4-11-2011

"It has been beautiful here in Fier. It's a little further south so it's a little hotter than Tirana. We are going to a small town called Lushnje today and hanging out with a group of Elders. A few times every transfer we're allowed to go outside our area and go on a district trip. I think we might go to Barat this transfer and one other historical site about an hour away or so. My comp. is pretty cool. His name is McCullam and it's funny because Albanians can't say it at all =). He is from Utah of course =), but he is really cool and i'm excited to work with him. I will be with him for at least 7 weeks and then i might get a new comp, but who knows. He likes sports but he's not a big runner but i'm hopping i can convince him to come because there i a member here that loves to run and wants to go with us every morning. We aren't the first missionaries here because there is another companionship but we are in a different house and different area that just go reopened so we don't have any work so we will be busy tracting and talking with people on the streets. That's what i've been doing my whole mission but we will be doing it even more since we don't have meeting with people. There are some awesome members here!! We are neighbors with a family called Mellaraj and they are amazing! We went over there last night and had a great time getting to know one another. I felt so bad for my new comp. because he was lost but every new missionary is like that. It's nice to be able to sit back and laugh a little because i know it's all part of the experience of learning a new language. I remember when i was like him and i don't know how i ever got to the point that i am at now. We also went to lunch at a different families house and she fed us so much! I couldn't eat anymore i was so full. We had chili, beans, stuffed peppers with rice and ground beef in them, a Greek salad and another traditional dish. Yeah i know i was very thankful. I guess she cooks like that every Sunday for us. It's the Gjika family and they are the strongest family here in Fier. To say the least i am very excited to serve here in Fier. There are also unfortunately many many inactive families but i am excited to work with them and build relationships with them and help them come back to church. It will be a fun and exciting last 3 months"