New Year's email (13th pday email from Albania!)

Dear Everyone,

This past week has been a time of huge growth and lots of wisdom. I have to start off saying that I love my new companion, Sister C. She is such a light and is going to bless this mission in great ways, especially as we serve in the same city where I've been. Even though I have not been with her long, I know that the Lord called her to serve in this mission and that her call was something that was preordained before this life. I know that anymore as time gets closer to Christ's coming that we each have specific work that needs to be done. That is why a mission is such a sacred calling. I also saw this with being called as a trainer this transfer.

Sure, I have moments where I feel like I am not fully adequate, but I know that the Lord knows me and knows that what I can and can't do. Something that I loved that President said at the training we had with the new missionaries that really stuck with me was, "Only if we struggle, we grow." I know that we only can truly grow unless we are progressing and trying new things and going out of our comfort zone.

I am honestly so grateful for so many things. I know that they all come from this everlasting gospel. I love that. EVERLASTING. How many things in life can we say that about? I love my Savior and I love how every single time without fail, when something is bearing witness of the Savior, the Spirit comes and it is such a wonderful thing. I can't get enough of it!

Something really cool that happened this last week was that even though the rain was really bad, there was a lot of less actives that we have been inviting back to church and they came. Even with the bad weather!

I know that God lives. That He loves us more than we even can truly comprehend. I know that we are never alone. Our Savior is walking beside us every SINGLE step of the way. That as we go through life, we can always rely on the Savior. ALWAYS. I love my Savior. I am forever in debt to Him. I love this gospel. I love the blessing and promises that it brings to each and everyone of us. No matter who we are. I know that we are God's Children and that He wants each and everyone of us to return to Him. I know that serving a mission is such a sacred privilege.

I have seen specifically to my mission that Satan is doing everything he can to stop God's message being spread throughout this country of Albania along with Macedonia and Kosovo. I know that we were sent here at this time to preach the Lord's word and do His work here. I see how it changes people's lives for the better. No matter the situation, this gospel can make it a better situation.

I want to express my gratitude for all those that have touched my life. I know God puts people in our lives to guide us on the path that where we need to be. I know this with all my heart!

With Great Love, Motra Bezas

Motra Bezas is a new trainer - even though she's only been there about 3 months.

This is rather unusual, but she trusts the Lord in what's been asked of her.

These ladies in the picture are the other trainers for the new sister missionaries
who have just arrived in the country.
(The girl on the left of Motra Bezas also was just made trainer ...and arrived with Rachel 3 months ago - they had been companions in the MTC in the states. Their 3rd MTC companion was
just made Sister Trainer/Leader. Pretty astonishing stuff.)