Scatter Sunshine: Adriatic South: Jam Një Bijë e Perëndisë (I am a Child of God)

C'kemi!! Më duket se verat juaja duken shumë të mira! So after giving a 15 minute talk in church yesterday, I am just reminded how much I do not know Albanian haha hopefully the people got the picture! Oh this language...it's a beautiful one but a hard one! I love it!

Culture Shocks of the Week:

1. The one includes a story: As we were doing street contacting, I approached a lady talking to her in Albanian and she looked so confused (most people do when they see 2 Americans speaking their language) but she she then called out "English!" I then found out that she was visiting from Ukraine. Then after my companion finished laughing at me, she approached someone right after talking to her in Albanian and she was so confused. We then find out she is from England. In conclusion: It is foreigner season. The Albanians however are stuck with me for a year and a half ;) haha

2. Uji me gaz-sparkling water is a thing everywhere (basically soda water) and I've become a fan. Also-it's watermelon season!

3. Summer has officially arrived and that means that it is blazing hot between the hours of 1pm and 6pm. I have never seen the streets so bear in Tirana! We carry around 2 L jugs of water to fuel ourselves :) I've also been called a tomato a couple of times-including from my bishop haha

So in the summertime we have a lot of people out of town or at the beach so there are a lot less lessons and meeting up with people. That just means that we have the opportunity to meet and talk to so many more people it's such a blessing!! We usually contact people later at night when it's dark because the heat is endurable then. It has been such a blessing talking with a lot of families and just leaving with them a message of hope when they are not interested. I love seeing so many families out and about here!

We are teaching the sweetest, humblest lady right now! She hasn't ever had schooling in her life so we are going to try to help her learn how to read and I just know that with the help of the Lord, she will be blessed and receive strength to accomplish this desire of hers! I also had a special experience answering the question how the gospel of Jesus Christ has changed my life. One thing I have come to realize that growing up, I have had the blessing of seeing how blessed I am! As I've grown up, I've know that I am a child of God and I have counted my blessings! I have realized that when I really count, when I really open my eyes, I see how much I am blessed! Whether that people through people placed in my path, scriptures that I have read and needed in the right moment, or a prayer that has caused a wave of peace to come over me. It is the little things that I realize how much this gospel truly does bless lives!

Finally, I wanted to share a message that I learned from a Nëna (older lady). We were talking about seeing the Lord's hand in our lives through people around us. She shared that if the Lord created all of us, then what would happen if we came to know everyone? Would we come to know God? I then think of Mosiah 2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. How do we come to know others and come to love others? We serve them! It truly is a beautiful thing! A major way to draw closer to our Savior and our Heavenly Father is to serve them through getting to know others and to serve them! It truly is such a blessing. Service is kindness, a smile, a simple act, and a compliment. It is through the little things that we come to know of our Heavenly Father and His Son, and we come to know pure joy and pure love. I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I hope you have just a fantastic week. Let me know of any fun vacations you are doing!