Once a quarter we have "Super Saturday" for all the seminary students in Albania. We had over 55 attend Saturday November 22, 2009. Mom and I were the only chaperones so single handedly we never "controlled" them, we just "contained" them for a couple of hours.
Learning Book of Mormon scripture mastery verses will never be the same. We had 5 bags in which were 5 objects. The bags were passed from table to table and those around each table had to determine which object went to what verse. It was great fun and very interactive.
We also had a Christmas trivia jeopardy game. Boys vs. Girls. The boys were very disappointed when the girls won. When this photograph was taken, "3" was the right answer.
After this baptism of Grei Lika and his brother Kein on November 22, 2009, 3 out of our 4 "ping pong" young friends have joined the Church. This picture is of me, Grei, Roni Kapillani, Kein and Donald. Donald's parents have not yet agreed to his baptism. We're hoping that permission will be given before we go home in 4 months.
On November 18, 2009 I baptized Fioreta Tozaj. She began coming to Church to learn English. The first time she was in Mom's English class, Mom shared her testimony of the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Fioreta asked to know more and three months later she was baptized.

Mom's talents know no limits. For the first time in our marriage, Mom sang a solo. A mission is a growing experience and this is proof positive. Elder Turley helped Mom pull it off, but it was all Mom. If this keeps up, she may start looking for an agent. The story behind "the solo" is very sweet. Mom taught her English class to sing "I Am a Child of God."One of her students, Fioreta Tozaj was going to be bapized and she asked Mom if she would sing a solo at her baptism. Mom, without hesitation, agreed.

My brother Scott was working on a helicopter deal in Milan, Italy and decided to come to Tirana for a visit. He came right in the middle of our 10 days of straight rain. He was here only Saturday, November 7, 2009 so we had a great breakfast at the Stephan's Center and walked around town. Above photo of Scott and Mom walking the streets of Tirana.
Scott said he didn't like my hats he was seeing on the blog so he brought me this new one. Can you see any difference? I should add that there were many Albanian Saints who did a double take when they saw us together. What do you think Garrick? Scott does look like an older me.
Every now and then Mom and I on our walks will find a "new" building painted in the most random way.
We also found our favorite restaurant at home. In N Out, but I'm afraid that the franchise has not made it to Albania.
We've told you all about our favorite conversion story of Roni and his sister Elba. Remember, Roni is my desperately needed pianist? Well, now we're singing after Institute nights. From left to right: Elba, Kejn, Grej, Donald and Yuli, with Roni at the piano. Kejn, Grej and Donald are some of our investigators.

As the month of October 2009 ended we had visitors from Germany, Salt Lake City and Italy come into Tirana for Seminary and Institute training. From left to right: Franz Fingerly, Mom, Chad Wilkinson, and Felix Lotito.
On Saturday, October 31, 2009 we held the YSA Halloween party at the church. It was a huge crowd of over 90. Above photograph of cowboy Sparti Kashari and his little mouse Izaura Bardhi.
The dancing could have lasted all night.
We sang karaoke. Above photograph is of Megi Pjetri (best female costume winner), Elona Sulollari and Sparti. As I recall they were belting out, "We are the Champions."
Mom with some of her "new" Halloween friends, Megi Pjetri, Almira Beleshi, Brisi Beleshi, Blerina Beleshi and Edi Çuçi.