Busy, Beautiful Week

Tuesday was transfer day. Four missionaries were "dying" (missionary jargon, meaning leaving the mission--they're "born" when they arrive) so they were given long exit interviews by Marty, were feted with an open house (I'm responsible for simple refreshments), testimony mtg., and dinner in our apt. Then the elders slept on foam pads in the office and a sister in our guest room. We left for the airport at 3:00 a.m. so they could catch their 5 a.m. flights. We were as sad to see them leave as they were to go, and they felt like they were going to a foreign country--the U.S.! It occurred to me that each had just spent one tenth of his life in Albania.

We arrived back home to catch maybe two hours more sleep, and then awoke to prepare for the new missionaries arriving at noon from the MTC--four sisters and four elders. As I caught a peek of them through the sliding door into the baggage claim area, I spontaneously clapped my hands with joy. They (almost) could have been my own kids coming to see us. They are an amazing group, filled with enthusiasm, unity, and excitement to start their missions--mingled with just a little anxiety. A few had their initial interviews with Marty and we fed them a big pancake supper, with smoothies (so glad I brought my VitaMix) and fresh-made chunky applesauce (no applesauce in Albania, but lots of apples) and "maple" syrup made with Mapleine. We took pictures, and stayed up late to e-mail each missionary's parent to show their son or daughter had arrived safely in Tirana. This morning after breakfast, we took them to the Mother Albania monument, high on a hill with a beautiful view of all of Tirana and the mountains that surround it. This is the spot where Elder Dallin H. Oaks stood in April of 1993 to dedicate Albania for the preaching of the Gospel. It was a gorgeous morning, and the sun was coming up behind the large monument, very much like the morning described in Elder Oak's dedicatory prayer. We sang a hymn (good singers in this group), prayed, and Marty read the dedicatory prayer. Then he asked each of the missionaries to take a few minutes to be by themselves to think about consecrating their efforts to help realize the blessings of that prayer for the people of Albania. Except for a woman sweeping the parking lot with a palm frond and two old gentlemen who seemed to enjoy the singing, we had the park to ourselves. We took a few pictures and left the park. The missionaries took a trip to the police station to show papers and register, and we spent the rest of the morning finishing up interviews and training at the office. The trainer missionaries arrived, we had a pizza lunch, and then the President (Marty) announced the new companionships. The new missionaries were so nervous and excited to meet their first companions, you could just feel the electricity in the room. Cheers went up and it was a very exciting moment for each. They were given big Albanian hugs and kisses (kisses on either cheek for women, left cheek first--this is important!) side to side forehead touching for men-- without the kisses, and they all flew out of the building to catch taxis or furgons to their areas, feeling very welcomed (we hope) to the mission. Marty sent off second emails and pictures to the parents telling where and with whom their son or daughter had been assigned, I threw a batch of towels in the washer (barely dented the laundry pile) and we both collapsed, exhausted. Exhausted, but spiritually high.