Hello Family!
What a week of miracles it has been here in the mission field. The Lord continues to bless me as I serve out here. There have been times where I feel Satan work on me a bit, but through obedience, the Lord always sends him packing. If I could give one word of advice in the gospel that has blessed me, it would be just do what the Lord says. The smallest commandments make the biggest impact. We all know "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass."
Anja is progressing so amazing. She has been so good at keeping commitments and living the commandments. She had an issue with tea, but as of last Wednesday, she hasn't had a sip. Her baptism date is set to the 23 of October. We are so excited for that! She has came to every appointment, church meeting, Mission Home Fireside, and even General Conference. What a great investigator! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!
We had the oppurunity to go on exchanges with the Assistants this past Thursday and Friday. Previous to our exchange on Thursday, we had a Multizone Training. President Bullock gave a wonderful presentation on the Dead Sea Scrolls and how they bear factual truth to the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. It was so brillant! I will try to get a copy of the presentation and send one home. However, facts don't last. Our true testimony comes from within through the Holy Ghost. Facts can only be building blocks, but our foundation must be from the Spirit.
I had the privellage of working with Elder Lunt on the exchange. I was very nervous considering my first exchange was with an Assistant, it had only been a week, and I was the first new missionary to work with them. The experience was absolutely incredible! We did so much finding. We have what we call Quality Gospel Conversations (QGC's). Usually, I am able to get around 8-10 a day and 16-20 with my companion. With Elder Lunt, we were able to have 33 combined! We ran after everyone in our vicinity! The Lord truly does bless you when you work your hardest. It was the funnest day of the mission by far! I hope and pray I can continue to have that same motiviation and Spirit about me as I work. Elder Lunt taught me so much and gave great feedback on what I was doing well and some things I could improve on.
Elder Jolliffe and I are having a wonderful time. We love being together and being opened with each other and how we feel in certain circumstances. Our realationship continues to grow. We are praying for a new pool of investigators at the moment so that we can find others like Anja to teach and baptize. As long as we work hard, I dont see how we cant.
I got your letter Mom. The fourth hour part was great and very spiritual as I read it. Something that came to mind that really hit home and brought tears to my eyes relating to it was a quote from The Dark Knight. Harvey Dent is at the press conference and is telling the people that they don't neet to know who Batman is. The people continue to murmur and blame Batman for all lthe wrong things they feel he has done while forgetting what good he has brought. Harvey Dent says "The night is darkest just before the dawn, but I promise you the dawn is coming." Sometimes we feel we are in our darkest moment not knowing when the dawn will come. Like Harvey Dent, I know in so many instances in my life, especially prior to my mission, that the dawn does come.
I feel this topic is something that relates to our families situation right now. Moving is shocking news, but in my heart I also feel that it is right. There was immediate peace as I read your letters concerning the matters. Obedience, as I said before, is number one. I hope and pray that all goes well in your preparations.
I love you all. I continue to pray that the Lord blesses each one of you individually. Thank you for your continued support. Good luck in the moving process.
Love,
Elder Starr
P.S. Colton, I love you. I am happy to hear Maple Mountain won a football game! Tell Devo congrats for me! Continue to live like you should and be obedient. Know that I care about you and all you do. Tell everyone congrats on their mission status! Also, if its not too much trouble, change my address back to the Mission Office Address for lack of confusion. I will also write you a personal letter. Tell me the address on where I should send it next week.
P.S.S. I have recieved letters from Amberly, Wesli, Bre, Mom, and Colton. Like to hear from some guy friends now and then. Haha!
