Visit to Shkodra Castle

Due to computer issues, I didn't get to post many photos while I was in Albania. One of the many highlights of the trip was a first-time visit (for me) to the city of Shkodra. It's about 2 hours north of Tirana, and 45 minutes (or maybe closer) to Montenegro. We visited the ancient Shkodra Castle, which dates back to before the time of Christ.

Our little entourage included Perparim, Perparim's son, Andi (who I first met when he was about 10 or 12 -- yeah, he's grown up!), Tiana, Mandi, Dad and I.

Looking southeast.... I doubt the view has changed much over the last two millenia...

Standing in the ruins of a church in the castle's walls.

(Above) the modern day city of Shkodra (below) the entrance to the castle museum)

(Above), replica of the castle hill. Incidentally, we got stuck waiting to cross that little single-lane bridge about 10-15 minutes when cars wanting to travel in opposite directions refused to 'give'

way.

Dad with two of his best friends...

See more photos from Shkodra in my Facebook album (viewable without a Facebook account):

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=171301&id=710451353&l=030341c452

Okay -- I have to say I was SO, SO excited when it became apparent that I would get to meet up with bloggy friend, Melissa, and her husband Bob, while in Albania. She found me online nearly three years ago and we've communicated ever since. In May Nathan and I got to have dinner with Bob and Melissa while we were in Grand Rapids for a couple of days. We've been praying with them through their long adoption journey and it was a thrill beyond words to get to meet their new daughter, Mariada (part of the reason we traveled up to Shkodra). After our castle tour, we visited where Mariada's been living, then we all went out to lunch at a very nice restaurant with beautiful views of the castle hill (over Bob's shoulder). I'm sure they would covet your prayers -- Mariada's adoption hearing is December 23!

Humorous Excerpt from Ellie's Pre-School Winter Program

Checking In...

Because every post is more interesting with a photo, here's one taken after last night's Cabinet Christmas party...

Oh dear! Where did time go? Life has been running at warp speed since returning from Albania. I have posted some trip photos on my photography blog that I've been working on each morning when I can grab some time before Ellie wakes up. The center has been hopping with activity -- Christmas parties here seemingly every day. Nathan is up in Marion for meetings at WGM, while Ellie and I hold down the fort and keep the wastebaskets empty and paper towels and TP stocked for all of our guests.

This evening Ellie has a "Wintertime" program and I promise, Dad and Mom, to have Ellie both appropriately dressed and arrive with camera (and card) in hand!

It's hard to believe that next week is finals week and then we're off for Christmas break! We're all looking forward to time with family! We can't wait, and given the way our days have been so far this month, it will be here before we know it!

Now, to tackle Christmas shopping and cards... (don't be shocked, I haven't even started yet).

Thanksgiving in Ohio (in pictures...)

Well if Ellie and I can make it through tonight, Cydil will be joining us again tomorrow! The house hasn't burned down (although it may not have always been as neat as when Cydil is here). We are both anxious to have Cydil back. Today Elisona walked around the apartment calling for Cydil as if she were playing 'hide-and-seek' with us. She then turned to me and said, "I think she's hiding in Albania!"

For much of last week I had help from Nonna and PaPa in Ohio with Ellie. I will let the pictures tell most of the story with captions if needed...

At the Lancaster Mall play area Ellie found this car which she proudly exclaimed, "It Cruella's car!" I never did see any dalmations though.

Ellie is constantly playing doctor these days. She not only diagnosed her leg as broken, she fasioned a fairly creative splint for it!

Mom's Thanksgiving meal is always a feast. I didn't realize until I had dumped this picture to the computer that Ellie is about to sample the mashed potatoes!

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, we decided to take Els bowling. Although she has palyed with the plastic Fisher Price bowling sets, this was her first time to experience the real thing and she was really excited. She sang a song about bowling balls the whole way there and then when she saw the sign with a ball and a few pins she said, "Yeah! We're at bowling ball's house!" She picked the brightest orange ball they had and even with a slightly broken ramp to guide her ball, she had lots of fun.

Aunt Rebecca and Ellie celebrate their first roll!

Bowling must have worn her out because she fell asleep leaning against Nonna during the movie that evening! You can't see it in this picture, but she was sitting Indian style (or the more politically correct 'criss cross applesause') when she fell asleep. Miracously, I was able to carry her to bed without her waking up!

On Saturday we decided to go to the Zoo, but we first stopped at a cool park that had topiaries that were laid out to depict the famous painting "A Day at the Park" (I plan separate blog post with more pictures about it later). Elisona was more intersted in the ducks than the art, and she had a blast feeding them some crackers.

The Zoo was decked out in Christmas lights which was cool! We saw a really fun animal show made up of mainly rescued animals and Ellie had her 'happy hands' going the whole time!

We had to stop by the reptile house while we were there. Nonna had a book about snakes that Ellie had been dragging around the house and she wasn't about to leave without seeing some in real life. It may look like I am having to encourage her to touch the snake, but actually I am pulling her hand away so some of the others waiting in line could have a turn! Ellie seemed to enjoy practing the word 'slither,' since she would use it to try to convince every snake in each enclosure to move.

Thanks Nonna and PaPa for a wonderful time! We promise to bring Cydil with us at Christmas!

Visit to Darshen

Thanksgiving morning we left the city and headed up and over Mt. Dajti on once-nice roads destroyed by truck after truck hauling gravel down into Tirana for another construction project.

Here is the view on the other side.

In Darshen at last...

The first stop was the village school...

The school administrator (in white jacket) requested an American flag to represent the relationship between the school and America. Jake, a team member who recently visited, sent this flag back for the school. It was from his military father's funeral. Wow. What a gift. It was too nice (and too large) to hang outdoors.

I love the tenderness with which he smoothed the flag out.

Some individuals also gave some money for the school to have some computers. The students (and teachers) were SO excited!

yes, even in Darshen...

Tiana and Dad inspecting crafts made by some of the girls for a craft fair coming up December 10 at the embassy.

One of my highlights was taking some photos of these girls. Below, Katerina laughs while her dog won't run away... he was howling for attention. So funny.

(Above) Klodi, (Below) Megena

(Today) The drummer just walked down the alley below signaling today's significance, the holiday of Bajrum (muslim holiday). His drumming was so intense he set off a car alarm!

Post #500

A few hours ago distributing prints from the photos taken on Sunday. Sure was fun passing these out!

A requisite "bunker" photo -- once a common 'eyesore', these guys are becoming harder and harder to locate!

Up at Petrela castle with Mandi and Tiana

Here I am channeling my inner 'Anne Lowe.' Some of the women in the village are producing hand made cards to sell in the capital city. One bookstore owner wants a hundred by Thursday! I tried to do my part to pitch in by cutting 'Christmas trees.' The ladies are going through paper supplies faster than you can spell 'cardstock'. Thankfully, Melissa is replenishing our 'red' supply when she arrives on Friday!

some samples of their work!

Here's Tiana with a few of the ladies (and one of their sons)! Tiana is a recent Asbury grad who is helping them get their product marketed so they can hopefully supplement their income with the proceeds of the sales. Tiana has an amazing heart and determination to help, and the women love her!

There are several more photos on my Facebook album, unfortunately I can't get the link to post! Maybe another day...

Photo Collage from the village

Here's a sampling of some of photos from yesterday's photo session in the village! This morning Tiana, Mandi, and I visited Petrela, a 600-year-old castle ruin, followed by the national cemetery for a beautiful view of Tirana. I'm snapping my shutter button a lot to gather some photos to build up Planters' stock photo collection! Tomorrow we're back in the village to deliver some prints from yesterday's session as well as document the men's coffee hour in the minisry center! Turkish coffee, anyone?

Family Photo Day in the Village

Yesterday I fired off nearly 500 photos (edited down to just over 300) family photos. Click here to view some images from the day. These are some from Mom's camera!