Whites on a Mission: Zadar Croatia Weeks 14-16 Part 2

 Continued from last blog: 

We begin our first trip to Serbia. We have been to Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Croatia. So 3 out of the 5 countries in our mission in our first 3 months. We had to confirm our visa's are on being processed status, and have the mission let the border know we were traveling since we are passed the 90 day tourist visa status. All went well at the border, but it was a long wait. 

              

 The amazing Church of Saint Sava, Belgrade Serbia. Serbian Orthodox 

We were there while they had the Holy Eucharist (Communion). It was very reverent and full of people who love Christ. 

It was reverent and beautiful. We felt so grateful they allowed us to see this cathedral inside.

Just down the street from the Sava Cathedral was our church. It has 4 floors. 

President White (Russell) and I taught the young single adults and the youth for the second hour on emotional health and missionary service. We had a large group since it was the district relief society weekend (meaning 5 countries came together for a Relief Society activity) 

I was asked to teach a course on being emotionally strong in the Lord. We had over 100 sisters from 5 countries attend. 

I had them have a moment of feeling their divine worth and the love and strength of sisterhood and community. A few tears shed. 

Women are pretty wonderful aren't they? 

The Belgrade Fortress: For centuries, the city population was concentrated only within the walls of the fortress

Major Protest going on in Belgrade. The Relief Society day was our 48th Anniversary, we were supposed to go on a boat ride down the Danube with the group, but we got stuck in the peaceful, well organized protests and mostly sat in the car for the evening. They finally let us back to our hotel at 10:30 pm, and Russell left to go pick up our car at the mall at 11:30. Happy Anniversary! 

We picked up our grandson (Elder Teige White and his companion Elder Rakhimov (from Russia) they were in Belgrade getting his visa renewed and took them back to Sremska, Serbia where they are serving. 

Elder White on Prep Day in front of their branch in Sremska, Serbia it was good to get to take them back so we could see where he is serving. We probably will never be back again. 

Getting in a quick ping pong game for old times. (what you can't tell is it was boiling hot!) 

The Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Sremska. 

These are the hard things about being far away on a mission. They often bring tears to our eyes. Our sweet granddaughter Scarlet is being baptized this Sunday. We are so sad to not be there. Hopefully on zoom, but it will be 1:00 in the morning for us. 
So many other things going on in the family too,
Serving a mission means missing special family moments and important events, which is a real sacrifice. But there is great joy and peace in knowing you're giving your time to the Lord and helping His work move forward.

Missing our first granddaughter Madison's bridal shower, all the prep and the temple wedding, This one really tugs at my heart and my tears. 

Prep Day Bowling Competition with our Jr. Missionaries in Zadar

These are our great missionaries we spend a lot of time with and love so much. Elder Luke Wagner, Elder Jacob Schreiner, Sister Ellyse Sundell, Sister Jadelyn Porter. We can't say enough good about them!