NOO!! haha.. December 7th‏

Hello and a happy winter from a sun-burned Elder Tinkham. I hope everything is going well with you all back at home.

First and foremost...I have been transferred from Piedras Bonitas. I am very sad at the moment because I REALLY wanted to stay until Christmas, but I know the Lord has other things in mind for me. I am still a missionary of pure pueblos (very small towns)! I have been transferred to an area called Juticalpa. It is about a 7 hour bus ride from here...and I'll be going completely solo! My companion is going to be Elder Lopez from Nicaragua, so I'm still going on a companion tour of Central America as well. Neither of us know the area as we are going to be opening it, so it should be very interesting at first. I am still Junior companion, but my comp only has 11 months so we will have a lot of fun together.

Anyways, now about my week that I had. This week was absolutely amazing, which makes it all the more difficult for me to leave. Our investigators are progressing amazingly, especially Familia Ramos, they have been the light of my week. Firstly, there was a camp for all of the youth in Honduras this week, and with a lot of work we actually convinced the two teenagers Carlos and Josuè to go. It was amazing because originally they didn't want much to do with us while we were teaching, but with friends in the ward, and a lot of fasting, they are now asking US for chapters to read in the Book of Mormon. They got back from the camp and told us about all the fun they had, and we were overjoyed. We also finished all the work that was needed for the marriage of the parents as well, and they will be married the 19th of December.

Well, I can´t really remember much else about the week, except for yesterday, Sunday, so I will spend the rest of the time explaining that. Yesterday was the best day of my whole mission I would say. Why you ask? I´ll tell you.

Sunday we were excited to go to church because we didn't have meetings last week. We had a special fast for the Familia Ramos, because we planned on going to their house after church and placing a baptismal date. So, they came to church, and we were absolutely thrilled to have them come. They were welcomed by almost all of the branch, and the kids even went up and bore their testimony about the camp! Also, the Hermana Ela with whom we were working with the member of the High Council came to church as well. She was welcomed with tearful hugs from all the members that she had returned. I don't know if I told you before but she had retired from going to church because her husband was shot and murdered a year ago, and every time she went to church she thought about him and it hurt her too bad to go. After a lot of work and tearful lessons, she came to church.

I also got the opportunity to bear my testimony one last time to the Branch Piedras Bonitas. At the time I didn't know about the transfers (I found out about an hour ago), but it was still very special. After the meetings, we went over to the house of Fam. Ramos to watch The Testaments with them. After a very tense experience throughout the movie of finding the words to say to place the baptismal date, a thought came to my mind. "Elder, you're already a missionary, you're obedient, and working hard, what have you to fear?" After that, I forgot my fear, and we placed the date for the 26th of December, and they accepted it!!!! I won't be able to be here to see it, but I can't wait to see how it turns out later.

Then that night, my joy filled when we got the opportunity to watch the Christmas Devotional with the First Presidency. It was amazing to watch and I especially adored the music. The music is were I really felt the spirit in the devotional, and of course that of the prophet of God. Afterwards I had the opportunity to talk with many of the members that I have had such great friendships with, and everything I have done here. When I left the meeting, I really felt now like this place is my home. But you know what they say, as soon as that happens and the missionaries feel like that, that's when they ship you out. My joy has been completed here, and I am very sad to leave, but I'm ready to work hard again and give all that I have to the Lord.

That's all I have for you guys this week, I hope that you are all enjoying this beautiful time of the year, and I leave you with my love and thoughts. Please take care all of you, and Ill talk to you in Juticalpa!

Vaya Pues!
Elder Tinkham