This week was great.

Highlights:

*We tried to double our lessons...And we did! We got 31 lessons, 10 of which members came to. It was crazy. I was told that that may be the highest number of lessons I have on my mission. Ha. Yeah right. If you put forth the effort, you are blessed. I don's t know why these missionaries settle for less than they can achieve. We just tried as hard as we could and told Heavenly Father our plan and how we were going to achieve it. Then I know He helped us to do it.

*We played soccer on Monday and I got ANOTHER bloody nose. This is NOT my sport. I have tried it probably like 5 times now and, yeah, it's time to end things with soccer. No more.

*Taught a lessons to an investigator. She was telling us how much she sees God's hand in her life. She needed to get her car fixed but didn't have the money. She was at the grocery story and found a $100 bill. She asked the clerk if she was missing any money. She said no. She asked the lady in front of her if she had dropped anything. She said no. So... She decided that God had placed this money in her path for her to fix her car. "That's what I'M talkin' about!" she said. It was so funny. I couldn't stop laughing during that lesson.

*We went another ward's baptism because they needed help with the music. During the baptism the bishop's wife leans over to me and asks quietly, "are you related to Elder Ryan?" What? No I'm not related to Elder Ryan.... Don't worry, after the baptism they had us stand together and they compared our features just to be certain. It was VERY embarrassing but really just hilarious.

*While walking to our car we saw this guy about our age getting our of his car with a guitar. "Do you play?" we asked. "Yeah" he said. "Well, let's hear a song!".... "Oh I haven't played in front of people in years".... "Well it's about time then!" He then proceeded to play some Metallica song.... I didn't know it needless to say. But after that we were able to teach him an entire first lesson in the parking lot. The spirit was there. He was prepared. Unfortunately he doesn't live in our area, but Heavenly Father is always placing people right in our path. It is just up to US to talk to them (:     Have a marvelous week!                                                                 Sister Heidi Jayne Starr*

P.S. Sister Larsen and I are staying together! This makes like mission history! (not really but it is crazy!) it is what we requested and what I wanted, but not at all what we expected. The zone leaders told us there would be no way haha. But they told us that we would stay together. So this is her 5th transfer in Palmdale and my 4th! We have both spent a 3rd of our missions together! (well we will have after this transfer!)   
  My address is still:    Sister Heidi Starr

                                  39129 10th ST W #24

                                  Palmdale, CA 93551

This Week was Hilarious....

Helllllllo!
This week was hilarious. Have I really been out almost 5 months? CrAZy! We had so many funny experiences knocking. I LOVE knocking.

*Me- "Do you pray often?"
Lady- "Sure, pretty often"
Me- "What kinds of things do you pray for?"
Lady-"The only thing I'm praying for now is that you need a coat!"
..... I wasn't cold!

*We knock on this lady's door. She comes to her window and tries to speak to us through it. We could hardly hear her. And apparently she could hardly hear us.
Lady-"Who are you?"
Me- "The missionaries"
Lady-"Who?"
Me- "The MISSIONARIES!"
Lady- "Miranda?"
Me- "no... The MIssIONNaRRIES!!"
Lady- "I don't know you!!"
hahahahahaha. Fail.

Oh contacting, you just never know who (or what) is going to be on the other side of the door. (:

Saturday night we called Brother Bob. He hasn't been to church in over 30 years. We "invite" (or push) him to go to church every week and he hasn't yet. But we called as we do every week and we said we would meet him at his house at 10:40 so he could follow us to church. He said "okay, I will go to church with you girls this week." I was silent! Was he really going to go!? We would see that next morning. Sure enough, we showed up at his house and he was waiting in his car! I was like hyperventilating I was so excited! We waved and then he followed us. I instantly said a prayer out loud thanking Heavenly Father for giving him the strength to come that week. It was a wonderful Sunday.  Goodness. So wonderful. So many members just wrapped their arms around him even though they didn't know who he was.

The church is so true. I said that to Sister Larsen the other day while we were planning and she didn't look up. She just nodded and said "Si". I loved her quiet, strong assurance. Like Yes, yes it is true. Now let's continue planning. Haha.

LOVE, Sister Starr*

So Much Snow....

This week has been great. There is so much snow here in Palmdale right now! I didn't sign up for this! My mission call said C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A ... not U-T-A-H ... I think I'll stay anyway though :)

Highlights of the Week:
*While knocking, we were outside this house and they had a sign that said "friends & family welcome" I of course read it out loud and then Sister Larsen says "Good... We're both!" hahaha. soo true.

*We went out to dinner with a way less active lady in our ward. We walk into the restaurant and the first thing she tells the waiter is "3 margaritas!" ... the funny part is she wasn't kidding. (we got them virgin and they were delish)

*We had a lesson with this less active man and his non-member wife. We taught her about the Book of Mormon and she said "Oh I bet I can finish that by the end of this month!" We committed her and her husband to read it by Valentine's Day and we are too!

So many more, but I think that's good for now. I hope each of you are doing well. Thank you for your support. I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord and my brothers and sisters here in California every day. I hit my 4 month mark on the 1st! Lots more time to go... Lots more to learn... and lots more people to find. :)

"No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow man." -President Thomas S. Monson

                                            Sister Heidi Starr*

Happy New Year

I wasn't sure how Christmas was going to go on the mission... But I LOVED IT! Sister Larsen and I kept the Starr/Trowbridge tradition alive and went caroling of course. Christmas Morning we woke up at our usual 6:30... the Hermanas slept over. We opened presents which consisted of post-its (those seriously help peoples salvation with all the notes we leave on doors. We swear by them!) Book of Mormon Study Companion, Pens, Headbands, Walmart giftcards, Stationary and other essential missionary equipment. Then we had breakfast (some type of butterscotch pudding rolls that Sister Rollins' mom makes Christmas Morning and they were SO GOOD) and then we got to call home! So fun to dial that forbidden number from our cell phone! I haven't been homesick at all (such a blessing) but I was still crying and crying as I was talking to everyone because I was just so HAPPY to hear their voice and see that they were alive and well! Lahteedah... we got ready and then went to our dinner appointment (listening to Michael Mclean's Forgotten Carols on the way) and had tacos and played "Know the Bro's" - a game with fun facts about the apostles and prophets. All in all... it was such a fun Christmas! I'm totally ready to take on 2011's Christmas.

Besides Christmas- This weeks Highlights included:
* LA Temple Visit (SUCH A BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE! I LOVED THE PALM TREES!! OH and the new visitors center was super legit too. Did I just say super legit? It was though... go check it out.)
* Teaching a man how to pray on his doorstep
* Having our check out lady at Walmart tell us that we should "date those other guys with tags that come in here! Two girls and Two guys!" bahaha.
* Doing a white elephant gift exchange for district meeting and having the caffeinated 12 pack of coke be the gift that everyone fights over (I personally wanted the phase 10 card game...)
* Finishing the white handbook for the 5th time! (this time Sister Larsen and I went through and read all of the scriptures under each subject... sooo many fun scriptures!)

That's all for this week. Have a Happy Happy New Year!

xoxo, Sister Starr*

December 20th

"Misunderstanding is the prelude to offense." -Jesus the Christ
   So, turns out that people aren't really any nicer this time of year. They are stressed the max, worried about providing for their family and worried about keeping their homes. The good news is that we have tons of excuses for people to not turn us away. Who would turn away carolers? or a Christmas DVD? or a plate of Christmas goodies? So far, NO ONE! Good news for us! Hopefully we spread some of the joy to the season to the people that need it most.
    I have been so blessed to not feel homesick, especially during this time of year. People say all the time, "It must be so difficult to be away from your family." Well yeah.... but it is SO WORTH IT to see other families receive the same happiness that mine has. I wouldn't give that up for anything.
Have a MARVELOUS Christmas and rejoice at the guiding stars we have in our lives that lead us to Christ today. 
-Sister Heidi Jayne Starr*

Staying and Leaving ...........

   

I am staying in Palmdale but leaving the Princess House.  Aqua Dulce was whitewashed and Sister Larsen and I are staying together in Ana Verde.  We are moving to an apartment.  Here is my new mailing address:

                           Sister Heidi Starr

                           39129 10th ST W #24

                           Palmdale, CA 93551

         I cannot believe how many blessings the Lord is sending us.  He is definitely gathering his children.  His is expecting so much of us which is very humbling.  We set another baptismal date today.  That give us a total of 11 in Ana Verde.   11 Baptisms in one transfer.    Goodness, the Lord must trust us soooo much.  I hope he is sure about this :)   We just have to be sure and follow up! Going on a  mission is so cool.  It is crazy how just a few weeks ago I wanted to be transferred and now I want to stay for those 11 baptism dates.  Palmdale California - Am I really on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? - - - Reality Check.  Yes you are!  I did a lot of work to get here.  Interviews, shopping, tons of studying, goodness, and now here I am.  Now I wish I could truly forget myself and focus on others.

         I had Bronchitis and a Sinus Infection last week and then this week I got the worst flu of my life.  I did not eat for 3 days.  Yesterday - Monday 12/13 - I had to go to the doctor to get a shot to keep anything down - it was terrible!   Sister Larsen was a great nurse. She had to pick out my clothes and dress me I was so sick. I don't think I've ever been that sick in my life. She said my face was so grey and white she was scared.  I feel like I conquered death!     

         Have the best week everyone~!     Sister Starr

Me and Sister L

We Are

 The Princess House Sisters

Flying Starr

Hmmm

Goodness I have no idea what to say in these blog posts anymore. I know I am having incredible experiences, but putting them into words is tricky. I need to write down better notes throughout the week so I can express myself. So many of the experiences I am having are so personal to individuals because it involves their change of heart and coming to know Christ so personally and realizing he is truly their Savior. It is an emotional journey. Many are at different mile markers, but the remarkable thing is that I am blessed enough to help them along, and answer their questions, resolve their doubts and prepare them to enter the waters of baptism. Then they can continue on their journey with the help and sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost.

We taught one woman this past week was at the very beginning of her journey. We went over to her house where she had prepared cookies and juice for us. We met her autistic son who was adorable. We taught her about the restoration of the gospel. She said "I feel something is missing from my religion." I could not relate to her situation. I have had the gospel my entire life. I have never felt like anything was missing. BUT, even though I could not relate, I COULD help her. I told her that what we were teaching her would was not only true, but It was going to make her feel complete. We were all crying. She prayed at the end of the lesson. It was not how she usually prays but she said she would try our way. She said "Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending me the missionaries. Help me to know if the Book of Mormon is true. .... umm that's all I've got....  Jesus name, amen" We told her that her prayer was perfect and that was all she needed and that if she really wanted to know, God would answer her prayer. OH goodness she was the sweetest Lady! I could see that Heavenly Father loved her soooo much and I am so grateful that I can be a part of this great work!

LOVE, Sister Starr