What’s Up with the Whites in Croatia? Mission updates: January 4- Feb. 1 , 2026

Winter is here.
It has been a month since my last blog, and it’s hard to believe how quickly time passes. It sounds like Utah has started winter very mildly. Here, our days stay in the high 50s with lows in the mid to high 40s—some cloudy days mixed with truly beautiful, sunny coastal ones.

Some new things are happening. Russell and I are serving as committee heads for our next senior conference in March. There has been a lot of organizing and preparation, but I have to admit—I kind of love this type of work. We have five other couples on our committee, and we adore them. Everyone is so willing and quick to help, which has made the process smooth and joyful. We are excited to host a beautiful conference in Pula, Croatia, right on the Istrian Peninsula (look it up if you’re curious!). We have wonderful classes planned and a few fun surprises as well.

Next, I (GayLyn) am facilitating two back-to-back emotional resilience classes on Wednesday nights. The first is for members and friends across our five countries, and so far we have about 30 people joining us on Zoom. We also have interpreters in three languages, which makes things interesting—but it’s working beautifully. This program focuses on thinking patterns, stress, anxiety, depression, and healthy coping. We all need reminders about good thoughts and good choices. I’m very grateful for my mental health training and the opportunity to use it in this way.
The second class is for a group of ten younger missionaries. I tell them that if they really listen to this course, their future spouses will be very grateful!

I have also been very sick this past week and haven’t even stepped out of our apartment. Fever, chills, body aches, and a terrible cough—the joys of having a human body. But oh, how it makes me grateful for healthy days. Contraries and opposites really do keep us humble and help us keep perspective. Russell, thankfully, has stayed well—lucky boy.

Things I miss the most: my children and grandchildren, my siblings, and my ward. I miss Costco, Amazon, mail delivery, and knowing what items are in the stores. I miss yards with space and roads with space—many of the roads here feel like narrow alleyways where only one car barely fits at a time. I miss pulling into a big driveway, pushing a button, and parking in a garage with room. I miss cough syrup (I’m convinced they don’t believe in slowing down coughing here—nothing works!). I miss walking into Deseret Book and easily finding pictures or items you need. And of course, I miss a hot bubble bath and a dryer—though many senior missionary apartments do have these, so I try not to be too envious.

But all of that is nothing compared to what I am learning, loving, and seeing. I hope I never take for granted where I am walking, the views of the Adriatic Sea, the incredible people who have endured so much, and the small branches that carry such heavy loads just to exist. In Utah, you know your church calling will eventually end. Here, there is often no one to take your place—you carry the responsibility because it is required.

I love being a missionary because I forget about myself. I’m excited to return to a more normal routine, but it amazes me how many of my former “cares” have simply fallen away. That has been a blessing. I cherish the chance to talk with our young missionaries about the gospel, to speak of Christ so often, and to watch others learn about the gospel from the very beginning. Sometimes it is beautiful and easy; other times it requires something very hard of them. I feel deeply for each one.

Through it all, I’ve learned to trust the Lord more fully—to be more patient, to be okay with the unknown. I know everything is in His loving, merciful hands, and He will guide anyone who is willing straight into His arms. That trust has grown in me.

I could say so much more, but my kids remind me that no one wants to read long posts anymore (so feel free to skip to the pictures 😉).

As I write, I try to feel all of your energy. There is no one on my blog list that I don’t genuinely care about, and I love sharing this part of our life with you. Sending the very best energy I can to brighten your days and help you feel connected to ours.

God bless. 💙

—GayLyn

 We had a Sister's conference for all of the missionary women in all 5 countries in our mission district. So many fun times and spiritual classes. Love these ladies. 

We had break out with presentations of strong women in the scriptures or in history. Afterward someone dressed up like that woman, Esther.

Emeline Wells, women's vote. This is Sister Sheffield one of my favorite people. They are doing humanitarian in Slovenia and Turkey. 

We were able to visit Filip our new member who has had to move to Zagreb after long surgeries and induced comma. His parents are not members of our church but are so sweet and we have developed a wonderful relationship. We keep praying for him, he is still in such rough shape physically. 

Arriving in Zadar Sister Quarnberg second from right. She is from Mapleton, UT and has been serving in Podgorica, Montenegro. This is where the sisters in Zadar live, (best view in the whole mission). 

Zveki

We took Zveki our branch relief society president out for a special birthday dinner. She dressed up in her new outfit! 

Playing card games is one of our missionaries favorite things to do on p-day. They love so many games, but scum is their favorite so I have learned to love it too! The time always seems to go to fast! They don't get the whole day, they either do work from 9am-12 or from 6pm-9pm. 

And then there is the game that made our Elders so happy. So far none of the companionships have been able to beat us oldies! (we are not very good either) They have been so frustrated and come so close and then we get them. But this time the Elders did it. Elder Warncke (from Germany on the right) ran around the court hyper 5 times he had been trying so hard. It was so funny. We were actually happy for them! 

Our Relief Society room, now a Sunday School room. This was a large class for us. Russell (Pres. White) wears a lot of hats on Sunday, (as do I) so he teaches also today. He does a great job. Language always makes it so much more difficult, but we make it work. 

And then there is the service to the dog shelter, we love this one. There area about 100 dogs and they all yelp and wiggle and bark like crazy when we come. We walk some of them, but we also go around and just try to give the attention and love, you can just feel their longing for love. I just try to send my heartfelt love to them. It makes me hurt sometimes to see their loneliness or signs of abuse. It makes our hearts happy. (thanks Kathy Bates!) 

Zone conference in Zagreb, this is a find my realitives activity, and guess what? Elder White and Elder White are really close relatives! (our grandson!) We won!

And sometimes we are lucky enough to get to sit by him during some of our classes! 

Lots of break out group discussions. 

This is us saying goodby to my cousin Kathy and her husband Reid Bates. They live in Washington. They are leaving after having a very difficult and fragmented mission, but they were amazing. Humanitarian, opening up Turkey, and having some very hard and scary moments. She is amazing and we will love having this shared experience together! It is rare to have any relatives on your mission, I have a cousin, a grandson and...

This is our (great) nephew! My nieces son. Russell's brother's grandson! This is our first time getting to see him as he has been in Serbia thus far. Yes this is highly unique and we love it! And one of my best friends brother is serving in this mission. 

Elder Stewart from Eagle, Idaho

After zone conference if there is time we get to go our for dinner, These are our good friends the Schmidt's from Riverton, UT. This area has an italian influence, thus the delicious food and beautiful chandeliers. 

The Ivancich's from California. They are about 1 1/2 hours south of us in Split, Croatia. 

One of my very favorites, she leaves to go home it two weeks! I never get used to these constant goodbye's! But friends for life! 

We took our missionaries to Krka a beautiful waterfall area just 60 minutes from us, and as we drove up we saw the Split missionaries right in the parking lot, so they got to walk the paths together. So much energy in these young missionaries! We couldn't love them more! 

This is all of the sisters from our Croatia West area. Mostly along the Dalmatian coastline. Love them all! 

And very last... Goodbye Kathy my sweet cousin. (her mom and my dad are siblings). How I have loved sharing this mission experience in the Adriatic North Mission with you! God speed, God Bless and may you hold this place forever in your heart. The people have changed us for the better. I love you! 

 

  What’s Up with the Whites in Croatia?

I'm Dreaming of a 'White Christmas' Part 2

Mission updates: December 21-January 3, 2026

I realize that most of the pictures I share show the joyful, fun, or scenic moments of our mission. And those moments are real. But there are also many hard, exhausting, sad, and stretching days. I simply try not to dwell on them.

I don’t want to give the impression that everything is wonderful all the time. There is much we miss about living in the comfort of our own home—setting our own schedule, doing things in our own way, and enjoying quiet. At our age, following agendas and adapting constantly can be challenging. We live in a noisy apartment with a large barking dog above us. For four nights in a row, very loud, city-style fireworks went off outside our bedroom window until after 1:00 a.m. Our warm water doesn’t last long enough for showers or even doing dishes. We have no dryer and sometimes it takes our clothes 3 days to dry in the winter. Our branch faces many challenges, and at times the missionaries are expected to carry more than they reasonably can.

Yes, there are difficult and stretching moments on this mission. We miss important family events, and there are times our hearts ache deeply for our family.

And yet—would we trade this experience? No. We are growing, learning, and becoming. And for that, we are truly grateful.

I tried my luck at baking in Croatia, their flour is such a different texture and I still can't predict my oven. Even so, Swedish traditions keep me happy during this season and shared them with others.

This is a good view from our Old Town bell tower of some of our city. We climbed up with our missionaries for a P-day view. 

We took our missionaries out for a fun traditional dinner in Old town. Cevapi is a favorite for most of them. 

We didn't have much for decorations, but were able to still make if feel like Christmas for all of us. We had so much fun. We tried to keep them so busy they didn't have time to miss their families too much. They all went home Christmas night (here) to talk with their families. We were able to facetime all of our family also. That was wonderful to see them all, and it felt like we were a part of home that day! 

When they walked in for Christmas Eve, I told them they had to be like my grandkids and do the grandkid party for 2 hours. We had fun, had hot chocolate and it felt like home for all of us. I did bring the Swedish Garland from home that my daughter Lisa gave me last year!

Sister Price who's identical twin is already home, but she remained happy and we played games and laughed and read scriptures and stayed so busy and it was full of love. Sister Call just new and has such a great attitude. She giggles all the time. 

It was such joy for us to try to keep everyone from being homesick. We ended up having a wonderful Christmas all together. This will be one for the memory book for us. Full of love, missing family, but knowing we are where we have chosen, sharing missionary love, spiritual talks, laughing and eating and keeping these beautiful people full of food and joy. 

Later Christmas afternoon our good friends the Fernandes family had us over for a delicious turkey dinner! This is Freddy!

                This is our Relief Society Presidents family, Zveki (in yellow) 

Our son Derek sent us this beautiful picture of a rainbow right over our road in Ivins. That helped us know that good things are still shining on us there! From our house to our good friends the Crumps! 

This was an amazing place. We had been told if there was any way we could get to Slovenia to see this live nativity in a cave, we should do it. (about 4 hours away from Zadar) So we purchased the tickets way ahead and went with two other couples, the Ivancich's from CA (they are on the coast by us in Split on their mission and the Schmidt's from UT who are in Osijek. We visited the largest Castle built into a cave in the world. The cave nativity was fantastic!

The Castle 

It goes way back into this cave. Built strictly for protection. It would have been so very cold and moldy! I'm grateful to be born in our century. 

A train ride takes you almost 2 miles into the most magnificent cave. It is called the Postojnska Jama. We ran into another missionary couple also. No coincidences. 

There were professional opera singers singing Ave Maria, and harps and beautiful etherial angel music, we then walk about 1 1/2 miles to different scenes and music. I wish it would let me add the videos with music. 

See what I mean! What a great way to end the Christmas season! 

We are truly grateful for all of these beautiful countries we get to see! 

Then again, with 4,000 people visiting the cave each day, and we live 4 hours away in Zadar Croatia, and this family lives in Serbia 6 hours away in a different direction, we run into them again. What are the odds? The Andersen's. He came up and gave us a hug and now in the past 6 months we have run into them 3 times. This is Jane who I met at the youth conference and just love! No coincidences! 

          On our way home we stopped in Lublijana, Slovenia for just a couple of hours. 

                     We visited a Franciscan Church of the Annunciation. 

            We were treated to the thick hot chocolate, just like melted chocolate!

Croatia does fireworks at New Years like I've never seen. Our entire city was exploding and they do the big ones everywhere! 

Then New Years Day, we spent all day with our missionaries, having great dinners, visiting a quaint town and playing card games. 

Touching the famous toe of Bishop Gregory of Nin, there are 3 famous toes to touch in Croatia, we have done two. Elder Warncke just got his 3rd with this one! Great luck for life now!

This city was the first royal capital of Croatia. Also has Queen's beach and medicinal mud. 

Sometimes we just walk around and say, can you believe where we are? We never take it for granted! 

                        These are our mission leaders Pres. and Sister Cordray. He sent this picture at                                         the change of the year, not sure how the time was like that? They are                                                      done with their 3 years at the end of June. 

Last of all, this is our final district council with Sister Katelyn Price. We have loved having her with us. These goodbyes break my heart! 

Ok these holiday blogs took me forever, but we have had such rich experiences through the season. It was so good to visit with all of our children and grandchildren and they are doing such a good job of supporting us and making us feel loved. 

Remember what is most important and live your life to make it the most important! Love to all of you.