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!