Week 50:

Usually Christmas week is a little bit harder than a normal week for missionary work, as I´m sure it is all over the work. The people are a little bit busier with their families and the holidays and don´t really have time for the missionaries, but this week was great. Even though it was harder than a normal week my companion and i could really see the lords hand guiding us. 

We passed Christmas eve with a less active family here in the ward. it was cool because we got to stay out till 11. They made us a huge dinner with everything you can think of Steak, Pork, Chicken, Potatos, Cake.... we were more than satisfied when we left the house. 

Then at midnight we went up onto the roof to watch the traditional Christmas fireworks here in Argentina. Right when the clock hit twelve the sky lit up with fireworks it was like a war zone haha. 

Even though it was a little different not being with my family for christmas i think this was one of my favorites ever. Theres something special about having the opportunity to be a missionary this time of year.

I know that when we keep gods commandments, and love god and our savior more than anything else everything will work out.

Hasta la próxima semana,

Elder Starkey

 Christmas conference:

Me, Elder Smith, Elder Garrett (who went to Westlake w/me and was my student body president), and Elder Solorzano.

 All ready for Christmas dinner at a memebers home...

 My Christmas tree my family sent me, with my gifts under it!

 The family we ate dinner with,

and the presents they gave us!

 Traditional Christmas PJ's from my family, 

"son of a nutcracker!"

 Futbol in the pooring rain today.

We got soaked!!

Package from Lizzy...

Week 49

Its been awhile since i{ve been able to write a weekly letter but just so you all no im still alive here in argentina! 

Wow a lot has happend lately. As you might already know, maybe not, transfers were last week and now im with my new comp Elder Solorzano! He´s from Ecuador and he´s super great! We´ve had a great first week together and were working hard. We´ve already seen a lot of miracles together!

Sadly last week was my last week with The Famous Elder Fifita. Im missing that guy a lot right now. I had the chance to be his last companion here in the mission and im so glad i did. He taught me so much and was more than just a great companion but a great friend and a great example to everyone! I know hes going to be great in whatever he does! 

Always the first week with a new companion is a little bit hard, a little weird but this week has been great. We´ve found so many new people to teach its crazy.

Recently we´ve been teaching a ton about Christmas, kinda obvious since Christmas is almost here, but yeah it has been awesome. Its crazy how we´ll be talking with someone who has no desires whatsover to listen to us until we start talking about the birth of christ and they just open up and start to listen. When we teach a lesson about christmas its basically the same lesson but everytime we teach it to a different person or family i always learn something new and my testimony of christ is always strengthened. I just want to end with my testimony. I know now better than any other moment in my life that we have a heavenly father that knows us, cares about us, and loves us so much. He loves us so much that he gave us his son. I know that Christ willingly and perfectly came to this earth to serve, love, suffer, and die for us. That we celebrate this time of year because litterally a savior was born. I love the mission and all the amazing experiences im having and all the people im meeting, i love my family and i know that because of the gospel we can be together forever, and i love my savior.

I hope you all have an amazing Christmas and that you can feel the saviors love this time of year and more importantly i hope you all get a chance to share it with others.

Con Amor

Elder Starkey

 Me and my new comp Elder Solorzano...

 An Indiana Jones bridge we found...

 A view from the bridge...

Four awesome elders

Week 48

Things have been super crazy and busy for Dax, so again he did not write a letter.  Also, he is still having camera issues, so no pictures either :(.  I was pretty bummed until he sent me this little bit of information in a quick email today.  I thought you might like to read what he said about one of his investigators/member/friend:

"Do you remember Ana Catacata, our investigator that got baptized like 6 weeks ago? She already went to the temple with 3 of her daughters to do baptisms for the dead.  Also, she is now a counselor in the Relief Society presidency.  She is sooo awesome mom.  I don't feel so far away from you because she is just like you in so many ways and treats me like a son. She always calls us her 2 sons because all she has is girls.  Sorry just thought I would tell you the good news. I hope someday you can meet her. If not maybe the next life."

Week 47

Daxton has had a lot happening the last few weeks, so he has not been writing letters.  Also, his camera got a virus and won't work any more.  He thinks he has lost all his pictures from his mission. He has his gopro, but doesn't like to use it too much for fear someone will try to steal it from him. Thank goodness he finally sent us some pics this week.  It has been a long two weeks with no pictures or letters.

Working hard...

Me and Elder Fifita...

Eating Napolitana...

(French fries with deep fried thinly sliced steak, fried eggs and tomatoes)

A member made lunch for all these missionaries on pday after playing soccer for 3 hours!

Yay, tennis!!

This is Leo, he got baptized a little over a year ago.  He accompanies us on visits.  

He is getting ready to go on a mission.  He is awesome!