Called to Serve...in Albania.: Farewell

Monday, July 26, 2010

Farewell to Elder Eckel

We sure miss Elder Eckel already, but are so excited that his mission has finally begun!

He entered the MTC on July 21, 2010 (more pictures of that to come later). Only our parents were able to take him so the rest of us had to say goodbye on Sunday/Monday that week. Here are a few of our last pictures with Elder Eckel for a few years.

We sure do love him!

Last Eckel Family Photo for a few years (after his farewell talk):

Sibling Photo:

Lexi & Austin:

Austin & I:

Austin & one of his best friends, Evan:

We can't wait to get our first email!

How to write Austin:

NEW ways to contact Austin:

1. There is no mail delivery in Albania other than post office boxes, so our Office Secretary goes to the post office twice a week to pick up the mail and packages. DHL or FedEx delivers the Church pouch to us once a week. For packages, we have found that US Priority mail is the least expensive and fairly rapid option (around 2 weeks). Multiple smaller packages seem to come thru a lot better than large packages, and should be addressed:

Fondacioni Liahona

PO BOX 2984

Tirana, Albania

You can also use US Express mail service and the packages are actually delivered to our doorstep (more expensive) in a week or less. For these courier options use this address:

FONDACIONI LIAHONA

P.O. Box 2984

Rr. Qemal Stafa, Vila.1

Perballë Postes Nr. 22)

TIRANA, ALBANIA

2. You can also write to him via the pouch at church headquarters if you write on one sheet of paper and fold it and seal it without an envelope. Address your letters to your missionary in care of:

Albania Tirana Mission Pouch

P.O. Box 30150

Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0150

Other materials can be sent via regular US mail to:

P.O. Box 2984

Tirana, Albania.

3. You can still use dearelder.com to send Austin letters. You will need to select Pouch (FREE) and then Austin's mission - Albania Tirana. It's free & you don't have to go to the post office. HOWEVER, the Pouch Department only sends one package per week to each mission so there is a deadline (12midnight Mountain time on Sundays).