Week 69 - back to the place where it all began

Hello everyone!! This is a fun email because we got transfer news!!!! Now keep in mind this is my LAST transfer. Isn't that absolutely insane? Now I'll tell you the transfer news later, we gotta start in the beginning. ;)

Okay so I forgot to talk about this last week but last Sunday we had one of the coolest things ever happen. The entire byu womens soccer team and their familes were at church and so we had a whopping 116 people at church. That is insane because usually we are in the 30s/40s for attendance so over two times the amount of people. We had to bring extra chairs and whatnot. It was just so cool to see so many people and really testified to me that one day that chapel will be filled every Sunday. Not just this one. 

Here are some highlights:

- the Celje sisters came down for pday and we got yummy food and met with our buddy Alenka (love her)

Alenkaaaa <3

- finally got to meet with our famous basketball player Lea - she is so cool and we already planned a cross country road trip with her in the States 

- went over to Teja and Nalu's house and it was so so so funny. Nalu basically told me I looked like this one movie character (Bedanec) which I find completely untrue and then they female-ized the name and have started calling me Bedanka hahaha. I'll include a pic of Bedanec for reference 

The guy I look like according to Nalu. Thank you Nalu for saying I look like bedanec

the sweetest text ever from Teja - I will always be their Bedanka :,)

- helped in the botanical garden and I found my favorite plant of all time. It's called the Cotula hispida in Latin but it is literally so soft. It is so weird but I want it all over my yard because it is so nice.

My fav plant 

- we also went with the other sisters to visit Tina again. I swear I never laugh harder than when I am there. I truly love visiting them. And not just because of their dogs Walter and Felicia. They genuinely are the sweetest people ever. And yes I did have an allergic reaction but who cares. 

- for our last district council we got kebab pizza and it was so fire

Smithy and I

- we went to Kranj and visited with one of the member families there. They are the sweetest and it was so cool because usually they just start talking to us in english but they kept going in Slovene which was so fun. It def was cool to be able to keep having the same conversation you would have in english but in slovene. Guys I've improved so much!! Woooo!! 

- transfer calls!!! okay so this was completely unexpected. Essentially I am whitewashing and training in my first area Celje!!! I totally did not expect to go back but I am so excited. It will be so cool to see all of the members again and see how the area changed. I am very sad though because I finally got close and comfortable with all of the members and our friends here. I also won't have a good chance to say goodbye to everyone. But hey, I'll go where the Lord wants me. 

Crying after transfer announcements ft. Smith and Voigt

Crying again this time ft. smith and non-alcoholic beer

- We met with our friend Omar again and it was so fun. He had so many questions and it was just a genuinely good interaction with him. He invited us to go on a four day sailing trip in Croatia with him and his coworkers. It was so tempting. he even said that it would be the perfect teaching opportunity for us because where would the people go? Swim back? hahahaha so funny

- We had a lesson with Alain and one of the members that speaks french joined and was able to translate and help teach him. It was a really good lesson. We talked about the doctrine of Christ but more specifically, baptism. He had a lot of really good questions. 

Tacoooosss

- We were supposed to have another lesson but they cancelled so we just chatted with one of the members who came to clean the church. She brought Jota for us to eat and it was actually pretty good. I have a love hate with Jota but this one was a good experience.

- On Friday I went to my last english lesson with Karlina. She is the sweetest old grandma who is trying to learn english so she can talk to her family members but she said the sweetest things to me when I told her I was leaving. I don't remember all of the words but I remember the feeling and wow. So sweet.

- We got to visit one of my favorite members, Iva, and that was so good. She has just one of the most precious souls ever. I really am so thankful to have gotten so close with her. I really am going to miss her so much ugh. 

Iva :,,,,,,) tears Iove this woman 

- We also met up with the other sisters for a last dinner together and to talk about who is getting who/technical stuff for the next transfer. While we were finishing up eating, our friend Mehtab just walked into the restaurant and it was so funny we all starting yelling and hugging haha. We had actually tried to plan a meetup with him earlier in the day so we could say goodbye but he ended up just randomly showing up. God's timing is amazing.  

Sisters :) 

- This Sunday was so bittersweat for me. I literally did not want to leave. I spent a lot of the time talking with the members and telling them I was leaving to go to Celje. The branch president snuck me some twizlers from america and then told me that "american candy sucks" hahahaha. Some of the little girls that I got really close with were so sweet and kept brushing my hair, playing with me, looking through my bag, holding my hands, hugging me, and telling me how much they were going to miss me. Bro I don't even know how I didn't burst into tears right then and there. I am so thankful for my time in Ljubljana. I really have loved it here and cherish every single moment I spent among the people. 

my fav fountain in Ljubljana

I am so excited for this next chapter but am so sad to close this last one. Someone mail me more tissues, my supply is running out really fast. :,(