July 5, 2010

Dear Family,

I had a really amazing experience on Tuesday. It was small, but it was an enormous testimony builder. By small and simple means, great things really do come to pass. We visited Nënë on Tuesday. It was the First time that we had seen her since her confirmation. I don't know if I can really describe what happened, because visually, nothing did happen... it is all what we felt. Anyway, when we walked up to her house, I had the unique feeling that I was walking into a member's home. That is really the only way to describe it. The feeling was completely different from how it had been in times past. We didn't have to bring the Spirit into the home...the Spirit was already there! Nënë was SO happy, and she had felt great for the past several days. It is a testimony to me of the power of the Priesthood and specifically, the reality of the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

On Friday I was somewhat frustrated, and nervous, during lunch. I was scared because this transfer was coming to a close, and we simply didn't have any good investigators. I was afraid of taking over this area, that has been slowly falling apart over the last couple months....So I went and prayed, and I poured out my soul to God. I told him my concerns and worries. Then I asked, if it was possible, and if it was his will, if he could send me just one investigator that was ready for baptism, that just needed to be taught, someone that would progress. I left it at that. about 30 minutes later, we walked out the door and headed in the direction of the Church. A miracle happened: randomly, we ran into Rudi, who was a former investigator that we had about 3 months ago, and RIGHT before we were going to extend the commitment to be baptized, he told us that he was going to Greece in 3 days. Well, when we met him on this random/inspired occasion, he told us that he had just returned from Greece about 2 or 3 weeks before, and that yesterday he gave his phone number away and got a new one (therefore, we wouldn't have been able to follow-up on him in about a year like we were thinking). He was happy to meet us and we sat down and talked. We invited him to Church, and Family home evening, and he said he would come if his work would allow it. He is an honest person so we knew if he didn't come it would be for good reason. I felt like my prayer was answered with this occurrence. But this is not all, later that evening, we finally caught another former investigator home, which we had been trying to see for the last month. His name is Genti, and he also had a baptismal date a few months ago but disappeared. We met with his family, and they all love us, and Genti came to Church yesterday. Again, another Miracle. And finally, last night we decided to follow-up on a family that Sister Karlson showed to us while she was here. They were all home, including the Father which has been in Greece for a While. We had heard that he was Muslim, but nonetheless he was very nice and respectful, and he didn't mention anything personally about being Muslim. They also had neighbors over. Well, we were talking and the muhabet came around to the topic of why we were here. We both testified that we were here to serve and we serve best by teaching people about God so that he can better help them in their lives. The spirit was so strong, and they turned down the television for our testimonies. That was a changing point in our lesson. In the end, we shared a spiritual thought (we didn't have much time) and then we asked if we could leave with a prayer. They said that was fine, but immediately before we began, other family came over to visit, and we were not sure if we could do the prayer...but then the Father said," Hey, the boys are getting ready to leave, lets have a prayer everybody!" We were astonished! They are a family of 2 parents, 2 daughters and 1 son, all above the age of 8. Also, when we had visited previously, the mother had said that her daughter dreams of marrying a christian so she can go to church. It seems that they recognized the spirit that was with us as we taught from the Book of Mormon. Afterwards, as we were leaving, the neighbors called out to us and asked if they could have "that book" to read. I think the spiritual thought sparked an interest, and those neighbors know a local member family. So we have 5 new investigators, and 2 potential investigators from that miraculous occurrence. I know that it is all in answer to my prayer. God is truly merciful, as we humble ourselves ( or are humbled) before him.

We had transfer calls on Saturday. Elder Foulk is leaving, and is going Assistant to the President for his last 3 months in the country. It was a big surprise to both of us. He really is a Good missionary. I on the other hand, am staying, and transfers are going exactly as I expected. I am going to be senior companion, and my companion is a mini-missionary from First Branch name Renato (Renaldo?) Morava. I knew him in First Branch and I admit I am kind of nervous. For some unexplained reason, he really likes me, and actually requested to be with me... I figured it would be him, but I am scared because I am not a strong willed person. There will be a leash connecting us, and either I will be pulling him away from thing, or he will be pulling me towards things. One of us will be master, and the other following....and I don't know which is which yet... I have the feeling it will be a hard transfer.

Well, I have definitely improved on my cooking this week. First of all, Friday I made an entire terriyaki chicken dinner, complete with teriyaki vegitables, noodles and steamed rice! It was just like the restaurant.....however, we ran out of soysauce. Luckily we are going to Tirana tomorrow, I will have to buy it out. Also, Nënë taught us a DELICIOUS Albanian soup/ stew. We made it yesterday and it was so good it didn't even need sirachi sauce! It was with onions, choped beef, tomatoes, pepper, a bayleaf, and this...it looks like a homemade fruit roll up she made from sour plums...anyway, we desolved it in the soup...and IT WAS GOOD! I will definitely have to make my oun plum fruit roll up things and freeze them for soups in the winter! I am thinking about beginning to compile an albanian recipe book which I will call "The Nënë's Cookbook". I think it will be really cool, and delicious!

Lets see, what else....I think that is about it. Transfers are tomorrow morning, and then I will not be speaking hardly any english for the next 6 weeks, which will be a plus...I don't know, I am just kind of nervous. I could be wrong....but I don't know....

Anyway, I love you all! I am glad you enjoyed the letter Brother and Sister Rawlings. Dad, I am praying for you. I hope you start feeling better soon and that you can find work. Thank you everybody for your constant support. I love you! Zoti ju bekoftë! Kalofshi një javë i mrekullueshëm! Ju dua shumë!

Mirëupafshim!

Elder Fredi

June 28, 2010

Dear Family,


Well, first off, Nënë is officially a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! She was baptized on Saturday by my companion, and I was given the opportunity to give her the Gift of the Holy Ghost and confirm her Yesterday! It is really awesome, because when we saw her in her white baptismal jumpsuit, that was the first time I had EVER seen her in ANYTHING but pure BLACK! It is a cultural thing. When a woman becomes a widow, she typically wears black for the rest of her life. Also, they wear black for a long time after a death in the family, and her son died exactly a year ago. It was so amazing to see her dressed in PURE WHITE! And she only had to be baptized once (which was something we were really worried about!). She was confirmed the next day. I was really nervous about doing it. Luckily the actual branch pianist came and I was able to pray for a few moments before the meeting to prepare myself. It was a miracle. I know that things came to mind as I was pronouncing the blessings, that I hadn't thought before. It was given especially for her. She has so much faith. She KNOWS that the church and God has healed her. In the investigator class yesterday, she was sitting next to one of the other Elder's investigators and said," You know Zana, you just need to get baptized! I have been in a lot of pain lately, but last night and today, I haven't had any pain at all!" The God has healed her through her absolute faith that he can heal her! She is such an amazing woman, and I am with my companion in this saying, if I was called to go home right now, I would consider my mission a success JUST because of her. I look forward to being with her in the Celestial Kingdom.

So, Algert isn't ready for a mini-mission. He has been having family problems lately...so now is not a good time. He is a great young man though!

Thank you for your prayers. I know they helped. I was nervous before I gave the blessing, but I was calm right before hand. It was a miracle.

So Transfers are upcomming. We know we will be separated this transfer. I admit, I am kindof nervous for next transfer....I know I am going senior companion...

Today we went to a fshat of Elbasan named Gjinar. It is where Algert is from. It was beautiful, and we made a campfire and cooked "hot dogs" on the hot coals. It was a lot of fun....though it was mainly me building the fire....I used those skills I learned from fire building a home in the fireplace...we all kënaqed!

Another Miracle happened. We have an investigator named Eneda...and she cannot comprehend even the simplest things. We even gave her the scripture Mosiah 3:17 (we thought there was no way to misunderstand that)...she didn't understand salvation. Well, the day before, during a lesson, I thought an example, comparing the gospel (faith, rependence, baptism...etc.) with the process of washing your hands. I think it was the Spirit teaching it to me, and I thoug, that could be useful, so I wrote it down. Well, I decided to use it in the lesson with Eneda, and it was a miracle. She understood nearly everything. WE began with faith, and how we must first have faith that the fauset will have water come out if we TURN THE KNOB (faith withou works is dead...right?). Then we compared soap to repentance, and sometimes we must scrubb HARD, but nonetheless, it kills all those mircobes! And when soap is all over our hands, the natural reaction that we have is to wash it off with baptism! Then, our hands are wet, and clean, so we dry them off with a towel (Baptism by Fire). It went really well, and I know I didn't come up with it myself...I had obvious help!

Well, thank you everyone for your continued support. That is mainly what has happened this week. I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,
Elder Fredrickson

P.S. I got new tags....I am officially Elder Fredi now! IT is alot easier for the Albanians to say. I will try to send pictures!

June 21, 2010

Dear Family,

Well, The first big news is...NENE IS GETTING BAPTIZED! She had her interview on friday and her baptism is this comming saturday ant 6:30 pm. She has chosen Elder Foulk to baptize her and me to give the Gift of the Holy Ghost! It is kind of scary to think that I will be giving it in Albanian and that the ENTIRE congregation will be watching. Well, I just will have to pray REALLY hard and hope the Spirit takes over.

I think that is really cool that you had the opportunity to see Elder Howard. He was an excellent missionary. I still consider him to be a model missionary that others can follow. I wonder how much time he has left, because I know that he is comming up on his 2 year mark in a few months....its so wierd to hear about old companions going home. I feel like he should be out for at least another year like me! Well, if you see him again (any of you) give him my regards and tell him how much I respect him and appreciate the help he gave before my mission in teaching me how to be a missionary. He is a fantastic missionary.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD! I hope you had a happy fathers day, even though you are out of work. God will provide...he always does!

Tell Brother Mitchell that I appreciate his regards. I am happy to hear that I am remembered and that I just didn't disappear... I am thankful for the thoughts of others. Maybe it means I made an impression.

Algert told us on Monday that he is thinking about serving a full-time mission! He would be an Amazing missionary. He kind of reminds me of me (only better). He comes with us a lot to help us with missionary work....not to the extent that I did, but I probably tried too hard. He is a good person.

Well, right now it is raining and my companion is in Saranda for his "End of mission trip". so he will be back in a couple of days. I am with the other Elbasan Elders right now.

We had interviews on Sunday. President told me that I am probably staying here in Elbasan. I asked him a question that had been on my mind. In my second interview in the country, he told me that he thought that I will be a really good missionary at 9 months in the Country....I asked him (because my 9 month mark relentlessly approaches) if I am what he expected me to be....he said yes. He said he wished he had a mission full of me....but I think that is pushing it a little bit, in my opinion. Nonetheless, the interview went ok. He is a very good person with a very strong testimony.

Oh, by the way, Elder Shields was with us a few days ago to do Nene's interview and he saw the picture of the McDaniels that I had. He especially liked seeing Margaret. Anyway, he asked if he could write her....and personally I think that is kind of wierd, but nevertheless Margaret has a fan here in Albania. She should be flattered because the entire district wanted to talk to her...I thought it was funny.

Well, I am not sure what more I can say. The transfer is over in about 2 weeks and I am kind of nervous about my new companion. Well, I guess I just need to take what the Lord gives me....it is for my good.

I love you all. I hope everyone enjoyed the letters. I am still trying to write but I don't think I will get many done today. Anyway, I love you and hope you all have a great week!

Love,
Elder Fredrickson

June 14, 2010

Dear Family,


Well, to begin with, a quick update on that young man that we helped last week. His name is Algert Karaj. Well, what we didn't know at the time that I wrote you last week, is that because of the mental trauma he went through, he had amnesia. He couldn't remember anyone, anything, or anyplace...except for himself and I think his mom and sister....I think. After we left the hill, we invited him to family home evening, and he didn't know when or where it was (and he of all people would have known that.) When he arrived, he was extremely quiet, and he didn't know who Nene was (again, something he knew well). That was when we realized that he didn't remember anything. I thought it was simply because his brain was fuzzy after the breakdown, but he doesn't even remember the breakdown or what caused it. At the time, he didn't know ANYTHING before monday. Throughout the week we have been helping him get his memory back. On Tuesday, we were walking together and we met a friend of his...and he didn't have any idea who he was. Wednesday was a cool day though. We were at the church, and while my companion was in the Branch Presidency meeting, we were in the chapel together and I was helping him piece together what happened at church on sunday, and it was a miracle that he started remembering so much. He Half remembered that he was supposed to go on a mini mission in a few weeks, and then he remembered a lot. His memory is still not all the way back, but if he sees a person, he is starting to recognize them. The miracle of it is, that he forgot very little about the gospel. He said he would be crazy if he didn't remember Jesus Christ, and Wednesday we showed him a picture of Thomas Monson, and he was one of the first people that he remembered by looking at him. It took him a few moments, but he knew his name better than people he interacted with. It really is a miracle.

Nene is still VERY excited to get baptized! We had to move her date back for scheduling purposes, and we think we have found solution for the Tithing problem. She was having some health problems but nonetheless, we arranged everything and she was able to come to church on sunday for all 3 hours! She such a wonderful woman. She really wants to meet Mom and Dad someday. She would do her best to treat you like a king and queen!

Other than that....we don't really have anything. Zone Conference was this week. It was really good. We have mainly been helping Algert and Nene.

Tell sister Holden thanks for the Letter, along with Sister Nevins of course. I sent the letters I had ready so they should be there in a couple weeks.

Well, I love you all! I'm not sure what more to say. Transfers are coming in a few weeks. I am probably staying and there is rumor that I will be with an Albanian as my companion...scary!

Oh I made Peach Cobbler this week, and I tried that other stir fry recipe. They were delicious (but I could use more practice on the cobbler).

Anyway, I am rambling. It is good to hear about Lucas...40 credits! I hope I can see him when I return...though truthfully I wonder if he even remembers me. I am proud of him though.

Well, I will let all of you go. I love you all!

Elder Fredrickson

June 7, 2010

Dear Family,

Well, I guess I will start with my investigators.

Nene (by the way, it is pronounced nuh-nuh) still has her baptismal date, but we may move it. We taught her tithing, and she accepted it, and she really wishes that she could pay it, but she feels like she can't. She lives alone and is on pension. she recieves 120 dollors a month to live on, and after paying water, electricity, and the woman she pays to sleep with her (to watch over her at night because she is old), and medicine bills, she has only 30 dollors a month for food. She can't see how she could possibly pay 12 dollars a month in tithing! It is so sad, becasue she is a WONDERFUL woman. She says that she could pay 2 or maybe 3 dollars (remember how poor she is...that is a lot for her!) but 12 is not possible. If I could, I would pay her tithing the rest of her life! Most members don't pay a full-tithe, and she is honest enough not to get baptized if she feels she can't keep her covenant. We are working with her, slowly but surely. We have a member at every lesson, and all the members love her, and she loves the members! She is just a GOOD woman!

We met with Valbona and Kozeta and they didn't even start the Book of Mormon....Kozeta did read Alma 32 as we asked though. She read it and made sure that she understood it, and I was pleased with that. They say that they are working 16 hours a day, and thus literally had no time to read. Considering they work at a very tourist restaurant as cooks, I think their excuse fits considering it is tourist season. I admit that I was dissapointed that they didn't finish the Book of Mormon, but there is nothing we can do. Kozeta enjoyed that chapter, but Bona is a bit more stubborn and closed minded. They said that they won't have time to meet with us for another Month, so we will see what happens. I hope they will feel the power of the Book of Mormon.

We were tracting last night and tracted into a good family. They are Muslim and the father's name is Sadik, and his son's names are Besmir and Armando. They were SMART and they like to read, but who knows if they will change.

So it has been an interesting 2 days. Last night, we received a call from the mother of an awesome member named Algert. He is my age. She asked us if we could give him a blessing. We arrived at his house and he was...well, kind of like I was when I had a mental breakdown. He wasn't asleep, but he wasn't awake. I was weeping and talking to himself. He was unresponsive to sound and touch. We tried to "wake him" but to no avail. We gave him a blessing and hoped for the best. This morning we went by because we wanted to see if he would run with us. We brought our scriptures and a sheet so we could run up a hill near the church that is covered in olive trees. We were going to do studies there with him to take his mind off things. It was calm and quiet and we read the scriptures together and I think that a felt a bit better. I know how he feels. It is first: physically exhausting, and he didn't get up for some time, and second: embarrassing, and it takes a bit to recover. I just wanted to help him any way that I could. He is such a good person.

I finished the Book of Mormon in Albanian for the First time on Saturday! I was SO HAPPY! and I also gave the first blessing I have given in Albanian that day too, to Algert actually. He had asked for a blessing of comfort and council. I truthfully struggled with what to say, but I do know, that there were a couple of things that I wasn't expecting to say that I said. I can also see the council I gave him was what he needed because the next day he had that breakdown. I basically told him to rely on the Lord, read the scriptures, and pray. There were other things I said, that I will not mention, but again, I wasn't expecting to say them. It was an interesting experience. It is awe inspiring to see the power of the Lord at work.

It is interesting. A lot of people have been commenting on how good I speak albanian. I don't think it is as much me, as it is the gift of tounges, but if it gets the job done, I am happy regardless.

Well, Thank you sister rawlings for the E-mail. I really appreciated it. I hope all goes well with your work transition. I know you are in the Lord's hands.

I love you all! I hope everyone has a great week!

May 31, 2010

Dear Family,


Well, this week we have excellent news...Nene has a BAPTISMAL DATE! We brought a member to her house and we talked about her baptism, and she said that she wanted to be baptized....so we set a date! We hope she will be baptized June 19.

Well, we have lost about half of our investigators... We met with Ana and Aida on Tuesday. Actually, Aida brought another friend! Her name is Elona also...but all of them are leaving to their respective cities this week. I don't know if we will meet them again. We ran into Ana last night in the road. She stopped and talked to us. They are in the middle of final exams right now so it is very busy, and then they leave. On Tuesday we gave them a semenary student manual to help them in their Book of Mormon reading over the summer because we won't be able to answer their questions....they are in the Lord's hands now....

I'm not sure what more to say about this week. Tell Grandma Nevins that I got her letter and I hope her leg feels better. Also tell Sister Jensen that I wrote a letter and it will be sent shortly. I was able to write 4 letters last week and I am probably going to try to send most of them at the same time...because I have anothe 10 letters to write! I am trying to get them all written but it may take a couple of weeks. I typically only have a couple hours on P-day to do that kind of thing, so It will be a slow process.

Anna, I am so proud of you! You have worked so hard and now it is all working out! Congratulations! Thank you for the audio recordings last week. It is always good to hear your voices. It would be nice if all of you got a chance send a recording sometime and upday me on how everything is going.

My companion says that my Albanian is improving a lot. another missionary in the district gave a talk yesterday. He was in my MTC group. My companion said that I have surpassed him now, and that now he is kind of worried about his albanian... I don't know, but I think my albanian has gotten better. For the most part, my companion and I simply speak Albanian with eachother. We have gone nearly the entire day without speaking any english...it has been helping a lot.

Congratulations on the Baptism. It is great news to hear!

Well, I love you all. Thank you for all of your continued support. It is hard sometimes, but I am doing all that I can...what more can I ask of myself than that? Well, have a great week!

May 24, 2010

Dear Family,


Well, first off, those expecting letters, I wasn't able to write last week. We hardly had a p-day because of things that came up. So I plan on getting a good chunk of those today.

So, as for the work here, it seems to be slowing down. Ana, Aida and Elona are preparing to return to their respective homes for the summer. So this week will be that last week we can meet with them until october unless something changes and we can visit them in pogradec and divjaka. They continue to read (despite the fact that the word used to describe the Great and abominable church of the devil as a nasty woman is as strong as a few choice profanities in English. It is interesting because we thought about it, and we realized that the word in English must have been equally as strong in the time of Joseph Smith, but we have been desensitised over time to the strenght of the word. Albanian is a REALLY ancient language...) Anyway, they are about in 1 nephi 20 right now. we are thinking about giving them the semenary student manual as a reference over the summer because we will not be there to answer questions and resolve concerns. I hope they gain a testimony.

Other investigators hae simply dropped off the face of the Earth or have decided not to continue meeting us...it is too much of a comittment for them.

Bona and Kozeta accepted the challenge to read the Book of Mormon. They read A LOT (sometimes 6 books a week!) so they will probably be finished with it by the time we meet them next tuesday. They reminded me of Melisa in the way that they read so much. They are good girls. They have read the Bible...but nonetheless are still very Muslim. It will be hard, it may take time, but if they join, they will be strong. I hope they gain a testimony.

Nene is amazing! We had a lesson and we brought a member...or 4! We had 4 members at this lesson and mainly we just talked about her getting baptized. 2 of them gave their experience of baptism and testified that is was one of the best things they have chosen to do. One of them even had a Muslim background (which helped because Nene professes to be Muslim, but comes to church every week). She is getting close to baptism...if she feels that he health can handle it. If she decides not to, we are thinking of getting her information and a written permission to do her work for her after she goes to the other side of the vail.

It is good to here about the Miracles back home. It is good to see how the Lord is taking care of my family.

Thank you for sending those audio files Anna. I look forward to listening to them. I always love to hear my family's voices. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful Week!


Love, Elder Fredrickson