La Gjurmë

December 20, 2021

The last email! I am currently on the plane from Vienna to Chicago which still isn't quite registering. This last week was beautifully hectic as ever. 


On Saturday our friend Erik and our friend Miranda got baptized!! President and Sister Burdon were able to Erik's baptism and to church in Vlorë the next day which was so special. 

Miranda had a small baptismal service at 9 in the morning. Her husband was able to baptize her!! There was such a special spirit there. It was so adorable, as soon as she came out of the water she started clapping.  It was a privilege to teach Miranda and Krenar. The Lord seriously softened their hearts right before our eyes. Miranda is such a believing woman and Sister Burdon and I think she will be relief society president one day. 

Erik's baptism was so great. Lots of members were able to come and participate which was super special. In teaching Erik we involved the Bishopric and the YSA a lot, so it felt like the whole ward was a part of this. Erik was ecstatic the whole night. The next day, the Bishop met Erik's family!! Special special times. I am so grateful I was able to teach him!!

I can't believe I'm writing my last weekly. I don't really know how to explain what I'm feeling. Over the past 18 months I've served in four areas; Berat, Tiranë, Cyprus, and Vlorë. Each area changed me. I am so grateful for the love I have felt in these areas and for the wonderful privilege I had to serve there. 

Berati: the small ancient city at the foot of the mountains with the most humble members. I learned here that love can be shared regardless of a language barrier. 

Tirana: the beautiful, noisy, dirty capital of Albania. I spent the better half of my mission here and still miss it every day. Being in Tirana the last few days felt like a dream, because at every corner I remembered another memory. In Tirana I learned that the Lord consecrates every effort and that my prayers are heard and answered. I will always love Tirana and my people there. 

Cyprus: a transfer that feels like a glitch in my mission, SO different from the rest of it. This hot, dry, and diverse island changed my life!! In Cyprus the Lord taught me that He loves me and that my duty is to love others. I was humbled by the refugees and immigrants in Cyprus and they have significantly shaped my life and future. Once again I was amazed at the fact that to form a real relationship, you only need genuine love. Language and time are irrelevant. 

Vlora: O vloraa, perla e shqiperise!!! I absolutely loved my last area. Vlorë is situated on the coast of Albania right next to Italy and it is a gorgeous, messy, beach town. Holy SMOKES I am going to miss living in Vlorë. I'm getting emotional over here in the back of this Austrian plane just thinking about it. I will always dream about Vlorë and my people there. In Vlorë the Lord tutored me in hearing and recognizing His voice in my life. In my 4 months in Vlorë, I was privileged to meet so many special people who made me laugh and cry and think and grow. 

I am so grateful for my mission. I loved it. SO MUCH. It has been hard. But it has been so so good and FULL of miracles. I can't imagine myself without Albania, Cyprus, my companions, and my people in these countries.  They have left an imprint on my soul, and I've left my heart with them.  Leaving has been really hard! 

I want to thank you for your support and love over the past year and a half. Every email and letter and text has made a huge difference for me, even if I never got back to you. I feel like the luckiest sister missionary ever. Thank you for your prayers, they have been FELT. 

I am soOOoo excited to see you all again! Tomorrow night I have an open house @7 at my house and I hope I can hug you all then!! Come:)

My homecoming will be January 16 at my home ward in Salt Lake. I'll share more info when it's closer haha.

I bear my testimony that Christ lives. He is active in my life and He is active in your life. Jesus Christ and His mercy and love are evident every single day. He appears to us all in different ways and according to our faith (2 Nephi 26:13). I testify that He came to earth and saved us. We can find power and strength in the Atonement every day.  I testify that when we are centered on Christ, nothing will ever go permanently wrong. Even when it seems hopeless! I testify that our prayers are heard and answered!! When we prayer with our whole souls, our prayers truly reach heaven (Enos 1:4). I testify that we were not intended to walk alone in this life and that we don't have to!! The Lord hasn't left us alone, and He never will (Ether 6:3)!! I know that Joseph Smith initiated the restoration and that the restoration is continuous.  I know that we have a divinely appointed prophet and he speaks for the Lord! I testify that we have Heavenly Parents who love us and bless us every day. I know that we can return to Their presence if we abide by the gospel. I know that Jesus Christ loves us!! He is the light! I know these things because I have asked God and wrestled to know them. I invite you to do the same:)

Per ju misionaret ne asm, ju dua shume dhe ju falenderoj per dashurine që me tregoni. Ju jeni nona dhe ju uroj sukses dhe lumturi ne punen e Zotit:) Vazhdoni se punuari forte ! 

SEE YOU TOMORROW :0 <3 !!!

With love,
Motra Mënz








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