Everyone Does Good

We have moved quite a bit these last nine weeks.  When traveling we try to unpack and settle into a place, no matter how short a stay.  Sadly, it has seemed impossible in so small a space and with so many suitcases and bags to unpack, there just wasn't room where we stayed . . . so we have been living out of our suitcases until now.  Often, strangers would offer to help with our luggage.  

There are good people everywhere.

We finally moved into our flat in Gjakova, Kosovo.  It is pretty bare but the landlord promised a new bed for Saturday.   This was my view from bed when I awoke my first morning in the new flat.

Not too bad.  Then I got up and looked out from our 6th floor deck.

We needed to get back to Macedonia to check on a school that the Church was helping to provide an elevator for the disabled students. 

There are 25 to 30 children in this school of 1600 students who are handicapped, but have classes upstairs with the older kids.  The teachers and parents carry them up two flights of stairs for the day where they remain until taken downstairs.  (Below is just the second flight of stairs)

This is the footing/hole where the elevator will be located in an inner courtyard.

Suzana, the principal, was very happy to see us and very hopeful about the 

elevator.  She does a lot of good.

When we are on the road, Kristi will run into a bakery and grab some fresh rolls with cheese and jam for lunch.  Every morning this type of shop is full and by the end of the day it is empty.  These good people make my life easy.

One strange sight I found while looking for more electrical plugs was this set of toys hanging on the wall.

When we got the call to the Albania mission, one of the first things I did was search out the golf clubs in the three countries.  I was shocked that there were none!  So what do I find - toy golf clubs.  Clearly someone has the same hope that I do.  Perhaps somehow it could be a humanitarian project to benefit women and children by getting men out of their way and to a golf course.  (?)

I am surprised by the number of good people who want to have their photo taken with us.

This neighbor lived in Palm Springs for a while.

There is a recycling program in one of the villages we drove through.

Someone is a leader in being good.

On Saturday Maslina was baptized in Skopje.

She is freshly good and surrounded by very good Elders.

Sometimes you forget the good that is really close to you.

Occasionally, I get reminded in a big way.

Searching for Good in N. Macedonia

 Our job or "calling" is to find areas that need some good done.  It is a little frustrating as we learn about two countries needs while still in temporary quarters.  Without a visa to N. Macedonia we will be traveling there on tourist status.  This week we finally made it to N. Macedonia to find our home for half of the time.  Dividing Kosovo from Macedonia are mountains.  This is the pass you look for to go south.  

The highway through the canyon is quite impressive.

We made our way to the city of Skopje, N. Macedonia, and to our duplex.

We were happy to see a little yard and carport.  Met our nice landlord and neighbors.

Inside was the "famous" chair all the missionaries in this mission mentioned.  President Russell M. Nelson sat in that chair when he visited after setting the nation of Macedonia apart for missionary work.  I figured if I was 85 and needed to sit down, that would be the chair I would choose. (That was 2010).  

I put a pillow in the back and find it the best chair in the house.

Kristi jumped at the chance to weed. . .

and I got the lawn mowed.

The famous Stone Bridge is just under a mile in a straight line from where we live.

Skopje is a city of statues.  There are reportedly 284 within the city center.  One of the largest is of Alexander the Great behind Kristi, it is eight stories high.

After finding the only four Elders in the nation, we were invited to a Wednesday night game night with the local members. 

We found the church near the middle of town.

After much research and finding the right words. . . I bravely went for a haircut, to the best barber in town.

Well . . .  it seems I got the standard Balkan haircut.

We went shopping for some food and household items.

It turns out our plastic money is just like Macedonian plastic money.

On the whole, we have found one more beautiful country.  We hope to be able to do some good here.

It is easy to find our way home in Macedonia.  We live on the bottom of the big hill that has the lighted "Millennium Cross" at the top.  Look closely in the photo,  it is 217 feet tall and marks the path for us and all who follow Jesus Christ.  Hope you all had as good an Easter as we have.