While I purpose to keep the focus of this blog on positive, savorful things about Albania, certainly there are realities of living in Albania that I don’t always savor.

For those traveling to Albania for any length of time, it may be helpful to understand some of these not-to-be-savored situations.

One aspect is buying products in Albania– a good motto for businesses here would be: “Once you pay for it, it’s yours for keeps.” (ie. No refunds allowed!).

While a few stores have begun to implement an ‘exchange policy’, (within 3-14 days) the incredible return policies where you actually get your money back are almost non-existent here. (One of the things I love about the U.S.– great customer service!)

This means you have to make up your mind completely before you make the purchase, because after you pass the cash register threshold, there’s no turning back. (A challenge for those of us who are indecisive).

Just the other day TCLH and I bought a mattress for our guest bedroom. There were two stores in the mall right next to each other that sold mattresses. At both stores the sales ladies spewed off a bunch of mattress vocabulary terms in Albanian about the types of materials used to make these ‘very comfortable’ and hygiene-friendly mattresses. After viewing the possibilities, we went back to the first store where we ultimately made our purchase. The mattress came the next day– upon first glance it seemed fine, but upon scrutinizing it more closely, we saw that there were many places where the stitching was poorly done and that with some use, the cover could easily tear apart. TCLH called the store and they said they would send another one the next morning.

When the 2nd one arrived, my husband inspected it at the delivery van and saw that it had the same problem, so he refused to take it. The salesperson reassured us on the phone that they would send another one over the next couple of days– “not to worry, you will be completely satisfied with this mattress“. Though I secretly hoped they might give us our money back because I was torn between the first and second store mattress options and was feeling the onset of buyer’s remorse, my Albanian friends all heartily agreed– “They will never give you your money back.”

Thus, in order to have successful shopping experiences and avoid buyer’s remorse  in Albania, here are a few tips:

1. Check out as many options as possible (this will require time to investigate all the options– be patient with the process)
2. Ask friends for their recommendations about similar products they’ve purchased that they have been pleased with. (Word of mouth is probably the best way of advertising in Albania)
3. Ask if there is a warranty, and have it spelled out what it really means. (Most likely there won’t be any possibility of getting your money back, though you may be able to exchange for a different product within their store).
4. Sleep on your decision overnight
5. Go to the store and make your purchase in faith

One of the reasons TCLH and I are pursuing ‘business as mission’ in Albania through our engraving business is that we want to do business differently– to show that our faith is interconnected to the way we relate to customers and handle business decisions and transactions. We want customers to be so delighted with their experience at our store that they will spread the word about our business. Thus, there have been times when we’ve either re-done a product or given a full refund if a customer wasn’t fully satisfied. (Definitely “going against the flow” in the Albanian business culture!)

**On a positive note, the mattress store did bring a 3rd mattress yesterday and it seems to be better quality than the first two (no obvious defects). We will see how well our guests sleep on it– my mom gets to try it for the first time tonight! Sweet Dreams Mom!

I recently used the 360 Lite tool to get insight about areas of strengths and those areas where I need to grow. A dear friend who has known me for ages it seems (since I came to Albania) wrote a comment stating I seem to have lost my joy.

Hmmm…. ouch. What would lead her to think that about me? Am I exhibiting frustration, sadness or worry more frequently than happiness, joy, and peace? Her comment began brewing in my heart and mind so I decided to probe deeper to see if what she said had any validity.

Where do you go when you lose something? Most restaurants, activity centers, airports, movie theaters and offices have a Lost and Found box. So that’s where I decided to go hunting to see if my joy had somehow ended up there.

I opened the Lost and Found Box of my life and took a good a look to see what’s been hiding inside.

Not completely to my surprise, I did find some of the following items:

The biggest item I found in my lost and found box was: (Can you guess….???) Yep: 1. Worry– about the future, finances, our desire for children, family health issues, etc.

A second item I found, though somewhat reluctantly was: Selfishness– it seems that these past few years I’ve been much more self-consumed and preoccupied, as opposed to other-centered and servant-hearted. Stress and fear were among a few other items that were lurking inside my “found” compartment.

lost and found box of life

In the smaller corners of the box, I did see that JOY was there– it had simply been covered up by worry and fear. JOY was deeply connected to a PERSON– the person of Jesus. One of my favorite quotes about Jesus shows this vital relation between Jesus and joy:

“The Gospels show that Jesus quickly established intimacy with the people He met… He cut instantly to the heart of the matter, and after a few brief lines of conversation these people revealed to Jesus their innermost secrets… People liked being with Jesus; where He was, joy was.” Philip Yancey

Tucked under other items like material things and worldly concerns was thankfulness. How could I bring joy out of my Lost and Found Box to the center and surface of my life? Through Thankfulness– thankfulness is key to ridding my life of worry and fear.

A great quote I recently read states:

“The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains can find comfort in nothing.” Hannah Whithall Smith

There’s been so much to be thankful about: good health, a great hubby, wonderful family, answered prayer, significance and impact through our ministry and the work God’s entrusted to us, etc.

Thus, I’ve decided to pull out of the Lost and Found Box those two most precious items to keep with me at all times: Joy and Thankfulness.

And I’ve also decided to empty my Lost and Found box by tossing in the trash those things that were bringing me down: worry, fear, selfishness, pride, and materialism.

It’s not always an easy choice– sometimes selfishness stubbornly shows up at the door and demands her way in– and mistakenly I’ve put aside precious time connecting to the Source of Joy, foolishly letting selfishness rule.

But I was extremely thankful for my friend’s profound feedback from my 360 Lite Review as it got me thinking– how do I come across to others? Are they seeing the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control grace my life? Or am I characterized by worry, fear, selfishness, discouragement or other undesirable characteristics?

As I’ve changed my focus these past few months to one of giving thanks and choosing joy, I’ve noticed my disposition and outlook have markedly changed and that peace has enveloped my heart on a daily basis.

What about you? What is lurking in your Lost & Found box that needs to be dusted off and embraced or thrown out in today’s trash?

For finding out more about using a 360 Lite for personal growth and development, click here.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and similar to other countries throughout the world, in Albania it is a thriving holiday! In fact, next to New Year’s it is the most celebrated holiday of the year for the population at large. Coffee shops and restaurants are filled to the brim throughout the whole day with starry-eyed couples savoring their love.

With the economic crisis tightening many wallets this year, I thought I’d share a few simple, frugal, yet meaningful Valentine’s gift ideas that I gave my TCLH Valentine last year which he really enjoyed.

1. Create a Wordle and frame it.

Words are a powerful source of encouragement. And we all like to be creative. Wordle.net provides a way to put your words in a colorful arrangement. This is a meaningful gift not just for Valentine’s but I’ve often used a Wordle for a friend’s birthday or just to brighten someone’s day. You can choose different colors, fonts and arrangements to make your Wordle to your liking. You can save the Wordle, print it out and frame it for your special Valentine. (Just a warning here– it can be addictive trying to get the perfect design.)

2. Create an Animoto Video Valentine.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, here’s your chance to communicate several thousand words with some of your favorite pictures to surprise your Valentine. I used Animoto’s free service last year and posted it on my Facebook page to surprise TCLH. It was a fun way to send a special “I love You” message to start the day.

3. Bake Something Special.

Chocolate is always a favorite on Valentine’s– and since my Valentine loves strawberries, I made chocolate-covered strawberries and orange slices last year for our candlelight dessert.

So easy to make– and inexpensive– simply melt baking chocolate or even a dark chocolate bar, being careful to stir continually, dip the strawberries (or whatever your passion is) in the chocolate and place on a plate covered with tin foil. Give it time to cool and then enjoy a scrumptious dessert to top off the evening.

Okay, so mine didn’t quite turn out like this one pictured, but you get the idea.

What Valetine’s gift ideas do you have that are simple, inexpensive, loving, meaningful and fun?

P.S. Happy Valentine’s TCLH… TDF!

One of the most distinguishing and charming characteristics of the Albanian people is their wonderful hospitality.

Albanians treat their guests like royalty. When visiting an Albanian home, even just for a coffee, they will bring out a smorgasbord of goodies- chocolates, candies and caramels, something cold to drink like juice or soda, Turkish coffee to follow, a sweet liquor for the women and of course, Albanian “raki” for the men.  As your visit lasts a couple hours, the hostess will keep bouncing back into the kitchen to get fruit and salty snacks like pretzels and peanuts.

If you are visiting an Albanian family for dinner, don’t be surprised if they give you the best part of the meat, like the lamb’s head (with eyeballs still attached). This is the considered the choicest part and goes to the most important person at the table, which is YOU, their guest.

In the villages, you may find the hostess bringing in a basin to wash your feet and/or hands before you sit down for a meal.

The way Albanians kick off a visit when you sit down in their homes is by toasting to your health and happiness, saying “Gezuar” (guzz- u’- are) which you repeat after them and then clink your raki glasses together. They don’t expect you to necessarily drink their throat-burning specialty drink, but in order for the host to feel like he can drink freely, you at least need to bring the glass to your lips. If you don’t touch your drink or your food, then neither will the host/hostess feel the freedom to do so.

Albanians are very generous, not only in the abundant snacks or meal they set before you, but also in wanting to give you something to remember them by. I remember many years ago when I was living in Korca, a southeastern city, when my mom came to visit me in Albania. We went to my next door neighbor’s for a visit and had a very memorable evening. As we were getting ready to go, Frida, our hostess, left the room for a moment and then came back with a beautiful silver spoon that she wanted my mom to have. It was an antique heirloom from Frida’s family. Even as my mom tried to refuse this generous and touching gift, they emphatically insisted that she keep it.

A word of advice here: be careful about complimenting too many things (like ornaments, decorations, etc.) in an Albanian home. Their hospitality, generosity and desire to please you as their guest may compel them to give you the very thing you are complimenting. For example, let’s say you like a painting on their wall and praise them for how beautiful it is– don’t be surprised if they actually give it to you as you are leaving.

Can you imagine if this endearing aspect of Albanian hospitality played out in a similar fashion in American homes?? “Wow, I really like your Plasma 54″ Flat Screen Television” you comment during a visit to a new friend’s home…(hint hint). Nope, no bite.

Well, this is a very unique characteristic to the Albanian culture and one that makes indelible impressions upon all those who visit this lovely country! I often tell people that Albania is a like a magnet– once you visit this country and spend time with Albanians in their homes, you’ll be drawn back to visit again and again.

Photo courtesy of: Gaston Thauvin