Oh me, Oh my --- Jan 28th

Me drinking Stephens Hot Chocolate! From the American Soldiers. mmm. 

A picture of our view from our Apartment. We live right next to a huge park with really tall trees. It's super pretty. 

This week has been good. Just trying to work hard, use my time wisely, teach people, and... find people to teach. Kinda hard sometimes. Last week for P-day with the Jones's we went hiking a little, we saw the park that Kosovo was dedicated and we went to a couple graveyards. One was a really, really old Jewish one, and the other was a monument and graveyard for soldiers here. Both really cool. It was a fun day. Today we are going to see some caves as a district. I'm excited. 

This week for part of my studies I read and studied the Student Manuel for Joshua in the Old Testament. I loved it and learned a lot. One of the quotes in the back was really good and I thought I would share it with all of you! here it is, "Elder Erastus Snow, commenting on the feeling some have that being obedient to God somehow limits their agency, gave an interesting insight on choosing to follow God: 'If good and evil is placed before us, does not the person who chooses the good and refuses the evil exhibit his agency and manhood as much as the man who chooses the evil and refuses the good? Or is the independence of manhood all on the side of the evil-doer? I leave you to answer this question in your own mind. To me, I think the angels and saints and all good people have exercised their agency by choosing the good and refusing the evil; and in doing so they not only exhibit their independence and manhood as much, but show a much higher and greater nobility of character and disposition; and I leave the future to determine who are wise in the choice of their freedom and independence... I think what we need to learn are the true principles that shall lead us to peace, to wealth and happiness in this world, and glory and exhalation in the world to come. and if we can learn these principles and receive them in good and honest hearts, and teach them as our faith, and practice them in our lives, we shall show our manhood, our independence and our agency as creditably before the angels and the Gods, as any wicked man can, in refusing the good and cleaving to the evil, exhibit his before the devil and his angels.'" I liked this because ALOT of people, meaning basically everyone here smokes and drinks. It is tradition to do so, and when others offer you those things it is kinda "bad manners" to not take it. It is really hard for the members to resist this temptation because of the traditions, but we must change the traditions of our fathers and become a better, closer to God people. 

Also, there is a girl here that was baptized last year. Her name is Valmira. She is so wonderful, and is so strong, but has quite the problem at the moment. She is the oldest of 4, she is very up to do when it comes to school leadership, and being smart and intellectual. Her whole family is Muslim, they don't dress like Muslims, but they pray and do most of the practices I guess. Valmira has been very open with the church to her family. She is 18, but didn't get baptized until her Father allowed her. It has always been kinda a struggle for her to sometimes have to pick church or family, as it is for a lot of members here, and recently her mother and father told her she couldn't come to church anymore. She is heartbroken and torn to know what to do. It is really hard for us too, because what do we say. She asked for a Priesthood blessing ,which was awesome for her, to know what to do but that doesn't make it easy. She often has been having to lie to her family in order to come to the activities, but has realized that isn't a good thing and so has really tried to stop lying and still find ways to come. It is really sad and really hard. Then reading the Student Manuel for Joshua I learned again how we should solve our problems, big and small...

...Alma 26:35 says, "Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name." In the manuel it explains that when we have problems we often think it is only us and the problem we have to solve, however that is not the case. We always have our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ who are all knowing and all powerful to help us, if we will humble ourselves, repent, and ask for Their help. Ex. How did Abraham and Sarah apply this principle to Sarah's barrenness?- Heb. 11:11, or Jospeh interpreting Pharoah's dream?- Gen 41:14-16. 

... How could this lesson be applied in such modern situations as a wife with an inactive husband, a parent with wayward children, a child with unbelieving parents (Like Valmira), a person struggling to overcome a bad habit? Or any kind of problem or decision we may face in life, big or small? Joshua says, "...Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest." (1:9), and "...choose you this day whom ye will serve;... but for me and my house we will serve the Lord." (24:15). 

Wow right! Just loved this and thought I would share it... even though it was a pretty long thought... sorry. Also a scripture we have used a lot is  Ether 12:27. How we can make weak things become strong. 

I'm so grateful for this gospel. For a loving Heavenly Father who I know loves me and wants me to succeed. He has a plan for me and center of that plan is my Savior, Jesus Christ. For through Him I can receive eternal life! Through their strength I also know we can overcome all things, no matter how large or small they may seem.  

Thanks for all your great examples and prayers. I'm lovin the missionary adventure. 

Love you all!! 

Motra Kristi Hoover 

ps. Brother and Sister Jones ( the couple here in Kosovo) has a blog that she updates about the work here. She puts on lots of pictures I think and writes about what goes on. Since we are so small here, and they are the Branch Presidency, I am very involved with everything they do, and seem to be in lots of the pictures. Check it out! it's:  

samandmarilynserve@blogspot.com