Week 89: La Fe: Training Again

Hi Family,

Okay, so my week: This week was very interesting. It kind of had some let downs and some good parts. First off is that D and N have been progressing very well towards baptism, but this Saturday was supposed to be their interview. Unfortunately, I had to go translate for the US Navy and they didn’t show up for their interview, so their baptism will have to be postponed.

But the good thing is that translating was a lot of fun! I was in the physical therapy part so I was just teaching people how to do stretches and stuff. The most interesting person was a thirteen-year-old kid who was super short and didn’t have any movement in his hand or arm, so we had to help him learn how to stretch it out using his other arm. The lady who I was translating for was Australian. After I translated for her she asked me where I got my accent. She told me that I don’t have an American accent anymore! :( It was a heart breaking moment. Not much of my Americanism remains! And it was the Australian telling me that I have a funny accent!!! Anyway, it was sad. But then I talked to this Hermana who had to translate in women’s health and it sounded like they had a worse time. Hahah! Anyway, I’m out of time to write, but just so you know, I’m training again. I’ll let you know how my kid is next week. 

Elder Stark

Week 88: La Fe: Translating for Doctors

Hey everyone,

So this week was very interesting. We basically spent the whole time reestablishing the progress of different investigators that I had lost contact with during the time when I couldn’t visit with Elder T, but it was a very successful week. We have two investigators working on baptism named N and D. D is the mom and N is her thirteen year old daughter and she is super sassy, so its pretty funny teaching them. Anyway, the reason I didn’t write this week is that on Monday I went to the east side to do service where I was translating for doctors. It was pretty fun. I had to translate people’s problems while the doctor wrote it down on a page and then they waited to see a doctor. It was very easy and pretty fun. I was having a fun time laughing and joking around with the people I was working with. I saw a woman who had to think really hard about every movement she made and it took her a long time to move around. I felt really bad for her, but I felt like I did a good job. Anyway, that was the adventure of the week.

Elder Stark

Week 87: La Fe: One of my Favorite Baptisms

Hi Family,

Well, this week has full. First, my comp’s foot hasn’t gotten much better; in fact it’s gotten worse. So I haven’t been able to work very much, and it’s been tough. Normally, in a day, if I work hard I can teach about 10 lessons, but this last month it’s been about 3 or 4 lessons a day because we can’t walk as much. The area has been suffering a bit, but the work must go on. Despite that, we somehow managed to get Cookie and Fabian ready for their baptism and luckily everything pulled through! I got to baptize them on Saturday and they were so happy! It was one of my favorite baptisms. They are such an amazing family! Anyway, Elder T was able to stay for the baptism, but the next day the assistants called and told him to start packing so that he could rest in the office. So now I’m in a trio, and tomorrow I’ll get a mini-missionary from Haiti to serve with me. Should be fun!

Elder Stark

Week 86: La Fe: A Bit Tough, but a Nice Birthday

Hey,

Well, this week has been a tough one. My companion is a really great guy; he is from one of the smaller Caribbean islands and has about a year and a half in the church. The only problem is that he has a physical disability with his leg and it’s been hurting him quite a bit to walk around all day. It’s been a bit hard on him in the mission. With his leg and the culture shock, it’s been a challenge for him, so we have been taking it really slow, but the only problem is that I can work as hard as I was before... Anyway, with all the pain he’s been in, we went and talked to the president and his wife. Today we went to the Caribbean mission doctor and got him checked up and the doctor said it’s possible that Elder T might have to get his mission call changed so that he could be in a mission with cars. I’m not sure when that’s going to happen, or if it will, but we will see. 

On a brighter note we have a baptism! Actually it’s a family. Cookie and Fabian! It a mother and her son, and, wow, they are probably my favorite investigators ever! First off, they are from Cuba! Cookie is thirty-two and Fabian is 11. They are the most golden investigators ever. They have so much love for the gospel. Every appointment with them is amazing and for my birthday they threw me a surprise party and got me a cake. But the best birthday present I got was that we filled out their baptismal records and the both asked if I would baptize them :) I love them so much! I’ll send some pictures. Anyway I am super excited for them to get baptized! Fabian told me that he wants to be a missionary and that he’s going to start saving all his money so that he can go! 

Anyway, my birthday was a lot of fun. Thanks everybody for your wishes. It means a lot. 

Elder Stark 

P.S. Are Jake and Anndi sleeping in my bed? If so, I want Owen's bed when I get back.

Note from the mother: No, Jake and Anndi are not sleeping in Bailey's bed. They have a new one. Bailey can have his own bed when he returns.

Week 85: La Fe: Ups and Downs

Dear Family,

Well this week has been interesting. I can’t write everything for sake of time, but it’s had a lot of ups and downs. Finally, this p-day I had time to relax. I have been praying a lot for all of the investigators and really focusing on them so that they can progress.  Training has its challenges, but it’s also a lot of fun. Lots of stress because it’s been hard for him to get used to the mission, so that makes it hard on me. I’ve just been trying to lead by example and not think of myself at all- to forget my self completely. 

We have the investigators of Cookie and Fabian that are about to jump into the waters of baptism. They are so prepared! Sorry I don’t have time this week. See you guys next week!

Elder Bailey Stark