Pictures

This is up on the top of the hill in the castle ruins overlooking Shkoder.  You can see the mountain range in the back which divides Albania from Montenegro.

This is from the same ruins overlooking the three rivers that flow into the lake on the other side.  The middle of the lake divides Albania from Montenegro.

These are the three members in Shkoder we spoke to in Sacrament meeting.  The bars on the window is where the meeting was held, but the Spirit was strong.  The man in the hat, Brother Zef, is the one going to the temple for the first time.  He is very excited.

This is a cart full of goods attached to a motor scooter.  They go anywhere and park to try to sell their wares.  The group of people in the corner are around another cart willed with used shoes.  You see these quite often.  That is Flat Stanley having his picture taken for Zoey.

This is a picture of Tirana from our balcony.  The colored buildings are on the corner intersection of where we live.  Right down from our balcony you can see the alleyway we walk up to get to our apartment.  Streets are very narrow and very crowded.
(now that I have learned how to do this, I can send some with each blog,  hopefully.)

Mother's Day, Shkoder, other

It is Mother's Day today, so Happy Mother's Day to all of our special persons.  They celebrate Mother's Day in Albania, but it is always on March 8.  I wanted to take flowers to all the mothers in our branch, but it didn't work out.  It is also election day in Albania (yes on a Sunday) which makes things interesting.  Pres. Neil wanted all the missionaries to stay in their apartments after going to church in case there were any problems, like riots in the streets, etc.  So far it seems relatively calm, but there could be some repercussions later in the week when the votes are all counted.  In talking to most people, it will not be a fair election no matter what.  Anyway, so much for Mother's Day.

Two weeks ago Glen and I went to Shkoder to speak in Sacrament Mtg.  We went a day early to make sure we could find our way.  Shkoder is beautiful.  There is the remains of a 14th Century Castle there with one wall dating back to 400 BC.  It was so beautiful to get on the top of those grounds, they were way up on a  hill, and look over the valley.  You could see three rivers all flowing into the lake, and part way on the lake was Montenegro.  Shkoder is very dominant Catholic and practicing Muslim.  Very  hard for missionary work.  The Sacrament meeting consisted of four elders, three members and us.  There was also an inactive member that came and wanted to participate any way he could.  They finally had to force him to leave.  It was quite interesting.  But the three that were there were wonderful and such a spirit.  One of the members is going with the group to the Frankfurt Temple for the first time this month.  It really was a delightful weekend.

Yesterday was a very interesting day.  Sonja and Marco were married nine months ago civilly, which they have to do, then three months later went to the temple to be sealed.  Well they had never exchanged rings so yesterday they had a ring ceremony in Durres.  Durres is about 30 miles away, but there is a chapel there, and Sonja served her mini mission in Durres.  Pres. & Sister Neil picked us up around 9:00 a.m. we drove to Durres, by 10:00 a.m. and waited for Sonja and Marco to arrive, which they did finally at 11:30.  All the guests were waiting all that time.  Finally they came and Sonja was in a wedding gown and all the trimmings.  The ring ceremony took place in the chapel with Pres. Neil presiding and speaking.  Then there were tables of food and ceremonial dancing in the cultural hall.  There were members and non-members alike, and some of the outfits were quite interesting.  Most of the female population here wear five inch spiked heels and it is fun to see them walk and dance.  We were happy when we got everything cleaned up and were able to leave.  Then I had two piano lessons, and we had a YA baptized at 6:00 p.m.  After we went upstairs to the Center while the YA's played ping pong, worked on the computers and visited.  Finally we closed everything down around 8:00 p.m. and came home.  It was a long day.

Friday our district went out to lunch again and the missionaries took us to another Albanian lunch.  Glen likes it all, I am still a little cautious.  Saturday night Glen took three YA's out to dinner while I was teaching piano, and enjoyed more Albanian food.  Then he taught Neti missionary prep.  We also had our activity on Friday night up at the Monument (which is where Elder Oaks went to dedicate Albania for preaching the gospel in 1993).  The gate was locked so Glen and I had to get down on our stomachs and crawl under the gate.  Everyone else jumped the gate or when through a small opening in the fence.  Then we learned there is a path to take that circumvents the gate.  Boy that was a sight!!  But it was a great night.  We had two non-members join us and the security guard (who said if we would call him he would open the gate) and a couple stopped to talk that have a son going to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.  They have a daughter named Sara!!  So, of course, we had to tell them about our family in Omaha.  Good things always come when we are doing what we should.