Hello all! I hope everyone is well! This week has been Awesome!! I also took notes, so I am not at a loss for what to say. I received lots of mail on Thursday when we went down to Tirana for Zone conference. Zone conference was very excellent, I did not think that those meetings would be so great. President Neil challenged us to do a 40 day fast, or consecration. We chose 5 things to stop doing, 3-5 things to start doing, and 5+ things to continue doing, to strengthen ourselves and kill the enemy with in us. There are a lot of excellent promises associated with this, and Elder Flack and I are very excited about it.
I have 2 stories this week.
The first happened the evening after Zone conference. We were headed over to the other area with Elder Suell and Elder Smedley to give a baptismal interview. Well, we got there and the husband said he didn't want to be baptised because he had had a dream where an old guy told him gezuar paskeut (happy Easter) and he took that to mean that he needed to remain Muslim and not get baptised (what the heck, right?) Well, I understood everything that was going on, since it is usually much easier to understand than to speak. The whole time I was praying for elder Suell and Elder Flack, that they would be able to teach with the Spirit and that the Spirit would speak to Shemci (that is his name). Well, the meeting ended without a baptismal interview, but I felt prompted to bear my testimony to him about the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Spirit was very strong then, and it had been powerfully present, at least for me, the whole time we were there. Even though right now he will not be baptised, I felt for sure that he inevitably would. It was an excellent experience.
Then another story.
We have an investigator who we are only able to meet with once a week, and he doesn't come to church often, but he reads the Book of Mormon tons and also the other material that we give him. He always has outstanding questions. This last meeting that we had with him was great, the Spirit was very present there as he bore testimony to us that he knew Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Book for Mormon was true. He said that it was either the Catholic church, or the Church of Jesus Christ that was right, and he told us he was certain that through prayer the Lord would give him an answer. Naturally we know that if he seeks with real intent, which it sounds that he will, he will find the truth out for himself. After the lesson I felt great, I always do after the Spirit is strongly present in a lesson. On that note, I will say that one of the things I've been trying to learn this past year is how to become more receptive to the Holy Ghost, and I have noticed that since I have been out in the Field that I have had tons more experiences with the spirit and feeling its guiding influence than I thought I would so early on. It is amazing to see the power of the Lord manifested though us his agents.
Oh!!! Lets end with some fantastic news. We have been teaching 2 girls, who are sisters of Gent, a recent convert (he was baptised the Sunday before I arrived) Gesjana (12) and Arjeta (21?), but we didn't start teaching them until about 2 weeks ago. They have been progressing well, and we always have good lessons with them were the spirit is present. Last night we taught the 3rd lesson and were going to give them the baptismal commitment. As we taught about Christ's baptism, Arjeta looked at us and said "well, when can we get baptised?" That was exactly what we had been hoping for for the past few lessons, was for them to bring it up just as an indicator of there desires to be baptised. So guess what? We have 2 baptisms scheduled for the 10th of May! That is super exciting! What's even better is that Gent, their brother, received the Aaronic priesthood on Sunday and will be able to baptise them!!!! He is a super solid member, and continues to surprise us with how he is progressing. They will be a strength to each other. It is so cool to see people progress along the path of repentance towards living by the standards of the true and living Gospel.
Dude, I don't even know how long I have been here, the days just fly by. I believe this is my 3rd Pday, but I'm not counting down the days, or weeks of my mission. I did give Jenni permission to tell me the monthly tally. The longer I am here in the country, the faster the days blink by. Crazy. Anyway, I hope everyone is well, I am healthy, I don't appear to be gaining or losing large quantities of weight (I hope...) and I am sleeping at nights. Everyone take care, I love you all!
God be with you
Elder Scadden
Elder Scadden
Where's Gregory?
Gregory is now home.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Week 2!
The 2nd week has been good. I do not think I am working hard enough. It is frustrating. The language continues to be a huge barrier, but I know that one day, sometime while I am here, I will be able to effectively communicate. It doesn't seem like it will happen, but I know it will!
Some of our members are really progressing, others are really regressing. Pride is such a stumbling block, and I also have to remember that these new members don't know anything about the gospel.
The Lord continues to bless me more than I could hope for. Missionary work is tough, but not that tough. I need to be better at stopping people on the street.
I eat TONS here, but I don't appear to be gaining weight, probably because we walk everywhere and run 3 times a week and work out too.
It is an honor and a privilege to be serving here in Shkodur. In the mission this is thought to be the hardest place to start because they speak a dialect that is different from that which they teach us in the MTC. It should pay off down the road, or at least I hope it will!
I love and miss you all, thank you very much for your prayers and support, may God be with you all!
Love
Elder Scadden
Some of our members are really progressing, others are really regressing. Pride is such a stumbling block, and I also have to remember that these new members don't know anything about the gospel.
The Lord continues to bless me more than I could hope for. Missionary work is tough, but not that tough. I need to be better at stopping people on the street.
I eat TONS here, but I don't appear to be gaining weight, probably because we walk everywhere and run 3 times a week and work out too.
It is an honor and a privilege to be serving here in Shkodur. In the mission this is thought to be the hardest place to start because they speak a dialect that is different from that which they teach us in the MTC. It should pay off down the road, or at least I hope it will!
I love and miss you all, thank you very much for your prayers and support, may God be with you all!
Love
Elder Scadden
Monday, April 13, 2009
O Familian Ime, Gezohuni!!
(Here are excerpts from Gregory's latest emails)
Pershindetie from Albania!! I do not know what you all might know, since I believe president Neil sent an "Elder Scadden is alive" email to you all, hope you got it and haven't been wondering.
Well, here's the big news: They have Ice cream in Albania!!! You have no idea how happy that makes me, and it is super cheap for a decent amount. Don't worry, I'll try to not eat it but every few days.
So where does everyone think I am serving? Well, It was the last place I thought I'd be assigned, I am excited and honored to be serving in Shkodur!!!! Wow!!! I did not expect that to be where I'd go. It is the farthest city north, and apparently they talk funny up here, but I seem to be able to understand ok, which is actually almost nothing. My trainer is Elder Flack, he is a very cool individual, and I am already learning a great deal from him. He has 9 months in the country, and only 6 weeks in shkodur, but the members already knew him alright by the time I showed up.
So about Shkodur, it is beautiful here, except for today because it is raining, but the rain is refreshing since it wouldn't stop snowing in that wretched desert valley out west. There is actually water in the air, I can hydrate by breathing again! I am drinking plenty though, fear not! Our living quarters are quite nice, and we are on the bottom floor which will be great for the hot summer months. Its a smaller city, unlike Tirana which was quite large (nothing like Cairo except for the smell, it was so good to smell tons of diesel in the air again!). Here the people seem to be much more spiritually minded than in the other cities of Albania because of the large mosques and the giant catholic church they have here (it is the largest church building in all of the Balkans). There are 4 of us elders here, Myself, elder Flack, Elder Smeldey(who was in the mtc with me!) and elder Suell (he has a year and 6 months in country). From anywhere in the city you can see the amazing mountains, much bigger than the Appalachians and far less barren than the Rockies, I'd say it is a nice mixture of both.
The branch here is very young, the city has only been opened for a year and a half, and recently there have been tons of new converts, but along with that comes all the growing pains of a young and small branch. Most of the members are dirt poor. All have a lot to learn about the gospel, but it is great regardless of the problems that seem to be present, I have a great deal of hope for this little branch. However, because there are so many new members, we do spend a good chunk of time doing member retention lessons, so we have less time we can spend finding and teaching new investigators, but most of the time when we do a retention lesson the members have friends over, and already we have received some new investigators because of this.
So the language is hard, who would have thought? I don't understand very much of what is said, and I'm pretty much kot in a lesson. I do always try to bear my testimony or share a thought. I really enjoy trying to talk to the members during muhabet (thats small talk) and I've actually had some pretty good conversations. One day I will speak this language! On Sunday I had the opportunity to bear my testimony. I tried to express what I was feeling and thinking at the time (dealing with staying firm and never losing the faith) and I conveyed the message, but I really slaughtered what I was trying to say grammatically. Oh well, the members understood. They tell me I sound like I am from Thropoja (probably since most of them are also from Thropoja). Its a town in the far north near the boarder of Kosovo, and there they talk deeply. That's the only reason why. I probably have a horribly strong American accent. Often the members will ask me a question, and I just have a blank stare, so they turn to elder Flack, who usually will translate it for me. Its frustrating because I do not want to members to stop trying to talk to me because I can't understand a lot of what they say. Avash Avash! Somehow I will learn this language!
So when I showed up in Tirana we were well taken care of by President and Sister Neil and the assistants. I already had mail from Jenni and Kristin waiting for me. a nice surprise. President Neil has a vision called the Korab project, it is to see a stake in Albania by the summer of 2011. I think it is very possible. The core branches in Tirana are doing well, some of them are extremely solid, but everywhere there is a problem with inactivity! We need more Melchizedek priesthood holders to see this vision come to past. It can happen though.
A short story. An old Gjagji came up and started to talk to us about the gospel. At first he seemed normal. Then we realized his was crazy. Unfortunately, as Elder Flack walked away, the guy, I thought, asked to use my pen, so I handed it to him. He said "rrofsh america!" and walked off with it......... He ninjaed my pen. I am still not over it. Oh well, never lend people anything unless you actually know their intentions.
Anyway, I love you all and miss you, but the work is keeping me very busy and I am quite happy, despite the jet lag I am suffering. This place is awesome, very awesome! Take care, God be with you all!!
Love Elder Scadden
.............
Here in Albanian there is an Easter tradition called Cherast ing and it means to treat, and whenever you enter someones house they give you food and drink. This week I've gotten like 7 painted eggs... I don't really need that many.
P-day is Monday, I have an hour to read and write emails.
Yes, I can't get my hair cut short :(
Pershindetie from Albania!! I do not know what you all might know, since I believe president Neil sent an "Elder Scadden is alive" email to you all, hope you got it and haven't been wondering.
Well, here's the big news: They have Ice cream in Albania!!! You have no idea how happy that makes me, and it is super cheap for a decent amount. Don't worry, I'll try to not eat it but every few days.
So where does everyone think I am serving? Well, It was the last place I thought I'd be assigned, I am excited and honored to be serving in Shkodur!!!! Wow!!! I did not expect that to be where I'd go. It is the farthest city north, and apparently they talk funny up here, but I seem to be able to understand ok, which is actually almost nothing. My trainer is Elder Flack, he is a very cool individual, and I am already learning a great deal from him. He has 9 months in the country, and only 6 weeks in shkodur, but the members already knew him alright by the time I showed up.
So about Shkodur, it is beautiful here, except for today because it is raining, but the rain is refreshing since it wouldn't stop snowing in that wretched desert valley out west. There is actually water in the air, I can hydrate by breathing again! I am drinking plenty though, fear not! Our living quarters are quite nice, and we are on the bottom floor which will be great for the hot summer months. Its a smaller city, unlike Tirana which was quite large (nothing like Cairo except for the smell, it was so good to smell tons of diesel in the air again!). Here the people seem to be much more spiritually minded than in the other cities of Albania because of the large mosques and the giant catholic church they have here (it is the largest church building in all of the Balkans). There are 4 of us elders here, Myself, elder Flack, Elder Smeldey(who was in the mtc with me!) and elder Suell (he has a year and 6 months in country). From anywhere in the city you can see the amazing mountains, much bigger than the Appalachians and far less barren than the Rockies, I'd say it is a nice mixture of both.
The branch here is very young, the city has only been opened for a year and a half, and recently there have been tons of new converts, but along with that comes all the growing pains of a young and small branch. Most of the members are dirt poor. All have a lot to learn about the gospel, but it is great regardless of the problems that seem to be present, I have a great deal of hope for this little branch. However, because there are so many new members, we do spend a good chunk of time doing member retention lessons, so we have less time we can spend finding and teaching new investigators, but most of the time when we do a retention lesson the members have friends over, and already we have received some new investigators because of this.
So the language is hard, who would have thought? I don't understand very much of what is said, and I'm pretty much kot in a lesson. I do always try to bear my testimony or share a thought. I really enjoy trying to talk to the members during muhabet (thats small talk) and I've actually had some pretty good conversations. One day I will speak this language! On Sunday I had the opportunity to bear my testimony. I tried to express what I was feeling and thinking at the time (dealing with staying firm and never losing the faith) and I conveyed the message, but I really slaughtered what I was trying to say grammatically. Oh well, the members understood. They tell me I sound like I am from Thropoja (probably since most of them are also from Thropoja). Its a town in the far north near the boarder of Kosovo, and there they talk deeply. That's the only reason why. I probably have a horribly strong American accent. Often the members will ask me a question, and I just have a blank stare, so they turn to elder Flack, who usually will translate it for me. Its frustrating because I do not want to members to stop trying to talk to me because I can't understand a lot of what they say. Avash Avash! Somehow I will learn this language!
So when I showed up in Tirana we were well taken care of by President and Sister Neil and the assistants. I already had mail from Jenni and Kristin waiting for me. a nice surprise. President Neil has a vision called the Korab project, it is to see a stake in Albania by the summer of 2011. I think it is very possible. The core branches in Tirana are doing well, some of them are extremely solid, but everywhere there is a problem with inactivity! We need more Melchizedek priesthood holders to see this vision come to past. It can happen though.
A short story. An old Gjagji came up and started to talk to us about the gospel. At first he seemed normal. Then we realized his was crazy. Unfortunately, as Elder Flack walked away, the guy, I thought, asked to use my pen, so I handed it to him. He said "rrofsh america!" and walked off with it......... He ninjaed my pen. I am still not over it. Oh well, never lend people anything unless you actually know their intentions.
Anyway, I love you all and miss you, but the work is keeping me very busy and I am quite happy, despite the jet lag I am suffering. This place is awesome, very awesome! Take care, God be with you all!!
Love Elder Scadden
.............
Here in Albanian there is an Easter tradition called Cherast ing and it means to treat, and whenever you enter someones house they give you food and drink. This week I've gotten like 7 painted eggs... I don't really need that many.
P-day is Monday, I have an hour to read and write emails.
Yes, I can't get my hair cut short :(
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Day 2 in Albania
Another email from Gregory's mission president. Here is an excerpt.
Dear Brother and Sister Scadden,
We have had the wonderful opportunity of spending more time with your son and getting to know him a little better. Your son is still functioning in another time zone, but jet lag will pass quickly for him. Elder Scadden is doing well with the language and is talking to people in the street already. This morning, we took all the new missionaries to the Mother Albania Statue and Park, a memorial to the heroes of Albania, overlooking the city of Tirana. This is where Albania was dedicated for the preaching of the Gospel in April of 1993 by Elder Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve. The attached photo shows his MTC group with the statue in the background.
We had a short service there where we read together the dedicatory prayer, which is beautiful and becoming fulfilled in amazing ways. Then each missionary was invited to find a secluded spot to meditate and offer a prayer of consecration and thanks. After prayer and thoughtful consideration, we have assigned him to work with Elder Flack, who is a district leader in the northern city of Shkoder. Your son’s companion is a great missionary who has earned the opportunity to be a trainer by his dedicated service here in Albania. I am sure that your son will be able to learn much from him. He will also learn to rely on the Spirit to guide him daily. He will grow in ways that you can’t imagine.
Sincerely,
President John M. Neil
Sister Elizabeth Neil
Dear Brother and Sister Scadden,
We have had the wonderful opportunity of spending more time with your son and getting to know him a little better. Your son is still functioning in another time zone, but jet lag will pass quickly for him. Elder Scadden is doing well with the language and is talking to people in the street already. This morning, we took all the new missionaries to the Mother Albania Statue and Park, a memorial to the heroes of Albania, overlooking the city of Tirana. This is where Albania was dedicated for the preaching of the Gospel in April of 1993 by Elder Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve. The attached photo shows his MTC group with the statue in the background.
We had a short service there where we read together the dedicatory prayer, which is beautiful and becoming fulfilled in amazing ways. Then each missionary was invited to find a secluded spot to meditate and offer a prayer of consecration and thanks. After prayer and thoughtful consideration, we have assigned him to work with Elder Flack, who is a district leader in the northern city of Shkoder. Your son’s companion is a great missionary who has earned the opportunity to be a trainer by his dedicated service here in Albania. I am sure that your son will be able to learn much from him. He will also learn to rely on the Spirit to guide him daily. He will grow in ways that you can’t imagine.
..........
Again, thank you for raising such a fine son. Sister Neil and I love the Lord, we love His church, and we love His missionaries, and will do everything we can to support and sustain your son so that he can accomplish what he came here to do. We know he will have a wonderful mission, and will accomplish much good in this developing land of generous and kind people.
Sincerely,
President John M. Neil
Sister Elizabeth Neil
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
He has arrived in Albania
Gregory is now in Albania. Here is an email we got from his Mission President.
April 8, 2009
Dear Brother and Sister Scadden,
As you can see from the attached photograph, Elder Scadden arrived safely here in Tirana. He's here with Sister Neil and me in our conference room in the Mission Office in Tirana. He is a bit tired, wrinkled and overwhelmed by the cultural shock of landing here. But other than that he is excited to get to work and to be assigned to his new companion. He has already been out to do his first street contacting (with great success!). We will assign him tomorrow afternoon to his trainer, a special dedicated missionary called to that important position. But rather than wait until then to let you know he arrived safely, we thought you might be anxious to know that he didn’t get lost in transit and that he did arrive and that all is well. Earlier today, I had a wonderful interview with him, we got him registered with the American Embassy and tomorrow, we’ll go register with the Albanian police. We just had dinner, and he and his companions are off to get some rest. We will send you another short note tomorrow with all of his addresses, the name of his companion and any other information that will hopefully make you comfortable about his status.
Please also know that we already love your son and are concerned for his well being. We will do all in our power to make sure that he is safe and that he has a wonderful experience serving as a missionary. We can say without question that he has come to one of the finest missions in the world. The people are kind, the members are so loving of the missionaries, and the other missionaries are the finest young men and women in the church.
Thank you for sharing your son with the people of this country. We know that your family will be blessed as you share in his experiences.
Sincerely,
President and Sister J. Martin Neil
Albania Tirana Mission
April 8, 2009
Dear Brother and Sister Scadden,
As you can see from the attached photograph, Elder Scadden arrived safely here in Tirana. He's here with Sister Neil and me in our conference room in the Mission Office in Tirana. He is a bit tired, wrinkled and overwhelmed by the cultural shock of landing here. But other than that he is excited to get to work and to be assigned to his new companion. He has already been out to do his first street contacting (with great success!). We will assign him tomorrow afternoon to his trainer, a special dedicated missionary called to that important position. But rather than wait until then to let you know he arrived safely, we thought you might be anxious to know that he didn’t get lost in transit and that he did arrive and that all is well. Earlier today, I had a wonderful interview with him, we got him registered with the American Embassy and tomorrow, we’ll go register with the Albanian police. We just had dinner, and he and his companions are off to get some rest. We will send you another short note tomorrow with all of his addresses, the name of his companion and any other information that will hopefully make you comfortable about his status.
Please also know that we already love your son and are concerned for his well being. We will do all in our power to make sure that he is safe and that he has a wonderful experience serving as a missionary. We can say without question that he has come to one of the finest missions in the world. The people are kind, the members are so loving of the missionaries, and the other missionaries are the finest young men and women in the church.
Thank you for sharing your son with the people of this country. We know that your family will be blessed as you share in his experiences.
Sincerely,
President and Sister J. Martin Neil
Albania Tirana Mission
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Last email from the MTC!
We leave SLC at 8:35 AM MST on April 7, arrive JFK 3:25 PM EST, leave on Austria Air at 5:50 PM, arrive in Vienna at 8:35 AM the 8th of April, leave at 11:00 AM, arrive at 12:40 PM in TIRANA ALBANIA !! WOOHOO!!! I am so super pumped and excited! I cannot wait to talk to my first Albanian in the country! I am looking forward to my trainer, I hope they are not a scrub, if they are, I will learn them some army discipline! I am bad at the language still, but I don't care, I love trying to speak it so much! BTW if ever you see or hear the word KOT from me, it means something along the lines of worthless, but it transcends English translation. It simply can't be described with words. I will be sending my next email from ALBANIA!! Super exciting!! Very cool!! I love you all, take care!
Love
Elder Scadden
Love
Elder Scadden
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
