October Letters

Monday, October 12, 2009

Dear President Neil (John's mission president),

This week has been quite a week. I think I am still getting adjusted to the time change, but each day it is getting a bit easier. It had been very tiring. We spend most of our time tracting and street contacting. Everyone is reasonably kind, but uninterested, so at the time we have no investigators. And I admit it is pretty frustrating being unable to speak or understand most of the Albanian language. I can understand quite a bit of where the conversation goes, but as for what is said, typically I have no idea. Despite all of this, I was surprise to find that being in Albania, where no one can understand me and (I can’t understand them), going street contacting, and tracting…etc, it all feels strangely natural. I thought it would be strange, but It feels completely natural. I take it as a sign that this is where I am supposed to be, where God wants me to be. Also, I have found that tracting here in Albania is ,so far, a bit less demoralizing than it was in Alabama. Everyone here is rather respectful, even if disinterested, so it isn’t so disconcerting. My Companion is Perfect. I could not have asked for a better companion, even if I chose for myself. I know that God knew what he was doing when he put us together. I can say, even now, that it will be a very sad day when we will be required to part. From my perspective, we get along perfectly. I can’t say that I can speak for him, because truthfully I wouldn’t want to be my own companion, but it seems perfect. I feel like we get along perfectly… I don’t know if I could say anymore. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. You have made me feel very welcome to the mission, even before I came, and I am truly grateful for that.

Sincerely, Elder Fredrickson

Monday, October 19, 2009

Ok, lets see about those questions. I had a lot of e-mails to read!

We have a washing machine but we have a solar powered dryer (namely a clothes line)

Our appartment is small, but not too shabby. our bedroom is connected to the kitchen.

LOTS of vegitables and fruit. I have made chicken fajitas twice and they were fantastic. chedder cheese is not available but the pizza cheese is pretty good on the fahitas. imagine chicken lemon peppers onions green onions garlic fresh lettuce, fresh tomatoes (they taste good here!) and pita bread. good stuff!

Weather is cooling down, but not too bad yet. Its pretty humid, and it might be warmer here than there.

The mountains are BEAUTIFUL!!!

I bore my testimony before the branch today. people were amazed I could do it myself after only a week and a half in the country. I would say it is about 30 -50 people that attend.

LOTS of tracting and street contacting. Its odd, because its a lot like Alabama except instead of "I only believe in the Bible" it is usually "I only believe in the Qoran". We have taught a couple people, and we teach english twice a week.

TELL JESSICA SUPER CONGRATS!!!

Sad to hear about Elder Howard. Hopefully I will have time to get him a letter.

The food here is really good. I have not had any Albanian food that I haven't liked yet.

Tell president draughon thank you.

What other questions do you have I could answer. Sorry I didn't write more this time. My dear president letter got lost in the internet last week and I had to correct that, that I had a lot of good e-mails to read. It is always good to hear from all of you. Thank you DD. for your letter. Don't forget to introduce yourself to president Tate at Stake conference or Zone Conference. That would be good. Tell him that I said I and to thank him. I have used a lot of the notes that I took from those zone conferences and trainings.

Melisa, I love you. I am proud that you finished the Holy Temple. It was Fantastic wasn't it? Next , you could consider reading either Jesus the Christ, or the Infinite Atonement. Keep strong. You are right, the easy path isn't always the right one. just remember, following the path of least resistance makes men and rivers crooked.

I love you mom. Thank you for your recicpies. could you send me your cinnimin rolls recipe (and recipe for icing. i tryed to make it the other day, and it was a disaster!) and I got the recipe for albanian bread. I'll try to get that to you eventially. I cook a lot, I made egg drop soup, fahitas, rice (not fried yet) and a pastery recicpe that I got from a albanian. it was my companions favorite.

I love all of you, good luck Anna! I am rooting for you! I'm not sure what else to say and I don't have much time. I'l send a copy of my dear president letter too, it has other things. Love you ammon. OH! I wish I had sirachi sause. nice christmas thing...

Love you all! I have really come to feel how important the Book of Mormon is. If only people could see THAT! Miracles would happen if people really could see that simple thing. The church is true. Joseph Smith is a prophet and most importantly, Jesus Christ is the messiah, our savior!

Love Elder Fredrickson

Monday, October 26, 2009

Dear Mom (and family),

It has been so good to hear from all of you! By the way, my companion was the one taking the nap in the bed...I forgot that I hadn't taken a picture of him for you. Thank you for the recipes (and yes. I have been doing a lot more missionary work than cooking). I also bought an albanian traditional recipe book. It looks pretty good. As for foods, I haven't gotten sick yet. By the way Emily, yesterday I made fried rice! It wasn't as good as at the restaurant but it was ok. I ALSO made egg yolk sause, just like at the restaurant!!! My companion liked it, but I made a bit too much so we have leftover and can't do anything with it...lol! I like the Sufllaqes (greek gyro with french fries and ketchup and mustard in it as well) and the fasule(bean soup) and pilaf(rice) are good too. weather is a little bit rainy, but warmer...weather changes like alabama (hot then cold then hot...etc.) we had 58 people at church sunday. we are supposed to plan a special musical number for sacrament meeting the 8th. There are little stores called dyqans everywhere. There entire city has tons and tons of these little stores everywhere, very few big markets. there are also street vendors everywhere and fruit markes and vegitable markets...etc. there are no big stores (probably because it is illegal to make money and send it out of the country. all money made in albania stays in albania) Language is still hard, but on occasion I can understand people. It is a difficult language. I have no idea about transfers....truthfully, i hope not.

My companion is from utah. I'm not sure what to say about him. He is a great guy, and he has been in the field for 1 year and 7 months (he has 5 to go).

Sirachi is comming!!!! OH that will be SOOO good on EVERYTHING!!!!! Tell mr. lee thank you for me. I have learned so much from him.

That was cool that you had the opportunity to talk to Elder kichichoi and president Tate. I am flattered that Elder Tait spoke so highly of me. I should write the President and Sister Tate. I learned much from them. Many times I think back to what I leard in Zone Conferences. Speaking of, we had Zone conference thursday! It was so good, I have missed zone conference. We learned about extending commitments. It was interesting because we were split into groups and we were each given a different commitment we had to prepare to extend. We were last, and we were given the commitment to commit someone to stop smoking. I remembered something that was in the tracting with member missionary work book that president tate gave me. People who smoke won't stop because they know it is bad for them. many times they won't stop for their family either. One of the only reasons that will stop is for their love of the savior. Through the Atonement they can make a lasting change. our group included my companionship and the A.P.s (Elder Mcglothin and Elder Flack) Elder Mcglothin and I decided to be the onse to try to extend the commitment. We had to give it to one of the senior missionaries (sister shupe). Elder Mcglothin started, and told about how with the savior's help we can overcome this addiction. Then I testified of the Atonement, and asked if she loved her savior who suffered for her as an individial. The Spirit was so strong. The room was silent. Afterwards, they asked for feed back. After a few more moments of silents, one of the sisters said,"That was intense". they liked how we made it on a personal level, dealing with her personal love of the Savior, and how the Savior knows exactly what she is going through. Another commented about the testimony of the Atonement. The Spirit was so Strong, I know that is helped. It was truly an experience.

I'm kind of scared. I had a dream the other night, and I woke up in the middle of the night. I dreamed that my mission was served honorably, for the 2 years, and that I was going home tomorrow. It kind of felt like mom's over tired dreams about the children and her getting up in the night to check on them. I had to remind myself that I am only 4 months in and I still have 20 months left. I had a similar dream in the MTC, that gave me the feeling that my mission would fly by in the blink of an eye. It feels like it is going by way too fast. I feel like I am the hare and time is the tortoise. Time waits for no man. I want to savour Every moment of my mission, because every moment is precious, and fleeting like a passing dream... It is going by WAY too fast...

Melisa, I love you. Thank you for all of your letters. I hope you start feeling better soon.
Anna, Good luck in your competition. I've been bragging about you with everyone, and I know you have NEVER let me down in your musical abilities. I miss your piano hands. I love you!!
Ammon, keep up the good work. The Book of Mormon is Amazing! There is so much to learn, if people simply give it a chance. It is true, I know it is true. I know it is true as much as I know that Jesus is the Christ, The Son of God and Savior of the World. I know this. I know that Jozef Smith is a Profet. He saw what he said he saw, God, our Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Messiah. Love you Ammon!

Thank you Elisa for your e-mail. It was wonderful to hear from you, and thank you for your support. I love you!

I love you Emily, thank you for your questions. It helps me focus my letters. Tell, Lola that i love her and miss her little doggy tail wagging.

I love you too D.D.! thank you for your letters and send my thanks for the socks.

Thank you for the letter Sister Nevins. It is always good to hear from you. I hope you can continue serving in the Temple soon!

Thank you Brother and Sister rawlings for your letter and for everything. It was good to hear from you.

Love you Dad. Thank you for your dear elder. I got it Wednesday. Good luck on the Car. It has gone through a lot.

Mom, I love you so much. I always enjoy your letters. I will try to send more pictures, but it is difficult. Thank you again for the recipes. They will help.

And if you could forward this e-mail to President Tate, That would be good. He has a right to hear about my adventures too. He taught me so much, that that is the least that I can do to repay him.

I love all of you!

Love,Elder Fredrickson.