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.
(now that I have learned how to do this, I can send some with each blog, hopefully.)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Pictures
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.
(now that I have learned how to do this, I can send some with each blog, hopefully.)
Sunday, May 8, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Motra (Sister) Hansi, Missionaries, and other
Last Tuesday (April 19) Motra Hansi invited us over to her apartment for dinner. Now understand Motra Hansi doesn't speak English and the Albanians and missionaries even have a hard time understanding her Shqip (shcheep) which is what you call the Albanian language. We arrived at her Communist built apartment and in her small living room she had a table set with plates of sweet bread for each of us, two plates of cookies, a dish of candy, and a small glass of juice (which as soon as it was emptied, she would fill again). This was dinner!! Of course, she had her photo album to look at which were of her many trips to the temple in Germany. One picture was with Earl and Nyla Banner. Others were of all the missionaries that have been in her life. She has been a member for 16 years and is so very faithful. Her husband is not, but he is totally supportive of her membership and always allows her to bring any members to their home. Very unusual for Albania. She is just as funny as they come and always completes her sentences with "amen". From the very first day in church, we have kind of bonded so it was fun to be in her home.
The young missionaries are very good to us. They take time to walk us places we don't know how to get to, and, as I said before, every Friday we are allowed to have a district lunch together. Yesterday we went to a Chinese restaurant which was really good (not the Mandarin, but good and certainly much cheaper). Now that we are finding our way around a little better, we will be able to branch out to new places. Every time we have a problem or need a translation, we call the missionaries and they talk to the person we are trying to talk to in Shqip. We just pass the phone back and forth while the missionaries translate what was said. It works well. We haven't been able to get our internet to work for a couple of days, so the girl downstairs who handles this, asked in her limited English if it worked and between us, the missionaries and her, we had a technician here in an hour. He not only fixed the computer, but he fixed the TV so we have English channels. I have died and gone to heaven. The other night Glen and I were watching a National Geographic show of sorts in French. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do!!!
We had an activity last night with the YA's up at the lake in Tirana. A short walk of two miles carrying all the food. Two of the young men helped us carry it. It was fun, we played volleyball, bad mitten, soccer (football) and frisbee. Then without tables and chairs, we fixed big sandwiches for dinner. I had a talk with the girls who weren't playing sports and asked them what their interests were that we could do together. It was a good night. Then we loaded up and walked back home. With walking to the restaurant for lunch and the lake, Glen and I walked about 5 or 6 miles yesterday. We were tired last night. Today we have our first experience in driving. Every fourth Sunday, we are on a speaking tour where we go to the different branches to speak in Sacrament meeting. Tomorrow we speak in Shkoder. They have maybe between 5 to 10 active members in their branch. Pres. Neil said we were to borrow the AP's car when we went places like this, so we have their car and are going to drive up there. If Glen can just find his way out of the city, we will be fine.
Good things are happening, we had the Asplunds here from Frankfurt and were very supportive of us needing a bigger place. It just has to be presented to the powers that be in Germany and who knows what will happen. But we will forge ahead and hopefully with our YA Committee, find ways to meet the needs of all of them. Last night was certainly a step in the right direction getting away from our small Center. We even had four investigators there which was great. We know this is the Lords' work and He will help us accomplish all we need to do.
The young missionaries are very good to us. They take time to walk us places we don't know how to get to, and, as I said before, every Friday we are allowed to have a district lunch together. Yesterday we went to a Chinese restaurant which was really good (not the Mandarin, but good and certainly much cheaper). Now that we are finding our way around a little better, we will be able to branch out to new places. Every time we have a problem or need a translation, we call the missionaries and they talk to the person we are trying to talk to in Shqip. We just pass the phone back and forth while the missionaries translate what was said. It works well. We haven't been able to get our internet to work for a couple of days, so the girl downstairs who handles this, asked in her limited English if it worked and between us, the missionaries and her, we had a technician here in an hour. He not only fixed the computer, but he fixed the TV so we have English channels. I have died and gone to heaven. The other night Glen and I were watching a National Geographic show of sorts in French. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do!!!
We had an activity last night with the YA's up at the lake in Tirana. A short walk of two miles carrying all the food. Two of the young men helped us carry it. It was fun, we played volleyball, bad mitten, soccer (football) and frisbee. Then without tables and chairs, we fixed big sandwiches for dinner. I had a talk with the girls who weren't playing sports and asked them what their interests were that we could do together. It was a good night. Then we loaded up and walked back home. With walking to the restaurant for lunch and the lake, Glen and I walked about 5 or 6 miles yesterday. We were tired last night. Today we have our first experience in driving. Every fourth Sunday, we are on a speaking tour where we go to the different branches to speak in Sacrament meeting. Tomorrow we speak in Shkoder. They have maybe between 5 to 10 active members in their branch. Pres. Neil said we were to borrow the AP's car when we went places like this, so we have their car and are going to drive up there. If Glen can just find his way out of the city, we will be fine.
Good things are happening, we had the Asplunds here from Frankfurt and were very supportive of us needing a bigger place. It just has to be presented to the powers that be in Germany and who knows what will happen. But we will forge ahead and hopefully with our YA Committee, find ways to meet the needs of all of them. Last night was certainly a step in the right direction getting away from our small Center. We even had four investigators there which was great. We know this is the Lords' work and He will help us accomplish all we need to do.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Thoughts and other happenings
It has been over a month since we arrived and it hasn't been all that bad. There hasn't been the homesickness this time and I feel it is because we have had other couples to help us and visit with. There also wasn't the shock of seeing a third world country, because we had that in Malaysia, and we are right downtown in the center of things where we can walk almost anywhere to find what we need. And needs we have had. Every time we turn around, we need something for the apartment. The latest was an office chair for Glen. Luckily the Wilsons were kind enough to take us shopping and we found one. We still have frustrations with the Center, but we know in time we will work through those also. I keep thinking about the Savior and how he taught on the hillside, in the cities, by the seaside in the boat, wherever He went, people gathered and he taught. So why do I feel we need couches, TV's, a kitchen, bathrooms, a game room, an office, etc. We just do if we want to provide a "safe place" where the YA's can come and feel the Spirit and be with each other and us.
I want to tell you about Andy. Andy is the Branch Pres. of the 2nd Branch. When he was a young teenager, he had a few missionary lessons. Then he went to America as an exchange student. He ended up in a Northern California town, where he played basketball for the high school. In an English class one day he wrote a paper where he used an LDS phrase. Well his teacher happened to belong to the Church and showed his paper to the missionaries. One thing led to another and Andy was baptized, served a mission in San Diego, went to BYU, married a girl from Virginia in the San Diego Temple, and after graduation and an internship in Washington DC, came back to Albania with his family to help build up the Church. His family has a successful business which he was able to step into, which didn't hurt. After district conference a few weeks ago, we saw a Sequoia driving down the street with Utah license plates. After a double take, we learned about Andy. Andy has been helping us find properties to have a Center and we have really learned to love him. He took Glen and I to a great hamburger place on Glen's birthday. His mother took me to her hair stylist to have my hair cut and stayed with me the whole time. (She is a very busy and successful business woman). Just kindness itself.
The first three weeks with the YA's were wonderful, good attendance. As soon as day-light saving time came, attendance dropped off dramatically. We get very few girls now. The boys love to come and play ping pong and eat, but we need to get the girls back. They want to do our next Friday night activity at the lake,, so we will see how that goes. Lately the teacher for family night has not showed up, so Glen now has a lesson prepared. The YA's love him to teach and even in English without translators. We are still searching for answers, praying a lot, and relying on the Spirit for inspiration. We went through lists the other night with the District President of YA's in the four branches. So, so many are inactive, it just broke our hearts. Satan is so real and working over time here also.
Yesterday we went to lunch with our District and had a real Albanian lunch. We had tasqebab, sallat Greke (Greek salad), Qofte and pillif (rice and sausage). Some I liked, some I didn't. Glen liked everything. They were just preparing a lamb to roast, and held it up so we could see. Then walked right by our table with that poor dead lamb. I don't even like lamb. But to the Albanians, it is great. They always put bread on the table but no butter, they use oil and vinegar if needed. Also this week, we painted our living room and kitchen (all one room). And I mean "we". Glen didn't like the dark color of the walls and said he would help. After 10 hours, it is now much lighter and looks great. Little miracles.
This is the second time I have typed this. I was proofreading the other when the power went out, of course. Lately the water has also been turning off. Always something, but we are doing good and the gospel is true.
I want to tell you about Andy. Andy is the Branch Pres. of the 2nd Branch. When he was a young teenager, he had a few missionary lessons. Then he went to America as an exchange student. He ended up in a Northern California town, where he played basketball for the high school. In an English class one day he wrote a paper where he used an LDS phrase. Well his teacher happened to belong to the Church and showed his paper to the missionaries. One thing led to another and Andy was baptized, served a mission in San Diego, went to BYU, married a girl from Virginia in the San Diego Temple, and after graduation and an internship in Washington DC, came back to Albania with his family to help build up the Church. His family has a successful business which he was able to step into, which didn't hurt. After district conference a few weeks ago, we saw a Sequoia driving down the street with Utah license plates. After a double take, we learned about Andy. Andy has been helping us find properties to have a Center and we have really learned to love him. He took Glen and I to a great hamburger place on Glen's birthday. His mother took me to her hair stylist to have my hair cut and stayed with me the whole time. (She is a very busy and successful business woman). Just kindness itself.
The first three weeks with the YA's were wonderful, good attendance. As soon as day-light saving time came, attendance dropped off dramatically. We get very few girls now. The boys love to come and play ping pong and eat, but we need to get the girls back. They want to do our next Friday night activity at the lake,, so we will see how that goes. Lately the teacher for family night has not showed up, so Glen now has a lesson prepared. The YA's love him to teach and even in English without translators. We are still searching for answers, praying a lot, and relying on the Spirit for inspiration. We went through lists the other night with the District President of YA's in the four branches. So, so many are inactive, it just broke our hearts. Satan is so real and working over time here also.
Yesterday we went to lunch with our District and had a real Albanian lunch. We had tasqebab, sallat Greke (Greek salad), Qofte and pillif (rice and sausage). Some I liked, some I didn't. Glen liked everything. They were just preparing a lamb to roast, and held it up so we could see. Then walked right by our table with that poor dead lamb. I don't even like lamb. But to the Albanians, it is great. They always put bread on the table but no butter, they use oil and vinegar if needed. Also this week, we painted our living room and kitchen (all one room). And I mean "we". Glen didn't like the dark color of the walls and said he would help. After 10 hours, it is now much lighter and looks great. Little miracles.
This is the second time I have typed this. I was proofreading the other when the power went out, of course. Lately the water has also been turning off. Always something, but we are doing good and the gospel is true.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
I want to tell you about Besmir and other YA's.
Besmir is a Muslim who joined the church two years ago. He wants to serve a mission but is needed to help his family at home. His two younger brothers are members, but their father will not let them attend. He lives about 45 minutes out of Tirana and rides his motor scooter to and from work everyday. He comes to all of our functions, then rides home in the dark. Sunday, because he is dressed in Sunday clothes, he takes the bus to church which takes him 1 1/2 hours. Besmir has three sisters, one of them died a while ago of kidney failure. His two other sisters are both on dialysis and Besmir helps support his family. He is a worthy young man with a temple recommend, even though he has not been through the temple. He is one of our institute teachers and loves his calling. This is one of our young adults.
Elvis (yes that is his name but pronounced with the accent over the "v") is our YA President. He is going to college and has served a mission in Italy. He is the only member in his family. He takes time off to go and visit all the branches in Albania to talk to the YA's and encourage them to attend YA Conference in August and sets an example to all of what a righteous young man should be. He even wears a suit on Sunday which is rare among the YA's.
Many of the YA's have served mini missions where they actually go to different parts of Albania and stay for three or four months. This is a great experience for them and they get a taste of what missionary work is all about. Most of them go to college because it is free if they can get in. All they need to purchase are their books. The trouble is when they graduate, there are no jobs. There have been over a hundred young people that have served missions from Albania and only six have returned to help build up the church. Many go to BYU after and never come back. That is hard because their strength is needed.
We are excited to be able to serve these wonderful Young Adults. They certainly are choice spirits of our Heavenly Father. They have a lot to learn about the Church, and in time they will. We know that is one of the reasons we are here to help them in learning the doctrines and develop strong testimonies. They are teachable.
Elvis (yes that is his name but pronounced with the accent over the "v") is our YA President. He is going to college and has served a mission in Italy. He is the only member in his family. He takes time off to go and visit all the branches in Albania to talk to the YA's and encourage them to attend YA Conference in August and sets an example to all of what a righteous young man should be. He even wears a suit on Sunday which is rare among the YA's.
Many of the YA's have served mini missions where they actually go to different parts of Albania and stay for three or four months. This is a great experience for them and they get a taste of what missionary work is all about. Most of them go to college because it is free if they can get in. All they need to purchase are their books. The trouble is when they graduate, there are no jobs. There have been over a hundred young people that have served missions from Albania and only six have returned to help build up the church. Many go to BYU after and never come back. That is hard because their strength is needed.
We are excited to be able to serve these wonderful Young Adults. They certainly are choice spirits of our Heavenly Father. They have a lot to learn about the Church, and in time they will. We know that is one of the reasons we are here to help them in learning the doctrines and develop strong testimonies. They are teachable.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Dear Family:
We are finally on the internet. You don't realize what a lifeline it is until you can't use it. We have had the most frustrating week. Pres. & Sister Neil picked us up at the airport at 2:30 p.m. Albania time. We couldn't figure why everyone was so anxious to get off the plane almost to the point of rudeness, until we went inside to get our luggage and noticed the customs' lines. Nobody in Albania wants to wait for anyone. We were the last to go through with our 250lbs of luggage plus our bags with our materials in which weighed another 20 lbs each at least. We drove through traffic and decided we were very glad we didn't have a car. Much worse than Mexico, Malaysia and the Philippines. We dropped off our luggage in our apartment (which is another story), went to dinner with two couples and the Mission Pres. & Wife. He gave us a phone that ended up not working (which we didn't know for 24 hours). The dinner was great, then Pres. Neil helped dad get monies out of an ATM machine that was safe, then brought us back to our apartment. Dad tried to set up the computer only to find out it needed a password which we didn't have. It took two days to find out the password, then we found out the internet in the building was down. To top it off, we haven't been able to get any monies out of the ATM since. Today has really been the downer. Still no money, no internet, plus frustration at how we are going to accomplish our calling. I was looking out our window at the city (at night it looks much nicer), feeling very down and sad, wondering why these things were happening. I decided to go back out and read my scriptures, and in a few minutes dad called and said, Virginia, were on. My heart swelled, my eyes tiered up, and I was so grateful for the blessing we had just received.
I could go on and on, but just know we are ok. The Young Adults we have met are wonderful. They are loving and kind and want to help us anyway they can. The two couples here have been a great help.The Prestons who e-mailed you, have already become great friends, we must have known each other in the pre-existence, and the Wilsons who are the humanitarian couple, invited us to dinner Sunday and took us shopping yesterday. So life hasn't been all bad. For family night Monday night I served waffles to the young adults which they loved. Most of them speak English, but the meetings are conducted in Albanian.
Anyway life is good, the gospel is true and Karen is working with the Credit Union to get our money problem resolved. It will all turn out. By the way, Pres. Neil gave us another phone which works!!!
We love you very much and are grateful for your prayers in our behalf.
Will write more later and try to include some pictures which we haven't taken any.
Love Mom and Dad
We are finally on the internet. You don't realize what a lifeline it is until you can't use it. We have had the most frustrating week. Pres. & Sister Neil picked us up at the airport at 2:30 p.m. Albania time. We couldn't figure why everyone was so anxious to get off the plane almost to the point of rudeness, until we went inside to get our luggage and noticed the customs' lines. Nobody in Albania wants to wait for anyone. We were the last to go through with our 250lbs of luggage plus our bags with our materials in which weighed another 20 lbs each at least. We drove through traffic and decided we were very glad we didn't have a car. Much worse than Mexico, Malaysia and the Philippines. We dropped off our luggage in our apartment (which is another story), went to dinner with two couples and the Mission Pres. & Wife. He gave us a phone that ended up not working (which we didn't know for 24 hours). The dinner was great, then Pres. Neil helped dad get monies out of an ATM machine that was safe, then brought us back to our apartment. Dad tried to set up the computer only to find out it needed a password which we didn't have. It took two days to find out the password, then we found out the internet in the building was down. To top it off, we haven't been able to get any monies out of the ATM since. Today has really been the downer. Still no money, no internet, plus frustration at how we are going to accomplish our calling. I was looking out our window at the city (at night it looks much nicer), feeling very down and sad, wondering why these things were happening. I decided to go back out and read my scriptures, and in a few minutes dad called and said, Virginia, were on. My heart swelled, my eyes tiered up, and I was so grateful for the blessing we had just received.
I could go on and on, but just know we are ok. The Young Adults we have met are wonderful. They are loving and kind and want to help us anyway they can. The two couples here have been a great help.The Prestons who e-mailed you, have already become great friends, we must have known each other in the pre-existence, and the Wilsons who are the humanitarian couple, invited us to dinner Sunday and took us shopping yesterday. So life hasn't been all bad. For family night Monday night I served waffles to the young adults which they loved. Most of them speak English, but the meetings are conducted in Albanian.
Anyway life is good, the gospel is true and Karen is working with the Credit Union to get our money problem resolved. It will all turn out. By the way, Pres. Neil gave us another phone which works!!!
We love you very much and are grateful for your prayers in our behalf.
Will write more later and try to include some pictures which we haven't taken any.
Love Mom and Dad
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Last Day at the MTC
Dear Family:
Here we are on our last day. Each day has been quite busy, what with eating three meals a day and sitting for hours in meetings, but we have enjoyed the lessons and the presenters. We had our first lesson in Albanian last night and will have another one tonight. He taught us how to pronounce the alphabet. Oh my, I am not sure my tongue can handle all this. Tonight we have two more hours, I can hardly wait.
Tuesday night we had a devotional where Bishop Edgley and Pauline spoke. They did a great job and we were able to talk with them after. Darrell Stacey was also there, he is a branch president at the MTC. He asked us to meet with him and some of his elders after the devotional. We listened as each one bore their testimony of what they learned that night. Then Darrell asked dad and I to bear our testimony. It was a wonderful experience. The elders were so good.
Well, we leave tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. Not my finest hour, but we will manage. Dad has carried all our suitcases down stairs to weigh them and then carried them back up again. We had to repack a few, but think we are ok. We still have our peanut butter. Hope you are all doing well, and keeping us in your prayers. We will write again when we get to Albania.
Love you, Mom and Dad
Here we are on our last day. Each day has been quite busy, what with eating three meals a day and sitting for hours in meetings, but we have enjoyed the lessons and the presenters. We had our first lesson in Albanian last night and will have another one tonight. He taught us how to pronounce the alphabet. Oh my, I am not sure my tongue can handle all this. Tonight we have two more hours, I can hardly wait.
Tuesday night we had a devotional where Bishop Edgley and Pauline spoke. They did a great job and we were able to talk with them after. Darrell Stacey was also there, he is a branch president at the MTC. He asked us to meet with him and some of his elders after the devotional. We listened as each one bore their testimony of what they learned that night. Then Darrell asked dad and I to bear our testimony. It was a wonderful experience. The elders were so good.
Well, we leave tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. Not my finest hour, but we will manage. Dad has carried all our suitcases down stairs to weigh them and then carried them back up again. We had to repack a few, but think we are ok. We still have our peanut butter. Hope you are all doing well, and keeping us in your prayers. We will write again when we get to Albania.
Love you, Mom and Dad
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