Week 63

Wow What a Week!

This week has been really interesting but in spite of colds, a hurt knee and rain we saw a lot of blessings from the Lord. 

Last week we found a new family to teach. Like normal we got really excited. Its always amazing to find a new family especially one that is really interested. We passed by a couple more times during the week and they never had time for us. Then when we passed by on Saturday they said that they had been talking and didn't want to listen to us for the time being and told us to leave. They had changed completely and we don't know why. We left the house sad, it is amazing how fast you can start to care about people. We decided to turn down an unfamiliar road and as we walked in silence I remember a house that we had visited a long time ago with Elder Threet. We clapped our hands and the owner came out. He said that had been waiting for a long time for us and we had an amazing lesson.

We don´t know everyone's story but God does and we only have to trust that everyone will have an equal and fair chance to accept this gospel.

Something that I think I always knew but never realized is that it doesn´t matter how much time we spend reading the scriptures, praying, or sitting in classes if we keep learning but never act it doesn´t serve us. I´ve been trying to put this in practice more this week. Trying to show my faith to the Lord by applying what I`m learning. And my faith has grown so much this week. The more we put the needs of other people ahead our own. Or as we decide to serve instead of be served. As we do unto others as we want them to do unto us, we grow. We become more and more like the Savior. I´m eternally grateful for the perfect example of our Savior who didn´t come to do his own will but the will of the Father. 

I hope you´ve all had a great Easter and have all felt the spirit of the Lord in your families and homes!

Elder Starkey

 Easter Sunday pic...

My comp with the name tag I made him, and homemade pizza...

sort of ha ha ha!!

Week 62

This week was great because I got a companion! Elder Pérez from Salta. Hes Super cool and I'm excited to work with him. We´re already seeing miracles in our area. I love the mission and the people of Argentina.

Elder Starkey

 Big soccer game in Tucuman for pday...
My new mini companion in the back row in the middle in all white.

 Look who's in Tucuman...

Elder Sims :)!!

 We ate at McDonald's...

 Alvaro's baptism!!

Like my mad drawing skills, ha ha ha :)...

Week 61

This has been a really interesting week. As you already know last Monday Elder Threet left for Salta and I was going to have a mini missionary, a priest age kid that lives in the mission boundaries that is preparing to serve a mission. Here is the twist, he never got here! I still don't have a companion :(. But luckily I´m living in an apartment with another companionship so I´ve been with those guys. 

Its been hard because I´ve really needed to work in my area. God has blessed us with a lot of people to teach, but he has also blessed the other Elders and their sector. This whole week I´ve had to depend a lot on the members and they have helped me a lot. They are all making lots of sacrifices to accompany me so that I can work in my area. I know God is watching over me and I have felt his love so much this week because I was literally in a state where there wasn't much I could do. One night I was really stressed because I had a lot of appointments the next day and no one to accompany me. I sent out a bunch of texts and calls but wasn't hearing anything back. I decided to go and say a prayer, I asked for him to help me find someone to accompany me. I had barely stood up when the first text came, then the next, then the next. Literally within 15 minutes I had members for the whole day.

I´m so grateful for a Heavenly Father that loves us enough to test us, to let us walk by faith so that we can grow and learn. I know in the moments most difficult he can lift us up and help us to try again.

Have a Great WEEK! 

Elder Starkey

 The Trio...
Me, Elder Guzman (Bolivia) and Elder Chahalis (Georgia)

 A few weeks ago at zone conference...

 Early morning Tucuman...

 The waterfall on our hike we went on a couple of weeks ago...

 We fit in a quick lesson during the hike...

(Dax said this dog followed them from the minute they got off the bus, through the whole 3 mile hike, and all the way back to the bus.  I told Dax he must have been sent to watch over them:).  What a good dog!!)

 Troopers...

(Notice their new friend laying down taking a break with them.)

Playing soccer today against the other zone here in Tucuman.

Unfortunately, Dax and one of his comps were off buying a soda when this picture was taken :(.

Week 60

Today was transfers and I´m waiting for my new companion. This last week with Elder Threet was great, I´m really going to miss that guy. He taught me a lot and I know hes gonna kill it in Salta! 

This week we had a conference and during the conference I realized that sometimes we get so caught up in our responsibilites, even being a missionary, that we forget the most important part of our lifes. Christ. I´ve been trying to make him a part of every decision I make, trying to be more worthy of wearing his name on my chest, and testifying of him with everyone.

I know he is our Savior, our friend, our perfect example and as we make him the center of our lifes we can start to become even as he is. 

Con Cariño, Elder Starkey