Kosova and Training! --- March 25th

 The revealing of the new companions. ha.

 It's been kinda a crazy week. We went to Tirana Tuesday morning I dropped off and said goodbye to Motra Richardson, who is now in Canada, and went with Motra Gebhart (the other sister training) to Durres for a few days until our trainies got here. It is always great to go back to Durres. It is special really that I have gotten to go back so much. Some sisters haven't ever gone back to their first area after they left it. It was so great to visit lots of friends there and see the Pjetri's, Alma, the Telhaj's (where the mom just had her baby and he's SO CUTE!), and the Prenga's. After a few days there, Thursday we wen't back to Tirana and had a little training on how to be trainers, and then we got our new companions! There were only 4 new missionaries this transfer 2 sisters and 2 elders. Next transfer there will be 12! crazy. My new companion is Motra Forte. She is from Draper, Utah and is so great! She is a lot taller than me, but whatever. ha. We were able to catch a ride with President and Sister Ford to Prishtina Thursday afternoon which was so great. Riding with the President and not having to take the bus...double plus! Today we finally got all un packed and put away and it feels good to get more on top of things.

Motra Forte and I today at Gremia Park. We went up to the park and
read the dedicatory prayer in the exact spot that Elder Nelson gave it.
 Special spirit! Beautiful mountains.

It is kinda scary to be the older one that has to understand (especially Kosovars), and know what to do, who to call, keep track of everything, etc. But It's been good and I'll just take it one day and week at a time. Isn't that how we have to take life sometimes. I know I would always have to think of school this way or I would get way to overwhelmed. However, by the end of the semesters I would always have been able to accomplish everything and have accomplished it well. Same with missionary work i'd say. I've loved it really. I have grown, learned, and remembered so much already being the trainer. I know my language will improve a lot also. It's been fun to teach Motra Forte a little about how the people speak here. We've both been practicing to speak "Geg" and we have definitely seen the Gift of Tongs working through us. Miracles!

Our investigators are doing well, and we have received a lot of numbers lately to contact new people also. This weekend a lot of our members and 3 of our investigators: Afërdita, Dafina, and Ermira are all going to Durrës for a Youth Conference. I'm so excited for them all to go. It will be both Friday and Saturday and I just know it will be so inspiring for our people here. Even to just see the real church building there will give them so much courage, strength, and hope I think in this gospel. It is hard often for the people here to believe the church will grow, or to catch the vision of the growth of the gospel...It will come though. I know it! Someday Kosovo will just boom and I can't wait to see that happen. Sometimes I think about how crazy it will be in even 20 years to see how big the church has grown here.

This is a house that I guess they thought one of the bad Serbian
leaders in the war was hiding, so they bombed it.

This is the sign, by the bombed house, warning people that all over
the hills there there may be mines still from the war. They placed
land mines there to catch the people they were trying to track down,
and so there could still be some in this area. Kinda crazy!
Don't worry we didn't wander. ha.

 
I love being a missionary and learning and teaching about my Savior and God's plan for all of us everyday! Hope you are all doing the same at home.  This Sunday I played our tiny little keyboard, on the organ setting, for sacrament again. Motra Richardson and I would switch off every week, but now it's just me. As I was playing I just kept thinking how grateful I was to have had such a wonderful mother that always encouraged me and gave me the strength and knowledge that I can do anything with God's help. As I played these pieces I had never even practiced or played before I couldn't help but think it wasn't me playing. I know I had so much help with me to play so well and help the meeting feel the spirit through the music. I also thought how grateful I was that when I had to play for my freshman ward and was so nervous and didn't think I could do it, you told me that I could. and told me how you always just say a little prayer before you play and it all turns out fine, even if it's not perfect. I remember feeling bad sometimes when I would make so many mistakes. But now all of those experiences are really paying off. Not that I am better at playing before, but I just have a stronger understanding of God's help for me to do the things He needs me to do. I don't really even get that nervous, and I'm able to play pretty well. It always feels so good when you've done something your best and you know your Father in Heaven helped you and is proud of you for even trying and being willing. That is something you taught me. To always be accepting and at least willing to try. I'm so grateful for that!  I love you mom!

Have a great week! Kalofshit mirë!!
Motra Hoover