Hey guys!

I can’t believe we’re already in our last week here in Albania. Time has flown by so quickly, and honestly, I’m so sad that this season is coming to an end. I’ve absolutely loved being here — the people, the community, and the way this place has started to feel like home.

The church we live in has become such a special space for us. It’s crazy how a place that was once completely new can so quickly turn into home. Our days have been full but so rewarding. We still wake up at 6 a.m. every morning for workouts (which I’ll admit isn’t always easy!), and at 8:15 we gather for announcements before starting classes for the day. It’s become such a rhythm — one that keeps us grounded and focused.

On Sundays, my squad heads out to our designated church for ministry. Our team is in charge of running the children’s church, and it’s truly one of my favorite parts of the week. We plan our lessons the night before and spend Sunday mornings singing songs, sharing Bible stories, and simply loving on the kids. This week, we had the amazing opportunity to hand out bags to the children in the sponsorship program. Before they arrived, we all worked together to prepare and organize everything. Watching the kids’ faces light up when they received their bags was such a precious moment — it made my heart so happy.

It breaks my heart a little knowing that last Sunday was my final time with them before we leave for Italy. Even though we only saw them once a week, they left such a lasting impact on me. I wish we could’ve spent more time together, but I’m so thankful for every moment we did get. Their smiles, laughter, and joy are things I’ll never forget.

We’ve also been able to serve in the children’s and youth groups hosted by the church where we’re staying. The younger kids have completely stolen my heart — I love how their faces light up every time we walk in, and how quickly they’ve welcomed us into their lives. The teens are just as amazing. Many of them speak English and are so kind to help translate for the others. Every week, one person from our team gets to share their testimony with the youth group. I had the chance to share mine a couple of weeks ago, and it was such a powerful experience to see how God can use our stories to connect us, even across languages and cultures.

After youth group, we all head outside to play volleyball, laugh, and just spend time together. Those moments of fellowship have been such a highlight of my time here — simple, joyful, and full of connection.

As we prepare to leave for Italy this Sunday, my heart feels both heavy and excited. It’s so hard to say goodbye to the incredible people we’ve met here, but I’m also filled with anticipation for what’s ahead. In Italy, we’ll be serving in high schools, going in pairs to share our testimonies and connect with students. Every morning, we’ll hop on the bus and spend time in classrooms, building relationships and sharing the love of Jesus in a whole new setting.

I’m so grateful for everything God has done during our time in Albania. He’s stretched me, strengthened my faith, and shown me so much beauty through the people here. I know He’s not done yet, and I can’t wait to see how He moves in Italy.

Love you all so much! Thank you for keeping up with my journey — I’ll be sure to send more updates soon. 💛