We'll today with my district we went out to eat and I got a phone
call from the President. We just had mini transfer calls happen last
night so wasn't sure what he wanted, I definitely wasn't expecting to go
anywhere... all he said was, have you checked your email yet today. I
said no. he said well I'll call you back later after you check your
email. I had no idea what that meant, but now I do. Sad to say that
Grandma Doris is gone, but I know she will be SO happy in the Spirit
World. Hope that everything goes well today with the funeral. I sure do
love her! Glad that she was able to go the way she always wanted. Ready
and Peacefully in her own home. Hope everyone else is doing okay.
We actually just had an inactive member's husband
die here in Durres this past week of a heart attack also. When Motra
Atkin and I heard our first thoughts were...God works in mysterious ways
and definitely knows ALL things. She has been through the Temple and
everything, but her and her daughter just got offended once and even
though they have way strong testimonies of the gospel they did not want
to come back to church or be involved anymore. She is only in her 40s.
When Albanian's have people that pass away they put up posters all over
the town they look kinda like a grave plate but on a poster, and then
they sit in their homes for I think 7-10 days depending on their
religion and allow people to come and see them. The Relief Society here
went on Sunday to their home so we went as well. Everyone in the family
wears all black, and they have all their family come and stay with them
for the full 7-10 days. You go in shake their hands and give kisses, sit
down, drink something, give your regards and leave. Really interesting.
I'm so glad the Relief Society here in Durres is the most functioning,
so that this family could have a whole room full of Women that loved her
and were there to support her. I really hope that now she will remember
the covenants she has made and come back to church with her daughter,
so they can be an eternal family in Heaven again. It really could be a
miracle for her family I think.
I'm so thankful that Grandma Doris found this gospel
and met with the missionaries. For because of her I have a wonderful
family that I can live together forever with. What would we ever do
without the knowledge we have!!? That's just why so many people need it!
Share it! I love this gospel. yes i do!
This past Saturday I had my first baptisms as a
missionary! Wahoo! (See picture). The Pjetri Family! Mom- Marte,
Daughters- Marjeta and Nertila, Son- Martini. It was so Great! They also
have a younger daughter Ana and their dad. as I've written about
before.... Someday he will get baptised too, so they can go to the
temple and live together forever. It was the greatest to see them all in
white. Motra Atkin and I sang, When I am Baptised, in Albanian for the
program. The Branch President filled up the font, but filled it with
(well) water and so it was... pretty green-brown. But it's not the water
that is being cleaned it's the spirit, so whatever, now they will never
forget it. I loved seeing their faces when they came out of the water,
and on Sunday when they were all confirmed in Sacrament meeting. It was a
really great experience. Just like Gwen's just was I'm sure. My
favorite part was their youngest daughter Ana. I brought her to the
front by the glass and she stood on her very tippy toes to see the
water. She had a huge smile on her face, but was quite the entire
time... amazing for her. I love how the spirit feels and can calm and be
so peaceful.
Albania:
Heidi asked me about the seasons
in Albania. So since I've only been here for like a month and a half
I'll let ya know what I know so far.... awesome to hear that it is
snowing a lot at home. I miss the snow. It is actually still kinda warm
here. It is definitely getting cooler and has rained alot. (and when it
rains, it really rains whether we are walking outside or not. ha) and
their have been a few days where it has gotten really cold. But it's a
wet cold, so it feels like heavy. Kinda like when you are snowboarding
in the spring and you wore way too many clothes and so you are just
really hot, kinda sticky. I don't know. ha. I hear it gets the coldest
mid December, January, until mid February, and then starts to get warmer
again. I see know that winter couldn't be longer than that here or some
people probably wouldn't survive. We'll see. Have fun in all the snow
though!
Love you all!
Motra Kristi Hoover
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