So I should be studying right now... yes even when you are in a foreign country the internet can still be a wonderful way to procrastinate. At first I was very eager to learn the language soaking it up every bit I could. But now I have learned key phrases and are able to get around ok, so I'm putting the studying off. WHICH IS WRONG EMILY! Sorry just needed to get mad at myself for a second. ha ha. Yes I do need to study, so please pray that I keep focused and not just let this major thing slide away from me.
Tomorrow will be 3 weeks since I've been here and it's odd how much it feels like 3 weeks and how much it doesn't. Everything has gone so smoothly and everyday I find myself in a loss of how to thank God enough for this life I am living.
On friday I went to tirana, to visit with the main missionaries for the night. They just wanted to check up on me see how it was all going. They were very thankful to hear that I was perfectly fine and was even kind of sad to leave my new family for the night. That night we had pizza and corn, two things I have not had since I have been here and let me tell you it was amazing. I kinda got a stomach ache later because I ate so much of it, I just could not stop. ha ha. The next day they dropped me off at where the bus for lushnje would pick me up. Now this was the first time for me to ride the bus here all alone. The missionaries had picked me up and brought me by car on friday so it was now time to face the Big Bad Bus. Well at least I thought it was big and bad. I waited for what seemed forever for a bus that said Lushnje on it but there was none. So eventually a bus came by going to a town called "Vlore", a man stuck his head out and kept shouting "Lushnje" "Lushnje"... I was a little hesitant, but before I even realized I had walked over to the man saying "Vetam Lushnje?" (only lushnje, by the way. ha ha) The man agreed and I started up the steps to the bus and found an empty row. The bus was not crowded at all like ones I had seen earlier that day. So automatically I thanked God for that, I also prayed that God would keep me wise that if I was on the wrong bus somehow he would show me. About 10 min. after the bus had started down the road a man came by collecting money (that's how they do it here, they give you time to calm yourself and get your money ready. I like that) when he came to me I handed him the money, then shook my head up and down saying "Lushnje" I guess I just needed some more confirmation. He just repeated the word and went on his way. I decided to let it go, calm down and started to read my book. I head read a couple chapters when we stopped, I looked around for a sign and realized we were about 30 min. from Lushnje. A few people got off, but after a couple minutes we were back on the road. About 20 min. later I looked up from my book and started seeing familiar things so I knew we were close. Then the man who took my money came up to me and with his hand gestures told me to come to back exit with him. I was hesitant at first but did as told. He must have realized I was a foriegner and did not know what I was doing, so I was thankful for his help. He had the bus driver stop, then helped me off. I looked around where I was let off and nothing looked familiar, it was not the bus stop area that I was told I would be let off at. I was amazed how calm I felt, but just looked around for anything to point at what I should do. I looked across the road and saw a sign pointing towards Lushnje, I started to walk towards it when I realized another couple that had gotten off the bus walking that way as well. So the three of us walked on the side of a busy road to the town. I was so thankful for that couple, God deffinitly sent them my way. I walked about 2 miles before actually getting to the town. It was not that bad though, I really had not gotten to walk that much this last week and was in need of some good exercise. Once I reached Lushnje, a huge smile was plastered on my face. I had done it, I had conquered the bus by my self. As I walked into the town I realized how beautiful the day was, it was warm but with a nice cool breeze. I felt empowered as I waked through the town and it finally occured to me. I no longer have to depend on any human being to live my life. I have become fully independent, but at the same time I am now completly dependent on God. Becuase there would be no way, I would have been able to all that I have done here if it was not for puting complete trust in God. This trip has made me realize, me Emily Allred is fragile, scarred, and shy but with God I am totally opposite.
I hope all of this has made since, Im sure I have just repeated things I have said before. But on saturday these things hit a new light for me. I got so excited about the advetures life me and God would acheive. I dont know how long God will have me on this missions path, but now he's not the only on that belives in me. I belive in myself as well.
Well hope you all have a wonderful week, I just realized last night that they have one english news channel here. So I got updated on tons of things last night thats been happening in america. Im praying for you all, and hope you know your in my thoughts constantly.
Tomorrow will be 3 weeks since I've been here and it's odd how much it feels like 3 weeks and how much it doesn't. Everything has gone so smoothly and everyday I find myself in a loss of how to thank God enough for this life I am living.
On friday I went to tirana, to visit with the main missionaries for the night. They just wanted to check up on me see how it was all going. They were very thankful to hear that I was perfectly fine and was even kind of sad to leave my new family for the night. That night we had pizza and corn, two things I have not had since I have been here and let me tell you it was amazing. I kinda got a stomach ache later because I ate so much of it, I just could not stop. ha ha. The next day they dropped me off at where the bus for lushnje would pick me up. Now this was the first time for me to ride the bus here all alone. The missionaries had picked me up and brought me by car on friday so it was now time to face the Big Bad Bus. Well at least I thought it was big and bad. I waited for what seemed forever for a bus that said Lushnje on it but there was none. So eventually a bus came by going to a town called "Vlore", a man stuck his head out and kept shouting "Lushnje" "Lushnje"... I was a little hesitant, but before I even realized I had walked over to the man saying "Vetam Lushnje?" (only lushnje, by the way. ha ha) The man agreed and I started up the steps to the bus and found an empty row. The bus was not crowded at all like ones I had seen earlier that day. So automatically I thanked God for that, I also prayed that God would keep me wise that if I was on the wrong bus somehow he would show me. About 10 min. after the bus had started down the road a man came by collecting money (that's how they do it here, they give you time to calm yourself and get your money ready. I like that) when he came to me I handed him the money, then shook my head up and down saying "Lushnje" I guess I just needed some more confirmation. He just repeated the word and went on his way. I decided to let it go, calm down and started to read my book. I head read a couple chapters when we stopped, I looked around for a sign and realized we were about 30 min. from Lushnje. A few people got off, but after a couple minutes we were back on the road. About 20 min. later I looked up from my book and started seeing familiar things so I knew we were close. Then the man who took my money came up to me and with his hand gestures told me to come to back exit with him. I was hesitant at first but did as told. He must have realized I was a foriegner and did not know what I was doing, so I was thankful for his help. He had the bus driver stop, then helped me off. I looked around where I was let off and nothing looked familiar, it was not the bus stop area that I was told I would be let off at. I was amazed how calm I felt, but just looked around for anything to point at what I should do. I looked across the road and saw a sign pointing towards Lushnje, I started to walk towards it when I realized another couple that had gotten off the bus walking that way as well. So the three of us walked on the side of a busy road to the town. I was so thankful for that couple, God deffinitly sent them my way. I walked about 2 miles before actually getting to the town. It was not that bad though, I really had not gotten to walk that much this last week and was in need of some good exercise. Once I reached Lushnje, a huge smile was plastered on my face. I had done it, I had conquered the bus by my self. As I walked into the town I realized how beautiful the day was, it was warm but with a nice cool breeze. I felt empowered as I waked through the town and it finally occured to me. I no longer have to depend on any human being to live my life. I have become fully independent, but at the same time I am now completly dependent on God. Becuase there would be no way, I would have been able to all that I have done here if it was not for puting complete trust in God. This trip has made me realize, me Emily Allred is fragile, scarred, and shy but with God I am totally opposite.
I hope all of this has made since, Im sure I have just repeated things I have said before. But on saturday these things hit a new light for me. I got so excited about the advetures life me and God would acheive. I dont know how long God will have me on this missions path, but now he's not the only on that belives in me. I belive in myself as well.
Well hope you all have a wonderful week, I just realized last night that they have one english news channel here. So I got updated on tons of things last night thats been happening in america. Im praying for you all, and hope you know your in my thoughts constantly.
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