Hello! A big ol' shout out to all you normal
folk who live on solid ground! First of all, a very happy and loud HAPPY
BIRTHDAY to my sister tomorrow! I can't believe that she is now 15! Today I
just ate a "Banana doughnut" and I thought it was one of the best
things I have ever eaten! So, we shall head right on into this here e-mail!
So, as may have been heard, we had a Multi-Zone Conference with
President Veirs last Tuesday in La Ceiba. This is where the title of the e-mail
comes in. We showed up, had a big Q & A with the Stake President and the
Bishops over there, then heard from the APs of how to better work with members
and not “throw cake” at our investigators. Then, we watched a video by Elder
Holland that really quite struck me deep down. It is a video from an MTC talk,
so I don't know what it is called or how to get a hold of it...but it got me
deep down in a spot that was really really tender. It made me realize just how
much things have changed, and just how much more I must change. My batteries
were truly recharged, and I am walking with that same vigor I had when I first
stepped into my first area. This is a new, NEW time. The time Honduras feared
the name Elder Tinkham for the 2nd time! (although the first time I was not the
one wearing the nametag)
Other than that, only few choice events happened. Thursday, we had an
activity at church where we watched a movie. Not just a church movie, but the
Ropers hooked us up with The Incredibles in Spanish. We had an enormous
turnout. I think it helps that there is not 1 movie theater on the island, but
maybe people are just naturally drawn to movies. Well, thanks to that, many
members brought friends or introduced us to friends or inactives came that
haven't been to church for a long time. All in all, even though we didn't show
something strictly of church doctrine (it still emphasized the importance of
the family, but nonetheless) we were able to pull out some great side effects!
Specifically meeting Edgardo and Daisi who both have many family members who
are already members of the church. They were very well receptive to us and we became
good friends quickly.
Saturday was the going away party for the Ropers. We showed up late
because we were busy out teaching certain people and trying to get this work
moving forward even more! Unfortunately, we have no baptisms to report for this
week, but with certain people that we are working with, we are close. For many,
marriage is the only obstacle that stands in the way for right now. But, we are
not discouraged, we have the calling, we have the authority, we have the will. We
have the help.
I just would close with a simple testimony. Worn, tested...but true. I
know our Heavenly Father lives and loves us and has provided every needful
thing in our lives to help us to return to live with Him. We just have to open
our eyes and see it. And then, accept it. His plan is perfect, for He is
perfect.
I love each and every one of you, and I am especially grateful for my
grandma who keeps on sending cards! They are very small bundles of joy each
time one arrives (which, with the mail system, arrive several at a time!)
Vaya Pues!
Elder Tinkham
