Dear all, MY LAST LETTER EVER! I can't even believe it. It's difficult to put into words what I'm thinking, feeling, and experiencing. But the truth is... I'm so happy! I've never been happier. I have worked hard, made mistakes, learned a ton, strengthened my faith, and the Lord has strengthened me. All the hard work and tears will be looked back upon the the best thing I've ever done. Not because I enjoyed it, not because I baptized everyone but because I gave it *everything* I had. Even when I didn't think I could, and especially when I didn't want to. And my mission has been the greatest blessing, privilege and joy I have ever experienced. The Lord has blessed me so much more than I deserve. I've lived my mission to the fullest, worked harder than I ever have and can truly say that it's been the best 18 months FOR my life. This weekend was the grand finale for me. Belen ended the month with 8 baptisms and the scripture is true... how great shall be your joy! We ran around like crazies planning the wedding and the baptisms but had a blast. I'm sure going to miss it. So wanna know what the last week on the mission is like? Here it goes! Monday I spent my entire PDAY making centerpieces for the wedding. So here's what we did... we chopped branches off trees, painted them, and stuck butterflies on them. It was our little beautiful Costa Rican creation and we were proud of it! Haha
Tuesday We taught Laura, Johan, Alejandro and Luciana about repentance this week. It was probably my favorite lesson of all time because when I asked cute Luciana in her own words what repentance was she said that it meant we shouldn't kill butterflies and when we do we have to say sorry and promise not to do it again. She's the cutest thing EVER! Wednesday I had my final interview with President and I think the best part was when we closed with a prayer. But not just any prayer... President offered it and spent the entire time praying for me. Begging God to bless me and to strengthen me and thanking Heavenly Father for sending me to him. We both couldn't hold back the tears and I just love that man. Thursday Ok so I may have done something really crazy. But it's fine! I loved it and i don't regret it! I'm outta this country in a few days right? So Thursday we spent hours walking in the rain. HOURS! And to make things worse my umbrella broke... like I was huddled under a tiny piece of thread and a wire or two. For some reason everyone was busy sleeping. That's what happens when it rains like crazy here. Anyways, all of a sudden I saw a ton of people dressed in black walking in the same direction..... a funeral. So in my mind I'm like PERFECT. Plan of Salvation comin' right up! So I tell my companion the game plan and she's like what no way. You're on your own. So I was like whatevs lets do this! So I walked in and started talking to everyone to try to find out who was in charge. Finally I talked to a family member, told her who I was and started teaching. Everyone started looking at us and we handed out all the pamphlets we had. I told them all I knew about where their loved one was and if they wanted to live with him forever they should call us so we can tell them more. It was awesome. Some of the old ladies were like why are they here they're not catholic, but i saw the look of hope the eyes of others which made it all worth it. Friday We had family night with my favorite family and played monoply Costa Rica style. All the boardwalks are places and beaches and volcanos from Costa Rica. How great is that?!
Saturday So remember the missionary youth conference that we had forever ago that made me want to go on a mission? Well our stake here had one too! And it was incredible to be a part of it. I got to have a companion for the day and it was a sweet mercy the Lord gave me to remind me where it all started. We then had the biggiest fiesta Costa Rica has ever seen... a wedding and a baptism all in one. It was amazing! Then right after we all watched the the woman's conference which was the greatest thing ever. I love the gospel!
*Timothy 4: 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. * *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.* I'm not just on the way home to California... but we are all on on the way home to heaven. Isn't it great? The journey is the best. And it's so worth taking.
I love you all. See you soon! Hermana Starke
