Electric Power

Morta Smith was working with the other Motra’s of the Branch to cook food for our Branch Activity on the 30^th of December. There were three other Motra’s show up, Motra Lusho, Muka and Hodaj. Just as they were getting close to finishing and the electric power went off and they had to stop and clean up, in the dark.

I attended our YSA Council meeting while the Motra’s were cooking. Then our YSA Institute meeting was to be held and afterwards the games. Just before Institute was to start the power went off and we were in the dark. I asked our YSA President if he still wanted to have the meeting and he said yes, so we brought out the candles. We sang our opening hymn, had the prayer and had our lesson by candle light. It was a spiritual lesson and everyone enjoyed it. We had Ganjel, Ela, Vini, Marsel, Eris, Enea, Aurora, Gendi, 5 missionaries and us who attended. After the closing prayer I thought everyone would want to leave and go home but they all decided to stay, even without power, and play games, UNO was the pick. They stayed and played for another hour in the dark with candles. They then talked for about a half an hour before everyone decided to leave. I think we are getting a cohesive group.

Just another evening serving in Albania, and loving it!

Turkeys

On our walk and field trip this morning we went to look at the turkey’s that are being sold, along the sidewalk, for the New Year’s celebration. Turkeys that line the sidewalk setting so obedient and quiet and to add to the fun there are still hundreds of turkeys in the trucks. There are also many other animals being sold but the turkeys were the most fun.

We have watched the turkeys being herded for months, as we traveled around Albania and there are thousands ready for the feast. Elder Smith was so cute out there shooting these turkey’s pictures. One of the pictures shows a man walking his turkey down the, so called, sidewalk to show off his turkey for sale.

Keeping Warm

Christmas time is wonderful we had a few warm days plus we got a few cards and letters. We also were able to talk with all our children on the phone and/or skype/MSLive with them via computer. Sometimes we feel that we get to hear and know more about our children/grandchildren while we are worlds apart. We all have our challenges but we feel very blessed with a wonderful life. We are back to a bit of a cold snap but we have the heater, warm clothes, and hot water bottles to warm our toes at night. Most of all we have each other and all of you to cherish and enjoy. We wish you each a Happy New Year with many wonderful blessings. Here is Mike doing Vlorë Branch paperwork and keeping warm by the fire!

Christmas Day in Albania

What we did Christmas day in Vlorë Albania. The first thing in the morning we had the baptism of Eva Malaj who is going on 13 years old. It was a beautiful baptism and we finally were able to have warm water. We have a portable baptismal font that has a portable electric water heater but the missionaries had run the water heater without water running through it and burned it up. Brother Lusho the first councilor, who is an electrician, took the two water heaters that are linked together and figured out what was wrong. He then purchased the parts, heating coils, and put it all back together. It was so nice to have warm water, in the winter, to have the baptism.

After the baptism we decorated the young single adults room in the Kishë (Church) for an activity. The activity was to have a cultural night and learn about Denmark. One of the Sister missionaries, Motra Leit, is from Denmark and serving in Vlorë, Albania. We had food, games and other fun things from Denmark and everyone had a good time. We had eight of the YSA ‘s, two of which were investigators, three other that were invited and six missionaries and us. We started at 4 PM and ended abound 9:30 PM so we know they had a good time.

We ended the day by calling via our magic Jack and using skype to talk via video to many of our wonderful children. It is always great to talk with family.

The picture of all us missionaries in the photo with Eva at her baptism from left to right and top to bottom. President Smith, Elder Knowles, Elder Eckel (who did the baptism), Elder Hixson (who left Vlorë), Elder Warburton (who took over as my Councilor), Motra Leit, Motra Smith, Eva Malaj and Motra Hall.

Elder Hixson left right after the baptism to go home and to BYU to finish his schooling. He finished his mission after two years of faithful service. He was invaluable in his service to President Smith as his councilor. There are a few in the Branch that will not be sorry he is leaving but that is between Elder Hixson, President Smith and the sour members. Most members of the Branch loved him as President and Motra Smith do and will miss him very much.

Merry Christmas from Albania

Dearest Family & Friends,

We hope this finds you enjoying Christmas and that you each will be blessed with a Happy New Year.

We are enjoying the wonderful spirit of Christmas. Many blessing of love come as we wear the missionary tag on our hearts. Being able to see the gospel shinning in the eyes of new convert is our privilege.

We attended the big district Christmas party in Tirana last night; it was fun to see the growth happening in the branches by the members taking responsibility. The young missionaries glowed beautifully as they performed in each of the branches performances. When the Albanian saints closed the party they had burning candles to light sparklers that were passed out to children and adults on stage as they sang a Christmas hymn. It was a beautiful sight but give us a little fright as we saw all the excitement of little children (as little as 2 years old). We give thanks in the closing pray that the program went so well and everyone was kept safe.

We will spend Christmas with missionaries in an effort to bring more young single adults to the church. We are having a cultural night for the YSA and learning about Denmark. One of our Sisters, Sister Leit from Copenhagen the capitol city of Denmark is excited to help with the growth of the center. She will show us pictures and share traditional food from her home country. The missionaries posted flyers around the city of Vlore we are hoping for a good turn out.

Well we will close and get back to the missionary work.

With Love,

Elder & Motra Smith