Life in a Croatian Mission Home

2 June 2013

Last night gave me a small glimpse of what it would be like to serve a mission. Being in a mission home really made me wonder how my life would be changed if I served a mission. Both Jessica and Steven served and they have a such a spirit about them, able to extend patience and love towards all people. Being with them for the past several days has been a great opportunity for me to be lifted up in both spirit and stature by such incredible people. We are staying in the Mission home of the presidents of the Croatian mission. We have already had a splendid time in Zagreb and we haven’t even seen any of the city yet… I am excited!

We were able to attend church with the Mission President’s family and it was an incredible experience. Obviously everything was spoken in Croatian, but we were given headsets in which a sister missionary translated through for the entire fast and testimony meeting. Several times I took off my headset just to soak in the culture of the setting. It was neat to be able to not understand a word, yet still be able to feel the Spirit. Singing was very interesting…I tried so hard to pronounce the words like everyone else, but I am sure I sounded so off to everyone. With all the looks I was getting I am pretty sure I was singing the wrong sounds most of the time…but hey, I was trying!

Today was one of the more relaxed and chilled days we have had thus far in Europe… Croatia is beautiful and I wish we had more time to go explore the Dalmatia coast where most of the Croatian beauties lie… Zagreb was a beautiful city to visit and we had a great time exploring the historical centers of the city.

Did you know that the tie originated from Croatia? I had no idea! Tie shops dot the streets of Zagreb along with shop upon shop selling different heart trinkets. I guess the Croatia is also known as the capital of love ?? We were hoping to discover Cupid’s birthplace or something…but I guess Cupid does not have a home in Croatia…but the heart sure does!

We visited places such as Saint Mark’s square and the fountain of life, both places with unique stories. Saint Mark’s square is a place where Saint Mark was drawn and quartered… There is a place in the center of the square with four squares surrounding a central triangle. Their is a sculpting of Saint Mark’s head on a nearby building symbolizing where his head “may have landed” when he underwent this horrible treatment.

When we were in the main square in Zagreb we just happened to walk by right as the official changing of the guards ceremony was happening, it was awesome!

The Well of Life…
We only have one week left on our amazing taste of Europe trip and I am so sad it is coming to an end. I have been receiving emails from my Oxford professors and it is getting me so excited to go to school there soon. I will actually be starting school at Oxford in one week from today…that is so crazy! My journey through Europe has been surreal, and everyday I wake up astounded that it is really happening. My summer just keeps getting better and better, and it will continue to do so as I begin school in England and experience things that will forever change my life. I have learned that life is not about the destination, it is about the journey. Traveling through Europe has really taught me this. Even as we travel on the trains, we see things that are absolutely incredible. Literally, every second we have been here has been a learning experience.

I am excited for all the many adventures that lie ahead in my life, both in Europe and back in the States. My brother will be graduating from high school at the end of this week and moving on to study this summer at BYU. Life goes by so quickly. We will be able to enjoy fall semester together at BYU before he takes off on a mission for the LDS church. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to experience a great University education, and equally as happy to be able to share that experience with my brother this fall. My family is incredible. They are so giving to everyone, a quality I need to strengthen in myself. I have appreciated everything I have learned from them and look forward to maybe teaching them a few things myself when I return home from Europe.

Mother, I know you read this everyday, so here is my plan for next summer’s adventures…share them with Madison. Fly into Athens via Iceland and head north through Eastern Europe…Bulgaria, Macedonia, Bosnia, Serbia, Romania, Hungary, Czech, Slovenia, Croatia, and then hop over to Italy. We could easily do allthis in two weeks…maybe even less. We can then take a few days and go to Paris, maybe hit Ireland and Scotland, and then London in which you will fly back to the states and hopefully I will stay for an internship.