Week 93: La Fe: We finally got our light back

Hey mom,

Thank you so much for the email! That’s crazy that Sam is getting married. The family is so different. Its like it just jumped into a new era while I’ve been here in the DR. I´m behind on the game! I need to hurry up and get married. Hahah!

We did finally get our light back, and we found a new place to live as well, but unfortunately the moving process takes about a month, so I might just be able to enjoy the house for a bit before I go home. However, for now, there will be no sleeping on the floor, and I will have my own pillow!!! Blessing counting!

That’s great that Owen was able to give his farewell talk, but why did he have a turkey claw in his pocket, and how does that give you good luck? Why didn’t he just say “alpha zombie”? 

So this week I have been working really hard and have had a little success. We are teaching a family who have a son with Down syndrome. Anyway, their son always wants me to tell Mary he says hi. He is 10 and is named Jose. Their family is really interesting; they have lots of problems, but they always manage to stay happy! It’s a very good quality to have. 

Anyway, love you mom! Hope you have a great week! 

Elder Stark

Week 92: La Fe: No Power and Sleeping on Cardboard

Hola,

This week has been pretty tough for me. They cut the light to our house so I’ve been wandering around like an orphan sleeping at a different missionary house every night. Now, it may not seem like a big deal to have the power cut, but when its 99% humidity and 90 degrees at night... Well, it’s impossible to sleep without a fan! But anyway, I’ve had to sleep on the floor almost every day this week. The first night I had a towel and a bed sheet for a bed, so I just threw it on the floor and slept. That was rough because I didn’t have a pillow, but I got it covered the next night with a nice cardboard box. Count your blessings! :) It’s actually more comfortable than you’d think. Then we started going to another elder’s house that has two extra mattresses. The only problem is that they live a bit far away, but hey, vale la pena. Anyway, it hasn’t affected my energy at all, but it’s kind of getting to my comp.

But there is some good news; D and N got baptized this last week. We had 8 baptisms as a district! Pretty good. I was really proud of my district. We have been working hard and at the same trying to find a new house to rent because where we live right now sucks! Anyway, I’ve been loving the mission tons and while I can’t wait to see all of you, I love it here, so I’m going to make the most of my time left!

Elder Stark

Week 91: La Fe: My Favorite Area

Hey Family,

That sounds like a classic week back home. I can just imagine Mary sitting on the floor of her room with the tablet watching some sort of Disney channel thing while you are at home baking pies. Can you believe that I haven’t eaten a pie in over 2 years? It’s a bit ridiculous. I was talking to this one missionary and he taught me how to make a steak marinade with Mt. Dew!!! I have been planning to make it for a while.

It also sounds like Owen is getting very ready to leave on his mission. Is he doing a good job staying out of trouble?  I sure hope so. Me, I’ve been doing well. I have been trying to work my best these last few weeks. This week we had 15 investigators at church!!! It was a big success and there were quite a few that didn’t show up as well. So we are working hard, but at the same time I feel myself winding down and I have to keep picking myself up. But we are also having some success. When I got to this area, it was at the point where it was going to be combined with another ward because it was so week. There were only about 60 people going to church each week, but for the last few weeks we have had over 100! And this week I will have my fifth and sixth baptism in this area! I love this area; it’s probably my favorite one. I have some very good friends here.

That’s a very good story about Anna. She will have some funny embarrassing moments! One time I accidently asked a lady how many anuses she has. Hahahah! Its all part of the mission experience. Anyway mom, take care. Love you tons! Hope you have a great week.

Love,

Elder Stark

Week 90: La Fe: Don't Get Hit By A Hurricane

Hey Family,

Sounds like a bit of a busy week with the moves and finishing up the summer. It must be weird to have the house kind of empty. Soon the family will be back together, well more or less. Owen will be on an island, but hey.

Well, while you guys are finishing up summer we are starting the hurricane season. Friday is when it hit. The whole morning it just sprinkled, but then the big part of it hit us about 2. Right before it hit, we went over to the zone leader’s house and had a good time just hanging out. I´m a pretty old missionary, so I decided to take advantage of the moment and had a glorious nap. It was wonderful! But yeah, there was just a ton of rain and wind. It was a bit crazy and the next day walking around we saw tons of trees that had gotten knocked over. But we had a pretty easygoing time.

I am starting to really feel the effects of 21 months of service; I am just tired, like all the time! Physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I feel like I’m the best missionary I have ever been, but at the same time I recognize my weaknesses more then ever before. Kind of a weird time.

Anyway things with my new companion are going well. He is Elder C from Jamaica. I am training him and he is a very humble guy. He is huge, like this guy is well over 6 feet tall. Maybe like 6.4 or 6.5. He is very cool and has a cool accent. Also, he says that I have a bad Spanish accent... lame. But whatever, things are going really well. You guys can’t make fun of me too much when you get here!

As for the mission work, we have two baptisms coming up, D and her daughter N. They are very excited and this Sunday will be their interview. They seem to be very excited to get baptized and are well prepared. We still visit Cookie and Fabian quite a bit. They are probably my favorite converts ever. I love spending time over there! Cookie recently spoke in sacrament meeting and she made people cry! She has such a strong testimony. We will be spending a bit of time with her when you guys come.

Anyway, that’s basically my week. I’m kind of nervous to end the mission and come home. Can you guys think of anything to help? Love you all. Take care. Don’t get hit by a hurricane!

Love,

Elder Stark