Bananas

Hey fam!

It's been a good week! They really are starting to go by faster and
faster...it's crazy. I think it's because my Spanish is getting better and
better. In fact, writing this email is the most English I have
spoken/written since last Monday! Hopefully you can all still understand
me, because I am at the point where I feel like I can barely speak either
languages!

Things are so much different now that I have a latina companion, but it's
great and I love it. It is forcing me to learn Spanish, which is such a
blessing.

I am with her every second of the day, and I have gotten to know her pretty
well. And I want you guys to get to know her too, so here is a little bit
about my comp Hermana Ochoa :)

She's from Bella Cruz, Mexico
Her family owns a bread shop
She is 21 years old
Her favorite food is bananas. I mean she LOVES these things. We buy about
25 every week and she can easily eat them all in a few days. Haha it's
awesome
She knows how to say "whats up" and "talk to me" in English
And I am teaching her how to sing "I am a child of God"
She is the sweetest, nicest companion a girl could ask for
We both love to stop at every single pulparia (kind of like a 7-11) and buy
snacks between all our lessons
But don't worry, we don't waste any time, this week we had 7 lessons in one
day! Giving us 27 this week. Almost 30...which is the mission goal.

Speaking of goals, for the month of September, our mission goal is to have
200 baptisms in the country of Costa Rica! A member of the 70 told
President it was impossible. But he doesn't think so, and neither do we! It's
gonna happen. I just know it. So everyone reading this, send your prayers
this way please!

So there is this one pulparia in particular owned by Chinos (Chinese) that is on the
way to a family we visit pretty often, so obviously WE visit it pretty
often. I was asking the worker if they had the certain kind of snack I
wanted and I said it 3 times in the clearest Spanish I could. After that he
just laughs and says.....I don aspeak Engrish.

So I said, "well I don't speak Chino!" (Chinese) 

But actually, sometimes NOT knowing Spanish perfectly can kind of work to
our advantage. For example, we went to visit a less active member and I
asked if we could come in. I didn't understand his response fully so I just
walked through the gate, sit down, and we had a great lesson!

Afterwards my companion told me he had actually told us we couldn't come in!
Haha oooops. See what I mean? It kind of works out great!

This week in my personal study I read D&C 6 which says:

29 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if they reject my words, and this part
of my gospel and ministry, blessed are ye, for they can do no more unto you
than unto me.

 30 And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me, blessed
are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory.

 31 But if they reject not my words, which shall be established by the
testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall ye have
joy in the fruit of your labors.

I just love that, because during my time here, I have seen so much
rejection. But the Lord gives such a special promise of hope here and I
know my efforts are not wasted.

And in verse 31 it talks about those who dont reject, but *accept* the
gospel. So now I want to tell you about Genesis!

Genesis is our 21 year old investigator, and I love her with all my heart.
I feel like for the first time here, I have finally found someone prepared
by The Lord that has been waiting for me. During our first lesson with her
she was in tears because she wanted to change her life. She has been doing
all the "homework" that we give her and she has been reading from the Book
of Mormom and praying!

She told us how before she always thought the idea of praying was so weird
when they cross their arms around their chest and head while saying the
same thing over and over, but she loves the way we pray! And she told us
she knows someone is listening. It's a real communication. Not just a prayer
to give thanks, but to really talk to our Father in Heaven. And after she
prays she has this weird, but good feeling. We told her that it was the
Spirit, and then she told us she knew our message was true.

She used to have a drug addiction and thinks the Word of Wisdom is a great
idea! When we asked her if she would live it, she happily accepted. It is
going to be difficult but she knows it's best. We told her how her body is a
temple and how special it is.

Then on Sunday for church, she came in wearing a long modest dress and I
almost started to cry. It's such a simple thing but I have never seen this
girl wearing so much clothes! I guess I was just so emotional because the
message of the gospel truly has the power to change people. And not only
that, but help others recognize their self worth and who the really are in
the eyes of God. We never told her she needs to dress modestly, she just
did it all on her own, and that is what a true conversion to the gospel
looks like.

I miss you all soo very much, and am so grateful for your letters and
prayers!

Until next Mon,

Hermana Starke :)

True to You

Hi everyone!

Sadly, I don't have much time this week because I am in San Jose and have to
make my bus soon. My compy comp had a dentist appointment. But I had an
awesome week!

On Tuesday we had a huge meeting in San Jose with all the sisters in the
entire mission. I counted around 90! It was one big sister party full of
workshops, yoga, and a chocolate fountain. It was pretty much close to heaven,
if you ask me.

I loved it so much and had so much fun seeing everyone. We also got to hear
from President and his wife. He brought his daughter up and asked her if
she knew why her name was Mary. He then went on to explain her name was
Mary because it was the name of the Savior's mother.

He told us not to be women pleasing to the world, but women pleasing to
the Lord. We all left having an increased desire to be stronger women
of faith!

This week I had the opportunity to get to know my new companion a little
better and I just have to say that I absolutely love her with all my heart.
She is so kind a patient with me with the fact I am still learning how to
speak Spanish. She is such a great missionary and teaches so powerfully. I
have already learned so much from her. She is so happy and optimistic about
the hard hearted people we have here in Orotina, members and investigators.
And I feel so blessed to be with her.

For example, yesterday the elders had a baptism after church. As we were
filling up the font, the water shut off. It does that often, randomly here
in CR. With only about 6 inches of water in the font, we started praying
and racking our brains for ideas. We ran to the kitchen and found some left
over water in the sacrament cups. I started pouring them into the font,
hoping that just maybe it would make a difference.

It didn't. Haha but we had a good laugh and we figured things out eventually. They
always do.

But I have learned a magical lesson here as a missionary, there will ALWAYS
be things that go wrong. Always be problems. Always be worries. That is
life, and the reason we are here. But as a missionary I have had to learn
to adapt and make it work and just be happy. And that is a lesson I wish
everyone could learn. I am grateful for the trials I have had here so far
because it is through our trials we become closer to our Savior. We
understand a little, tiny bit more what it was like for Him.

Mom..........you are not going to believe this. Guess what I had for dinner
last night?? Go on, just guess.

COW TOUNGE!

And it wasn't even as bad as I thought it would be. Oh my goodness, CR has
changed me. I even find myself craving rice sometimes. I think I am turning
into a tica!

Also, Thursday was Mother's Day here in CR! So mama, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
Again :) I thought about you all day and how much I love ya. We also had a
big fun lunch with all the women and young women in the branch, it was
awesome.

Saturday was (drum roll please) the wedding of Oscar and Zillah! Zillah is
a less active we have been working with and Oscar is her husband who wants
to get baptized. So what did we do, we threw them a wedding! And I'm looking
forward to his baptism soon as well. I was the photographer, so I will be
sending lots and lots of photos. Enjoy! My favorite part was the cake and
all the many blessings I know they are going to recieve for their decision
to get married.

This week I have found so much comfort in the lyrics to a song called, True
to you.

"Something deep inside you wonders if you'll ever be enough
You fall and you fail as you try to measure up
It hurts more than you show
But you have to know,

You're never alone

He is there, always in your heart.
Even when you wonder if He knows who you are
He believes you will make it through
And He knows all the things your gonna do

No matter what youre going through,
He will remain true to you"

(CLICK LINK TO LISTEN TO SONG)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO9GLojMr1c

My family is far from me, I am speaking a new language, I watch people
reject the gospel every day. But I know that no matter what, after everyone
has let me down, the Savior is still there for me. He will always remain
true to me. His promises and His power is real. And in return, I will serve
Him faithfully to the end.

I have learned so much this week. Every day I continue to learn so much
about myself, the gospel, missionary work and life. It really has been such
a blessing to be able to be here and experience it all.

Although, I am a little concerned with the members of the branch here. Each
week things seem to be getting worse despite our efforts. Our attendance
was 43 this Sunday and there is a lot of contention and gossip between the
leaders of this branch, along with the members and families. We even saw a
fist fight break out after church. But this week we are going to continue
visiting members and doing all that we can to strengthen them and inviting
them to come unto Christ. Because that is the only thing we can do! And
just hope and pray they will listen.

Amongst all the things that are going wrong, I am still trying my best, and
that feels right. It feels like enough. I still feel happy and optimisic
that this is where the Lord wants me. At the end of the day I am so
grateful for the opportunity I have to be here.

I LOVE YOU ALL,
Hermana Starke

Me and My Companion Hermana Ochoa

Oscar and Zillah "Tie the Knot" Happy Wedding Day!

The Elders Baptism

Surprises all around

Hi guys!

It's been a great week. But it's always a great week as a missionary! At
least I think so.

This week was filled with many fun surprises too.

Pedicures
Tuna spaghetti
A new companion
And a temple trip!

Wednesday Hermana Anderson and I spent the day working hard and saying our
goodbyes because we knew changes could happen the following day.

When we said goodbye to our favorite people, Ingrid and her family, there
was lots of tears and hugs. These people mean so much to me here and when
we leave, we never know if we will ever see them again. They didn't have
much to give, but they painted our toe nails :) which was just perfect.

That night we got a phone call at 10pm saying that Hermana Anderson was
going to Limón at 6am the next day.

Obviously we spent the entire night crying and packing. Best friends
forevs.

And now, introducing my new companion: Hermana Ochoa. She is sweet and
spiritual and shy and guess what?

SHE DOESNT SPEAK ENGLISH.

We are having a fun time trying to communicate. I am super grateful for the
opportunity to learn more Spanish!

The first day together was awesome. It was also lonely and awkward and
hard. I know Orotina so it's my responsibilty to decided what we are going
to do and how we are going to do it. I know the people and I know the area.
But guess what, I dont know Spanish well enough. And I don't have Hermana Anderson to
help me anymore.

Feeling overwhelmed and so so alone I went in the bathroom and just started
to cry. It was a dark, tiny, little room in the house of a member but it
was the perfect place I needed to just offer a prayer of hope and help.

But the best thing about being a missionary is just when I feel like I can't
do this anymore, the Lord pours out His tender mercies upon me and I find
the strength to continue.

"But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the
Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to
make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." (1 Nephi 1:20)

Later that day we helped an investigator feel peace through prayer and
watched her cry to us as she told us she wants to change her life.

One of our investigators accepted a baptism date!

I heard a song from the movie, "The Parent Trap", which was always mine and
Meg's favorite movie. We would watch it over and over again when we were
little in our bunk bed with blankets around the edges to make it feel like
a little movie theatre. My eyes began to water and I just felt comforted.
So comforted. And so happy.

Then on Saturday I had the amazing opportunity to attend the temple for the
sealing of Marcos, Raquel and their son, Jose. This family means so much to
me and it was a very special day. I felt more peace than I have ever felt
in my life and I am just so happy that their family has the opportunity to
be together forever.

Tendier mercies galore, right?!

On Sunday I taught the gospel principles class. It was on the life of Jesus
Christ, and I decided to focus on His atonement.

Shout out to my wonderful parents because thanks to them I used my gospel
picture book (thanks Dad) and then I passed out a jolley rancher to
everyone one (thanks Mom) :))

I told everyone to hold the jolley rancher in their hand and that it
represented the Atonement. Every single one of us has recieved a "jolley
rancher". It's a gift. It has already been bought and paid for. It has
already been made and packaged, just for us.

All that's left is our decision to eat it. To use the atonement, to recieve
it's blessings, and to enjoy it's blessings.

There are some who have not tasted the goodness of the gospel. There are
some who use it every day in their lives.

Trust me, life is MUCH better with jolley ranchers!

I know that The Atonement of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is real. He
really did die and atone for us and He is the only reason I am able to do
this every day. And it isn't just for sins. It's for *everything*.

I want so badly for the members in my branch to utilize the atonement, and
forgive others. To use the atonement to come back to the church and
participate in the blessings of the gospel.

David A. Bednar said, "One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual
maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperience,
and the potentially offensive actions of others. A thing, an event, or an
expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be
offended—and to say with Pahoran, “it mattereth not.” (Alma 61)"

So to those having a bad day, recognize the tender mercies in your life.
Use the Atonement, and enjoy life. Choose not to be offended. Because in
the end, "it mattereth not"!

Love you all muuuccchhhooooo,

Hermana Starke

P.s. Sammy's email was my favorite this week.  I love you bud!

The Fruit Stand


Look everybody there was a fair here the same week as the Lincoln county fair in Wyoming


Ana and the Butterfly


Saying our Goodbyes










Temple Day

Pot of Gold

Hello all,

First off, let me just tell you what I'm doing right now at this very
moment. Sitting in a little Costa Rican internet shop, in front of the
computer, just crying and crying as I look at the pictures from Jordan and
Troys wedding.

It was so beautiful, and they are so beautiful, and my beautiful mom is so
dang talented. And I am the saddest that I wasnt able to be there.

I love you Jord and Troy! You guys looked so happy.

Everyone is just busy being beautiful and married in the good old CC...and
then theres me.

Covered in dirt, sweat and bug bites. Topped with a long skirt and a Book
of Mormon in my hand. Gotta love the life of a missionary!

I mentioned before I cried a lot in the MTC, but not here. There's no time,
really. Only on Mondays. I am allowed to let myself miss home a little bit.
Just on Mondays :)

Sooo as I start to learn a little more Spanish I start wondering things
like, what does Santa Clarita really mean?

So my buddy Elder Gonzales from Mexico told me it means "holy people"

HA

I think I like the meaning of Orotina better:

Oro = gold

Tina= pot

I am literally living in a pot of gold. Now who's jealous?!

So speaking of Mondays, last Monday my companion and I were in the super
market buying our food for the week when all of a sudden the song by
Enrique Iglesies comes on

"Do you know? Do you know....."

So I hold up my fist as a microphone and burst out the next part of the
song. Then I realized something wasnt right. I freeze, stop and look
around. THE SONG WAS IN SPANISH. Did you guys know he made one of those in
Spanish too? Well you do now. So yeah theres a little fun fact for ya.

Ok, and here's another one. It's my favorite fun fact really. Everyone here
is OBSESSED with Dora the explorer. I was really confused at first though
because everyone here already knows Spanish. So why would they enjoy it so
much? Then i learned something. Dora here teaches them English! Isnt that
great? I think it's pretty great.

People here would kill to know English. And a lot of people try to learn.
You can get a better job, better money, and all the good songs and movies
are made in English.

Hmm that's funny cause I would kill to know Spanish! Guess you always want
what you cant have.

This week there was lots of celebrations going on. Finally figured out they
were celebrating the birthday of Virgin Mary or something weird like that.
I really have no idea. Costa Ricans will take any excuse to party.

I like to party too. Sometimes when I am eating rice and beans I mix it up
and pretend its the bottom of my Cafe Rio salad.

And sometimes when we are on the bus and its raining so hard and the driver
literally cannot see in front of him, I pretend I am on Splash Mountain at
Disneyland. Mixed with a little Indiana Jones when lightning strikes right
in front of the bus.

Really it's quite the same, the people behind me are yelling we are going to
die! The only difference is that these riders actually means it.

So after we survive the bus "rides" on Saturday, we get to President Sandys
house. He is the President of our branch.

(Oh side note, by accident I often use the ward. But I am here in a branch.
K, I just wanted to clear that up)

So President Sandy and his sweet wife made us dinner. They served us first
using their nicest plates for us and ginormous portions of some spaghetti
soup vegetetable thing.

So then they brought their food to the table with a much smaller portion on
their not so nice plates.

It just touched my heart that they would literally give us all they have.
It may not seem like much as I try to explain it to you. But really some
people here have so little. But yet they are still happy. And still so
giving. And even just such a small, kind act like that meant so much to me.

Many times I feel so undeserving of all I have been given in this life. My
life of growing up with an awesome family filled with real Disneyland
trips. And fun fair food in Star Valley. The people here dont even know
what those things are.

But yet, we are the same. Children of God with a purpose here in this life.

For example, Nume.

We met Nume a few weeks ago because both Hermana Anderson and I had the
strongest impression to stop at her hot pink house. The lesson went well
and she told us to come by anytime.

This last week we decided to stop by again, but she made it very clear she
was no longer interested. As Hermana Anderson tried to find out why I
looked down an my feet and saw that they were COVERED in ants. Covered.
They are the little black ones that sting and burn and bite. They were
eating my feet off and I wanted to scream.

Before I knew it, I was sitting on her couch and Nume was pouring some
liquid all over me to get rid of the ants. It worked, and we had also made
it in the house. Nice work, ants.

So we get to talking. And meet Nume´s son. Danny is 12 years old and is
crippled with a disability. He cant walk or talk and has to lay in this bed
all day.

We start to tell Nume that her son is perfect in Gods eyes and that he
trusted her so much to be his mother. She covered her face and began to
weep.

She has been angry with God. Burdened with the responsibility of taking
care of her fragile son. Feeding, changing and entertaining him, every day
of his life. She cannot leave the house, she cannot go out with friends.
Her life is played out for her.

Holding her hand we testified of the love that God has for her and her son.
My heart felt so heavy as I tried to imagine this woman´s circumstance.
Never on my mission, have I truly felt so much of God´s love for this woman.

It was a sad, tender moment. I hope that something we said helped Nume´s
day be a little brighter.

Because really, that is what I am here to do. I may not have any baptisms,
I may not have the scriptures memorized, I may not ever speak Spanish
perfectly. But if I can brighten someone´s day, then that day was worth it
to me.

As for our work in the branch is going, this week has been full of a lot of
ups and downs.

As I have previously mentioned we have focused our efforts to less actives
and to strengthening the members.

One of the less actives we have been working with, Zillah, has been to
church the last few Sundays which is really exciting. We have also been
working with her boyfriend, Oscar. This week we set a date with them to get
married and for Oscar to get baptized. They are so happy. And so are we!

We also have been working with a recent convert family with 5 young kids.
They stayed the entire 3 hours of church this Sunday and the kids loved
primary. This is HUGE because they now look forward to church which makes
it much easier for their family to get there!

Unfortunately, one of our investigators, Daniella, decided to call off her
baptismal date. She is 14 and doesnt really have the support of her family,
which is really hard for her.

There is lots of gossip, rumors and pride in this branch which is making it
really hard to work with. But I just hope that somehow our continual
efforts to strengthen the members will help eliminate it.

I know the church is true. I know it because I have felt it. And I have
seen how its message can change lives. I have seen it brighten someones
day. I have seen people reject it. And I have seen people hate it.

But I LOVE IT!

Until next time,

Hermana Starke


P.s. I have 4 months here!!! Sayy what??


 

untitled-[2].html

9.1 k

Download View