Okokok this week was absolutely wonderfully hysterical. We have had so many amazing experiences and were able to WALK OUTSIDE for quite some time. It was SO COOL. It is the simple things that matter <3 Don't forget that!!!
CULTURE SHOCKS:
1. The Albanian language is freaking hard to learn but weirdly enough they don't have tons of different words! For example, the word "kungull" means squash, pumpkin, zucchini, or any other remotely green vegetable thing.
2. Summer time means it is time to bike!!!!! There are so many bikers out and about it is so great!
3. Uhh.. this week our neighbors entire balcony was just covered in bread sitting out in the sun! It was already cooked though so we were kinda confused.
FUNNIES:
1. Okay this was the funniest thing ever. On Tuesday we were absolutely ecstatic to have a FIESTA for CINCO DE MAYO. We were soooo excited. Things have been closed for so long but they have started to allow take-out food so we thought we would order some mexican food from this ghetto restaurant close by. We could only order over the computer however, so we asked the elders if they would order it for us because we didn't have access to a computer. After an hour of struggling to order ghetto mexican food online the order finally went through and we were excited because at this point it was 2 in the afternoon and we were starving!! When the food delivery guy came we left the house really fast to get our food!! When we came back we realized something... WE HAD THE WRONG KEYS. They were the keys to our old house not our new one. Hhaha it was so bad!! To add some good detail to this story we looked like absolute hooligans. Sister Long didn't bring shoes because she didn't think she would need them and I was wearing socks and sandals and we looked like a HOT MESS. It was super hot so the humidity also made us look like absolute gems. We called the mission office to see if they had an extra key. They did! So we dropped off our fiesta in front of our door (praying it wouldn't get stolen) and then we walked about 30 min to the mission office (looking like complete idiots without our Book of Mormons, shoes, or dignity) and then we walked back home. When we put the key into the lock what happened.... IT DIDN'T WORK. At this point we were so hot and sweaty and miserable but also laughing hysterically about our luck. Sister Long didn't bring her phone and my phone was holding out a good 10% so we quickly called our landlord and made about 10 other calls to 3 seperate people with no success because none of them had spare keys. Finally, we found out that our landlord MIGHT have a key but that he couldn't check for another hour. At this point we had been locked out for 3 hours with barely any battery left and no one on the streets to talk to! We decided this was the prime moment to have a fiesta. So we sat on the stairs eating our sad sad mexican food. ALBANIAN MEXICAN IS NOT GOOD HAHAHA. Between the soggy red rubber churros, the thick gooey and rubber brick of cheese on the enchilada, and the taco on the side of my sour cream it was quite a treat. THIS WAS FINE DINING PEOPLE. Thankfully, the landlord came with a spare key and we made it back safely back into our home with no intention of ever celebrating cinco de mayo or eating Albanian mexican food again.
2. This week we were blessed to be able to meet with one of our MIRACLES and have a lesson IN PERSON. Technically, we aren't supposed to do that but the work of the Lord must go on. We had an absolutely beautiful lesson outside at the park! About halfway through the lesson while Sister Long was sharing a scripture this random lady came and ripped the Book of Mormon out of Sister Long's hands and went and sat down on the bench next to us to read it! That was the oddest thing HAHA. We were pretty shocked but that was dang funny. Once we finished our lesson we went over to her and had another lesson 
what a weird and awesome miracle.
SPIRITUAL:
If you aren't going to read this section of my email you can at least take away this lesson: THERE IS POWER IN A NAME AND IN A THANK YOU.
Many miracles have happened this week, as they often do in the work of the Lord! Two of our miracles came from getting to know our local fruit stand friend and the baker! 1) Last week we were buying some fruit (Albania has the BEST fruit) and we began conversation with our new friend who owns the fruit stand! We thanked him for his kindness and asked him his name. We quickly formed a great relationship and talked to him several times that week. This week he asked us why we were in Albania and we soon found out that we are both believers in Jesus Christ. This led us to sharing with him the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. We shared our testimonies and were inspired to invite him to read it and he eagerly accepted. WHAT A MIRACLE. 2) Earlier this week at the bakery the worker wasn't in the best mood. She seemed bothered and annoyed and absolutely did NOT want to talk to us. After buying our bread, we thanked her sincerely AND SHE SMILED. That was step one. The next day we returned and she still wasn't very happy. While she was cutting our bread I felt inspired to ask her name! She was hesitant and confused but told us her name is Elona. As we were leaving we said, "Thank you Elona!!!!!" And her smile returned, but this time a little brighter! Two days later we went back to the bakery (yes, okay... we love bread) and because I am the way I am I walked in saying, "GOODMORNINGGGGGG ELONAAAAA!!!!!!!!". OH BOY WAS HER SMILE SO BIG. She immediately started talking to us and asking us questions and opening up and truly became our friend! We love Elona! This was a miracle!!
The reason I share these stories is because there is power in names. Learning the names of those around us and USING them is a simple way to show some love. It shows that you care! It shows that you remember them! It shows that you want to get to know them! Our Savior, Jesus Christ, had many names. All of his names point to His divine being! When we pray we end in the name of JESUS CHRIST and show our love and respect for Him by doing so. He also knows each and everyone of us by name. THAT IS SO POWERFUL. I encourage you all to think about those who serve you. Learn the name of the cashier who sells you your diet coke! Learn the name of the temple worker who guides you through. Learn the names of your neighbors! Learn the name of the waiter/waitress who serves you your food. Learn the names of the new kid/family/or employee. You will start to love and appreciate them once you learn their names and thank them sincerely. After all, we could all use another friend and spread some cheer. As you begin to use their names their lives will be a little brighter!! LOVE YOUUU SOO MUCH!
Pics:
1. A mexican... fiesta?
2. Me with a picture of a door that represents one of my fav bands woot woot
3. Me & Long trying to take a good picture HAHA. #Ilovewind
4. The bread?
5. ALBANIAN SUNSETS ARE MAGICAL
6. Pretty Albania
7. Hiking friends
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