27th Pday Email from Albania!

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been one of reflection and looking towards the future part of my mission, specifically to this transfer that we have just began. First off, I knew the day would one day come that I would leave the area I'd been working in, but I guess it really didn't hit me until I left and went to this new area. I have seen time and time again, with each person, that transfers are mini mission calls from our Heavenly Father for a specific area with a specific companion. Because the Lord knows there are those who it is their time to come unto Christ NOW! This is their time to shine bright and come clean through the powerful Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Second, I have to say that my new companion has been called of God to serve here. I have been blessed to see moments as we teach that her testimony is one of strength for the people here. I know that there are those that she promised before this life that she would come, find, and rescue. I know that anymore now that everyone who serves missions were preordained to serve in the assigned missions, as well as in the assigned places within the country.

One thing I loved during Weekly Planning that my companion said that I could work on is to get to know the people. She went on to tell me that it is a big task but she gave me the challenge to, "Greet them like you've known them forever." I believe that is a true principle as missionaries we should take into account. Greet everyone we come in contact with like we have known them forever...

BECAUSE WE HAVE!

I have grown a deep appreciation for the Plan of Salvation and how we gain happiness and the knowledge God gives us, such as that we are of great worth, that we matter to our Father in Heaven, that this plan is a perfect plan for us, to help us return to our Father in Heaven, that we are here to realize our great potential as children of God, and so much more!

An amazing experience we had this week was with a recent convert here in Vlorë. We taught her about prayer and how it is not just a one way conversation. That there are things our Father in Heaven wishes to teach us and help us learn. It is just up to us to give Him time to come in and share His thoughts. So as we taught this to her, we then at the very end did the exercise we did with another wonderful woman in Tirana. Sister Olsen prayed and at the very end of her prayer, we waited in silence for the words of the Lord He had for us.

Something amazing that happened was a question Sister Olsen asked. "We now have one question for you, Lord. Are you there?" And then BAM! It HAPPENED! The spirit was SO STRONG. I felt Him there in the room answering our question. He was there and we mattered to Him!!!

This Gospel is a rare thing that you can't get anywhere else. I see more and more how this Gospel is the key to opening the door to starting our real lives and our journey:

To Return to Him and to have Eternal Joy!

I honestly love being a missionary. I know there is nothing else I am supposed to be doing at this time. As I serve my mission, I see how I was saved for this time to testify and stand as a witness at all times, in all things, in all places. I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to teach others and invite others to come unto Christ. I am so grateful that I have this blessed opportunity to learn the Albanian language.

I see tha God has given me great trust to love the people of Albania! It is still hard once in awhile, but I have seen the gift of tongues at work as I have gone out the door and talk with the people of this great land.

I know that there are those that God is preparing for servants of the Lord to change their lives forever. I know He lives.

He is our Lord and Savior and as we come unto him, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!! I love the new "Because He Lives" video; it really captures in reality that He is there throughout every phase of life. I know He is with us. ALWAYS. Through think and thin, He's there! Even when we're most despairing. It is up to us to recognize his guidance through the gift of the Holy Ghost. You have to watch this: Because He Lives.

Thank you all for your examples and for standing for your beliefs. Believe me when I say they matter. No matter if you are wearing a missionary tag or not, there are those needing to hear from you the words of Christ and His Gospel. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P43Qa9WgRcY)

I hope all that the Lord has in store for each of you this week will one of miralces and that you'll learn miraculous things with the Lord by your side.

Because He lives, He is with us ALWAYS!

Motra Bezas

Motra Bezas's new companion!