Tobago Branch party at Pigeon Point Beach

September 2013

Pie eating contest
Sister Linton and Elder Hill are willing competitors

Ready, set,

GO!

Everybody is cheering!

Some of the little kids are mystified - never seen anything like this before

Elder Hill won - with hardly a smudge on his face

Nettie's grown a goatee 

Aeryn Baynes jumped out of the ocean and into the contest 

Looks like Aeryn only wanted the whipped cream

Deyonce had her face wiped off before I could get her picture

Caelyn Baynes had to have a little help from mom to get to the bottom of the plate

Adorable Caelyn Baynes loved the chocolate pie eating contest

John Mark with chocolate pie all over his face  All you can see is the whipped cream

This little guy did it all and was full of the dickens - don't know his name

In the egg toss contest, Anderson Burris tried to catch an incoming egg and it exploded in his hand and coated his body

  Shocked at first he examined himself and ran into the ocean to wash off - it was the best laugh of the party

Deyonce is going to be baptized in a couple of weeks

Her mother, who is a hair stylist braids pre-braided hair pieces onto her hair.

Omaya Regis is 3 and wanted her picture taken

Omaya showing off her braided hair

Mya Timothy has wild and crazy hair

Buzzed, Ronaldo is seven

As we were leaving the Timothy home, Sister Timothy's daughter, Whitney, came running toward us giggling and calling out our name

We were delighted to see her beautiful smiling face

When we were waiting for our mission call I felt we might be called to serve in Africa

We've found ourselves serving those of African descent displaced to the little island of Tobago generations ago

We love the Tobagonians! 

 

Our 50th Wedding Anniversary

September 6

in

Tobago

First light over the Plantations

 

 Letters from Home

Hermana Pinnock

So.....  This week I got to meet with President Toone but our meeting was all of five seconds because the liver before me took a million hours!  Haha it was fine..... I don't have any issues so it was fine.  He really is the most loving guy I know.  Everytime he speaks he's got little tears building up in his eyes.

Brother Grubbs, my first investigator, is now attending church regularly with his family and decided to read the BOM on his own.... so cool!  Their family is way legit... I love them so much!  Even though the wife is a member she said that lately as they have been reading and praying as a family she's felt Heavenly Father’s love for her and her family more.

It is "hotsie totsie" down here, as Grandma Nettie would say, but honestly it's not the worst thing.  I think of all those poor, poor Eskimos with their parkas trying to light a fire and I say to myself, "Someday we'll get to trade."

BIG NEWS = I'm getting Facebook..... tomorrow..... soooooo weird.  I don't know what to think about it.  It makes me a little crazy but I know that Heavenly Father knows what is up and if this is what the work needs then I'm on board.... still so weird.  We might be getting iPads in a couple of weeks soooooo be jealous.  Really this is the weirdest thing. Coming from never being computer savvy (I remember when Saro Romero had to train me on facebook because I couldn't figure it out haha), to completely leaving it all behind, to this now is just crazy.  They said I'll be using the Facebook account I had before I headed out so 'friend me' hahaha!

Spiritual stuff --- Life is a nice thing... and I'll tell you why. We are children of God!!!!!  I was thinking about this and I want you to think about it.... the most powerful being is our Heavenly Father!  He created everything!  He has a million children yet every single little prayer we have goes straight up and he records it and hears it.  For some reason people refuse to accept the blessings he has given them.  It's sad to see that people don't understand their potential.  

Javier, smoked and drank again this week and he was all justifying himself saying, "I've been doing way good!  Don't be mad." and other stuff like that.  And he has been doing a lot better and I've never been addicted to anything so I don't judge it but it was sad to see him digress.  

It was sad that he let Satan get even one inch into his territory so I just looked at him and I was all like, "Javier, you are a son of God.  Don't sell yourself short."  And it was kind of funny because his eyes got all big but I could tell that it really hit him.  

Humans back home, don't sell yourselves short.  We've only got one chance at this life, so don't give up or give in.  If you think that the world has something better to offer you... it doesn't.

I love you all!  Let me know what you want to hear about because I don't know what I'm talking about half the time... just trying to be led by the spirit... no big deal.  LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!

Sun just above the horizon over the Atlantic

Anziano Pinnock

Well it seems like life is going just great at home.  Everyone is getting along great and school has started.  I'll try my best to get details in this letter.  I'm sorry I don't give you a lot of information it's just that there isn't a lot to tell here.  It feels like, for the most part, every day is the same.  Sarah and I are writing and that is really fun.

We have two "investigators" who are both progressing.  We had our last lesson with one of them yesterday where we committed her to baptism.  Our second one is really close and we hope to have a date planned tomorrow.

I see all the Olympus kids all the time and they all say that you are doing an amazing job in mission prep.  Stephen and I are getting along really well and have a blast whenever we talk.  My teacher also had her last day teaching yesterday before she went to DC for an internship. 

The devotional last night was given by Elder Andersen and it was amazing.  He talked about the power of testimonies and sacrifices.  After, we walked back in the pouring rain which made my suit smell like mildew, but we already took them to be dry cleaned and they will be ready tomorrow.

So we leave Tuesday morning for the airport at 530.  We should be at the airport by about 7 and through customs at about 8 so I'll try to call you there.  We are leaving that airport at 1045 for Chicago.  We arrive at 240 and leave for London at 515 pm and get there at 650 am and finally leave London for Milan at 910 and get there at 1205.  One and a half days of traveling.  That is where I get my last nap for 2 years.

I'll try and call you in Salt Lake and we can talk for a while and if you want I can call you in Chicago as well but probably not in London.  Make sure you get me a calling card with a good amount of time on it and be ready for a call at one of those times.  I know I won't be able to talk to Jane because of school and maybe not David but I'll send something for her.

The MTC has been great.  I have liked my companion and we have gotten along great.  We are all super excited to get to Italy.  I can say a lot of Italian but it's all just about church things.  My conversational Italian is non-existent.

Love you!

"Here Comes the Sun"

Letters from home

Hermana Pinnock 

I'm glad ya’ll had fun at Bear Lake.  Also so happy baby girl finally emailed me.... good human.  David I sent you a letter.  Glad Emi did well at her farewell!!!  Love her.

This has been a solid week.  We had a conference with Elder Cardon from the Quorum of the 70.  He taught us a bunch of random stuff... it was very, very good.

We had a ward party on Friday where lots of ward members brought non members.... BEST THING!  It makes our job so much easier.  We got to give them a tour of the building.  The non members kept on saying how impressed they were with our church, how well behaved everyone was and how they loved how it was centered on the family!  So Awesome! Also they had an Elvis impersonator at the party... So funny!!!   I'll send pics.

So, some people I'm teaching are Javier.  He rocks!  He just came to church for the first time yesterday and loved it!  He's reading everyday and says he believes it's true.... yes.  Last Sunday my comp and I prayed and fasted to have more success in the Foothill area and let me tell you something... the power of fasting and prayer is real.  We found twins that are 17 years old to teach and we are super excited about them.  Their names are Desiree and Darius.

My companion is rockin'.  She is literally the nicest human ever!  Everyone that knows her loves her!  She went to Alta high school so I asked if she knew the Romeros but she didn't - darn.  The other day we were driving down the street in the middle of Welton and we passed one of the largest cow farms ever!!!!  There was a fly in the car that attacked my companion so she was all like "AAAhhh!" and swatted it to me so I freaked out and my companion rolled down the window and that was a mistake.  The smell of a million cows flooded into our car.... worst thing... also hilarious.... love her.

So it's really hot here.  Like really hot.  We are pounding water like it's no human’s business.

So my message today is about enduring to the end.  I've probably talked about this before but here it goes again.  Whenever people say "endure to the end" it sounds like you’re dragging a boulder across the desert but it's the best thing!!  People don't understand the blessings that come from not giving up!  Heavenly Father gave us guidelines to be happy!  It's so sad how many people just give up.  Don’t! Challenge to you = read 2 Nephi 31:20 with the happiest voice.  Enduring to the end isn't easy but it's The HAPPIEST thang!!!

Zero time sorry!

XO, Me

Hermana Pinnock 

Hey family,

Another week... weird!  Everyone always told me that the first few months are no bueno pero me gusta mucho!

So we had a really great lesson with Javier this last week! We literally took away all his cigarettes and all his beer soooooo... ya!  He is a great human!  We set some really great goals with him for the next month.  We went over the resurrection with him and realized he doesn't understand anything we taught him, that's always is a good feeling, haha!  So, we're going to retrace a little bit/a lot a bit... But really he’s doing great!  Even though he doesn't understand he reads the scriptures like it's nobody's business and says that something keeps on leading him to us.... duh it's the man upstairs.

It rained elephants down here!  Apparently when it's not blazing hot it rains cannon balls.... I loved it!!!  The lightning was insane.  People see it hit the ground all the time!  My companion and I were totally soaked (Loved it!!!!).  It was amazing!!!!!!!

Writing in my journal is hard because we have zero time but I've made a goal to write no miracle a dia!

We did exchanges this last week and I went into an area where they mostly speak spanish and let me tell you I know nothing about spanish.... My only way to speak spanish is to smile really big and say, "lo siento mi espanol es muy bad!!!".  When I say sentences people just look at me with one squinted eye, haha!  It's super funny!!!

We had our first planned church activity/missionary activity on Saturday.  It was 'Movie, Tour and Treats’.  It was pretty not successful.... like pretty much an epic fail but we think it was mostly do to the blocked off road and crazy weather.  At least that's what we told ourselves to feel better haha!

This last week we had a few disappointments with Jesus (p.s. everyone and their dog is named Jesus... We're teaching like five right now... haha).  We think he got into some anti-mormon stuff.... boo.  He was disclaiming the Book of Mormon with whatever, so I finally said if you want to know if the Book of Mormon is true you're going to have to read it and find out for yourself.  Then he said how he didn't want to know if the church is true.  We went home pretty sad that night, but the good news is that the church is true and the work keeps on moving!

We also got a new family last week!  I love them!  When we got in the house the mom pointed at us and said all sassy-like, "Let me first ask.... Are you Christian?!"  and we were all like “Haha Yes!" then she started waving her finger and was all like, "Good!"

We also taught this really cute 17 year old girl named Desiree!  She is a winner!  She's going through some rough family stuff.... like really rough but she's a rock!

Being out here is pretty much the best thing regardless of the hard times.  I am learning so much, it's the best!  I love it!  Also I'm going through all the last conference talks and it's the best thing!  Do it!

I just want you all to know that we have a living, breathing Prophet!  Like he's real!  I'm always sad I don't have more time to write about everything but know that I love y’al!  I have the best family in the world.  Thanks for raising me like this!  Thanks for fulfilling your callings!  Thanks for your letters!  Thanks for your love!  I love y’all so much!

These are pics of the casa, my neighborhood, my companion and me and me after I finally attached my bike onto the car… lolz

xo Hermana Pinnock  

Anziano Pinnock

What’s happening family?   I read your email and it was great.  Sounds like McCall was a blast.  Mission prep sounded way good too.  However, mom, waffles with bananas and berry syrup?   I think you got a little excited for your first one, am I right?   Anyway, sounds like you won the heart of everyone going to mission prep and may have some new people go just for the after-party.  This week was awesome.  My companion and I had a couple of hard lessons but we also had some really good ones where I felt like I could actually understand them and tell them what they needed to hear.  Last night was the best night ever. For the devotional we had Elder Scott come and talk to us.  He gave the best talk about prayer that really helped me and everyone else feel the spirit and learn something new or receive an answer to a prayer.   He said that during it he knew that his wife, who died a long time ago, was allowed to be there and he could feel her spirit.  When he said that the spirit was soooooooooo strong and it testified that what he said was true.   That’s so cool to be so in tune with the spirit that you know when your wife on the other side of the veil is there.  At the end he gave the entire MTC and all the missionaries a blessing.  When he talked about learning a new language it really hit home and made me feel like I can actually learn it.  This week all but one person in my room has gotten a super stuffy nose and a sore throat.  Don’t worry we're fine but going to bed is like an audition for a sniffing concert.  But besides that all is good.  

To answer your questions:  Yes I'm seeing a ton of friends at the MTC and for the most part it helps.  It’s just great to be able to talk to someone that I already know and don't have to start the conversation from the very bottom.  On the Sunday devotional me and Nick Liddell talked for about half an hour and that really helped.  I see Michael Dellenbach and Campbell Mcgavin at the Tuesday devotionals and we always have a good laugh.  

Thanks for everything.

Anziano Pinnock

The Italian word for message is messago and the word for massage is massago so our teacher told us that when she was a missionary in Italy she was at an apartment and when they buzzed a guy in the lobby they told him they had a massage for them.  Well, ten minutes later this man came downstairs in a purple robe ready for a massage.  Our class had a good laugh about that.  

Next week is our last week in the MTC and we are all looking forward to that.  

Anyway, sounds like life is going on.  Today when we went to the temple we saw Hugh there as he was a veil worker. Stephen told me that he thinks that Hugh is stalking him because he has his MTC schedule.  Haha sounds like they are getting along just swimmingly.  I'm glad you got my pictures.  I hope that Jane has already set one of them as the computer screen saver but I know the saver is probably Sarah in Arizona either with her president or her zone.  Yes, I am getting her emails and they make my day.  I can tell she is having a blast and is losing herself in the work.  

This week we got a letter from our president telling us the run down of getting there.  There was one part that really made me laugh.  He doesn't personally allow iPods so I'm sending mine back but I’ll keep the speakers because he said that CD's are fine and Stephen gave me a CD of Jake and his family singing.   So sorry for all the work you put into getting me my iPod and speakers and just know that it is the thought that counts.  Also if there are any good CD's feel free to send them.  

I got your package and I loved it.  Thanks for sending them they make my day.  Next week is our last full week at the MTC and we are all getting stoked to go to Italy.  I saw Preston Bodily today right after he was dropped off so I missed his family but I embarrassed him when I yelled out his name and gave him a hug in front of everyone.  Thanks for all the stuff and the support you’re giving me.  All the letters and packages help me discern the days from each other which is a lot harder than you think because the days here are all the same.  I'm going to send a package home next week with Sarah's stuff and some of mine.  Thanks for everything!  I’ll send you some pictures later when I'm doing my laundry.

Jane: make sure you don't kill yourself from all the dance classes and violin.  I don't want you going insane when I come home because you’re doing too much.  Oh and you can't hang out with boys until after I'm back and can threaten them at least a little.

Love you all so much!  Enjoy life and school!

Ben Linton

Here's my first day of school outfit! what do you think?

Ben, You need to cover up more of your weird face and I don't know about the t-shirt - it might be a bit too much.  Try something in purple silk with yellow polka dots.

Letters From Home

Kathleen Linton Smith Family

Fam, I Came home from work late yesterday and Brittin surprised me with her hand made cup"cake" dessert... 

(FROM SCRATCH!!!) 

It is Van Gogh's "Sunflower" :-) 

Ahhhhhh.... 

Cana I say, GIFTED?!

First Day of 4th Grade! More exciting than Christmas!
All the students in the entire Elementary school were given their own iPads! WTH??

Brittins First Day of 8th Grade!

1. Sugar Scull T-shirt $20.00
2. Tiffany & Co. Blue shorts $39.00
3. Circa 1970's original steel necklace
4. Feeling like a Rock Star the first day of school?
    PRICELESS!!!!!

Kathleen
"The All Great and Powerful"

First Day of 7th Grade...
Now that little apple does not fall far from the tree!

Smith and Christiansen girls

A customers 6 yr old son fell in love with me at first sight. For over a month he has been writing me poetry and bringing me flowers to work.

Last week he officially asked me if he could take me on a date to an Ice Cream shop on Saturday. I said yes and he said he will pay for everything but I will have to drive :) 

He followed up during the week to ask what color dress I would be wearing, I said light blue.

Saturday at 6 I washed the car, shined the tires and dressed in blue. When I arrived he was in a 3 piece suit, light blue bow tie and holding a corsage with daisies and blue ribbon.

He opened every door, pulled my chairs out, got me napkins and held my arm everywhere we went!

After the ice cream, I took him to the mall for the photo booth fun pictures and Bath & Body Works so he could buy me yummy lotion.

We talked, laughed, sang loud to Lady Gaga with the windows down and had him home by curfew.Kathleen

Corsage!

Yummy lotion! I bought him cologne :)  

Every flavor, every topping!

Mall booth pictures!

 Love you!

Kathleen