Wonderful World

Hi everyone :)

I can't believe it's been yet another week! Crazy right?

For P day today, we went to the beach in Jaco! It was so much fun. Not the
prettiest beach here but it's in our area, about an hour on bus. It was
practically torture not to jump in the warm water. But we took lots of
pictures and still had a good time. You know, collected sea shells and what
not. Relaxed a bit and thought about how lucky I am to be in Costa Rica!

It was also super touristy so all the signs were in English and there were
white people everywhere. Lots of hotels and expensive souviners. ALMOST
like I was in California. Haha almost.

Everything really is just so beautiful here. Most of the ticas have lived
here their entire lives so they don't know any different and just dream
about living in the states. I wish they realized the beauty they get to see
every single day!

It makes me think of the song, "What a Wonderful World" by Louie Armstrong
 and how Dad tries to impersonate his voice. And Grandma Patsy just
LOVES it.

The words ring truth, "I think to myself, what a wonderful world!"

I also am reminded of my favorite primary song:

Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by our lilac tree,
I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heav'nly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see
The color of butterfly wings.
He gave me my ears that I might hear
The magical sound of things.
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:
I thank him rev'rently
For all his creations, of which I'm a part.
Yes, I know Heav'nly Father loves me.

Yes I KNOW Heavenly Father loves me. Because I am one lucky girl to be on
this beautiful mission in the beautiful country of Costa Rica having a
beautiful time! Doesn't get much better :)

Well, maybe it does. Because avacados are out of season here right now.
Noooooooooooooooooooooooo :(

Well as for the work here, we are still trying to help strengthen our
branch. We are reaching out and trying to reactivate less actives and
teach the doctrine. Which is really what will build testimonies and build
life lasting conversions.

But it's not easy. In fact, it's really hard. Most people tell us they never
want to come back to church. And I'm like, "POR QUE!?"

Because to me I just don't understand, the gospel is perfect. We, are not.
Everyone needs the church. Everyone needs a little Jesus.

And I just thought everyone knew that. I just thought everyone knew God is
our loving Heavenly Father. I thought everyone knew Sunday means it's time
to go to church. I thought everyone knows that when you look out the window
you might possibly see popcorn growing on trees.

So I guess many people actually don't know these things. That's why they need
me and you to tell them!

So this Sunday we had little ward activity and watched the movie The
Testaments. It is about when Christ comes to the Americas. Afterwards we
all knelt down together to ask in prayer if these things were true.

I got a soft but sweet feeling of joy in my heart. I knew it was true.
And I am grateful for another peaceful assurance I recieved of the
truthfulness of the gospel. Because it is true. And anyone who prays to ask
can find out. Whether they are an investigator, a member of the church, or
a missionary. We all need those feelings renewed, and we are promised that
they will come! All we have to do is ask.

Afterwards we played this game called BOMBA! It took me about 5 minutes to
figure it out, but someone just yells BOMBA and then busts a rap. It took
me a while to realize that their Spanish was rhyming. It made me so sad
because I know I could rock this game if it was in English. But it was all in
Spanish, gosh dang it.

When it got to be my turn, I panicked and turned red and said in Spanish,

I'm a missionary, and no I'm not a TICA
But hey how great is it that we are all here together in COSTA RICA!!!!

They just laughed and supported my effort and I just wished they could know
that I really have a hidden talent for rapping and rhyming. Hmm maybe someday I'll be
able to own this BOMBA thing. Haha

Oh, another EMBARRASSING moment for the week. Really, my weeks are just
full of em. But I was chosen to lead the music during church on Sunday.

And by chosen I mean, everyone started staring at me so naturally I knew I
should probably stand up and do something. Wishing I would have paid more
attention during those "lets learn how to lead music" mutual activities, I
start spelling my name with my hand and singing a made up tone to a Spanish
song I have never heard in my entire life. ALL FIVE VERSES. It was great
fun. Ohhh great fun.

But anyways...

As far as working with the branch here goes, I am not expecting rapid
results because I know the work here is going to happen little by little. I
read a scripture during personal study that really helped give me hope and
help me to understand the meaning of why I have not seen much, when I truly
have given it my all.

The Lord really just expects my best, and promises that great things are
brought to pass through small and simple things. I have faith our small but
strong efforts will bring to pass great things here in Orotina. Maybe not
right away, maybe not for quite some time. But one day.

As my training comes to an end, it is hard to believe that I have been in
CR for almost 3 months. I have learned so much, and grown so much as a
person and as a missionary. I know the things that have happened in Orotina
are preparting me for my entire mission.

I really feel that The Lord has a plan and purpose for me being here, even
though I have not been able to fully see it yet.

I miss you guys and love all your dang pictures of food and fun and
weddings!

Hermana Starke :)

Zilah 

Bus ride to the Beach

Our view from the bus ride to the beach

Jaco Beach

Fun, Felicidad and Faith

Hey fam!

My week was filled with 3 things. Fun, felicidad (happiness), and faith!

1. FUN

Is it still so crazy that I am in Costa Rica to you guys? Cause it is to
me! And there's so many crazy things about this place.

FUN facts about CR:

*The toilet paper smells like baby powder. I kind of like it.
*You dont flush toilet paper. Its kind of disgusting.
*Eggs here arent refridgerated.
*Dish soap is in a tub. Like butter. And you dip your sponge in it to get
 some. Its kind of awesome
 They use dish soap for everything. Clothes, cleaning the house, washing
 hands. Doesnt matter. "Put some dish soap on it" (my big fat greek wedding
 anyone?)
*It's so humid here, no one uses lotion. You dont need to!
*Things dont get stale here. Isnt that great?
*You kiss everyone you meet on the cheek.
*When you go into any type of store you put all your stuff in a locker.
*They start to break out the beanies when the temperature reaches a low of
 70 degrees.
*Everyone wakes up at 5 and drinks coffee and eats bread. EVERYONE
*Everyone is sick here with either dengue (some mosquito sickness )
  Or dengue (I think the American equivelant for a cold)

And sure enough, every Sunday all of our investigators have one or the
other. Iyiyi

I am also forgetting lots of things here too. For example:
*What it feels like to be cold. I really just cant even remember
*What it is like to not eat rice and beans at least once a day
*Hot showers. I think I liked them a lot though
*How to drive. Walking all day, erry day is the life now
*My name. First and last. Since no one can pronounce it!
*Not to have a bug bite on my body
*What its like to wear jeans! Ahh weird
*What its like to speak English on the phone.

Everyday at noon we make calls to confirm our appoinments and it's the
worst. We both hate it so much, so we take turns. It's hilarious and
hopeless all at the same time.

I called Rhonald and he told me he had Dengue. Hermana Anderson (in the
backround) yells "LIES" in spanish and I start to repeat her since I am so
used to doing that. Half way through the word, I luckily  caught myself as
I relized what I was ABOUT to say. Tricky tricky Hermana!

Then I called Leidy and thanked her for the delicious rice she had given us
the night before and also to get her sisters phone number. I asked her for
it twice and then told her I was ready. Hermana Anderson was also ready
with a pen in her hand to write it down. Then all of a sudden I say Adios
and hang up the phone. Yeah...

That is how our phone calls go! It's truly lots and lots of fun.

2. FELICIDAD

It was Hermana Anderson´s birthday this week so you better believe we
celebrated! Feliz cumpleanos to you my awesome companion. We are thinking
that our time together is coming to an end, and it makes me so so sad.

The day started out with breakfast, a pop tart cake, and a card I made her
full of the 21 things I love about her. But really, there are many more! We
really just have the best time out here together. Forever grateful for her.

We then went to have 3 month interviews with the President. We took a 45
min bus to a place called Puntarenes and I sat next to Eladio. Eladio was
so ready to hear the gospel. I was able to have a great conversation with
him for the entire time and basically taught him the first 3 lessons. I am
so excited to continue teaching him. I love when the Lord places people in
my path.

We went to lunch at a cute little place and ordered tacos. They turned out
to be taquitos or something. I was still happy, happy.

It rained the rest of the day and we had some crazy thunder and lightening.
But the Elders surprised us with a cake!

3. FAITH

We have decided that in order to activate the people here and get them to
STAY activated, we first need to strengthen our branch.

This week, our numbers were low, but we really tried our best. And we are
focusing more on building what we have before bringing in others. It's not
exactly what I want to do, but it is what needs to be done. And I feel as
though it's what the Lord wants us to do as well.

Lots of FHE with the members
Lots of American cookies and brownies. They love that stuff!
Lots of activities and group nights

During these we shared with them the importance of having a firm foundation
of faith In the Lord Jesus Christ.

Bishop Dean M. Davies said,

"Like the designers and builders of our time, our loving and kind Father in
Heaven and His Son have prepared plans, tools, and other resources for our
use so that we can build and frame our lives to be sure and unshaken. The
plan is the plan of salvation, the great plan of happiness. The plan lays
out for us a clear picture and understanding of the beginning and the end
and the essential steps, including ordinances, which are necessary for each
of Father’s children to be able to return to His presence and dwell with
Him forever.

Helaman 5:12 tells us, “And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is 

build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty
winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his
mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag
you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon
which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men
build they cannot fall”

Let us accept the Savior’s invitation to come unto Him. Let us build our
lives upon a safe and a sure foundation. And let us be happy and have joy
and laugh while in the process. That's what its all about right?

Sometimes I dont know why I am here. Sometimes I doubt my abilities.
Sometimes I am discouraged by my lack of baptisms and success. When all I
want to do is bring others to Christ.

But I have faith. I have faith the Lord will help me and all that is
happening is for a reason.

Without faith, nothing is possible. But with faith, nothing is IMPOSSIBLE!

I hope with my faith I will be able to make some miracles happen out here
in Orotina. Wish me luck!

Love and miss you guys
Xoxo,
Hermana Starke

Happy Birthday to Hermana Anderson Pop Tart Cake






Getting Relief from the freezer.....aaaaaahhh 


Lunch...French Fries
























This is for you Jordan and Troy... Happy Wedding day!






What we eat erre day.....

Joy is in the Journey

What a Week!

Hey fam,

So much happened in the past week, I am going to tell you a little about
every single day! Ready?

Monday: Feliz cumpleaños!

Monday night we celebrated the birthday of Nana and her son Lian. Nana
turned 30 and Lian turned 3. I love them with all my heart. It was a fun
night full of singing, cake, and........TEA! Dont worry, we will definitely
be teaching the word of wisdom next week.

Tuesday: The Lord is my light!

Tuesday we decided to take the bus to a new place in our area called San
Matteo. We were so excited to try to find some less actives and new
investigators. But, our plans got slightly delayed because after stepping
off the bus we realized we were in a lightning storm.

With rain louder and harder than I have EVER experienced we ran for shelter
under a little covering in the park. We met a new friend named Kenneth and
he told us stay under the covering unless we wanted to get struck by
lighting and die.

Obviously, we stayed.

And it's a good thing we did, because bright orange lighting struck in three
different directions all around us. I'm talking like 8 feet away from us! It
was insane! I'm sure Kenneth was holding back his laughter as 2 American
girls hugged eachother tightly screaming for their lives.

Wednesday: Two gringas in Costa Rica= LOTS of laughs

We have a mission goal to get 30 lessons a week (which we met last week,
hollaaaa!) and so we are always running to our next appointment.

A little behind schedule, we decided to call a taxi. He comes and picks us
up in a pick up truck and takes us safely to our destination.

I get out first, and then my companion gets out behind me and shuts the
door to the truck. With a little force, right? Because it's a truck.

He yells our the window something about "gentle"

Hermana Anderson hears him and thinks, "oh I shut it too softly, I need to shut it
harder". So she re opens the door and SLAMS it shut.

Turns out he was saying BE GENTLE!

Hahahahaha oooops. Sorry bud. He drove off away angry but will be happy
later when he sees the gift we left him in the back seat. A Plan of
Salvation pamphlet. Oh yeahh :)

Thursday: God bless America

I woke up on Thursday the 4th of July ready to celebrate with my red, white
and blue outfit, some fireworks, and some ice cream. Because this is one of
my favorite holidays of the year! But then I realized something...

I am not in America. And guess what? They don't celebrate the 4th of July
here. Isn't that sad?!

Dont worry, this American girl sang loud and proud as she walked through
the streets of Costa Rica. Then that night we celebrated with some
pineapple, coconut and papaya. It was a happy day after all :)

Friday: Rejected with a side of cookies!

On friday every single one of our 6 appointments fell through. And so did
all our back up plans. People here are always sick, and always tired, and
always showering, and always working. I don't like working around other
peoples schedule!

On the plus side, we made some chocolate chip cookies with one of our
investigators and she loved them. Chocolate fixes everything.

Saturday: Feliz Navidad!

I literally had my own mini christmas here because the beautiful Jen Baron
delivered an entire suitcase full of happy goodies from my amazing family.
And also, a hug from my mom! No one will ever understand how much it meant
to me! 

Seriously it was wonderful and I just cried for 10 minutes
before I could even look through every thing. It's all perfect. It was such

a blessing to be able to get that from Jen. Thank you guys sooo much.

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!

Sunday: Rice for dayz

We went to church and it was great. But sometimes I just get so frustrated
because I just want to have a normal conversation with the members and
express my love and gratitude for them and all that they do...but I can't.
And it's hard. I just wish we could all speak one happy language. Haha is
that too much to ask? It will come though.

We were so blessed to be given 3 dinners. They all just happened to be the
exact same thing. Large plates of RICE. I thought I was going to explode.

As we were teaching a family later Sunday night we heard screaming and
crying from the children next door. Their parents were fighting and arguing
and it was almost impossible to ignore.

We started out our lesson with a hymn, and as I sang the words I became
overwhelmed with emotion and began to cry.

I am a child of God
And He has sent me here
Has given me an earthy home
With parents kind, and dear

How grateful I am for the beautiful and special knowledge that I am a
daughter of God. That this life has meaning and purpose.

And my heart broke for the neighbors next door who didn't have that
knowledge and who weren't as fortunate as me to have dear parents.

I often find myself wondering what I did to deserve such an amazing family.

But there is hope. Whatever our family circumstances, we are all children
of kind and dear Heavenly parents.

This week has really strengthened my testimony.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, "Conversions are often achieved more readily by
suffering and adversity than by comfort and tranqility."

Before my mission, I had a testimony of the gospel. And I still do. But
through the hardships I have faced here in Orotina, I truly have been
"converted" to the gospel.

Elder David A. Bednar said, "Testimony brings increased personal
accountability and is a source of purpose, assurance, and joy."

As my testimony continues to grow daily, I feel more assurance with my
purpose in life and I feel more joy than I have ever experienced before.

I am so grateful for the opportunity the Lord has given me to help my
testimony grow.

I love you all and pray that you will have a wonderful week!

Love,
Hermana Starke

P.s. Special shout of to my brother Sammy who FINALLY WROTE ME :)

And also Happy birthday to Morgan Smith, I love you!!!!!!!!!!

"I am a Child of God"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riD6sNy4HsI

Extra Blessed!

Hiiiiiiiiiiii,

It's been a week already? Oh my. I always show pictures of my family to my
friends, investigators, and members here. They point to each of your faces
and this is what they say about each of you:

Dad- "Oooohhh, su Papa es SEXY"
Mom- Ella es su hermana?
Megan- YOU HAVE A TWIN SISTER???
Sam- Su hermano es Chino?
Ryan- Que liiiiiiinnndddoooo :)

Seriously every time. Hahaha it's great. I have the greatest family.

Speaking of which, I am currently teaching 3 Roy Starkes. So if any of you
know my grandpa, I'm sure you are laughing at this point. These men LOVE to
talk. They are stubborn. They are the hardest workers. And most of all,
they are so giving.

For example, Miguel (he asked us to call him Miguelito. Haha ok little
Michael) so graciously gave us an enormous cup of fresca. Everyone knows
grape is the worst flavor, so of course, what flavor was the fresca? Grape.
He put about 14 spoonfullls of sugar in it, just because we are soooo sweet
right? And then we had to drink it all. In 3 minutes. Because we were late
for a meeting. Gotta love Miguelito. And gotta love my talented stomach for
keeping it all down.

So for my training we watch these DVDs, called "The district". Just imagine
it, a reality tv show for missionaries filmed in San Diego that teaches us
how to be better missionaries. I try hard not to laugh through the whole
thing. Don't get me wrong, they are awesome, and inspiring too, but
honestly, the work is just so different here. SO different...

We don't teach our lessons on nice, comfy, large, clean couches like they do
in the DVDs. They are best friends with the people there. Well I can't really understand
the people here. My best friend is Fanny, my fan. She is always there for
me. She keeps me cool.

They have clean, dry clothes in San Diego. Perfectly pressed and ironed.
When I wash something "by hand" at home, I put it in the washer and
pressed the "hand wash" button with my finger. Little different here, they use their real
hands to wash ALL their clothes.

"Oh no, we are late for a dinner appointment. They are having hamburgers.
Wonderful companion of mine driving our nice American car with air
conditioning, drive faster!" Oh wait..............

Its dark, let me whip out my flash light on my iPhone. Oh nevermind, I only
had one of those in my other life.

But I have a theory. No, we don't have those extra things. But I think the
Lord sends us *extra* blessings. So really we are the winners. Beat that
missionaries in San Diego!

Seriously, we are super blessed. And here are 3 reasons why:

1. We haven't gotten eaten yet. One night we had to go on an adventure to
get to someones house and that adventure included walking in pitch black
dark, listening to growls, barks, and snarls from 7 dogs ready for their
dinner. We asked a man on his bike if the dogs were going to eat us. He
says yes, he laughs, and then just rides away on his little bicycle. Ummm Byee
buddy. Thanks for all your help. My companion and I linked arms and held
our umbrellas out in front of us as weapons. And then, somehow, we safely
made it to the house. So then we had to get back right? Well that's a story
for another time. But don't worry. I'm still alive to tell the tale!

2. We always make our buses in the nick of time. Always! It's a miracle.

3. Speaking of miracles, for those of you who have seen the movie 17
miracles just picture this: Walking along minding your own business when
you look down and see a snake...on the ground...in mid air as I am stepping...realize there
is snake RIGHT where you are about to step. Yep, this happened. To the
pioneers, and to me!

This Sunday my companion and I fasted for a family that we really want to
progress. They are reading, praying and have a baptismal date but they have
not made it to church yet. But yesterday, once again, they were unable to
come to church.

With a sad heart and thinking my fast had gone unnoticed, we walked to
church alone finding out that none of our other investigators had come
either.

Just as church was about to start in walked a man named Mario. I met him on
the bus 3 weeks earlier coming home from San Jose and found out he was a
less active member for over 20 years! I have been calling him every
Saturday night just to invite him to church...and this week he actually
came! He really enjoyed church and wants to learn more about the covenants
he made with God so long ago. I was so grateful for that experience. I am
looking forward to hopefully reactivating him.

The Lord blesses me in so many ways it's overwhelming. Sometimes through
little things like making the last bus of the night, and sometimes through
big things like walking over a snake and not getting bitten!

Here are some of my favorite quotes of the week:

Me: Where do you think you where before this life Daniella?
Daniella: Oh! I know! I was a turtle.
Hahaha what?

After meeting a man with an extreamly odd and weird looking belly button
(no one wears shirts here, it's too hot)
Hna Anderson: Sometimes, I am just so grateful for my belly button.
Me: Me too sista, me too

I read a quote by Elder Uchtdorf this week that says something along the
lines of; "There is something powerful in having a prayer be answered, but when you
are the answer to someones prayer, that'

s when you really make a difference."

Really, I have such a desire to find those who are ready for the gospel and
to answer their prayers. I hope that through my obedience that the Lord
will bring me to those people.

Con amor,

Hermana Starke

Breaking our fast with oreo cookies








Fanny..... My best friend that keeps me cool






Beautiful Orotina, Costa Rica
Isn't it just beautiful



I made this card for one of Zillah and Oscar.  She loved it so  much she hung it up on her door















P-Day! Poor Elder Gonzalas, now he's the one that doesn't understand now with Three Gringos in Costa Rica.