Updated Family Photos

I've been reluctant to change our family photo on our blog or on my Facebook page until Austin returns home from his mission and we have a truly updated family photo with all of us in it.

However, I was determined to get a photo of Riley before he headed out the door to college once again.  We didn't ever really have Senior year photos taken, nor did we have a nice pre-mission photo done either.  Our kids grow and change whether we want them to or not.  I want to remember the kids at all phases of life and photos are the one way to do just that.

So, thank you, Mickisha Glen for coming on Dec. 31, 2011 late in the afternoon and taking a few casual photos of the kids and the rest of us to document this moment in time.

Riley

Parker

Macey

The kids and me.

Silly kids having a good time.  Love the laughter.

Doctrine & Covenants 133:37

Doctrine & Covenants 133:37 reads, "And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."

On May 30, 2011 - Elder Riley Smith wrote us:

"I forgot to mention that the area presidency has also received permission to send elders into Kosovo.  Elders Klein and Norris will be opening the country for proselyting this Wednesday.  It's interesting how things have worked out.  I'll forward you the letter that President sent us.  They will be sending a new missionary to Kosovo once every transfer (because the Church isn't recognized in Kosovo, missionaries can only stay as tourists for 90 days in a 180 day period).  Love, Elder Riley Smith"

Date: Mon, Jul 11, 2011 at 3:59 AM
Subject: Re: Sunday, July 10, 2011

Good Morning!

Wow, it's a hot one.  Albania is just as hot and humid as Florida.  The other day it was supposedly 108.  The last two nights I've gone home and gotten in the shower because I feel disgusting.

This last week we had interviews with President Ford.  He really is a great guy and I'm positive that we'll see progress in our missionary efforts with his direction.  When he first came, he made a very true comment: "Each Mission President adds something."  It's really true.  He commented one some of the things that President Neil added to our mission culture.  It is obvious that he will also have an impact on that culture.

In interviews President told me that he would send me assistant with Elder Moyes if we weren't leaving at the same time.  He said he would do it anyway if he wasn't a new mission President.  He said that because he's a new mission President he needs the over lap between assistants so that they can help him more.  We had transfer calls on Friday.  I was interested to see where they'd send me. 

This will be my last Monday in Albania.  I'll be going to Kosovo.  I'll be the third missionary in Kosovo, and the first Branch President. It's a little intimidating.  I'm afraid of the language.  It's different that Albanian Albanian.  they have a different accent and use different words.  Elder Klein told me that it's not that bad.  I'm also afraid of being Branch President.  I'm not really sure what a Branch President does, but I imagine I've got a pretty good idea.  I got better at a couple of things while I was in the office.  One of those things is controlling and dealing with new situations.  

Last week was a good week.  I figured that I'd be leaving so we made visits to members and old investigators.  I took pictures of most of them.

Last Monday, there was a baptism.  It's the zone leaders responsibility to get everything ready for the baptism.  We weren't super happy about that, but in the end it worked out.  We had the Elders doing the baptism come spend some time watching the font (the heater doesn't work very well; it shuts off by itself sometimes).

President Apostolli is the second counselor in the district presidency.  He's a super awesome guy.  He's very good at handling teaching moments with tact so that people are willing to be taught.  He lives with his mother. She is 91 years old.  She's actually originally from Macedonia.  They're both amazing people.

We went out to the Lami family.  They're still awesome.  The dad just got a white shirt and tie.  He's so proud of himself.  I got to see the mom (Rajmonda) and son (Angelo) that just got baptized.  They weren't at Church this last Sunday, but she was busy. They're super poor and they don't have any source of income so she is taking a course to become a hair dresser.  They still have lots of faith.

On Sunday we went to see the Cara family with Elder and Sister Stacey.  The Cara's have to daughters (23 and 25) and we wanted the Stacey's to meet them.  The Stacey's are over the Center for Young Single Adults.  We had a really good lesson.  We invited them back to Church by telling them how much we need them.  They do everything that a member family should, except come to Church. They want to come back. And eventually they will.

So far this morning, we went and played frisbee and got haircuts.  We're going to go bowling as well.  Sorry, I didn't get the letters for Parker and Macey written, but they're coming.

This week during my personal study I've been reading the Book of Mormon.  I've also been reading "Marvelous Work and a Wonder".   At first the book didn't really do it for me, but over time some of the comments have really grown on me.  I've particularly liked this most recent part.  Legrand Richards talks about all the prophecies made in the scriptures and how many of those have been fulfilled.  It really is amazing to look at all those promises that the Lord has made and see them fulfilled in this, His Church.  The words in the scriptures really are the words of the prophets.  And those words will happen.  As those prophecies and words are fulfilled, their words really do stand as a witness for God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

With only three months left a lot of people start getting trunky.  I have thought about home quite a lot.  It's hard not to.  But, instead of becoming trunky in the last little bit, I've started feeling more like I did back in the MTC.  I feel more... energized to do missionary work.  And I have more hope of the possible outcomes of my efforts.  Don't worry too much about me.  I was built to work, and that's what I'll keep doing.  I don't know what I'd do with myself if I wasn't working.

Well, I have to go.  I love you all.  Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Riley Smith.

On My Way Now!

Riley left the Missionary Training Center at 3am on Jan. 6, 2010. He flew from Salt Lake City, UT to Los Angeles, CA. He then flew to Washington, DC where he was able to call home. We were able to talk to him for just about an hour. He then flew from Washington, DC to Vienna, Austria and from there to Tirana, Albania. Arriving in Albania at 12:25p on Jan. 7, 2010 after 36 hours of travel time!!! It is amazing that he has been there for 10 days already.

7 January, 2010

Dear Brother and Sister Smith,

As you can see from the attached photograph, Elder Smith arrived safely here in Tirana. He's shown here with Sister Neil and me in our living room following dinner in the mission home in Tirana. He is a bit tired, wrinkled and overwhelmed by the cultural shock of landing here. Everyone's luggage arrived at the same time they did!! (which is highly uncommon). He seems excited to get to work and to be assigned to his new companion. He has already been out to do his first street contacting (with great success!). We will assign him tomorrow afternoon to his trainer, a special dedicated missionary called to that important position. But rather than wait until then to let you know he arrived safely, we thought you might be anxious to know that he didn’t get lost in transit and that he did arrive and that all is well. Earlier today, I had a wonderful interview with him, we got him registered with the American Embassy. We just had dinner, and he and his companions are off to get some rest. We will send you another short note tomorrow with all of his addresses, the name of his companion and any other information that will hopefully make you comfortable about his status.

Please also know that we already love your son and are concerned for his well being. We will do all in our power to make sure that he is safe and that he has a wonderful experience serving as a missionary. We can say without question that he has come to one of the finest missions in the world. The people are kind, the members are so loving of the missionaries, and the other missionaries are the finest young men and women in the church.

Thank you for sharing your son with the people of this country. We know that your family will be blessed as you share in his experiences.

Sincerely,

President and Sister J. Martin Neil

Albania Tirana Mission

8 January, 2010

Dear Brother and Sister Smith,

We have had the wonderful opportunity of spending more time with your son and getting to know him a little better. Your son is still functioning in another time zone, but jet lag will pass quickly for him. Elder Smith is doing well with the language and is talking to people in the street already. This morning, we took our new missionaries to the Mother Albania Statue and Park, a memorial to the heroes of Albania during the second world war, overlooking the city of Tirana. This is where Albania was dedicated for the preaching of the Gospel in April of 1993 by Elder Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve. The attached photo shows the entire MTC group up at the park, overlooking the city of Tirana, as well as a shot with the Monument in the background.

We had a short service there where we read together the dedicatory prayer, which is beautiful and becoming fulfilled in amazing ways. After prayer and thoughtful consideration, we have assigned him to work with Elder Hixson, in the city of Elbasan. Your son’s companion is a great missionary who has earned the opportunity to be a trainer by his dedicated service here in Albania. I am sure that your son will be able to learn much from him. He will also learn to rely on the Spirit to guide him daily. He will grow in ways that you can’t imagine.

The church requests that we use only the myldsmail.net email service and that your son communicate only with family members via email. He has an account and will be able to write once a week (on P-days, which are on Monday) and to receive e-mail from his immediate family.

All other addresses shown on the letterhead of this email are descriptions rather than an actual address. There is no mail delivery in Albania other than post office boxes, so our Office Secretary goes to the post office twice a week to pick up the mail and packages. We have found that US Priority mail is the least expensive and fairly rapid option (2 weeks), and US Express mail is the quickest (4-5 days) and the packages are actually delivered to our doorstep. The following address covers post office delivery, as well as delivery to the doorstep for US Express mail and other courier services:

Elder Smith

Fondacioni Liahona

PO BOX 2984

Rr Qemal Stafa Vila 1

Përballë Postës 22

Tirana, Albania

We find that many items are sent that can also be purchased here and the costs are very high to ship, so discuss with your missionary what they really need to receive. We have had parents send expensive items and medications that could be bought here. Anything over $300 in value will trigger the payment of customs duties and a complicated procedure for retrieving the package. It might be helpful to check with us if you are considering sending important items.

Once a month your missionary will be given their financial allotment from the church via a debit card. If they should want any additional funds, each town does have a bank that will honor Visa/MasterCard ATM debit cards. They should have a card with minimum available funds of at least $100.00 in the case of emergencies.

If you need to write to us for any reason, just use the same address in care of President and Sister John M. Neil. Our office e-mail address is also shown in the letterhead. Otherwise you will begin hearing from your missionary every Monday (P-day) on a regular basis soon. I am sure that you are looking forward to that.

Again, thank you for raising such a fine son. Sister Neil and I love the Lord, we love His church, and we love His missionaries, and will do everything we can to support and sustain your son so that he can accomplish what he came here to do. We know he will have a wonderful mission, and will accomplish much good in this developing land of generous and kind people.

Sincerely,

President John M. Neil

Sister Elizabeth Neil

Kicked to the Curb? or Kissed at the Curb?

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

I am a novice at this slideshow/video creation. I couldn't figure out how to add music to this slideshow. If anyone can enlighten me I would appreciate it. So for now it is soundless!

Riley on his way! Albania - Almost!

It is hard to believe that it has been six weeks since we dropped our oldest son, Riley, off at the curb and said our goodbyes for two whole years. He will be serving a mission for our church in Tirana Albania.

I am grateful that he has a testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ. I am grateful that he is willing and eager to spend two years of his life to share that belief with others. I am grateful for the man this firstborn son has become. My heart is so full or gratitude for all the blessings the Lord has given me. It is amazing to look back on life's experiences and see His hand as He has guided us along this path of life with its myriad of decisions we must continually make.


The night before Riley entered the MTC - Missionary Training Center we were able to have dinner with two cousins (our nephews) - Ben and Daniel & his wife, Diana Smith. I had gotten to see Daniel more recently but we decided it had been about (8) years since John had seen him.


The word around town was that IHOP served missionaries a free breakfast on the morning they were headed to the MTC. We thought we'd find out - the rumor was true. How cool is that! It was fun to see all these other families with their sons and daughters doing the same thing we were.


Ready . . .


Set . . .


Go!

Sunburned? Really?

After living in Florida for (9) years you would think we knew a thing or two about the sun and a thing called sunscreen!

When we did our impromptu vacation to Georgia in August we got out on Lake Lanier with the boat and jet skis. Before we knew it we had been out a few hours. Didn't think much about it but before we knew it we had been out all day. Riley and Austin spent most the time on jet skis. It was the law to have to wear life jackets (not that it's a bad idea).

We all got quite sunburned but Riley's gave us the best picture! Obviously he spent most his time working this summer not hanging out at the beach in Florida!

Catching Up IS Hard To Do!

There just never seems to be enough hours in the day to do all we want to do and get done. I can't believe it's been 3 months since I have posted on our blog. I was doing so good there for awhile. I still have a lot of catching up to do but I wanted to update a few things so none of you would give up on me. I kept thinking I'd have a day where I could just spend it updating the blog. Hasn't happened. So tonight when I couldn't sleep I decided I'd better just make a stab at it. Maybe I'm slow (or my computer is), but I've already spent a couple hours and hardly made a dent. See what I mean - so much to do (or wanna do) and so little time.

We've had a lot going on just not enough time to tell all about it. Our spur-of-the-moment vacation to Georgia, Parker & Macey starting school (they missed the 1st day), going to Provo, UT to get Austin settled out at BYU and then back home to get Riley ready to leave on his mission to Albania. We got to have Grandma Swensen and Grandma Smith come for a visit and then John & I went with Riley to Washington to see Grandma Lois and all our family there. Then on to Provo, UT again to 'literally' drop Riley off at the MTC (Missionary Training Center). It is like the car line at the elementary school. You pull up, unload and drive away.

It's hard to believe Riley has been a missionary for almost a month now. He is doing great! He's the district leader. He's positive, enthused and teaching us a few words in Albanian each week.

Parker & Cub Scouts

We haven't had regular Pack Meetings until recently. Parker had earned his Bear badge, (1) gold arrow and (5) silver arrows. He has been a Webelos scout since Feb 2009. Got to be busy doing that. We love you, Parker, and are happy for your accomplishments.

I was so good with Riley and Austin - I was a part of every step of the way from Bobcat to Webelos. I did most every thing with them. Parker hasn't had quite the same attention. I'm sorry, Parker. I'll try to be better about helping you!





What could make a dad more proud than (3) great individuals - with individual talents, strengths, strong scout ethics and strong testimonies of Jesus Christ.

Registering for BYU

Here is Riley spending a few moments to impart some of his 'college' wisdom with Austin on registering for classes. You can see what they think about my picture taking!

Happy Father's Day - John!

We always seem to need to get up and moving after Sunday afternoon naps. We don't make it a habit of going to the beach on Sunday, but every once in awhile it sounds like a good family time activity.

John had suggested that we go to the beach to watch the sunset. There was a good little breeze so it kept the humid feeling away a bit. We got there a little too early this time so we enjoyed ourselves but ended up not staying 'til the sun went down.

Happy Father's Day - John!



We told Parker & Macey they could go in up to their knees. They obeyed (for once) but sat down to experience the full effect of the waves! The beach itself with the wind, water and view was peaceful. The drive to the beach, however, with Parker & Macey exchanging jabs in the back seat was not! Life - gotta love it.

Where in the world is - Albania?

Thought we'd post a map of Albania as a quick reference for anyone who is geographically challenged such as I am.

Interesting Facts
*3.6 million people
*87% literacy rate
*Life expectancy 74 years old
*Currency - Lek

Physical Facts
*28,780 sq. ft (slightly larger than Maryland)
*shares borders w/Yugoslav republics of Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia
*also shares border with Greece
*70% of country is mountanous and often inaccessible

Ethnic Facts
*two major subgroups: Gegs and Tosks
*separated by Shkumbin River
*these two groups account for 90% of Albanian population

Religion
*70% of Albanians are Islam
*the Orthodox church is a distant second
*less than 10% are Roman Cathothic
*www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/contact-us/albania
*shows 1838 lds members, 10 congregations, 1 family history center

Agriculture & Industry
*main farming regions located on Adriatic coastal plain
*chief crops: corn, grapes, olives, potatoes, sugar beats and wheat
*chief livestock: cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and chickens
*mining is the leading industry in Albania

Housing
*densely overpopulated
*average living quarters for a family of four is one room

Riley received his mission call to . . .

Riley received his mission call today!!!

We waited a whole hour to open it until Grandma Swensen could get home from Visiting Teaching in rural Paul, ID! She had it all figured out for us to use SKYPE so she could watch Riley open his call. (It was worth the wait).


Anticipation!


Posing with unopened envelope!


Opening the letter!


Reading the fine print! Then 'Googling' it!

"You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Albania Tirana Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months. You should report to the . . . Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, October 21, 2009."


Grandma looking on as they look for the country on the globe. Riley & Austin trying to steady the globe and position it just right in front of the webcam for Grandma to see.


Riley taking a closer look himself at where he will be going.


Looking up more info on Albania!!! "WOW!!!" Those were Riley's exact words when we asked him what he thought.

Riley has submitted his mission papers and we are waiting for his call! Two weeks will be this Wednesday! We would like to get your 'vote' on where you think he might go. Post your comment! Joe & Emily say - Uruguay.

Riley's Mission Papers In!

We had to take a photo to upload online with Riley's mission application paperwork. His paperwork has been turned over to the Stake President. Now that we are to this point Riley wishes he knew where he is going - yesterday!