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

2013 May 20th email

Hello!

So, first of all, everyone remember President Monson in your prayers at this time.  (Sister Monson passed away last week.)

Mom, I'm glad Mother's Day was awesome for you.  It was fun talking.  I was trunky for about a day, but then we moved on.

Yes, we had that sort of Youth Conference I think 4 years ago.  Personally, my favorite was probably my last one, where we just hung around Richmond and did service and whatnot.  Trek, sorry, wasn't a fan at all, my least favorite.

Oooh, chipotle sounds good right now.  My stomach will probably explode once I eat it again for the first time in 2 years.

Well, we ran a 5K again this morning, but this time I ran without stopping once.  Më në fund!  (Finally)

So, people liked my photo, eh?  Tell them to feel free to send me an email if they want.

Eric, don't fail school.

Jake and Andrea, see you next week.

Dad:

1)  I did the exercise for like an hour after email, and then I forgot.

2) Last week.  (When did you last backup your pictures?)

3)  While the mission may be the toughest thing you'll ever do, it's also the most rewarding thing you could ever do at this point of your life.  Nothing's better waking up knowing you're doing the Lord's work helping those around you come closer to Christ and see the miracles of the Gospel change people's lives.  Also, at least it's what I've learned so far, you learn patience, and pretty much those characteristics of Christ that are your weakest, this is an opportunity to strengthen them (like me with patience).

K, Memphis-Indiana, I want it.  (His wish for NBA finals.)

Anyway, this week should be really good, but I'm not gonna say anything until next week because I don't want to jinx anything.  But yeah, we've got a good pool of investigators, and we're working with quite a few less active people as well. 

 

 

Also, Sister Winder got upset at me for not wanting to have at least 10 kids when I get married.  She was like, "Why wouldn't you want to have a large family?"  I said, "Because 10 is ridiculous.  When God commanded us to multiply and replenish the earth, He was talking to everyone, not just me.  4 is a good number, max."  (We have four and that is a multiple of two which makes sense for Scott to think so mathematically)

Well, that's about it for this week.  Next week will definitely be a lot better hopefully, so hopefully good things will come from that.

Have a good week!  Love you all!  Be safe!

Ju dua!

Elder Palmer

2013 May 13th email

Hi, long time no hear.  How's it hanging?  (This was the day after Mother's Day, when we were able to skype for 2 1/2 hours, so there is not much to post.)

Ok, well, nothing else really to report this week.  I think we pretty much got everything down yesterday.  Dad, I'll give that 'r-rolling' exercise a try this week.

So, since I didn't really talk about the work overall that's going on here in 2nd Branch, just to let you know we did reactivate someone we've been working with pretty much since I got here.   We do have two baptismal dates, one on May 24th and one right after on May 25th, they're both doing awesome.

Ok, well I don't really have anything else to say, but I love you all!

Jake, drive safe.

Andrea, be happy.

Eric, don't fail school.

Love you Mom!

Love you Dad!

Ju dua,

Elder Palmer

2013 May 12th email

IM ON!!!!!!!!!  (This was Mother's Day and Scott was telling us he was on skype!)

2013 May 6th email

Hello, family how's it going?

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!  Love you!

So, yeah, hope your birthday was good mom.

Yes, I have been to Busch Gardens, but in Middle School I didn't ride roller coasters.  But, summer after I graduated high school I went with Dan and his family and Colin for his birthday and decided to man up and ride them, and it was fun.  Also, I went once about a month before I began my mission.  I like Apollo's Chariot the best.

Yes, we have English classes. but not right now, we'll start next week.  I've found most of my best investigators through it.

No, that picture was all 4 countries, there are only 10 missionaries total in Kosovo (6), Macedonia (2), and Montenegro (2).  Yeah, but President says he plans on increasing the mission amount to 82 before he's done (that's a lot of people).  (See picture on April 27th entry)

K, dad:

1)  As I said, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!

2)  Yeah, I think there was a holiday on May 1, just like some sort of Labor Day.

Ok, so this last week, we have been working with a girl who's been going to church for 9 years  She's very active in the church, goes to seminary, and even does her personal progress. 

Also, we have another girl who came to church last week with her cousin and came up to us and said, "My cousin wants to be taught."  We've had two awesome lessons with her.

Also, yeah, the plan is that I will be on Skype at 6 my time, so 12 your time, so respond to this part ASAP if you can, because I'll be back on internet pretty quick later today if we need to discuss anything else, so keep your email on if I need to respond to something.

Andrea, glad you had fun.  (Busch Gardens)

Jake, thanks for the scores.  (Playoffs)

Eric, thanks for the picture. (Kristen)

Ok, well that's about it.  Have a great week!

Ju dua!

Elder Palmer