Falemnderit Zot!

"Falemnderit Zot", which means "Thank You God" has been the phrase coming out of my mouth every other second since I left the airport in Nashville.

I have never felt God so close to me then on Thursday and Friday. My flight to Washington, Dales airport was a pretty normal flight. It was fairly packed, but the ride was nice and smooth and I don't think I even got through two chapters it was such a short flight. When I got to Washington, I had this amazing peace. Usually when I come into airport I have never been to before sometimes I get myself worked up and stress a little. This was not so, I walked in there like I had been there a hundred times. I even questioned myself like it was so strange of me to be so calm. But there I go again not trusting what God can do for you. I got a hamburger from fudruckers (which was my last American meal by the way and it was mighty tasty) and then I headed to my gate to wait for my plane to Vienna, Austria.

I didn't have to wait to long, it was such a huge plane that they started boarding way before take off time. I was in the very back of the plane so I got to board first. As soon as I got to my seat the flight attendant told me that I could sit anywhere I wanted cause the plane would not be very full, so we could all spread out. These words were wonderful to me, knowing that on an 8 hour flight I could spread out and take a couple seats for myself then be scrunched up scared to accidentally touch the person next to me. Oh yeah it was good! So I got a row to myself, and for the most part sat by the window and stretched my legs out on the others. It felt grand. After we were in the air for an hour, we were served drinks and pretzels. But to my surprise we were then served dinner. I had no clue that they were going to serve dinner, and I had already had a wonderful burger from fudruckers so I was good to go. I noticed from the ones that got dinner that I was ok that I skipped that part. But while dinner started also the complimentary movies did as well. I finally got to watch Kung fu Panda, and it was as funny as everyone had said. The flight attendants were probably the nicest people I have ever met. I mean they were at your service no matter what and with a huge smile to go with it. Let me tell you friends Austrian Airways is the way to go. So after cups of tea, a brownie, and way to many movies I finally tried to go to sleep. But I guess I was just to excited so I did not get that much rest. When we got to Vienna, I had to wait for a couple hours for my flight to Tirana, that is when those hours of missing sleep caught up with me. I could barely keep my eyes open. I was a little scared someone might take my stuff because I kept on dozing off but I made it, somehow. The flight to Tirana was very short, and I don't remember most of it because as soon as I sat down on the plane I was almost completely out of it. When we were about to descend into Tirana, I finally opened my eyes and the excitement of me finally being in Albania woke me up. My eyes were everywhere trying to take it in. As soon as we landed I did get that European feel I had seen on movies or shows. I got through customs with no problem, and when I went to get my bags both of them were there! I actually could not believe it, I had a pretty big fear that they would lose one but they did not. People not on any plains waiting for people were not allowed in the baggage claim area, so I had to go out into the lobby area to find the missionary family that I would be staying with. I almost did not make it out the doors with my two huge suitcases and my carry on. When I finally made it out, there was a crowd of people waiting and starring at me as I struggled to carry my bags. A man came up to me trying to take my bag and carry it for me but I was very good at telling him no, then I saw another hand try to take one of my bags and I was right about to yell in his face when I realized it was the missionary. He got me out of there, and I was good to go.

After that we went to a mall/grocery store that reminded me of the futuristic world in the movie Minority Report, I guess because it just seemed so different. Then they took me to there home. Yesterday I went to Albanian families home, and today I went to the Nazarene church in Tirana. It has been an experience that is for shure. It is a strange feeling to be surrounded by tons of people that know a common language and you are the only one that does not. It's like a secret that your friends just wont tell you. But I am glad for the experience, and I am learning a few words but really slowly. The Albanian people are very kind, and give me a lot of confidence in learning.

Well that is way to much already but I just could not stop, I hope you are all doing well and are having a wonderful Sunday!!!!