(I am just learning how to do a blog and I don't know how to do the good wrap arounds etc yet, but wanted to get this done before too much time passes.)
 |
Leader Conference in Zagreb (3 hours away from us. |
 It was the Elders turn to go for a prep day adventure so they picked to go over to the island Oglian right across from us. We took the ferry over with our car on it. Another fortress, and the views are incredible of all the archipelago near Zadar. This is Russell telling a story to Elder Schreiner. |
 |
President Cordray loves to do a crazy picture at Zone Conference. This one Is our Croatia West Zone (all of us along the Croatia Coastline) |
 |
Loving the 360 degree views of incredible sea and islands! We have so much fun with our missionaries! |
 |
I mean is this gorgeous. I wish I was on a sailboat right now! |
 |
I know I send lots of Fortress/Castle pictures but they are all in different locations and so historic and fascinating. |
 |
The pizza is amazing, very Italian influence since they once controlled this coastline |
 |
View from the Island looking at more islands. Just beautiful here. Many say it reminds them of Greece. This is the fortress up on the hill. |
 |
Big Kresimir Čosiċ weekend in Zadar. 30 years since he passed. We had a large group of about 50 come from BYU, they gave out free t-shirts of him at BYU and in America. |
 |
| We had a great time with our missionaries and two others on exchanges to celebrate and walk around old town. |
.Lots of information about his life in Yugoslavia, Zadar, America and his great love for his people and his religion. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and turned down his NBA offers to bring the gospel to his people here in Croatia. Everyone loves him here, but unfortunately they put almost no emphasis on his religion, some on his faith. His story is gradually going to just his basketball honors.
 |
. Another couple came up for th event, the Lambs. They are doing humanitarian service in Bosnia. He served his mission when he was a young man her in Zadar and speaks Croatian. |
 |
Then. Zveki had us come to a party for Kris (7) in their yard. Not many have homes and yards here. |
Some of the fish at a store I shop sometimes. Want some? Kind of weird. I am not too daring with fish.
So fun to have our chapel full of visitors, BYU and a family from Germany. This makes us so happy. I was pretty tired as we had a linger longer afterwards and did a lot of prep and cooking and setting up, but it was worth it, we had a wonderful time.
This is the best part of the last 2 weeks. We went with the teaching sisters to visit Stiphen at his place and teach the restored gospel to him. He is from India and a born again Christian, and he just soaked up the message. His heart is so good and his life is service to others. When he said a prayer it was so beautiful, afterwards he said he first felt something good, and then it grew to something so wonderful! He accepted baptism last Sunday and it was right after all that crowd from BYU left. What a great day. Afterwards he bore testimony that he has been a chef working with food for 8 years and he has still been hungry for in his spirit. He said he has been searching for what is true. He felt like his spirit has finally been fed in truth and in love of God. He loves Jesus Christ so much. He still has so much to learn, but he wants to learn all he can. He brings food to every Sunday, and loves to help us clean up. You can see I love to buy flowers to help make the atmosphere feel beautiful.
 |
He asked Russell to baptize him, such an honor for him to do it. |
 |
Our missionaries involved |
 |
I took Doris (she has been a member for 50 years, and was baptized by Kresimir) out to lunch at a traditional Croatian place in old town. She lives right in the old city. Zveki our RS president joined us. So much love, and trying my best to understand what I can and the English too. |
 |
Our new Elder Wagner, come over from Slovenia. |
 |
Our new Sister Porter, she came in from Montenegro |
 |
Saying goodbye early AM to Elder Bockholt, he is going home! |
 |
Also saying goodbye to our sweet Sister Auna. We will miss her and her musical talent. Now we have no one to play the piano so someone has to sit at the key organ and push the buttons for hymns to play. |
 |
They bought the Krešo jersey |
 |
Leaving you with a reminder to be grateful for this moment in your life right now, for the people in your moment, for the love of friends and family who are always with you! We send you our love and our gratitude for being a part of our lives. You help to make our souls "blossom"! |
