The Adriatic Coast and a super Relief Society Activity

We drove to Podgorica the scenic route (meaning we drove first to Split, Croatia spent the night and then traveled on to Podgorica. We had not been down the Croatian coast - and we had wanted to travel that way. The drive along the coastline was beautiful. There are many island all along the Croatian coast and I imagine they help temper the sea and so the waves that lapped the shore were small and gentle. The sky was bright and cloudless!

We had a full week in Podgorica - assisting the young elders and sister with non-functioning phone cards, church tours and visits with congregation members. We also did a few housekeeping tasks; such setting up a printer and paying a parking ticket (it happens - lol). 

One of the best parts of the week was on Saturday, when we had a Relief Society activity at the seaside town of Bar. Relief Society is the world-wide women's organization of the church. Relief Society's goal is to bring the love and relief of Jesus Christ to others. As members of Relief Society we learn, serve and support - each other, our congregation and the communities where we live. 

Members of our congregation are spread out in geographic footprint of over an hours drive by car. The church building, where we hold Sunday services, is in Podgorica, but we also have members who live out at the coast, in Tivat and Budva. 

This day, the Relief Society members and friends, who live in the Podgorica, took the hour train ride to Bar. There we met up with Sister Nikitina, who took a 45 minute bus-ride down the coast from Budva. 

We walked together and visited. We each shared a photo of something that was important to us or that made us happy. 

Sisters Crittenden and Sundell shared a spiritual thought. 

We threw rocks, built a cairn and just enjoyed the sea. 

We shared a meal and some of us ran to catch the train - LOL. It was a grand day! (Though I do have to say, it's hard work, having such fun!)

On Sunday we met together for worship services and lessons.Then after the meetings we shared a meal - socializing and fellowshipping. 

On Sunday, we had members and friends who were from Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Russia, Turkey and America. The singing, prayers and lessons were in several different languages - yet we were united in our striving to follow Jesus Christ. I am loving that the world has become much smaller and more personal, as I have been serving this mission. 

Activities, Celebrations and yes more driving

We had some fun times and some great experiences this week. The week started out on Sunday with Elder McConkie's 19th birthday. (Yes, he is a relative to Bruce R McConkie if you are wondering) He is an "outstanding" missionary, that is a pun because he is 7 ft. tall. He has already signed with BSU to play basketball upon his return to the States. So as much as I hate to say it, I might have to become a BSU fan.

He is a pretty serious young man so we thought to liven things up we used trick candles on his cake that kept reigniting. He was quite confused.

On their P-Day, the young missionaries decided they want to do lunch and a hike around town. That didn't sound too bad so we agreed to go with them. Little did I know that their idea of a hike at 19 is much different than my idea of a hike. When they said they wanted to hike up to the top of the mountain to an old fortress I thought they were kidding, they weren't. Five miles later we got back down off the mountain. We did have a nice view of the city except for the terrible smog. The best part of the hike was when we were on top of the mountain and it was time for one of the five "calls to prayer" that the Muslims do everyday. We could here about 10 imams doing their calls from all over the city.

When we got back to the city, we visited what is referred to as Pigeon Square. Sister Gunson said one item on her bucket list, for Sarajevo, was to feed the pigeons. She had second thoughts because she kept the bird seed in her hands and the birds didn't care where it was, they wanted it.

Later in the week we went with our young sisters to visit a man who is at a refugee camp an hour up in the mountains. His name is Michael and he has an amazing story. He is from Sierra Leone, and was in prison because of his religious beliefs. Someone bombed the prison walls so he was able to escape. His Pastor told him he should leave the country so he made his way to Northern Africa. He crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Greece and then walked from Greece to Bosnia (about 700 miles). He and a friend were going to walk clear to France but he felt impressed to stop here. After a series of miracles we met him and heard of his amazing story. He was led by God to find a better life, we are happy we are part of his ongoing story. Below is Michael with the young sisters and our good friends, Elder and Sister Stafford.

On the way back from visiting with Michael we saw the Olympic downhill ski runs, built for the 1984 Olympics.

We finished our week by driving up to Banja Luka, a city 3 1/2 hours North to meet with a few members of our church there. Banja Luka is the capitol of the Republika Srpska, which is one of the three divisions of the country of Bosnia. To end the war for Bosnian independence the UN allows the country to be separated into 3 small areas kind of like states within the larger umbrella of Bosnia. Anyway Banja Luka isn't overly friendly with the US. They want to side with Russia so we have to be careful when we are up there. We only had two members and two friends in attendance but they were very happy to see us. We only go up there once a month to check on them.

The drive was pretty because it was snowing and the trees looked like they were all flocked.

We are still getting in a lot of windshield time but I guess that is what we do. We are looking forward to when this country all turns green with leaves on the trees.

Settling In

This week began as we drove back from Podgorica last Sunday afternoon. We had an appointment in Sarajevo mid-day on Monday, so we came back in time to join our group of missionaries for dinner at the Branch President's house. We usually all bring things to contribute, but because we were on the road, our contribution was sliced apples. 

Tuesday was transfer day for the young missionaries. Leaving Sarajevo, Sister McKinnon boarded a bus to go to Split, Croatia (on the Croatian coast). The Staffords had driven Sister McKinnon to the bus stattion and later in the day, picked up Sister Thomas (who had been serving in Zadar, Croatia). Sisters Gunson and Thomas are now the sister companionship in Sarajevo. We took Elder Hulse to the bus station and he left on the 7 hour bus ride to go to Scremska, Serbia (NW of Belgrade). Elder McConkie arrived later in the afternoon to become Elder Liddle's new companion.

These young elders and sisters are amazing - I admire their language skills and honor them as they faithfully serve. They are TERRIFIC! In district meeting, Elder Liddle provided the "language tip" for this week. 

On Thursday, we traveled to Mostar with Elders McConkie and Liddle. It was Elder McConkie's first trip on that breathtaking stretch of road. He was as awed at the majestic mountains, as we had been and pictures just don't do it justice.

Near Ljublanica, we again saw the aftermath of the catastrophic flooding that occurred in October of 2024, near Ljublanica. Landslides and flooding felled trees, wrecked homes/buildings, disrupted the railway and cost the lives of 27. As we look at the wreckage, we are reminded of our experience with the terrible floods in the Ahr Valley of Germany in 2021. We know first hand what the process of restoration will entail and that it will take time. 

Our purpose of our trip to Mostar was to visit with our dear member, Ljubica. It is 110 km (65 mile)from Sarajevo to Mostar, but she faithfully joins our Sunday services each week via Zoom. She always spoils the missionaries when they go to visit her. The purpose of our visit this time was to help her to prepare for her to Frankfurt, to worship in the temple in March. 

On our way back, we introduced the elders to our favorite burek spot, Burek King. 

It was a GREAT day!

 

I have always maintained that - "transitions are tricky". When one starts a new adventure - there is often a steep learning curve. Everything is new and one must find their own new groove. I feel like we have in some ways moved through that initial learning curve. Don't get me wrong, we are learning new things every day and there are many days we don't understand anything. But, we are starting to find our new rhythm and are learning the rhythms of the cities were we live.  I joyfully expect there will still be many new things to experience, understand and from which to learn; but some of the culture shock has settled. 

Spiritual Thought - "...and I know He watches me."

I have recently become acquainted with the hymn "His Eye is on the Sparrow". We have seen His hand in our mission daily life and in the lives of others around us. He has helped us solve problems and comforted us in our challenges. We share the testimony of the lyricist, and say, His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me. 

Vs. 2  -“Let not your heart be troubled.” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubt and fear.

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/his-eye-is-on-the-sparrow?lang=eng

 

Making the rounds in Montenegro

We spent the entire week in Montenegro. Because of visa issues and an injury, the young elders were taken out of Montenegro so we decided to stay there until some new elders were assigned to come in. We have a set of young sisters here and we wanted to be here to help them out and make sure they were safe.

The sisters kept us very busy helping them teach lessons to their friends. They were having to do their work plus the elder's. It was good we were there with our car to help shuttle them around. We ate lunch at a Korean cafe that is owned by a member from the Philippines. We are hoping to get to know him better so we'll just have to keep eating his delicious food to visit with him.

We decided what would two weeks in Montenegro be without a trip to the beach? We have an awesome man from China that is preparing to join the Church who lives in Tivat. It is the wealthiest town in the country. Lai is such a good man. I am always surprised when I see him, he is taller than I am and I forget that someone from China is so tall.

The Relief Society President for Podgorica Branch lives in Budva. Helen is her councilor so they decided to have a presidency meeting. Wouldn't you know it they decided that the beach was the best place to have a meeting. Sister Nikitina only speaks Russian so her son had to translate for them. You can't make this stuff up.

The weather and scenery were beautiful as you can see.

This is Helen with the young sisters and Sister Nikitina - she is small in stature but large in spirit.

As we come to make friends with people from many different countries from around the world. I am learning to love them for who they are. I am finally starting to see people as God sees them. I believe most people are just trying to find their way back to our Heavenly Father.