Quiet week

It was a pretty quiet week for us.  The Sisters had our car to attend a baptism in Novi Sad, Serbia Friday and Saturday, then took it again on Sunday afternoon to go to Zagreb for transfers.  They didn't return the car until Thursday morning.  So we didn't venture far from the apartment except for a walk.  The weather has been so bad that we haven't been doing much walking either.

We had district meeting on Thursday with our new DL, Elder Evans.  He's pretty sharp and we like him already.  We also have a new Sister, just out of the MTC.  She is from Germany and speaks perfect English, thank goodness for us!  I think she said Croatian is her 5th language.  Her name is Sister Icke, pronounced Ick-ah.  She said she didn't care how we pronounced it, as long as we didn't say Icky.  We meant to get some pictures but didn't take the camera with us.

I have a porcelain onlay on a back molar; should say had.  The front section broke off last week but managed to stay put until I could get to a dentist.  The U.S. Embassy was kind enough to refer me to two dentists they have used and like.  Both are women.  We have noticed that many of the medical professionals here are women.  Maybe the men are leaving the country after being trained.  We understand the medical and dental schools here are top notch but many leave the country for additional training and never return.  Anyway, back to my story.  We went to the dental clinic after district meeting.  I was very impressed with the facility and modern equipment.  There are three dentists in the group, all women.  I was there about two hours and now have a brand new onlay to replace the broken one.  Everything seems good so far.  The best news was the cost.  When I had the original onlay about 10 years ago, it cost around $1200.  This one was 470 km or $295 USD.  Can't wait to tell my dentist.

Here's another shopping story.  We stopped at the store on the way home from the dentist.  It was getting late and I wanted something quick when we got home.  One of my guilty fast food pleasures is onion rings so imagine how delighted I was to see this in the frozen food section (which is surprisingly quite large and has some good stuff).

Battered rings - literal translation panicked rolls

We arrived home, turned the oven on and started reading the instructions only to discover we don't have onions but squid rings.  Really???  Who has even heard of squid rings?  There aren't any squid swimming around on the package.  I was so disappointed.  We haven't had the courage to try them yet.

Saturday we did some baking to freeze and to take to the Elders serving in Tuzla.  Those two Elders are all by themselves and have to handle everything.  Elder Woodhouse is now John's second counselor in the Branch and Elder Lee just arrived from the MTC.

Elder Lee and Elder Woodhouse

We went to Tuzla today to attend church and lend a little moral support.  The chapel in Tuzla is on the 7th floor of an office building.  It is a pretty nice space - larger than what we have in Sarajevo.  The Elders brought snacks to have after church so we could mingle with the members a little.  I was sitting next to Elder Lee and at one point he looked at me and said "I have no idea what anyone is talking about."  I just had to laugh at him.  He's only been in the country five days.  He'll be fluent in no time!

It's a pretty small group in Tuzla. There are 17 on record but the Elders say they only have one attend some Sundays.  The block lasted about 1 1/2 hours today.  We sang, had the Sacrament and Elder Lee bore his testimony.  I offered a few remarks, translated by Elder Woodhouse so that lasted about 15 minutes.  Then we had a guest speaker via video.  We listened to one of Elder Holland's past conference talks.  Sunday School was about 30 minutes, then we had treats.

Tuzla group

There was also another investigator today but she left early.  And then me, the photographer.  I wish I could communicate better with everyone.  The sweet lady on the right  kept hugging me and wanted to talk but Elder Woodhouse has to translate everything for us, as she speaks no English.  The young woman between the Elders is the baptism we attended when we first arrived here.  It was great to see her attending church.

It has been snowing all week and the drive to Tuzla takes us through the mountains.  It was beautiful but a white-knuckle drive for John both ways.  It was pretty slow going early this morning, not as bad on the return trip.  Can't wait to see all the beauty in the summer.

Snowy road to Tuzla through our dirty windshield

We got home to Sarajevo and discovered the city had turned the water off all day.  They do that from time to time we hear.  It came back on about 6:00 pm.

Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death!  Love you all.  Until next week.