Hello from Saranda, Albania!! :)

We are coming up to our two month anniversary of being here in Saranda!! :) As I informed in my last blog post we had found out that we were expecting our 5th child to come into the world in February 2015!! Today July 19th we went to the maternity ward here in Saranda b/c we had had a miscarriage with our little Isaac Scott Wilson!! We were only 10 weeks but we felt like the Lord was going to give us a little boy and we believed this baby was a boy!! We went to the ward this morning which literally looks like a prison or dungeon. I had to have a D&C to get the remaining tissue out which in the US would have been done with serious pain medication but here... pain medication doesn't exist evidently!! So... needless to say I was in so much pain I burst into to tears!! Then the nurse looking after me comes and slaps me in the face as to tell me 'it is okay' but that wasn't going through my mind by any means!! These people have no hospitality at all and no courtesy!! I was told at the end of my 3 to 4 hour stay that the Albanian ladies come in have abortion and walk out in 30 minutes!! Which was true because there was another lady that came in and I heard her shouting while having the same process then laying down in a bed across the isle from me and then getting up and leaving!! She came in by herself then left by herself!! I, on the other hand, had my wonderful, amazing husband by my side!! He cried when I was crying, he petted me when I needed it, he kissed me when I needed it, and he was just there!! I am so glad that I have an Heavenly Father that is the same way and even more so!! My Lord was with me every step of the way and He gave us both sweet peace in our hearts that His Mighty Hand was on the situation!! I know He still loves me even when at times I don't understand why!!

Love and prayers!!
Candi Wilson

One Month in Albania!!

We are still here!! I had a very rough day Wednesday I was an emotional basket case!! We found out two or three weeks ago that we are expecting the 5th Wilson child to arrive in February of 2015!! So as most of you know my hormones are crazy!! We will be looking at the hospitals in the capital city of Tirana some time next week to get me scheduled with an OBGYN for the pregnancy. I have had some rough pregnancies and deliveries so I can't take any chances. We Lord willing will be looking for a vehicle next week while in Tirana as well which will make it a little easier for us. The girls are doing great with the transition, they get to feeling down every once in a while but they are so good with everything that it amazes me!! The church is going good too. These people haven't the slightest idea on how church ought to go so this calls for some training on there parts and also on us too!! We are praying that learning the language will come quickly for us it would make it so much easier for everyone. A lot of the Albanians know English but more do not!! We are looking forward to starting school in July which will keep us busy and occupied, and we will also be taking off the entire month of March for the arrival of the newest member!! Please be in much prayer for a few things:
1. Vehicle search (We only want the Lord's will)
2. Furnishings for apartment (couch, wardrobes, table, small kitchen appliances, etc.)
3. Wisdom in hospital choice
4. Saranda Baptist Church
5. Protection

Thank you all,
In Christ,
Candi Wilson

Patience!!

Hello!!

I am sitting at our dining table in our new apartment!! Unfortunately the excitement has worn off and realization has set in that I am 5,000 miles away from what I use to call home!! I have cried, feared, and wanted to run back to the US!! But I can't runaway!! I have a husband, three girls, and a church that is depending on me!! So I must stay!! I sit here this morning remembering the little girl we lost in 2009, Rebekah-Ann Patience. She was with us for two short weeks and then the Lord called her home because she had finished her course, she fought a good fight, and she had kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7)!! We couldn't decide if we wanted to use Ann or Patience as her middle name so we chose both. We learned so much during that time. I was put in the hospital at 20 weeks and 5 days of gestation because my water had broke! It was a very trying time because I had to lay for those three weeks flat on my back. I couldn't sit up, I couldn't walk, I couldn't take a shower, I couldn't go to the bathroom!! So you can probably imagine the frustration I felt!! I had a 3 and 2 year old girls at home that needed a mom but I couldn't!! Well, I feel I am in that same situation once again. I sit here trying to be patient while I want to run home but I can't move!! The Lord God Almighty has brought me here and He'll be the one to keep me here!! I am doing pretty good today and I am hoping to decorate the apartment to make it feel like home!! These three girls that the Lord has blessed me with are most of the time my joy, reason, and happiness to continue on!! They come and love on me and tell me everything is okay even when they don't understand what mommy is going through!!

The firsts in Saranda!!

We have made the final move to Saranda, Albania this week and I am super excited!! :) We have looked at an apartment and will look at more tomorrow which is always exciting!! :) We are also in the process of buying a vehicle for our transportation purposes. Tomorrow the men who helped us make the move with 12 pieces of checked baggage, 8 carry-ons, 3 children, three flight changes, and the 6 hour drive to Saranda will be headed home! We will miss them terribly! One was our Pastor, the other my brother-in-law, and a brother in Christ from our home church. They have sacrificed a lot for this move by leaving their families at home to help us tremendously and we do not in any way take what they have done lightly!! My three girls love the food very much especially since Albania has pizza and spaghetti!! We will be having our first prayer meeting tomorrow night at the church but this had already been established before we got here which is a huge blessing and then Sunday morning at 9am our time will be the first service as my husband being the Pastor!! But all is going great and we can't wait to see what the Lord God Almighty has in store for His people!!

~In Christ~
Candi Wilson

Anxious and excited!!

We have four days til we leave and I'm excited but nervous!! My biggest thing is right now is all the what ifs in life!! Am I going to make a good Pastors wife, will I quit, how will my children handle this, what about my family here in the US? These are just a few questions but I know my Savior Jesus Christ will take care of it all and that I have nothing to fear!! But what about my weak times? Will I go to my Help? I know that I do not know what to expect but I want to finish my course!! I only have one life to live for Jesus!! He gave it all for me so why should my life be easy? Like my father in law says " we have one life and what we do not do for Christ will pass but what we do for Him will last!!" Not quoted exactly correct!! 

First Blog!!

Hello!!

We are 7 days from our departure date to Albania! I am super excited but also nervous! I am trying to pack five peoples lives into eight suitcases, so needless to say I am a little stressed!! My profile picture is of me and husband in Corfu, Greece back on our eleven day trip to Albania in September 2013. It was my first time out of the country and I was so excited!! There were nine of us on the trip!! The Lord did so much for us on that trip. We found a place to live, and the church we are going to Pastor was so excited to see us!! It was a true blessing to go and I am so glad the Lord did that for me!! Well the kids are getting in the bed and the hubby had a good day with our Pastor and the other preachers golfing today!! We covet your prayers!!

Corfu, Greece