On the way Home!

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