June Newsletter Article

Becoming as He Is

Brother Arben Vogli (Tirana 3^rd branch) is a master of sculpting (wood, alabaster, marble), and early in our mission, he presented us with a beautiful marble bust of the Savior. It will always remind us not only of Velai Vogli’s generosity and skill, but also of how our experience in mortality gives us the possibility of shaping our character, our soul into becoming ever more Christ-like. Michelangelo said that he saw in his imagination that the figure he was sculpting was actually being held “captive” inside the marble, and that his job was to free the captive--to slowly chip away at the useless marble binding his figure inside it. So it is with us. Our spirit, with God-like potential, is held “captive” in our mortal body, subject to all the temptations and passions of the flesh. As we “starve the wolf”, and “feed the Shepherd dog,” we chip away the unworthy desires, and strengthen our righteous desires to serve God, and in so doing, we become more and more like the Savior.

I spent a little time with Vellai Vogli at his workshop one day and watched him work. I learned that the sculptor needs to soften the marble as he works---Vellai Vogli would spray the marble with a fine mist of water before taking his hammer and chisel to slowly cut away at the marble that didn’t belong. In matters of the soul and the Spirit, we also must be softened. Our hearts must be softened and be open to the influence of the Holy Ghost. (Alma 24:8 “I thank my great God that he has given us a portion of his Spirit to soften our hearts....”) Unless we are softened in this way, we can never reach our divine potential.

Heavenly Father sees in us far more than others see, or, for that matter, than what we ourselves see. He sees in us (this “chunk of marble”) His child, inheritor of great possibilities and the offspring of deity. But to get to the point where “we have the Savior’s image engraven on our countenance”, and we are like Him, there is much material that must be chipped away, to free the captive held inside. We hope your “40 day fast” is blessing each of you with an increased measure of the Spirit, softened hearts open to the loving tutoring of this wonderful missionary experience, and the greater joy that comes living closer to Him.

Much love!

President & Sister Neil

At our last zone conference where we introduced the fast, Marty spoke metaphorically of having within us a "good" shepherd dog, and a "bad" wolf, and said that if we feed the good within us, and starve the bad (as in our "40-Day Fast"), we will better overcome the temptations that come to us. The picture (below) is of an Anatolian Shepherd Dog, used in Turkey and other Balkan nations like Albania, to protect flocks of sheep should a grey wolf attack.

Visit from Greg and John!

We had wonderful visits this last week from our two sons and their wives: Greg and Judy; and John, Hayley, and Grace. John's trip was originally planned for last month, but the Icelandic volcano ash caused a last-minute change of plans. Fortunately, the ash plume cooperated this time, and all arrived safely.

As you read through the blog, you may click on any picture to view it full size, and click on any underlined word if you wish to explore more about that topic.

John and Hayley brought two-year-old Grace with them and we had a great week with her. She walked miles this week because she's TWO and doesn't want to be carried.

We visited the lovely, ancient city and castle of Berat and spent several hours there. The city is thought to have been founded in 600 B.C. At one time there were 46 churches inside the castle walls and the museum workers showed us through the Museum Onufri, even though we arrived at closing time. This museum is in the Church of the Virgin Mary and showcases several ancient icons and ornately carved wooden walls and altars. This is the view of the old town from the castle, but the castle town looks like this also. It's called the town of a thousand windows and people still live in houses within the old fortress.

John, Hayley, Grace, and the view from the Berat castle walls. Their residence is Logan, Utah.

John works in mortgages at Wasatch Mortgage, and Hayley is a designer and stay-at-home mom.

Greg and Judy arrived on Friday, May 14, and John and Hayley came the next day. Sadly, none of the luggage arrived with either couple. Greg and Judy had to wait until Sunday evening to get theirs, but John and Hayley's luggage came the day after they arrived. Greg and Judy left Thursday the 20th, and John, Hayley, and Grace left this morning (the 23rd).

We have a quiet and empty apt. again. It was pretty tough to say goodbye!

We enjoyed the break from the mission routine, and we also enjoyed the vacation from skirts (me) and white shirts (Marty) for a few days. Marty has worn a colored shirt on only four or five days since we started our mission two years ago. I work around the apartment in jeans, but dress up to be with the missionaries or to go out.

May is a wonderful time of year for wildflowers in Albania. These red poppies were blooming everywhere--even in crevices on the castle walls. Greg took the photos in Berat.

We took John and Hayley to the Big Treg, a flea-market kind of place with hundreds of small shops. Hayley is purchasing a package of little girl hair clips. We found a Rrobaqepësi shop (dressmaking, tailor), that had an amazing array of trims, beads, threads, and notions. There are hundreds of tailoring shops in Tirana, and it's fairly inexpensive to have clothing made and mended.

During the visit, we also traveled to Krujë; Durrës to see the Amphitheater and to go to one of our favorite ice cream parlors

by the Adriatic Sea; and Apollonia, with a side trip to Fier just to have Pica Roma (Pizza Roma) for lunch. I posted some pictures of Apollonia in my Dec. 27 post when we visited with the Shupes.

Greg is working for Novatek Inc. in Provo, working on the New Vista project, and Judy works as a designer for an architectural firm in Salt Lake, where they live.

Another flat tire! This is our sixth in two years. This time we had run over a large screw. Marty had the tire fixed for only $2.00 from the repair shop down the street. Happily, this breakdown was right outside my favorite Italian fabric shop, and I purchased two lovely pieces of fabric while I was waiting for the men to change the tire.

April Showers us with Blessings!

We had our two zone conferences at the end of April, and the subject was "Becoming Exceptional Missionaries." They were two of the most spiritual zone conferences we have experienced. The missionaries were brimming over with success stories in finding and teaching, and the testimony meetings were non-stop wonderful. I gave two presentations--one about some practical pointers that I've been thinking would help the missionaries (do they ever listen?), and one on becoming self-directed and disciplined. Marty gave some tips that he found from an article by Wendy Ulrich on what it means to be an adult ("That They May Grow Up in Thee, Feb 2010 Ensign), and also spoke about this world as our proving ground. We hold one zone conference in Tirana, and one in Durrës for missionaries in all the outer cities. It's always a treat to be with the missionaries in large groups. As I had the flu for a week with a lingering bronchial cough, I baked only cinnamon rolls as a snack for both zone conferences, and cookies and chocolate sauce to go with Rudi's ice cream for dessert. They'll live, but I heard from several elders that they really missed my cooking.

We are thrilled to welcome Ruth and Robert Wilson as our new Humanitarian Aid couple. They replace the Snow's who left last week. (As I was ill, Marty took the Snow's to the airport and forgot to get a picture.) For a month, the Wilson's will be in Vlorë, until another couple, the Smith's arrive, and then the Wilsons will join us here in Tirana and live in the apt. above us in our mission building. We're also excited that two other missionary couples will be coming in the next few months. I refuse to call them "senior" couples, as they are as energetic and enthusiastic for the work as the young missionaries!

Also in April, we sent Elder Taylor Allen home with a medical release, to seek treatment for severe headaches. We hope he returns to good health soon, and possibly come back to us, or be re-assigned.

April

One of our very fine missionaries and Zone Leader, Elder Gregory Scadden, went home for medical care. If these two look like they just got out of bed, it's because it's 3:30 a.m. at the airport. Note to self: Check background before taking photo.

We said goodbye to four outstanding elders on April 6: Elders Thackery, Layton, Flack, and Vail. Elder Flack's parents came to pick him up, and arrived at the airport shortly after the other elders left, and we were able to witness the wonderful reunion.

Our new missionaries, who arrived on the same day, are Elder Warburton, Elder Johnson, and Elder Weaver. Elder Asquith (below), was delayed two days to overcome an illness, and we're glad he's better and was able to come!

The road to the little Kamez building where we hold church, can be barely navigable in the rainy season. We have recently moved the Kamez elders into Tirana, because we wanted the few members attending the Kamez Branch to meet with a larger group of saints. We are still going to rent the rooms here, so the missionaries will have a place to teach.

Marty and I, and some branch members and friends, crowded into Alma's living room when we went to her home so Marty could set her apart as a missionary, prior to her leaving for the MTC and the Salt Lake Temple Square Mission. We arrived at the airport very early the next morning, and learned that her tickets took her from Tirana to Munich, and then to Frankfurt, which would require her to have a Schengen Visa. We all came back home and the Missionary Travel Office found her new tickets for the very next morning, which took her to Vienna and then on to the states, so she did not need a special Visa. Phew! Two very early morning trips to the airport. She's going to be a wonderful missionary.

Alma Osmëni, with the Albanian Flag

Our first grandchild, John Peter Schaumann (Jack), was baptized by his father Peter on April 10, 2010. We were sorry we had to miss it, but his aunt Erin along with cousin Maren, and Uncle Greg and Aunt Judy were able to be there. The next day, his new baby brother Luke Sager Schaumann, was blessed, also by Peter.

Marty is checking out some possible post-mission transportation. Hey, this one has a passenger seat. Nah, I don't think so...

Art of Albania

Most Albanian souvenirs are much like trinkets sold in other countries--cheap, and something you end up hiding away once you get back home. So we decided to avoid the tourist items, and try to find some lovely pieces of art that are of landscapes, or otherwise representative of the country, and that will remind us of our three years in Albania. We've been fortunate to find some beautiful items that we will bring home with us next year.

"Figurë Vajze" or "Figure of a Girl" by Gëzim Borova. We were told this is a picture of a traditional costume from the north. The unique thing about this piece is it is a straw mosaic--very tiny pieces of dyed straw pieced together to form a mosaic. A piece like this can take up to six months to finish. Below is a closeup of the girl's sleeve. Most straw pieces are about 1/8". The mosaic itself is 14 x 23".

These two oil on canvas paintings are by Omeri, an artist we found painting in the Studio e Rira in Tirana. Above is the lake at Pogradec (pronounced Pogradets), a spot we have yet to visit, and below is the "Blue Eye", a very deep, clear, and fast-moving spring between Gjirokaster and Saranda. The Blue Eye was a favorite fishing/camping spot of the communist elite, and ordinary folks were not allowed to hunt or fish here. Now it's open to the public and is a beautiful place to visit.

Mars 27 Relief Society Conference

The Albania Tirana District held a Relief Society Conference Saturday, and had a nice turnout of women from all over Albania. We tried to take a picture afterward, but only half the women ended up in the picture (try organizing 100 women for a picture), and the photographer didn't try to get their attention (if that were possible) before snapping the photo. The members always want me to be in the front, so I try to bend my knees to modify my height, but even so, you can see how I tower over most Albanian women--especially tiny Sister Shehu, who is standing next to me.

Snow and Other Random Happenings

Here are some pictures from the last month or so. We had snow on February 26! Big, beautiful flakes came down for about an hour and actually accumulated on the ground, but melted as soon as the snowing stopped. It's been a very rainy winter, but with rather mild temperatures, so this cold front that came in was unusual. The holiday Dita e Verës, (Summer's Day), was on March 14, and the Albanians say that the weather turns nice then. I was sure it would still be raining, but was surprised when the holiday was sunny and beautiful (see next picture which was taken on March 14), and the weather since has been nice, with only two days of rain. Spring has come to Albania!

Elder Ford, an Area Seventy, and his wife visited us from England for our District Conference on March 11 & 12. It was a wonderful and uplifting visit. Elder Ford spoke to the missionaries from the Tirana area and challenged them to have 20 , 15-30 minute lessons a week. In order to achieve it, the missionaries will need to not only do shorter lessons with investigators, but make them more frequent--up to three times a week. We're committed to do it, despite the cultural tradition of muhëbet, or chatting a while before getting down to business. Unfortunately, this is the only picture we took with the Ford's, and we're all squinting because of the bright sun. The Ford's were lots of fun to be with, and were very adventurous and tried authentic Albanian food with us--including dhalë (pronounced "thall") which is a very sour, fermented buttermilk. I declined the dhalë. It was a very busy weekend with back-to-back meetings, and just look at the blue sky!
Another flat tire. We've lost track. I think it's our fifth flat. Here is Elder Dittmer, one of our office elders, helping Marty change it.
Our wonderful Outreach/Institute couple, R.Q. and Susan Shupe, left to return home to Oceanside, CA, on March 22. They worked wonders with the young adults and members here in Albania. We will miss them!

This concrete and bench area is a xhaxhi (pronounced "jajee") park--or a park for old men. Xhaxhi means "uncle". The men sit around the trees and play chess, bingo, dice, and backgammon. The Kolonat in the background has been open only a few months. It is a McDonald's knockoff, right down to the "Kid's Meal," and you see Kolonat restaurants all over Tirana. The fries aren't bad, but watch out for the "hamburger" and other sandwiches. The Kolonat, despite the awful food, is actually quite popular. There is a kid's playground inside this one. This area is within a few blocks of the mission home.