5 Years

As I approach my 5 year mark of being home from Albania
my thoughts turn to the memories, food, smells,
experiences, hard times that changed me and
most of all, the people who touched my life.

Elba and her brother Roni (middle) were one of the first
investigators my trainer and I taught.
Elba was a timid 11 year-old that wanted
to learn about the gospel and soaked it in every
time we talked to her about the Lord's plan.
She didn't have family support and was too young
for baptism so she eventually lost contact with the missionaries.

Elder Abley (very left) was in the very last group I taught at the MTC.
He was a bold, strong and caring missionary who I knew
would work miracles in Albania. He came in contact with Elba
and her brother Roni and once again, taught them the gospel.
The day before he left to go home last week
he baptized them.

A seed was planted in Elba's heart 6 years ago.
She remembered what learning about the gospel and
feeling the Spirit was like.
When the time was right, she met up with missionaries again.
A worthy and noble missionary taught her
and she knew what she needed to do.

There is nothing like missionary work.
And there is nothing like hearing about miracles
that continue to happen when you've gone home
to move on with life.

Elba and Roni will make such great, needed members in
the slow growing country of Albania.
I love them and am so happy for them.
I'm so thankful for the opportunity I had to serve a mission.
I'm thankful for siblings and in-laws who did the same.
And I'm so thankful for our little Caleb who's out there
making miracles happen right now.