Email from Motra Bezas - 8/28/2014

The following are snippets and pieces from Motra Bezas's email home so you can get a feel of the life of a missionary in the MTC...

Dear Family

I just have to start off saying that I love you all sooooo much, and I just loved the package. That made my day. Ironically, Elder G and I took it as a sign because he got a package that had chips and salsa as well! Talk about a party for our half way mark. This Saturday my companions and I are buying our mission t-shirt from the bookstore. And yes, there will be pictures ;)

Now for your questions:

There have been lots of special moments while I've been here. It's hard to narrow it down. Something that I feel a lot through the spirit is that my group of Albanian missionaries were called for this time and that we all knew each other before this life. I know this without a doubt in my heart, and that this mission we are serving for Christ is bigger than us all.

I still have my same teachers. Thank GOODNESS! They are amazing!

We have taught so many lessons now I've lost count.

The language is going well. We are now starting to review, and it still feels like I'm learning new concepts even though it is review. ;) It probably only feels new because I actually now have an idea what they are saying.

Well, the chocolate milk is up there, but I have had to stop drinking that and all pop because I got sick two days again. I'm trying to be healthy so I can heal quicker.

I only ate one of the granola bars I think. And that's it. All the sisters have food that could last us all for days. I have to take a picture of it some time.

The shampoo is amazing. I think it could last me my whole mission! :)

I love you all so much. I am learning so much. I am glad I am here with the companions I am assigned to. Thank you for all of your support and words of wisdom.

Love, Motra Bezas

Letter from Motra Bezas - written Sunday, August 24, 2014

(The following are snippets from a letter Motra Bezas wrote her brother still at home...)

Dear bro!

I just have to say right off than when I received your letter on p-day this last week, I freaked out! Thank you for taking time out of your life to write me. I miss you so much. I miss our wonderful chats and great memories we made. I love you SO much! I am so blessed to have you as a brother! Something that I forgot to tell you before I left and was going to give you personally was the Batman toy in my room. I want you to have it so much as a reminder of the adventures we've had and ones we will have when I get back.

Anyway, to answer your question, the MTC has been great. I am learning a lot and feeling the Spirit so much. The language is coming more and more each day. I really see the gift of tongues really at work, especially writing my talk for church in Shqip (Albanian). The Branch President picks randomly from our zone who will speak in Sacrament Meeting for our zone. The thing is, we don't know who the two speakers are until he tells us at the pulpit.

My companions are both really great. I was blessed to have the two sisters I do. I'm doing good. I love and miss my family, but I want others to have what I have. I want to give back to God what he has given me.

You are wonderful at making people feel loved. So I am just wanting to finish saying that I love you with all my heart. I can't wait for the day years from now we'll be sitting on a couch catching up. It will go really fast. Time always does. That is why we need to live each day in success.

I. Love. You.

<3 Motra Bezas

Email from Motra Bezas

Following are portions from Motra Bezas's email today.

Hey EVERYONE!

Wow! So much has happened this week. I cannot believe it. I was having a hard time thinking today was p-day. Today is the Estonians' first p-day. The two sisters we have are amazing with their fun, upbeat personalities.

One of the pictures I'm sending you is of all the sisters in our zone family of elders. We haven't taken a whole zone picture, but we are planning on doing it before the Finnish missionaries leave. We've only had the new addition of the two sisters for a week and we are already close to them.

Here is the big story for today. So, yesterday was my first time hosting. I prayed a few days before, that if it would help K to have her see me and have me be her host, He would make it happen. Well, God answers in mysterious ways. So I had just finished up with a girl going on a bus to the MTC West Campus when I saw her! She was at somewhat of a distance, so she didn't see me at first. She was talking with her host. She finally saw me and we embraced. It was amazing to see her. :)

The host asked if I wanted to host her. This host was so kind and gracious; she even asked if we wanted a picture together. Sadly, I didn't have my camera on me, but K did, so we used hers. Once she got her books at the bookstore, we then headed to her room she would be staying at for the next two weeks. She will do well. I know she will. Transitioning is always the worst part of something new, I believe.

My companions are without a doubt amazing!!! To show this, I am sharing with you my top five things I love about both of them.

Motra K:

• loving to others
• has a tender heart for those all around her
• does her best not to judge
• knows the language so well
• her testimony is amazing!

Motra D:

• is a hard worker
• has a great sense of  humor
• is outgoing to everyone and includes others
• when facing a trial, she endures and pushes on through
• her love for her family is amazing along with her testimony!

So, I have to say that I got a lovely letter in the mail today from a wonderful younger brother. :) It made my day to hear from you! Thank you sooooooooooooo much! I am planning on writing back to you. So be on the lookout for it.

I also wanted to thank you all for your letters. To answer a question one of you day: I can write not just on p-days but also during times of free time when there is nothing scheduled for us to do. :)

And to my big bro: thank you for your wonderful letter you wrote on DearElder.com to me. You are so terrific. I love you soooooo much and look up to you. You've been such an example in my life. :)

Mom and Dad: thank you for all that you do. If there is anything I don't mention in letters or emails, please send me questions. I would love to answer them.

I love you all so much. This week was such a spiritual witness to me that the people in my zone and the elders and sisters going to my mission were not called to fill a spot, but were called there for a purpose. There are people right now being prepared to hear what the Lord needs them to hear. I am so blessed to be a part of this work. I am so grateful I have the family I do that loves me so much. I am so blessed. Know that I am here for you all if you need anything!

Love,

Motra Bezas

Ckemi! (email from Motra Bezas)

Here is a portion of Motra Bezas's email her second P-day at the MTC:

Ckemi! It's so good to hear from you all. :) There are so many things I want to cover, so bear with me as I jump to different topics.

The Package: Mom, the package was more than perfect! Thank you soooooooooooo much. Don't ever worry about stuff like that! :) It got here yesterday on Wednesday.

Now for a few questions....

1. Yes, my companions have the same mailbox unit. You may write them if you would like. :)

2. There is a weight scale in the weightroom across campus. So maybe send a luggage one.

3. I would love to hear from you all as much as you all want to write! And DearElders on p-days too if you want to write me.

4. Send Penelope my love! ("Penelope" is a cherry tree we planted right before Motra Bezas left for the MTC.)

5. I've never heard that expression before: "Fique Firme!" I'll let you know when I learn an equivalent in Albanian!

6. Thank you for getting me the addresses I've requested.

7. Chocolate milk is still my favorite meal!

8. It was interesting to see the new missionaries coming in. Cool story actually! I've already bumped into Sister C on her first night here. (Oh, yeah, I realized I never mentioned something...background story: Motra K and I are doing a duet in our zone Sacrament meeting either this Sunday or next. Motra D is playing the piano for us. Anyway, we were practicing when a sister training leader told us she needed the room for the new missionaries she had. We waited until they all entered when I saw Sister C. We both freaked out and embraced one another. That was soooo NOT a coincidence that I just happened to bumped into her. That was God's hand showing love in my life.

9. Everything is falling into place. Our zone really feels like one BIG family. Literally everyone feels like they play a part. It's sad to think that we won't all be together again until after this life. The Finnish missionaries have 18 days before they leave. I might cry. You would just have to meet them. They are amazing! The Hungarian missionaries are as well! We luckily though get to be together until the last week. They leave earlier by one week.

10. Ok, I misinformed you. I called the new arriving missionaries Serbians. They are actually Estonians. They came yesterday. There are only two sisters and one elder.

11. I would love to hear all your questions. It actually triggers thoughts for me of things I also could add.

EXCITING NEWS! We just got informed today that I get to be a hot next week!!!! (We haven't learned yet what "hot" means. We think it means that she'll be able to Skype someone in Albania. But then again, the rest of the email seems to contradict that. So we're not sure quite yet!) All the Albanians get to. Funny story actually. Normally everything takes longer before people actually get to do it. But we have gotten everything wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy early. Like we've already had TRCs. One was Skyping. The Fins had a hay day when they found out we got it on our second week, and they didn't get theirs until their 6th week. We have another one tonight, which also does not normally happen this soon. And now we get to do hosting on our third week. Normally, they do them on week 4 around her. The cool part is K is coming next week, so there is a good chance I might see her! I feel there is something that God knows about the Albanians that He is not sharing with us. Hopefully one day I will know!

I love you all. I am planning on sending you a letter today, so be looking out for that! ~I love you all sooooooooooooo much!!!!!

Letter - August 11, 2014

Below are bits and pieces of the letter Motra Bezas sent us. So great to hear from her and see at least a little bit of what her life is like right now!

Dear Family,

I got your letters! Thank you so much for writing! It really touches and lifts my heart.

Today has been amazing. Both Mondays have been such great successes. All thanks to our teachers. We reviewed a lot of grammar, and I asked a lot of questions. Ha! I was not afraid to express my mind.

Fun story for you all....so my finger is practically healed, and so the missionaries in my zone really wanted me to play. The past few gym times I've been getting pretty good. Today was a small game of four on four. Our zone is huge on volleyball, but today everyone wanted to do other things like run. So it was just eight missionaries (including me) playing volleyball.

Anyway, today as we were playing, one of the elders from another zone was playing basketball and elbowed the fire alarm. His arm was bleeding pretty badly, and we had to evacuate the building (apparently from the fire alarm going off), but were eventually able to play again.

By the way, to answer Dad's question from a few DearElders.com ago, I usually get mail after dinner. Also Dad, about the body language thing, I'm doing fine. I had a really bad day a few days ago, but know that I'm doing WONDERFUL! I love you all! P.S. I'm putting my big bro's letter in here.

Motra Bezas

(One of the things about being a parent that is a PARENT's growth opportunity is to allow children to grow up, to experience tough times, and trust they'll be fine even when the day is hard. So grateful for Motra Bezas and her cheer. It's a great trait.)

And here is Motra Bezas's letter to her big brother:

Dear bro!

I know you're in California with your friends, but I promised that I would write you. So here I am! You will get such a lovely treat when you return. You'll have to tell me what you all did. I love my big brother, so I'm just checking up on everything.

When do you go back to school? Are you excited?

Thank you so much for being such an example to me. :) I'm glad we are so close! Know that I'm ALWAAAAAAAYS ALWAYS here for you! I would love to hear from you.

By the way, I figured out the email thingy. And by the way, I wanted to ask...what was your favorite thing to do during gym time? For me, it's volleyball. I'm getting decently good actually. Our zone, especially the elders, is really good. They are very encouraging.

We have over 58 in our zone. We get three Astonians this Wednesday. Two sister and one elder going solo. We will then have 9 sisters total. We would have 10 but one of the sisters was dealing with a medical issue.

I love you and hope to heave from you soon!

Motra Bezas :)

Our Letter for Her - August 11, 2014

Motra Bezas hadn't mentioned yet in her letters or email home about being concerned about learning the language. But both my husband and I served missions in other countries and know the rigors of learning a foreign language in two months before flying out to serve. That experience shaped this letter I sent to Sister Bezas.

Dear Motra Bezas,

I am delighted to be sending you your first official package from the home. The other, previous cookie package was sent through DearElder.com. That was because I wanted you to get a package, but I've been stymied because I wanted to send you the PERFECT package. I wanted it to be full of goodies and trinkets and love and things and cool stuff and.... well, you get the picture. I finally realized my perfectionism was getting in the way of sending you ANYthing. And so now you're getting a real package from home. It's not homemade cookies like I'd wanted to send you. It doesn't have homemade pastries like I wanted to send you. But I realized my desire for a PERFECT package kept me from sending ANY package.

And so....(Yep, here comes the metaphor. You know me too well :). Remember why—throughout your whole mission—remember it took me two weeks to actually put together a package from home for you. I was too concerned with having it be flawless. And as a result, nothing happened. It will be like that for you in your mission experience, once you get into the mission field. If you are too concerned about being flawless, you will be kept from doing good and great and valuable things. Instead, just do SOMETHING. That way you're actually getting the "spiritual packages" delivered to people.

Who cares if your language isn't perfect? The people desperate to hear about Jesus Christ don't. Instead, for years—if you just share your testimonies and love any way you can—for years they will talk about the sweet American sister who gave them the opportunity of eternal life. They will love you. They will venerate your willingness to leave your own streets of America and your willingness to walk with them in theirs. They will feel such reverence for your sacrifice. They won't care whether your "package" is perfect. They will care for you and about the Savior because you were simply willing to give them ANY package at all of a message of the restoration of the fullness of the gospel!

So in summary, you finally HAVE received a package (this letter being included in it) simply because I got over my concern of wanting it to appear and be perfect. Instead, I finally realized it's better to give SOMEthing than nothing at all. I finally realized that YOU didn't care if the package were perfect. You would appreciate anything I sent.

Those you teach will be the same.

I love you. Do not worry about how your language is coming. Do not worry if you are enough. Do not worry about your skills. God has your back. God has the abilities. Your Father in Heaven will fill you as you need any kind of resource. He gives the perfect packages in perfect timing. We simply show up and do our best... and it is enough! The Savior fills in the rest.

So you go too. Simply prepare your sweet simple "packages" of love for your people in Albania. It will be enough...like the fact that you finally got a package from home because I finally got over my desire to be perfectionistic in putting it together.

So, you can now sink your teeth into some yummy cookies, a muffin, and enjoy the rest. Because now you finally got a package from home that was wrapped and taped and assembled in love...even if not in perfection.

I love you, Motra Bezas. Your whole family loves you! Your ancestors love you. And the families that will meet you love you, or at least will once they meet you. Language cannot convey love as well as a simple smile and a kind gesture...and you've got those down completely!

Now go to, and make a great day. Because you have everything you need to be sufficient for the Lord! 

You rock, Motra Bezas!

Love, Mom

Ckemi! (Motra Bezas's email from the MTC)

While of course we may not share all emails or letters from Motra Bezas here, we will share those we feel will help others in their path towards their own personal mission. She had read other missionary blogs before leaving, and they were so helpful. We desire to return the favor!

Hello everyone!

Thank you for all the letters. Sorry I've not been that good at writing physical letters. I'm sending one today, be looking out for that! ;) Today I went to the temple. It was amazing!

Now I am writing back answers to all your questions:

1. My teachers' names are M. and V.! They are both wonderful. And V. makes the language easier to understand. For example, any time I am lost on a concept he looks over at me and says, "...Yes, Motra Bezas?" haha

2. We have only taught one investigator. We only got to teach him four lessons. His name is G. Our first lesson was on the Saturday we got here. We had to teach in the language. HA! Poor G....he had to listen to my jumbled words.

3. What been best about the MTC so far is seeing the gift of tongues at work. I get frustrated once in a while, but my teachers know how to get me out of my funk. And V. says one day it will all make sense. I just need to be patient. I pray that I can see it happening in my life as I go throughout the MTC and later on the mission.

4. Fav food....does chocolate milk count? (I now understand my big bro :)

5. Seeing the new missionaries come was so cool. My first week felt long, but I enjoyed so much of it! I've learned soooooooooooooo many life lessons.

6. Those that are preparing to serve or are thinking about going on a mission, to them I would say my advice would be to know how to love others and stop caring so much about ourselves.

7. My P-days (preparation days) are Thursday, and I get an hour on the computers to write emails. We can split it up any way we like though.

8. My Fast Sunday was GREAT!

9. Final question for the day. (She shared her location and class room.)

In my package I would love:
stamps
letters
food
sweats
etc.

I am trying to upload pictures, but it is not working. Hopefully it will work by the time I'm done. Love you all and I would love to hear as often as you want to write.

Love you all!
Motra Bezas

Letter - August 3, 2014

Here is another letter from Motra Bezas!

My Dear Wonderful Family,

Apparently, people say that if you make it to Sunday, you are good. Well, it's here...It's Fast Sunday. The way everything they have layed out is SO nice. There is a ton of personal study (your choice) throughout the day. For example, I read my scriptures for 45 minutes (which was AWESOME!) and now I'm writing a wonderful Greek family (you). We have a few meetings today but not as much as you normally would. We also have a Sunday walk! I'm so excited for that!

By the way, I am taking TONS of pictures that you will be getting this coming email. My p-day is Thursdays. Not sure what time we do it (email), but we'll find out. :)

Thank you sooooooooo much for all your letters and your advice on the way down to Provo. Mom--you can write me as much as you want through DearElder.com. All of you can write me as much as you like. I would LOVE to hear from you all!

Things are going well here. I'm learning more and more the language every single day. Once I get to the country, I guess I'm getting new name tags. Most of it stays the same. Just my last name changes. It will be "Motra Bizës." I'm SO excited. I can't wait to get them. They are changing it so the people can be able to say it. :)

I can't wait to get your package! Motra K got one yesterday and it had cinnamon rolls. Today we will have a feast! After dinner, I mean. ;)

A lot has happened in only four days. In our Zone we have the "Fins" (Finland) and the "Huns" (Hungarians). I guess in two weeks, we get "Serbs" (Serbians). The zone is like a huge family. Literally! They are great missionaries, and God needs them. 

It's in a way hard to explain but you can just see that every person that gets called to the same mission has sort of the same style. I'm not quite sure how the Albanians are, but I know that we each have a design and purpose for this life and for the mission. I can't wait to see that!

I love you guys so much! STAY AWESOME! I can't wait to hear from you all!


Motra Bizës

/// Addendum to letter...

Dear Family, (or I should say familjen),

I got your letters today, Mom! Thank you so much! I love hearing from you!

Well, today so much has happened. We'll start off with my finger. My ring finger to be exact (you will see a picture of it this p-day, I hope). We have had a couple of Gym times by now and our zone does volleyball. Well, until today, I've been just a viewer of the game. Today though I felt in the mood to join. Not half way through the game, I hurt my ring finger...(I guess my first-aid kit came in handy after all. LOL.) I wrapped it so it had compression on it. It's doing better now. I don't think I broke it. I think I just stretch it back a litttttle (high voice) too fast. :)

Now here is a cool story I realized I never mentioned that I've seen H. S. or I guess I should say "Sister S" or whatever it is in Italian. We got a picture together today (another picture you get to see!) She leaves tomorrow morning for the field. I saw her really though the first day just after I said goodbye to you guys.

Anyway, now I've a sad story for you... There was this one day a missionary was having a hard time. An elder came over and asked if the missionary wanted a blessing, who then said yes. Oh! My! GOODNESS!!!! The Spirit was sooooo strong! I felt God's love and support for that missionary. It ended up being such an uplift and positive state. But then today we found out the elder who gave the blessing was needing to go home because of medical reasons. Long story short, we were at dinner and he was still there but was called to the front office. The zone leader said that the doctor that had seen the elder at the ER the night before said he was even shocked he'd been called to a foreign mission since he'd put the medical condition on his papers. One missionary mentioned that the elder was perhaps in the MTC so he could be there for another person there. I'd personally thought this, but didn't say a word because right away I though of the missionary that elder had blessed. Not a moment later, that missionary actually said out loud what I had been thinking--and the missionary wanted to find the elder before he left. The elder was found and the missionary said thank you and is doing so much better!

Thank you all for your love and support. Can't wait to email you on p-day!

Motra Bizës

First Letter From the MTC!

No email yet (with photos) from Motra Bezas, but today we got this letter in the mail!

Dear Wonderful Family,

I have to start off saying that the MTC is amazing. I am loving every minute of it. I am in a trio Companionship: Motra K and Motra D. I am so blessed because they are FANTASTIC! In our District, it is only us 3 girls. The other Albanian class is all boys. Our zone leaders are amazing. They challenged us to have a high standard when it comes to everything, especially the rules.

My second night here I was chosen to be senior companion. I will be it for about three weeks before they switch it to someone else in the trio.

The language has been hard but so cool to learn. Everybody in my district feels the same way. Surprisingly it's only been a day and a half and we all get along so well! We all work pretty well in harmony. The elders have been treating us with great respect. They said we could always go to them if we wanted a blessing. I just love the MTC!

Thank you for all your love and support! Out of all the examples I've had inmy life, you, my familje, are my whole world and I love all so very much! I'll write to you guys very soon! STAY AWESOME!

[Motra] Bezas

The Mama's Turn :)

Motra Bezas is now in the MTC as of nearly-exactly three days. So, from this point forward, it will be her Mama making posts and reporting on her missionary experiences. She has been so excited for this call. She shared in the previous post how this has been in the back of her mind from the time she was a little girl. And it is true. She has always had an infinity for the world of a sister missionary.

Perhaps that enthusiasm is because of the amazing sister missionaries who visited our home over the years. Their influence was mighty, and their love of Christ was strong. Perhaps Motra Bezas just always knew, even before? I don't know. Perhaps it is also because of other wonderful sister missionary blogs that helped her make the decision to set aside 18 months to help others. But I do know that she is now off on a mighty adventure in an effort to feed the Lord's sheep and to teach others the Savior loves them and cares for them, especially during challenge.

Motra Bezas had chosen long ago the title "there and back again" for her blog that she would one day create. And now that time is here. One day she will be "back again." Until then, we love her and pray for her, as do many of her friends.We'll be posting as she writes, so stay tuned! But in closing, here is why she is serving a mission:

John 21:15-17:

 15 ¶So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Motra Bezas has begun the call to serve!