He knows me better

Family!

Time is flying! Well, kind of. It did this week. And for that I am so
excited to be writing home again :)

Not much has happened in the past 5 days. Or maybe it has and I am just
getting used to my crazy missionary life here.

The funny thing is, I can write and write, and I can send all the pictures I
want, but the truth is, you will never fully understand or comprehend what
it is like here! It's truly an experience like none other.

And with that being said, I am grateful for the one person who does know
what it's like. My Savior. He is literally with me every step of the way. He
knows what it's to like feel alone. He knows what it's like to feel confused and
inadequate. He knows how much I miss my family and how it breaks my heart
when our investigators don't progress. He knows it all. Because he knows me.

And through my mission I have come to know Him. I know that He lives
because I feel his hand in my life. Leading, guiding and comforting me.

*Every single day*.

The lyrics to this song have given me much comfort lately:

"In a world of voices who say they have the answer,
I escape the noises,
Close my eyes and I turn
To the one who sees all the peices put together
He knows me better"

This Sunday we had a huge conference with members of the church from all
over Costa Rica! And we got to hear from (drum roll please) a member of the
70, the mission president, and his sweet wife. It was a happy day.

I also sang in the choir. In Spanish. Acapella, with 7ish other members of
our branch. And my girl Hermana Anderson. Let's just say I don't see any of
them becoming members of the future motab. Myself included! It was fun
though. And the members here are so willing to give up their time and
talents to serve the Lord. Even if it means singing off tune for all to
hear. I love them so much.

I also enjoyed the special missionary broadcast yesterday. Woah. The Lord
sure is hastening his work and I am so grateful to be a part of it. I
wouldn't want to be doing anything else. It truly is so exciting. I know
that my mission is preparing me for a LIFE filled with missionary work. And
not only that, but in the life to come.

The words of the song in the choir really touched my heart during the
broadcast:

"I'll go where you want me to go dear Lord, I'll be who you want me to be."

That is my greatest desire as a missionary, to be who He wants me to be. I
hope that through His help, and only His help, I will be able to achieve
that.

This week I had an opportunity to go on divisions with a sister named
Hermana Portillo. She is from El Salvador and is the best missionary that I
have ever met in my life.

She is 22 and has been a member of the church for 3 years. She used to be a
nun and so she knows the bible like a mad woman! Her testimony brings a
powerful witness of the restoration to any and every person she talks to.
Her family was not supportive of her decision to serve a mission...but her
mom got baptized 3 weeks ago! And as for her Dad...she hasn't heard from him
her entire mission.

She is such an example to me. And made me realize how blessed I am to have
had the knowledge of the gopsel my entire life and to have the best parents
ever who just love me. And support me in all that I do.

The more I get used to Orotina the smaller it gets. Reminds me of good "ol
starvalley, which I miss with all my heart. Everyone knows everyone. And
the people I see on the streets and in the stores are becoming familiar
faces. It's funny to make the connections. For example, we found out this
week that two of our investigators are sisters. Small world right? Gotta love it.

On the bus this week I couldn't take my eyes off the window. It's just
GORGEOUS here. Seriously, it's beautiful. The jungle cruise ride at
Disneyland aint got nothing on the real deal here in Costa Rica. Please you
all have to come here and see it one day. The pictures just don't do it
justice. You have to see it, smell it, and feel it.

So last week it was a tarantula, this week it was a lizard. A cute baby
lizard that my dear wonderful companion THREW at me because she got scared.
Yes, that's right. She picked up her journal from the ground and put it on
her desk. Then she opened it up to find a lizard crawling up the page.
Screaming, she lifted up the journal and flicked it off, only to have it
land on me. Hiii buddy.

But don't worry, I still love her. SO much! She is the best Mama eva. And I
will forever be grateful for her and all she is teaching me. And we are
working hard. We are trying our best. And at the end of the day, it feels
so good to have worked so hard. We got 10 references this week, so were
pretty excited about that.

As for my Spanish, it's getting better! I am understanding more everyday.
But at times it is still so frustrating not being able to convey your
thoughts and say what you want to say!

For example, this guys we always see sitting outside his house got a hair
cut. He used to have this giant afro. Normally, I would say something like:

"Hey! You cut your hair! It looks good, I didn't even recognize you!"

But no. I have to say it in a different language. So it ends up sounding
like this.

"You...hair...no...different...couldnt...see."

He stares at me. Confused. Slightly worried. Slightly creeped out.

Then my companion and I just look at each other, laugh hysterically, and
think how glorious the day will be when we can tell someone we like their
hair cut without it being weird.

I love you and miss you all. Eat hamburgers for me. I miss them lots.

Hna Starke :)

P.s. Happy to say that the mail gets here successfully! Since being in
Costa Rica, I've gotten 2 letters from Megan Kypke and Elder Wilson. And
Dear elders from Cindy Nelson, Genny Gustin, and Anna Heywood. Just wanted
to let you know that I got them, and thanks a million!

Top 13

Hello fambam, it's been so long...did ya miss me?

I'm happy to finally write you guys again!

Since I've been here, I have learned so much. I mean, sooo much. So today, I
want to share with you all the top 13 things I have learned here. Because
13 is my favorite number. And because I have been on my mission close to 13 weeks. So here's the top thirteen things I've learned about myself, Costa Rica, and just life!

1. I have the best slash craziest (I cant find the slash button)
investigators in all of Costa Rica!

*One of them has a parrot that likes to repeat everything we say during our
lessons. *Everything*.

*When we asked one to read a verse of the Book of Mormon during a lesson he
gladly did. And then PERSISTED in reading the rest of the chapter. Haha at
least he liked it.

*One wants to get baptized and go on a mission someday herself.

*One is a tatoo artist.

*When we showed a picture of Jesus to one of our investigators, she couldn't
stop saying how handsome he was. Her husband didn't like that.

*One family showed us all 50 albums of their family pictures.

*One quit smoking after 25 years. Yeauuhh!

*They ask us questions like, "What do you guys believe about people who have
committed suicide?" And, " Is it a sin to feed fish to our snake?" And,
"Can you teach me English? And "I can see dead people, can you help me?"

Ummmmm...

Luckily for them and for us the gospel has the power to answer every single
one of lifes questions! It has the power to heal, to give hope, And real
happiness.

2. Even though I swore I never would, I love Spanish music. It all sounds
like Zumba music and makes me think of my Mom and smile when I hear it. So
Mom, here are 3 of my favorites that I hear everywhere. Listen to them!

Limbo by Daddy Yankee
Corre by Jesse Y Joy
Llorar by Jesse Y Joy

3. I just say weird things now. Like, "Aww shoes." I dont know why. Maybe
cause I am a missionary. Maybe because I am in another country. Maybe it's
the heat. All I know is that now that my brain is making room for Spanish,
it is slowly pushing out all the English! And normal words and sayings.

4. I also learned the difference between "yo tengo hombre" and "yo tengo
hambre". One means I am hungry and one means I have a man. When used in the
wrong context, especially as a missionary, you can make people laugh really
hard. Yep, I also learned I am a comedian without even trying. I repeat...I
am not trying.

5. I learned that the pamphlets we give out investigators serve for MANY purposes:

Reading the law of chastity one to couples to avoid making awkward spanish
mistakes.
Cutting out the pictures to decorate your apartment.
Using them to scoop out bugs and insects from your bed.
And last but not least, they make the best self fanners

The church sure knew what they are doing when the made those things! :)

6. I am so much more grateful for things we take for granted in America. I
will FOREVER be grateful for washing machines and dryers. I MISS YOU GUYS!
Get ready for my clothes in 15 months ok? Just think about me hand washing
my clothes the next time you push the button on those wonderful machines.

7. Here it is either too hot or too cold. Our church building got air
conditioning! Which is awesome right? No. Because they get so excited that
they set it to 50 degrees. Yes, 50 degrees. By the end of sacrament I was
freezing my little missionary self off because I was wet from sweating on
the walk to church. Hopefully we can find a happy temperature that works
for everyone soon :)

8. People here are obsessed with soccer. And when the big game is on, you will
be the luckiest missionary in all of Costa Rica if you get anyone to take
their eyes off the television for more than 5 minutes to listen to you.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!! No, Jeeeesssuuusssss!!!

9. When you are showering and look up to see a gecko on the wall next to
you, it's perfectly fine. So is having to kill a tarantula in your
apartment. And a month the size of a Book of Mormon. No I take it back, the
BIBLE! And then there's the ants the size of my toe. Alllllll the norm here.

10. The San Jose temple is my favorite place in the whole world. It is beautiful
and peaceful and clean and perfect. We had the opportunity to go this week
and it was wonderful. And guess what? The church is true!

11. Everything here is so gosh dang expensive. I had no idea. Get ready for
this Dad, a big bottle of shampoo is just over 20 bucks. Sayyy whaaaat. But
don't worry because my companion and I made our own shampoo stuff out of
this plant called tuna.

12. I bought a new yellow skirt for 3 dollars at a used clothing store in
 San Jose. Yay for bargain shoppin. Alright, so not everything costs as
much as the shampoo does!

13. I love being a missionary. Yeah it's hard and sweaty. But it is also
wonderful and amazing. I am learning new things every day and the Lord is
shaping me into the person He wants me to be.  I have just 18 mo. to give 

to the Lord and learn all that I can. And then I have the rest of my life
to remember it. So I better make it worth remembering right?

Thanks for all your love support and prayers.

Until next Monday,
Hermana Starke

Costa Rica has the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen


Would you look at the size of THAT MOTH... It's on Steriods
My Favorite Fruit......You tear it open and....
Drink/eat this green stuff inside....Mmmmm good
My very healthy breakfast
Killing a terantula...luckily he's not on steriods
I killed the Terantula


At our Presidents House
Love getting to see MTC friends and companions




Waiting  by the temple for the bookstore to open
San Jose Temple














It rains like nothing I have ever seen before.

Estrella

Buenas!

Well, I have a new name. Hermana Estrella. Estrella is "star" in Spanish.
And aparrently that is WAY easier than pronoucing the incredibly difficult
name Starke. Haha ok. I'll take it.

Special shout out to my Daddy for giving me that name and also because
Sunday is Father's Day. Happy Father's Day, Dad! I hope you have a great day.
Just know that I miss you and think about you everyday! Love ya

I had the craziest Sunday of my life, and it goes a little something like
this:

Wake up at 5am to write a talk on Obedience. No, I am not a procrastinator.
In fact, I spent the whole week writing and perfecting a talk only to have
the President change the topic the night before. Haha thanks Prez Sandy.
Leave the house at 7am. Walk to the church. Wonder how it's already 95
degrees. Fill up the Baptismal font. Call a Taxi. Get ripped off by the
Taxi driver because we are Gringas. Walk all our investigators to church. Make it
to church with 5 min to spare. Hug, kiss and shake hands with every single
person in the room. Meet a happy American family on vacation. Church
starts. It gets really quiet and everyone looks at me. I realize it's my
turn to give my talk. I dont know how, but I spoke a different language for
15 minutes. It was the scariest thing I have ever done in my life. Church
ends. I get thrown into the Primary room. Find out I'm teaching primary.
Look at the manual. The lesson is on the Law of Consecration. They are 8.
We sing songs and draw pictures instead. Church ends. A baptism starts.
Bryan gets Baptized! We walk our investigators home. Get dinner #1. Catch
the bus to dinner #2. Walk to dinner #3. Meet my new friend Elvis who went
to EFY in Costa Rica. He shows me pictures. I find my new calling in life.
Eat dinner #4 with Elvis and his family. My companion rolls me home. What a
day!

But besides all that, I am starting to get used to my new life here. Before
it felt like I was camping in church clothes but now Costa Rica is my new
little home sweet home, and I love it.

I'm used to all the cat calls and stares we get. My favorite is, "Beeby I
marry you." Oh really? Haha bye. I'm used to my feet feeling like the just
had a whole day at Disneyland #firstworldproblems. And I'm used to being wet
all day from the wet and rain. Pura vida baby!

The rain is so loud, but it's ok, because my companion and I sing louder!
"Let it rain, let it pour, she don't love me anymore..."
"Raindrops keep fallin on my head..."
"It's rainin men, hallelujah..."
"You can stand under my umbrella ella ella..."
And many, many more...

Then the saddest thing happens. We forget the rest of the song. Because it
feels like YEARS since we listened to real music. And it's not like we can
look it up... Haha sometimes I miss you, America!

We have some rather interesting investigators at the moment. When we gave
the Book of Mormon to Celia she was soooo excited! Because now she had new
bathroom reading material. Hey, as long as she reads it right? Then Jose
told Hermana Anderson and I that we remind him of the girls on The Little
House on the Praire. I don't know if its because of the clothes or the
braids, but I'm pretty sure it's just cause we are white. Hahaha Jose.

But then something great happend. We tapped on a gate and met a family who
let us right in. They fed us dinner and each one of them sat around us as
we taught them. I have faith this could be the family we have been
searching for. Super excited to see what happens with them. Their Grandma
just passed away which was basically begging us to teach them about The
Plan of Salvation! I will keep you all updated :)

As far as the language goes, I am learning more and more every day. Poco a
poco!

There are 2 very common phrases here:
1. "Gracias, a Dios" (Thanks to God)

Whenever I meet people, I say hello, how are you? And I thought they were
all saying, "Bien, Gracias. *Adios*." (Good, thanks, bye) So this week I
learned they actually weren't all saying bye to me like I thought. So that's
good.

2. "Si, Dios Quiere" (If God wants)

When we ask people to pray, read or come to church they all say, "Si, Dios
quiere." (If God wants) And we are like, "Sí (yes!!!!) Dios quiere!"

Goooood stuff.

My comp always does a great job of quizzing me on my vocab during the day.
And somtimes we make up our own words too. We just add an AR to everything.
It works for now.

For example
Act=Actuar
Macoroni= Macoroniar
And guess what, half the time we are right!

And thanks to Pitbull I know random words too. Like fuego=fire. Who knew
Pitbull could be educational?

Even though every day is still so hard, it's awesome because I know the Lord
has been preparing me my entire life to do this. And he is helping me every
step of the way.

Not to worry about my ugly, swollen legs and feet because they are getting
better! And the people here are so great, too. They have given me creams,
plants, leaves, and LOTS of advice. Hopefully I will be healed soon! Thanks
for all the concern and advice from home, much appreciated!

I am so excited to find the people the Lord has prepared for me! And I am
also learing to love the people the Lord has placed in my path for who
knows why. But something I do know, is that we are ALL children of God and
we all need to make it back to him someday. I hope while I am here I can
help as many people as I can be able to do that.

Hope you all have a great week!

Hermana Starke :)


aka (Estrella)


A worm in our Apartment 


A park by our apartment


Teaching Freddy the Frog a lesson
We got this fruit all in one day from the families we taught.  They are so generous. We love them!








Our Church building


Our chapel
Filing the baptismal font where Bryan was baptized
Bryan's family
Property for Sale incase anyone wants to buy
I spy something long and brown and hidden in the dirt



Mango and more Mangos... YUMMMMMMMMEEEEEEE
Walking our investigators back home
This is Margorie, we are teaching her and her family
Marjories house


Our Apartments
Making Guacamole... LOOKS AT THOSE AVACADOS

Disfrutalo!

Hello everyone!

Guess what day it is? Okay I'll tell you...

IT'S JUNE 3

Do you know what that means?

It means I have been on my mission for exactly 2 months today! Funny,
because it feel like 2 years doesnt it? But still, this is exciting stuff,
16 months to go!

So for any of you wondering, this is what life is like for me on a daily
basis, here is my schedule:

6:15 Wake up and remember, oh yeahhh, im in Costa Rica. What the, when did
that happen?

6:30 Run around this beautiful place and wave to the horses and lizards

7:00 One of us makes breakfast while the other gets ready. Then the other
gets ready while the other cleans up. We eat lots of eggs and fruit, it's
the best.

8:00 Personal study time

9:00 Companionship study

10:00 New missionary study

11:00 Language study

12:00 Lunch! Made by Hermana Dora (our cocinera lady that also washes our
clothes. Bless her heart)

1:00 Start teachin and preachin the good word!

9:00 Return to our apartment and plan the next day

10:00 Wash my feet and write in my journal

10:30 I am OUT like a light

This week was a little different though because we had Divisions. So I took
a two hour bus ride to a town called Baranca and switched areas and
companions for the day. Lots of exciting things happened there:

We had a lesson with a deaf lady. So now the people can't understand me OR
hear me

I caught a glimpse of the beach and it was beautiful

I got a nice sister mish tan...ow ow!

Got some new blisters, and new bug bites. The bugs just LOVE me here.
Seriously, I am pretty sure that I could set a Guinness World Record for
all the bites I have. Seriously, I am the winner, hands down! At night I
use a butter knife to itch them all. Yep, this is my life now.

I made a new friend this week, his name is Freddy. He is a frog. He lives
in the corner of our house and he is always waiting for us when we return
at night. This is also my life now.

For any of you out there trying to loose weight, I have found the solution.
Its called go on the Costa Rican diet. And here's how it works:

Become friends with a girl who loves to run every morning because she used
to run track at BYU

Next, eat 10 peices of fruit daily. No exceptions

You must learn to love rice and beans and eat it daily for breakfast and
lunch. But that's not all, you have to eat it for dinner too!

Most importantly, you have to schedule an appointment at one end of
Orotina, and then schedule the next at the other end. This is a great way
to help you walk over 10 miles daily.

Lastly, sweat. Just sweat. All the time. When you sleep, when you eat, when
you read, when you walk. Just sweat off all those pounds extra!

I'm Hermana Starke, and I'm here to tell you that the Costa Rican diet WORKS!
Through it I've lost 10 pounds. And you can TOO!

Not going to lie though...I could really go for a chick-mal at the Red
Baron right about now! Shout out to my Baron babes! Have a chocolate shake
for all those who can't.

So far, there has been American tourists in our branch every single Sunday!
This Sunday a couple from Seattle was visiting. They came up to me after
sacrament and IN ENGLISH thanked me for my testimony. The sweet lady gave
me a hug and looked into my eyes and said,

"I want my daughters to grow up and be just like you!" Then with tears in
her eyes she said how are you doing? This must be so hard. But you are
doing so great!"

Obviously I started crying with her and I told her it was but it was worth
it.

Tender mercy. I am so grateful for that hug. It was like a hug from my Mom
that I needed at that exact moment.

Then comes the fun part, I had to teach the lesson. Umm. The Elders and
some of the investigators had to cover their faces with their manuals to
hide their laughter. Oh, it was so embarrassing. And scary. I had to talk
in Spanish for a whole hour! I wanted to die.

After church we had a meeting with some of the branch members. There was
yelling and crying but my companion and I had no idea what was going on. So
we just smile at each other and talk in English about them or about what is
for lunch because guess what...they don't know what we are saying! Oh, how
the tables have turned now. Luckily, after the meeting there was sandwiches.
So no, I didn't learn about the problems in the branch, but I do know that sandwhichs
had way too much mayo. You know, the important things in life.

I read a quote this week that changed my life. And I want to share it with
you guys.

"If our lives and our faith are centered in Christ and His restored gospel,
nothing can ever permanately go wrong."

Its sooo true. Lots of things go wrong here everyday. For example, saying
"si" to some weird meat for dinner when asked a question I didn't understand.

But here's the thing, nothing will ever go *permanately* wrong because I am
a missionary. And my faith is in Jesus Christ.

This week one of our investigators asked us the question of why bad things
happen? When we asked what her thoughts were she said because of Satan. It
was really interesting because we know the real meaning behind adversities
in this life because we have of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hermana Anderson and I had some really great companionship studies
searching to find the answers to our investigators questions.

Through scriptures, preach my gospel, and personal revelation we were able
to answer her questions and I strengthened my testimony on the meaning
behind adversity.

We adopted a new saying... Venga que lo venga, disfrútalo!
Which in English is...Come what may and love it!

As hard as missionary work can be, I am grateful for the hardships because
I know that is Lord shaping me into a better person. I feel His help
everyday and I am learning to LOVE whatever comes my way.

I am reminded of the lyrics to one of my favorite EFY songs, "I can't count
all the blessings that are waiting in the end, so I forget myself and give
it all to Him."

I miss you all. I feel your prayers. See you in 16 months!

Hermana Starke :)

Just to clear things up here is my address to the mission home:

Hermana Starke
De la pops de curridabat
500 mts sur, oficina isquienera
Edificio trebol, local 6, San Jose, San Jose
COSTA RICA

I will recieve packages/letters/and dear elders at this address every 3-6
weeks. However, send me emails too because I can print them out and read
them through out the week! Graciassss!

New Member Family

Papya and French Toast (yippeeee it's not beans and rice)

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