La nostra avventura a Roma

This week we went on an adventure to Rome. We have a lady that is a member of our church here in Sarajevo that wanted to attend the LDS temple in Rome. She had never been to Rome or even flown on an airplane, so she ask us to go with her. Well, what a sacrifice but we agreed to help her. 

It was our first trip to Rome also, so we were going to figure it out together. Helen still has finger marks in her arm from the trip over from our friend holding her arm so tightly. (just kidding) For the most part we had a wonderful time. We flew over on Tuesday morning and back Saturday afternoon. We rented a car which we weren't sure about driving in Rome but we were glad we did. It was very hot there so we were glad we had nice AC in the car.

Rome is an amazing city, we never thought we would ever visit there. We are grateful to have been able to enjoy the "Eternal City." Helen kept saying she couldn't believe we were there. For us to be able to worship in the beautiful new LDS Temple was our highlight but to take in the sites of old town was also special.

On Thursday we finished our assignments in the temple around noon, so we drove down to old town and took a tour of the city on a Hop on Hop off bus. We saw many sites I had only read about or seen on tv.  There were so many sites it is hard to mention them all.

Gate to the Forum

Gate to the Colosseum

Colosseum

Maximus Circus- chariot races 

Us in front of St. Peter's Basilica @ the Vatican

Helen in front of museum

Trevi Fountain

And what would a trip to Rome be without the local food? We had gelato everyday and several different kinds of pizza and Mediterranean salads. I was glad there are no scales in Rome.

 

As much fun as it was to see the sites and taste the food of Rome, worshiping in the Temple brought us the greatest joy. As taught in the New Testament by Paul, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints, believe we can perform saving ordinances for our deceased ancestors. These ordinances are performed in these holy temples that have been built throughout the world. We believe the family can be together forever and live in the presence of God our Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Zagreb Revisited

This week was full of more travel and training. We were scheduled for Zone Conferences with the young elders and sisters - first in Belgrade, Serbia on Tuesday and Wednesday and then to Zagreb, Croatia on Thursday and Friday. Zone Conference is a wonderful time of spiritual learning, socialization and this time, a little teaching. I taught a "technology" workshop to the Senior missionaries. We learned some new things and had many laughs as we shared the challenges of the intersection of technology/social media and people over 55+. 

Tuesday night we had a free evening and we decided to go into Zagreb "Centar/Old Town". We walked the cobblestone streets and revisit some of the places we had visited 4 years ago, when we came to Croatia to quarantine prior to our mission in Germany. 

As we walked through the streets and recognized the statues, shops and churches we had seen 4 years ago, we were a little nostalgic. It was fun to see live musicians. 

We found St. Marks Church, whose roof tiles reminds us of of Lego building

and the gothic Zagreb Cathedaral, which is being restored after the 2020 earthquake. 

We thought about our first traveling companions, Elder and Sister Kunz, from Star Valley WY. We even found the souvenir shop where Denise Kunz and I purchased cotton grocery bags, which became the first quilt blocks in our European Travel Quilts.  

Dinner was a quick bite of pizza and an orange Fanta at - 

Feniks Bakery/Bäckerei/Pekera/Pannetterie (choose a langauge - lol)

We were a little sad that the "world's shortest Funicular (66 meters) was under renovation, but we loved again seeing the Zagreb skyline. 

We marvel at our journey from learning that we would quarantining in Croatia and we didn't even know where Croatia was; to coming back again 4 years later and working and living in this beautiful part of the world. What a grand adventure. 

A Stay At Home Week (WRONG)

As we looked at our calendar for July, we saw that we will be crazy busy so we were looking forward to spending a quite week in Sarajevo to prepare for the month ahead. That was a great plan until Tuesday, when we decided to schedule some additional training with one of our newer couples. So we packed a bag and headed for Split. We love going to Split, it's the happening place in all of Croatia. 

We found a nice little apartment to stay in a short ways from the beach. When we went to dinner we found a grill called the "Olive Garden". How can you go wrong with a restaurant with that name? The menu was different than in America, it's specialty was sea food. We had fresh tuna steaks. Yes it was awesome.

The next morning we went back down to the beach at sunrise to enjoy the beauty of the coast and go for a morning swim. We watched this local fisherman gathering his morning catch. When he came to shore his wife met him and they loaded her wheelbarrow with his catch. She then wheeled the catch down the street, to a market or somewhere.

After some great time spent with Elder and Sister Ivancich, the new couple there. Before heading back to Sarajevo we went to lunch with the at the local harbor. The food was great but the view was even better.

.On the 4th we were getting lots of pictures and updates from our kids in Idaho. We were feeling a little sad about missing all the fun that was happening at our house without us. We were happy though that so many grandchildren were having fun together and that we have a place that they can congregate. 

Later that day, our young sisters called us and said they were meeting with our friend Michael for lunch. They sked us if we wanted to join them? So we figured since it was the 4th of July and of course they don't celebrate it here, we needed to do something American. 

I don't know if Taco Bell is a real icon for America, but we all enjoyed it. Michael had no idea what it was so I had to order for him. It was his first visit, but probably not his last. It sits between where he lives and works. Michael is our friend from Sierra Leone.  I'm mad I forgot to get a picture of us all there.

We hope all of you had a great 4th of July. It's good to remember the sacrifices that have been made so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today in America. Things we take for granted are not available everywhere in the world. Living in these foreign countries help to appreciate the freedoms we have at home.

The Toilet Paper Roll Anaolgy

We were recently speaking with Elder and Sister Hladky, another senior couple from Austria. We were talking about how quickly the times seems to go. Elder Hladky said, "time is like a toilet paper roll. When you first start out, it seem to take a long time to get around the roll. However, when you get to the end, it goes very, very quick. It takes no time at all, to get around the roll." We all laughed at the analogy, but as I reflect on it, I think he might be right . 

In our assignment to train and help with the orientation of new couples. We traveled to three beautiful Croatian cities; Osijak, Karlavoç and Varaždin.

Osijek, Croatia is about a 3 hour drive by car, to east and a little south from the Croatian capital, Zagreb. The town is only about 40 km from the border with Serbian and Hungary. As we passed through some small rolling hills and into the valley area of Osijek, Lot got a little nostalgic. We saw the regional agriculture; fields of sunflowers, corn and grain. As we neared the city, there were signs to prove it really was 'farming country'. 

Lot commented that if the mission president ever needed a couple to move to Osijek, he'd say, "pick me, pick me". It was in Osijek that we met with Elder and Sister Schmidt , who are new and Elder and Sister Hladky, who will soon return home to Austria. 

On Tuesday, we traveled back west to Karlovac. Again, we saw beautiful farm ground, with the hay harvest almost complete. In Karlovas, we met with Elder and Sister Thompson, fellow Idahoans from the Pocatello area. Wednesday took us to Varaždin, which sits just south of Zagreb, less than an hour. Elder and Sister Ballou, who live in Varaždin, support the members and missionaries. Sister Ballou's primary responsivilty is as the Mission Health Advisor. She is a nurse by profession and helps all th missionaries, both young and "not so young" stay healthy and well. 

On Thursday and Friday, it was Mission Leader Council (MLC) in Zagreb. In this mini conference, the young missionaries throughout the mission, who have leadership callings, gather together to learn and plan. There is large group instruction and council sessions.

 
There was small group activies and role playing sessions, to help improve their skills of in language inviting others to "come unto christ". 

We laughed and ate. And the young missionaries lead, planned and taught. It was miraculous to see these amazing young adults grown and learn - these skills will serve them well their whole lives. 

At the end of MLC on Friday, we drove to Belgrade Serbia in preparation to attend the District Relief Society Activity on Saturday. 

It was so wonderful to gather with women who live within the 5 countries of our mission (Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Sloviena). We spent the day learning, becoming better acquainted and enjoying the day. There were also activities planned for the children and young women who had come with their mothers. We came from various backgrounds and countries, but are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ and our desire to follow Him. 

I was grateful to Sister Lamb, my traveling companion - as we navigated the large city of Belgrade (1.4 million). On Saturday night we were trying to reach a destination and between the closed roads due to the civil protests and crazy Google maps - it was quite the adventure. But we made it back to our hotel without incident. She is a a great friend!