If one photo could summarize a month, it would be this photo above... we have consumed many a cup of coffee while the Valued Treasures have simulated roles within a coffee shop. Near the end of this month, we would wrap up the majority of work on our rooftop enclosure: electrical, plumbing, counters, moving up furniture and connecting the espresso machine. The steps and stages were numerous, so I devoted an entire post to that here.
But before that...
Lydia wrapped up her final week at Valued Treasures, including on her last day an Oreo Cookie taste test for the students, ranking various Oreo flavors brought from the USA by her mother. (We can only get one or two flavors here in Albania)
Above, Shpresa smells Oreo mint.
Peanut butter won the taste vote!
We received a beautiful Easter card from the Valued Treasures students!
A popular dish in this part of the world is japrek -- or, as you might know it, "stuffed grape leaves." Ellie spotted it in canned form at the supermarket. I love that I am still surprised by occasionally finding unexpected items on the shelves. No, we did not buy it. :-)
Nathan designed and ordered new jerseys for Jeta's youth futbol program! We were so happy with how they turned out!
A great thing about big kids is all the help they can be -- like filling the Easter eggs they would hunt the following day! :-)
Easter Sunday was glorious and we had a beautiful, joyous service. Below, Eda leads an interactive recap of the Easter account via resurrection eggs.
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Later, Nathan shared an Easter message.
This Easter, after weeks of busy activities, hosting guests and traveling, I was grateful when no one objected to bailing plans on eating an elaborate feast at home. Instead, we ate at a nearby restaurant.
We were joined by our dear friends, the Dukas.
We continued our post-lunch Easter tradition of dying eggs.
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| Reni's sports team themed collection |
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| Jordan's literary inspired egg diorama |
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| Noelia's intricately designed olive branches, shqiponja, pearly gates, and Easter lilies... In a life marked with frequent transition, it's important to me that we keep as many traditions as possible. |
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| The following weekend, we were pleased to host one of Reni's closest friends, visiting from a neighboring country. Nathan and I enjoyed shopping for coffee shop chairs while they caught a film. |
One of our neighbors (above), sans his partner.
Late on April 16 we welcomed Don and Claudia, for the third visit to minister to our team!
We enjoyed a coffee in the newly enclosed coffee shop, surrounded by a collection of various chairs and furniture pieces, awaiting set up at the conclusion of work.
That evening, Jordan was a good sport for Luis' demonstration of faith without seeing.
The next morningJordan plays the role of leprous Naaman for Saturday's kids' club. He sure gets put to work a lot here! :-)
Above, our great team spent an overnight in the city of Vlora. Don and Claudia brought us some encouraging messages from the Word. The weather was incredible and it was nice to have some time together without the pressures of work!
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While everyone grabbed pictures on the waterfront, we decided to get a pic with Jordan. He has been a fun and special addition to our family this spring!
After a five-day delay (a combination of an airline strike and bad weather), Mom and Hannah eventually arrived! They were bummed to miss the the staff get together in Vlora but just grateful to have eventually made it!
One day, while I was shopping with Mom and Hannah for coffee shop furnishings at Megatek, Nathan called to share an exciting account from home.
After making an unusual amount of noise, Nathan discovered our nieghbor's cat delivered a small litter of kittens underneath our grill cover! I suggested he call Shpresa, our resident cat lover, for assistance!
Below, Mom shares greetings at church.
One Sunday evening Mom suggested we go out to eat. I remembered a restaurant in Durres recommended by a local friend and decided to try it. The road was quite an adventure just to get there, but the location was beautiful.
The restaurant was nestled into the side of a tall hillside overlooking the ancient city of Durres. Next to the entrance of the restaurant, a tunnel invited us in. The walk (according to my video timer) took about 3 minutes. Be sure to watch all the way to the end for a surprising destination!
We finally reached the stage where we could set up all the furniture pieces we had been acquiring for the coffee shop and reveal it to the Valued Treasures students. I think they all were very pleased with it! Especially seeing where they would eventually get to practice working!
Jordan, washing windows! I think new windows are the hardest to wash! They seem to have a film that doesn't come off easily in the beginning.
Over the next few days we would slowly practice serving coffee in our shop. Below, a former VT volunteer visiting Albania for a conference, was a good sport and let the students serve her!
Bu the VT students are not the only ones learning the ropes! Nathan is having fun learning the ins and outs of this second-hand espresso machine, made in Italy. Reni and I will be the next to learn!
Of course, it's not real "grandma time" without baking! Ellie and Mom made some incredible chococolate chocolate chip muffins! A definite repeater!
Meanwhile, we are spending as much time as possible in the new rooftop space. It's just a lovely place to hang out, to work, to visit with others. The views out the windows are a constantly changing work of art, depending on the weather, time of day, clarity in the air, and season of the trees and crops.
April 2026, mirupafshim!
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