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.

We were in Durrës on Sunday October 18, 2009 for a baptism. After the baptism we did some member visiting. While walking back to the bus station I took this picture of a socialist realist statue of a partisan. Partisans is the name used for Albanian resistance fighters during WWII.  Every city we've visited in Albanian has a "partisan" statue. The Italians landed at Durrës on April 7, 1939 on their mission to occupy Albania before they attacked Greece. The Albanians were badly outnumbered, but during WWII they continued a guerrilla type war against both the Italians and then the Germans.
Also in Durrës is an archaeological museum.  Durrës has been inhabited for about 3,000 years. Because Durrës has been, more or less, continuously inhabited throughout this 3,000 year period, there has not been a systematic excavation of the city. When developers find something of interest, they just take the piece and throw it into the front yard of the museum. The above and below photographs are part of the front yard of the archaeological museum.

Family Home Evenings are a lot of fun at our apartment.  Mom and I usually give the lesson together and then we have some wonderful dessert.

Everyone gets involved during family home evening. We had over 35 in our small apartment on October 19, 2009.
Mom and I attended Tirana 2nd Branch on Sunday, October 18th.  At that meeting I confirmed Ermal LLaha a member of the Church. We then caught a bus down to Durres to attend the baptism of Zef Pjetri. Mom gave the opening prayer entirely in Albanian for the baptismal service. The above photograph is of Zef Pjetri.
Well, October 14th was my birthday. After Institute class on Wednesday Megi, Alma, Juli and Eja helped me celebrate.
After I had finished teaching my advanced English class, I went down to see how the Institute class was doing. Before they would let me in, the lights were turned off, the door was opened and everyone started singing in Albanian "Happy Birthday".
At least they got the age right! Well, maybe they just got the numbers right. 

The above photograph was taken just before the baptism of Afërdita Brahos. For nearly a year she has been a student in Mom's English class. Her daughter has moved to America and is living in Utah. The daughter wrote Afërdita and told her about the Church. I'm not sure the daughter has joined the Church yet, but on October 10, 2009, I baptized Motra Brahos. I was able to do the baptism in Albanian and yes I was a little nervous. 
On October 11, 2009 the Church in Albania held its District Conference meeting. We all met in the Academy of Art conference center.  It was a great meeting and we saw many Saints who live outside of Tirana.
On Sunday evening, October 11, 2009 Ermal Llaha was baptized. I will confirm Ermal a member of the Church this coming Sunday. He too is a member of our English classes. Elder Scadin a missionary from North Carolina baptized Ermal.
Monday, October 12th we visited the Elders in Shkoder which is a 2 hour furgon drive north west of Tirana. There was a little rain in the morning, but it looked like it was going to clear up. While in Shkoder, which is now Mom's favorite city in Albania, we got drenched. I can't even begin to tell you how wet we both got. We were on our way to visit one of the Shkoder Branch members. I'm standing with Mom under an umbrella and that's Elder Kushlan, the Shkoder Branch President, in the background.
Before the rains came, we all had lunch at a wonderful little cafe in the center of town. From left to right, Elder Kushlan, Elder Griffeth, Elder Hamilton, Mom and Elder Mogleston.

On, Monday, October 5, Elba and her brother, Roan, were baptized.  Elba had investigated the Church a couple of years ago but got busy and quit taking the missionary lessons.  A few months ago, Roan asked if he could come in and play ping pong with some of the other neighborhood boys.  Our first reaction was maybe that was not such a good idea because the "Outreach Center" is meant to be a gathering place for Young Adults.  Susan and I both saw something in his eyes and told him they were all welcome, so he and his buddies starting coming regularly.  One afternoon, Susan found Elba waiting outside for her brother and invited her to come in.  To say she was thrilled is an understatement.  After a few months, their parents agreed to their baptism.  We have never seen two happier new members of the Church. I might add that about 2 months ago as I was sitting in church, I had the thought that our branch really needed a pianist.  I did not know that 12 year old Roan is a gifted pianist. He attends a special arts school here in Tirana under scholarship because he has such a wonderful talent.  The Sunday the day before his baptism, the Branch President had him playing all the hymns for our Sacrament Meeting. 4th Branch now has a very good pianist. I confirmed Elba a member of the Church right after her baptism.
It's not all hard work. That's a picture of me and our oldest granddaughter, Emsley, who on Saturday, October 3rd flew in from Shanghai, China with her parents and younger sister for a 5 day visit with us.
Picture of Emsley and Alyssa Shupe Allgaier walking the streets of Tirana, Albania
Besides having the China Allgaier family with us for 5 days, 2 more "Shupe" girls flew in from California. Sarah Shupe Porter and Meiken Shupe Alexander joined their older sister in Albania just to make sure that I'm being well taken care of. This is photograph of our visitors with Mom in front of the 2/4 building in Tirana. From left to right: Emsley Allgaier, David Allgaier, Alyssa Allgaier, Chelsea Allgaier, Mom, Sarah Porter and Meiken Alexander.

Looking like movie stars they walked the streets of Tirana, Albania. The Allgaiers brought everyone new sunglasses from China.

We took a 5 day trip to the Frankfurt, Germany temple with a group of Albanian Saints the week of September 28th. The above picture is taken out the window of the Albanian Airways flight home on October 3, 2009. We're flying over the Alps, but the clouds and mountains reminded me of large waves.
Mom on the narrow streets of Friedrichsdorf, Germany. This is the small village about a 30 minute train ride outside of Frankfurt where the temple is located.
While we were at the temple for 4 days, there was the threat of rain but nothing materialized to dampen our spirits.
The Albanian group we took to the temple. This picture is taken at the Mother Theresa International Airport of Tirana, Albania.
Just before we left for Frankfurt there was a great baptism of a family of 5 here in Tirana. The family Rama was looking for answers about life. Mr. Rama called his brother in Greece who stated that he and his family had just joined the Mormon Church and it had the answers. He advised Mr. Rama to get a hold of the church. So the next Sunday the entire Rama family went walking in Tirana to find the Church. Just by meeting people on the street they were given directions and came to our building. They had walked for nearly an hour. In fact there is a Church building much closer to their home, but they did not know it. They know it now and are members of the Tirana 1st Branch.

Saturday, September 26, 2009, the Tirana, Albania District held its annual training. There was a great turn out and afterwards the District had a pizza lunch for everyone. The above photograph shows Tony Baird, soon to be sustained District President, Besmir Gjioni, Neti Lapis, Grisi Merepeza and Besmir Marku. And yes, if you count the boxes they're eating their third pizza. 
Out going District Presidency in white shirts. 2nd Counselor  Agim Grimci, Executive Secretary Shpëtim Çoçoli and 1st Counselor Saim Kokona.
The 3rd Monday of every month we hold Family Home Evening at our apartment and we always serve some refreshments after the lesson. Ina Merkoli with Mom, Alma Osmëni and Edi Çuçi.
Also enjoying the refreshments are Denada, Jesi, Nertila, Marsida and Amarildo.

The highlight of the week, at least for Mom, was Mom's birthday September 23rd. I took Mom and the Neils to the Rogner for dinner after Mom and I had taught our English classes.