Good things are happening here in Lushnjë!
Investigators: Our sweet investigator Majlinda is no longer
on a baptismal date. The member we brought with us was really concerned about
her being baptized being pregnant and suggested that she wait till after the
baby is born in December. So her baptism is on hold for now but she still wants
to be baptized she just wants to be careful (her first child died shortly after
being born so it’s understandable that she wants to be extra careful). She came
to church and brought Meri, her co-worker that we met this week. Their other
co-worker that the Elders are working with was also at church. We almost had
the whole bakery in church! Meri had to leave early but Majlinda stayed the
whole time. I think she made some good friends. Our other investigator Ilirjana
was also in church! She really loved it. She was there last week but had to
leave early. She has the most adorable little girl! She is still on for her
baptism in November. She is stellar. Usually we call people to meet with
them, she calls us! Its funny, we met her in English course on our last day. We
were talking about the Book of Mormon and she asked if she could have one (of
course!). We met with her briefly after to talk about what it was. We read the
final paragraphs in the introduction and Motra Guri straight up asks her if she
is ready for the 2nd coming of Christ. She was like yeah, I have a lot of
faith. Motra Guri just looks at her with slightly raised eye brows in this
"really?" looking face and asks if she has been baptized. I thought
Motra Guri was going to scare her off before we even got to teach her!
Albanians are blunt. But lo and behold, she is preparing for baptism and is so
excited. I'm learning lots from Motra Guri. 
Motra Guri: What I love about Motra Guri. She loves to sing.
Especially hymns. She does not however, know the tunes to any of the hymns. So
what she does is sing the words to her own tune. Sometimes I'll sing them with
her so we sing the right tune, but sometimes I like to just listen to her
variations. She especially loves Joseph Smith's First Prayer. Another thing I
love about her is how she extends baptismal commitments. In the MTC we learn
the invitation that is in Preach My Gospel about following the example of Jesus
Christ and being baptized by someone with the Priesthood Authority. We memorize
it in Albanian and practice saying it. Sometimes I forget that Motra Guri
didn't go to the MTC (she is already such a good missionary!). After talking
about baptism and before asking if they even want to be baptized she's like
"We have a surprise for you! We have a date for your baptism!" So far
everyone has accepted...maybe its a better way to go! Haha. Another thing is
her cooking. The other day we were at a lesson and they gave us this delicious
rice pudding dessert thing. I loved it! Another house gave us baklava which was
also good. I was telling Motra Guri that I liked the baklava but that I really
liked the rice pudding. She was so surprised because the baklava is such a
special treat and rice pudding is common. "It’s so easy, sister, I will
make it for you tomorrow." And she did. And she makes a delicious
pasta, her rice is excellent and she makes byrek. Its a good thing she won't be
here the whole transfer or I would probably gain a million pounds. 
Life: The weather is beautiful. Some days more hot, some
days more cold.
We sister missionaries taught the temple lessons to those
who went to the temple and the last lesson is one you give after they have gone
to the temple. It was such a neat experience to meet with all those members who
have just been to the temple to talk about their experience. It reminds me how
much I love the temple and how grateful I am for the opportunity I have to go
back several times to do work for other people. Many of these people will only
ever get to go once to do their own work. These people are amazing.
There is a magical bakery here in Lushnjë (I've already
talked about it briefly). It is not magical because of its bread and pastries
(although, they are delicious!) but because of the people there. A member here
referred her boyfriend/fiancé and the elders started teaching him. He invited
his co-worker to church and she came and wanted to be taught as well. Then one
night we were walking by and stopped to talk to her in the bakery and ended up
talking to her other co-worker who also came to church on Sunday with her and
asked for a Book of Mormon. We stopped by another night on our way somewhere
else and she had a friend that was there talking to her. Her friend was
actually walking to same direction as us and so we taught her as we walked and
will meet with her later this week. It’s a magical bakery.
We haven't had Primary since I've been here because we
haven't had any kids. But yesterday we had 2 kids show up for church and so I
got to teach. It was way fun. They are quiet but really smart (brother and
sister that live above the church -literally, not figuratively). We sang songs,
read some stories together, drew pictures and played a game. I forgot how much
I love Primary.
I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I know who I am. I know God's plan and I'll follow Him in faith. I believe
in the Savior Jesus Christ, I'll honor His name. I'll do what is right, I'll
follow His light. HIS TRUTH I WILL PROCLAIM!
Ju dua! Mirupafshim!
Motra Curtis
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