Americans

Today at church we had some visitors from America and the State of Kansas.  This is a former missionary who served for 6 months in Vlore over 2 years ago.  Delos, Kenneth and Lorraine DeCelle.  It is always great to have visitors, ones we can talk with and they and we understand each other.

Vlorȅ Primary

Motra Smith took care of the Primary today, 24 April 2011. 

Deacons Quorum Presidency

Today we changed the Deacons Quorum Presidency.  President Smith sustained them and then set apart Donald Musta as the President and gave him the keys of the priesthood.  Vëlla Lusho set apart Lorenso Mustafaraj as 1st Councilor and Elder Buys set apart Xhovani Vetzaj as the 2nd Councilor.

Vlorȅ Branch Presidency Apr 2011

                                    The Branch Presidency as it changes yet again. 
Kacandon Lusho 1st Councilor, President Smith and Elder Buys 2nd Councilor.

Baptism Klara Golemi

23 April 2011, we had a baptism of another one of our Young Single Adult investigators, Klara Golemi.  The Motra missionaries have done a great job teaching her about the gospel.   Her mother came with her to the baptism but her brother and father were at punë (work).   This is our third baptism of the year in Vlorë and two were from the Center for Young Single Adults.

Seminary Super Saturday on Friday

The District was to have a Seminary “Super Saturday” and was scheduled for the day before Easter.  The problem was none of the other Branches wanted to have it that day so it was going to be canceled.  I was concerned because I know how much our youth had been working on their scriptures and wanted to have this activity.  I called the Prestons (the CES senior missionaries) and talked them into having the activity in Vlorë and having it right after our seminary class on Friday.  So we called it “Super Friday” and it went well.  They did great on their scriptures and had a good time.  We had pizza and sodas.

This is Donald Musta giving one of the scriptures after he found it first in the scripture chase.  Donald is one of the best and has memorized almost all of the D&C scripture mastery's.

This is Xhovani Veizaj who was just baptized on the 2nd of April giving one of the scriptures after he found it first in the scripture chase.  Xhovani has been able to keep up with Donald even though is new in the gospel.

Happy Easter!

This is taken on the boulevard out from our Shtëpisë (House) and these signs are all along the boulevard.  Have a Happy Easter!

A Month of Sundays

Years ago I heard my father say, "Wow that could take a month of Sundays."  Well when we looked at the calendar today we realized that we only have a month of Sundays to go.  We had better run a little faster and work a little harder to get everything completed we want to or our mission will be over before we get it all accomplished!

On one of our District Trips we ate at a little hole in the wall restaurant and this picture was on the wall. 

Walk at Kalaja e Kaninës

We went for our early morning walk.

These are some grape vines that have stated to grow.

We stopped to take a picture on our way.

 Elder Smith at the top in the Castle.

Motra Smith wanted to take the ride up the hill.

A new shtëpi (house) they are building, interesting.

Elder Smith looking over Vlorë!

Our Makine looking down at Vlorë.

Looking at the Castle from the other side of the mountain.

Prill 2011 Confrence

Missionaries are Motra Peatross & Leit, Elders Swenson & Holmes and Marcel Hoxhaj, Enea Rrokaj and Gention Demiraj.  Motra Smith served omelets and waffles with all the fixings and everyone had a good time.  We all enjoyed the spiritual feast of conference and President Smith used a computer projector so everyone could view conference on the large wall.

Baptism Xhovani Veizaj

Today, 2 April 2011 we had the baptism of Xhovani Veizaj.  He is an amazing young man.  While he was being taught the gospel of Jesus Christ he bore his testimony at testimony meeting, attending our seminary class and did the best at learning the scripture mastery of anyone in class.  Our seminary teacher can't believe how well he is doing.  He has taught two classes in young mens and offered many sincere prayers in our meetings and all this before being baptized.  President Smith now has the hard assignment of deciding what church assignment/calling to give him.  He is so excited about the church and already has a strong testimony.