Looking back it's a blurr. But one that is full of really great memories and wonderful feelings (if only I could remember what they are). "Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most!" Let me go back through some of our pictures and my daily planner to remind myself of what we did this month....
Oh yes, Two all day trips to Tirana for High Council meetings, fixing tithing reports for the stake, eating with the other senior missionaries, getting lost (however I am getting better at finding myself around in that city of mass confusion), stopping in to pick up the missionary mail and several other miscellaneous to do items. We did a quick trip to Lushnja to inspect apartments before transfers, apartment inspections at Vlore and Fier and ate lunch with the missionaries. We had an exciting trip to Berat (we took the back road this time) and a nice drive out to the end of a country road which brought us to a beautiful cove beach on the sea shore. Okay, so we mix in a little pleasure site seeing with the apartment inspections - that's okay isn't it?
Our YSA activities this month consisted of a pergone ride up to the Kanine Castle, a beach party (watermelon, volleyball, kite flying, campfire spiritual thoughts, etc), a really good fireside by the Stake 1st Counselor and his wife, and a movie night watching "Other Side of Heaven" with Shqip subtitles.
We've worked a little with the humanitarian missionaries (Ortons) on a couple of projects here in Vlore. There are a few items that the home for austic children needed so we are working to itemize those things and prepare a budget to provide them. We also went with them to a government trade school to try and get some equipment for their cooking school. It is interesting to see how different people react as we come in and say we want to help them with their institution. The project we completed for the orphanage here was right around $3000.00. The church did two new parquet floors a lot of painting, some roof repair, toys and clothing. Some act like they deserve the help while others seem really grateful for the assistance.
Working with the ward seems to be a never ending project. I love working with the Bishopric and helping them understand the programs of the church. They are very easy to teach and respond well to my help. I appreciate their trust since they do not have a church handbook in their language they have to trust that I am really teaching them the correct way to do things. Like organizing the Aaronic Priesthood, the Young Women's program, calling and setting apart members, home teaching and all the rest of the details of running a ward. The ward council is still struggling a bit with getting along with each other but they are making great progress.
We now have an Elders Quorum President and I have been asked to be his 1st counselor. He's doing a great job and the Home Teaching is moving forward. It's been 0% for the last 6 months but June is up to 20% . We are now following the lesson schedule - 1st Sunday Presidents message 2nd & 3rd Sunday President Benson and 4th Sunday General Conference. I know that sounds like some pretty basic stuff but we are now headed in the right direction.
I love cleaning the church building early in the morning. It's quiet, I can think, and also feel the spirit that abounds in church buildings. I even did a little painting last week. It's so pleasant to meet in a nice clean building.
Well, for not remembering what we've done for the past month I've sure thrown out a lot of words. Missionary work is both rewarding and disappointing. Some days we feel great and some days we struggle with our effectiveness. Still in it all is a powerful influence of the Spirit of God. We have come to know Him is a different way and can without hesitation testify that He lives and is intimately involved in the work of salvation of every one of His children. It's true, He is our father and He loves us - everyone of us.
Elder Larson
