So...the
question may be asked who my new companion is. Well, his name is Elder Barba
(yes...Elder Beard) and he is from Mexico. The interesting thing is that he is
still a pretty recent convert. He was baptized 3 years ago, and is already 25
years old. But, for being a convert he has a very amazing knowledge of the
gospel and is super smart in a lot of things (he has already received his Mexican
equivalent to a bachelor’s degree). He has almost 6 months in the mission. So,
that means that Elder Tinkham:
Is
now Senior Companion.
I am
super excited for this new part, that "Next Step" in missionary work.
I may be a little scared, a little nervous, a little unsure of what Senior
companion does...but, I know in whom I put my trust. So if He has put His trust
in me to be able to do this...well, then who am I not to put my trust in Him? I
am super excited! Watch out, Satan, a powerhouse is coming!
So
this week on Monday we didn’t do much. Elder Hofstrand wanted to get a little
bit of a head start on packing and we left to eat lunch, do some last minute
buying for him, and headed out to just do little things here and there. I also
ended up playing fetch with the apartment owner’s dog for a good 45 minutes. It
was all good fun! I also claimed a lot of things that my companion was stating
that he didn’t want, gratefully ending up with several books, a cool shirt, and
a few other things before my next companion would show up. I also changed to be
on the other side of the room and moved all my clothes and stuff into the
closet right by the bed. (If I am going to be here 6 months, I ought to change
it up a little, right?)
Tuesday
we left for La Ceiba so that Elder Hofstrand could catch the bus Wednesday
morning bright and early. So, we ended up at the house of Elder Neiswender (who
was also going home) and went to his last baptism. Then, he and my companion
headed out and Elder Novoa (a new elder) and I headed out for Buenos Aires to
be with Elder Salcido, whose companion also left.
Well,
Wednesday we just hung out over there in Buenos Aires waiting for our
companions, and then all of a sudden Elder Barba shows up, my first junior
companion. Needless to say, a happy moment and we celebrated calling in a pizza
that night!
Thursday
we normally would have headed out to the island in the morning, but the Zone
Leaders wanted the island missionaries to be there, so we stuck around for
that. Then, we went out to go and search for some papers for a couple to get
married and we can then baptize a members wife and 2 kids. So, we took off on
an unknown bus route to an unknown place called San Francisco in Atlantida. It
was a super cool place, super clean, and with a lot of big, clean, nice houses.
Well, we weren’t able to take the paper out because there was no bank in San
Francisco, so we had to head back. It was already about 3:40 so we missed the
yacht heading back to Roatán again and hung out over there again in La Ceiba
But,
for sure we headed out Friday, showed up, and immediately started working. From
there, nothing outstanding or amazing happened, just me getting used to the
fact of being senior companion. But, it is a good weight. It isn’t something I
dreaded. I thank you all for all your letters (especially Grandma’s cards that
keep on coming!) and all your support! You all remain in my prayers and I hope
that this week shall be just as amazing as my week will be!
Vaya
Pues!
Elder
Tinkham
