Sept 7, 2009 Yeah Sometimes Church is Pretty Interesting

Si keni qënë?! (How you been?!)

Ha ha don’t worry about the newsletter picture. It actually was pretty cool, I really liked it. I just thought it was funny. =) And about the website that Kiersten found. Ha ha I think he said those things because he is one of those people that focuses on the positives instead of the negatives. There’s a lot of things that I need to work on that he is way good at. He is way awesome. I don’t remember how much I’ve said about him, but regardless of us being completely different, we are having a really good time here in Kamëz. The work is hard and we’re not having a lot of success right now, but it’s a good experience and we definitely are very appreciative of the people that do listen to us. Actually right now we have a 3rd companion. His name is Elder Dushnica. He’s from Albania and he’s actually serving a mission in Russia, but every once in a while he has to come back to get his visa renewed or whatever and we got him from yesterday until Wednesday! He’s really cool and it is way awesome to go tracting and to hear a legit Shqiptar teach. I tried to pick up some things from him. =)

I’m glad to hear about the Webelos experience. Who all is in Webelos anyway? I guess I’m not that familiar with that age group. But yeah it seems like if you try and do your best and you can even just make like one person smile or feel good about themselves or have a good time, it makes it all worth it. And just like I was called to Albania for a reason, you are in the Webelos for a reason. I know that you are going to be able to do what the Lord needs you to do. I think you’re the perfect person for the job and those boys are gonna love you soon enough!

Yeah the language isn’t what’s really the hard part of the mission for me. At least not right now. Oh, but don’t get me wrong, I’m not good at it ha ha, it’s just not the biggest trial for me right now. For me, it’s more of when I get frustrated or homesick that’s the bigger problem. Some people here are just so. . . . .frustrating ha ha. But they are good people and I consider myself lucky to be here serving them. But hopefully I will be able to actually speak their language soon and serve them even better! =)

With regards to food, yeah I think we can pretty much get everything except there are a few things that basically just don’t exist in Albania like brown sugar. There are a couple others, but I can’t really remember them right now. Our refrigerator isn’t huge, but it’s not that small. And yes, this week I learned how to cook fried rice. I know, pretty difficult, huh? But it tastes good. Elder Bullough rocks the kitchen. In fact, he just made a huge pumpkin pie for his birthday (which is today by the way).

Flori is doing. . . .well? Actually I don’t really know since he left this week to his uncles so we haven’t seen him at all. But we’re supposed to meet with him tomorrow. So we might have to push his date back a little bit cause he still hasn’t been to church at all, but he’s a really good kid and I have faith that if he does come, he will feel the spirit and he will do what he needs to. Elder Bullough was talking with him on the way to an activity we had and Flori said that he “hates alcohol and smoking” which is awesome. The Word of Wisdom is a huge problem here and so I think he’s definitely been prepared.

Yeah sometimes church is pretty interesting ha ha. Like for instance yesterday was Fast Sunday and we had 3 members and 3 missionaries in attendance. So church was 1/2 an hour long. =) 6 people bearing their testimonies doesn’t take too long. But our branch is awesome and I love going to church. We have the best members in the world!

I love ya, mom! Have fun with your new calling and just keep being exciting! ;) I really appreciate your e-mails and all your support. It means a lot to me even though I can’t really convey that really well sometimes. I hope you have a great week and I will do the same!

Mirupafshim!
-Elder Swenson