Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Pictures
Grand Opening, Zone Conference, District Conference
From the time we first arrived we have been working on finding a new Center. Now that that has become a reality, it is hard to put into words the difference it makes in our YA's. They are so excited to have "their" place, where they don't have to share it with any one else. We had our grand opening Friday, Feb. 17 with a short program, then dinner and dance. We had 85 people there, which was standing room only. Glen spoke and told of Elder Perry's vision, Pres. Kashari (District Pres.) said a few words and Pres. Ford (mission pres.) also. We fed them sloppy joes, Greek salad, rice with corn, and drinks with cookies and brownies for dessert. It always amazes me how much food they can eat. It is fun to have a workable kitchen and rooms for recreation and institute, plus library and computer room. It will take us a few weeks to get the walls with pictures and make things really workable. We have a big screen TV, new ping pong table and a Foosball table. If we could find an air hockey table, we would get that also. All in all we are pleased and excited to see how happy the YA's are with their Center.
It seems for the last few weeks all I have done is cook. We had Zone Conference with Elder Kopechke and the AP's asked for my advice on what to have for lunch and hinted it would be nice if I would cook. Plus Pres. Ford had already asked if I would prepare the lunch for the visitors, mission presidency and the district presidency the next day. I am tired of cooking and hope we don't have any more big events for a while. We were well taught by Elder Kopechke and of all the Area Presidency, he has been the best to lift the missionaries. Because he came, they decided to have District Conference which was a disaster. There were no venues available at such short notice, so Fahti got involved and we rented the Millennium movie theater. Well, the seating was for 250 and we needed at least 400 hundred seats. They brought in chairs from everywhere, the sound system didn't work in the back, very little lighting, and too many speakers. The president of the Frankfurt Temple and his wife came also and they spoke for 20 and 27 minutes. That left Elder Kopechke about 10 minutes. Of course, he blamed it on the Albanians taking too much time (there was one Albanian speaker, Pres. Kashari). It just goes to show you how Germany looks upon Albania. It kind of left the whole weekend on a sour note.
We have been doing a lot of visiting with the Elders to investigators and members. It is always a wake-up call to see how some members have been baptized without really understanding the principles of the gospel. One member we will visit again tonight, has a cross on her wall, believes all churches are true, but likes our Church best because of the Holy Ghost. The missionaries are starting from scratch teaching her and her family the gospel. Glen and I had a picture of Christ framed today to take to her in hopes she understands it is the risen Lord we reverence. We want to get that cross off the wall, out of her ears, and off her neck. We had a great baptism last Saturday of Jenny (15), James (17) and their mother. James was so ready to be baptized and we can see a future missionary in him. Jenny is quiet, but we know she has a testimony also. Their mother is very happy and their father showed up for the baptism. It is hard to convince newly baptized members that our meetings last three hours. This is always a work in progress.
Things are going good. We are now in the Adriatic South Mission which includes Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania. The headquarters will still be in Tirana, but it is exciting to see all the Balkins now part of missions. Since we are supposed to stay within our mission boundaries, our boundaries have now been enlarged and we can go a lot further. Of course, I am sure we will still need permission, but it is exciting nonetheless. It is our year mark today and we are looking forward to our next six months and the opportunities we will have with the Center.
It seems for the last few weeks all I have done is cook. We had Zone Conference with Elder Kopechke and the AP's asked for my advice on what to have for lunch and hinted it would be nice if I would cook. Plus Pres. Ford had already asked if I would prepare the lunch for the visitors, mission presidency and the district presidency the next day. I am tired of cooking and hope we don't have any more big events for a while. We were well taught by Elder Kopechke and of all the Area Presidency, he has been the best to lift the missionaries. Because he came, they decided to have District Conference which was a disaster. There were no venues available at such short notice, so Fahti got involved and we rented the Millennium movie theater. Well, the seating was for 250 and we needed at least 400 hundred seats. They brought in chairs from everywhere, the sound system didn't work in the back, very little lighting, and too many speakers. The president of the Frankfurt Temple and his wife came also and they spoke for 20 and 27 minutes. That left Elder Kopechke about 10 minutes. Of course, he blamed it on the Albanians taking too much time (there was one Albanian speaker, Pres. Kashari). It just goes to show you how Germany looks upon Albania. It kind of left the whole weekend on a sour note.
We have been doing a lot of visiting with the Elders to investigators and members. It is always a wake-up call to see how some members have been baptized without really understanding the principles of the gospel. One member we will visit again tonight, has a cross on her wall, believes all churches are true, but likes our Church best because of the Holy Ghost. The missionaries are starting from scratch teaching her and her family the gospel. Glen and I had a picture of Christ framed today to take to her in hopes she understands it is the risen Lord we reverence. We want to get that cross off the wall, out of her ears, and off her neck. We had a great baptism last Saturday of Jenny (15), James (17) and their mother. James was so ready to be baptized and we can see a future missionary in him. Jenny is quiet, but we know she has a testimony also. Their mother is very happy and their father showed up for the baptism. It is hard to convince newly baptized members that our meetings last three hours. This is always a work in progress.
Things are going good. We are now in the Adriatic South Mission which includes Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania. The headquarters will still be in Tirana, but it is exciting to see all the Balkins now part of missions. Since we are supposed to stay within our mission boundaries, our boundaries have now been enlarged and we can go a lot further. Of course, I am sure we will still need permission, but it is exciting nonetheless. It is our year mark today and we are looking forward to our next six months and the opportunities we will have with the Center.
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