Hey so I guess I'm 19 now.....Weird
First off, it is my Grandpa's birthday today. He passed away almost 6 years ago. He was an incredible man! He is a hero of mine that I look up to! He worked so hard for his whole life, because he loved his family. He truly is a wonderful example to follow and he was so Christlike! So I wanted to just say that. He was a wonderful man and he is doing some great work in a different place now, I know it.
This week was a slow week, because a lot of us were still getting over sickness and we had an unexpected transfer with the other elders. Now we have a new elder serving here and one went down to Tirana, I don't know why, but I guess I don't need to know haha. But Elder Baker, who came up, is awesome and we are excited for him to be up here.
So my companion actually had to go to the doctor, just cause he wasn't getting any better, he is fine now and is getting a lot better pretty quick. So I spent a couple days on exchange with Elder Baker and we did mostly street contacting and did a couple lessons! But it was tough with the sickness, but we are all better now, so this week should be a lot better and we should all be on our feet again. I was lucky enough to be the only one in our district not to get anything....yet. haha hopefully not at all.
One awesome thing happened on Saturday though! And it is a testament that the Lord blesses those who keep His commandments and serve Him. We got to go down to Gjakova and Elder Baker got to see his parents on skype because his dad got baptized! It was an awesome experience and I feel honored that I had the opportunity to be able to see that amazing experience in his life! I know that this is the Lord's work and if we hold fast to the iron rod (1 Nephi 11) and do what is right we will receive blessings and those that we love will also be blessed!
Well I don't have much more time so I'll end it here. Hope you all have an awesome week!
Elder Sajmëns
Monday, August 18, 2014
Monday, August 11, 2014
August 11, 2014
Hey Everyone
Yeah so really not a lot happened this week, but I'm going to talk a little bit about an average week in Peja.
So on Monday we have P-day, which for the last couple of weeks have been boring cause we didn't do much. Today we didn't do anything because the 3 other elders in my district are sick. I'm not but they aren't doing so hot. So we just had a chill day today.
Last Tuesday we had to go to Pristina for a Zone Training, so that kinda took all of the day, and in the afternoon we met with a couple people but mostly tabled, which means that we stood in the Boulevard with a table and a bunch of stuff from our church. So that was fun.. hahah usually people don't stop, but that's how it is with most things haha.
Wednesday. We did a lot of street contacting and handing our fliers for our English course. So it wasn't a super eventful day, but we did have some lessons with some investigators and a Recent Convert. So that was awesome, but we are gonna start doing all of our creative finding ideas on Wednesdays haha.
Thursday. We do service in the morning, and we have been trying to make cookies for people, but clearly we need more practice because they keep turning out bad haha. Then we had some lessons and went to an investigators house, which is really far away. We took a taxi most of the way, on the way over, but walked all the way back and it took about an hour and a half haha, it was brutal. We also tracted, which turned out ok, no one really answered the door, but we feel strongly like we need to be doing more of that.
Friday, weekly planning in the morning, which takes forever hahah so that takes up all of the morning and we take lunch right after, so we usually get out of the house by 2. Then it's trying to meet with people or street contacting. So we street contacted and handed out English course fliers.
Saturday. We had to do a lot of splits with the other elders so that they could get some work done. One of them was really sick with the flu, so they had to stay home for a few days! So we were helping them out on Saturday. Usually we play basketball on Saturday nights, as a finding activity but we weren't able this past weekend.
Sunday. Church is at 10 in a room that we rent from a Hotel. It lasts about an hour an a half, with sacrament meeting and a gospel principles lesson. I had to give a talk which was rough, but my Albanian is getting there, it is a much different dialect here though haha. And then we had English course in the afternoon, and that went well. No one interested about the Gospel, yet ;)
So that is a typical week for us here in Peja. We have a good time, and we work really hard. It's a pretty difficult work up here in Peja, but we are loving it and are trying our best. The Lord is definitely helping us out though!
I have to go now though, hopefully I don't get sick as well ;) haha Have an awesome week everyone! and I hope you are all doing well!
Much love!
Elder Simons!
Yeah so really not a lot happened this week, but I'm going to talk a little bit about an average week in Peja.
So on Monday we have P-day, which for the last couple of weeks have been boring cause we didn't do much. Today we didn't do anything because the 3 other elders in my district are sick. I'm not but they aren't doing so hot. So we just had a chill day today.
Last Tuesday we had to go to Pristina for a Zone Training, so that kinda took all of the day, and in the afternoon we met with a couple people but mostly tabled, which means that we stood in the Boulevard with a table and a bunch of stuff from our church. So that was fun.. hahah usually people don't stop, but that's how it is with most things haha.
Wednesday. We did a lot of street contacting and handing our fliers for our English course. So it wasn't a super eventful day, but we did have some lessons with some investigators and a Recent Convert. So that was awesome, but we are gonna start doing all of our creative finding ideas on Wednesdays haha.
Thursday. We do service in the morning, and we have been trying to make cookies for people, but clearly we need more practice because they keep turning out bad haha. Then we had some lessons and went to an investigators house, which is really far away. We took a taxi most of the way, on the way over, but walked all the way back and it took about an hour and a half haha, it was brutal. We also tracted, which turned out ok, no one really answered the door, but we feel strongly like we need to be doing more of that.
Friday, weekly planning in the morning, which takes forever hahah so that takes up all of the morning and we take lunch right after, so we usually get out of the house by 2. Then it's trying to meet with people or street contacting. So we street contacted and handed out English course fliers.
Saturday. We had to do a lot of splits with the other elders so that they could get some work done. One of them was really sick with the flu, so they had to stay home for a few days! So we were helping them out on Saturday. Usually we play basketball on Saturday nights, as a finding activity but we weren't able this past weekend.
Sunday. Church is at 10 in a room that we rent from a Hotel. It lasts about an hour an a half, with sacrament meeting and a gospel principles lesson. I had to give a talk which was rough, but my Albanian is getting there, it is a much different dialect here though haha. And then we had English course in the afternoon, and that went well. No one interested about the Gospel, yet ;)
So that is a typical week for us here in Peja. We have a good time, and we work really hard. It's a pretty difficult work up here in Peja, but we are loving it and are trying our best. The Lord is definitely helping us out though!
I have to go now though, hopefully I don't get sick as well ;) haha Have an awesome week everyone! and I hope you are all doing well!
Much love!
Elder Simons!
Monday, August 4, 2014
August 4, 2014
Hey guys
I'm going to keep it short this week, because I don't have a ton of time. Kosovo is beautiful! People told me the Pejë was the most beautiful city in our mission and now I believe them. It is so beautiful up here, I have pictures, but we've had a lot of problems today with power outage and Internet going out, so Idk if I've sent them all. My new companion is also awesome! We were in the MTC at the same time so I already knew him, but we are getting along really well and we are both really excited for the next transfer/mini-transfer. haha. we don't exactly know how long we have together here, but we're gonna make the best of it.
The church is still really new here. It has only been open to missionary work for about 4 months now and we only have 4 members. It's just a small group of a couple awesome members. We are trying to build this city into a branch which would make Kosovo a district, for the first time!! So I am super pumped to be here helping!! It's kind of a big honor to be trusted by the Lord.
But I am doing well here in Kosovo and I hope all of you are doing well!
Have an awesome week!
Elder Sajmëns
I'm going to keep it short this week, because I don't have a ton of time. Kosovo is beautiful! People told me the Pejë was the most beautiful city in our mission and now I believe them. It is so beautiful up here, I have pictures, but we've had a lot of problems today with power outage and Internet going out, so Idk if I've sent them all. My new companion is also awesome! We were in the MTC at the same time so I already knew him, but we are getting along really well and we are both really excited for the next transfer/mini-transfer. haha. we don't exactly know how long we have together here, but we're gonna make the best of it.
The church is still really new here. It has only been open to missionary work for about 4 months now and we only have 4 members. It's just a small group of a couple awesome members. We are trying to build this city into a branch which would make Kosovo a district, for the first time!! So I am super pumped to be here helping!! It's kind of a big honor to be trusted by the Lord.
But I am doing well here in Kosovo and I hope all of you are doing well!
Have an awesome week!
Elder Sajmëns
Monday, July 28, 2014
Transfers - Kosovo!
Hey Er'body
So the big news this week, is that I guess we are doing 6 weeks transfers? I'm not sure if it's permanent, but I'm being transferred. I'll be moving to............Peja, Kosovo. Which is going to be awesome! The language is gonna be harder, because they speak a different dialect of Albanian called Geg. And it is pretty different. And here in Fier they speak the clearest Albanian, I guess in the world. So I'm kinda going from the cleanest to almost the dirtiest! haha It's a lot more difficult to understand! Oh well, I guess I'll get the hang of it! hahah I'm excited. I do love Fier though. It is my "birthplace" and I love the people here! Especially the branch, they are amazing, but the missionaries that will be serving here are Awesome so I'm not too worried about it!
We had a really good week! Met some new investigators and had some amazing lessons with others! We have a few people that want to be baptized and I think that the really understand the importance of the step they are making, which is awesome! It is a wonderful thing that we can follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and take His name upon us. It may be hard at times, but that's why we are also given the opportunity to have the Holy Ghost with us all the time. And we are promised that if we do our best to Endure to the end, that He will make up the difference and lift us up!
I don't really know what to talk about now, it's just super weird that I'll actually be leaving Fier! I am super excited though! We didn't do anything to exciting for Pday today, mostly just did absolutely nothing. Yeah, we cleaned a little, for Elder Squire who will be coming down here. Sorry if this weeks post was boring, but stuff happens haha.
Much Love,
Elder Simons
So the big news this week, is that I guess we are doing 6 weeks transfers? I'm not sure if it's permanent, but I'm being transferred. I'll be moving to............Peja, Kosovo. Which is going to be awesome! The language is gonna be harder, because they speak a different dialect of Albanian called Geg. And it is pretty different. And here in Fier they speak the clearest Albanian, I guess in the world. So I'm kinda going from the cleanest to almost the dirtiest! haha It's a lot more difficult to understand! Oh well, I guess I'll get the hang of it! hahah I'm excited. I do love Fier though. It is my "birthplace" and I love the people here! Especially the branch, they are amazing, but the missionaries that will be serving here are Awesome so I'm not too worried about it!
We had a really good week! Met some new investigators and had some amazing lessons with others! We have a few people that want to be baptized and I think that the really understand the importance of the step they are making, which is awesome! It is a wonderful thing that we can follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and take His name upon us. It may be hard at times, but that's why we are also given the opportunity to have the Holy Ghost with us all the time. And we are promised that if we do our best to Endure to the end, that He will make up the difference and lift us up!
I don't really know what to talk about now, it's just super weird that I'll actually be leaving Fier! I am super excited though! We didn't do anything to exciting for Pday today, mostly just did absolutely nothing. Yeah, we cleaned a little, for Elder Squire who will be coming down here. Sorry if this weeks post was boring, but stuff happens haha.
Much Love,
Elder Simons
Monday, July 21, 2014
July 21, 2014
ç'kemi shok!
Shok is also plural for those of you that google translate it haha. Another good week here in Fier! A lot better than last week, certainly a lot less dramatic! hahah we were able to do a lot more missionary work! which was good cause that's literally why we're here haha. No but for reals it was a good week!
Our sister missionaries here in Fier had a baptism, and I got to baptize their investigator! I don't know here very well, but she seems like a really nice person and I'm sure she'll be an awesome addition to our branch here in Fier.
We have a couple of awesome investigators who are progressing! Some who are just really accepting what we teach and who are keeping commitment invitations and are really coming closer to Christ. A couple on baptismal dates, and they are just so awesome. We love them and we love teaching them!
My companion, Elder Smoot, is awesome! We are getting along really well, he is a really interesting guy! He has an awesome story too! He is a really good companion and missionary! We are trying really hard, but now that Summer has hit, the entire atmosphere of the city has changed, making it significantly harder to have success. However we are trying to do our best, and after all that's what we need to do. If we do all we can the Lord will take care of the rest, especially since this is His work.
So one thing I forgot to tell you about last week, was our P-day last week! We went to Appolonia and my MTC Vallai (Teacher) Vance was actually visiting Fier, so Vance, his wife, and all of the missionaries went to Appolonia. Now I've been there once before, last transfer. So I know that when you go through the old tunnels from the communist times, that you run into to a few things. Those things being bats...lots and lots of bats. So naturally my first suggestion was to go and scare the crap out of the bats. Needless to say, we succeeded hahah. So we all walked through these tunnels, except for our senior couple, and saw the hundreds of bats haha. I got hit in the face twice, once being in the eye haha so I'd just like to clarify that I am one step closer to being batman, one of many, many steps...But anyways. we also ended us rescuing a bat who got caught in some thorn bushes, it then repayed me by flying back and nailing me in the chest... bats man, now I know why Bruce Wayne was so scared of them!
Well I hope you all have an awesome week and that you are able to help someone!
Elder J. Sajmëns
(Elder Simons bough a new camera this week - so we'll hope for some pictures next week :))
Shok is also plural for those of you that google translate it haha. Another good week here in Fier! A lot better than last week, certainly a lot less dramatic! hahah we were able to do a lot more missionary work! which was good cause that's literally why we're here haha. No but for reals it was a good week!
Our sister missionaries here in Fier had a baptism, and I got to baptize their investigator! I don't know here very well, but she seems like a really nice person and I'm sure she'll be an awesome addition to our branch here in Fier.
We have a couple of awesome investigators who are progressing! Some who are just really accepting what we teach and who are keeping commitment invitations and are really coming closer to Christ. A couple on baptismal dates, and they are just so awesome. We love them and we love teaching them!
My companion, Elder Smoot, is awesome! We are getting along really well, he is a really interesting guy! He has an awesome story too! He is a really good companion and missionary! We are trying really hard, but now that Summer has hit, the entire atmosphere of the city has changed, making it significantly harder to have success. However we are trying to do our best, and after all that's what we need to do. If we do all we can the Lord will take care of the rest, especially since this is His work.
So one thing I forgot to tell you about last week, was our P-day last week! We went to Appolonia and my MTC Vallai (Teacher) Vance was actually visiting Fier, so Vance, his wife, and all of the missionaries went to Appolonia. Now I've been there once before, last transfer. So I know that when you go through the old tunnels from the communist times, that you run into to a few things. Those things being bats...lots and lots of bats. So naturally my first suggestion was to go and scare the crap out of the bats. Needless to say, we succeeded hahah. So we all walked through these tunnels, except for our senior couple, and saw the hundreds of bats haha. I got hit in the face twice, once being in the eye haha so I'd just like to clarify that I am one step closer to being batman, one of many, many steps...But anyways. we also ended us rescuing a bat who got caught in some thorn bushes, it then repayed me by flying back and nailing me in the chest... bats man, now I know why Bruce Wayne was so scared of them!
Well I hope you all have an awesome week and that you are able to help someone!
Elder J. Sajmëns
(Elder Simons bough a new camera this week - so we'll hope for some pictures next week :))
Monday, July 14, 2014
July 14, 2014
Hey Everyone,
So I really don't have a lot of time this week! Last week was crazy anyway hahah and not really in an interesting way. It was just busy with stuff that was essential but sorta got in the way of teaching people. Hopefully it'll help the branch though. We have been having some problems with a couple young men. They are super unbelievably disrespectful and we have been trying really really hard to keep it at bay, and it's come to the point where they are not allowed back until they talk to our Stake President.
In other news haha we had a baptism this weekend. A few weeks ago we baptized a girl named Ema, well this weekend we baptized her twin sister, Eda. They are seriously so awesome! and they are gonna be awesome members! Hopefully eventually their family will start to develop interest, but for now they are really good examples to them!
We have some other awesome investigators that we will keep meeting with and hopefully they will find the truthfulness in what we teach! This last week was pretty trying, but we are excited for this week, and even if it's worse I know that the Lord is on my our side and is always there to help us, as He is for all of His children! Always remember, no matter how hard you fall, His hand is always extended to pull us back up, we just have to reach up and grab it. I'm not sure who really said that, but I know I didn't think of it on my own haha, so yeah.
Anywho, Peace out!
Elder Sajmëns
So I really don't have a lot of time this week! Last week was crazy anyway hahah and not really in an interesting way. It was just busy with stuff that was essential but sorta got in the way of teaching people. Hopefully it'll help the branch though. We have been having some problems with a couple young men. They are super unbelievably disrespectful and we have been trying really really hard to keep it at bay, and it's come to the point where they are not allowed back until they talk to our Stake President.
In other news haha we had a baptism this weekend. A few weeks ago we baptized a girl named Ema, well this weekend we baptized her twin sister, Eda. They are seriously so awesome! and they are gonna be awesome members! Hopefully eventually their family will start to develop interest, but for now they are really good examples to them!
We have some other awesome investigators that we will keep meeting with and hopefully they will find the truthfulness in what we teach! This last week was pretty trying, but we are excited for this week, and even if it's worse I know that the Lord is on my our side and is always there to help us, as He is for all of His children! Always remember, no matter how hard you fall, His hand is always extended to pull us back up, we just have to reach up and grab it. I'm not sure who really said that, but I know I didn't think of it on my own haha, so yeah.
Anywho, Peace out!
Elder Sajmëns
(Still no pictures-Elder Simons camera is broken. Hopefully he will buy a new one soon).
Monday, July 7, 2014
July 7, 2014
Hey!
Not much to talk about this week I'm afraid. It might be super short haha. We had a good week. The work in Fier and I guess in a lot of the mission has slowed down because it is Summer and everyone is gone for vacation and it's just a really different atmosphere! We are just doing our best though to try and do work the most effective we can.
We have some exciting news though. So a few weeks ago I mentioned and investigator that got baptized whose name is Ema, and she is a twin. Well this last week in a lesson with her and her twin sister who has also been meeting with us, has decided that she is ready to be baptized! AH! It's so exciting. I have seriously seen such a change in her as she has learned more about the gospel and the restored church of Jesus Christ. And we are so excited for her to take that step closer to God and His Son Jesus Christ.
We also met a new investigator who is just ballin' (awesome)! She like finished the Book of Mormon in a few days...what? who does that? haha just kidding, its awesome, but like dang. She has a lot of faith in Christ! and She is going through a lot of what Joseph Smith was going through, before he took those fateful steps into that sacred grove. She has been searching for the true church. And now she is learning about the restored church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and about the Book of Mormon and I think she is recognizing the truth in the things that we are testifying about. The Lord really does prepare some people.
And we have another investigator, and her and her husband and son are going through a tough time, because they don't have work. Unfortunately that is a huge problem in Albania. But she has so much faith in Jesus Christ and she is also learning about the church and she recognizes the Spirit testifying of the truthfulness of this the Church.
I think that's it for the week. I love you all, and I love being a missionary! I am learning so much about life and about our Savior. My testimony has grown so much, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve Him. You guys are all awesome and I love you and I hope you have an awesome week!
Elder Sajmëns
Not much to talk about this week I'm afraid. It might be super short haha. We had a good week. The work in Fier and I guess in a lot of the mission has slowed down because it is Summer and everyone is gone for vacation and it's just a really different atmosphere! We are just doing our best though to try and do work the most effective we can.
We have some exciting news though. So a few weeks ago I mentioned and investigator that got baptized whose name is Ema, and she is a twin. Well this last week in a lesson with her and her twin sister who has also been meeting with us, has decided that she is ready to be baptized! AH! It's so exciting. I have seriously seen such a change in her as she has learned more about the gospel and the restored church of Jesus Christ. And we are so excited for her to take that step closer to God and His Son Jesus Christ.
We also met a new investigator who is just ballin' (awesome)! She like finished the Book of Mormon in a few days...what? who does that? haha just kidding, its awesome, but like dang. She has a lot of faith in Christ! and She is going through a lot of what Joseph Smith was going through, before he took those fateful steps into that sacred grove. She has been searching for the true church. And now she is learning about the restored church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and about the Book of Mormon and I think she is recognizing the truth in the things that we are testifying about. The Lord really does prepare some people.
And we have another investigator, and her and her husband and son are going through a tough time, because they don't have work. Unfortunately that is a huge problem in Albania. But she has so much faith in Jesus Christ and she is also learning about the church and she recognizes the Spirit testifying of the truthfulness of this the Church.
I think that's it for the week. I love you all, and I love being a missionary! I am learning so much about life and about our Savior. My testimony has grown so much, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve Him. You guys are all awesome and I love you and I hope you have an awesome week!
Elder Sajmëns
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