Culture Shock

Mirëdita! Naten e mirë! Mirë Mëngjes! Nuk e di ku jeni :)

Culture Shock of the Week:

1. The fact that I can't think of anything specific this week because everything just seems normal to me now is a shock itself (the ultimate culture shock) haha

2. It is as if you cannot leave someone's house without getting some sort of treat we like to call "nëna candy" and a cup of juice. No matter how much you say, "I'm fine, really, no really, but really" You might as well just not say anything at all.

3. I've become best friends with the police. They just pull over people all the time to see if they're drinking and every time they pull me over, we immediately share, "We're missionaries from the church of Jesus Christ!" and then they're like, "you can go".

Korcë is doing SO awesome right now! This past Sunday we had 33 people in church! I was so happy to hear a baby cry during sacrament meeting this past Sunday because of the fact that we actually had a baby in the meeting to cry. It felt a little bit like home! We had so many families all sitting together in church meetings and there was just this special spirit of seeing so many families gathered together to partake of the Sacrament and remember our Savior. There's a power in all working together as families to follow our Savior and His example. Why do we have families? They are truly gifts from God! We have families here to help us, strengthen us, and encourage us. I am so thankful for my family as I have learned from their examples and we have worked together to serve God and through that, we are strengthened together.

We have been doing tons of activities with the people here in Korcë it's been awesome! Every Monday, we do family home evening and this past Monday we had everyone bring a dish so then we could all try each others' cooking. One guy made rice pudding with "Të duam Zot" written in cinnamon. That means, "We love you God". It was the best. We also taught the people 4 square and this past Saturday we had a talent show. We had some people put on skits and Motra Willey and I sang "Count Your Blessings" to the cup song. 

We are teaching this mother and her daughters. She was talking to Motra Willey and I saying, "If I had a son, I'd have you marry them" and it was as if she was trying to marry us off throughout the rest of the lesson with the sons she doesn't have haha Also we don't know what's happening in Korcë! People are just so ready! We have been doing a lot of street contacting and everyone is like, "Yeah we can meet up!" We will have to see!

We are still in the beginning of meeting with people but as the weeks go on, I will share more about their progress. We have just been really trying to strengthen the people right now in Korcë as they are the beginning of this little branch. There's a reason why they've been the first people found and I just know that God has a plan for all of us. It's truly a blessing to see one of my recent converts teach a lesson in family home evening to her family and seeing our other members prepare for their missions! There truly is a joy in sharing the gospel! I can testify of that because I feel the greatest joy everyday being able to testify of my Savior! I love this gospel with all of my heart and am so thankful everyday to be apart of these people's lives!

Thank you for all that you do for me! My P-Day won't be until Wednesday next week because we have a special mission conference on Monday. I love hearing from all of you! I hope you have a wonderful week! 

I had to get the European Telephone Booth photo. The best part is that this phone booth is completely broken. You can see the phone just hanging there in the booth. 

​"We love you God!"​

​Yes! Albanian food! ​

​Our family at Family Home Evening.​

​We went to Pogradec to meet up with the young women in that small branch. We brought our young woman and invited the mothers.​

One of our members, Shpresa, brought some things she knit at home to Relief Society. I just love Relief Society.​

​We found a mall in Korcë! Who knew?!​

This is a random playground we found in the city....​

'Merica!​

​

-- 

Mirupafshim! Të dua!

Motra Olsen

Letters:

Adriatic South Mission
Sister Natalie Olsen
POB 2984
Bulevardi "Gjergj Fishta"
Qendra "Alpas", Shkalla #5, Apt #14
Tirana
Albania

(If you can't send it with the POB box number, you can just send it without it. I'll still get it)

Email: natalie.olsen@myldsmail.net

mormon.org

Të pafsha në ëndërr me një dhëndërr

C'kemi! Si Jeni?

Hey how've you been! Things are going SO AWESOME here in Korcë! I'm also officially LEGAL WOOOO!  (Finished all my paper work to be a resident in Albania)

Culture Shocks of the Week:

1. Albanians and directions. It is so funny! I was having a member tell me where to go and there was a fork in the road. He said, "Go straight" and I'm just like, "it doesn't work like that!" haha then when I reach the end of the road and there's either a right turn or left turn, they say, "Turn!" At that point. I'm just lost haha

2. There's food I didn't think could be food. I had this meat juice mixed with oil....yeah.....

3. I tried the only American fast food place here in Albania-KFC. Best thing was that we ordered the "snack box" and the picture looked great filled with chicken legs and fries. We then open up to find one lone chick leg and a couple of fries. It didn't help that is was about 3 times the price than it would be in America...I'm just going to stick to the Albanian food haha

So a couple things about how our little branch (not even a branch yet)works here in Korcë. There are 4 missionaries here in Korcë: Motra Willey and I and then the 2 Elders. One of the Elders represents our "Branch president". We run about everything you can think of in the church. Branch council: that's us. Branch activities, strengthening members, teaching, giving talks every other week, and more are included in that. It has been such a blessing being involved in everything and helping our little branch grow! We just started relief society this last week and started Young Women's last week! My companion and I run both of those programs while the Elders works with the priesthood. I love these people and I have loved helping to establish the church here in Korcë along with teaching and finding people! 

As for those I am teaching, the work here has been so awesome! We are teaching this amazing family who lives in a fshat (a little town close to the city) who does everything they can to get to church. One of the daughters I about teared up when she walked through the doors of the church yesterday as she did everything she could to get out of things for school to get to church! She is amazing! She is preparing for baptism and when we taught here about the Word of Wisdom, since that day she has immediately stopped drinking coffee! She says since then, she drinks cocoa instead and has seen the blessings. It's been incredible! She has such a love for this gospel and has been sharing with us how she is coming to know that this church is true! She calls Motra Willey and I her angels as we have come to help her to come to know of the truth!

We have another family here where the children are members and the mom has been reading and LOVING the Book of Mormon! She actually finished reading it this last week! Every time we go over to their home, I feel like I am home. I have loved being able to strengthen my faith through helping to strengthen them! We read Book of Mormon stories and relate them to our lives! This last week we taught about Lahonti and the Hill Antipas (Alma 47) and how he gave into the temptations of Amalikiah. We talked about how we need to establish our hills and not give into the little things! I have learned so much from their humility as they wrote down things they can work on now to stay up on the hill reading their scriptures, praying, going to church, and doing the little things to strengthen them!

Another family we are teaching is this adorable couple working together to get baptized. They are having difficulties with the Word of Wisdom but I have loved seeing their desire and their strength. The wife, she is so funny. She's hid her husband's cigarettes and when he asks where they are, she calls out, "You shouldn't be smoking! The sisters told us not to!" Another time, she opened up the Bible and she was like, "Look at that! We need to repent or we're going to end up like these people." I love them!

Finally, we are teaching this one family who asked us, "None of the other churches have the Book of Mormon or have ever heard of the Book of Mormon. How do we know true?" I was then able to testify, "That's what makes us different. We have the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ contained in the Book of Mormon and all we need to do is to read it and pray about it to know it's true. We can know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints truly contains the fullness of the gospel and truly is Christ's church restored on this earth."

I truly know that this church is Christ's church! I know with all my heart that the Book of Mormon and what it contains brings true happiness. I love serving these people and I have been learning so much from these people and I am working to sharing with you more about their experiences along with mine. I love this gospel and I wake up everyday so happy to have another day serving the people of Albania.

I love you all! Have a wonderful week! Të pafsha në ëndërr me një dhëndërr (May I see you in my dreams with a husband. I get told that all the time haha)

​I made my companion a Valentine's Day Breakfast!​

​Albania Pizza is SO GOOD!​

​​We found this on Valentine's Day in Old Korcë!

​This is a typical meal given to us from the people here just for the 2 OF US! And that there is the meat and oil juice...yummy ;)​

​Why are the stray dogs here so cute? ​

​The closest I'm going to get to a temple on my mission....​

​Our Young Woman Activity! We made prayer rocks! They say, "Lutu!" Which is the command form of "Pray".​

​Yeah this is how I get my fresh produce every week! Ahh I'm in heaven!​

​Motra Willey and I made an apple byrek! ​

​

-- 

Mirupafshim! Të dua!

Motra Olsen

Letters:

Adriatic South Mission
Sister Natalie Olsen
POB 2984
Bulevardi "Gjergj Fishta"
Qendra "Alpas", Shkalla #5, Apt #14
Tirana
Albania

(If you can't send it with the POB box number, you can just send it without it. I'll still get it)

Email: natalie.olsen@myldsmail.net

mormon.org

Gëzuar Ditë e Dashurisë!...or Beqareve?

Gëzuar Ditë e Dashurisë! (Valentine's Day)

Culture Shocks of the Week:

1. February 14th is Ditë e Dashurisë and February 15th is Ditë e Beqareve (Day of Singles). So I was talking to some members and they told me about Ditë e Beqareve-me thinking there's like this Albanian festivity that they do for singles on that day asks, "How do you usually celebrate Ditë e Beqareve?" They respond "vetë" (alone). 

2. The people here are so funny. I love them. We were over at these sweet lady's home. She was telling us about the hazelnuts she got. She's like, "Where's your bag?" She then grabs my bag and just dumps a bunch of the nuts straight into the bag along with my books and papers haha

3. Fortune telling in cups of coffee is a thing. It makes me think of the grim from Harry Potter haha

I just want to share how much this gospel truly does change lives. As I have been here, I have been looking for every opportunity talking to people in the streets, inviting people to church and activities, and offering service to people to share with them the light and happiness that is our Savior Jesus Christ. I have seen so many people coming from losing a loved one, from addictions, and from difficult trials that has found the peace that comes through following our Savior Jesus Christ. Why is it so important that we follow Christ by having faith in Him, repenting, going into the waters of baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end? This is the only way for us to return back with our Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ with our families! What is the purpose of life? We are here to prepare to meet God through learning and growing through our trials and following Jesus Christ. We are able to understand what is joy as we experience what is pain and sorrow. What a blessing! Not only do we have this beautiful gift that is life and joy on earth, but we are given an even greater gift that is through Christ's sacrifice, the Atonement, we all have that ability to change, repent, follow His example, and return back home to our Father in Heaven.

This past week, I have had the opportunity to teach multiple times about this plan: the Plan of Salvation. It was until this week that I realized the impact of this message-this love that God has for us that He has given us a plan to return home! As we taught some families who have recently lost family members, their tears of joy reminded me of the joy of this knowledge! Life is hard. We face trials, struggles, losses, sorrow, and pain. However, that is not the purpose of life. There is so much more. It is through our Savior that we find joy and peace. It is through our Savior that we work towards that eternal purpose of living with our Father in Heaven and our families forever. As we keep that in mind, trials are blessings as we learn and grow from them. As we keep that in mind, these struggles are but a small moment. As we turn to our Savior and follow Him, therein lies true happiness. God has a greater plan for us as He KNOWS us as we are His children. These trials we face are what we need as they are the will of God. As I think of the will of God, I have thought about that it is what God wants for us. I have then come to realize that the will of God is more than that. God knows us individually. He knows how we will react naturally in certain circumstances and in certain situations. Because God knows us, we experience certain trials because He knows it is only through that that we can grow. God will never give us a trial that we cannot handle. It's as if the will of God is more than what God wants for us, but He wants it because it is what we need for ourselves. He loves us so much that His will is for US. The will of God it may take time to accept it, but I promise as we look back, we will see how we have grown. We can see how we have discovered happiness. Then, as we do that, we can see that the Lord has been here with us all along. I know that to be true. God has a plan for us: each of us. I have found peace knowing that I can put my trust in my Father in Heaven with infinite love for each of us. I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all so much! Have a wonderful week and Happy Valentine's Day!

Standing on top of Korcë! In Albania, usually they have a cross on the top of every mountain. Today we went on a P-Day trip where we hiked to the cross by Korcë and looked out to see all of Korcë! We also went to this beautiful WWII memorial cemetery here in Korcë.

World War II Cemetery.

The nuts in my bag. I love it hahaha

ALBANIA IS SO BEAUTIFUL!

Chilling on the top of a mountain.

My companion Motra Willey! I love her! She is such an amazing teacher and has such a sweet heart. I am learning so much from her!

Church on the top of the mountain.

​

​Altin was baptized this past week! We brought some people from Korcë to Pogradec and met up with the people there. I truly love these people so much!

-- 

Mirupafshim! Të dua!

Motra Olsen

Letters:

Adriatic South Mission
Sister Natalie Olsen
POB 2984
Bulevardi "Gjergj Fishta"
Qendra "Alpas", Shkalla #5, Apt #14
Tirana
Albania

(If you can't send it with the POB box number, you can just send it without it. I'll still get it)

Email: natalie.olsen@myldsmail.net

mormon.org

Wild Peacocks?

Alo! Si jeni?

So a lot has happened this past week! I got to go to Macedonia for a day and got a new companion! Her name is Motra Willey! She is from Utah and she SINGS! We actually have sang to the people in multiple lessons and afterwards they say, "Të lumtë goja" (Bless your mouth). I am so thankful to be able to bring the spirit into the lessons as we sing such beautiful hymns to the people! It is powerful!

Culture Shocks of the Week:

1. Wild peacocks are a thing. On a P-Day trip, my District and I went to Macedonia to see these beautiful churches. First off, I felt like I was in the Shire or in some storybook. I then turn the corner to find a flock of wild peacocks....it was awesome!

2. Typically when you go into people's homes, they are so sweet to give you something to drink like juice or coca-cola. Afterwards, everyone clinks glasses saying, "Gëzuar" multiple times. Eshtë qef :) (It's fun)

I truly cannot express the love I feel for these people in words. The people here are some of the friendliest, open people. Just the fact that we can go up to a lady and ask, "Do you know where a Bukuri is" (bread shop) and then she says, "Yes I'll take you right to there". She then grabbed Motra Willey's and my arms and walked all the way to the Bukuria. I love these people and I feel it more and more everyday as I serve them! 

I was reading in 1 John 4 in the Bible and it says,

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

God is love. As we serve others, we can feel a little more and understand more of the love that God has for us. I am so thankful to get a little glimpse of that love as I serve His children here in Albania. Truly, love is so powerful. Why? Because God is love! Think about the love that He has for us that He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to the earth to suffer for us so that we don't have to! Think about the love that He has for us that at any moment in any place, we can drop to our knees and TALK to Him pleading for comfort or for peace. Think about how much love that He has for us that He has given us the path to eternal happiness in the Book of Mormon and the scriptures that we can hold in our hands and follow it. His love is ALWAYS there! The love you feel from those around you whether it be through a smile, a compliment, or an act of service, that is love from God. The love of God is real! Pray for it, search it, and you will find it. I love you all so much and I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

This week, pray for the love of God and go out and do a small act of service for someone. Do you know why you feel good when you serve? That's because you feel the love of God that He has for you. I know that to be true! Love you and have a wonderful week!

Motra Wiley (the blond)

Church in Pogradec.

Motra Cajupi and I with our matching sweaters!

We went on a trip to a beautiful fshat near Pogradec!

Motra Cajupi and I just chilling with this famous actress at the location of a famous Albanian film.

Trip to Macedonia:

This gorgeous church in the woods!

The closest I could get to water ;)

 YEAH WILD PEACOCKS

White peacocks are a thing.

Our district!

Our Korcë "branch" at Family Home Evening before Motra Cajupi left!

We went to Tiranë for a day this week for transfers!

A statue of the famous Skëndër Beu. And KEVIN!

We made some banana bread and this was the only pan we had....we made it work.

This is my favorite picture. Which one? You can decide ;)

KORCA!

​Probably my favorite place to eat.

-- 

Mirupafshim! Të dua!

Motra Olsen

Letters:

Adriatic South Mission
Sister Natalie Olsen
POB 2984
Bulevardi "Gjergj Fishta"
Qendra "Alpas", Shkalla #5, Apt #14
Tirana
Albania

(If you can't send it with the POB box number, you can just send it without it. I'll still get it)

Email: natalie.olsen@myldsmail.net

mormon.org