…AND THEY KEPT COMING…AND COMING…AND COMING…AND COMING

Day 2 of the convention:

Papa J (haven’t used his casting name in a while) and I get on the elevator to get breakfast this morning. There was a delegate already in the elevator when we got on…we push that button to close the elevator, the man makes a loud sigh….I looked at him and said “EXACTLY!” We had a good laugh. He said these days are catching up with him.

Off to the convention: They were ready for us again.

This is the view of the plaza from our hotel window. If you look on the left, that’s where the friends perform for us and on the right is where we enter the areana. If the view looks a little weird it’s because there’s a scaffold by our window…but I can still see my brothers an sisters over there jamming.

Once we got there, the festivities had already begun.

I wonder what time did the friends get here in order to perform…every morning before the convention starts and every afternoon (evening) when the convention has ended….their love for all the delegates is amazing…such a self sacrificing spirit.

Once inside for the program:

The morning attendance was:Albania 5,494; English 2,637; Romany 98; Albanian Sign Language 77.

…the moment you have been waiting for to explain my title…the baptism

The Albanians sat across from us.

They kept coming, and coming…

And coming, and coming down those steps to get baptized.

..and on to the field…I couldn’t have time in better that hand in my way.😂

they kept coming until they symbolized their dedication…Our brothers and sisters Y’all!!! ❤️

Don’t know the number yet…stay tuned.

After the convention celebration and everyone is exchanging gifts.

Day 3 is just around the corner…this weekend went by so quickly.

Stay tuned.

Ms Paula

By the way, some times I update my blog by adding more pictures to certain events….so you better check and see.

Comments

WHERE?….OOOHHHH!!!

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. ...

OUR JOY IS OVER FLOWING!!

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).

THE END

..well my lovely followers…my journey to Albania has come to an end…a wonderful end. I asked my supporting cast their thoughts of Albania through their lens…enjoy their expressions. “Welcoming, beautiful, comfortable, lovely”. “Never felt unsafe”. “Felt more like a reunion of seeing friends that they hadn’t seen in over five years and some friends even longer.” …as for me…I had the best time of my life (as best as you can in this crazy system). Thank you Albania for your love and self sacrificing spirit…Albania is a beautiful country and is definitely worth getting the Albanian experience. I loved seeing this country through my children’s eyes…they were so happy to return and reflect on their lives there…I’m pretty sure Albanians will be planting more palm trees because they used up all their branches waving to Bre and Kev….😂 …My world has become smaller simply because of the pure language that we all strive to speak….it’s a special thing that NO ONE can imitate...

Family Goes to Albania

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