Sunday March 17, 2019

It's been one of those weeks that I totally neglected any picture taking.  There isn't a lot to write about that is very interesting anyway!  Today was warm enough to have the windows open for awhile this afternoon.  It was nice, even with the garden fires drifting in through the breeze.

We were up bright and early Wednesday morning for the drive to Zone Conference in Banja Luka.  There is a tunnel under construction and sometimes the wait is hours long.  We breezed through, coming and going.  Our timing was perfect, not by coincidence, we're sure.  We had the Sister missionaries with us; the Elders took the train the night before.  We had the quarterly safety review and were told we must watch the safety videos on the Missionary Portal - all 5 hours worth - and not just the young missionaries.  So we have been suffering through them the past few evenings when we have a spare hour.

On our way out of town after ZC, we stopped by a partner's office to get a project agreement signed.  We had a nice visit with the president of the women's organization that runs the women's shelter in Banja Luka.  We will be replacing all the doors and frames and purchasing some beds and closets for the shelter.  We arrived back in Sarajevo about 9:00 pm, dropped the Sisters off at their apartment and were in bed by 10:00 pm.  It's a long day when we drive 3 1/2 hours each way and sit in meetings the entire day.

On Thursday the Sisters and I went to visit Mira and Franz.  They live about 30 minutes outside the city.  You may remember we had a branch picnic there last fall.  Mira's friend was visiting so the Sisters delivered a short spiritual message.  Mira always feeds the missionaries when we/they visit.  She made salad and a pasta dish she called moussaka.  I thought moussaka was Greek and made with potatoes, so this must be the Bosnian version?  The Sisters thought it was like hamburger helper (not a great compliment, but I've never cooked with hamburger helper so what do I know?).  It was cheesy and that always makes me happy.

One of the ward members hosted a baby shower for Katrina Garvin on Saturday.  Her baby is due in June and she will return to the U.S. April 8 with their youngest son, who is 4.  The other 3 boys will remain in Bosnia with Hyrum until June, then they will all go home for the summer.  I don't think Hyrum can stay that long but not sure of the plans.  There were several other embassy employee wives at the shower.  Two of them are my neighbors but I had not previously met them.

Katrina opening her shower gifts

Here's the one picture I took this week!  Garvins have four boys now and are expecting a girl.  They are so excited.  Too bad we will never meet the baby - we will have returned home before they return to Bosnia in the fall.

Preston Rhees, age 11, spoke in Sacrament meeting about obedience (continuing with the 3rd Article of Faith theme this month).  He gave the sweetest talk.  He told about his dog Winnie not being let off the lease because she isn't obedient.  She also is locked in the bathroom at night because she likes to sleep on the couch when no one is looking.  If she were obedient and didn't sneak onto the couch, she would be allowed to sleep somewhere more comfortable than the bathroom floor.  He tied that all in with human obedience and the gospel and did a super job.  His school teacher (not a member) came to listen to his talk.  She was very impressed that children so young are able to speak in public like that.  After Preston talked, his dad Rhett spoke about the Atonement.

We went to dinner Friday night with Rhett and Camie to celebrate our birthdays.  Camie's birthday is the day after mine.  So it was a late celebration for both of us but we had a nice time.  We tried a new restaurant in Dobrinja called Sendi.  The food was very good but a bit pricey.  The dessert was the best part - chocolate!