This week has been kinda a ruff one for me. My companions were on
their concecration week and so only spoke Hungarian... so I really am
learning Hungarian and Albanian. it's crazy... and my mind gets so
confused sometimes. I was so proud of them though and am already so sad
to think that they are going to be leaving on Monday!!! Ahh.
This Sunday I just got called
to be the new coordinating sister. Wahoo!! I immediately felt like the
R.S. Pres again. I don't even know the 4 sisters or 8 elders that are
coming in today, but I already love them and hope I can make them feel
loved and welcome! and I hope I can help the Hungarians feel loved as
they leave. and the other English group leaving this week... It really
is crazy being here so long because SO many people come in and out and
you just stay... ha. but really. People get here that I know and it
feels like the next day they say they are about to leave. Its really weird. and kinda sad.. but really good too. This week I think I finally
felt like okay... this is where I live now. ha. I love it here though!!
On Saturday in my Journal I even wrote: Being a
missionary is quite the Adventure. I often think to
myself... whoa. I 'm a missionary this is what it is like to be a
missionary. Whoa. I'm speaking, reading, studying, and teaching in a
whole different language that 2 months ago I thought was so weird and
foreign. It's amazing and crazy. This is really what i am doing.. This
is really who I am. It is me doing this. Whoa! ya.
This week I have been focusing on the Christ like attribute of Knowledge. It has been so amazing so far. Monday was kinda a hard day for me. I felt really overwhelmed and inadequate. We do a lot of SYLing (Speak your Language) and Monday morning we were all speaking Albanian. I felt like I didn't understand anything and couldn't say anything... but then I remember that only a few weeks ago I felt totally opposite like I was finally understanding so much and could really speak. Its weird but also really interesting how you go back and forth, up and down so much. I think it's just to continue to push yourself even harder and devote even more of yourself to the work. It also strengthens my relationship with my savior so much every time. I love it! I studied the scriptures in Preach my Gospel about Knowledge and their was one that really stood out to me the most. It said that when we receive the Holy Ghost we can speak with the tongues of Angels... and that the tongues of angels are the words of Christ. So literally through the Holy Ghost I can know all things and If I am willing to open my mouth, continually learn of him and his teachings, and feel of his spirit always I can too speak the words of Christ. He literally can speak through me, and all of us!! SO GREAT!! I loved it. and KNow I can do hard things with his help.
Knowledge is so powerful! To remember is such a blessing...so strong that if we have strong faith, and study hard through the spirit we can know ALL things!! From the beginning to the End. I also realized that we come to know little by little. we first believe in things... and then as we strive to act on what we believe through different things we experience, see, and feel.. little by little we come to KNOW things. The more we strive to act on what we believe and live it the more knowledge we will receive and the more we will remember. SO amazing. Knowledge really is Power!
Oh also a little about Albania... This week for Workshop we had a little culture day. I learned only about Albania but that's okay. The country got out of communism in 1991. During communism they weren't allowed to have religion so after it was over most of the people just adopted what their ancestors were. That is why most of the country is muslem. They don't really practice it, but that's just what they are officially declared, which is so cool that we get to teach people about religion when they really haven't ever done it before. In 1993 is when Albania was officially opened and dedicated for us to share the gospel there. My teacher Brother Hoxha is always winking at us... all the time. I guess in Albania people always wink just to say hello, or hi, or for anything. Its so great! So it's not really like here where it's kinda flirty. But I love winking I think its so fun and one day this week He went around the room and made every single one of us wink with both eyes to him to practice. He wanted to make sure that everyone could do it. He's such a funny guy. I love his personality... so Albanian. haha. The elders felt a little awkward I think, but I thought it was so funny.
Have a super Great week everyone! I love you all!
Motra Hoover.
We look forward to your letters each week and are so glad you have a positive attitude about your work. I know the Lord will bless you as you strive to do your best. I hope you know that we are all praying for you and that we love you and that we are being blessed for your service.
ReplyDeleteI'll close with a quote from President Eyring,
"God will put prepared people in the way of His prepared servants who want to share the gospel."
Kristi you are preparing for those that God is preparing for you to teach. Keep doing your best and believe and trust that he will do the rest!
I love you so much. Love, Mom xoxoxoxoxoxoxox