Daily scripture reading/review of Holy Week was a great way to prepare for Easter and General Conference. They fell on the same weekend this year. It was wonderful to hear all the messages of about Jesus Christ and His gospel.
In Idaho, we would have watched General Conference at home, but here we gathered at the church. It was great to listen and learn with the young missionaries, congregation members and friends. With the time difference, we would participate in the 10 am/morning sessions at 6pm/Sarajevo time - lol. It was a special conference, as we sustained Dallin H. Oaks as the new prophet and president of the church and a new First Presidency and 2 new Apostles, who were called to fill vacancies in the Quorum of the 12, due to the passing of President Nelson and Elder Holland.
On Sunday, we were invited for Sunday Brunch at Elder and Sister Lamb's apartment. We were spoiled with American Easter candy (the Lamb's family had brought to Bosnia), shared a meal and colored eggs; Serbian-style. These beautiful dark red eggs are cooked and dyed simultaneously in water colored with dry "red onion skins" (which Sister Lamb has been saving for weeks). After one decorates the raw egg with small leaves or flowers, you secure the decorations in place by wrapping it in a nylon stocking. The results are lovely.
On Monday, after Easter, we traveled to Belgrade for Zone conference. We all left early so we could stop at the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial Exhibition and Srebrenica-Potočari Cemetery. It is a very sad, but important place to visit. At this place, we saw man's inhumanity to his fellow man represented in film, photos and personal stories. It is a place of grief and deep reflection.
As we drive through Bosnia, we see posters and graffiti say, "Never Forget Srebenica". A Bosnian friend gave me this small brooch, the "symbol of remembrance". The 11 petals represent July 11, 1995, the day the genocide began. The white color signifies the innocence of the victims and the green center represents hope. I am inspired by the survivors and am heavyhearted for their pain. I pray that as we remember this and other terrible atrocities, that we will guard against their repeating.
From outward appearances, the April Zone Conference may look like all the ones before - learning, laughter, fellowship, but I always learn something new and am glad to have this opportunity. I am grateful for the time we spend driving and talking with our Sarajevo sisters. It make me very happy to see young missionaries who have served in Sarajevo and now are in another area - to catch up and express care. The feeling of love and camaraderie that exists among the young missionaries is infectious and I always learn and I am buoyed up by our time together. There is much serious learning, but always lots of fun, too.
The other adventure of this week was "Sarajevo's First Old-Fashioned Quilting B".
Lot and I invest many hours laboring in our missionary responsibilities - but there are times when you need to practice some self-care and do something else. I need to do something creative.
Anyone who knows me very well, will not be surprised that I have become "fast friends" with the ladies at the local fabric store.
I have sewn a couple of quilt tops and this last week, I invited my fabric store friends and Sister Lamb to our apartment to help me come tie a small quilt. I was sad Alma could not come (due to a family conflict), but Berina, Sister Lamb and I had a grand time.
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