Family Goes to Albania

  🥁drum roll JUNE 6th is our take off date…✈️ …to the trip to Albania!! It’s really starting to get real. I’m pretty much done packing.  I’m new at this out-of-the-country traveling so I am packing a medium size suitcase to check in and a backpack and a carry-on bag with me…just in case my luggage gets detained for a few days…gotta have something to wear.  I know of a friend who is also going to the Special Convention in Albania and she’s only taking a carry-on for her two week stay….I think she will be doing a lot of washing. To be honest with you, the Branch does recommend taking minimum amount of clothing, etc.  I talked to my world traveling buddy and she said the less you have to take with you, the less your chances of losing or forgetting something will occur. STAY TUNED my followers❤️ Ms Paula

Many people have asked me what does the Albanian language sounds like?  Guess what, I still can’t tell ya!! But my title today gives you a sample of what it looks like….it says “Welcome to Albania”. And a welcome it will be!!! I can’t wait!!! Allow me to share pictures of what we have to look forward to. No soul food or hot dish here! Durrës - a historical gem   The picture below is  the site of a Roman amphitheater. This is our first activity the Monday after we get there.. details later. The ancient city of Durrës is the Via Egnatia (a major Roman road that began in Albania)  that the 1st century Christians used to declare the good news.  By the way, that road is pronounced “Via Egg Naw tee ah”…yup!! 🎼 I’ve got wheels; I’ve got racks; I’ve got books and I’ve got tracts.🎤 Looking forward to the ministry…gotta work on my presentation…as soon as I get one.😉 Of course we have to visit the house of God. Looking forward to the tour and hopefully see the area that...

….and while the parents are busy packing, thinking of packing, neck pillow and compression sock modeling, our children have been all over the U.S. fulfilling assignments from the Branch. Most of us go from house-to-house. Our children went from state to state. On to Detroit Florida here we come!!   On to Jacksonville Headed home …to arrive with a surprise welcome home from their friends….our friends too❤️       NOW, all they have to do is….unpack and then ….pack again…😩 STAY TUNED!! MS Paula❤️

 Passports, plane tickets, itinerary, etc. but before we go, we have to make sure we have no malfunctions.. Madre’s neck pillow and blankie seem to be making her very happy…did you notice the phone in the door handle? That’s her cuddle! 🥰  Padre’s compression socks are hard at work. I hear compression socks improves your Wordle game. Lol

 That’s the common reaction I get when I tell people that we are going to the Special Convention in Albania. “ Where is Albania?”  I tell them next door to Macedonia and Greece…Then the next common response is “Oooooohhhhh!! History lesson:  The Albanians call their country “The Land of the Eagle”.  This country faces the Adriatic Sea which lies on the Balkan Peninsula.  It is snuggled between Greece and the former Yugoslavia.  Albania is known for its natural beauty…from its jagged mountains to its white sandy beaches…I can’t wait!! Although Albania is the official language, there are different dialects.  Gheg (in the northern part of Albania) and Tosk (in the southern part of Albania).  There’s also a small community of people that speak Romany.   Albanians are very expressive people. So we can speak with them with our hands and feet without even knowing the language. As a matter of fact, I can say ‘yes’ and ‘no’without saying a word. ...

I’m so sorry friends!!!  How could I forget to share my supporting cast, that is, the rest of the family that will also be going on the trip to Albania.  There is so much to share with you guys before I have even left for the trip…for instance, you have no idea when we are heading to Albania.  Well, let me tell you:  We leave this country June 6th, will land in the country of Albania June 7th and return June 23rd (I think). Don’t have the itinerary close by. Introducing me (Ms Paula, the blogger) and the supporting characters….and I do mean characters…😂😂😂😂❤️ The Whites Also known as Mama P (the blogger) and her husband Papa J   On the left, we have our very own children, the Whites II.  A.k.a #1 son/#1 daughter; a.k.a. Kev and Bre; a.k.a. Personal tour guide On the right, The Crousores. Also know as Madre and Padre   The gang’s all here. Well we were there. Can’t wait to post more “the gang’s all here” again STAY TUNED Ms Paula

 Well not quite go time. It sure feels like I’m making progress with learning more about how to create a blog.  I needed help….soooo… I decided I needed to come outside with my iPad, cup of coffee and water bottle for help. Nothing like hearing the sounds of lawn mowers and weed whips to get my blood flowing and mind working…and of course a robin chirping from time to time. So far, with my first blog, I have learned how to create a blog, add pictures to my blog and today, I created my profile.  I am so proud of myself.  I’m getting excited to write about my trip on the blog. I know I will have lots to tell you about my trip. I just hope I have the energy to share with you guys everyday. STAY TUNED says Ms Paula

 i am eating popcorn as I am being tutored on how to blog by coach Pud’n…stay tuned.

Imagine the emotions running through me as I was doing my morning work out on zoom when an email popped up saying “YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO ATTEND ALBANIA 2025  Special Convention”. I couldn’t wait to connect with the rest of the family to hear their excitement!!   That wonderful morning was November 8, 2024…..now let’s fast forward…. Flight booked…hotel booked….itinerary for our activities in Albania has been finalized…now what?  There is so much to unpack to get ready for this trip but I think it’s best I pack first….(my attempt of cracking a funny).