tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89718344886074775652024-03-13T07:59:47.116-07:00Elder Erik SwensonErik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-54463623591208925952011-04-04T06:45:00.000-07:002011-04-04T07:00:01.254-07:00My Last Email<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">Hey Everyone, <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">I'm just e-mailing you all because this isn't going to be very long. This is SOOOO weird that I'm e-mailing you for the last time from </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><st1:country-region><st1:place><st1:country-region><st1:place><st1:country-region><st1:place><st1:country-region><st1:place>Albania</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region>. Yesterday morning I literally went crazy. And I'm not even joking. I could not sit still because I think it finally hit me that things are coming to an end. Eventually Elder Holmes just suggested that we go to the church so I could play the piano for a little while before people got there ha ha. That really helped. =) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">This last transfer has been really good. Elder Holmes is super awesome and helped me out to do what we felt like we should do. Xhovani Veizaj was baptized on Saturday and was confirmed yesterday in church. I feel like that was a good way to end. It was a really awesome baptism. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">I love this place. I love these people no matter how much they drive me insane sometimes. I have loved my mission. I have grown a ton and, even though I still have a ton of weaknesses and shortcomings, I feel like I'm more ready for life now. Thank you so much for all the support and love you gave me. You guys are awesome. All of you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">See you soon--really soon. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">Elder Swenson<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"><o:p><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'CK Journaling'; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">I am so grateful that we have been able to share in Elder Swenson's mission. Thank you all for all of your love and support and hopefully we will see most of you at Erik's homecoming, April 17th, 11:00am, Alpine Stake Center, </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'CK Journaling'; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">98 E Canyon Crest Rd, Alpine, UT. We would also like to invite everyone to our home afterwards to visit and to enjoy some food.</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'CK Journaling'; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'CK Journaling'; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">With love,</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'CK Journaling'; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'CK Journaling'; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Jeanne Swenson</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'CK Journaling'; COLOR: #724c00; FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-32756359595665885752011-03-29T10:30:00.000-07:002011-03-29T10:37:04.936-07:00This week really turned into an insanely busy one.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FyrspGcZvsA/TZIYDEZcSeI/AAAAAAAAD_U/9yKnmN_SVzE/s1600/3-25-11%2BSpring%2BBreak%2BTraining%2B3.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589556528519334370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FyrspGcZvsA/TZIYDEZcSeI/AAAAAAAAD_U/9yKnmN_SVzE/s400/3-25-11%2BSpring%2BBreak%2BTraining%2B3.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRFrbiw5rtM/TZIYCc8vmLI/AAAAAAAAD_M/F4NN9e6_M58/s1600/3-25-11%2BSpring%2BBreak%2BTraining%2B2.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589556517929982130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRFrbiw5rtM/TZIYCc8vmLI/AAAAAAAAD_M/F4NN9e6_M58/s400/3-25-11%2BSpring%2BBreak%2BTraining%2B2.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvUJk2Hjy2M/TZIYB-H1FrI/AAAAAAAAD_E/hBFkBBpsBko/s1600/3-25-11%2BSpring%2BBreak%2BTraining%2B1.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589556509654980274" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvUJk2Hjy2M/TZIYB-H1FrI/AAAAAAAAD_E/hBFkBBpsBko/s400/3-25-11%2BSpring%2BBreak%2BTraining%2B1.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><br /><div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#663300;">Hey Mom! </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#663300;">This week really turned into an insanely busy one. We weren't planning on that, but somehow it ended up that way. We had tons of random stuff we had to do along with a couple trainings and then finishing off the week with a baptism in Elbasan (one of Elder Holmes' old investigators got baptized). By Thursday we had only taught three lessons ha ha. But we rebounded somewhat and ended up having a pretty good week. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#663300;">Thursday we had a specialized training about the role of the Holy Ghost in Revelation and how we can teach investigators what kind of environment they need to feel that more often. It was really a pretty good training and we got some good ideas. Whenever I talk to investigators about the Holy Ghost and how it feels, I read 3 Nephi 11:3-7 with them. It talks about a voice coming from heaven and how, even though they didn't understand it, it pierced them to the center and made their hearts burn. I love that description and I know I have felt that. It also helps them understand that they might not understand it the first time around. Or the second time. The people that heard the voice only understood the voice when they opened their ears to hear and turned their eyes towards heaven. We really have to be looking for an answer and putting ourselves in places that the answer can come. Mainly prayer, the scriptures, and church. But President also talked about how, in order to get an answer, we have to be constantly searching. We really have to want to know. I loved the way that Elder Griffith put it. He said that we can read the scriptures and then pray about it, but if we leave our house and put the ipod right in, we're not really "seeking" an answer. We have to be open to the spirit. We have to open our ears to hear and turn our eyes towards heaven. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#663300;">Then we played frisbee. =) </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#663300;">Probably the coolest experience of this week was last night. It's always on a Sunday, I'm tellin' ya. We hadn't found a new investigator at all this week and we were pretty upset about that. Yes it was true that a ton of other random work came out of nowhere, but finding zero new investigators in one whole week is just unacceptable. Especially since last week we found nine. We had gotten back from Elbasan at around </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:time hour="18" minute="0"><span style="color:#663300;">6:00</span></st1:time><span style="color:#663300;"> and hadn't eaten. We went home, ate, and then left straight to a meeting that ended at a little past </span><st1:time hour="19" minute="30"><span style="color:#663300;">7:30</span></st1:time><span style="color:#663300;">. Usually we go in at </span><st1:time hour="8" minute="30"><span style="color:#663300;">8:30</span></st1:time><span style="color:#663300;"> for language study so we didn't have much time. We went tracting. Yay tracting. In the apartment building we went to, nobody was really answering their doors which was kind of discouraging, but lo and behold at </span><st1:time hour="8" minute="15"><span style="color:#663300;">8:15</span></st1:time><span style="color:#663300;"> a door opens! And an older man named Xhaxhi Dini invites us into his home. He was quite the chatterbox, but at the same time a really wonderful man. Basically just the type we're looking for to lead the Vlorë branch. So we got in as much as we could about the Book of Mormon and how he could find answers himself from God. It was a pretty long meeting. . . .but a good one! And we're going back on Wednesday to discuss what he read. Him and his wife were our two new investigators for this week. I know they're not many, but they're more than zero. I'm grateful for the Lord's help in achieving our goals. </span></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">I love you. I can't believe we're going to give each other big hugs in a little more than a week. That's really weird. I'll see you soon. </span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">-Elder Swenson</span></span><span style="color:#663300;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-43345821339081309702011-03-21T17:17:00.000-07:002011-03-21T17:19:41.644-07:00This week was kind of a roller coaster.<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">Hey Mom!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><br /></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">This week was kind of a roller coaster. We lost a lot of people that we're teaching and had a lot of dissapointments, but at the same time we had a lot of good experiences finding. We found new investigators almost every day and by the week that added up to nine total! We tried some new tracting ideas. We played the vocab game again where we pick words that the other person has to use in their door approach, but then we also took a more visual approach to it. We each printed off small pictures of Thomas Monson, Joseph Smith, the </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Salt</span></st1:PlaceName><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Lake</span></st1:PlaceType><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Temple</span></st1:PlaceType></st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">, and the first vision and laminated them. As we were tracting we could show the picture to them and it would be a good way to get people's attention. The idea was actually given to us by Elder Causse when he came here. I guess one of the other missions in our zone has a first vision pass-along card that they used for it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I realized how beautiful that picture really is. It carries an awesome message with it. We can receive direction from Heavenly Father. He even <i>wants</i> to give us direction. We just have to ask for it like Joseph Smith did. We met with a new member named Donald this week and talked about the Joseph Smith History for one of his Duty to God requirements. It was a really powerful lesson for me. He shared with us how God showed him that it was actually true and we shared with him how God had shown us the same thing. He asked some great questions and above all I felt the spirit. I love feeling the spirit and up until these past few days I've had a little streak where I haven't been feeling it as much as I should. It is so important and without it you just feel so worthless. I love feeling the Holy Ghost.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">The week ended with our District Conference. It was an incredibly uplifting meeting. It will be President and Sister Neil's last and they both shared their testimonies about different things. Also the District President Kashari spoke about feeding Christ's sheep. His talk really hit me. And before that, two returned missionaries from our branch and a young woman from 4th branch who was recently baptized shared their testimonies. Especially the testimony of the young woman was INCREDIBLE. The huge concert hall that we met it was completely full with the spirit that she had with her. It was just such a good lineup that you couldn't go wrong. I absolutely loved it. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">This next week we are going to continue working hard and trying a couple new things. Tazz inspired me. Or should I say <i>Elder Tasso</i> inspired me with his preaching on the bus story. That takes guts. That is so hardcore. And I realized this week, "When have I ever done anything like that?" So, we've got a couple things that we want to try this week that are a little bit more bold than I have usually been on my mission. I've got to show myself that I can be like Tazz. I can be bold. So I'll let you know next week how that went. I'm scared out of my mind, but I'm sure it will at least make for a good story. =)<br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">Anyway, that's really all I have right now. I hope you guys have an awesome week! I love you so much! See you way too soon.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">-Elder Swenson </span></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-73166120189582378542011-03-09T13:43:00.000-08:002011-03-09T13:57:58.075-08:00“We rebounded this week"<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHz6ojpymIQ/TXf3HKavbvI/AAAAAAAAD-E/SZ6aQpXQKyE/s1600/3-5-11_0854_Braden%2527s%2BBirthday.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582201965576679154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHz6ojpymIQ/TXf3HKavbvI/AAAAAAAAD-E/SZ6aQpXQKyE/s400/3-5-11_0854_Braden%2527s%2BBirthday.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wph0aqbVuNk/TXf3GnF0JxI/AAAAAAAAD98/mYYNSnm0wp8/s1600/2-28-11_0852.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582201956093667090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wph0aqbVuNk/TXf3GnF0JxI/AAAAAAAAD98/mYYNSnm0wp8/s400/2-28-11_0852.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XrYQe17mwRg/TXf3F-kFl9I/AAAAAAAAD90/lL7Q50H_dUU/s1600/2-28-11_0850.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582201945214785490" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XrYQe17mwRg/TXf3F-kFl9I/AAAAAAAAD90/lL7Q50H_dUU/s400/2-28-11_0850.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOc_tLahFY4/TXf3FAhH_6I/AAAAAAAAD9s/eBHXtpG6X_c/s1600/2-28-11_0849.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582201928559361954" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOc_tLahFY4/TXf3FAhH_6I/AAAAAAAAD9s/eBHXtpG6X_c/s400/2-28-11_0849.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Hey Mom!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Well, in the words of Elder Holmes, “We rebounded this week.” We actually did have a pretty good week. Like I said last week, I really wanted to start focusing on involving the members more in our missionary work and I believe we met that goal this week. Basically for any lesson that we had that wasn’t tracting we had a member with us. It made for some interesting moments, but there were also some really incredible moments. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Ha ha one of my personal favorites was with one of our investigators named Sajmir. We invited a member named Genti to come help us teach the lesson. Genti is a really good YSA in the Vlorë branch. We figured that he would be good for Sajmir because he’s around his age and he’s just a cool guy. He says it like it is and he’s not afraid or ashamed of what he believes. We had planned on talking about baptism with Sajmir and hopefully setting a baptismal date with him. As we were talking about baptism with him, he really wanted to know what you have to stop doing when you get baptized. Sajmir is a DJ and so I figured that he was worried that he might have to quit that and just study about church stuff all the time. Some people think that we’re asking them to become just like we are and preach the gospel all day every day. So I explained to him that back home I was a musician and it’s not like I can’t do that and still be a member of the church. He said, “Okay, but what else?” We told him that there were some commandments that we’d teach him in later appointments, but he was really insistent that he wanted to know them right then. And I could tell that Genti just wanted to tell him everything so finally we just let him do that. It was pretty funny. He started out with the Word of Wisdom and luckily Sajmir didn’t have a really big problem with that. But then he got to the Law of Chastity. After he had explained it, Sajmir was like, “Oh?. . . .that seems kinda weird to me.” You could tell that that was a hard one for him to take. We explained to him that we knew it seems weird, but if he would try it he would see the blessings of it. He still didn’t really like it and said again, “That just seems really weird to me. . .” Then Genti came back in and told him that if Genti could do it then so could he cause apparently Genti was a big smoker and drinker before he became a member. Then Sajmir said, “No, for the alcohol and cigarettes and stuff I don’t have a problem. It’s this other one that’s killing me!” We all had a pretty good laugh about that, but Genti was able to testify about the power of it in his life and how much prayer has helped him as he has tried to keep that law. It turned out to be kind of a crazy lesson, but because of the testimony of a member, Sajmir said he’s willing to do an experiment and give it a try. If it was just us teaching him that, there’s no way that he would have agreed to it. But since Genti was there, it became real for him and not something really out of this world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Last night we had the opportunity to go visit Xhiovani’s family for the first time. It was awesome! We took Arti Hodaj, our young men’s president, with us to the lesson. It turns out that Arti is like 2<sup>nd</sup> or 3<sup>rd</sup> cousins with Xhiovani so his family already knew Arti. We had a short lesson about the doctrine of Christ and how we knew that the things that Xhiovani had been learning at church not only would strengthen him, but could strengthen their entire family. We committed them to baptism and they agreed! Now, I’m a retard and forgot to set a date or do basically anything else except for agree to be baptized so that will have to come in a later lesson, but hey, what can you do? But after we talked about baptism, we asked Arti to share his testimony about how the church and baptism has helped him in his family. As he shared his simple testimony, a different feeling was there. As foreigners and as missionaries, we can teach with the Spirit, but I’ll tell you what, when a member adds a simple but sincere testimony, it brings it to a whole new level. And I don’t know if the family even felt it or recognized it, but I sure did. I’m really grateful for the testimony of the members here in Vlorë. I’ve learned to appreciate them a lot more this week as we’ve strived to work with them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I can’t forget Mrs. Potato Head. We brought a member named Ganjel to teach her this week. Ganjel is 18 or 19 years old and one of those people who is kinda the life of the branch. I was kind of nervous to bring him cause I was worried about how well he was going to get along with Liria, but when we got there and started teaching that feeling of worry just left. Liria loved him. She basically just wanted to talk to him instead of us. It was great! We really had a great lesson with her and I think Ganjel enjoyed it to. She had some questions that he was able to answer from the perspective of somebody who hasn’t been in the church their entire life. Like I’ve said before, she was baptized in 1944 into the Orthodox Church and she has a really hard time feeling like its okay to be baptized again. And we’ve explained everything we can about authority and the fact that there’s only one true church and all that good stuff, but she just reacted a lot better to someone that could relate to her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Well I’ve definitely been blabbing for too long now. Holy cow. I hope things are going well over there. Sounds like you have some exciting things coming up! Man I bet Tim is looking forward to the Webelos thing. That’s right up his alley. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#663300;">So was my room a beast to clean? It can’t have been easy after almost two years. Dad said that Bear was liking it. Bear’s not going to freak out at me, is he? He better not cause I’ll punch him right in the face. ;) You should tell him that. Sigh, I’m excited to come home, but at the same time not. There are definitely good things about home, but it’s just really hard to accept that I’m never going to be an Elder in </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color:#663300;">Albania</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color:#663300;"> again. I’ve learned A TON while I’ve been here and it’s just weird that it’s ending. Really weird. I don’t like it. But I’ll try to focus on the positives when I get back. For right now, we’re just trying to work hard and get stuff done. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Anyway, I’m gonna go now! I love you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">-Elder Swenson</span></span></p></div></div></div></div>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-16706189457162914312011-02-28T08:12:00.000-08:002011-02-28T08:28:14.720-08:00I did get a new companion this week<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhyWR4eSqmk/TWvMsROe65I/AAAAAAAAD8Y/cFXqz1t1Cfo/s1600/2-10-11%2BIMG_0838.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578777624338951058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhyWR4eSqmk/TWvMsROe65I/AAAAAAAAD8Y/cFXqz1t1Cfo/s400/2-10-11%2BIMG_0838.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><div><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Hey Mom!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#663300;">Funny that you ask about the weather. Apparently it’s been my worst enemy this week. The weather has been really crazy. One day it will be really nice and sunny and warm and then the next day it will be really cold and rainy. Well, that really threw my body for a loop. On Monday I felt a sore throat coming on and woke up Tuesday morning with a burning throat and really not feeling up to anything. Good thing I didn’t have to wake up at </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:time minute="0" hour="17"><span style="color:#663300;">5:00</span></st1:time><span style="color:#663300;"> in the morning and ride in a furgon for four hours to get to Tirana for transfers. Just kidding, I did. And I feel really bad for my new comp Elder Holmes cause his first week here he was basically inside all the time. I really don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve been that sick. It was a pretty miserable week. We also had to go to Zone Conference on Friday and if you look at our picture you can definitely tell I was a little bit out of it ha ha. At least I had a sweet tie, eh?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">As I said before, I did get a new companion this week and I’m really excited to be finishing out my mission with Elder Holmes. He is a great kid and is ready to work hard. He’s from Bear Lake, Utah so I think I’m gonna have to take a road trip up there and say hi to his family. Hopefully he doesn’t want to murder me too badly because of our first week together. But we’re ready to get out there and hit the pavement this week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">One of the coolest things about this week was that we met Kujtim outside of English Course. He’s a really nice middle aged man that works as some sort of sailor or navy person or something of the sort. We’ve been really excited about him because he falls right into the category of people we’re looking for right now. We got to talk to him about families and how God has shown us how we can be together forever. We took it back to the five basic steps: faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. He accepted to be baptized on the 27<sup>th</sup> of March. We’re hoping to meet his family this week. I’ll let you know how it goes!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">This other little stud from our English course is called Xhiovani. He is stoked on the Church for lack of a better way to say it. Last week he came to the church for the first time and was really excited to go to the temple! He kept asking us what he needs to do to go there and we said, “Well, we’ve got to teach you a few things and you’ve got to get baptized first.” After that he said, “So how do I do that?” We told him, “You go ask your parents if we can come over after English class and talk to your family about it and then we’ll show you.” This Sunday he came and apparently his family had invited us over whenever we’d like! We’re planning on going tomorrow if they are still up for it. Xhiovani really is awesome. He’s started to read the Book of Mormon and has really enjoyed it. He even gives answers and stuff in young men’s and all that good stuff. We’re really looking forward to working with his family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">At Zone Conference, we learned a lot about working with the members; something that I have struggled with my whole mission. So for this last little while that I have, I’m going to focus on getting them involved with missionary work as much as I can. Coming to lessons, inviting their friends, going on splits, training them, just everything we can do to get the Vlorë branch involved in it’s own growth. We’ve already started going around to different families inviting them to “set a date” for when they will have somebody prepared to hear the gospel. It’s definitely not going to be in my time here that there will be a huge improvement, but I’m hoping to really get a good headstart for them in that aspect. Because it’s so true, that the members are everything in missionary work. When they have ties with the members it becomes incredibly easier to help them progress and stay in the church after we’re gone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Well I’m outta here! I love you! See you soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">-Elder Swenson<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1xA9veHhCLA/TWvLlEEZUCI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/TxmyKN_WBME/s1600/2-20-11%2BIMG_0842.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578776401036267554" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1xA9veHhCLA/TWvLlEEZUCI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/TxmyKN_WBME/s400/2-20-11%2BIMG_0842.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ySMtmhHjbdA/TWvLk44ZNRI/AAAAAAAAD8I/15I5p1Wwz-8/s1600/2-20-11%2BIMG_0840.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578776398033138962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ySMtmhHjbdA/TWvLk44ZNRI/AAAAAAAAD8I/15I5p1Wwz-8/s400/2-20-11%2BIMG_0840.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></div></div>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-86046268275674550272011-02-21T12:01:00.000-08:002011-02-21T12:02:52.074-08:00Today is the first day of my last transfer. . . .holy cow.<p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: IT" lang="IT">Hey Mom!</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: IT" lang="IT">How’</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">s it going? That’s really weird that Jon’s home. Today is the first day of my last transfer. . . .holy cow. I don’t know how much I really like that. But I just listened to dad’s birthday present and it’s starting to look a little better. ;) Anyway, we go and get new companions tomorrow. I am going to finish my mission with Elder Holmes which is going to rock. He is an awesome missionary with 4 ½ months in the country. Pretty much ever since that group got in the country, I’ve wanted to serve with him or this one other elder so I think it should be a good last transfer. So just letting you know that. I was also really glad to here that the package finally made it there! I hope you enjoyed it. Those pupas really are super nice when it’s cold. Anyway, I’ll get on to the newsletter thing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">Hey Guys!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Well, the days are getting longer as my days here are getting shorter. Crazy. I’ll tell you what, though, we just had a complete turnaround in our area. Basically, last week I finally finished off the last of the investigators that were here when I got here. Not my favorite week in the world. But this week we actually found some really good prospects. Here in Vlorë, the branch is taken over by either young single adults or youth and it is crazy. There’s a real lack of direction and because of that, we’ve been focusing on finding someone who is <i>not</i> a youth and that could be a leader of the branch in the near future. This week at church, we had four investigators. Two of which were not youth and awesome! We are teaching this old lady right now that we call Mrs. Potato Head since she apparently sounds just like her. (I wouldn’t know, but that’s what Elder Knowles tells me.) And even though she’s probably 70-ish years old, she’s really sharp! You don’t find that a lot around here. She is really concerned about her daughter’s family in </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:state><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">New Hampshire</span></st1:place></st1:State><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> and in desperate need of comfort. It’s been great to go and teach her about the Book of Mormon and the Holy Ghost. Both of which give us peace and comfort. We were also able to discuss how the gospel blesses families and heals wounds within family relationships. She gave us her daughter’s address and we were able to send some missionaries to her house. I really hope that goes well because this lady is really the sweetest old lady ever. Anyway, so she was at church. And the other one was a large, jolly sailor man from our English course named Kujtim. He’s the nicest guy in the world and I got the chance to get to know him a little better at church on Sunday. I was basically just super happy to see him there because I figured that he wasn’t serious when he said he would come on Sunday. But he came and it was actually a really good sacrament meeting. We’re hoping that he has a family so we can go and meet them soon. This really would be just the guy we’re looking for right now. I don’t know if I should say that, though, cause I don’t want to jinx it. But I’m really excited about him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">You know what’s awesome? The Book of Mormon. It really is. I love it. I love the stories, I love the doctrine, I love the peace, and most of all I love my Savior. I am so grateful for the opportunity we have as missionaries to study the scriptures for at least an hour every morning. It goes by so fast now! I think that might be the thing that I’ve enjoyed most from my mission so far; learning more about the Book of Mormon and getting deeper into it. One of the members in the branch here, Sister Ruçaj, told us how, at her work, they make fun of her because she is religious and studies so much. They’re religious as well, but they tell her that, “it’s not necessary to study as much as you do.” I really liked her answer. . . . . . .and I actually can’t remember exactly what she said, but it was something to the effect of, “If we really love God then how could we not read those words that He has given us to learn more about Him and how to get back to Him.” I have definitely felt that the Book of Mormon has brought me closer to God. I’m really grateful for that. I honestly haven’t seen it have a <i>huge</i> effect on people’s lives here because most of the people that I have taught have just come and gone really quickly, but because of the effect that it has had on me I know that it really does bring us “peace in this life and salvation in the life to come.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">Anyway, I love you all. I really can’t wait to see you guys again! Have an awesome March!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Oh, may thy soldiers faithful, true, and bold, Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, And win with them the victor’s crown of gold!”</span></i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300"><span style="font-size:100%;">-Elder Swenson</span></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-41776341972252606242011-02-15T21:20:00.001-08:002011-02-15T21:29:18.908-08:00Farewell to Friends<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6AWfMDLD1MU/TVtgX60fo-I/AAAAAAAAD6U/KVadyUB3UYM/s1600/1-3-2011_0795.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574154927843812322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6AWfMDLD1MU/TVtgX60fo-I/AAAAAAAAD6U/KVadyUB3UYM/s400/1-3-2011_0795.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6n__a_NXLQY/TVtgXqjb-2I/AAAAAAAAD6M/hNTGq08NZyk/s1600/1-3-2011_0793.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574154923477302114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6n__a_NXLQY/TVtgXqjb-2I/AAAAAAAAD6M/hNTGq08NZyk/s400/1-3-2011_0793.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi2n1YednDo/TVtgXSyhNaI/AAAAAAAAD6E/HDbtA-AqFbI/s1600/1-3-2011_0791.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574154917098108322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi2n1YednDo/TVtgXSyhNaI/AAAAAAAAD6E/HDbtA-AqFbI/s400/1-3-2011_0791.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xhlg5IKQTGw/TVtf6puEWTI/AAAAAAAAD58/Lb4nx25NKmE/s1600/1-2-2011_0790.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574154425037248818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xhlg5IKQTGw/TVtf6puEWTI/AAAAAAAAD58/Lb4nx25NKmE/s400/1-2-2011_0790.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uBeIqXDR1Yk/TVtf6UXjTcI/AAAAAAAAD50/co4p_l2j5FU/s1600/1-2-2011_0784.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574154419305663938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uBeIqXDR1Yk/TVtf6UXjTcI/AAAAAAAAD50/co4p_l2j5FU/s400/1-2-2011_0784.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otOqGsC2ydg/TVtf59-t-UI/AAAAAAAAD5s/_UR_IcwJ0UU/s1600/1-2-2011_0783.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574154413295925570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otOqGsC2ydg/TVtf59-t-UI/AAAAAAAAD5s/_UR_IcwJ0UU/s400/1-2-2011_0783.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-46OLAhDfAVM/TVtf5fYo8_I/AAAAAAAAD5k/kkOUYnhB_dw/s1600/1-3-2011_0796.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574154405083149298" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-46OLAhDfAVM/TVtf5fYo8_I/AAAAAAAAD5k/kkOUYnhB_dw/s400/1-3-2011_0796.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-73630803827700342872011-02-15T21:14:00.000-08:002011-02-15T21:19:50.166-08:00New Years Day<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3ChFyoHdkY/TVtdsYUmzmI/AAAAAAAAD5c/ZrnuVKesRxE/s1600/1-2-2011_0780.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574151980825628258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3ChFyoHdkY/TVtdsYUmzmI/AAAAAAAAD5c/ZrnuVKesRxE/s400/1-2-2011_0780.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeECUdbpu1w/TVtdsEk7w7I/AAAAAAAAD5U/irOoXbEBDh8/s1600/1-2-2011_0779.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574151975525401522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeECUdbpu1w/TVtdsEk7w7I/AAAAAAAAD5U/irOoXbEBDh8/s400/1-2-2011_0779.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eEcakPtz9bQ/TVtdr1G3-rI/AAAAAAAAD5M/s73bImw8Yts/s1600/1-2-2011_0778.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574151971372792498" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eEcakPtz9bQ/TVtdr1G3-rI/AAAAAAAAD5M/s73bImw8Yts/s400/1-2-2011_0778.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UUwTIAuJXh8/TVtdrlQQYcI/AAAAAAAAD5E/9OgE3LuosOw/s1600/1-1-2011_0777.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574151967117173186" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UUwTIAuJXh8/TVtdrlQQYcI/AAAAAAAAD5E/9OgE3LuosOw/s400/1-1-2011_0777.jpg" /></a> </div></div><br /></div>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-47924271362920514542011-02-15T21:09:00.001-08:002011-02-15T21:14:00.928-08:00New Years Eve<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NdT01O56u2M/TVtc5fFKlBI/AAAAAAAAD44/AT-jWfLg2_Y/s1600/12-31-2010_0770.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574151106466583570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NdT01O56u2M/TVtc5fFKlBI/AAAAAAAAD44/AT-jWfLg2_Y/s400/12-31-2010_0770.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cacZq9whIXo/TVtc5OOj6dI/AAAAAAAAD4w/CP6dQITgRUA/s1600/12-29-2010_0735.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574151101942589906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cacZq9whIXo/TVtc5OOj6dI/AAAAAAAAD4w/CP6dQITgRUA/s400/12-29-2010_0735.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gN8ElzS0sN4/TVtc43V4kRI/AAAAAAAAD4o/ygA7reW1s4o/s1600/12-29-2010_0733.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574151095799288082" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gN8ElzS0sN4/TVtc43V4kRI/AAAAAAAAD4o/ygA7reW1s4o/s400/12-29-2010_0733.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJvCzmD9Q8o/TVtc4gd9kWI/AAAAAAAAD4g/JslL0rCmbCg/s1600/12-29-2010_0730.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574151089659154786" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJvCzmD9Q8o/TVtc4gd9kWI/AAAAAAAAD4g/JslL0rCmbCg/s400/12-29-2010_0730.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WnO3i43C-vQ/TVtciGJ2Z2I/AAAAAAAAD4Y/9-NGEpq9Gpw/s1600/12-29-2010_0729.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574150704638355298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WnO3i43C-vQ/TVtciGJ2Z2I/AAAAAAAAD4Y/9-NGEpq9Gpw/s400/12-29-2010_0729.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhIk7ua3wVQ/TVtchSTBbMI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/MxnfkhzA7Xk/s1600/12-29-2010_0726.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574150690718182594" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhIk7ua3wVQ/TVtchSTBbMI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/MxnfkhzA7Xk/s400/12-29-2010_0726.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XVuQLTRUg7c/TVtchJUaDJI/AAAAAAAAD4I/Q4sXNQm-HEM/s1600/12-29-2010_0725.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574150688308071570" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XVuQLTRUg7c/TVtchJUaDJI/AAAAAAAAD4I/Q4sXNQm-HEM/s400/12-29-2010_0725.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bi8-I1BXD5A/TVtcg7BYJxI/AAAAAAAAD4A/PBgv49PTxyc/s1600/12-29-2010_0722.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574150684470159122" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bi8-I1BXD5A/TVtcg7BYJxI/AAAAAAAAD4A/PBgv49PTxyc/s400/12-29-2010_0722.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDdnHJCBtNI/TVtcgmpdjlI/AAAAAAAAD34/gBjocZW-yvs/s1600/12-29-2010_0713.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574150679001140818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDdnHJCBtNI/TVtcgmpdjlI/AAAAAAAAD34/gBjocZW-yvs/s400/12-29-2010_0713.jpg" /></a> <div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-56455121438135415992011-02-15T20:50:00.001-08:002011-02-15T21:08:01.380-08:00The Pallats (Apartments) in Tirana<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvT_8zbbaQ4/TVtahG6bpEI/AAAAAAAAD3s/KLXiKULD_ao/s1600/12-31-2010_0753.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574148488638997570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvT_8zbbaQ4/TVtahG6bpEI/AAAAAAAAD3s/KLXiKULD_ao/s400/12-31-2010_0753.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zteRf6ffLI8/TVtagkpPfMI/AAAAAAAAD3k/vu6SzxNXBd4/s1600/12-31-2010_0752.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574148479440092354" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zteRf6ffLI8/TVtagkpPfMI/AAAAAAAAD3k/vu6SzxNXBd4/s400/12-31-2010_0752.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83wO-AzSero/TVtagiUBR-I/AAAAAAAAD3c/HgBsPs7wuAY/s1600/12-30-2010_0751.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574148478814210018" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83wO-AzSero/TVtagiUBR-I/AAAAAAAAD3c/HgBsPs7wuAY/s400/12-30-2010_0751.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W26uqabZn1w/TVtagMZPpKI/AAAAAAAAD3U/mpGRuEoTKGY/s1600/12-27-2010_0711.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574148472930542754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W26uqabZn1w/TVtagMZPpKI/AAAAAAAAD3U/mpGRuEoTKGY/s400/12-27-2010_0711.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7EDvecOcADE/TVtZ39Zdr2I/AAAAAAAAD3M/QIrte1GH5Bg/s1600/12-27-2010_0710.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574147781710163810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7EDvecOcADE/TVtZ39Zdr2I/AAAAAAAAD3M/QIrte1GH5Bg/s400/12-27-2010_0710.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8Vwo8jxUNE/TVtZ3pOSCzI/AAAAAAAAD3E/uGiDOjNxTrU/s1600/12-27-2010_0709.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574147776294554418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8Vwo8jxUNE/TVtZ3pOSCzI/AAAAAAAAD3E/uGiDOjNxTrU/s400/12-27-2010_0709.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uMV_4LBm8dE/TVtZ3dGzuhI/AAAAAAAAD28/zpPvmAcwK2U/s1600/12-27-2010_0708.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574147773041981970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uMV_4LBm8dE/TVtZ3dGzuhI/AAAAAAAAD28/zpPvmAcwK2U/s400/12-27-2010_0708.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w7UHBVQ8y-M/TVtZ3MFBqtI/AAAAAAAAD20/JKbc01oj2XQ/s1600/12-27-2010_0707.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574147768471104210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w7UHBVQ8y-M/TVtZ3MFBqtI/AAAAAAAAD20/JKbc01oj2XQ/s400/12-27-2010_0707.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--AYUxfFLBB0/TVtZ23b6yXI/AAAAAAAAD2s/LpdjpqI9qZM/s1600/12-27-2010_0706.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574147762929977714" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--AYUxfFLBB0/TVtZ23b6yXI/AAAAAAAAD2s/LpdjpqI9qZM/s400/12-27-2010_0706.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7eUPzoLfG3M/TVtZe79YyeI/AAAAAAAAD2k/uZ2Mts67YnQ/s1600/12-27-2010_0705.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574147351827237346" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7eUPzoLfG3M/TVtZe79YyeI/AAAAAAAAD2k/uZ2Mts67YnQ/s400/12-27-2010_0705.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xox9mIJZZG0/TVtZencMERI/AAAAAAAAD2c/2hWp-bFrulw/s1600/12-27-2010_0704.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574147346319282450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xox9mIJZZG0/TVtZencMERI/AAAAAAAAD2c/2hWp-bFrulw/s400/12-27-2010_0704.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQ4XRPiWY9c/TVtZeSWqOLI/AAAAAAAAD2U/LtvoT8syaaQ/s1600/12-27-2010_0703.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574147340658948274" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQ4XRPiWY9c/TVtZeSWqOLI/AAAAAAAAD2U/LtvoT8syaaQ/s400/12-27-2010_0703.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4n6EeFw_i54/TVtZeEZnVlI/AAAAAAAAD2M/mPlj7bDv_YU/s1600/12-27-2010_0702.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574147336913245778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4n6EeFw_i54/TVtZeEZnVlI/AAAAAAAAD2M/mPlj7bDv_YU/s400/12-27-2010_0702.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlSSKvU0S74/TVtZd1jss9I/AAAAAAAAD2E/Om4ws2mCCK0/s1600/12-27-2010_0701.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574147332929008594" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlSSKvU0S74/TVtZd1jss9I/AAAAAAAAD2E/Om4ws2mCCK0/s400/12-27-2010_0701.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JrsY1ocQQus/TVtZAGwcxwI/AAAAAAAAD18/kFGzVByjqJU/s1600/12-27-2010_0700.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574146822149818114" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JrsY1ocQQus/TVtZAGwcxwI/AAAAAAAAD18/kFGzVByjqJU/s400/12-27-2010_0700.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lwqUVahdyU/TVtY_zkTjRI/AAAAAAAAD10/eva0KP_6pGs/s1600/12-27-2010_0699.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574146816998608146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lwqUVahdyU/TVtY_zkTjRI/AAAAAAAAD10/eva0KP_6pGs/s400/12-27-2010_0699.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bohIN4BkglE/TVtY_n_KBZI/AAAAAAAAD1s/QKrFL3UWC-Q/s1600/12-27-2010_0698.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574146813890004370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bohIN4BkglE/TVtY_n_KBZI/AAAAAAAAD1s/QKrFL3UWC-Q/s400/12-27-2010_0698.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1tQUfRJr00/TVtY_YWWxSI/AAAAAAAAD1k/SlsTVcSnBdA/s1600/12-27-2010_0697.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574146809692341538" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1tQUfRJr00/TVtY_YWWxSI/AAAAAAAAD1k/SlsTVcSnBdA/s400/12-27-2010_0697.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3SE1HBdekBM/TVtY-7Zi9oI/AAAAAAAAD1c/V04aBkz9EpE/s1600/12-27-2010_0694.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574146801921095298" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3SE1HBdekBM/TVtY-7Zi9oI/AAAAAAAAD1c/V04aBkz9EpE/s400/12-27-2010_0694.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ku4X3_TVKJc/TVtYZRVZUuI/AAAAAAAAD1U/nD3Ly_uarUA/s1600/12-27-2010_0691.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574146154974237410" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ku4X3_TVKJc/TVtYZRVZUuI/AAAAAAAAD1U/nD3Ly_uarUA/s400/12-27-2010_0691.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHVtInlguGs/TVtYZLOiZpI/AAAAAAAAD1M/e_7mRw7u3Jc/s1600/12-26-2010_0690.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574146153334859410" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHVtInlguGs/TVtYZLOiZpI/AAAAAAAAD1M/e_7mRw7u3Jc/s400/12-26-2010_0690.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4hpZu572izE/TVtYY0ylM2I/AAAAAAAAD1E/oMa5lqVfkhg/s1600/12-23-2010_0688.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574146147312022370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4hpZu572izE/TVtYY0ylM2I/AAAAAAAAD1E/oMa5lqVfkhg/s400/12-23-2010_0688.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fje3ICI9wF8/TVtYYYtmxaI/AAAAAAAAD08/jfRc8iJpgHU/s1600/12-23-2010_0687.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574146139774961058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fje3ICI9wF8/TVtYYYtmxaI/AAAAAAAAD08/jfRc8iJpgHU/s400/12-23-2010_0687.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVE2vB4kOw8/TVtYYDSv7jI/AAAAAAAAD00/YJcyG5NMrqk/s1600/12-23-2010_0685.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574146134025170482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVE2vB4kOw8/TVtYYDSv7jI/AAAAAAAAD00/YJcyG5NMrqk/s400/12-23-2010_0685.jpg" /></a> <div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-77948605011339562172011-02-15T20:42:00.001-08:002011-02-15T20:49:39.343-08:00The Christmas Party<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3epF_5ST1cw/TVtW0Nrdn5I/AAAAAAAAD0s/4CrbxTPUsIc/s1600/12-18-2010_0684.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574144418826264466" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3epF_5ST1cw/TVtW0Nrdn5I/AAAAAAAAD0s/4CrbxTPUsIc/s400/12-18-2010_0684.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7n_3wHv51k8/TVtW0NNhSwI/AAAAAAAAD0k/6b4R0Kgz8yw/s1600/12-18-2010_0682.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574144418700675842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7n_3wHv51k8/TVtW0NNhSwI/AAAAAAAAD0k/6b4R0Kgz8yw/s400/12-18-2010_0682.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXiUAtEt1lE/TVtWzg2jMLI/AAAAAAAAD0c/-cKnDIY1xhI/s1600/12-18-2010_0681.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574144406793171122" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXiUAtEt1lE/TVtWzg2jMLI/AAAAAAAAD0c/-cKnDIY1xhI/s400/12-18-2010_0681.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jpXWetSFK24/TVtWzRVifNI/AAAAAAAAD0U/Y2_pc-csjYg/s1600/12-18-2010_0678.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574144402628181202" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jpXWetSFK24/TVtWzRVifNI/AAAAAAAAD0U/Y2_pc-csjYg/s400/12-18-2010_0678.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FEGMa33Iw3s/TVtWzGtSKaI/AAAAAAAAD0M/CZhP-3RqJiA/s1600/12-18-2010_0677.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574144399774984610" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FEGMa33Iw3s/TVtWzGtSKaI/AAAAAAAAD0M/CZhP-3RqJiA/s400/12-18-2010_0677.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Et86OBHEMqg/TVtWSEO1r5I/AAAAAAAAD0E/DEPtFjZLg4g/s1600/12-18-2010_0675.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574143832174735250" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Et86OBHEMqg/TVtWSEO1r5I/AAAAAAAAD0E/DEPtFjZLg4g/s400/12-18-2010_0675.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3klchDjz5g/TVtWRxneuAI/AAAAAAAADz8/uFTQpLMrytU/s1600/12-18-2010_0674.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574143827177814018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3klchDjz5g/TVtWRxneuAI/AAAAAAAADz8/uFTQpLMrytU/s400/12-18-2010_0674.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ayb5AX9o0og/TVtWRnVrg2I/AAAAAAAADz0/KHJYUr1ftM0/s1600/12-18-2010_0673.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574143824418800482" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ayb5AX9o0og/TVtWRnVrg2I/AAAAAAAADz0/KHJYUr1ftM0/s400/12-18-2010_0673.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nfiJvBqD2s0/TVtWRDx0U3I/AAAAAAAADzs/QM2NI_Gg3DU/s1600/12-17-2010_0652.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574143814873142130" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nfiJvBqD2s0/TVtWRDx0U3I/AAAAAAAADzs/QM2NI_Gg3DU/s400/12-17-2010_0652.jpg" /></a> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:city><st1:place><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Griffith</span></span></st1:place></st1:City><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> with the Sat. Phone</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUyJN4UZ4NQ/TVtWQ9c-DpI/AAAAAAAADzk/nFy8myC1epc/s1600/12-17-2010_0651.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574143813175086738" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUyJN4UZ4NQ/TVtWQ9c-DpI/AAAAAAAADzk/nFy8myC1epc/s400/12-17-2010_0651.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-41848511319518796202011-02-14T08:43:00.000-08:002011-02-15T21:38:07.996-08:00I just talked about the scriptures and how awesome they are.<p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: IT" lang="IT">Hey Mom! </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: IT" lang="IT">I’</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">m so sorry that my e-mail didn’t send this last week! I even tried just copying it and sending it to Dad so he could e-mail it to you, but I guess the internet just didn’t like what I wrote. Well basically I just talked about the scriptures and how awesome they are. Because they’re dang awesome. I’ve been reading a section in the Albanian Doctrine and Covenants every day and then just going to the Book of Mormon in English after that. It’s been so good. I love the Book of Mormon. I knew pretty much nothing about it when I came here and I still don’t know very much at all, but I’ve learned a ton and I’ve really grown to love it. I hope I can still teach people about it when I get home. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">So that YSA stuff sounds fun. How many people go to those activities? What do you do exactly with the YSA’s? Man it’s going to be weird to go to stuff like that. . . .sigh<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">Well all in all this week was pretty disappointing. Almost every single one of our investigators fell through on us. Awesome. Ha ha so last night I was just kinda upset (so upset that I started cleaning!) because we hadn’t had a very good week and just kinda ornery. I figured, “Well, I’ll go to sleep and in the morning I will feel better cause I won’t be thinking about it. Well this morning my alarm wakes me up from a dream in which I was EXPLAINING TO SOMEBODY HOW LAME OUR WEEK WAS. Needless to say, it didn’t really work. But we just got back from a good district trip to Berat, so it’s all good! We’ll just have to do better this next week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">On the bright side, this week we found an awesome old lady that we now call Mrs. Potato Head cause apparently her voice sounds exactly like that. Her real name, though, is Liria. And the cool thing is that—yes she’s old—but she understands really well. I die for those kind of investigators. We teach a lot of people that have just never really had to think about God before because they grew up in a communist regime and so when we find one that actually does “get it,” it’s a real refresher. She is an Orthodox and she loves Jesus Christ. The first time we met her, we had given her an assignment to read 3 Nephi 11 so we could discuss it next time. (I wanted her to read that because it has a part that talks about authority and we already knew she was concerned about being baptized twice.) When we came back, she had read it along with the cross-references in the footnotes and everything. We had a really good discussion on the restored priesthood authority and we committed her to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. We’re really excited to keep working with her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sunday night we also found an older couple and get this. Their names are Ilir and Liria. I guess that doesn’t make much sense unless you know what that means. Basically “Ilir” means “free” and “Liri” means “freedom.” Isn’t that just so cute? But they were really good as well. We’ll be going back to them on Wednesday I believe and we’re also really excited for them. Oh man, when we were there Liria gave us these things called “gliko.” Gliko are made from the rinds of different fruits and they are boiled in sugar water and soak up the sugar. I don’t really know the whole deal, but that’s the basic jist. Anyway, usually gliko are pretty disgusting, but these were SO good. They were from lemons instead of like oranges or watermelons or stuff like that. If I ever learn how, I’ll definitely make you all some so you can try them. But that might never happen so don’t get your hopes up. . . .<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">So those were probably the two highlights of the week. I don’t really know what else to tell you! Happy Valentine’s Day! Oh gotta tell you this. We visited the Berat castle today which was actually probably the best castle I’ve seen in </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Albania</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">. But while we were walking around the castle, Elder Knowles and I hear this horrible Albanian version of “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion playing off in the distance. I was thinking, “Man, that sounds like karaoke!” And it was! We checked it out and there was this HUGE karaoke concert dealio going on at the castle. It was sweet. So we checked it out for a couple songs and it was pretty fun. But let me tell you this, if you are not pretty dang legit, you better not try to sing a Celine Dion song because it’s going to rock you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">Anyway, that’s pretty much all I’ve got. Thanks in advance for all the stuff! And tell Grandma that I got her card and that I said thanks a ton! I actually just sent a bunch of thank you cards out in the mail last week for all the Christmas stuff I got so she should be getting one fairly soon hopefully.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">I love you, mom! Have a happy Valentine’s Day!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><span style="font-size:100%;">-Elder Swenson<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-56056141924813467002011-02-11T17:07:00.001-08:002011-02-15T20:41:06.140-08:00Pictures! from the "Senior Trip"<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WpxshdtOmtg/TVtR5yv9lxI/AAAAAAAADzE/uF6U28M3l0E/s1600/12-13-2010_0646.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574139017118455570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WpxshdtOmtg/TVtR5yv9lxI/AAAAAAAADzE/uF6U28M3l0E/s400/12-13-2010_0646.jpg" /></a> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size:100%;">It was a long drive. . .</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSy0m22_OAA/TVtR5s_9VpI/AAAAAAAADy8/-WgKfQwRkTs/s1600/12-13-2010_0644.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574139015574935186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSy0m22_OAA/TVtR5s_9VpI/AAAAAAAADy8/-WgKfQwRkTs/s400/12-13-2010_0644.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_5w_hG5SvQ/TVtRYmqAvbI/AAAAAAAADy0/vbiBZwzVzm8/s1600/12-13-2010_0641.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574138446936587698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_5w_hG5SvQ/TVtRYmqAvbI/AAAAAAAADy0/vbiBZwzVzm8/s400/12-13-2010_0641.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k9r1yXAkOs8/TVtRYelAlsI/AAAAAAAADys/_m9b2XhmukA/s1600/12-13-2010_0639.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574138444768122562" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k9r1yXAkOs8/TVtRYelAlsI/AAAAAAAADys/_m9b2XhmukA/s400/12-13-2010_0639.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rPsAMeTPG1U/TVtRYOoB4lI/AAAAAAAADyk/UIwxCJbUdko/s1600/12-13-2010_0636.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574138440485823058" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rPsAMeTPG1U/TVtRYOoB4lI/AAAAAAAADyk/UIwxCJbUdko/s400/12-13-2010_0636.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QUj522ikk38/TVtRXxhONnI/AAAAAAAADyc/6ac1MKJxPeM/s1600/12-13-2010_0633.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574138432672642674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QUj522ikk38/TVtRXxhONnI/AAAAAAAADyc/6ac1MKJxPeM/s400/12-13-2010_0633.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WhXKu8PTeRE/TVtRXgWzjsI/AAAAAAAADyU/aMCYnWPss-c/s1600/12-13-2010_0628.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574138428065550018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WhXKu8PTeRE/TVtRXgWzjsI/AAAAAAAADyU/aMCYnWPss-c/s400/12-13-2010_0628.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2vgvLEFfBnY/TVtQUolec7I/AAAAAAAADyM/1FgcYsCC2D8/s1600/12-13-2010_0623.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574137279223329714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2vgvLEFfBnY/TVtQUolec7I/AAAAAAAADyM/1FgcYsCC2D8/s400/12-13-2010_0623.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g3wVb3BPmvA/TVtQUfHlR8I/AAAAAAAADyE/5yg3Ttzisi8/s1600/12-13-2010_0622.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574137276682028994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g3wVb3BPmvA/TVtQUfHlR8I/AAAAAAAADyE/5yg3Ttzisi8/s400/12-13-2010_0622.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S37hFwdbk2A/TVtQUK08PxI/AAAAAAAADx8/CbQKcmTgd0o/s1600/12-13-2010_0620.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574137271235133202" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S37hFwdbk2A/TVtQUK08PxI/AAAAAAAADx8/CbQKcmTgd0o/s400/12-13-2010_0620.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvYVAqpvlUA/TVtQT0qMzKI/AAAAAAAADx0/E5R_6WLcEdA/s1600/12-13-2010_0619.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574137265284500642" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvYVAqpvlUA/TVtQT0qMzKI/AAAAAAAADx0/E5R_6WLcEdA/s400/12-13-2010_0619.jpg" /></a> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size:100%;">A little out of it?</span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></span><br /> </p><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFZDSdVVMq0/TVtQTacggYI/AAAAAAAADxs/zznfFy9qPOY/s1600/12-13-2010_0618.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574137258247750018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFZDSdVVMq0/TVtQTacggYI/AAAAAAAADxs/zznfFy9qPOY/s400/12-13-2010_0618.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ApqoI7f_Kk/TVtPXRsZkeI/AAAAAAAADxk/yNh58hH3Hv4/s1600/12-13-2010_0616.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574136225106334178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ApqoI7f_Kk/TVtPXRsZkeI/AAAAAAAADxk/yNh58hH3Hv4/s400/12-13-2010_0616.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KRLGyZElHXQ/TVtPW96igBI/AAAAAAAADxc/PVx1xg9gx6w/s1600/12-13-2010_0614.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574136219796930578" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KRLGyZElHXQ/TVtPW96igBI/AAAAAAAADxc/PVx1xg9gx6w/s400/12-13-2010_0614.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bsAN3s7KnM/TVtPWrR8ydI/AAAAAAAADxU/FhVIHnfGjMg/s1600/12-13-2010_0610.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574136214794848722" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bsAN3s7KnM/TVtPWrR8ydI/AAAAAAAADxU/FhVIHnfGjMg/s400/12-13-2010_0610.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zi_S43xNMg/TVtPWc43tjI/AAAAAAAADxM/tP88hE6bGpA/s1600/12-13-2010_0608.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574136210931562034" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zi_S43xNMg/TVtPWc43tjI/AAAAAAAADxM/tP88hE6bGpA/s400/12-13-2010_0608.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UHAAUigfK0o/TVtPWDy61FI/AAAAAAAADxE/_qY65b4m8I8/s1600/12-13-2010_0603.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574136204195714130" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UHAAUigfK0o/TVtPWDy61FI/AAAAAAAADxE/_qY65b4m8I8/s400/12-13-2010_0603.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KFPA3lwGVI/TVtORrKyTNI/AAAAAAAADw8/2D1U5kYd7c8/s1600/12-13-2010_0602.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574135029353827538" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KFPA3lwGVI/TVtORrKyTNI/AAAAAAAADw8/2D1U5kYd7c8/s400/12-13-2010_0602.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjvwdDcesqY/TVtORXj4BxI/AAAAAAAADw0/yopd0lq3jT0/s1600/12-13-2010_0601.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574135024090351378" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjvwdDcesqY/TVtORXj4BxI/AAAAAAAADw0/yopd0lq3jT0/s400/12-13-2010_0601.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xq_81aEanQc/TVtOQ4ZTrhI/AAAAAAAADws/lJANmJk8DuU/s1600/12-13-2010_0600.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574135015724527122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xq_81aEanQc/TVtOQ4ZTrhI/AAAAAAAADws/lJANmJk8DuU/s400/12-13-2010_0600.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OF6SwgG5NTc/TVtOQfViQZI/AAAAAAAADwk/mxuivSzFPEk/s1600/12-13-2010_0599.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574135008997818770" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OF6SwgG5NTc/TVtOQfViQZI/AAAAAAAADwk/mxuivSzFPEk/s400/12-13-2010_0599.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vKu-xX4CrBc/TVtOPz_3ZCI/AAAAAAAADwc/vK0BkIO_CZg/s1600/12-13-2010_0598.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574134997364204578" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vKu-xX4CrBc/TVtOPz_3ZCI/AAAAAAAADwc/vK0BkIO_CZg/s400/12-13-2010_0598.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DiJ5mN3u9uI/TVtNyAcz52I/AAAAAAAADwU/wC0PSB0-KOw/s1600/12-13-2010_0596.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574134485310760802" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DiJ5mN3u9uI/TVtNyAcz52I/AAAAAAAADwU/wC0PSB0-KOw/s400/12-13-2010_0596.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zswgsWDlz1Y/TVtNx3r4ucI/AAAAAAAADwM/-wqGC1KH9BM/s1600/12-13-2010_0595.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574134482958072258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zswgsWDlz1Y/TVtNx3r4ucI/AAAAAAAADwM/-wqGC1KH9BM/s400/12-13-2010_0595.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-obaq7ae9vUw/TVtNxuMRLkI/AAAAAAAADwE/79Pt9Tcvq6g/s1600/12-13-2010_0593.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574134480409538114" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-obaq7ae9vUw/TVtNxuMRLkI/AAAAAAAADwE/79Pt9Tcvq6g/s400/12-13-2010_0593.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKfJCTcjMWc/TVtNxT0GrgI/AAAAAAAADv8/YF35X3Rap8c/s1600/12-13-2010_0591.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574134473328864770" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKfJCTcjMWc/TVtNxT0GrgI/AAAAAAAADv8/YF35X3Rap8c/s400/12-13-2010_0591.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_lEpe9N5jLM/TVtNxBAj19I/AAAAAAAADv0/DVyxp5H_uxg/s1600/12-13-2010_0590.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574134468280834002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_lEpe9N5jLM/TVtNxBAj19I/AAAAAAAADv0/DVyxp5H_uxg/s400/12-13-2010_0590.jpg" /></a> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size:100%;">Self Timer. Didn't quite make it in time.</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tO1ra0lhovo/TVXfNELDLeI/AAAAAAAADvY/hzOMIVh7Vns/s1600/12-13-2010_0589.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572605529492237794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tO1ra0lhovo/TVXfNELDLeI/AAAAAAAADvY/hzOMIVh7Vns/s400/12-13-2010_0589.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_OKVj4cFrI/TVXfMygMGmI/AAAAAAAADvQ/Cd3lqWOjH50/s1600/12-13-2010_0588.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572605524749064802" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_OKVj4cFrI/TVXfMygMGmI/AAAAAAAADvQ/Cd3lqWOjH50/s400/12-13-2010_0588.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Vz76hU-cMM/TVXfMv-n2KI/AAAAAAAADvI/dtWKMk4cXQE/s1600/12-13-2010_0584.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572605524071405730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Vz76hU-cMM/TVXfMv-n2KI/AAAAAAAADvI/dtWKMk4cXQE/s400/12-13-2010_0584.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ssZMJWKbDs/TVXfMdOgO2I/AAAAAAAADvA/1mD52yO7MjA/s1600/12-13-2010_0582.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572605519037741922" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ssZMJWKbDs/TVXfMdOgO2I/AAAAAAAADvA/1mD52yO7MjA/s400/12-13-2010_0582.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h-ePXc033O0/TVXfMEpwmnI/AAAAAAAADu4/v4v1l4LFWJY/s1600/12-13-2010_0579.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572605512441174642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h-ePXc033O0/TVXfMEpwmnI/AAAAAAAADu4/v4v1l4LFWJY/s400/12-13-2010_0579.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KdgHAT7cnl0/TVXeuYSNsGI/AAAAAAAADuw/i6aS2ycHxlk/s1600/12-13-2010_0573.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572605002315051106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KdgHAT7cnl0/TVXeuYSNsGI/AAAAAAAADuw/i6aS2ycHxlk/s400/12-13-2010_0573.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sr2nz_nVTVI/TVXet68fdQI/AAAAAAAADuo/2tvUzfnXAnI/s1600/12-12-2010_0624.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572604994439312642" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sr2nz_nVTVI/TVXet68fdQI/AAAAAAAADuo/2tvUzfnXAnI/s400/12-12-2010_0624.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gn9sIM415tA/TVXetgiSAPI/AAAAAAAADug/LwxM6Dl-4ho/s1600/12-12-2010_0571.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572604987350057202" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gn9sIM415tA/TVXetgiSAPI/AAAAAAAADug/LwxM6Dl-4ho/s400/12-12-2010_0571.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGX8xzZhT5g/TVXetH91X4I/AAAAAAAADuY/M3y-gOiKJwc/s1600/12-12-2010_0568.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572604980754734978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGX8xzZhT5g/TVXetH91X4I/AAAAAAAADuY/M3y-gOiKJwc/s400/12-12-2010_0568.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A1aofPzO4PI/TVXes4Ht46I/AAAAAAAADuQ/1Gzka-Gwv_M/s1600/12-12-2010_0566.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572604976501220258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A1aofPzO4PI/TVXes4Ht46I/AAAAAAAADuQ/1Gzka-Gwv_M/s400/12-12-2010_0566.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lIlgUJmC6Q/TVXeMpOsCmI/AAAAAAAADuI/Z1DNJzzfO-Y/s1600/12-12-2010_0565.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572604422748113506" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lIlgUJmC6Q/TVXeMpOsCmI/AAAAAAAADuI/Z1DNJzzfO-Y/s400/12-12-2010_0565.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_60S56byyGA/TVXeMRTARrI/AAAAAAAADuA/MJu-D22o7e0/s1600/12-12-2010_0558.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572604416323765938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_60S56byyGA/TVXeMRTARrI/AAAAAAAADuA/MJu-D22o7e0/s400/12-12-2010_0558.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d91JteiTr9M/TVXeMPcHImI/AAAAAAAADt4/SN3Kb42p89U/s1600/12-12-2010_0557.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572604415825093218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d91JteiTr9M/TVXeMPcHImI/AAAAAAAADt4/SN3Kb42p89U/s400/12-12-2010_0557.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hq-V1LIYBgo/TVXeLwNotMI/AAAAAAAADtw/JbshQlZMUAg/s1600/12-12-2010_0556.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572604407442879682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hq-V1LIYBgo/TVXeLwNotMI/AAAAAAAADtw/JbshQlZMUAg/s400/12-12-2010_0556.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bUqTWXUssTg/TVXeLm2UxDI/AAAAAAAADto/TxB_LdEnANs/s1600/12-12-2010_0554.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572604404929184818" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bUqTWXUssTg/TVXeLm2UxDI/AAAAAAAADto/TxB_LdEnANs/s400/12-12-2010_0554.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BPB5EkGqtxg/TVXdyFWfyiI/AAAAAAAADtg/yRSxGKD1-UI/s1600/12-12-2010_0553.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572603966440589858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BPB5EkGqtxg/TVXdyFWfyiI/AAAAAAAADtg/yRSxGKD1-UI/s400/12-12-2010_0553.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z01nfsUIU0M/TVXdx3d9VxI/AAAAAAAADtY/5co-W8SccGg/s1600/12-12-2010_0552.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572603962713790226" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z01nfsUIU0M/TVXdx3d9VxI/AAAAAAAADtY/5co-W8SccGg/s400/12-12-2010_0552.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYRGm89ZcEg/TVXdxob2GuI/AAAAAAAADtQ/_H-dmTOEFME/s1600/12-12-2010_0551.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572603958678395618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYRGm89ZcEg/TVXdxob2GuI/AAAAAAAADtQ/_H-dmTOEFME/s400/12-12-2010_0551.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-giUkBNm8Arw/TVXdxV0a3hI/AAAAAAAADtI/a2jq6TBNdD4/s1600/12-12-2010_0549.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572603953681194514" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-giUkBNm8Arw/TVXdxV0a3hI/AAAAAAAADtI/a2jq6TBNdD4/s400/12-12-2010_0549.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hk_4lINBqmk/TVXdxKqenfI/AAAAAAAADtA/B5BiUk5S9ZQ/s1600/12-12-2010_0548.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572603950686707186" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hk_4lINBqmk/TVXdxKqenfI/AAAAAAAADtA/B5BiUk5S9ZQ/s400/12-12-2010_0548.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-40146706085785019342011-01-31T09:15:00.000-08:002011-02-03T13:49:57.708-08:00Well this week was interesting.<p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Dear Mom,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures. They were obviously taken with great care. ;) But I’m glad I got some pictures of the Tirana pallats. They are so awesome. I miss that city. And there are TONS more. That’s just like the norm for apartment buildings on main streets. There’s a lot of ugly ones, too, but I figured I’d spare the memory space on my SD card. And yes, pretty much everybody goes on a death trip. They have to finish the progression program, but most people do. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Oh man, I can’t wait for the newsletter. I love those things. Tell Bro. Briggs thanks for doing them. I don’t know if I’ve told him that before, but seriously that’s like the best thing I get in the mail every month. And man that’s a bummer about the Christmas package. =( I hope it gets to you cause it’s awesome! If it does happen to come, there’s something in there for Kiersten as well so make sure to get in touch with her when it comes. Yes that’s right, I used the word “when.” It’s going to come. I’m putting my trust in the Albanian Postal Service. But I have a history of trusting the wrong people. . .<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Well this week was interesting. I was sick for about three days which was a bummer. It is sooooo boring sitting in your house doing nothing. I hated it. We got to go out for at least one appointment each one of those days, but man that was a long time in the house. Yesterday was our first full work day after that and it felt good. It also felt really good to wake up at </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:time hour="18" minute="0"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">6:00</span></st1:time><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> and get a workout in this morning. Oh man, I’m so glad I’m not sick. (I accidentally had typed the “sock” instead of “sick.” I thought that was entertaining.) It seriously is awesome to be able to work hard. Sometimes you complain about it, but man it is such a better option than the opposite. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">We started our English Course this week and it was a HUGE success. Over 70 people came the first day and we’ve already had 6 or 7 people come to the YSA center. We’re really looking forward to this course. God must have helped us out a ton with that too because we didn’t have hardly any time to hand out fliers the week before which is when we had planned to hand out the most. Darn rain. On Friday, our religion portion of the class went really well. We did our famous cups lesson about the Great Apostasy and the Restoration of Christ’s church. The spirit was definitely there. I just remember that I was giving my testimony in the end of the lesson and it hit me really hard. Maybe the others weren’t feeling it like I was, but I know that this is God’s church on the Earth. I know the Book of Mormon is true and thereby that Joseph Smith was a prophet. Sometimes you just need a little testimony refresher and I’m grateful that I was able to get one this week. We’ve also got a couple of good prospects from the course. One of which we’re meeting tonight so I’ll let you know how that goes next week. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">We also had the opportunity to do kind of a missionary directed discussion for second hour (your third hour) since it was a fifth Sunday. We talked about missionary work. Last year the branch had 12 baptisms and so we asked them what they would like their goal to be for this year. They were coming up with anywhere from 15-25 baptisms in 2011. We had discussed this with President Smith before and he had told us that we could change that to 80 baptisms if we had the members help. After they had decided on a goal of 20 baptisms for the next year, we asked them, “Would you believe us if we told you that you could have 80?” It was hilarious to hear everybody almost simultaneously say, “What?! No way!” Anyway, we were able to have a good discussion with them based off of Elder Ballards talk, “Faith, Facts, Family, and Fruits.” Or something like that. Basically we just armed them with things that they could say when their friends asked them to tell them something about their church. And not necessarily all about our beliefs, but cool facts that most people don’t know. Like for instance how a new church building is built every working day. We explained how when people ask that, they usually aren’t really <i>interested</i> in the church, but just want to know something simple. That’s something that I really hadn’t thought about that much. Probably since missionary opportunities in Alpine, </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Utah</span></st1:place></st1:State><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> are running kind of slim these days. But it turned out alright. I always imagine things turning out stellar and so I’m always a little disappointed at the end of them when they’re not exactly how I had imagined, but I think it did the job and I think the Spirit was there. We’re hoping to see awesome things from the Vlorë branch in 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">It was so dang cold here last week, but today we were out on the beach playing some futboll Amerikan in short sleeves and shorts. I would absolutely love it if this week turned out that way. =) Well anyway, I hope you all have an awesome week! Let me know about anything cool that happens. Thanks for writing me and caring about me and supporting me and praying for me and all those other things you do on my behalf. It’s greatly appreciated. Zoti ju bekoftë dhe ju shpërbleftë!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Me shumë dashuri,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">-Elder Swenson </span></p>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-34022565749146009682011-01-24T09:24:00.000-08:002011-01-27T16:28:59.313-08:00I've been really impressed with the missionary work that goes on here in Vlorë.<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Hey Mom!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">So I used a ton of time sending pictures today so this e-mail probably won't be as long as usual. I'm sorry I've had trouble sending pictures lately, but I think my flash drive and SD card must have had viruses on them cause this guy here at the internet place got them working. It was awesome. I really like this guy now. But you're getting LOTS of pictures this week. They're all from the death trip or first branch cause I haven't taken any with Elder Knowles yet because my camera charger has been in first branch. But I got that this week too so hopefully we'll be able to get some more pictures as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">We had a really good week for the most part. We taught a lot of lessons and were able to find some new investigators. I've been really impressed with the missionary work that goes on here in Vlorë. From the members, I mean. We've already met a ton of the members' friends and it's been awesome. We also have two recently returned missionaries in our branch which is AWESOME. So it's been a good experience so far. It's a little stressful sometimes, but that's okay. It's good for me. I definitely have learned a lot of lessons already. Most of them with managing my time. There's tons of stuff to do since we're over two areas and I also have to do Branch Presidency stuff since I'm the second councilor. I'm learning how to organize things and not forget stuff. I'm not very good at it as of right now, but I'm really glad I'm getting this time to learn before I come home. Man I have so much to work on!! It's incredible how much you realize that you're so inadequate on a mission. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">We went to a really good training this week about first lessons and how to create a desire to want more in investigators. And when I say first lesson, I don't mean like the first lesson in PMG. I mean the first meeting we ever have with people (i.e. tracting). It was really good. We learned that we should be making it more of an overview rather than going into detail. We focused on taking something from the information that we get from them and applying the different principles of the gospel to their specific needs and interests. It sounds pretty basic, and it is, but you'd be amazed how you get caught up in what you think you're "supposed to say." I know for me a lot of the time, if I don't get a really good explanation of the first vision or the Book of Mormon or other such things, then I am uneasy. But the truth is that we don't want to get into too much detail so that we leave them wanting more. Genius! I really enjoyed the training and we're really gonna try to put that into practice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">As far as Kristina goes, she's doing awesome. The only bad thing is that we have to give her to the sisters now since we can't meet her at her house because she has some friends/a brother that don't let the lesson go very well. It annoys her too. She actually asked us if we could meet at the church before we could get it out. But she has been doing really well. She's reading and praying and coming to church. This week, she told us about how she got an answer to prayer that was really cool. She said she was reading the Book of Mormon and she prayed and felt something really good. She didn't really know what it was, but she knew that it was from God. We're really excited for her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">As far as what to get me for my birthday, how 'bout a "Get Back in the Swing of Things" Kit for when I get home. =) No, I seriously don't know. Because I'm only going to have it here for like a month and I'm already trying to get rid of a bunch of stuff for when I leave. Pictures are always really awesome. =) Oooh maybe a birthday cake mix? Or a recipe for a really good cake? Mmmm. . . .good times. By the way, Chicken A-la-King is awesome and I'm really glad you sent me that recipe. </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:city><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Griffith</span></st1:place></st1:City><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> loves it too. But mostly I just can't wait to see you guys again and hang out with you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">I love you all! I'm grateful for your support! I'm praying for you and I'm grateful for your prayers on my behalf. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">-Elder Swenson<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-59306677793517296902011-01-24T07:02:00.000-08:002011-01-24T07:50:17.284-08:00Elder "Rocky" Swenson<span style="color:#663300;">It worked! Here is one more from when Elder Swenson's district went to a circus in December of 2009. Look closely, it's him in the ring.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzz6w3LscDtUg2_lSHZ9aXTl4oAzKY0lbnz5ecErea0f-RUZN5H8qRvvHNyd8Y23pN1-vbDJnSCMsw0GAuG' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-65735368760640421272011-01-24T06:13:00.000-08:002011-01-24T06:32:49.670-08:00Elder Swenson's Amazing Talent from the MTC<p>I went to lunch with Motra Bentley a couple of weeks ago and got some pictures and a couple of videos from her. I haven't ever posted a video before so I hope this works. This just makes a mom proud.</p><p>Jeanne Swenson</p><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyLkjtKYtE-fYTmzzZSiB8i1YYnl_4D1rMbi15FWDe46Q0pRfH-r9xlftiodFM69HjPR4yERlGBMIL3UdB9ag' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-22876160855579945112011-01-10T13:01:00.000-08:002011-01-11T15:02:41.293-08:00Message for the January Newsletter<p style="MARGIN: 6pt 4.3pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Hey Y’all!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 4.3pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">So I’m in Vlorë right now which is a big change for me. Back on the beach. . .and in the winter again. So I don’t really get to enjoy it that much, but that’s okay. There are only two elders now where four used to be so we do a lot of walking. =) I really like that actually because back in first branch we had just gotten a car and so we didn’t get to walk very much. So maybe, just maybe, I’ll come back whipped into shape. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 4.3pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">I don’t really know what to write this month! I’ve just been feeling really weird lately, knowing that the end is coming. Ugh! It’s funny cause I was super trunky and kinda known for it throughout the mission until about three months ago (I’ve always been a hard worker, though, so don’t think I was lame like that) and now I really don’t want to leave. Sure there are some good things about home like family and music and stuff, but then there’s so much to worry about too! Anyway, beside the point.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 4.3pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">I just got last month’s newsletter two days ago and I <i>love</i> reading that thing. You guys are so awesome. I absolutely love hearing all your stories and experiences from your missions. Man the mission has been awesome. It sounds like it’s been the same for you all. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 4.3pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Well they always tell you when you don’t know what to say, to testify and so since there’s really nothing new to say that’s what I’m going to do. I love my Heavenly Father and I know that Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior and He loves us. I’ve felt His love tons during these last 21 months. I’m very weak, but I know that those weaknesses have brought me closer to Him. Repentance is awesome. I’m so grateful for the Atonement. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I always feel good when I read it. Always. I know that it is from God and guides us in our lives today. I’ve received answers from those words and I’ve seen others lives change through them. It’s undeniable. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 4.3pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">I hope you know that I love you all and can’t wait to see you again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 4.3pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">“Loud may the sound of hope ring till all doubt departs!”</span></i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 4.3pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">-Elder Swenson<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 6pt 0in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-25264885720018027732011-01-03T13:26:00.000-08:002011-01-09T17:28:10.124-08:00Happy New Years!<p style="MARGIN: 19.2pt 9pt 8pt; mso-para-margin-top: 1.6gd; mso-para-margin-right: 9.0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left: 9.0pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Hey Y’all!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 19.2pt 9pt 8pt; mso-para-margin-top: 1.6gd; mso-para-margin-right: 9.0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left: 9.0pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">First of all, Happy New Years! I think that was probably the fastest year of my life. I can’t believe I’m going to be 21 soon. That’s really weird. It sounds like you guys had a blast for New Year’s ha ha. We stayed up later than you and we’re missionaries! We were actually at President and Sister Neil’s until the fireworks at </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:time hour="0" minute="0"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">midnight</span></st1:time><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> and then after that we went back home. It was fun stuff. The fireworks were considerably less impressive this year. Last year they were still going strong at around </span><st1:time hour="12" minute="30"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">12:30</span></st1:time><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> whereas this year they were pretty much over by </span><st1:time hour="12" minute="10"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">12:10</span></st1:time><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">. But it was good while it lasted. I got a couple of good pictures. I’m sure President got way better pictures though.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 19.2pt 9pt 8pt; mso-para-margin-top: 1.6gd; mso-para-margin-right: 9.0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left: 9.0pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">So I did say that this week had hopes of being a more normal missionary work week. Well. . . .that definitely didn’t happen. We did do some tracting towards the beginning of the week, but it was not super effective since everybody was preoccupied with New Year’s preparations and such, but it felt so dang good to get out there and tract. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 19.2pt 9pt 8pt; mso-para-margin-top: 1.6gd; mso-para-margin-right: 9.0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left: 9.0pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">And actually I should be able to start doing a lot more of that since I am headed back to Vlorë! I’ll be going tomorrow and Elder Knowles from Draper will be my companion. I’m not gonna lie it really really stinks to leave 1<sup>st</sup> Branch, but I’m sure I’ll be able to have a good time in Vlorë for my last three months. I’m a little hesitant because the Vlorë branch is made up of TONS of youth and it gets pretty crazy sometimes. It’s just known for being pretty irreverent and if you’re not careful, you’ll have the whole branch against you in no time. But I’ve been praying for help and obviously the Lord is not sending me there to fail so I’m counting on His direction. So next week should be the really exciting e-mail! =)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 19.2pt 9pt 8pt; mso-para-margin-top: 1.6gd; mso-para-margin-right: 9.0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left: 9.0pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">This week most of the visits we did were kind of goodbye visits. Last night we went to see the Deda’s with President and it was an awesome time. The Deda’s also had some cousins over and we were able to talk with them a little bit and make some new friends. They are an awesome family. I love teaching them. And I’ve been able to teach Ajvi (their 10 year old son) piano which has been way fun. He is really REALLY good. I’m really sad to leave because I don’t know if anybody in the new 1<sup>st</sup> Branch district is going to be able to play or teach him, but we’ll figure something out. We also visited Vasil for the last time which was kinda sad. Oh man he’s funny. He’s just got so many random stories about everything. The branch is really entertained by him. He’s a little slow to grasp things sometimes, but with time and repetition it will get there. =) It’s funny. He calls me Mono because Swenson is almost impossible for the majority of Albanians to say so he figures that Simon is close enough to Swenson and therefore uses the Albanian shortened version of Simon and so now I’m Mono. =) Good times.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 19.2pt 9pt 8pt; mso-para-margin-top: 1.6gd; mso-para-margin-right: 9.0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left: 9.0pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">It really is sad to leave. I’ve had a lot of good times here and learned a TON about the gospel and just about missionary work in general. It’s been really good. I can’t believe it’s almost over. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 19.2pt 9pt 8pt; mso-para-margin-top: 1.6gd; mso-para-margin-right: 9.0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left: 9.0pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Well I hope you all have an awesome week! I’ll hopefully have some interesting stuff to write next week. And I’ll send you pictures next week cause I wont be at the mission home anymore for e-mail so I can just send pictures from wherever I’m at. Have fun at lunch with Motra! Tell her I said hi and also tell her to u martofsh sa më shpejt! She’ll understand. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 19.2pt 9pt 8pt; mso-para-margin-top: 1.6gd; mso-para-margin-right: 9.0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left: 9.0pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Love you!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 19.2pt 9pt 8pt; mso-para-margin-top: 1.6gd; mso-para-margin-right: 9.0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left: 9.0pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">-Elder Swenson<o:p></o:p></span></p>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-74505650591987477152010-12-27T13:23:00.000-08:002011-01-09T17:24:54.753-08:00Man it's going to feel good to just work again.<p style="MARGIN: 8pt 0in 6pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Hey Y'all! <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 0in 6pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">I don't have a ton of stuff to say cause we just talked, but I just wanted to let you know that I love you! Talking was fun/awkward! It was good to see you all though. Sorry again for my poor conversational skills, but hopefully someday I will have something to talk about. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 0in 6pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Actually one new update. Last night I completely destroyed my blue suit. And when I say destroyed it I mean annihilated. You should have seen it. I didn't have my camera on me, but Elder Griffith got a good picture so I'll have to send that to you sometime. I was running up the staircase in the mission home to go put some keys back up in the office and as I was turning around the banister, it went into my coat pocket. So as I started moving up the stairs, my coat ripped almost in half and now I have no blue suit! So that suit that I said I might have someone make for me is now a need. =) And I'm thinking I might get two. . .? One black and one navy to replace the one that I just massacred. So if you could put some money on my card that would be great.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 0in 6pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">I've also got a lot of thank you cards to do so I'll be getting those out soon. I need to write the Briggs, Grandma and Grandpa, Kris, and of course you guys for all the stuff you gave me. Man that was an awesome package! By the way, Elder Griffith had never eaten a chocolate orange before so this was a good experience for him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 0in 6pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Hopefully this week we'll have a fairly normal missionary work week and I'll have some cool stories to write you next week. Man it's going to feel good to just work again. Can't wait! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 0in 6pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">I love you all! Talk to you next week!<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">-Elder Swenson</span>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-51480257327976153212010-12-20T13:13:00.000-08:002011-01-09T17:20:16.166-08:00You guys have got to experience an Albanian branch Christmas party.<p style="MARGIN: 8pt 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Hey Mom! <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Well our week pretty much got destroyed. . . .but it was still a good week. Oh man, you guys have got to experience an Albanian branch Christmas party. This was seriously probably the best Christmas party I have ever been too. I got some good pictures hopefully, but then my camera died right in the middle of the party so I didn’t get some pics that I would like to have gotten. We had a really good program put on by the various auxiliaries of 1<sup>st</sup> Branch and then we went downstairs for dinner and some good ol’ popullore dancing. (Don’t worry, I wasn’t involved in the latter.) But man it was funny to watch. They LOVED it. If there is a people that loves to dance it is the Albanian people. There were people from ages 4 – 65 out there. I honestly have not seen so much joy in people’s eyes for probably. . . .well probably ever. I don’t know if I can do it justice in an e-mail.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">So I’m so sorry about last week! I totally forgot about the trip until like Thursday night and we left early Monday morning. A senior trip (also called “the death trip”) happens when you finish your progression program within a year. If you finish everything, then you get to take an extra P-day with your MTC group before you leave the country. And because my MTC group consisted of Sister Bentley who is already in </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">America</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">, I got to go with the group ahead of me. We saw a lot of cool stuff! We went to the south of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Albania</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> and saw the sites down there. I got some pictures, but we all combined our pictures onto a CD and so I will send you some off of that cause those are probably better than mine. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">For the newsletter. . .<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Hey Everyone!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">I can’t believe you’re home, Tim. That is just wrong. 'Nuff said. It's so weird to think that all of our missions are drawing to a close. Well, most of them anyway. ;) It's amazing to me that I/we have been out for so long and it has seemed like nothing at all. Lately I've kinda been freaking out because it's just hit me that I'm going to be leaving first branch pretty soon. I've been here for almost nine months and I love this branch. We had a branch activity for Christmas on Saturday and all the members were having a blast dancing to their traditional popullore music. As I was looking around taking pictures and just enjoying myself, I started realizing that after every person I would say something like, "Man I love Brother Deda," or, "Man I love the Saraçi family." I don't know if I've ever been in this same situation before. In all my other areas I've only stayed for one or two transfers and now I've been with these amazing members of 1st Branch for nine months. I am so grateful for the opportunity I've had to see these members grow. It's crazy how much you grow to love the individuals and families you work with.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">We’ve had an interesting experience lately with the Deda Family. The family is made up of Agim (the father), Çlirime (the mother), and Ajvi and Ansa (the two children). For about the first seven months that I was here, Agim was the only one that would come to church. He is an amazing member with an amazing story. Unfortunately, the rest of his family was not doing as well as he was. Çlirime was at work every Sunday and wouldn’t really sit in for the lessons when we came over. Ajvi has had a really hard time coming to church (I don’t really know what that means for a 10 year old, but the point is he hadn’t been coming), and Ansa just does whatever Ajvi does. About a month or so ago, Çlirime got Sunday off for once in a long time and came to church with all the rest of her family. We were obviously really happy, but we knew that she had just lucked out and got Sunday off randomly and we figured that it would just go back to normal the next week. We had also had a lesson before that about the first part of the Plan of Salvation and she was an active participant in that lesson. It was a really good week for her, but like I said, we figured that things would just go back to normal the next week. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Good works in mysterious ways. The next week, we find out that Çlirime had a terrible accident at work. She had been standing on a counter cleaning something that was high up and fell straight onto one side of her body severely cutting her head. After she was out of the hospital, we went over to their house and paid her a visit. She was pretty out of it and you could tell that Agim was a little bit stressed with the whole situation. We let them know that we would pray for them and if there was anything else we could do, we would come running. A few days later, we come over for our weekly teaching appointment and Çlirime is in about the same state that she was in before. So we start the lesson while she is laying down on the couch somewhere in between sleep and consciousness. The first question we asked was, “Do you remember what we talked about last time?” This, of course, left the whole family searching through the depths of their memories to remember what it was. After a little while of them taking shots in the dark, a weak little voice coming from the couch says, “We talked about how we were with God before this life as spirits and how we’re His children.” There was a long pause as I turned my head to look at Çlirime with my jaw hanging open. In my head I was thinking, “Dang! Your brain just got rocked by a tile floor and you still destroyed your entire family! Nice!” She then explained to us all the points that we had discussed in the previous lesson. The Spirit was definitely there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">I say God works in mysterious ways because ever since she has been able to move around, Çlirime has been at church every week and at all of the little activities during the week. She is in all the lessons and is even reading the Book of Mormon. She lost her job because of that fall, but we have seen that she has gained a lot more than that. I’m not going to lie and say I know that’s why she fell at work because I don’t know the reasons for everything. But I hope that she realizes what a difference she has made in her family and in the church in this last little while. She gave a testimony in testimony meeting this last month and I don’t know if I have felt the presence of the Holy Ghost more in a long time. It is AWESOME to see the Deda’s all together again. I’m so grateful that God has blessed them this much, however weirdly it was done. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">God rocks. Trust Him. Work hard and He will get it done. I love you all! I can’t wait to see you again! Gëzuar Krishtlindjet e Gëzuar Vitin e Ri!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> <i>“Ring out the darkness of the land; Ring in the Christ that is to be.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> </span></i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 9.35pt 0pt 0in" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">-Elder Swenson<o:p></o:p></span></p>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-41727365227647476832010-12-13T10:45:00.000-08:002011-01-09T17:10:30.207-08:00<p style="MARGIN: 6pt 9.35pt 8pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Hey Everyone! <br /><br />So I forgot to tell you last week, but I'm actually in Saranda on my senior trip! So I don't have any time to write. We just wanted to get a quick e-mail off to let you know we're still alive and well, but I will send you the thing for the newsletter next week. Hey, say hi to Tim for me. I can't believe he's coming home. About the Christmas phone call. . . .it will be on the 25th pretty much for sure, but I'll let you know on the time. <br /><br />I love you guys! I'm sorry I don't have more time to write, but I will catch you next week and I'll have lots of cool pictures too. Love you! Have a killer week!<br /><br />-Elder Swenson<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-67931686912972581742010-12-11T20:53:00.000-08:002010-12-11T22:03:04.995-08:00Pictures!!!<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRi99wH5PI/AAAAAAAADgY/Pudpvyn4Mx8/s1600/11-7-10%2BIMG_0396.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549669457515242738" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRi99wH5PI/AAAAAAAADgY/Pudpvyn4Mx8/s400/11-7-10%2BIMG_0396.JPG" /></a> <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Got my game face on.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRi9WWIHII/AAAAAAAADgQ/FPsJW8He_ww/s1600/11-7-10%2BIMG_0395.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549669446937222274" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRi9WWIHII/AAAAAAAADgQ/FPsJW8He_ww/s400/11-7-10%2BIMG_0395.JPG" /></a> <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Massive trench coat that was in the office.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRio1Y67hI/AAAAAAAADgI/hquVrF9SirY/s1600/11-7-10%2BIMG_0391.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549669094493187602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRio1Y67hI/AAAAAAAADgI/hquVrF9SirY/s400/11-7-10%2BIMG_0391.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRion5JI_I/AAAAAAAADgA/Vvy0Xqidl6g/s1600/11-7-10%2BIMG_0390.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549669090870240242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRion5JI_I/AAAAAAAADgA/Vvy0Xqidl6g/s400/11-7-10%2BIMG_0390.JPG" /></a> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Short tie. How embarrassi<wbr>ng.</span></span><br /><br /></p><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRioE6NBHI/AAAAAAAADf4/4bUM6Jv1RQM/s1600/11-7-10%2BIMG_0388.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549669081479447666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRioE6NBHI/AAAAAAAADf4/4bUM6Jv1RQM/s400/11-7-10%2BIMG_0388.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRin6orFPI/AAAAAAAADfw/-c109iij72I/s1600/11-7-10%2BIMG_0387.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549669078721565938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRin6orFPI/AAAAAAAADfw/-c109iij72I/s400/11-7-10%2BIMG_0387.JPG" /></a> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Henrik Frroku from the branch.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRinjA2HOI/AAAAAAAADfo/MGJvL8V2Iaw/s1600/11-2-10%2BIMG_0382.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549669072380501218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRinjA2HOI/AAAAAAAADfo/MGJvL8V2Iaw/s400/11-2-10%2BIMG_0382.JPG" /></a> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">On the road again.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRh0UF9IYI/AAAAAAAADfg/QLEwop27-48/s1600/11-2-10%2BIMG_0381.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549668192202072450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRh0UF9IYI/AAAAAAAADfg/QLEwop27-48/s400/11-2-10%2BIMG_0381.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRh0Bpx1II/AAAAAAAADfY/AYQ77iUiUdo/s1600/11-2-10%2BIMG_0380.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549668187252053122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRh0Bpx1II/AAAAAAAADfY/AYQ77iUiUdo/s400/11-2-10%2BIMG_0380.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><div><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRZBduBN6I/AAAAAAAADes/gYNASLPorbQ/s1600/11-2-10%2BIMG_0378.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549658522519680930" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRZBduBN6I/AAAAAAAADes/gYNASLPorbQ/s400/11-2-10%2BIMG_0378.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRZA06OGNI/AAAAAAAADek/JjPqVR5-OU8/s1600/11-2-10%2BIMG_0375.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549658511565002962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRZA06OGNI/AAAAAAAADek/JjPqVR5-OU8/s400/11-2-10%2BIMG_0375.JPG" /></a> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >Our district minus Elder Griffith.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#663300;"><o:p></o:p></span></b> <div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRZAEiwtcI/AAAAAAAADeU/vMyen9N73EE/s1600/11-2-10%2BIMG_0368.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549658498581706178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRZAEiwtcI/AAAAAAAADeU/vMyen9N73EE/s400/11-2-10%2BIMG_0368.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRY_X_3zUI/AAAAAAAADeM/SrMUDz9FYDI/s1600/11-2-10%2BIMG_0367.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549658486624210242" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRY_X_3zUI/AAAAAAAADeM/SrMUDz9FYDI/s400/11-2-10%2BIMG_0367.JPG" /></a> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >This was a good view. You can't really tell in this picture though.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#663300;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRX7VDJZ6I/AAAAAAAADeE/gP70ejM_kPc/s1600/11-2-10%2BIMG_0362.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549657317601535906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRX7VDJZ6I/AAAAAAAADeE/gP70ejM_kPc/s400/11-2-10%2BIMG_0362.JPG" /></a> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >From the viewpoint of the bunny that I slaughtere<wbr>d</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#663300;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRX66RCtQI/AAAAAAAADd8/1pTKto9puXs/s1600/11-2-10%2BIMG_0361.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549657310412059906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRX66RCtQI/AAAAAAAADd8/1pTKto9puXs/s400/11-2-10%2BIMG_0361.JPG" /></a> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >We went hunting for our food.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#663300;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRX6jY44pI/AAAAAAAADd0/BGbPDLhm5j8/s1600/11-2-10%2BIMG_0359.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549657304270955154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRX6jY44pI/AAAAAAAADd0/BGbPDLhm5j8/s400/11-2-10%2BIMG_0359.JPG" /></a> <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place><st1:placetype><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >Mount</span></span></st1:placetype><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" > </span></span><st1:placename><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >Dajti</span></span></st1:placename></st1:place><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#663300;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRX6CCuSnI/AAAAAAAADds/0vcZgDk7unI/s1600/10-29-10%2BIMG_0356.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549657295319616114" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRX6CCuSnI/AAAAAAAADds/0vcZgDk7unI/s400/10-29-10%2BIMG_0356.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldcolor:#663300;" >The mountainee<wbr>r with crutches.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="color:#663300;"><o:p></o:p></span></b> </span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRX5quKydI/AAAAAAAADdk/an7LNGB10SQ/s1600/10-29-10%2BIMG_0350.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549657289059387858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRX5quKydI/AAAAAAAADdk/an7LNGB10SQ/s400/10-29-10%2BIMG_0350.JPG" /></a> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >Me and </span></span><st1:place><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >Beni</span></span></st1:place><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >!</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#663300;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRWX1NZz_I/AAAAAAAADdU/OISUOCO_HZA/s1600/10-29-10%2BIMG_0346.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549655608247570418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRWX1NZz_I/AAAAAAAADdU/OISUOCO_HZA/s400/10-29-10%2BIMG_0346.JPG" /></a> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >Motra Toska e Vogël</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#663300;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRWXrCbh2I/AAAAAAAADdM/loPt9i6bdiY/s1600/10-29-10%2BIMG_0340.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549655605517191010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRWXrCbh2I/AAAAAAAADdM/loPt9i6bdiY/s400/10-29-10%2BIMG_0340.JPG" /></a> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >What happens when a 10 year old steals your camera.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#663300;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRWXTvELyI/AAAAAAAADdE/e1Frz30ynwE/s1600/10-29-10%2BIMG_0335.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549655599261953826" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRWXTvELyI/AAAAAAAADdE/e1Frz30ynwE/s400/10-29-10%2BIMG_0335.JPG" /></a> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >I have no idea what's going on here.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#663300;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRWXOZyvYI/AAAAAAAADc8/gWQPToFFDLQ/s1600/10-29-10%2BIMG_0327.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549655597830552962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRWXOZyvYI/AAAAAAAADc8/gWQPToFFDLQ/s400/10-29-10%2BIMG_0327.JPG" /></a> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >Elder </span></span><st1:city><st1:place><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >Griffith</span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" > being creepy 2.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#663300;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRV52ePl-I/AAAAAAAADc0/Cps5ctZ33G8/s1600/10-29-10%2BIMG_0326.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549655093190563810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRV52ePl-I/AAAAAAAADc0/Cps5ctZ33G8/s400/10-29-10%2BIMG_0326.JPG" /></a> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >Elder </span></span><st1:city><st1:place><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >Griffith</span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" > being creepy 1.</span></span><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRV45tKeNI/AAAAAAAADck/0IY71EIZHuw/s1600/10-29-10%2BIMG_0315.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549655076878579922" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRV45tKeNI/AAAAAAAADck/0IY71EIZHuw/s400/10-29-10%2BIMG_0315.JPG" /></a> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >From the castle at Petrela.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#663300;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /></div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRV4af6R7I/AAAAAAAADcc/qMDLLqBMJ68/s1600/10-29-10%2BIMG_0293.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549655068501493682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRV4af6R7I/AAAAAAAADcc/qMDLLqBMJ68/s400/10-29-10%2BIMG_0293.JPG" /></a> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >Bro Dervishi and I on the way to Petrela.</span></span><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRV4AYiJaI/AAAAAAAADcU/uzmphLgwR3U/s1600/10-24-10%2BIMG_0287.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549655061491230114" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YUW754206M8/TQRV4AYiJaI/AAAAAAAADcU/uzmphLgwR3U/s400/10-24-10%2BIMG_0287.JPG" /></a> <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption1"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-: boldfont-family:Arial;color:#663300;" >Me and Elder Griffith</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#663300;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-79858032132674562422010-12-06T08:37:00.000-08:002010-12-11T20:38:08.530-08:00Our branch is getting ready for our Christmas party<p style="MARGIN: 8pt 8.65pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Hey Mom! <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 8.65pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Well that Christmas party sounded pretty intense. Holy cow our branch is getting ready for our Christmas party as well and let me tell ya, they are getting into this. We ended church yesterday at about </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:time hour="12" minute="0"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">12:00</span></st1:time><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> so they could practice their songs and skits and stuff for the last hour. We ended up being there until a little after </span><st1:time hour="14" minute="0"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">2:00</span></st1:time><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">. Suffice it to say I’m getting my fill of piano playing. It’s kinda fun though, cause the songs are pretty boring so I get to spice them up a little. ;) The district (stake-like substance) is planning on doing a Christmas party as well so all the branches can get together. The district relief society president has been put in charge of the program for that and she’s really getting into it. . . .maybe too much. Apparently the program is like three hours long of just skits and music and other such things. So we’re going to have to talk to her about that. . . .<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 8.65pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Anyway, thanks for that gingerbread house recipe! I might give it a try, but we’ll see. It seems like it would take a long time and I don’t know if I have that ha ha. I hope your gingerbread houses go well over there! By the way, did you notice that I sent you all some pictures last week? I hope you enjoyed them!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 8.65pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">So missionary work.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 8.65pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">This week actually went really well. Right now we have four investigators that are preparing to be baptized on Christmas. And all four of them are looking fairly good! Lira is giving me some weird vibes so I hope that’s just a passing thing, but everyone else seems pretty solid. We met with Leta and her two sons last night to start the stop smoking program. Her sons are definitely on board with this program. They hate that their mom smokes and they are pretty ready for her to stop ha ha. This was actually the first lesson that Xhoi (her older son) actually came to and Leta said that it was just because he heard that his mom was going to quit smoking and needed his help. So we’re excited for her to become a non-smoker next Sunday! (Well, technically she’s a non smoker right now. . . .)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 8.65pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">We actually had something pretty funny happen to us this week that was surely a blessing from the Lord. It’s Wednesday. We have an appointment set with Dorian for </span><st1:time hour="19" minute="0"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">7:00</span></st1:time><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"> at his house. We knock the door. Nothing. We knock again. Nothing again. We knock yet again. Nothing yet again. Obviously we were pretty downhearted at that, but as we were walking down from the third floor of his small apartment building, we ran into one of his neighbors who told us that we could talk to Dorian’s uncle who lived just below her. We knock on the door together with Dorian’s neighbor and a woman answers the door and looks pretty excited to see us. We had actually tracted into her a couple days before and found out that she was an inactive member. That day, we had narrowly escaped her trying to convince us that she was, in fact, a member of our church by showing us all of her pictures that she or her daughter had ever taken with missionaries or other members. Well tonight we didn’t. Almost the first thing she said to us was, “I told you I was going to prove to you that I’m a member!” She bustled around her hallway for a minute while we were standing at her door and finds a purse that looks pretty heavy. She opens the purse to expose loads and loads of old photos. Awesome. So we end up standing in her doorway for like ten minutes looking at photos of her baptism and old missionaries and branch activities, etc. and I joke sarcastically to myself, “I bet that this woman showing us her old pictures is God’s way of stalling us so Dorian can get back to his house before we give up on him.” Turns out that’s exactly what happened! No less than a minute after I had that thought, a boy comes running into the stairway out of breath. When he saw us, he let out a sigh of relief and said, “I’m glad I caught you before you left!” We were actually able to go up to Dorian’s house and have a good lesson with him. It was just so weird/awesome to actually have that happen. God really does look out for us and, even though He works in mysterious ways, he wants us to have success.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 8.65pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">So that was my cool story for the week. I hope you enjoyed it. I love you, mom! I can’t wait to talk to you guys on Christmas. Speaking of which, this could kinda be complicated from my end of things cause there are 17 baptisms scheduled on Christmas right now. . .so I’m going to have to work some stuff out and get back to you next week on a time, but I’m guessing around 6:00 or 7:00 or maybe even later. . .? I hope that would be okay. Oh by the way! I got a package from you this week and I’m assuming that it’s the Christmas one so I haven’t opened it yet. =) So thank you for that! Man I love you guys!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 8.65pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Have an awesome week! Thanks for your letter!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 8.65pt" class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">-Elder Swenson<o:p></o:p></span></p>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8971834488607477565.post-52115856000404583002010-11-29T08:22:00.000-08:002010-12-11T20:30:20.948-08:00We were really blessed this week.<p style="MARGIN: 8pt 0in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Hey Mom! <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 0in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">The subject line is definitely the most difficult part of the e-mail so don't worry about it. It looks like you guys had a pretty good week! I hope your Thanksgiving went well. It was pretty awesome here. We ate WAY too much dessert. Here in the Albania Tirana Mission we all gathered at the mission home for a "Zone Conference" and Thanksgiving Dinner which was graciously prepared by Sister Neil with the help of the couple missionaries that are here. And the dessert was up to the missionaries. Oh man there was some good stuff. Afterwards we got to watch Toy Story 3 which was actually pretty funny. I don't know if you've seen it yet, but that would be a good one! Ooh Dad said that the new Harry Potter was really good! Oh man I can't wait to see it! I love those movies. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 0in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">We were really blessed this week. We had a lot of good things happen. Not really because of our work, but because of the Lord's work. Interesting how that works out sometimes. We've continued meeting with Leta (the basketball player) and she is doing well. She got to see a baptism on Saturday that was really really uplifting and I think she really enjoyed the simplicity of it. She also really enjoys "Count Your Blessings" like every single other Albanian on the face of the earth. . .But we had been wondering what to do for her son, Xhoi, who is 13 and kind of at that stage where you don't want to do anything that your mom says. Remember that? ;) He hadn't come to any of the meetings that we had with her this week and so we figured that there was no chance in an extremely warm place that he would come to church. But lo and behold on Sunday morning we were waiting outside the church greeting people as they came in and Leta shows up flanked on both sides by her two sons! I don't know why he came but I'm glad he did. I think he had a better time this week than he did last week, too. So although that might seem like a small step, I am grateful for whatever progress he's making. Leta is still doing awesome. When she saw that family get baptized I think it really reinforced in her mind how much of a blessing it would be to have your entire family in the gospel. Hopefully that will be able to happen in the near future. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 0in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">But I still think my favorite thing that happened this week was with a woman named Liri (lee-REE). On Saturday, we had some time before branch correlation with Vëllai Toska so we decided to get out and tract for a little bit. After a while, we had to ask ourselves if we should go back or if we should keep tracting. There was obviously not enough time to teach a lesson if somebody let us in, but because we're idiots we figured we'd keep going. Idiots MY FOOT!!! We knocked on Liri's door and she was kind enough to let us in to hear a short message about God. We shortly found out that she and her husband had had one daughter who had died when she was 17 years old. That was an extremely hard thing for them to go through and her husband went through a period of serious depression. It was obvious what we had to talk about for the few minutes that we had before we had to leave. We asked her if being with her daughter again would be a desirable thing for her to which she replied, "Of course! I would do anything." We taught her that, because of a prophet in our day, we have learned more about God's plan and how all of us can return to God with our families if we will just follow his commandments. We asked her if she would be willing to try this and she said yes. We invited her to church the next day and she said she would come. We were able to say a prayer at the end of the lesson and ask God to help Liri to know what to do so she could see her daughter again. As we lifted our heads up after the prayer there were tears in her eyes. You could tell that she really missed her daughter. She came to sacrament meeting on Sunday and brought a friend and was able to meet some of the members in the branch. So many people say that they will come to church and then don't show. I can't tell you how happy I was when Liri showed up to the church. Ten minutes early even! I know that the gospel will be able to heal that wound in her life if she will act on the message she hears. We are going to visit her again tomorrow and I am so excited for it! I really hope that Liri is willing to let God help her family to be reunited again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 0in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Sunday night finished off the week in like fashion when we were able to set a baptismal date with a fifteen year old boy named Dorian on his birthday. When is his birthday? December 25th. =) I don't know what else there is to say about this week. I'm grateful for the Lord and his hand in our lives. He really loves us. The hard times are hard, but the good times are so worth it. I know God answers our prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 0in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">-Elder Swenson<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 8pt 0in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; COLOR: #663300; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">P.S. By the way, is there any way you could send me the recipe for the gingerbread houses that you make? I just want to see if it would be possible to do those here. The Albanians would love it. Thanks!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Erik Swensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315239137235235069noreply@blogger.com0