Week 85

Another update from mom, Dax did not have time again to write a weekly email :(.  This boy is killing me.  At least he did send a picture.  The second picture is one I received from another mom on Facebook.  Thank goodness for Facebook, and for moms who share pics.  So he has had his first week in his new area. His new area is actually in Salta.  It is called Palermo.  He said it is a VERY poor area, but the people are so nice.  His new companion is Elder Rodriguez from Columbia.  He said he is a good guy and a hard worker.  He thinks they will have lots of success.  Dax was made Zone Leader on this transfer.  I received Daxtons itinerary home last week, and I was worried to let him know.  I told him and he asked me to forward it to him.  I did, and it made him sad :(.  Poor Dax, he is going to have a hard time coming home.  I hope that he is a little bit excited. As of today he has less than 4 months.  Okay 3 months and 28 days, but who is counting :).  Anyway, Dax is doing good, and sure does love his mission.

 Me and my new comp Elder Rodriguez,
Doing service this week...

Eating Chinese Food in Argentina...

Week 84

This was my last week in Tucuman. Time flies by so fast it is insane. Now I'm back in Salta, well its a little bit different from Pichanal, my first area. my new area is Palermo.

This last week was hard. its so great to be here in the mission helping others to come unto Christ but at the same time it sucks to have to be separated. I think the greatest part of missionary work is when you are in a lesson and your feeling the spirit and you can tell that your investigators also can feel it. 

There are countless people who have helped me and blessed my life. If it weren{t for the mission i think i would just feel empty. i feel like i{ve learned and grown so much and that i have met so many great people. I know that i was called to serve here for a reason and i know that the Savior lives and guides his work.

-elder starkey

 My investigators, the Caceres family made me a sign.

They all started to cry, it was tough to leave them.

 My new comp Elder Rodriguez...

 My good friends the Gomez family...

Last day in church :(

Brother Gambarte and Brother Zerrizuela

Week 83

This week we did not get any pictures or weekly email from Dax.  He only had a very short period of computer time this week.  He has been struggling a little with his companion, so he spent most of his time talking to me about him.  He is still training, and his companion has been wanting to go home ever since he has gotten to Argentina :(.  Transfers are next week, and I am sure that Dax will be transferred as he has been in this area for 7 months.  He has been trying so hard with this companion.  Poor Dax, he feels like he is failing him.  However, he still keeps trying :)  So proud of you Dax!!!

Week 82

This week was great. 

My mind always goes blank when I have to write but a billion things happen every week but I just forget. 

Its finally starting to warm up here and fast. I think its going to be a hot summer. As you get to have more time in the mission you come to realize that you still dont know anything. Its really interesting to me to see the greenies and the way they do things is really sincere. Its great to have their example. 

My son is growing up so fast he is already going to end his training in 2 more weeks. When we were first together things were great, but I'm not going to lie these weeks with him have been tough for a bunch of reasons. I started to ask myself  "why am I training this elder "and " why is he so different from all my other companions that I´ve had ". 

This week I´ve really been humbled. 

I am unexplainably grateful to have had the opportunity to train this guy. He has taught me so much. I know that our prayers receive answers. We leave the pension every day ready and excited to teach. We are different but thats cool. I realize once again that our father in heaven knows us and loves us enough to try us.

I don't know how to say this in English but its, saludos a todos, it means like. Hi Everybody. haha dang english. see you next week!

Elder Starkey

 Search, Ponder and Pray...

and going to church

 Playing soccer today...

I know my hair is super long, we're getting it cut after writing.

 On Sunday we went to the park and played hymns and sung.

We contacted a bunch of peeps :)

The scout sign...

 My Brazilian son and the Jesus statue...

 District Universitario...

Sneak pic of me in the chapel...

Week 81

Unfortunately Dax did not have time to write at all this week.  They went on an outing to see a Christ statue like the one in Rio De Janeiro, and the got back late.  Then the internet cafe they went to stopped working after his first email to me :(.  I was really worried because he stopped emailing so abruptly when he said he only had a few minutes to be on.  Well, dax knows his Smother well and knew I would be freaking out, so they hurried to another internet cafe.  He made sure to let me know that he was fine and that it was just problems at the cafe.  He is such a good boy.  I would have been worried all week, with Dave having to tell me over and over that he was fine.  Sometimes being a smother is exhausting :). Needless to say I didn't get any info on how his week had gone, but he said he is doing good.  I begged him to hurry and send me one picture.  It is so hard not to at least see his cute face each week.  As I said, he is such a good boy, and he sent me a pic :).  Can't wait for next week to get to hear from him.

Norma got baptized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Week 80

Tucumán Argentina would be the equivalent of Louisiana I think. Pretty sure I'm going to end up a little more redneck after passing so much time here haha. I don't think I´ve ever seen people so creative. 

Wow really the field is white and ready to harvest. Its amazing to see how many good people accept us in there homes. Some of them are so ready to hear about the restored gospel and others are a little more hard hearted but God is preparing their hearts. 

Really this is a priceless work. I think about every opportunity I´ve had to share about Jesus Christ; every contact, lesson, service. I always feel so great as a missionary knowing that this really is an eternal work, everything we do in this work doesn't have end. 

The members here are awesome and helping a ton in the work. I know its a little hard to do missionary work in Utah but its not all about finding investigators and baptizing them, but also as president Hinckley said it "strengthening the weakened knees and lifting the fallen arms." What a blessing we all have to be members of the church of Jesus Christ. He really does love us. As we try to be like him we can help others feel that love.

Elder Starkey

Mama Trejo

She was soooooo excited for her gift, she loved it.