Just another crazy day in Lushje!! August 26, 2013

Hey Family! 

Another crazy week has come and gone in the life of Motra Hawkins and her rad companion Motra Wait. To sum things up simply, she is still pretty sick so yet again we have been cooped up in our apartment like a bunch of chickens!! It has been hard but I am happy and we have had some awesome conversations. As you probably know now from the pictures, we were able to go to our investigators home (Rista and Pirro Cauli) and milk their cows after our lesson with them. They are truly the nicest Albanians I have ever met and I don't know how I will be able to say goodbye to them. Also they joked that once I get home they are coming to America to me you (mostly Mom and Dad) and to see our farm. It is so nice, but also slightly difficult, to talk about farm stuff to someone who understands the farm life and culture. Our teaching has been going great with them and the two of them are going to be baptized this weekend!! I am so excited!!  

Some other fun things are that the interviews for temple recommends happened this week and the five people we have been teaching will be going in October!! There is this couple that is going to be sealed- the mom has been a member for ten years and the father for just over one. Just about a year ago their son passed away, and a while after his death he came to his father in a dream and told him he needed to become a member so that they could go to temple, have his work done, and be sealed together as a family. Last night I had the blessed opportunity of reserving the work for them via internet. I have always loved family history but to see the look on their faces and hear the pain in their voices over the loss of their only son, it brings me joy beyond description to be able to tell them that they can now be sealed. This is the kind of missionary work I love the most- the eternal kind!! The feeling I had last night as I submitted the information was beyond amazing- I know that he is so grateful!!  

Other good news is that all of the youth from Lushnje left for EFY today so that will be really good for them. Also, Majlinda- a member who just received her temple recommend- called us the other day and told us her husband will stop smoking because he wants to get baptized and eventually go to the temple with his family. It was an incredible surprise!! I can hardly wait to see what miracles will happen this week. Oh yeah and we found out that we are getting an expansion to our current meeting center because so many members are coming now. Just a year ago there were only five members attending. When we came there were about 25 and now we have an average of over fifty and more are getting baptized every week (almost..). It's awesome!! 

Welp that is all for this week. I'll let you know next week where I will be headed and what I will be doing. Love you all! 

Motra Hawkins 

P.S. Oh and we finally bought a microwave- it was an exciting day for us!!

Kati getting ready to milk the Albanian cow

Kati milking Milka, the Albanian cow

Another Week Comes and Goes -- August 12, 2013

Hey Family!! 

Sadly, this week was not the best- if not our worst in regards to the work. Like I may have mentioned last week, my companion is very sick and quite downhearted with her silly stomach. She is always laying in her bad nauseated and runs to the bathroom quite often. Many days this past week were spent inside the apartment, with her sleeping (or at least trying to sleep) and with me outside reading from the Gospel library and watching church related things. To sum up my week I watched the Work of Salvation broadcast twice, all of the past conference talks twice, watched all of the Mormon messages I have downloaded, listened to about five CES firesides, watched the Restoration video, and a couple other church productions. I also read a lot in the Book of Mormon, Jesus the Christ, started and finished Our Heritage and Our Search for Happiness. Basically I have done a lot of sitting, pondering, and knowledge gaining. It has been a nice physical break but I want to get out and teach!!! You know that saying, "You never know what you truly love until is gone." definitely applies this week. I can hardly believe how itchy I am to get  back out and teach our investigators, help members learn about the temple and do something other than sitting on a couch. I am hoping and praying that the medicine Motra Wait received today will make things a bit better because it is really hard for me to see her so upset over something she cannot really control. I think the biggest thing that I learned this week is that I truly do love teaching and that was manifest by the lack of it throughout the week. It's hard for me, but I know that it is so much harder for Motra Wait. Even though we were not with our investigators much this week we will still be having two baptisms this next week which we are really excited for and then a three more the week after that. Even though this past week was not the best, in the big scheme of things, the work is progressing and expanding faster than I ever thought it could or would. Haha I even had an investigator ask us if it was okay for him to talk to his friends about the gospel and invite them to come to church with him. I told her to talk to as many as he wanted and that the Elders could meet with the ones that we cannot. And then he asked if we could build a church out in his village..obviously he doesn't understand the need for Priesthood leaders (though he will be a great one here in a couple of weeks!!) Hopefully we are able to get some new investigators through that and help them begin to make sacred covenants. 

Well, other than that our week was pretty pale. Nothing crazy happened here. I hope you are all having a nice end to your summer and a special shout out to Casey and Collin ---> Happy Birthday bros!! And like the Albanians say, "Edhe nje qind!" which basically means may you live another 100 years. 

Well, that's all I have for this week. Pafshim! 

Love, 

Motra Hawkins

Haircut Gone Bad... August 12, 2013

oh yeah so I made the mistake of getting a haircut this week and coloring my hair. Pretty much I hate it. Any suggestions on what I can do to take the curls??

For the Fam -- July 29, 2013

Well Family, 

Not too many new things have happened this week.We are still working like crazy with all of our investigators (about 15 right now) and helping members prepare for the temple. We have these two investigators named Rista and Pirro that we just recently started teaching. The woman is a sister of a member so she was a referral more or less through that connection. Long story short they are wonderful!! You hear about people saying that "They were just prepared..." and I never knew what that meant until now. All of the investigators that we have been meeting with, we have been teaching them everything from the very basic level of the gospel because they did not know anything but have the desire to learn. With this family (yes family- that never happens here in Albania!!) they have a Christian background and read everything we suggest and then more! It is so wonderful. It's so nice from a teaching point of view because they already have that foundation and then we can easily build upon it. Other than them, only a couple of other things worth mentioning happened. We saw a guy wearing a BYU-I tshirt while riding past on a bike, I was stuck in bed all day wednesday because I had a really bad sore neck and shoulder from sleeping funny- I couldn't really move my neck at all, and while making a member visit the father was taken away by the police as a witness of some hazing. Pretty much it was an amazing week full of lessons! I really love Lushnje and am sad that here in a month or so I will probably have to say goodbye. 

Welp, again I don't have any questions so that's all for this week. Love you all!! 

Motra Hawkins

Hey Fam!! July 22, 2013

Okay this week I have to start by saying, "Happy Birthday Drewby-Doo!!" before I forget. I hope that you had a great birthday yesterday! Go on some dates or something...yep that's all I have to say about that.:) Oh and when it's Colli's b-day you should go on a double date. Today for our activity we went to the beach and I made a picture in the sand that said Happy Birthday Drew but I can't get the picture to attach. Maybe I can send it next week. I know, I'm lame- get used to it...

This week in Lushnje was very exciting and we have been doing a lot more work with the members than the past couple of weeks.If I ever think we are busy, the next week is always soooo much more busy.  Now on top of our regular investigator/recent convert/less-active lessons, we are also doing and English course, Young Women activities  and now we are teaching the temple course to all of the members who want to go to the temple this October. Luckily we never have any extra time because when we do, we will have a member call us with a referral and poof we instantly have work. The Lord truly has blessed us with a lot of work lately!! We are now halfway through this transfer and have found 25 new investigators and have had five baptisms!!! Speaking of which....

We had a baptismal service for the Daka family on Saturday and yesterday they were confirmed and received the Holy Ghost! After weeks of waiting, it finally happened and they were so happy! (Again I cannot attach pictures sadly). Additionally, Ervis (the son) was interviewed and next week he will receive the Priesthood! Today we are going to teach them more about the temple and eternal families. A couple of years ago, Xhevarihe's husband passed away so we are excited to teach them about eternal families and encourage them to prepare to go to the temple.Other than helping some of the members here prepare to go the temple, we are working hard with our new and old investigators to prepare for baptism. Something interesting that happened this week is that we received a call from one of the native missionaries who is serving in England (he was in Albania for visa stuff),Elder Hoxha, and he requested that we begin to teach his family who lives here in Lushnje. Hopefully his desire can be fulfilled before he returns home, or even when he does return.

The greatest thing that I have learned about missionary work this week is that it is all eternal work- we can do family history for those who are not here, spread the Gospel to those who are, and live and teach in such a way that our children will learn from our example. We not only teach eternal principles but are in the midst of eternal work. When I think of this and the hard days come, it makes the work that much sweeter. I think I have finally gained that missionary spirit and desire that all can learn and apply the principles of the Gospel in their lives because I see how it has helped me and desire that they may do the same. 

One other great thing that happened this week was the exchange we had with the Sister Trainer Leaders. I went to Fier and while I was away thought about what things I wanted to change with my companionship, and when I got back discussed those things with my companion. It was not easy thing for me to be so frank with her, but I have seen the extreme difference it has made and I know that it is a good thing. We are teaching more in unity now and the Spirit is with us in our lessons more often. Things aren't where I want them to be but the difference is huge! Also, rumor has it that I will be training again this next transfer so I am excited to be able to do this all again. I have seen how different I am because of it and I am excited for the challenge because I see how much good it has done and how much I have changed. Sometimes the change is hard and a bit painful, but change it is and always for the better. I truly love missionary work and the people we are teaching. A lot of the time I wish you all could be here to meet them, the other half of my family, and I hope one day that can happen! It may not be in this life but that day will come.  

Well that is all I have time for today. I hope you are enjoying your vacation in Mexico, and like I said last week,if there is anything specific you want to hear about let me know. 

Love you all! 

Motra Hawkins

Hey Family!! July 8, 2013

Hey You Guys- Long Time No See! ;) 

I just have to start by thanking you all for the wonderful package that I received this past week. The letters and plethora of goodies was about more trunkiness than I could handle. You made me cry, you made me shout for joy and you made me wish that we were back together again. I love have the calendar and being able to look at pictures of all of you every morning when I wake up.

As for the work here in Albania, this past week has been wonderful! Well, I guess depending on if you asked me or my companion you might get different opinions, but from this companion it was amazing! I might even venture to say that it was one of my best weeks out here. As a companionship, we have been setting effective goals, working toward achieving those goals and the growth has been immense. Just this past week alone we found seven new investigators (with an additional seven last week! which is a lot considering we only ever had nine the entire time I was in Durres), had three baptismal interviews, had five investigators at sacrament meeting, twenty-one lessons (that's a big number as well), and we even had a less active member come to church both of these past Sundays. Long story short, we are having a lot of success( which also means a lot of work!!) 

We have a wonderful group of investigators now (not all of whom have a baptismal date) but we are trying to take it slow with them and wait until they are ready. We have been having a lot of success out in this little fshat called Zhame. There was a family baptized by the previous Elders who are all really interested in learning about the Gospel as well as how to improve their reading skills. There are a total of about ten of them who are interested so it is a bit crazy. The other day in our lesson, there was a total of eleven other people- a little insane but a great lesson with all of them. Since they are from the village, they are not very learned- very simple people but very accepting of everything we teach. A lot of the time I feel like we are teaching Primary, but that is how the Gospel principles should be taught- at a level that even a child could understand. It is really helping my teaching skills learning how to teach them. Most of them do not know how to read or write, so tonight begins our work of teaching them to read and write in Albanian. This will be a bit hard because it is not my native tongue but I know the Lord will help them to learn and grow if they have the desire. One of the best things that we are going to do with them is read out loud from the scriptures. I have seen in my own life that reading out loud from the scriptures was one of the best ways to improve my reading skills and I hope that it will begin to help these villagers as well.

Some other exciting things that we are working on right now include organizing and encouraging Mutual (called Sebashku in Albanian) to help the Youth work on their Personal Progress and Duty to God, teaching English course twice a week, buying food for members who need extra support, inviting and supporting less-active members and families, preparing three people for baptism, as well as our usual proselyting efforts. It's been a bit crazy and it will only get busier but I love it. The days that we don't have much work are always the hardest.   

Like I mentioned before, we have had a lot of success this past week and there is never a dull moment. It seems that there is always something to be doing so thankfully there is no down time, which is how I prefer it, though I think my companion does not feel the same. I have tried to slow down my pace for her but there still seems to be a lot of conflict when it comes to our timing. I am trying really hard to work with her, and I feel that I am putting forth adequate effort, but I do feel that she is doing the same. I am also really struggling trying to teach her principles of missionary work that I have learned from my experience. I feel that most of the time when I voice my opinion, I am met with opposition and so I am beginning to stifle my opinion and advice more and more. I have been realizing that this is not a good thing because I want to teach her but cannot find the way to do so. I know that it will get better with time, but from time-to-time it sure tries my faith and patience. I am learning so much and am ever grateful for the tender mercies the Lord supplies.

Well, that is all I have for this week. Thank you for all of your love and prayers. They are needed and greatly appreciated! 

Until next week, 

Motra Hawkins

Crazy doesn't even begin to describe it... June 24, 2013

Okay since I forgot in the craziness last week, I have to start out by saying Happy Father's Day to Dad. Sorry I forgot. Thank you for being such a great example to me! 

Also, it sounds like things are going well at home. I'm sad I missed the family reunion, but before you know I will be back home. Sometimes it scares me to think how fast the next year is going to pass by. Every day by itself feels so long but the weeks pass by so quickly. 

This past week was especially eventful and full of much craziness as I mentioned before. To start off I shall begin by describing my companion in more detail now that I know her better. Her name is Motra Wait (or Motra Prit as I like to call her) and as her name implies I do a lot of waiting for her. She is a lot like my first companion Motra Forte in the fact that she really cares a lot about how she looks so consequently she spends a lot of time in the bathroom in front of the mirror. I do not believe there is anything wrong with trying to look my best, but when that begins to interfere with our study times it becomes very frustrating for me. Long story short, I am learning to have a lot more patience in different ways than I ever thought I could. She is also a very physical person- i.e. loves to give hugs and touch me which is weird because my last companion was quite the opposite. The entire time that we were together I think I only received one hug from her. Also she is vegetarian so I have had to say good-bye to meats for the next little while. Oh and she hates chocolate..also another hard thing for me to accept. What do you do? It has been difficult during lessons because she does not really speak and I do most of the teaching but it is good for me. But overall I am enjoying it here in Lushnje. We have met with most of the members and all of our investigators. We will have three baptisms here in a couple of weeks and hopefully two the following week if everything goes well!  

As far as the branch is concerned, it is very different than in Durres. There are only about 30 members that usually come instead of 90, and since yesterday was the election we only had about 15. The youth here are amazing, few in numbers but very strong. There is one in particular that is amazing- her name is Tea (pronounced Tay-a). She is basically a missionary and loves to help us with our lessons. One other interesting thing about this branch is that we only go for two hours because the relief society was really bad so now they no longer have it. Consequently, my companion and I will be very involved with young womens. We spoke with the branch president last week and found out that there is not mutual here so we are going to start planning and organizing that so that we can begin to help the young women work towards getting their medallion through personal progress. It is going to be a lot of hard work, but I am really excited! The more I think about it, the more I realize just how important the youth are here in Albania- they truly are the living blood of the church here, as well as the recent converts. The converts and investigatorrs that we are teaching right now live out in the middle of nowhere in a place called Xham. It is a fshat, or in other words a village. We have to take a taxi to get there, but it is great! The people literally have nothing in their homes other than some food, themselves and their clothes. They are so poor that they go and pick bunches of flowers and or weeds, dry them, put them in water and eat that for their meals. It is sad how much poverty there is here in Albania, it almost brings me to tears at times.The saddest thing here is that poor families only have a couple of children and the girls usually get married really young because that is one less mouth they have to feed...it's sad but that is just how the culture is here I guess.  

On a happier note, I have very exciting news!! On Saturday I was able to go to the baptism of Anesa and Adelsona in Durres!! I had initially decided that it would be too much effort to go and decided against it, but I am so grateful that I decided against it because to the two of them, it meant everything in the world. I don't think I have ever seen two happier little girls. It was literally a miracle that we got there on time, but we made it just in time for me to give a talk. The baptism was beyond wonderful and I am so grateful that I was able to witness and take part in helping them make that first covenant of baptism. As I was sitting in the meeting I was again reminded of how important the youth are to the growth of the church. I was just trying to imagine the two of them ten to fifteen years down the road, graduating from seminary, attending institute, serving missions and or getting sealed in the temple and in turn teaching their children the very principles which they are learning now.  The though brings tears to my eyes and I hope with everything in my heart that they will continue to strengthen their testimony of the gospel and never fall away.  

As far as the work goes, this past week has been very good for Motra Wait and I- we have been able to meet with all of our investigators, talk about baptism and help them to continue to progress towards baptism (all five of them!!). It is a bit hard because the previous Elders did not leave very updated records but slowly we are learning where they are at and what their concerns are. We are both very excited to get more involved with the branch and we are actually going to start organizing Mutual with the youth and help them begin to work towards finishing their Duty to God and Personal Progress requirements. Our finding efforts have not been very successful this last week, but I pray that this next week we will be able to find some new investigators through the efforts of the branch members. 

Well, that's all I have for this week. Tune in next time to hear more about some crazy Albania myths... 

Love you all dearly!!!

          Motra Hawkins

That is the hobbit I found in Durres. 

Here is me with Adelsona and Anesa and another missionary.