bro. and Sis. Adams!
Tate's awesome comp, Elder Olsen (who remembered his camera so they could take these pictures.)
Elder Brinton and Elder Olsen looking out over Tegucigalpa...thinking, "How are we going to teach all those people?"

The awesome city of Tegucigalpa.
We will CONQUER!!

Okay, maybe we are just two good looking missionaries...

...who are ready to teach these people!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T14:30:00.000-07:00

Hola Familia,

Well how is everyone doing? HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Is it time to go trick or treating yet? Or because of the economic problems is everybody not buying candy this year and kids just have to stay home. Haha.

Well this week was pretty good. Well kinda. Let’s see Sunday we went with the sisters in my area to go visit the bishop, because we don’t really know him. Well he supposedly wasn’t home which is unfortunate. Since we had time we went and visited this family that are somewhat inactive because I didn’t know them yet. Well come to find out, they have a daughter who just moved back after living with her dad for 14 years in San Pedro Sula, and she’s the only person in her family that isn’t a member. So we started teaching her and so far she pretty positive. So we’ve visited her a few times this week, and they are a really cool family. Lets see what else…, oh ya the sisters in my area were supposed to have a baptism today of this really cool girl, but yesterday when she was supposed to get married her husband never showed up, so she wasn’t able to get married which was unfortunate, because she’s been waiting for like 5 months for her husband to agree to marry her so she could get baptized, but he always says no. So that was unfortunate. We also got a new ward mission leader. He’s the old Elders Quorum Pres, so that should be good and I think he will help us out a lot.

Also another bad thing happened this week. That family I told you about that the sisters are teaching that we gave the blessing to. Well this week they told the sisters, that they are going to another church, and don’t want to listen to them anymore and wouldn’t even let the sisters in their house. So that was kinda weird. Well any way the dad started to get sick again, so they think it’s because they stopped going to our church so they might start listening again. We’re going there with the sisters in like an hour to figure out what their deal is. But ya so some crazy stuff happened.

Today we went up to the Christ statue that I went to a long time ago. And then after we went and had hotdogs and root beer floats at the Adam’s house. It was so good. But ya that’s basically been my week. Not much too exciting.

The camera works good, although I forgot it when I went to the Christ statue so I had to use elder Olsen’s. Any ways for your questions, dad do you think the Cub’s will actually leave Mesa? That wouldn’t be good. That’s interesting about Jeff. I think that’s what happens when you have a brother in the office. It’s happened to Elders Magoffin, Zolman, Wright, and now it will be me. Haha. Yes I told elder Magoffin about his mom’s email, and he said he’ll check with his owner. President and his wife are doing good. They’re even better when you’re here because there always giving us food and what not. That’s why I’m getting fatter. There was something else I needed to ask you, but I don’t remember what. Send me some recipes if you want. Maybe those oatmeal chocolate cookies. And other things to make on a stove. I learned how to make really good chocolates this week from the girl we’re teaching. I’ll have to show you.

That’s crazy that it’s already going to be November, where has the time gone. Well I think that’s all for this week. I have a bunch of pictures to send, but I forgot my camera at home so I can’t send them.

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

President Chevarri's Birthday!

2009-10-24T22:43:00.000-07:00

The Zone Leaders, Assistants, and Officers Elders, having fun with President Chevarri for his birthday!

Elder Olsen trying to break the pinata
I know it's here somewhere...but where is it?
President and Sis. Chevarri having a fun time.

The party people!

Elder Brinton having a little fun!
Soccer stadium in Tegucigapla

Carrying wood for the family of the father who was very sick.

Elder Olsen, Elder Brinton, Hrma Naa and King, enjoying P-Day

The Hermanas with Elder Brinton, Elder Olsen and some investigators

Beautiful sunset over Tegucigapla Ahhh, Mickey D's
Elder Olsen and Elder Olsen smiling for the camera
Elder Brinton and Elder Olsen enjoying the sunset over Teg.
The monument LaPaz

Is this the Great Glass Elevator from Willy Wonka? No, it's inside the newest chapel in Tegucigapla.
Inside the church

The Outside of the Chapel

It even has a parking garage! Wow!

A Priesthood Blessing...Miracle!!

2009-10-24T22:28:00.000-07:00

Well helloooo familia,
Well here we are another week gone, and here I am with 15 months in the mission. CRAZY!!! I know this is probably the (15 months x 4 weeks a month) 60th time I’ve said this during my mission, but time goes sooo fast. I now only have 9 months left….weird.

If I remember right this week was pretty good. I did get your package on Thursday. I think that is a record, 13 days. That was super fast. And thank you for all the goodies and most of all, the camera! Finally I have a camera again. So hopefully I can get you lots of pictures now. I will actually send a lot today. But to answer your questions, let’s see…Zelaya is still in the Brazilian embassy. But things are pretty normal because he can’t do anything because yes it is being guarded 24/7. They can’t go inside and get him because embassies are protected by international laws, but the second he leaves he would be arrested. So I imagine he will be there until the elections Nov 29. And they will probably elect someone new, but then Venezuela will get mad and try to force Mel back into power. Well that’s what I think will happen. And the thing is even if the people elect someone else no international country will recognize him as president because they took Mel out, even though these are the planned elections and Mel’s term would be over. So we will have to see what happens. Pray that somehow there can be peaceful elections here.

Tell Sis Magoffin no I haven’t sent it (a CD her son left in the office for Tate to mail). I thought he was going to put more stuff in the box cause it’s pretty empty, but I’ll ask him and send it if not. That’s good that the truck still works, but I don’t understand how an s-10 did that to it, that truck is like a tank (Tate’s brother kind of wrecked his beloved 92 Chevy truck and can’t believe anything could hurt it. Luckily it still runs and just needs a new hood).

My ward is good, but it has a lot the same problems as all the other wards. It’s kinda crazy because this stake, the members kinda go to whatever ward they want. So a lot of the members in my ward don’t even live in my ward. So that makes it harder. Our bishop…Well he’s young and doesn’t have much experience. But we’re trying to help him. We were going to make him and his wife dinner tonight, but he called and cancelled on us, he’s kinda hard to visit. No we still haven’t been able to teach that much which is unfortunate. Yes we share the ward with hermanas. Yes the district only has 6 people, three companionships. That’s the size of all districts in the mission. Every Thursday there are district meetings, and every Monday zone meetings. And each zone has about 22 missionaries. Oh and by the way there are only 4 missionaries in the office now that Magoffin left.

That’s still weird that Jeff is dating. That’s good dad is doing better. That’s awesome Granny wants to take you on a cruise, tell her she can take me. Me and Olsen were just talking about cruises last night, at like one in the morning, haha. Way too late. Oh and I hope they don’t arrest me for not going to jury duty, but that’s funny, haha. (Tate got summoned to go to jury duty and they wouldn’t accept his excuse that we sent in that he is on a mission. We had to get a letter from our bishop excusing him.)

Well anyway let’s see did I do anything this week? Oh ya Sunday was cool. The sisters called us cause the dad of this family they are teaching was really really sick, like he couldn’t move or anything. So they called to ask us to give him a blessing. We went over there, and he didn’t look sick, but you could just feel he was. He wouldn’t even open his eyes or respond to us, it was one of those blessings were your like do I bless him to get better or is it his time to go. So anyway we gave him the blessing and then we were in the other room just talking with his wife cause she was a wreck. I’m pretty sure she thought he was going to die right there. Oh a side note that’s cool, while we were waiting, Hermana Naa told us this story. The dad was reading the Book of Mormon when this sickness happened. No one knows what it was, he was just sitting there and then his whole body started to hurt and he couldn’t move or anything. Anyway right after that he told his wife that if he dies that they have to do what it says it 3 Nephi and be baptized. Anyways like ten minutes after the blessing we were leaving so we went to say bye to him and he was sitting up in his bed! Talk about miracles. It was amazing! Do you think the priesthood is real? I think so. Anyways Tuesday we went to this same family to help them collect firewood, and when we were there the dad was up walking around, and he actually took the bundle of wood of my back. So he’s doing a lot better. The sisters said he’s going to come to church tomorrow so that’s good. So ya that was my miracle this week.

Well I think that’s about all that happened here. I love you all. THE CHURCH IS TRUE!
Love Elder Brinton

Having Some Fun!

2009-10-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

Elder Brinton and Elder Olsen must have been bored when they decided to sticky note Elder Fleischel's desk.

Elder Brinton having a little fun at Pres. Chaverri's birthday party.
A view of the houses in Tegucigapla

Honduras Won!!!

2009-10-17T21:59:00.000-07:00

Hola famlia,

Well how are we all doing this week? Sounds to me like everything is going great! Yes this week, like usual, was very fast! I can’t believe it. Next Friday I will have single digit amount of months left! CRAZY!! I can’t believe how fast time flies. But ya.

That’s weird that Jeff is dating a girl, it still seems weird to me, but I guess it’s a good thing. So ya last week was our first Sunday in our new ward. It was good, it has good members, but it has a lot of the same problems as all the other wards, high inactivity and things like that. But it will be good so we’ll have to see how it goes. Tonight were supposed to go to the bishop’s house and meet him a little better, so hopefully we can do that. A little fun fact about my ward, it was the first church unit in Honduras. The Palmira ward was the very first ward. It’s kinda cool, but you would think it would be a lot stronger for being 50+ years old. But we’ll have to work with them to help them out.

Yes the Comayguela mission has part of Tegucigalpa and yes that’s why their office is next to ours. And their mission home is actually in an area of our mission. But that doctor that is coming here will be in the other mission, but I was talking to the Adams, our nurse here, and she said she has talked to them and she said that they will actually work with us sometimes for like ingrown toenails and such cause there qualified to do that stuff, so we actually will get to go to them sometimes.

That’s crazy that it’s already time for the Halloween carnival again. That means this is my last Halloween. Crazy. Dad happy birthday. Hope you had fun.

Pres Chaverri’s birthday was yesterday, so we had a little get together for it. It was fun. We also made ice cream in a bag again this week. Oh ya and the exciting news this week was that Honduras won and is going to the world cup tournament!! It was so crazy here! It actually depended on the states if they beat Costa Rica, and when they did that ment Honduras qualified, and when that happened the country exploded. Everyone was in the streets screaming, yelling, honking and partying. It was crazy. And the people loved the gringos because we won. So the people were like gringos thank you, we love you, and like hugging us and cheering for us. It was crazy! Three days ago we were hated, but now they love us. It was probably the most love I’ve felt in my mission. So it will be fun to see how they do. If they keep winning, these people are going to go crazy! And we live one block from the most popular road in Teg so there were people alllll night out partying, it was pretty crazy. But ya that was the most exciting part of the week. That with president’s birthday.

Well that’s all I have for this week. I love you all. The church is true.
Love Elder Brinton

Conference Week-End!

2009-10-04T00:59:00.001-07:00

Hola familia,

Well how are we all doing this lovely conference morning? I can’t believe it’s already conference again. I feel like I just watched it last month in San Lorenzo, but six months has already passed. CRAZY!! But I'm excited. When I was with elder Gonzales he would say general conference is spring break for the missionaries. It's our fun, awesome vacations. Haha. But I'm excited to watch it and hopefully we get it in English.

Well next Wed are the changes for the mission, but it's not quite as dramatic when I'm staying here and not having changes. Although supposedly me and my comp are going to get put in a different area, which will be interesting cause we won't know anyone. So we'll find out Wed if that happens.

Also Monday and Tuesday are when the new missionaries are getting here. That should be fun. It will be interesting to see how they all are. I still remember my first day here, it seems like yesterday. And we are going to have some of them stay with us because there are so many so it will be fun to see. I may send you a “special” email Monday so you can let the other moms know they all got here ok, or I don’t know if they get here early enough they might allow them to write Monday since it is the mission p-day. But we'll see.

Well this week was probably one of my better weeks here in my area. In the office it was alright, sometimes I feel like my head is spinning around…to many numbers! Haha. But we are teaching this girl that’s way cool and positive. She is the friend of a really good member in my area so we´ve been teaching her with her. The only bad thing is she lives in the other mission. We´ve given the reference to them, but no one has gone and visited her. So we´ll keep teaching her until we know that the missionaries there have contacted her. But that was awesome. It’s always nice to be able to teach someone positive and intelligent. And she said she would come to conference and maybe even bring her grandma (who she said needs what the women in our church have). So I hope she can go. Other than that not much has happened.

Guernsey left Wed like you know, so Magoffin left that day to be his comps companion until changes. So I've been on my own here for a few days. It's weird not having him in the house. But ya, the situation here in Tegucigalpa has been calm this whole week. Nothing has happened, no riots and there were some 10pm curfews earlier in the week, but everything has been pretty calm. But supposedly Mel has until this Tuesday to decide what he's going to do so we´ll see what happens. Those videos Guernsey had he took from his house. He was like right in the middle of everything. I haven’t got to see all that stuff yet.

Dad you just love problems don’t you. You can't just get better that would be to easy wouldn’t it. Well I say stop having problems and just get better. Well that’s all for now, I hope everything goes well there. Oh ya the family that was supposed to get baptized last week from my old are might get baptized tomorrow, so I'll let you know about that. Well I love you all. Love Elder Brinton

Mel Zelaya is Back!

2009-09-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

This picture shows the line of cars waiting to leave the city, as soon as they heard Zelaya came back. There were also riots in the city, but it didn't seem to cause any problems with the missionaries...thankfully.

Look what the curfew let grow. Half shaven, half unshaved.
Wrestling...a favorite pastime of the missionaries during the curfews.

2009-09-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

Hola familia,

Well everything here has been pretty good, ya this week was a little crazy with Mel coming back. He came back on Monday and there was a 4:00 o’clock curfew. So we all had to go home, then Tuesday there was an all day curfew. Wed we could leave from 10:00 – 4:00, Thursday 7:00 curfew yesterday 8:00 curfew and today I don’t know what time. So ya it’s been lots of fun. Mon-Wed we had 6 other elders stay with us because they weren’t able to get back to their houses. So that was interesting. There were lots of protests and riots, but nothing to worry about. Were all fine here. And also because of the curfew we haven’t taught once in our area this week, but hopefully tonight we can. So ya we´ll see how long all this continues.

Yes I do know Elder Guernsey. He is my ZL actually and ya he is supposed to leave Wed. And yes that means Magoffin leaves soon as well. Which means I’m going to be on my own. Well have to see how that goes. That’s interesting that Jeff’s dating a girl. Weird haha. But that’s good. That’s good that Staci and Matt got their house. Now Rob and Matt just need to move into the stake haha. That’s good that dad keeps getting better. On the 5th & 6th the new missionaries get here, I think there is like 12 or something. And some of them will have to stay with us so that will be interesting. I have been able to use Magoffin’s camera these last few weeks so it’s been all right. As far as the package goes I don’t know what I need. I can get garments here (but not drilux) I don’t think. And its easy cause the distribution center is the floor above the office. So I could get them pretty easy. Those gospel art picture books I can get for the same price. So ya I don’t really know what I want. You could always send a few ties, if not don’t worry about it cause I have a lot. But those are always nice presents. Haha. So ya whatever.

Well that’s pretty much all. This week was pretty uneventful with the lockdowns and everything. Oh ya the family I was teaching in Santa Lucia was supposed to be baptized today, but then the mom’s aunt died so she went to that and she wasn’t sure when she was coming back. So it might still happen later today, but if not it will have to be next week. That’s what I call a badly timed death, but what can ya do. So hopefully all will be well with that. They were married yesterday so they were all set for it. So ya that’s basically all for now. Have a good week. I love you all. The church is true.

Love Elder Brinton

Oh and I got the missionary newsletter this week thanks

(Tate sent Granny a newsletter and I thought it was so sweet, I decided to post it.)

Granny,
Hi Granny how are you doing. I realized I hadn’t written you for awhile so I decided I better do it. Well everything here in the mission is great! If you didn’t hear I was put in the mission office as financial secretary. I like it but I would rather be out in the field more working. But what can I do. If this is where the lord wants me I guess this is where I need to be. I just found out that a family I was working a lot with in my last area is getting baptized! Im really excited for that. Its amazing how the gospel can help people change their lives. I also recently completed a year in the mission. Its amazing how fast the time goes. I feel like I just got her. Well I love it here in Honduras although there are a lot of problems (especially in the government). I feel good with my Spanish and I love being able to communicate with these people. Also last two weeks ago they broke the ground for the temple here! That so exciting that the will finally have the opportunity to receive those blessings. Well that’s pretty much all from here in Honduras. How are you doing? Are you still dancing around with all your lady friends? Im sure you are J. Well I just wanted to let you know how much I love you, and what a blessing you have been to me. You are such an example of how to give the gospel, and you show that the gospel makes us happy. You always have a good attitude no matter what happens and I know its because you know this gospel is true. I just wanted to tell you that I also know this gospel is true. That families can be together forever. That the book of mormon is a true book, and there we can find the fullness of the gospel. Thank you for all your love and example to me. I love you!
Love, Elder Tate Brinton

My Family I Taught Is Getting Baptized!

2009-09-19T13:09:00.000-07:00

Hola familia,

So yes ground was broken for the temple at its new site. It will now be in Comayguela, which is the other mission, but it’s basically still Tegucigalpa. It’s pretty close. Supposedly it’s going to be finished in November 2011. So we’ll see. Ya they just did a small ceremony that only the stake presidents could attend. They did it that way because they didn’t want protests and things like that. So ya that’s the good news. Other than that not much has happened.

Things are pretty normal. I heard that the family I was teaching in my last area is getting married and baptized next week. Which is exciting! I may ask president if I can go, cause that would be cool. But ya, we still don’t get to work much, which is still a bummer. But I guess that’s part of the job. The other day my printer that prints my checks broke. And that wasn’t good. Cause money is what makes things happen, so when there’s no money, things don’t happen. So my job kinda makes the mission go round. Haha. It’s also kind stressful when things like that happens, but it turns out ok.

I had an interview this week with president and it was good. We talked about a lot of good things. So that was good. Next week we have zone conference so we’ll see how that goes.

When we made the ice cream we just used normal table salt. Yes that’s pres Chaverri and his wife in those pics. Sounds like Heidi’s team is carrying on as good old Mesa haha. Beating everyone. Well I think that’s all for now. I love you all, the church is true.

Love Elder Brinton

Enjoying the City and Home Made Ice Cream!

2009-09-12T13:02:00.000-07:00

Tate and Elder Magoffin overlooking the city of Tegucigapla

Now we can see them smiling!
A great view of the city
We will go forth in righteousness!
This is what happens when they don't have enough to do. Tate shaving Elder Magoffin's leg with a box opener.

This is a huge house that belongs to a member.
This motorcycle belongs to the member who lives in the big house. Good thing they didn't give Tate a key to that.

Hey dad, do I look like you?

Like Father like son...Tate is trying to imitate his dad.

Bro. and Sis. Adams work in the office with the office elders. Tate decided to teach them all how to make ice cream in baggies. This picture shows the Bro. and Sis. Adams making some.

Sis. Adams enjoying the ice cream she made.

Yum! Oreo Ice Cream!

Elder Magoffin knows how to make a great sundae!

Elder Magoffin and Elder Estrada helping the Olsens clean up after dinner. It Tate learns how to wash dishes on his mission, then his mission will be a great accomplishment.

Apple Pie and Ice Cream

2009-09-12T12:58:00.000-07:00

Hola familia,

Well this week was all right. I’m ready to leave the office, but what can I do. (Here are some answers to the questions I asked) When we pay the missionaries I just put it into their account. For the houses I make checks and we send them to the missionaries. There’s lots of filing to do which is boring, but it’s part of the job. Within the next few weeks the church is changing the program we use to do all this so it will be kinda interesting to learn how to use it. In our house there are 5, me Magoffin, Olsen, Fleishel, and Estrada. We are all office elders. The APs live in a different area. Well the reason I’m sick of the office is we don’t get to work a whole lot, so that and especially being after my last change, I just want to work. There hasn’t been many problems in the government, but the 15th is Independence Day and they are expecting some things to happen so will see. I think we might go bowling today, but we’ll see if that happens. Well it sounds like you are all doing good. Lots of fun things happening, and dad’s getting better.

On Sunday we ate with the Adams, the gringo couple here and they made us roast with mashed potatoes and apple pie and ice cream. It was soooo good. I love the Adams. Then on Tuesday we had an office ice cream party. We all made our own ice cream and all different flavors (putting peanut butter in it is really good. I made Oreo). But they were all so good! Also on Monday we made it with some members and they were amazed. They had never seen it before like that. The other day I shaved Magoffin’s leg with a box opener, that was kinda funny. Well I think that pretty much all that’s happened this week. Everything is good here.

Oh ya my camera. You can send yours, but if it’s like the ones that you bought Heidi and Jeff I don’t like those ones. If it’s like mine then ok, mine is more square, and the shutter button is a circle. Or I could buy one here, it might be a little more expensive, but let me know.

Well that’s all for now, the church is true.
Love you all, Love Elder Brinton

The Banker!

2009-09-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

Don't you love my new work space?

What a cute missionary!

My Life in the Office

2009-09-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hello familia,Well here I am in the office. It's actually been pretty good. I like it, but I would like it better to be outside of the office. I love being with Elder Magoffin and Elder Olsen. It's a lot of fun. Right now it's just us 5 living together. Well I'm in charge of EVERYTHING (we asked what he is in charge of) that has to do with money. (His answer) Monthly payments for the missionaries, making the house rent checks, paying all the bills, everything like that. And yes I did get my license, I mostly have to go to the bank $$$ (we asked him where he drives), but sometimes I have to go pay bills at different places. It is kinda crazy driving here, but it's not that bad. It was a little weird driving after 13 months of not doing it. I see president everyday (I asked how often he sees Pres). Cause he's usually here in the office as well. We only live like a mile from the office, it's pretty close. But it's like 30 minutes walking from our area. We haven’t got to work much in our area yet, cause we've had a lot to do. But I like it. It's right in downtown Tegucigalpa.

Yes I did write on that on my postcard. (He sent us a postcard for his year mark and it didn’t' look like his handwriting at all) I just made them on the computer and then printed them as pictures. I actually got the idea from Elder Gonzales, he did that when I was with him.

We come to the office at 10:30 and try to leave at like 4, but we've had to stay later a lot. Last week we had stake conference so I didn’t really get to see how the ward is. (We asked how his ward is)

Sounds like dad is doing good, that’s good. Well I still don’t know what to do about my camera. I can buy a new one, but I don’t know, I want my other one, I really liked it.

Oh last night we were walking home, and a crazy homeless lady started following us, it was scary cause she followed us for like a mile, then we started running. Haha. Well ya that’s pretty much all that’s happened this week. I still have a lot to learn here to do my job, but it's going good. Well I love you all have a good week. The church is true.

Love Elder Brinton

Oh ya me and Magoffin made ice cream the other day and this week we’re going to teach some members how to do it.

Tate's House in Santa Lucia

2009-08-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

The outside view of Tate's last house. Tate lived upstairs and the pulperia where he liked to buy things was below. Pretty convenient.

A view of the road and their house.
The front of the pulperia. We're sure he will miss that.
Inside the pulperia, which was very typical of them in Honduras.
Recognize any name brands...Colgate, Ajax, Scott, Quaker Oatmeal, and more.

The girl who worked the pulperia.

The door that led to their house

The stairs to his house

This is actually a pretty nice living room with nice tile floors.

Pretty n Pink

Bedroom

Where they hang their clothes

Balcony

What a lush green view outside right off of their balcony
A pretty nice bathroom.
Tate's favorite part of the bathroom...a warm shower head. Notice the electric cord that heats the water. This is the one thing he missed most about home. He is so grateful for houses with warm water!

My New Assignment

2009-08-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hola familia.

Well well well why am I writing on Saturday? So yes the only people that write on Saturdays are the office elder's and the AP´s. So does that mean I'm an AP? No that’s Elder Zolman (his old MTC comp), but yes you guessed it, I'm in the office. So I had changes yes, but this will be a change for you too, cause now you have to write on Fridays. Sorry. I don’t want to be in the office, but there are a few good things. I'm financial secretary (that’s not a good thing), but if you recall the finacial secretary right now is Elder Magoffin. So WE ARE COMPANIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes elder Magoffin is my comp. Crazy huh. It will only be one change while he trains me, but it has already been amazing. I love him. We are in a threesome with Elder Olsen (he will be my comp when Magoffin leaves) and he is really cool also so that’s a good thing. Also Zolman is AP now and that means I will get to be around him a lot which will be awesome! So ya that’s my change.

Yes I live in the ´Hotel´ the big office elders house. So ya it will be interesting to see how this goes. I'm sad I couldn’t stay in my old area cause I really liked it. But they took us both out, which is kinda good they didn’t leave my comp there, and now the old AP is in my area and I really like him so I'm not worried about our investigators. So ya that’s what happened in changes...kinda interesting.

Well it sounds like you guys have had a pretty good week. I can't believe they changed the regions up. (He' referring to our high school region) Now we're not even with Mt View (Our cross town rival), and yes those teams will kill Mesa. Sounds like dad's doing better, that’s good. If you can resend me the pics of his cut.

That’s crazy that Mason (His oldest 8 yr. old nephew) is in scouts. I feel like yesterday I just entered cub scouts. I remember doing all that stuff with Tyler Orem (by the way can you get me his address and to there house in Hawaii). Bet he's getting so big now. I got the package this week. Thanks. Elder Zolman got one too and it was almost the exact same things haha funny. And I just bought that gospel art book a week ago so now I have two, but maybe I can give one away. Well I haven’t really got to know my area yet cause it’s the end of the month and we had a lot of office work we had to get done before the new month.

Well that’s pretty much all that’s been going on here. I think I'm going to go get my Honduran driving license today. I don’t know if I remember how to drive, but it will be fun. Well that’s all I can think of for now. I hope you have a good week. The church is true. I love you all.

Oh ya my camera broke Wedensday. All the pictures are just white. So I don’t know what to do. I would like to fix it cause I like that camera, but I may have to buy a new one.

Love Elder Brinton

Conference, Service and Fun in Santa Lucia

2009-08-24T17:27:00.000-07:00

Four Zone Conference

Tate's Zone doing service
Tate towers over the native missionaries.
Tate's district

Tate and his comp, Elder Trujillo

Branch Family Home Evening

Tate and Elder Montufar wearing real "Madrid" shirts

The beginning of very sore legs.
Where's Waldo/Tate? Can you find Tate's yellow shorts?

Who will win?

Great Defense!

Mission Challenges...Makes One Strong

2009-08-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

Hola familia,

I don’t know why you didn’t get my email last week, but I re-sent it so I hope you get it. Well this week was alright. We had three investigators in church and that was good. The dad of the family we’re teaching came for the first time, but that’s only because he lost his job and doesn’t work now, so that’s not good. But they are showing progression. The only bad thing is that my comp told me that if I leave the area he’ll probably drop them which isn’t good. I don’t know why but he doesn’t care much about investigators unfortunately. Speaking of which, changes are Wednesday. And I hope hope hope that I have a change of some sort. I am all right staying in the area, but only if I get a change of companion. He’s not horrible, we get along fine. I just can’t function as a missionary with him. So hopefully this change brings me something good, but we’ll just have to see. It will be interesting to see what happens. We had interviews this week, and mine went really well. I was able to talk to president about a lot of stuff so it was good.

I’ll answer some of your questions. I leave normally at between 10:30-11:00am, but with this comp it’s whenever he wants to get ready. Here there’s not a ton of people walking in the streets, but the ones we talk to are usually pretty friendly (that doesn’t mean they want to listen) but they’re not mean. I haven’t taken pics of my house yet, but I will. It’s above a pulperia and that I love, makes for easy buys. We have a lady that washes our clothes. The picture of my shirt burning is at a member’s house not mine. There was hardly any rain this week. I think that’s the majority of the questions you asked.

Well I think that’s pretty much all that’s gone on this week. Oh ya yesterday my branch president called at six in the morning to ask me to give a talk in church. That was interesting, but it went all right. Also I lost my credit card from the mission this week...again. So I will need to take some money out from home. Just so you know. Hopefully they get me a new one faster this time.

Well that’s all, I need to go now. Have a good week. How’s dad? Hope good. Well I love you all. The church is true!

Love Elder Brinton

Last Week's Email: Miracle of the BUS!

2009-08-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

(Tate sent this email last week, but for some unknown reason it never came through, so enjoy)

Hola familia,

Well this week was alright, but yesterday was great! Yesterday the family we have been teaching came to church! So that was good. And not only that a lot of members came and our little church was full. And that was good to see so yesterday was good.

Well it sounds like you guys are doing good. Always busy. Dad keep getting better.

Well this week was zone conference and that was really good. This next week we have interviews and then changes the next crazy. Yes my comp is just lazy and doesn’t want to work, but what can you do.

Well I want to tell you an experience we had last p-day. We were coming back from downtown teguc and we were waiting for the bus to go to the bus stop of the buses of Santa Lucia. We were waiting with two other elders from an area by ours and so when the bus that we normally take came, we decided to wait and go on the bus with the other elders. We thought it went the same route as the other bus, but come to find out it didn’t. So we weren’t able to go to where we wanted to get on our bus, but the bus to Santa Lucia passes by the area of the other elders so we decided to go to their area and wait there. So we went there and were waiting for the bus when a member from my area passed by and gave us a ride to Santa Lucia. I didn’t think anything of it until later that night, someone told us that one of the buses to Santa Lucia got robbed. Well come to find out it was the same bus we were waiting for. I had my camera and about 700 lempira on my so who knows. Also the member who gave us a ride said that he usually leaves work 2-3 hours later, but he left early that day and passed by us. Also if we would have taken the bus we normally do from downtown, we would have gotten on that bus that got robbed. But because we went with the other elders we didn’t get on it. Also the guy who gave us a ride picked us up about 50 yards before we got to were the guys who robbed the bus were waiting, and who knows, it was dark and if we were there waiting with them who knows what they would have done. Well I don’t know if that made much sense, and I’m trying to write fast, but all in all, the Lord protected us that day. Although we didn’t realize it at the time the Lord was protecting us. And who knows how many times we receive his protection without ever knowing.

Well I’m out of time. Remember to live worthy of the Lord’s protection always. We need it. I love you all. The church is true,

Love Elder Brinton

No Email This Week

2009-08-21T00:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry, but we did not receive an email this week. Well actually we did get a two liner that asked me to ask Tate's sister, Kylie a question. He said he would answer her in his email that he was writing if he heard back in time. However, no email came. We are assuming the power went out or his computer crashed. Several other moms didn't get emails either, so it wasn't just Tate. We look forward to hearing from him on Monday.

No Monkeying Around!

2009-08-10T18:52:00.000-07:00

Some of the wildlife in Santa Lucia...Monkeys

... Parrots

...and one of the ugliest animals Tate said he has ever seen. Actually it's some kind of frog.

Soccer injuries

Welcome to beautiful Santa Lucia

Another view!

Elder Trujillo celebrates 18 months in the mission.

Tate said he never sees eyes with color...even if his are grey.

The branch president on the left side of Tate along with his companion and the young men in the branch.

Faith, Happiness and Hope

2009-08-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

Hola Familia,

Well this week was pretty good. Dad I’m glad to hear your home and doing better. I hope it continues. I think I know a little how you feel. Alright maybe not, but here’s why I can relate a little. These last two weeks for p-day my zone has gone to play soccer at a big soccer field in my area. It was really fun, but I guess after a year of not running much, and then running a lot in one day, isn’t the best thing. Let’s just say like Monday through Thursday I was really really sore in my legs and could barely walk (worse climbing up and down the mountains of my area). So I thought I feel a little like dad haha. I’m sure it wasn’t even close to how you feel, but it can be a tribute to you. Haha.

So this week we have been trying to find some people to teach. We have some alright ones, but they don’t want to do much progressing. Changes are in two weeks so we will have to see what happens. I could leave the area so I want to do as much as I can while I’m here. It’s still a little tough with my companion, but I’m trying my best to help him. I know being an example is one of the best ways. And I think he’s slowly improving.

That’s crazy that school is already starting again, time goes so fast! This year’s going to go even faster. That’s crazy that Heidi’s a senior….weird, but enjoy it you only get to do it once.

I know my emails have been short lately, but not much has happened. Maybe it’s because I’m old now in the mission. Haha. But I can’t think of much else to write. I’ll leave you with a thought that some lady told me when I was in San Lorenzo. In Spanish faith is FE. The lady said remember FE, Felicidad y Esperanza. Which means faith, happiness and hope. I really liked it. It’s true. When we have faith we are happy and we always have hope in tough times. So always remember be happy, have hope, and you will have faith, the church is true. Read the scriptures.

Love Elder Brinton

Photos Santa Lucia

2009-08-03T21:42:00.000-07:00

Funny statue that matches Tate's personality

The baptism of a woman whose records they couldn't find. She was actually baptized in the 50's, but no records could be found. So they rebaptized her.
Some yummy looking food Tate made for his comp and himself.

The temp in his apartment. He said he might even buy a sweater, because he is so cold.

I Might Buy A Sweater...Who Would Have Thought!

2009-08-03T21:40:00.000-07:00

Hola familia,

Well this computer wasn’t working so I don’t have a lot of time to write now. But this week went a lot better. My comp is slowly making improvements which is good. We found some people this last week so well see how it goes with them. We still don’t have anyone too positive. But there’s a lot to do here so hopefully we can do some good. Church was good and our attendance improved which was good.

I will send pics next week cause the computer won’t read my card. Dad take a break from having so much fun. Sounds like lots of it. But I hope you get better and I’ll always pray for you.

Everything here in the government is the same. Nothing really changes. But hopefully they can solve the problems.

It has been pretty cold. I might buy a sweater today (in Honduras? Who would have thought)? But well see. Yes I do have hot water in my house. I don’t know what I would do without it.

Well that was pretty much my week. Nothing too exciting. I did get the newsletter you sent today. Thanks.

Well to end, I was reading in 3 Nephi 13. And I read the well known scripture which says, seek first the kingdom of God, and if we do, God will take care of us. That’s all we can do in this world today. Live the gospel. We must always put God first. And then no matter what, we can know things will be taken care of.

Well I love you all, the church is true. Dad get better.

Love Elder Brinton

Heidi, tell Franzen hi and thanks for the name tribute haha. Get his address so I can write him a letter.

Burning My Shirt On My Year Mark!

2009-07-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

Tate decorated it so cute with all of his comps, his areas, mission name, flag and year. Tate modeling his artwork.
Tate with his new comp, Elder Zuniga from Nicaragua, showing off his artwork. Here goes... He is loving this...just like scout camp.

This is representing his one year mark.

What a fun thing for a missionary to do.

I Burned My Shirt!

2009-07-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

Hola familia,

So this week felt a little long, but it was good. Saturday we had a baptism. I don’t really count it because it was a lady baptized in the 50s, but we couldn’t find her records so it counted as a convert baptism haha. But it was good to get her baptized. So this morning was really cold. It was 67 degrees when I left my house. Brrr.

But ya sounds like you all have been having fun with dad. Dad I hope you get better. I guess I can’t really complain about my week when he’s had a week like that. Haha.

Mine was good. It’s a little slow with my new comp, but I hope I can help change him. Oh ya I also burned my shirt this week to celebrate my year mark. I made brownies as well. That was fun and good and it’s crazy that I already have that much time. It feels like yesterday you dropped me of at the MTC.

Well not much else than that has happened here this week. We did get a reference of a family, so I hope they turn out to be good. That would be nice. Our other family has stopped progressing and that’s kinda sad, but I hope we can still help them.

Well that’s about all that has happened this week. Be good. Take care of dad. Make sure he gets better. Sorry this is short but I don’t have much to say.
The church is true. I love you all,Love Elder Brinton

Excitment From Santa Lucia

2009-07-20T11:15:00.000-07:00

One of his last photos with Elder Trujillo before his comp got transferred.

Good lookin' toe, huh?
There is still unrest in the streets of Honduras. These people are in support of Mel Zelaya, the old president.
Who needs a knife when a machete will work.
Tate's description of this picture is: "Cute"

A very cute little girl.

A typical plate of food they eat.

My First Year Mark!

2009-07-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

Hola familia,

Here we are the last week of my first year. It’s crazy how fast time goes. But I wish I had 2 more years, I love it here. (and sorry I don’t really miss you guys, maybe the nieces and nephews but that’s all). So yes my comp got changed. I’m now with Elder Zuñiga. He’s from Nicaragua. This change will be interesting and I think a little tough. He’s a cool person, just with very little desire to work. So will have to see how it goes. I’m sure it will be hard at times. But oh well what can I do except try my best.

Oh ya last week you were saying you were going to send a package. If you haven’t sent it you could send me more gold toe socks from Pomeroy’s. I really like them, just some are getting bad from being sewn so many times haha. And if you want to send more memory cards you can.

So yesterday I think was my all time low in church attendance with 20 people, but it was still good. I also gave a talk yesterday. I think I took to much time though, because there wasn’t much time for the high counselor after me. It’s interesting how easy it is to give a talk now. I didn’t think it was very long, but I guess it was. Haha.

So Honduras is still in a little unrest. Supposedly Mel Zelaya is supposed to return as an ´indirect´ president. He will have limited power, and they will move the elections from November to August. But the `new` president doesn’t want to give up power. So you can see what I was saying where they both just want power and neither wants to do what’s best for Honduras. That’s at least what I heard. But ya hopefully they will settle all this soon.

Congratulations Mason on your baptism. He’s so old its crazy. On Thursdays we go to Teguc for our district meeting and weekly planning. (I asked why they go into Tegucigapla every Monday on Thursday. Monday's are to email and he just explained about Thursdays) So ya not much new has happened this week. I need some addresses, so if you can help me with those I would appreciate it. I will send you the names I need.

Well that’s about all that has happened this week. The church is true, live the gospel, it will make you happy. Love you all.

Love Elder Brinton

(Thank you for your prayers on behalf of the missionaries in Honduras. It sounds like we need to keep praying for them, until the unrest settles down.)

Photos of Santa Lucia

2009-07-14T15:47:00.000-07:00

Elder Brinton and Elder Trujillo hard at work!

They reactivated this family and then the fruits of missionary work happened, when the 9 year old girl wanted to be baptized.

Public pillas (place where they wash their clothes)

This art work was found inside a Catholic church. Looks similiar to LDS artwork that they use in their teaching, huh?
This is a picture of a garbage truck. Notice the kids playing inside of it?

A "pretty house" in Santa Lucia
Elder Brinton's planner on the 4th of July. Where's all the appointments? Maybe they were on vacation that day too.
A very nice handmade alligator belt

It has the name of the city on this entrance of Santa Lucia Tate said all the roads in Santa Lucia look like this.

Elder Brinton Sang in Church!

2009-07-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hola mi querido familia.

Well here we are one more week. This week was good. It was nice to not be locked in for more than a week now. This week was pretty normal, we still had to be in at 8 but nothing happened. Now this week we are back to normal curfew which will be nice. But ya not much has happened politically this week. Yesterday most of the churches did a 24hr prayer service for peace. It’s unfortunate that the resort to prayer as an emergency call. Maybe if the would pray for their well being everyday they wouldn’t be in this situation. But ya hopefully things get resolved peacefully.

So anyway this week we baptized the daughter of a member. The cool thing is it was the daughter of that lady we activated a little while ago. Although it wasn’t a family we baptized it was a nice fruit of missionary work. So ya our other investigators: One told us she didn’t like church anymore, and the others didn’t progress much this week. But well see what happens.

This week there are changes. I think there’s a very good chance that my comp will get changed. I could stay another change with him, but well have to see what happens. Changes are always interesting. It’s like the reality show part of the mission. Haha. Oh ya yesterday me my comp and another person in the branch we sang in sacrament meeting. We did an English Spanish version of a Child’s Prayer. It was good… I think. (That's amazing Tate sang...miracles really do happen) That’s CRAZY the Ashby’s are home. That seems like it went so fast. Maybe not for them but I felt like it. So ya that’s pretty much all that happened this week.

That’s crazy Masons getting baptized. He’s so old now. Oh ya I forgot last week to tell Mason and Matt happy birthday. Last week we were in central using internet cause the one in our zone was closed. But we come to Teguc every Thursday and Monday. And it takes like 30 minutes from my area, and then if we want to go down down it’s like another 20. It’s not bad. And yes almost all traveling is done in buses.

Sorry I don’t have any juicy stories this week. Sound like you are all doing good and having fun. That’s all for this week. The church is true.

Love you all.
Elder Brinton

Honduras in Lockdown

2009-07-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

Holaaaa familia,

How are we all doing? Well I actually get the chance to finally write. Well the work has been pretty slow these past few days. We have to be in at 7:00pm so it makes it hard to see some people that get home late. But it's been alright. It's nice actually leaving the house. It gets pretty boring staying in the house all day. But ya NOTHING has happened in my area. My area is calmer than leisure world at 9 o clock at night. There isn't any danger or anything. Which makes it harder to be locked in. But at least yesterday we were able to go to church, which was nice since the week before church was cancelled (I didn't know church could be cancelled and I wasn't in complete agreeance with it, but oh well). It was a little weird having to call our investigators and tell them all though the church is true it was cancelled and that they shouldn't go. Well we just told them it was for their safety, but it was weird.

So ya I'll tell you how I feel about everything that has gone on. Yes the country is disorganized right now. (CNN will make it sound a little worse than it is) but for the most part things are pretty calm. There are the protests in Tegucigalpa (I'm in downtown Teguc right now and it's calm) and things like that, but overall I haven't felt in danger so don't worry (I know you won't). Yesterday they wouldn't let the president land as you know which is sad that they can't settle this peacefully. I feel like the new president is trying to get as much power as he can and that's why he's doing these things. He says he's doing it for the people but I don't believe it. The funny thing is this current president was running to be a presidential candidate in Nov, but lost (cause the people didn't want him) but now they are all for him. Really no one likes him still, but they all say they do. It's interesting because before all this happened I didn't hear anyone say they didn't like Mel Zelaya. There was a vote last Sunday that he wanted and supposedly it was trying to make Honduras communist (don't really know), but since then the people hate him. I think it's a kinda a go with the flow type of thing. Like everyone else is doing it so I want to too. And they don't really know what they want. The government has blocked all news channels in favor of Mel Zelaya and they run programs all day showing all the things he did wrong and why he shouldn't be president. Things like that are why I feel this president just wants power. If he really wanted the best he would settle things peacefully. So ya it's a little crazy. I hope they can settle everything though.

I feel like we will be able to stay here and I hope so. I feel like Ammon when he went to preach to the Lamanites and says I desire to stay amongst these people (Alma 17 23). I would be very sad if I had to leave. I think as long as a war doesn't start we'll be alright. Tell all the missionary moms and stuff not to worry. Pray for us, but as of now I don't feel too worried. (I was a little scared I was going to leave).

But ya my computer time has run out. I love you all have fun. Live the gospel it's true.
Love Elder Brinton

News Article About the Unrest in Honduras

2009-06-29T20:30:00.000-07:00

Tate was not able to email this week because the missionaries are in lockdown, due to unrest in Honduras. We ask all of you to fast for the missionaries and for Honduras this coming Sunday.

Honduras unrest flares as world calls for reverse of coup
Ana FernandezJune 30, 2009 - 9:49AM
Violence flared in Honduras Monday as demonstrators clashed with police and soldiers in the aftermath of President Manuel Zelaya's ouster, with international pressure mounting for him to be restored to power.
Defying a government curfew, hundreds of angry Zelaya supporters erected barricades near the presidential palace, threw rocks and beat at shield-bearing riot police with sticks and metal bars, with security forces cracking down on the protesters with tear gas and gunfire, an AFP photographer said.
The violence, the most serious unrest in years in this Central American country, left several demonstrators and security forces wounded.
US President Barack Obama said the United States believed Zelaya "remains the president of Honduras" a day after troops bundled the 57-year-old out of his bed in pajamas and whisked him away to exile in Costa Rica.
Obama said the coup in the Central American nation was "not legal" and called for international cooperation to solve the crisis peacefully.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the international community's "immediate priority is to restore full democratic and constitutional order in that country."
Just hours after Zelaya was deposed, the Honduran Congress swore in its speaker, Roberto Micheletti, as the interim president until January.
In one of his first acts, Micheletti imposed a 48-hour curfew on the capital and insisted he had come to power via a legal process. He also began naming members of his cabinet on Monday.
But Zelaya has said he remains the elected leader, and scores of young people, many wearing scarves to cover their faces, protested in the capital, Tegucigalpa, Monday. Shots had been heard in the city late Sunday.
"President Mel is the only one," said Joseph, who was wielding an iron bar, and using the president's nickname.
"It was a coup, Mel Zelaya did not resign," agreed Amilcar Umanzo, brandishing a human rights manual in his hand. "The political and economic class united to overthrow the constitutional president," he added.
Zelaya's overthrow was triggered by a standoff with the military and legal institutions over his bid to change the constitution to allow him to run for a second term in November elections.
Elected to a non-renewable four-year term in 2005, Zelaya had planned a vote Sunday asking Hondurans to sanction a referendum on changing the constitution.
But the referendum had been ruled illegal by Honduras's top court and was opposed by the military.
Leftwing Latin American leaders who met in Nicaragua Monday have backed Zelaya and said they were recalling its ambassadors to Honduras in protest at his removal.
"In the face of the dictatorial government that intends to be imposed, the countries of ALBA have decided to withdraw our ambassadors and to leave minimal diplomatic representation in Tegucigalpa," said a statement issued after talks in Nicaragua.
ALBA -- the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas -- was founded by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuban leader Fidel Castro in 2004 and also includes Bolivia, Nicaragua and the Caribbean island of Dominica.
Russia and Canada also joined a growing list of nations to condemn the coup, and the European Commission called an urgent meeting with Central American ambassadors to consider the future of trade talks.
The United Nations held emergency talks Monday on the crisis, and Zelaya was said to be likely to address the UN General Assembly Tuesday.
Chavez said the international community should teach the Honduran government "a lesson" after throwing his weight behind Zelaya. And Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said leaders were determined to avoid "bloodshed."
But in Honduras, Micheletti brushed off international condemnation of the takeover.
He said he "had come to the presidency not by a coup d'etat but by a completely legal process as set out in our laws."
The interim leader also warned Chavez his country was ready to "go to war" if there was interference by "this gentleman."
Micheletti said he had information that several battalions of troops were being prepared outside of Honduras for intervention.
Zelaya, who was elected as a conservative, has shifted dramatically to the left during his presidency.
He is the latest in a string of Latin American leaders, including Chavez, to seek constitutional changes to expand presidential powers and also ease term limits.

Zone Conference with Elder Clark and Elder Duarte

2009-06-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hola familia,

Well I got the pictures you sent, but there wasn’t a letter. But oh well. (Tate did email back and said the letter came through...just a little late so we're not sure if he got to read it or not. It did make for a longer email from Tate, so that was good. Maybe we should email like that every week:) Oh today I got the other news letter as well, I got the others last week. Anyway this week was good. Wednesday we had zone conference with Pres Clarke and Elder Duarte (area 70, friend of the Bingham’s, great speaker). It was really good and he taught us some good stuff. I enjoyed it. I also got to see Zolman and Magoffin and that was fun. Haha. But that’s really all that happened this week.

It rains usually everyday here, which I enjoy, but yesterday my feet got wet and I was uncomfortable and I wished it would stop, but what can you do.

We have been finding and teaching some good people I just hope they want to learn more. Less active people continue to frustrate me, the just don’t want to change. I was thinking yesterday about the plan of salvation and realized it really is a plan of happiness for everyone. Before I thought how could you be happy outside of the celestial kingdom, but then I thought the people that don’t enjoy doing gospel things (like going to church) and aren’t happy trying to live the gospel (for these 80 earthly years), these same people wouldn’t be happy living with god either because they never liked these things here, so god will reward them accordingly and they will be happy that way. It’s kinda sad that people don’t care, but we create our own destiny. It’s frustrating that people think keeping commandments is optional as well. They think it’s like god said “keep the Sabbath day holy…..when you want to, or when your not tired”. They don’t understand that you do it or you don’t, you chose to return to god or you don’t. It’s very simple, black and white, day and night. He has given us everything we need to return (thank you heavenly father), all the tools are there in front, the path has been laid, now it just depends what were going to do. It’s frustrating that people don’t understand that. God gave the life of his son to show his love for us, he sacrificed the life of a human being. What are we doing to show our love for him? Imagine being able to tell him “thank you” personally, but to do that we have to make sure we return to his presence. I think that would be a pretty good way to show our love. “If ye love me keep my commandments” its so simple. Yesterday the classes were about being offended and how we need to be firm in the gospel so we don’t fall away. And I thought of something. There are two words, “to know” and “to believe”. What is the difference? One of them will sustain us through hard times, the other, when the hard times come we will fall away. Believing in the gospel isn’t good enough, we have to know it’s true. Believers are Sunday Mormons, they do the bare minimum, which isn’t bad, they just don’t but forth extra effort. Knowers live the gospel 7 days a week, they study and pray, and from PERSONAL EXPERIENCE they KNOW the gospel is true. One of my counselors in the MTC once said, a testimony is when we know the gospel is true, a conversion is when the gospel makes us true. I never really understood that until now. But if we are knowers, that live the gospel, the gospel will make us true. Take the articles of faith (not all of them work with this) and see if you can change “we believe” to “I know”. We need knowers not believers. But which are we?

Well that’s all. I hope all of you are doing well. I’m doing great. I love you all.
Love Elder Brinton

Oh ya mom you don’t happen to know a Lynn Tholman. There was a lady here baptized in the 50s but we can’t find her records so were trying to see what we can do. And I know you know some Tholmans, so maybe by chance it’s them. In case it is, the lady’s name is Amanda Conception Nelson Duron. If not don’t worry. Thanks

Photos from Santa Lucia and San Lorenzo

2009-06-17T00:06:00.000-07:00

Clouds rolling in in Santa Lucia

Views of Tegucigapla at night from Santa Lucia
Elder Brinton's latest investigator

Before and After...shoe shine kit really works
A big house in his area
Remember San Lorenzo? Well here is what it looks like when it rains.

Another view of San Lorenzo

This is what it looks like when it's dry
A little squirrel

A very large worm

Great Interviews and Elder Clark is Coming!

2009-06-17T00:02:00.000-07:00

Hola familia,
Here we are another week. This week was good. I like my area. But ya it is nothing like the rest of Honduras. I enjoy the cool weather, it’s very nice. I’ve liked my comp so far and that is good.

Anyway we are teaching a family, but they didn’t come to church unfortunately. They’re really cool, but we need to get them married first. That is a BIG thing in missionary work here, marrying the people. And it can be difficult when the people’s birth records are in a far away town. But hopefully we can baptize them.

We had interviews last week and they were really good. I liked it and president bought us all Burger King which was nice haha. This Wednesday is zone conference and the area president Elder Clark is coming so I’m excited. It should be good. I’ll let you know.

Well Saturday we had a good experience. It was like 7:30 at night and we didn’t have anything to do. We were trying to decide and my comp said what does the spirit say and I was like I don’t know, and he said all I can think of is Sonya. She is less active and lives really far from where we were and we were kinda like do we really want to go there, she never comes to church. But we went anyway and I was hoping maybe I’d have one of those cool experiences like we would arrive and she was dieing and we would save her or something. But we got there, taught her a lesson like normal and left. I didn’t really think much about it. Then Sunday when we got to church she was there with her two kids. It was crazy she has never gone in at least the 2 months my comp has here, who knows if more. But I guess what she needed was that visit that night to get here to go. So that is my cool experience this week.

Other than that all is good. Yes they eat the same food here and we do have a cook. Ya I think that’s all for this week. The church is true. Study the scriptures, share the gospel. Help God in this work. Pray always. As Elder Uchtdorf said, “Don’t get caught up in the now and lose sight of what really matters."

Love Elder Brinton

Welcome to Beautiful Santa Lucia...My New Area!

2009-06-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Rainforest. Tate said there is a mountain behind him, but where is it?

Very green and beautiful!

This is the thermostat in Tate's house

They even have beautiful sunsets, pine trees and mountains
Tate standing in the rainforest.
A beautiful lagoon.
The church building in Santa Lucia. Looks like they need to build a new one.
Part of his new area
These houses are the reason Tate called this area the Scottsdale of Honduras

Nice large house
Tate's new companion, Elder Trujillo. He's from El Salvador Spooky cemetary

Tate said this looks like the cinder pit at our ranch

The walkway to Tate's house

The view out of Tate's window

Cute pic of himself standing in the mist

Beautiful green hillsides and lots of clouds

Tate said he is King Mosiah

Another beautiful sunset

My Old House in San Lorenzo

2009-06-09T15:57:00.001-07:00

Our Backyard

We had a pretty cool bathroom...for Honduras
You can see in our bedroom and into our bathroom.

The side view of our house...one of our entrances.

One of our doorsAnother Door

Still another door

Our front door

Elder Muellek in our bedroom

Our beautiful kitchen...looks like we need to wash dishes, huh?

My 4th Area: Santa Lucia

2009-06-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

Hola familiaHere I am in.... area number 4 and its called Santa Lucia. Yes I got changed and now I’m in the Scottsdale of Honduras. I’m in Santa Lucia (Zolman’s 1st area). It’s about 30 minutes from Tegucigalpa and it’s up in the mountains. It’s very very pretty and pretty cold. It’s all trees and green. The bad thing is it is all mountains. There is no flat ground, so you’re always going up or down. It looks just like Flagstaff: Red cinder and pine trees.

My new comp is from El Salvador and his name is Elder Trujillo. So far I’ve really liked him. The branch here is really small but it’s functioning. Our church is probably the worst house here. It’s soo ugly. So ya there’s a lot of money in this area so it might be tough, but well have to see. It’s rained a lot so far and when it rains the valley fills up with clouds. It’s crazy! I’m going to try and send pictures. So ya that’s my news.

Sounds like you are all having fun. Heidi I’m jealous you got to meet Toby Keith, but that’s cool. Sounds like everyone is always busy which is good. Well I don’t have much time, so I have to make this quick. I love you all. The church is true.

Love Elder Brinton

Slaughter House, USA Game and Earthquake

2009-06-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

Hola familia.

Well it sounds like you are all having fun and doing good. So I guess Rob moved stores? He didn't last long there (Rob, Tate's brother moved his picture framing business to a great location near his two best clients and it's in a more upscale design center...hopefully it will be a good move). And girls camp sounded fun (Our youngest daughter Heidi and I went to girl's camp last week. I got to be over the YCL's and had a fun time).

This week was good. We found a mom and a daughter yesterday so we'll see how that goes. The other guy we found is progressing a little. But he doesn't want much to do with religión. So well see how things go. Changes are Wednesday and that should be interesting. Me or my comp could go cause we have like the same time in our area. Changes always make you nervous.

So I made fry bread again and it was about the same. It tastes good but it's different. I guess you'll have to show me when I get home. No I didn’t feel the earthquake. Everyone asks and says they did, but I'm pretty sure once they heard about it they just tricked themselves into thinking maybe they did feel it. But nothing happened here.

Saturday is the Honduras vs USA game so that will be interesting. And hopefully nothing happens to me haha. (Tate mentioned if the US wins, which he thinks they will, that the missionaries might need to stay inside for a few days, because the people might be a little aggressive towards them)

Yes I did get the last newsletter thanks! The Arnett's cant move! Where are they going? (This is a family in our ward that he loves) Well it will be interesting when I get back. My ZL goes home Wed and his parents came and picked him up from Costa Rica. It made me feel like I was going home haha.

So this week I did one of the grosser things in my life. We went to the slaughter house. It was disgusting. I don’t know how people do that. It actually wasn’t that bad, but then they started taking all the body parts out, mixed with the blood everywhere it was gross. I think the worst was I was standing there and was like well at least it doesn’t smell, then I smelled and realized it really did and it smelled bad and that didn’t help. But the worst was walking around after we left I felt sick for like 15 minutes. But ya it was interesting. I have pictures, but I don’t know if you want me to send them so you can tell me next week. Haha.

Also I got to go to Teguc Thursday with my ZL that’s going home and that was a fun little trip. I got to see Magoffin. I also weighed myself and I weigh 185lbs. That’s a loss of 40 lbs. since the MTC. That’s crazy. Well I think that’s about all. We'll see what happens this week.

The church is true. Read the Book of Mormon. 2 Nephi 4 is a good one I read yesterday.

Love you all.
Love Elder Brinton

Olympia Parade & Zone Conference

2009-05-25T10:17:00.000-07:00

Olympia Parade (after the Soccer Championship)

Olympia won!!!

There were like 30 of these

Me and Elder Gonzales at Zone Conference

The three south zones

Crab Soup

Honduran Soccer Championship

2009-05-25T10:12:00.000-07:00

Hello familia,

Well this week was pretty good. Wednesday we had zone conference and it was good. Also yesterday was a pretty big here, it was the championship of the Honduran soccer league. And everybody watches that. Olympia won and everyone went crazy. They made their own parade down the streets. There were like 30 motorcycles and like 30 trucks full of people driving in a line honking and screaming and waving flags. It was pretty crazy. But that’s the exciting things that happened this week.

That guy we found is still good but he just found out his son has leukemia and is in the hosptital in Tegucigalpa so he's hard to find but I hope all goes well.

Now that it has rained everything is green. Its crazy how fast it changed it went from ugly to beautiful. This Sunday was good cause we had the highest assistance since I've been here. And that was good. Next week it already changes, its crazy how fast these changes have gone.

Anyway sounds like your all doing good there. That’s crazy that it rained on graduation again. But at least it wasn’t freezing and canceled. Its crazy ive been out a whole school year already. Time flies. Ya its rained some more and its good cause it cools it off a little. Well that’s about all this week. The church is true. Love you all.

Love,
Elder brinton