What’s Up with the Whites in Croatia?
Mission Updates: March 9–April 6, 2026
It may sound like a broken record, but it truly has been a very full and busy month. Our mission experience continues to stretch and bless us in so many ways—we definitely don’t have time to be bored! We are growing in our love and testimony of the Savior, stepping outside of our comfort zones, and learning to laugh (often at ourselves along the way). Above all, we are striving to serve in the best ways we know how.
Looking ahead, we have family and friends coming to visit in the next month, and that brings us so much joy. Our hearts are already full just thinking about it.
After a cold spell in winter we are finally getting in some pickleball with our missionaries on prep day.
Every 6 weeks we get to see our grandson. Teige. (Elder T. White) he has been in Maribor, Slovenia but is now in Zagreb, Croatia. His mission is finishing August 5.
And he gets free dental checks in the church parking lot by his grandpa! He never has cavities!
We were able to finally see Lake Bled Slovenia, just a quick visit but beautiful. We will visit again with some family and friends.
Up at the Lake Bled castle having the best dessert. Kremnista cake!
I love to look in and visit every cathedral we can. So beautiful!
We had a district (all 5 countries and 3 languages) Relief Society activity in Maribor, Slovenia. So good for these ladies to get together and so much talk and love.
Our Elders jump out of our car to push a stalled car. (they pushed uphill a long ways!)
Our missionaries somehow talked a few of our branch members—who had never filled out an NCAA bracket before—into jumping in. Naturally, Russell and I couldn’t resist joining too! And Duke… well, let’s just say they did not carry my hopes the way I expected. No money on the line—just bragging rights and a small prize generously sponsored by Elder White.
Now, on to what has been a very full few weeks. Things got underway the weekend before our senior conference (which we were in charge of) with our branch conference and a linger-longer meal. It meant plenty of last-minute details, extra cooking, and a bit of stress—but as these things often do, it all came together in the end.
Loved having the Elders and two branch members sing. I like to buy the lilies for Easter.
This is our district president, President Flis. He is over all 5 countries and many languages. It is a lot of work and organization. He is speaking at our branch.
Then early the next morning we drove to Pula, Croatia about 4 hours from where we live in Zadar. We went a day early to meet with hotel staff and our committee to get everything ready. It was a beautiful day when we arrived.
We had a great agent who has gotten us some wonderful deals at beautiful hotels. This is the second and last one we will be in charge of arranging. This hotel was out on an old military peninsula surrounded by water! Beautiful when the sun was shining!
Our committee: Ivancich, Schmidt, MacPherson, Smith, Lamb's
Gradually most of our committee started arriving, and some other senior couples came early also. We have a total of 23 couples and 3 singles so total of 49 of us.
Not sure what setting on my camera did this, but it does capture the gorgeous sunset.
Some fun get to know you games, this is the only time some of the senior missionaries ever get to see each other, with all of us serving over 5 countries. The Serbia/Montenegro/Bosnia group is in a different zone conference than us. But it doesn't take long to love each other.
My team thought we were going to be #1 winers but I think we came in last??? Someone scored wrong!!! It was a lot of fun.
Next morning group and couple pictures.
This is us with our mission president. Pres. Brian and Sister Angelica Cordray. What amazing people they are.
That morning Russell and I presented on covenant connections through relationships. I taught a lot of John Gottman work on marriage relationships. We had a good and fun discussion. Most of us can really relate here!
Then we had a great surprise, instead of a guest speaker all of the senior couples had made a short 30 sec. video expressing love and gratitude for the Cordray's since this will be their last senior conference. They leave June 24. They loved it and cried through most of it.
The men and the women had a great break out session, the men played games, the women spoke about women in the scriptures? (Imagine that!)
Then we all had 4 hours of free time to visit the historical Pula. We went to some of it then went back to our hotel and took a nap. We were tired! This is Sister Johnson and Draper, they are sisters who ended up serving together. One is over travel of the mission and one is over finance.
Then after a long and exhausting day, we all went up and did line dancing. (there were some who sat on the side, no forcing anyone to have fun if they just can't bring themselves to act silly).
The last day of the conference the Cordray's gave the final presentation. And we were done. We get to take in an extra day or two of site seeing. We tried, but it was freezing and lots of road closures on the way home.
Lots of love going around!
Incredible spaces, we feel so blessed to get to be here!
Russell asked our Patriarch Miśo Oštarčević to speak and it was a beautiful sermon on Christ.
After church our "last supper with Elder Hughes. He has been transferred away from us.
You know I always say this but saying goodbye to them breaks our hearts every time! We get so close to them.
Our family FaceTimed us at 10 p.m. our time (2 p.m. theirs) while they were gathered at our daughter Lisa’s home, sharing a Passover meal and talking about the life of Jesus. Oh, how we missed being there in person—but we were so grateful for technology that let us join, even for a little while. We had to sign off early since we were leaving the next morning, but it meant so much to feel included. Beautiful job, family!
And for those of you still reading—we’re not quite done yet. With five days still ahead of us, we needed to visit our service missionary one last time on her island. Just two hours from where we meet her is Dubrovnik, so with permission, we took the opportunity to visit that famous old town for Russell’s birthday. I think the pictures will say it better than I ever could!
Then after killing our legs hiking up every step in Dubrovnik, on the way to Korcula we stopped at the city Ston. Here they have the great wall of Croatia, a protected city wall, protecting salt ponds (like gold back in the days), and a large high up wall. Pushed hard and my knee is still swollen. Got to remember the limits of our bodies sometimes!
Then on to the island to teach Sister Matolovic-Mahoney the lessons for getting ready to end her mission in June. Had a good visit with her parents also. Weather was cold.
The day we returned Zveki our Relief Society president had the missionaries over to teach them how to do Croatian easter eggs.
New Elders: Elder Bryan Allen from Glendive MT., Elder Sam Anderson from Perth, Australia, and Elder Mateo Delgado from Medicine Hat, Canada.
Had a great surprise with many friends and members we hadn't seen for awhile. Great Easter day.
This truly filled our hearts. Stiphen, from India, who was baptized here in Zadar last November, spent some time back in India and then in Germany. But his love for the gospel and his desire to be close to his church family led him back to Zadar for work. Seeing him again felt like such a tender blessing—we were overjoyed.
Then we watched the Sunday morning session at 6 pm our time. What a great weekend: Easter, Conference and many of the people we love around.
Then we spent our p-day morning getting the new Elders set up in their new apartment. And luckily I got to come home and do this blog, while they all went to play soccer/basketball and have a good day! If you made it to the end, I am impressed with you! Love you all!
