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.