What's Up With The Whites in Zadar,  Croatia

                            July 13-21 2025

If you're familiar with the story of Krešimir Ćosić—the legendary basketball star from Yugoslavia who came to BYU, became a standout player, joined the Church, and turned down NBA offers to return home and share the gospel with his people in Croatia—you’ll appreciate this connection even more. (He sadly passed away from cancer at just 48.)

This is Mišo Oštarčević, one of Krešo’s best friends and former teammates from their days playing basketball in Yugoslavia and BYU. Mišo and his wife, Ankica, are part of our branch here in Zadar—the first LDS branch ever established in Yugoslavia! Mišo now serves as the Europe Central Area Patriarch. His wife Ankica is becoming a dear friend and helps me understand this culture better. 

And here’s a fun little discovery: Mišo and I share the same birthday! So the four of us are planning a little birthday celebration together in Old Town Zadar. Can’t wait!

Grandkids: 

Bridal Shower

Madison (Jared's daughter and our first granddaughter) had her bridal shower, we were sad to miss it, but we were able to face-time and talk to her and a few other friends and family while they were there. Loved that. 

Scarlett our granddaughter was baptized, and we were so sad to miss that, but Lisa received permission to record it for us so we could watch it from Croatia. That was special to us. She sang a beautiful song. 'Step by Step'. Yes, these are hard parts to miss! 

Zone Conference: We had another zone conference in Zagreb (about 3 hours away from us in Zadar) This is just our Croatia West group, there were about 100 of us in all the zone.  President and Sister Cordray spoke and did a wonderful job teaching on the joy of repentance and what that really means and teaching the young new missionaries the standards for missionaries. I spent a lot of the time with others in the kitchen, there are a lot of mouths to feed here. 

These two wonderful sisters, Sister Larson and Sister Sheffield, were in charge this time—and they treated us to the best green and red curry ever! I just love them both. We’re really enjoying the friendships we’re building with the senior missionaries. And we especially treasure every moment we get to spend with the younger missionaries—one of the greatest joys of our service.

This is a fun story: One of my best friends from BYU- Hawaii is Patty Ballou. Well her brother just came to this mission. This is Elder and Sister Ballou, She is our nurse and we just love these two. How fun is this: I have my grandson, my cousin, Russell's. brothers grandson is coming in August and my good friends. brother & wife all here in our mission!  (Who is next?)

It’s always a joy to share dinner with other senior missionaries and hear their inspiring stories. We feel surrounded by faithful, good-hearted people, and it’s a real blessing to have friends who truly understand the unique experiences of missionary life. These shared moments create bonds that are deep and lasting.

Our missionaries: These are the four missionaries we serve with regularly—they truly become like family. They work so hard, love the Lord deeply, and bring such strength to the mission. We've shared so many spiritual experiences together, and it's always bittersweet when transfers come. It breaks our hearts to see them go, but that’s the rhythm of missionary life—so many wonderful people to love and then let go.

Elder Wagner (Austin, Texas / UT), Elder Schreiner (Riverton, Utah), Sister Sundell (Las Vegas, Nevada), and Sister Porter (St. George, Utah).

This photo was taken in the gathering room at our church building.

                               Another morning walk, this is about 10 minutes from our church. 

Russell continues a little bit of dentistry check ups for the missionaries when they think they have something wrong in their mouths. 

The Branch


This is beautiful Karisa, our branch young woman. We are doing bracelets with her for our activity. We just love her! 

We’ve had a few linger-longers after church lately—and part of the fun is never quite knowing who will show up! This Sunday, most of our branch members were out of town, but I felt prompted to make a generous amount of food anyway. One of our dear members jumped in to help, and I’m so glad she did—because about 35 people came to church, mostly visitors!

Several families were passing through Zadar from different parts of our mission and beyond—places like Austria, Abu Dhabi, the Philippines, and Egypt. I said a little prayer that the food would stretch—and somehow, it did!

One of the unique blessings of serving in a coastal tourist town is the chance to meet people from all over the world. I also had the opportunity to teach Relief Society that day, so between cooking, teaching, and visiting, it was a full (and wonderful) Sunday.

       We were able to take both Elders out for their birthday dinner! Croatian board (lots of meat)

P- day:  some of the visitors from Austria who's parents own an old castle restored out on the island Uglian near us, invited us out to see the Kreshimir estate. They let Kresimir use it often, and then he died young. Some of it was built during the Roman era.

They were so nice, they picked us up at the ferry port and drove us the 20 minutes out on the end of the island. 

Their daughter Zoey took us on a tour, this is an old cistern, it is really deep!

We climbed up the little tower

They fed us a delicious Austrian traditional meal. Schnitzel, potatoes and delicious desserts! They cook in a very old kitchen. It was hot and there is no air conditioning so this was so sweet of them. The Brandstatter family from Austria, and the Baeck family from Austria but living the last 5 years in Abu Dhabi. They visit here every year!

Best desserts, She loves baking! 

      

They asked the missionaries to teach a missionary message. What great families they are, and they love missionaries, 

                                             Zadar

          Alfred Hitchcock said that "the most beautiful sunset he ever saw was in Zadar, Croatia." 

This is Sister Merrick who is from Australia, she works in the mission office and came to visit us in Zadar with her friend Nadia from Australia. We had a nice dinner and took them around the old town sites. 

     This is the quiet Riva area we walk on and have the place to ourselves in the early mornings!  Now, in the summer tourist season at sunset it is a little crowded! 

Well if you are still reading you made it to the end of this blog. I love the comments some of you send us and it helps us feel connected with our friends and family at home. We truly do miss you, we try to keep our focus but once in awhile it blurs and we get a tear or two in our eyes. It's all good! Until next time.