Read all about it

Just in case you didn't catch the article in the Deseret News faith section on Saturday, we were mentioned in it.  I was interviewed by Tad Walch over the phone.  We had a very long conversation and exchanged some emails but not much of what we spoke about was included.  In all fairness the article wasn't about Bosnia or humanitarian efforts per se, but the cooperation between our church and the Catholic church.  It was an honor to be mentioned in the same article with President Nelson.

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900059557/pope-francis-meets-with-president-nelson-in-the-vatican-catholic-mormon-rome.html

I don't know how I forgot to write about our cow project last week, but I did.  It has been one of our favorites.  We visited three of the recipient families again to meet the calves.  All the calves have been born now; one died during birth.  Out of the 10 calves, only 3 were female.

This cute couple got a male calf and had already sold it when we visited.  The calf was taking all the milk from the mother and they still had to feed it.  They received a very good price of 1150.00 (about $660) Bosnian marks for the male calf.  With that money they can have their cow inseminated again, buy seeds for their garden and still have a little of the money.  They are so happy and appreciative for the donation.  She hugs and kisses me and says to come visit anytime.  We asked if we could write a story about them for the humanitarian newsletter - she said we could bring the TV station if we wanted, she would tell everyone about their good cow!

This nice lady also has a male calf.  He is still residing with his mother in the barn.  This is the house with the barn under their home.  It's a pretty small space so it's probably more of a shelter than a barn.

This little guy was very affectionate

I would love to have this family's idyllic setting.  It is so picturesque and serene.  There is a stream running through the property.  They raise ducks for the meat and eggs.  There are many large shade trees on the property and everything was neat and tidy.  I know their life hasn't been and isn't now idyllic but the beautiful surroundings should bring them a little peace.

Domestic ducks in the yard

It's a girl!

This lucky lady got one of the three female calves.  The family is tickled pink!  The calf was pretty skittish and wouldn't put her head up to get a good photo of her cute face.

This has been such a happy project and we have thoroughly enjoyed it.  Even the two municipality employees that escort us on our visits told us we are like family now.  They treated us to a nice lunch of roasted lamb (much better than our last lamb lunch) and roasted veal.  We are so blessed to be serving here and meeting all these wonderful people.

Thursday was International Women's Day.  I have to admit I was not aware of the day before living in Bosnia, but it is a BIG deal here and all over Europe.  Today in Sacrament meeting the Primary sang The Dearest Names.  I spoke in Sacrament meeting but not about women or mothers.  Our theme for this month is the third Article of Faith:  "We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel."  I spoke a little about obedience and what gospel ordinances are, then focused mainly on the Sacrament.

Primary children handing out paper flowers they made for the women

Women of the Sarajevo Branch

We spent the first part of the week in Zagreb.  Most of Tuesday was spent at IKEA with our Red Cross partner.  We designed a new kitchen and selected the cabinets, counter tops, sink, and appliances.  I had a great time - I love this kind of thing.  Especially when I'm not spending my money!  We are renovating a small, ugly kitchen at the refugee family center just outside Zagreb.  The refugee families, mostly the women, will use the kitchen to prepare baby formula and their traditional foods.  There is a main kitchen and dining area in the building where food is prepared and provided to the residents, but they are not allowed in there.  It may not be completed before we come home but it warms my heart to know how much better this will be for the women and children.  It also provides a small space for the women to gather and socialize with each other.

We stayed at the mission home one night while in Zagreb.  While we were there a senior couple from Logan that had served in Tuzla in 2014 stopped by for a visit.  We met them again on Thursday for lunch in Sarajevo.  They were disappointed to find their favorite restaurant is no longer open.  Many things have changed in the past 5 years.

We see many people out preparing their gardens for spring planting.  That means it is burning season again.  We returned from church today to the lovely smell of wet grass and branches burning.

Neighbors behind our house burning off the garden waste

Along with the Rome Temple dedication today, we were excited to hear the announcement of the re-dedication of the Frankfurt Temple in September.  Frankfurt is the assigned temple for this mission and it has been closed almost 4 years now.  It is about the same distance to the Swiss Temple but it is so much more expensive for the members to travel there.  Such a blessing to have temples inching closer and closer to this part of the world!