Thursday, September 15, 2011


























Post it says: This is why I DO NOT cut my own hair. Elder Stark
HOWDY!!

Well I made some videos and have pictures to send of the baptisms but I have to wait because my battery died and it’s charging. Just a quick update all is well. I am blown away with all the changes.... I can’t believe were the Mesa South Stake now... Very weird... And that we added new wards. The whole this with Bishop and well Bishop Eyring is nuts as well. And with dad being in the Young Men’s. Everyone is back to their original areas, just in different positions hahaha I can’t believe I’m missing all these storms... It’s getting a little bit cooler at nights and in the morning but the days are still super hot. And it’s still really humid. Let me know how the job goes mother. Good luck with school. I can’t believe Shelly is going to the temple! That would be interesting to attend. Her first time. Brandon, Sheldon, and Kevin are Elders?!?! WOW!!! AWESOME!! Is Braden dating anyone yet? What is he doing? He needs to take Jordan to church! When I was working at Target, people ALWAYS talked about MAD MEN and I looked at all the seasons and read it a bit but I guess I need to watch them huh? haha What kind of questions are people asking you? What do people want to know? Which missionaries ask about me?? OH So this week, I met 2 more people that have connections with people I know. First, Elder Hunn who is serving in my Zone is friends with Elder Harrel who was the missionary I first went out with and basically the guy who taught me everything I know about missionary work. He is awesome. And he’s home now. But also, I met a guy who lives here who served with Ben Moffit. They weren’t companions, but they served in the same district. His name is Elder De Los Reyes. Also I don’t know if I told you guys but my second week here, I had to give a talk in church. How was 9/11? No one cared here. All I heard about it was that during the first football game, they had tons of flags and stuff and people had memorials everywhere. Well I hope all is well in good ol' AZ! If you guys would like specific pictures or videos let me know! I love you all and have a wonderful week!

Love,
Elder Stark
MI FAMILIA!!
 Bueno. Este Semana estuvo bein. My Spanish has been picking up. I understand more and I was told that I have a good Mexican Accent and that I speak really well for only being here 5 weeks. I can’t believe all the new things going on. I swear if dad is the next Stake president... John is the new bishop for his ward yeah? About your shirt mother, I have not found one shirt. Send me a picture of your shirt so I can show a lady in my ward what it looks like. She sews and so maybe she can make one. She is currently making some like it for Sept. 16. People are getting crazy here about Sept. 16. This coming Sunday we have 2 different baptisms! I’m doing both! I’m nervous because the ordinance is in Spanish and the names are long and kinda difficult. This week I was excited to here as I was walking down the street a weird familiar song. "Disney's Electrical Parade", I got so excited. Also mom I heard "Too Much Time on my Hands” by STYX. So as for my package, I need more "Men's 1-a-days" by the MLB or any other all in one vitamins. There was something else but I can’t remember. The other day I got my first "You’re from Arizona??? YOU HATE MEXICANS!!! YOU MADE THAT STUPID LAW YOU RACIST!!" HAHA I knew it would come up sooner or later. But we ended up teaching her and our last visit she accepted baptism but not a date. The whole law thing, she was mad because she has a boyfriend in the USA illegally and she wants to go to the USA illegally as well I believe. But it’s all good now I believe. This week, my comp decided to "teach me a lesson" and on exchanges, I stayed here and hosted my area with another missionary that has 11 months here. Before he left, he said "After today, you’re going to know how I feel every day and how stressful it is and how hard it is." Funny thing was that I rocked it. We got another baptism date from an investigator finally, we meet all of the goals my comp set for us, AND my Spanish was crazy good. I almost understood everything. Def the spirit working there with us. We had a LOT of success this day. It was funny because my comp was way surprised especially because we got a date from this investigator we have been working with for the last 5 weeks. Her date is the 18 of September. There is a guy in the ward here that plays the sax and his wife sings and they play in a Jazz club and are really good. Father, when I return, we need to go to NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS and listen to some good Jazz... A funny story, we met this guy the other day who when he talked, his bottom teeth wiggled and whistled hahahahahaha It was rich! And mother, I have had Mole 3 times this week. haha. Another thing I have observed is that people wear shirts here that are funny. It's even better because they can't read them but they are too inappropriate for a missionaries e-mail hahahha. This week we listened to Josh Groan’s Christmas CD. It was awesome. My comp said people here on the Frontera don’t really do the Christmas thing... it’s sad... Well my time is up. I’m sorry about the family drama stuff but I’m glad I’m here hahaha At least Becca is getting married! :) haha Well I love you all. I hope all is well in AZ!! Everything is good here. The bad guys don’t mess with us so that’s good. Keep the faith and work hard and thanks for your prayers and thoughts always! You guys are always in mine! LOVE YOU!

Love,
Elder Stark
FAMILY!!

Oh how I’ve missed you all! That’s way sweet that yours lives have been going awesome! Especially that girl that dad let meet the 14 year old JB. That’s awesome you are so involved mom. When I get back, you’re going to be almost done. Quick story that just happened. A Hermana in the ward called us panicking wanting to give her sister a blessing. So we get over there to do this blessing and the sister is fine. She was just having contractions. They were little and not very close but it was funny because my comp was kinda freaking out and was like "My comp is a Paramedic!" remembering that I told him I went to EMT school and I want to do something Medical after my mission. The Hermana was like "Sweet! Just in case I need you but for now just a blessing." I tried to explain that I can’t practice on my mission and that I’m not ever certified but they don't care haha. Anyways there have been a lot of funny things happen this week. I think I’m going to start doing a Quote of the week. This week I thought was funny because I thought of this before reading the email dad sent about mowing the lawn. This week is "Don’t complain about mowing the lawn. Here in Mexico they use a Machete the cut the grass." Well from what I have seen they grab a handful of grass and machete the grass haha. Also! Mom, a little boy that is 5 did the family guy mom mom mommy mommy thing. I was cracking up so hard. But I thought of you. It’s hard to stay focused this close to the boarder because there is a lot of American things here. The music is American. I have heard the song Party Rock about 6 times every day. Also, Braden (it reminded me of you) I heard WOAH! by Forever the Sickest Kids, I’ve heard Boston, Lil Wayne, Justin Beiber, Usher "DJ got us falling in love again" (which is annoying because here the cars drive around with mega phones yelling at people in their houses and this song is one that plays a lot. ALSO!!! Vanessa when you read this, I hear Lady Gaga EVERY DAY!!! People here love her hahaha. Also I went into a member’s house and they were watching the "Little League World Serious" which was hard because I wanted to watch it so bad... Also I saw a guy’s shirt that had the Johnny Martinez phrase "Wuzzup!!" it was funny. The address if you want to send me a package is

Eduardo Echeverria/Elder Stark
P.O. Box 1685
Hidalgo, Texas 78857

Also tell me when you send it so I can tell him when to go get it. I can’t think of anything I really need right now. Well my time is up. I’m sorry I didn’t really talk about the work much. We have a baptism for an investigator named Lidia on September 11. Now that I wrote that, that’s a weird date... hahaha but my comp said I’m doing the baptizing so hopefully everything goes well! IT RAINED!!! It was crazy. It got crazy humid after though... But also in this pictures is Elder Robbins and I in our luchador masks (I’m white he is blue) they are matching so were a team. Also father, I got a picture of me playing soccer with the Mexican children for you. I scored this goal. The ball went over his head as you can tell. Well I love you all! Everything is swell here in Reynosa. I’m safe and sound. The people are awesome. Spanish is coming slowly but surely! Stay sweet and Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts! Talk to you next week!!!!

Love,
Elder Stark