Week 2 Email...

January 27, 2015

Well its been another hard week but also a rewarding week. Its cool to see how many tender mercys god sends your way when you just simply pray for his help. 

I had the opportunity to listen to M. Russell Ballard this week and that was really cool and inspirational. Hes such a cool dude and he really knows how to make you feel empowered and inspired.

We had a lesson this week about how the first thing an investigator needs to know is not only that god listens to our prayers but that he answers them and personal revelation is possible for everyone that is seeking it and that was so cool to me because it had never occurred to me that the rest of the world doesn't know that if they'll pray to god he will answer their questions. 

I've learned really quickly this week that the best thing to combat home-sickness is laughter and I'm so grateful for my district and how they're not to serious but still love the gospel and always make my day a million times better. 

I just want to say how grateful I am for families this week. Without there support I'd probably be home right now because this is way harder than I ever could have thought, but I now know after reading an email i got this week that it doesn't matter how strong you think your testimony is or how well you know the gospel it just matters that you go out there and serve and love the people the best you can. Thank you all for the letters I've gotten they've really carried me through this week.

Me and Elder Shimata,  

Elder Llewelyn got some staches in the mail!

​Elder Reeves (Dominican republic) and me and elder shimata

Drawing on the desks, and I'm not smoking its a caramel apple sucker.

Went for a district temple walk, it was cool because no one else was there really.

The big map!

Daxton's companion sent this picture to me and said, "Elder Starkey sure likes his soda".  Thanks Elder Shimata, I love this picture :)

Week 1 Email...

1/20/2015

Hey everybody you finally get to hear from me. My Pday wasn't for a week once I got here! Anyway theres so much to say I don't even know where to start. This place is nuts. Your constantly just going and going literally theres no down time whatsoever on a normal day but I guess its good that we stay busy. I love the spirit here its so strong and no matter where you go everyone is your friend and says hi, its just such a big difference compared to high school its so cool how it feels like there is no judging whatsoever here everyone is just themselves. 

The spanish is hard but I'm loving it. Its the most stressful thing ever to have only been learning spanish for a day and then on day 2 we were teaching our first investigator. You learn very very quickly that its not you who is teaching its the spirit and if its not there you won't accomplish anything but when you have the spirit with even with our very very broken spanish somehow our "investigator" we'll feel gods love and tell us he wants to change and repent.

I could not have asked for a better zone or district. They are all so cool and nice in their own ways and have all been so good to me. Theres something really special about a bunch of teenage boys kneeling down together and offering a prayer of comfort and the spirit it was so nice to have that on my first day.

My companion is awesome. hes one of the funniest dudes ever and can always make me and our district laugh. I feel bad because as i began to know him on my first day I started feeling a little bit prideful like oh hes kinda shy and has a hard time talking in front of others sometimes but the spirit is so strong with him. It has really showed me how the lord can make small things great. And how its through the humble spirit of someone that miracles are brought to pass not knowledge.

I am so grateful for all you guys and your prayers I can really feel them as I try to get over this homesickness I'm feeling right now and I love you all so much.

Elder Starkey & His Companion Elder Shimata

Me and Elder Shimata Studying 

A Sneaky Shot By Elder Shimata

My Zone

The Elders in My District

My District

(Fom left to right: Elder Hales, Hermana Collins, Elder Llewelyn, Hermana Lundberg, Elder Shimata, Me and Elder Reeves)

Entering the MTC...

January 14, 2015

Well the day that felt like it was forever away, finally came.  It was very hard for all of us to say good bye for 2 years.  We are so very proud of Dax and his decision to serve the Lord and the people of Argentina.  They are so lucky to get him, and he will be so blessed for serving.  We can not wait to get his first letter, and hear how things are going.

It was hard to say goodbye to everyone, and everything...

I made him get one last picture with his guitar.  I am so glad I did, because I love this picture sooo much! What a good lookin Elder :).

Ready or not, it was finally time to leave.

We made a quick stop in a parking lot for Dax to say bye to Aunt Becky and Uncle Corey. They had been out of town, and wanted to say bye.  It was another difficult moment for Dax.

Dax decided he did not want to go eat.  He was too nervous.

So we made a quick stop at the gas station for a drink and some jerky, just to tide him over till his first dinner in the MTC.

We pulled over by the temple to say our goodbyes...

It was so hard :(

Dave kept telling us all to smile, and make it a happy day.

Boy was that hard to try to smile.

Finally at the stop, drop and roll part :(

This very kind missionary came to help with the luggage, and informed us we had 3 min...

Thankfully he didn't really only give us 3 minutes, yes we got 5 :).

Our very last moments with Dax...

Oh man, Dave had tried so hard to just smile, but he finally broke down...

Time to let him go :(

I don't think he was even going to turn and wave goodbye, so I hurried and yelled his name and got him to wave bye.  Yep I am that kind of mom!

We hurried to the store, and got lots of things for his first package, and then rushed to Grandma's house to hurry and put it together.  We got it to the same day delivery store just in time for him to get it his first day in the MTC.

 His first package :)...

Boy do we miss Daxton!!  Our family does not feel complete with him gone.  However, we know that he is right where he belongs.  We are so very proud of his decision to serve the Lord.  We know he will be an amazing missionary!!  See you in two short years Elder Starkey.  We love you so much!!!