No email this week. We had a great Skype call will Scott.
P-day for the following week will be New Year's Day. We will find out about transfers then!
*
"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."
Monday, December 30, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
2013 Dec 16th email
What is up?
Alright, I'm just gonna let you know now that next Monday,
I will actually not have P-day that day. P-day will be on Christmas!
So, we will still skype at 6 that day, President Ford has allowed us to
have the full day as a P-day. So, yes, skype at 6 my time, so 12 noon for you. But, leave your computer open with skype on starting at 5, just to be safe, in case I come early or something.
Wow, 2 weeks ago you told me Do opened his mission call. Now he's gone.
So
yeah, this letter came late because we played soccer with President and
his brother from 8-10, and then basketball from 10-12. I'm tired. And
really awful at sports now. But, at least I'm getting thinner.
No, I never made french dessert. I probably did what took the least effort to do....(His brother made a Buche de Noel for French class)
So
yeah, Christmas like I said will be P-day, we'll probably try to get a
meal appointment at a member's house, and then Elder Pierce and I will
go to an amazing family he baptized in 4th branch (through tracting) and
have fish or something, and that will be before we go and skype yall.
1) Please do whatever is possible to get that one I
suggested to work. If not, yeah use the other one, it's too late to
get another picture taken. It's just the glasses will stop all the
attractive friends of Kristen to become attracted to me......(Full sized picture of Scott for Eric and Kristen's wedding)
2) I will be at an INTERNET LOCALE!
3)
No, there's a lot of trees, just the place where we took pictures
didn't have any trees in that area. Yes, Christians here do use the
Christmas tree, fortunately. (See Christmas card.)
Ok, so this last week we had 23 lessons in total.
That's the most lessons I've ever taught in a week. Eric, if you
taught 40 lessons on average, shut up, it's different here. Anyway, we
were blessed by the Lord with many opportunities. In fact, we were
street contacting and a woman comes up to me and said she saw me in a
vision of us two talking together in that exact spot. Unfortunately,
she told me she was gonna get her granddaughter baptized in the Catholic
Church on Saturday.
I was hoping to meet with here before that to explain to her what it
means to have the authority to baptize, but she can't meet until
tomorrow. I was planning on giving her Moroni 8 to read, but I feel
it's too harsh, so we'll probably just teach her like another
investigator..
Street Contacting
Ok, as far as souvenirs, we didn't come across
anything that looked like an Albanian made nativity scene. But, we will
keep looking. So, yeah, sorry if I don't send anything home for
Christmas, I figured getting my souvenirs for y'all altogether would save
me a lot of money on shipping, and yeah, I'll definitely get y'all good
stuff. I'm gonna make one more withdraw from my account of no more than
$300, and then hopefully that can cover everything I wanna buy for you
and the fact that I still need to get an Albanian flag. Hopefully that
will be that last withdraw I'll make as a missionary. By the way, I'm
already scared of being a poor man when I get home.
Anyway, I'm excited for Christmas! I'll see y'all
next week. Tell Kristen I got my interview almost done. Sorry, it's a
little difficult to read, I didn't write it thick enough.
Have a great week! Be safe! Don't do anything stupid!
Ju dua shumë!
Elder Palmer
2013 Dec 9th email
Christmas card
Hey, what's going on? I just remembered that my birthday is this month, that's scary.
Ok,
so, I got a letter from the Bertonneau family, good to hear they are
doing well. But, Sister Bertonneau hinted something that kinda scared
me. So, I know we'll talk more on Christmas, but I'll be honest, I
would really prefer it if you don't come pick me up at the end of my
mission. I have always wanted that moment in the airport when you see
your family for the first time after 2 years. So, yeah, I would really
prefer that you don't pick me up. Sister Bertonneau said in her letter
you wanted to do that, but I would prefer not. Dad and Andrea have
their 14-year old trip this year anyway, so I would say save some money
and we could go back in like a year or something.
Yes, Elder Knight is going home at the end of the
month. (Scott's trainer.) That is weird. He was supposed to be my first companion I would
ever have that's home. It weirds me out.
Dad:
1) Skype. Let's plan for 6 PM, my time, so 12 PM your time, assuming you'll be in Virginia.
2)
So, Elder Pierce and I are committed to running 3 times/week. We have
a pretty good course, hopefully at least a mile, but there's lots of
hills.
3) I dunno, I'm tryna be smart with my money at
this point. So, with this in mind, start thinking of what you want from
me to get for you all for June. I'm in Tirana which is a great city to
get souvenirs, but I'm not guaranteed to stay here, so have everything
ready by Christmas.
Anyway, Jazz stink, but the Cardinals could make the playoffs!
So,
this week, a cool thing happened. So, we had zone training, and it
turns out the Sisters in 2nd/4th Branch had continued teaching a mom and
daughter that Elder Knight and I taught over a year ago! (slaps self in
the face....). And, I had the privilege of baptizing the daughter on
Saturday! The mom can't get baptized yet. Anyway, it was cool, cuz I
had no idea she was even being taught.
Also, we have another investigator. We had trouble
meeting him during the week, but he came to church on Sunday, and he
really enjoyed it! I also had to give a talk, on the Restoration,
yesterday. I didn't prepare very well, but I managed to last over 10
minutes.
So, I decided I have made a goal for the rest of my
mission. I am gonna baptize a dude. All 6 of my baptisms are girls.
Ima find that future Stake President and baptize the heck outta him!
Also, our zone had a special fast this week for a long
list of less-active members, and we saw small miracles occur from it! A
less active came to 4th Branch yesterday and bore his testimony
apparently, and this lady in 1st Branch who kinda disappeared randomly
showed up apparently! So, we did see the fruits of our labors.
Also, this morning we went to Mount Dajti, a mountain in Tirana, and cut down a Christmas tree for our house.
I love you all lots! Have a good week! Be safe! Don't do anything stupid!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 Dec 2nd email
Scott's MTC group
1.5 years into mission!
The fact that my first semester of BYU ended almost two years ago makes me want to punch a wall. Don't worry, I'm not trunky, although the group that goes home at the end of the month is pretty trunky. The worst part is that the sister going home in that group is the sister that reported with my group.........
Anyway, hope that Thanksgiving was fun. It was a ton of
fun here in mission conference. We had mission conference from 10-12,
and then lunch from 1-2, and then a talent show from 2-4, and then a
testimony meeting from 4-5 for those going home soon. The talent show
was fun, our district did a rendition of "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" that had to do with mission and Albanian stuff, so it was
fun. I got a lot of them on video, so you'll be able to see them.
Um, funny story, so dad actually told me about
Bishop Holdaway about 3 weeks ago, so I already knew about it. I'm
kinda bummed out actually, I would have liked him as my bishop.
Yes, I have started the calendar, it just lists of events that happen before Christ is born.
Jake, I wish I had a suit that fit me.
Andrea, you are so lucky.
Eric, 1 month and counting. (holy crap......) (until his wedding!)
Dad:
1) No football. But, talent show. It was a ton of fun. We got some funny guys here, let's just say that.
2) Yes, I'll talk about that in a sec.
3)
Yeah, I'm down. I probably won't be able to run 3 miles a day, but at
that point I could probably run every morning for like 25 minutes.
JABARI PARKER!!!!!!!
Anyway,
yes, the baptism happened and it was awesome! Her sister spoke on
baptism, but pretty much gave her whole conversion story. The sister who spoke, had a really bad day one day, and her store she works
at is by the store of a recent convert, and Elder Pierce and Elder
Ferguson walked by and were talking to the recent convert, and he told
them he had someone for them to teach. And she was golden from the
start, and she was baptized the Saturday before I was transferred here.
And she is awesome. Probably the best talk I ever heard on baptism.
And her mom and some friends came to the baptism and really seemed to
enjoy it, and we're hoping this week to be able to start teaching them
all. Also, the 4th Branch missionaries gave us a referral
who ended up coming to the baptism, and we had a short lesson with him,
and he is really solid. Bear in mind that all 5 of my baptisms are
girls, so teaching a guy that really seems solid is something I'm
excited about. We have a lesson with him tonight, and I'm just stoked
to teach him.
We also got another referral from 4th Branch named who's actually a rapper! He apparently has a rough past but has
cleaned his life up a bit, and was astonished to have never seen the
Book of Mormon before, so teaching him will be a lot of fun too.
So, yeah, things here are going good.
Ok well, have a great week! Be safe! Don't do anything stupid! Enjoy putting up the Christmas tree without me!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
2013 Nov 25th email
Hey family, how goes everything? I can't believe Thanksgiving is this week....
Yes,
I opened the box. Thanks you so much for the Skittles, they haven't
been eaten yet. Because I'm trying to be careful eating, I'm hoping
they will last a few weeks this time.
Dang, new 2nd Counselor..
Yeah,
I read dad's talk actually, nothing surprising, but kinda ridiculous
that parents would suggest living together first. Where are people's
common sense these days?
Yep, Thanksgiving, like last year, is Mission
Conference, and the couples will make us Thanksgiving dinner, and
there's gonna be a talent show again. We're kinda nervous because last
year's talent show went so well, we're curious if we can top it this
year.....
1) You know, maybe. I definitely plan on running
regularly when I get home. Running is the only thing I'm too tired to
do in the morning here. I'm getting nervous though, members in 3rd
Branch have fed me more than I have been fed in my entire mission
probably......I've done so well...(Dad asking if Scott will run a 1/2 marathon when he returns...)
2) We don't drink soda. I'm off the stuff.
3) We set up a table with pamphlets and Books of Mormon and a visual and try to talk to people walking past us.
4) Never. (Don't know.)
So, yeah, other than Mission Conference, we actually have a baptism Saturday.
Just before I got to 3rd Branch, Elder Pierce and his last companion had a baptism. We started teaching her sister right when I got here, and she has been golden. Unfortunately, once
she's baptized, we don't really have any progressing investigators.
Well, enjoy your Thanksgiving! Be safe this week! Don't do anything stupid!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 Nov 18th email
Hey, how's it going?
 |
| a "Hobbit" door found tracting |
Things have been going really well for Elder Pierce and I, we had a really good week!
Dad, nice job on the marathon! More than I could probably do.
Dang, Spencer's gonna be married......
Jake and Andrea, don't have too much fun with life.
1) K, I'll get you a picture for next week. I need
to wear one of Elder Pierce's shirts since my shirts are HUGE on me at
this point, and also I am gonna get a haircut soon. No tux, just shirt
and tie.
2) We're going strong with 'no-shave November,' and
by that I mean that since we have to shave every day, during the day we
focus all our concentration on trying to make our face hairs grow at a
faster rate. It's pretty difficult, and we usually go home with pretty
good head-aches and a bunch of popped brain cells, but it's worth it.
So, yeah, there was a protest it Tirana about the
whole Americans and Syrians placing chemical weapons in Albania. We
were actually doing a table in the center of Tirana when the protest
happened, one of the sisters when she saw it immediately yelled, 'we
gotta go, now!' So, in about 30 seconds we packed up our table (got all
our pamphlets and Books of Mormon in a box) and got out of the crowd. It was intense. Also,
while tabling, one of the missionaries took pictures of us while talking
to people, and there's one of me that looks really cool and that's
probably Ensign-worthy, so if I get the picture from him today I'll send
it today, otherwise probably next week.
Also, our investigator is awesome! She was able to come to
church yesterday for sacrament meeting before having to leave for
school. She's progressing really well, and she should be set for a
baptism next week!
Anyway, that's about it. Have a good week! Be safe! Don't do stupid stuff!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 Nov 11th email
Ok, so I wanted to send the pictures, but the thing is that this
computer I am using is being stupid and won't connect my camera to it,
so I can't upload jack right now.
Um, Elder Bilodeau and Elder Harvey are both from Boston, so maybe it's one of them? (Someone who has visited the blog....)
So, I played basketball today with Tirana missionaries. Man, I stink at sports these days.....
1) I don't know car models at all. It looked nice, though...
2) I didn't really have time to tell them.
3) We walk like champs. Gotta keep my figure at this point.
So, all we got right now as far as work is one
girl, who is awesome! Her sister got baptized the Sunday before I
was transferred here, and she's doing good. The problem is, in the
school she signed up for, she has school Sundays, so church can be
difficult. However, she did come yesterday for all 3 hours, and she
really enjoyed it, so we'll see where things go from there.
Other than that, everyone else pretty much told us
they are either too busy to meet anymore and that they'll call us, or
they lost interest, so we're in finding mode these days, but Elder
Pierce and I are having fun and working hard.
Have a good week! Don't be stupid! Be safe! Good luck on your race dad!
Ju dua!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
2013 Nov 4th email
Yes! I went to the baptism! It was awesome! I got to baptize her! I'll try to send a picture, if not today next week.
So,
a zone leader's job pretty much is to get numbers for the APs, and then
hold training sessions on why they need to have more numbers. Numbers
numbers numbers numbers numbers..... Also, zone leaders usually have a
car, but since my zone is only the city of Tirana, we don't get one,
which is ridiculous, we're the laughing stock of leadership because of
it. But, it is fun. Elder Pierce and I actually were able to drive the
AP's car to Elbasan. That was the first time I ever drove somewhere
hoping my memory would get me to my destination, and it was in Albania.2013 Oct 28th email
Well, I guess I'm not destined to hang around Elbasan for a long period
of time. Because, I got transferred to 3rd Branch in Tirana, as a Zone
Leader! I will be with Elder Pierce, who's in my MTC group, so I am
co-senioring! I'm stoked! So, Elder Knight is going to take my place
and finishing training Elder Jorgenson, which happens to be his
grandson. So that's kinda cool.
There are 4 missionaries in Elbasan. Probably 6 by January when sisters finally come to Elbasan.
Jake, you're old.
Andrea, so are you.
Eric, I'm working on my interview questions for Kristen.
(Do you ever get referral from the website?) Rerrals? Here? Actually, last year Elder Knight and I got a mormon.org referral. Unfortunately, she didn't worked out. Otherwise, not really any media referrals...
Family history records are here, but they are jumbled and disorganized like nobody's business. We are working on it, though.
1) (What do you eat to lose so much weight?) eggs and cereal. and sufflaqes.
2)
(How is running?) Yeah, running is still hard. We run to the church and back. My arms
aren't that big, I still take breaks when doing the pushups. I just
wanna start doing pull-ups, but there's nowhere to do them.
3) (Mark has an assignment to give a talk in Stake Conference and asked for a topic) Topic: Doubt your doubts; not your faith
So our investigator is getting baptized on Saturday! And I'm gonna
beg President to let me come back for the baptism on Saturday. So,
rumor had it that I would be transferred yesterday because of leadership
changes, and I decided that if President called me I would immediately
ask him if I could come Saturday. But, I forgot....
So, yeah, things are good. Sad to leave Elbasan
again, but excited to work with Elder Pierce. I'm thinking what weirds me
out is the fact that I will be a zone leader until my final 6 weeks as a
missionary.....
Have a good week! Be safe! Don't do anything stupid!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 Oct 21 email
ummmm, hi.....
Andrea, you are not allowed to get older..... (14th birthday)
Jake, you too.....(17th birthday)
But, Happy Birthday!
Eric,
I've decided you're not allowed to get married. Don't worry, I already
emailed Kristen, and she reluctantly accepted it. Don't ask how I got
her email.
Don't worry, I'm in a good mood, just good ol' sarcasm, get ready for it.
So,
I finally had the stones to weigh myself this last week, and I saw that
I was 83 kilos! or just under 183 pounds, which I think is the
lightest I've weighed since Junior year. I guess 300 push ups a day, as
well as running 3 days a week helps. I initially had a goal of 165 by
the time I get home, but earlier I didn't think it was realistic, but I
think it is now, so I'm gonna do it. I have taken a lot of stuff out of
my diet now, mostly anything bread. And, plus, everyone talks about
how much thinner I am, so, yeah, motivation.
1) (How did you break the mirror?) So, I was just being me, you know, the whole
lack of common sense thing kicks in, I was shaving, and there was a
little shelf on the mirror, and I leaned on it, and it just breaks off.
2) (Christmas phone call?) Skype, no doubt. But, that's over 2 months away, I
don't want to think about Christmas just yet, mostly because Christmas
Day kicks off the last 6 months of my mission....
3) I'm not really sure. I don't think it was celebrated by the people.
But, there is a YSA Halloween dance in Durres for members. And, a
Halloween dance for the youth in Tirana.
So,
yeah, we got this awesome lady who went to church
yesterday for all 3 hours! It was awesome! She has a baptismal date
for a week from Saturday, and if she comes to church on Sunday again for
all 3 hours, she should be good. So, I'm excited for her. Her friend showed up to church yesterday and stayed for
all of it, and he said he liked it. We will hopefully meet with him
tonight.
So, Eric, before you start dialing Kristen's number
freaking out, asking what I said to her, relax, it was all a joke.
Still kinda annoyed that you can't wait for your brother to see
something good happen in your life, but it's ok, I'm not mad.
(2 Peter 1:6, Titus 2:2, D&C 101:38, 2 Corinthians 6:4, Hebrews 6:12. Find the common word) (The word is Patience)
Also,
I'm gonna need to take a picture for the cut-out, mostly because the
people at the wedding need to see that I'm no longer Fat-Albert, I'm
Hot-Guy, so all of Kristen's attractive friends can fight over taking
pictures of my cut-out.
Have a great week! Be safe! Don't be stupid!
2013 Oct 14th email
Korça was the best p-day because there isn't really much to do for P-day in Elbasan.
Sorry Eric, your team lost. (Soccer)
Can Kristen handle sarcasm? (Yes)
I'm currently making a list of very important questions that I will ask
her on Christmas. My sister-in-law needs to pass my test. So, if she
fails, well, then it's over. That's what happens when you blow me off
on my brother's wedding. Just kidding. But I still got questions for
her on Christmas. Also, I think that you need to make a life-size
cut-out of me for the wedding, my presence must be there. The feeling
of dry humor and awesome sarcasm must be felt at the reception.
Dad:
1) I have absolutely no idea, but apparently Albania is one of the most original countries in Europe.
2) Yep, the tress are changing colors. However, it's been very hot this week, and we are wearing suits now.....
3) Um, I broke a mirror in the house, so I needed
money to pay for a new one. So, I just took a bigger amount out because
of the fee....
So, things are going good. We
are teaching a family, but the mom is the main focus because the kids
are all under 8, and the dad works ridiculous hours so church is
difficult for him to come, so hopefully in the future. But, the mom is
doing great, but she couldn't come to church yesterday because one of
the kids was sick. But, things are going good.
Well, I just realized that I have been in Albania
for over a year now. I always thought it'd be weird to live outside the
states for a year. I remember how I thought this would go so slow.
Yeah right....
Well, that's about it. Have a good week! Don't do stupid stuff!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
Thursday, October 10, 2013
2013 Oct 7 email
Wow..... I cannot believe it. Jake was awesome, my heart goes out to him and his family at this time. (A member of our stake passed away suddenly. He was one of Scott's music teachers.)
I
would say that to what Alex wrote in the obituary. Getting on stage
performing is something I hate, just cause I too get stage fright. But,
in my short time working with him, he really got me to be just a little
bit more outgoing that I was before. I'm still not, but I always
remember in practices and everything he would always pushed me to come
out of my shell a lot more, which is difficult to tell a very closed
person.
I want that song, heck the whole album. Get it and use my money to pay for it.
Well, I glad yall's week was good. Andrea, nice job on the dancing!
Yeah, conference was awesome. I was at both Saturday sessions, and Sunday morning. Holland did it again! But there were several, including President Monson's Saturday morning one, President Uchtdorf's, and Elder Bednar's.
1) Ç has a 'ch' sound, like church.
2) both. I'm 3 months ahead of him in the mission, and his birthday is in March, so I'm older by a few months in both meanings.
3) 57 missionaries. 14 sisters. As far as total last year, not sure, I think like 44, but only 6 sisters.
4) Yes. (Don't know)
So,
yeah, this last week, we have had two main investigators we worked
with. One finally came back from Greece, and she's doing awesome. We
got the Boydell's to come with us to meet the family, and they loved it.
Well, nothing new other than that. We work hard.
Have a good week! Be safe! Do nothing stupid!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 Sep 30 email
Hey what's up?
Sorry, we went to Korça today, so we just got back. I'll send pictures next week. So, I don't have much time today.
Training's
going good, Elder Jorgenson has been a lot more positive than I was
when I was a fringo. It's coming along, avash avash, just like every
missionary. He's doing great.
1) Korça has been the best P-day of the transfer so far.
2) Tirana is a lot more alive than Elbasan. Tirana is always noisy, Elbasan is always quiet.
3) I'm the oldest in the
District by a few months over Bilodeau.
So, another week in Elbasan. We got this guy
that we have been teaching, and things have been going pretty well with
him.
We
also have this awesome family, but they have been in Greece
for the past week, but should be back sometime this week, so that'll be
good.
Have a good week! Enjoy school and work! Don't do anything stupid!
Ju dua!
Elder Pallmëri
Thursday, September 26, 2013
2013 Sep 23 email
Why is everyone getting married?!
Have a good week! Be safe! Don't do anything stupid!
Well, glad y'all had a good week. As I always say, basketball is better, so let's let the best sport decide. (Utah beat BYU in football last Saturday)
Yeah, long sleeve sweater. I would still say large, but I'm not
sure. I don't think I took my sweater vest with me on my mission, so
yeah...
The Boydells leave in November, just
before Thanksgiving. There's a new couple apparently coming in
November.
Jake, I remember those days......Like in those commercials you've seen, it gets better. (Junior year)
Andrea, ah, World History.
Eric, geez....(Don't know....)
1) No. (Again, don't know)
2) Yeah, there's an Elder who's a Ute fan. He hates how just about everyone plans on going to BYU here after the mission
3) Qysh ke kenë? Qysh po kalon? Don't even try with google translate....(Well this is what the translator came up with: Since you have? Since going through?)
And it came to pass that lessons were taught, and
testimonies did grow. However, as one woman continued to be spiritually
awesome, it came to pass that her husband did take her and the children
to the faraway land of Greece for at least one week. So, contact was
lost. For now.
Yesterday at church I was told I was giving a talk without ever being told. I don't
think I ever gave a talk that unprepared before. I don't know how, but
it lasted 10 minutes, I think. I talked about missionary work, and I
described how Brigham Young was an investigator and that the smart
missionary's testimony meant nothing to him, while the inexperienced
missionary's testimony got him good. I also talked about David O. McKay
saying, 'every member a missionary,' as well as President Hinckley
saying, 'people think missionary work is only tracting, but there's a
better way.' Then, I talked about Elder Holland's talk when he said,
'would Joseph Smith and Hyrum blaspheme before God in their final hour?'
If you can tell, about halfway through my thought was, 'how on earth
will I finish this talk?' Nevertheless, I did, and people said it was
good, so I'm glad. I also taught Priesthood again, chapter 17 in the
Lorenzo Snow book.
Elder Pallmëri
Sunday, September 22, 2013
2013 Sep 16 email
What's up?
The members say I speak better,
but I am also more calm, I was pretty stiff when I was a greenie, and
they now say I am much more calm, which is definitely true, and they
have said I have changed a lot. Also, one member says I am too skinny
now....
Eric, you look like a red-neck with a beard.
Wow, Brock is done.....(Young man in our ward returning on 9/26)
That's cool, tell everyone that remembers I exist I say hi to them. (Ward members asking about Scott)
Package?
Maybe skittles, but nothing else really. I guess, like as far as
Christmas, all I would ask is maybe a sweater, since now as missionaries
we can wear sweaters instead of suits. Members here say I have shed
many kilos, so if I wear my suits that are too big for me now they'll
think I gained it all back. But, other than that, there's nothing I
really need, I've been good.
Alright, well, this last week when writing in my
journal I have been writing in scripture language because I needed to
amuse myself, so now I shall thus continue my writings in holy manner:
And it came to pass that much preaching was done in
the land of Elbasan. After many hours laboring and preaching repentance
to the Elbasan-ites, it came to pass that three hearts were touched:
one man and two women. Therefore, the teaching of the Gospel began,
and after the space of many moons, the man said to us: "I
feel more full when we meet." He is a good man, born of goodly parents
who raised him with the idea of actually learning and being one of
intelligence. And thus, things were understood to him.
And now we return to the account when preaching and
interacting with two women. And it came to pass in the 20th hour of the
11th day of the 9th month in the 5 year of the reign of Obama, a women
named halted and spoke to us. And thus, on the morrow, we did
meet, and she brought an acquaintance. And thus the Book of Mormon was introduced to their
lives, and throughout all the lesson, the question hit their minds: Why
are their so many churches in the world? And thus begins an account of
the teachings of the Gospel with these two women.
And thus, while the working and tilling of the land
of Elbasan goes forth, we received a call from the Elders, preaching
down south in the land Lushnje. Elder Knight, my father, sends word of a
Lushnje-ite who wants to know the Gospel that has just moved northeast
in the land of Elbasan. And thus we marched our way forth to their
domain, where we met a family: a wife, a husband, and 3 small
children. And yet, that is not all. She comes with good tidings,
saying: "I have two friends here who want to learn as well." And thus,
our hearts were made full with the opportunities brought before us.
And now, I make an end of my sayings for this time, being filled
with the desire to save the souls of the ever-so-loving Elbasan-ites,
the Lord has thus given us means by which we can declare His word,
because of our faith. And thus it is, amen.
I hope that doesn't sound blasphemous, or like I'm
full of it. It really was a good week, and I know it only happened
because the Lord gave us the opportunity to find these people.
Anyway, have a good week! Be safe! Enjoy school! Don't do anything stupid!
Boshtër Pallmëri
2013 Sep 9 email
It's a boy! His name is Elder Jorgenson. I'll send a picture of him in a sec.
Dang, school started. It's weird not being in school while everyone else is.
Jake, good luck, Junior year's hard, but you can get through it.
Andrea, glad you like 8th grade.
Wow, Kristen's engaged. Everyone's thinking about marriage. On my birthday....?!
So, being in Elbasan is weird, but it was weirder
last week. It's kinda soaked in that I'm back, and that I'm working
with the same people again I worked with last year. It is weird to be
training in the same area I was trained. But, it's good.
Yeah, there's a couple new members. But, hey, I played the piano in sacrament yesterday in church.
We just met with a member before we got on internet, who just
happened to let us know he's a member of 14 years!
We also have a couple investigators already.
No, I haven't memorized the Articles of faith in Albanian.......yet.
So, yeah, things here are going. A little slow, but they are going.
So,
I have given birth to Elder Jorgenson. He's good, we've been having fun together. It's weird
training, especially in lessons when the Boydells accompany us as well,
and I realize I currently am the the bridge of communication between
investigators and members. But, we have been enjoying Elbasan.
Well, have a good week this week! Enjoy school,
work, and whatever other thing you are doing this week. Don't do
anything stupid!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Pictures
 |
| He misses his guitar |
I thought he was ironing his shirts
but I think he is putting them out to dry.
but I think he is putting them out to dry.
Clean kitchen
He's been telling us how hot it is!
Monday, September 2, 2013
2013 Sep 2 email
Well this was an interesting weekend.....
Which is his favorite?
What's up family?
Happy birthday Grandpa Bob and Grandma Carlene!
So, I have been transferred back to Elbasan, and I will be training! I can feel the contractions already!
So, the thing is transfer calls happen on Sunday nights, but I actually have been back in Elbasan since Friday. For reasons that don't need to be explained, I got emergency transferred on Friday. President called me Friday morning while weekly planning, and by Friday night I was back in Elbasan. So, I am now with Elder Bilodeau until about Thursday, and then we will both get our trainees on Thursday. Elder Bilodeau is also training in Elbasan, and he will be district leader.
Jake and Andrea, enjoy school.
Eric, I'll try to get a jersey. (Soccer)
Yep,
EFY did happen this week for all the youth (in Albania), and it was in the city of
Korca, not Tirana. A lot of Elbasan youth went, and they all bore their
testimony about how awesome EFY was and how they grew spiritually. Oh,
the memories.....
Dad:
1) See up top (Transfer)
2)
We take something called fergons. They are big vans that are pretty
much like taxis. Nah, trains are never used. When I got here, we
actually had the Elders in Macedonia drive us over to Elbasan, since it
was on the way. At the time the Macedonia Elders had a car, since it
was just two of them and a whole country.
3) Yeah....Thanks Eric (BYU/UVA game)
So, this transfer is a long one. A REALLY long one. Next transfer day? January 1st, 2014.......4
months. (Long transfer due to change in MTC training time. A one time schedule change.) But, I'm excited to train, and especially to be back in
Elbasan. It's weird being back in a city I have already served in. I have a different apartment. It's the one the other companionship of Elders used when I was here last year.
Elder Palmer with
a street performer
Well, enjoy school! Enjoy this week! Don't do anything stupid!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 Aug 26th email
Geez, y'all start school next week!
No, our district is all Americans.
Yeah,
this week has been really hot as well. Thanks to the heat, I have
dropped weight, and members have noticed. It's awesome!
Oh shoot, Brock's almost a dead Elder! (A missionary from our ward who returns next month)
1) DANG! I think I'll be on the computer later today, so I'll try to bring it then. (not sure...)
2) It's fantastic. I have no idea what's in it, I've
learned over time since being here to not question what's in food, just
enjoy the taste. (Tave Dheu)
3) I'm really ready to move on to a different place. I've been here too long. But, I don't know what's happening to me still.
4) Redskins and Cardinals (NFL)
Well,
the big think that happened this last week is that we found two
interesting new investigators. One of them knows the scriptures better
than me. Yesterday in church in Priesthood he quoted from the book of
Abraham.....
Ok, well enjoy your last week of summer! Jake and Andrea, enjoy school. Eric, enjoy college and soccer!
Be safe this week! Don't do anything stupid!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 Aug 19th email
Nice, my blog is updated! I just looked through it, that picture with
the bridge and the lake, I have walked and ran several times on that
bridge.
One last thing before I go: HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA!!! (Jerry)
Dang, Spencer Leake is getting married....
Dang, Dave's gonna have a baby!
Oh crud, if we used bikes here the death toll of missionaries would be huge. No, walking's better. (Missionaries in Richmond ride bikes and have had a few close calls lately.)
I will send a picture this week!
1) Yeah, it's happened. Elder Finklea began in 2nd
Branch, and he came back now to train because he knew the area. That's
what I want to do. Kosovo is possible for me, not
Macedonia, that's for the Serbs at this point.
2) It's called Tave Dheu. It's fantastic
3) We went bowling again today.
4) I did get it! But, I forgot to bring it with me today. Next week. Don't worry, it's safe.
Well, things started picking up this week. We
found this guy while street contacting and he's awesome! We
already have him on a baptismal date for the 21st of September.
And, tonight we should be having an appointment with our recent
convert and her son, who is a new investigator, so we're excited
for that.
Plus, we finally had a meeting with a less active
last week who's
really cool, just incredibly busy and out of town a lot.
So, things are starting to pick up here, and we're having fun. Two
more weeks of transfer. I love 2nd Branch to death, but I have been
here way too long now, so I'm ready for a change.
Yeah dad, the Branch President is awesome. His name is President
Gjini (gj is almost like a normal english 'j' sound, kinda hard to
explain, I'll explain better in 10 months. He really gets it too, so
that's really good.
Anyway, have a good week! Be safe! Don't do anything stupid!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
Saturday, August 17, 2013
2013 Aug 12th email
Dang, summer's almost over! Sorry, but that's ok. Next time there is a summer, I'll be there, so no problem.
Glad you enjoyed your trip, sounded like it was a ton of fun.
The fruit in season right now is watermelon. And it
is THE BEST! We eat a lot of it. Yeah, they're everywhere in the
street markets.
Jake, Mrs. Earl is the best, so
hope you have her. Just don't be an idiot in her class. Enjoy band.
Oh man, and you have AP summer work, best of luck on that!
Andrea, read!
Dad:
1) As far as I know, no.
2)
Transfer calls are 3 weeks from yesterday. I love 2nd Branch.
3) Just weekly scores, and how that new quarterback is doing.
So,
this last week was HOT. Ridiculously hot. I'm pretty sure I sweat off
like 10 pounds last week, it's awesome. Remember those blue pants I
wore last year before I left? Well, I still wear them, but a very tight
knot must be tied for them to stay on. I feel lighter.
SO, yeah invstigator work here is pretty slow.
But, we had 3 less actives in church Sunday,
which beats the zone goal of 2, so that's good! I've been working with
them for a while, they're engaged, and the guy had started coming back
for a while, and then stopped for a while, so we hope they're on the
uphill again.
Anyway, not too much else to say. Stay safe this week! Don't do anything dumb!
Have a good week!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 Aug 5th email
Hey, what's up?
So, funny story. A
guy on Friday actually called me and told me he found my credit and
debit card, as well as my ministerial certificate and a copy of my 'leje
qendrim,' which allows me to be here. So, that was pretty miraculous
to say the least.
O yes mom, family is first to Albanians. It is how
we try to approach people. Several already believe they'll live
together forever.
Dang, the platform. (Diving platform at Lava Hot Springs) I'm probably still too much of a chicken. Also, heck yeah! That pizza place was awesome! (Pizza and Put Put in Star Valley Wy)
Jake and Andrea, summer's almost over. Dang. Don't you hate that?
Dad:
1) Of course I've seen it. I never saw the ending coming either the first time around. (Sixth Sense)
2) So, I never actually carry around my wallet. I
kept it in my white handbook case, Eric had one, where I just put it in
my front shirt pocket, so my money and cards are usually very close to
me. I always carried my debit card in it unless I needed it. I think
everything was clear, I can wait a bit before I get a new card.
3) I have talked to Marc a couple times, but he didn't respond once, and I guess I forgot. I'll change that right now.
4) No, am I supposed to?
So, this week was way too slow. Everyone blew us off. And it's getting
really hot. August is looking to be a hot one. So, we've been doing
way too much finding. But last night we went tracting and we found this awesome couple. We had a really
good discussion. They
definitely want to meet and see the church. We also met a guy off the street, and he's
really cool, but he lives in the 3rd Branch area, so we'll be giving him
to them pretty soon.
Other than that, we are prepping up for the stake,
so we are really starting to crack down on less-active hunting, and it's
been tough because addresses are impossible here and everyone works
'all the time....' What do you do, eh?
Well, that's about it. Enjoy this week, be safe, and don't do anything stupid!
Ju dua shumë!
Elder Palmer
2013 July 29th email
Yeah, I got robbed. So, like in my last email, please
cancel my debit card so the guy doesn't take all my money.
So, I was in a bus, and it. was.
packed. I didn't even see it happen, but some of the other
missionaries saw their backpacks unzipped and lost some menial stuff, so
I decided to check to see if I was good. Apparently not. I'm kinda
ticked right now. But, I got some awesome pants still.
Last week we went to Kruje, but since our zone is the Tiranan zone and we can't really leave it we can't really go anywhere....
I have backed up pictures.
Yes, I write in my journal. I am almost done with my big black one actually.
Glad you're all having out west, it sounds like a lot of fun! wish I could be there.
1) Really bad. but, I inherited some dumbbells from a missionary
that went home in March, so I have been using them. Also, I have
started doing curl-ups again, and I've realized ab workouts slim me down
more than running. It's weird, but true.
2) Nope, but this last Thursday marked 20 years of
the church in Albania. 2nd Branch said there was an activity, but it
ended up being members bearing their testimony of the church for an
hour. Not bad, but I thought there was a party.
3) The artificial lake where we run is a national park. As far as other, not really.
Well,
don't got too much to say. We are still in epic finding mode, so no
investigators close to baptism yet. We found a young man, but
he doesn't have a phone. He's really promising, we just don't know
how to contact him.
Well, have a good week this week! Road tripping,
that sounds fun actually. I just realized I haven't driven a car in
over a year.
Be safe this week!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 July 22nd email
Wow. Well, now I can say "last year when I was on my mission." That's just weird.
Wow, it sounds like youth conference was fun. I remember doing the ropes course, I chickened out a bit early too...dangit.
I wanna do violin again, but this time I wanna be in a 'Yellowcard' situation, not for classical stuff.
I
haven't bought the pants yet. We went to Kruje and that took most of
P-day today, so....But Sister Ford said we're good to wear them.
Dad:
1) Vacations? The
Beach. Then the beach again. Then again. And again. And again. I'm
actually quite jealous. I can hear the Outer Banks call in one year.
2) No, we have a guy. Just 3 bucks. That's all. (Haircuts)
3)
Missionaries teach the lessons, with members helping as usual so they
can have friends. We do have branch missionaries, but they're both
about 20.
So, I don't got too much to write this week
unfortunately. Our area just got whitewashed pretty much. Our best
investigator planned on meeting with us last week, and when we were
waiting for him, I called him, and he told me he was in Saranda for two
weeks. Saranda is way down in Southern Albania. And we really don't
have any other investigators.
We have a lot of retaining and less active work
though, so we'll be able to get lessons at least. But yeah, this next
week could be slow.....
Well, I really don't
have much more to write. I've learned that as time goes by it gets
harder and harder to write long letters. But I try. I think I failed
this week.
Well, enjoy your trip this week! Be safe!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 July 15th email
Hey family, what's up?!
Yes, I hit my year mark on Thursday, which is kinda ridiculous. Yeah, the time does fly. I remember the beginning of Eric's mission. That was really slow. An Elder in my last district described the mission like a train, that slowly get faster as time goes. That's how it is with each transfer, each one just goes faster and faster. Which is true, because I'm at the halfway point at this transfer. What the heck!?!?
Yes, I hit my year mark on Thursday, which is kinda ridiculous. Yeah, the time does fly. I remember the beginning of Eric's mission. That was really slow. An Elder in my last district described the mission like a train, that slowly get faster as time goes. That's how it is with each transfer, each one just goes faster and faster. Which is true, because I'm at the halfway point at this transfer. What the heck!?!?
Well, I might as well get the bad news out before the
good. As of July 30, Montenegro will no longer be a part of our
mission. It will be a part of the Adriatic North Mission. It makes
sense, the Adriatic North is all countries that speak Serbian or an
extremely close dialect, plus Montenegro has like no Albanian speakers,
so it's just not needed in our mission. The two missionaries up there
are really excited from what I've heard. That also means the Westwoods,
the senior couple up there that Grandma Carlene and Grandpa Jerry know,
will also be with the North Mission now, so I probably won't meet them.
The baptism went very well. I had to perform the
ordinance twice because she kicked her leg out at the last second the
first time, but it all went well. And Elder Matson confirmed her
yesterday, so it all went well.
Yeah, I remember telling myself last year that I
have time on the mission thinking of what I want to do. Well, I'm over
halfway done and haven't really thought about it too much. Although, I
have decided to take up the violin again when I get home. I have
finally understood why I hated it so much. Having weekly lessons just
made it feel like homework. Teaching myself has always been more fun.
But, mom, I'm sorry for all the grief I put you through for like 18
years with the violin, but I do plan on continuing with it. I know
saying sorry isn't enough, but I'll think of something else in a year
when I get back. (No worries...)
Jake, they're gonna do a 50 miler next year I bet! (High Adventure)
Andrea, have fun in Utah.
Nice, youth conference, Pacit shume qejf! (very accomadating...I have no idea...)
Dad!
1) Nope, not in my mission......
2)
Yeah, I'm so excited for it! Last transfer I wanted to get these
slacks that are awesome, but President said no when he saw another
missionary wearing them, but hopefully now I can! We have to wait from
President Ford to get the 'ok' to actually start living this new
standard, but I think it will. Yeah, I was surprised about the jackets,
too! I like suits, we look CIA in suits. But, I'm down with sweaters as well.
3) Um, I'm not sure if I have run there. The place
I run is at 'liqeni atificiale,' or the artificial lake. The place you
wrote down is called, ' the hills of the lake.\ I don't know, could be
the same place, but probably not the same.
So, yeah, that's my week. I'm doing 3 exchanges
this week, so it'll be a fun week. Nothing really special going on, we
need to be doing a bit more finding so we can get more progressing
investigators, and also we're gonna start less-active hunting so we can
help build the branch up for the stake.
Anyway, have fun this week. Be safe!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 July 8th email
Hey!
Holy cow, Eric, you were at the beach. I envy you so much right now.
Hope you all had a great 4th of July, I can't wait to celebrate it with you next year!
Man, I wish I could go to the temple right now. 9 months is waay to long, especially with another year without it.
Jake, I hope you enjoyed EFY, now enjoy the big hike this week. They're always fun in the end. (50 miler)
Eric and Andrea, enjoy Utah.
Nephi in Albanian is Nefi (Nefy).
Aw, water trips....wish I could come. (Snake River)
By the way, I'm not trunky, don't worry.
Pops:
1) We went to the Stephens Center, which serves American food. I had a Bacon Cheeseburger. It was really good......
2)
Yeah, they have Independence Day at the end of November. This last
November was their 100 year anniversary. Nothing insane happened, or at
least in Elbasan, that's where I was when it occurred.
3) Edi Rama won, which is what I think the people mostly wanted. No riots happened, so I assume that was a good thing.
Dang, Jazz.
So,
this Friday at 6:30 we have a baptism. I'm the one baptizing, so this
will be the first time I will baptize anyone ever, so we'll see how many
tries it will take.
We also found this guy street contacting. He seems really open, which is odd. He has the opposite of the
normal Albanian mentality of religion, meaning that 'only believing' is
not good enough. He's really cool, though, I'm excited to meet with
him this week.
Anyway, enjoy your week. Jake, don't complain. The rest, enjoy what you're doing this week and be safe!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 July 1st email
Hey, what's up?
Rain, huh? It hasn't rained here in forever, I think it doesn't rain very much in the summer here. It's still really hot. (In Richmond, it has been the summer of constant rain)
Jake, like efy. (He did)
Andrea, chill.
Eric, nice job! (DAT)
Anyway, Dad:
1)
Um, dad, I don't want to hurt your brain trying to explain this to you.
Let's just say noun declentions are ridiculous here. Since June was
describing what kind of day today was, the ending has to be changed.
That goes for July as well. And since the word for July ends in a 'k,'
a 'u' goes after it when declined, otherwise it's usually a 'i.'
2) Oh, we can get fireworks here. GOOD ones. Don't you remember that video of New Year's? I don't plan on getting any though.
3) I've tried, I can't check shirt size because the one I'm wearing doesn't have a tag.
Again, very excited for Trey Burke. Sounds like a good draft happened. Can't wait to watch it next year.
Well,
unfortunately, we're pretty much on the downhill here. People have been
dropping us left and right. Nothing I'm used to, though. We do have a
baptismal date on Saturday.
I don't know, nothing too interesting happened this
week, unfortunately. All of Tirana gathered together this morning and
we played basketball. Man, I am really bad at it. I guess only playing
twice in 9 months can hurt.
Well, have a good week this week. Jake, only one girlfriend from EFY.
Anyway, have a good week! Love you all!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 June 24th email
What is up?
Yeah, I watched that Mormon Message as well last week with Elder Kaeron, he's an awesome seventy.
Mom, I have responsibilities but they're not difficult.
Also, I have not received a package from the relief society.
Nice, Girls Camp! Dad, you're one of the girls now!
Ah, bears, Eric don't laugh. (We had two bears at camp.)
Wow, youth
conference is coming up. Last time that happened I reported the next
week I began my mission. Man, that's messed up.
Andrea, enjoy dance camp!
Jake, do something awesome this week.
1)
Yeah, like I said in the beginning, yesterday was election day. I was
worried whether or not we could work yesterday, because last year the
election resulted in riots. We'll see what happens when the results
come out.
2) I did not see the broadcast, but President Ford
emailed the main changes. I didn't know anything about it in mission
conference. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Like, iPads are cool,
but Facebook? I'll be trunky all the time for the next year. We'll
see, maybe it won't even start in this mission till after I leave. But I
agree, tracting has not been very good for me since I have been here.
3) Eric, don't fail. I'll be praying for you.
So,
this last week has been hot. VERY hot. Like, ridiculously hot. So
hot, that I now shower 3 times a day. So, if you plan on sending
another package anytime soon, the main thing I would request is another
week's worth of Gs, for obvious reasons.
This week was a little slow, just a lot of
appointments fell through. But, we still have someone on course to be
baptized a week from Saturday. She's accepted pretty much everything.
We also were teaching this 9 year old girl, and she
loves church. But, her parents think she' way too young to understand
anything. They have
no problem with their daughter being taught and going to church.
Well, that's about it. We do have some other potentials, but we are in the beginnings with them, so let's hope they progress.
Anyway, have a good week, be safe! Don't do anything stupid, unless it's fun! Bëj shaka.
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 June 17th email
Happy Father's Day Dad! Dang, I completely forgot about it. It's not celebrated here at all.
Anyway,
I'm District Leader. I plan
district meetings, do exchanges, and receive the numbers of the rest of
the missionaries in my district. My district is huge, so I get to
do exchanges once a week.
Wow, it's summer vacation. What the heck?!?!
Andrea, enjoy girls camp! Mos u anko gjatë javës. (Do not complain during the week)
Jake, keep chillin.
Dad, sounds like you got good gifts. Nice! You're right, the rules are sexist.
Aunt Lee Ann has chickens! Nice!
I'll try to be a good District Leader. You know already how humble I am.
Dang, Superman movie. Another movie to wait for.
1) Nope
2) Nope
3) Nope. Actually I have
no idea, I never saw any movie posters, I think Albania's far behind.
It wouldn't surprise me if all the Albanians saw it anyway online
though.
This week
was an intense week. Elder Kaeron came to Albania for Mission and
District Conference. His conversion story is pretty amazing. He hasn't
been a member for as long as I thought. He got baptized at age 26, and
still has a 10-year-old daughter right now, so It can't have been too
long ago, and now he's a seventy.
He counciled us on the importance of finding, and how to always look for opportunities to serve others.
Also,
there was a meeting he held for recent converts and investigators, and
Elder Matson and I went with an investigator, and she really enjoyed it.
Then, Mission conference happened. It was really good. Someone
Elder Foster and I worked hard with ended up getting the Melchizedek
Priesthood. President showed us pictures of everyone who was gonna be
sustained for the Melchizedek Priesthood, and half the mission marveled
that he was gonna get it. So, it was a good feeling how I helped turn
him around a bit. 3 months ago he was a complete knuckle-head. He
still is a knuckle-head, just a smaller one now.
Elder Kaeron spoke about forgiving others, which always needs to be
emphasized here. It was really good, and really clear to understand.
No loopholes given.
Also, President Ford gave a talk in Albanian. It was really funny.
Anyway, that's all I have this week. Everyone have a good week, enjoy summer, and be safe!
2013 June 10th email
Well, I'm staying another 3 months in 2nd Branch.
Unfortunately, I am not training. One of the missionaries in the MTC
went home, and I was the trainer removed from training after he left.
Not mad, but pretty dang disappointed. The reward? District Leader.
But, I will be with an Elder Matson, who's been out about
six months, in the group behind me. We'll have fun together, I'm
excited to work with him. Also, I'm still with the Winders, they're hilarious.
Eric, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You're definitely old, sorry.
Wow, last week of school. This is kinda ridiculous..... Where is the time going?
Nice, temple trip, sometimes I wish Albania had a temple,
a spiritual overdose would be good sometimes for me here. Yeah, I
think I heard about that new policy from the Temple Presidency,
definitely a good idea for the youth. (walk in through the front door, past the big mural on the way to the baptistry)
Yeah, I knew Jerry comes home soon, I talk to Colin
occasionally. I come home exactly a year after him. That's coming
close, o geez........
1) See above
2) District conference happens next week
3) Much better. A little sore still, but much, much better. Running helps.
Jake and Andrea, enjoy your summer.
Well,
the work here. The 9 year old girl really
likes church. Having lessons with a 9 year old is difficult. We teach
simply, but we need to definitely make it more fun still. She loves
going to church and to primary, though, and the primary president helps
us out a lot, and I assume she knows a lot better than I do. But things
go well with her.
Also, while stopping by a family's house, this old
woman comes up to us and said she wants us to pray for her, because she
might need another mouth operation and it's too expensive for her. So,
we went by, gave her a blessing, and talked about the Restoration, and
left her a Book of Mormon, and she said she'd read it. So, we'll stop
by again this week to see her.
Also, we started meeting with another woman.
Originally, she just wanted English. But, after our first lesson we
left her 2 Nephi 31 to read and discuss next time. The next time we
met, she had a lot of questions concerning the Restoration, and
after explaining it to her, it really caught her interest. She asked,
"how can I know if what you're saying is true?" Well........the Book of
Mormon could be a pretty good help. So, things look promising with
her.
As you can see, all my investigators are women.
Well, that's about it. Have a good week this week, be safe in everything you do!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
2013 June 3rd email
Hello.
Dang, sounds like stake conference was awesome. Congrats on the talk mom!
Yeah, we actually have district conference next week.
Man, school is almost over. This is ridiculous. One down, one more to go!
Anyway,
I have not read the New Testament in Albanian, but I'm currently
reading it in English. I'm halfway done with Luke right now.
Nice, packages! (From our ward Relief Society)
Eric, you're so old. (23)
Jake, yeah, summer!
Andrea, same!
Dad:
1) Yeah, District
Conference is next weekend. We have Elder Patrick Kearon coming to
Albania, and we'll also have a mission conference with him as well, so
we're looking forward to that.
2) I forgot what he does specifically, but he does something with computers. He doesn't know Albanian.
3) they're usable, I just hate untying my shoes, I have better stuff to do with my time.
GO PACERS!!!!!
K, so this
week unfortunately has slowed down a little. We have this woman who knows that the church is true, but she has been sick for
almost a week now, so hopefully she gets better soon. We also have
this woman who one day just walked into the church wanting to pray, and
she stayed for a baptism and wanted to learn about the church. And
then, there's this 9-year-old girl (still don't remember her name....)
from English course who took a Book of Mormon and started reading it
herself. She got permission from her parents to learn about the church,
and she came yesterday, and apparently really liked primary. So, we're
gonna start working with her and the Primary President.
Well, that's what we got going here in 2nd Branch. Transfer calls come Sunday, I could be in Labor soon (crosses fingers!).
Anyway, be safe and have a good week!
Ju dua!
Elder Palmer
Monday, May 27, 2013
2013 May 27th email
Hiiiiii
So, yeah, I just read on lds.org about her funeral services, sounded like it was really good. (Sister Monson)
No idea who Brother Robinson is, but yeah, it's definitely a sacrifice. (Seminary teacher, explained the word sacrifice comes from to make and sacred.)
Nice, good luck on the talk. I've had to give two this past weekend. I'll explain later.
Yeah, it's hot here. It only gets worse though. I haven't heard about Oklahoma, that's really too bad. (Tornadoes in Moore, OK)
Nice, Jake, you got your license! Be safe.
Andrea, this week was pretty good, but whatever.
Dad, when I saw that Eric was getting fitted for suits, I thought it was for something else. (Just getting a suit.)
1) The shoes are doing good, one pair better than
the other. The back part of one pair is ruined, but that's ok. I'm too
busy to take the time to tie and untie, I'm busy. The suits are doing
good.
2) No idea, school always ends and then re-begins. (Schedule of summer vacation in Albania)
3) Tirana definitely has all the immigrants here, Tirana's the place where
everyone in Albania migrates to get work. (Wondering if Tirana is more diverse than other cities he has served in.)
K, this last week was pretty AWESOME! Two baptisms!
Më në fund! (finally) After 10 months and six days of work, it has paid off and
two investigators actually made it to the waters of baptism! We had one on Friday night and the other Saturday. I gave a talk
on baptism, translated for
our ward mission leader (an embassy worker), and confirmed one new member
yesterday! Elder Foster baptized and confirmed the other in the 1st Branch. So, yeah, a pretty good week.
Yeah, so things are doing pretty good here. We have
about two weeks left as a companionship and then it's transfers.
Well, have a good week! Happy Memorial Day! Be safe!
Ju dua,
Elder Palmer
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