The busy month of October

The first day of October we were invited to join in a celebration for senior citizens at Dom Stari Elderly Care Center in Risan.  Many of the residents had been invited to take part with singing, poetry, story telling or anything they wanted to share.  It was an interesting experience for the two of us.

October 3 was a special day for the Podgorica Branch.  Dragoljuba Pejovica was baptized by Elder Harris and confirmed the next day by Elder Larsen.  Drago walks one hour to church and one hour home again every Sunday to attend meetings.

         

                                                                                The second week of October brought transfers, and we were blessed with two new elders from the MTC.  Elder Eddington (left) is from Cleveland, Ohio, and Elder Geertsen (right) is from Logan, Utah.  They have a lot of energy and many talents to share.

What a great bunch of missionaries in the Podgorica District - especially the two oldie goldies on the end!






On October 14 we were able to travel to Belgrade for a special zone conferenced with the Belgrade/Montenegro zone and the Bosnia zone combined.  Our special visitors were Elder and Sister Charles from London, England.  Elder Charles is a member of the Seventy.  We had wonderful, spiritual meetings as we were trained by both Elder and Sister Charles.

We were blessed during the month of October to have two projects approved and hope to have approval on a third project in the coming week.  This spot will soon be home to a small greenhouse for a center for adults with disabilities.  Some residents will learn how to grow vegetables and be able to provide fresh produce for the center.

Another project that we are excited about is helping with a learning center and toy library for young children of low income families.  We were impressed with this NGO "Parents" and their efforts to help families who struggle financially.  LDS Charities will be providing heating and air conditioning plus furniture for work areas for the children and teachers.

We were able to meet with the director of a clinic in Tivat with our special translator, Rada (on the right).  We hope to be able to help this clinic with some badly needed medical equipment.

One beautiful Saturday, we took a walk down by the River Moraca.   We visited one of the remaining parts of "old town" Podgorica.  This little bridge and some walls are about all that's left of the old town.  Podgorica was about destroyed during the bombings of WWII.

We recently had the privlidge of meeting Brother Nielsen, the Church Historian, and Elder Humala, of the Seventy and Sister Humala in Tivat, Montenegro.  We had been asked, along with Elder and Sister Dever, to deliver a mission vehicle for their use in touring Montengro and Bosnia.  We and the Devers then drove on to Sarajevo, Bosnia, to prepare for a meeting and luncheon to be held with investigators, members, missionaries and the General Authorities.

On our trip to Sarajevo, we were finally able to see signs of Autumn in the colored leaves.

While in Sarajevo, we were able to see the site where a tunnel was dug to help people escape during the war of 1998-99.  This is called "the tunnel of life".  The bullet holes in the walls tell quite the story.

The city of Sarajevo as seen from the top of a thirty-seven story building - amazing sight!

Another view of the city as seen from high above.  Many of the high rise buildings are apartments.

The leaves are turning colors in Sarajevo.  We about froze on our visit - it's definately colder than Podgorica.

On our return trip to Podgorica, we traveled from Sarajevo to Mostar.  As you can see, Bosnia also has many rugged mountains.

The famous Mostar Bridge! This bridge is famously know as "the diving bridge".  Men dive from the highest point into the river - of course, you are charged to watch this fete.

We had fun walking through the cobblestone streets of "old town" and looking at all the interesting shops and vendors.

We were so happy to finally arrive back at our apartment after six hours of driving about three hundred km.  We were here for the weekend, then we're off to Dubrovnik, Croatia for senior couple's conference.

The Month of September....

It was good to see September come and be able to get back to work again.  We have enjoyed working on projects, meeting potential partners and traveling.  It's been fun getting to know our new member, Nenad, and being able to spend time with such an awesome young man.

During September we were able to travel to Igalo, which is near Herceg Novi, and spend some time with our friends at the Dnevni Day Care Center.  As we represent LDS Charities, we are happy to have finished a project with these good people who work with children with disabilities.

A small outside shelter was provided for the children and staff.  This gives them the opportunity to spend more time outdoors in a shaded area and provides extra teaching space.  A special swing designed for children with disabilities was also provided.

Crossing on the ferry on our return trip to Podgorica, this "little" yacht came cruising into the Bay or Kotor.  It rivaled the size of the ferry which hauls around thirty vehicles.

As we neared Podgorica, we decided to take a side trip onto a narrow road that wound down the mountain and into a small fishing village on the Rijeka Crnojevica.  This beautiful setting contained a few cottages, a hotel, and several samll street cafes.  An old triple arched stone bridge was built in 1853 and crosses the river that empties into Lake Skadar.  The Stari Most restaurant serves smoked carp and grilled eel from Lake Skadar.

Podgorica as seen from the mountains north west of the city.

We were able to spend a Saturday morning with our special friends, "Give Us A Chance" outside of the Delta City Mall.  They were celebrating a children's event called "Day of the Sun".  They have a display of their crafts for donation purchase.

Fortunately (or unfortunately) a new Pekara has opened about a block from our apartment which offers the most delicious pastries.  After a few added pounds, we have decided to limit our purchases.

A fun day trip during September was a visiting old town Budva.  It's interesting the way it was build right on the water's edge.  The area in old town has been completely renovated.  It's fun to wander the many narrow cobblestone passages and see all the interesting shops and restaurants.

One of the many outdoor cafes on the harbor in Budva

Boats of all sizes are anchored in the Budva harbor.
.

The tiny island village of Sveti Stefan is located not far from Bar and was built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.  In the 1950's, it was renovated and has become a tourist destination.  Many famous people have spent time at this resort.

Old town, or Stari Bar as it is called, is built right on the mountain side above the current municipality of Bar.  Most of the ruins were destroyed during a large earthquake in 1979.

An old olive press sits just inside the entrance to Stari Bar.  Can you image making olive oil with an piece of equipment like this?

The municipality of Bar has plans to gradually restore Stari Bar to it's original state.  As can be seen, it will take a great amount of work.

One of many beautiful sunsets in Podgorica.  Each day passes so quickly on this wonderful adventure that we are sharing here in Montenegro.

Long hot days of August in Montenegro

August has been a very, very long and very, very hot month with not much rain!  Many people have the month off and travel to the coast or the mountains to escape the heat.  It's been hard to make contact with any of our project people, so the month has seemed to crawl by.  We are definately looking forward to September.

The Moraca River, which runs from north to south through the city of Podgorica has dropped significantly through the dry summer months.  The River is a pretty popular spot during the summer.  To try to cool off, people swim and play in the water.  Every evening, the kayaking club members paddle up and down the river.

One of two walking bridges that we use to cross the Moraca River almost daily.  Alan calls this the "earthquake" bridge because it bounces when anyone walks across it.  We enjoy spending time on the bridge watching the kayakers during the evenings when it's a little cooler.  We also catch pretty sunsets.

This pretty fountain is found in center and runs all year long.  During the evening hours in the summer, center fills up with families out for fresh air and together time. Children have fun driving around little battery operated cars that are available to rent.

Podgorica doesn't have McDonalds, Burger King or KFC, but we do have Hard Rock Cafe - the only one in our mission.  The elders love to eat burgers here.  Elder and Sister Taylor were not too impressed.

We would much rather sit in front of Hard Rock Cafe and watch the beautiful fountain.  It's especially nice on a hot evening when the wind is blowing the spray your way.

Because the month has been so slow and hot, we decided to take our first P-Day trip and get away from the heat.  We traveled to Durmitor National Park, which is north of Podgorica about in the center of Montenegro.  The mountains were spectacular!

Black Lake, a popular tourist spot, is located in the park.  Hiking, boating, swimming and rock climbing are all part of the drawing features of the park.  A very nice shady, paved walkway through the pine forest leads from the parking to the Lake.




During the month of August, we had a special "District" conference here in Podgorica with President and Sister Grant.  We were able to visit the ruins where Elder (now President) Nielsen dedicated the land of Montenegro to missionary work.  President Grant reviewed parts of the dedicatory prayer as we stood in that sacred place.  The rest of the day was filled with instruction and good food.  It was a wonderful, memorable and spiritual day.

During the last long week of August, we were able to take another P-Day trip to Lovcen National Park, which is northwest of Podgorica.  The Park mainly consists of a tomb of a famous poet which is on top of a very high mountain.  A parking lot is just above the trees, then 460 steps - partly though a tunnel - gets you to the top.

These statues made from black granite guard the entrance to the tomb.  The square in front is actually a well with water - unbelievable on this high mountain.

It was a long, slow climb for these old folks, but it was worth it to see the views from the top.  We felt like we were on top of the world.  In the distance behind us is Kotor Bay.  The trip down the 460 steps was a lot easier than going up.

After visiting the tomb, we drove on through the park and down the mountain to the coast.  What a road!!!  It is described as maybe the most dramatic road in Europe.  It was a very narrow road with at least twenty-four sharp haripin turns from the top to the bottom.  We were so very glad to finally get to the bottom and drive on a two-lane road with a line down the middle

The most exciting event in the month of August in the Podgorica Branch was preparing for a baptism.  It was great to be able to use the portable font instead of finding a place in the Moraca River.  The only water is cold, so we helped Elder Larsen, Elder Prososki, Elder Sprague, and Elder Harris assemble and fill the font four days before the actual baptism.  The method of filling the font consisted of attaching three small hoses with duct tape and clamps to three water taps, one in the kitchen and one from each of two bathrooms.

Our awesome soon-to-be newest member, Nenad, with Elder Sprague and Elder Prososki just before his baptism.

Now our new member, Nenad, with a happy Elder and Sister Taylor!  We are so thankful that we have been privileged to know this special young man.  Nenad is only eighteen years old, but is so smart and mature for his age.  We love him already.  He will be such an asset to the church in Montenegro.

We can tell that the summer is almost over and it's time to go back to school.  Here in Montenegro, all children have to buy their own school books.  Every day the walking street is full of  people who are trying to sell their children's old books so they can buy new books for the year.

Yeah, we're almost through with August!!!

The Sizzling Month of July

The first part of July we were able to go to the coast again to the Municipality of Risan, which is on the Bay of Kotor.  LDS Charities partnered with an elderly care center for a project, and we wanted to see how things were going.  This cruise ship was parallel parked in Kotor.  Another was anchored our in the Bay.  As can be imagined, there were tourists everywhere.

This pretty flowering bush was in the gardens of the center.  The coast area is full of many beautiful flowers and bushes.









A few days later, we were able to visit Bar and do some wheelchair recepient visits with the Red Cross.  We never turn down the opportunity to visit the coast.

We celebrated the 4th of July in Montenegro by walking past the American Embassy.

It was emotional for us to see "old glory" blowing in the breeze after serving in Europe for eight months.

During July, we were able to make a visit to the Women's Center at Camp Konik.  LDS Charities has donated sewing machine, sewing supplies and chairs for the women in the camp to use during their weekly activity day.  They were very excited to show us some of their creations, including the skirt that was made for me.

We had a fun Branch activity where we played "minute to win it" games.  This contest involved sucking Skittles with a straw and placing them in cups according to colors.  My sucker was not working very well.  Nina won by a landslide!

A new wheelchair project has been approved for 2015-2016.  This will involve a week long training program in the spring.  We also had a project approved that will involve LDS Charities working with a pedriatric surgeon in the Montenegro Children's Hospital in Podgorica.

One very, very hot Friday evening we joined the elders at city center with a street display.  We provided pictures and a poster showing the importance of happy families.  The elders were able to talk to many people.  We gave them moral support and handed out coloring books.

The third week of July, we were able to visit a senior citizen's "club" in the Municipality of Plav with the Red Cross.  This club which will provide activities, medical support, and friendship was newly organized in April with the help of the Red Cross and other volunteers.  We are hoping to be able to do a project with them to provide furnishings and supplies for their donated meeting room.  Everything they have now is borrowed.

This little stream, which can become a big river, runs through Plav.  The entire river bed is lined with rock and cement - lots of man hours.

Plav is a pretty little village nestled in the mountains on the shore of Lake Plav.  We really enjoyed our visit here.  It was such a peaceful and serene place, and the temperature was wonderful - 72, compared to Podgorica's 105!

This modern monastery was being built in Plav.  It is very different from the many old monasteries that are found throughout Montenegro.

The Moraca Monastery is an example of the older buildings.  It was founded in 1252 and is a stone's throw from the Morace River which eventually runs through Podgorica.

The drive to Plav was 200 km (about 120 miles) but took us almost four hours.  Thank goodness the scenery was so beautiful!  This is a little farming community built on the side of the mountain.

These small neat haystacks are scattered throughout the countryside.  We think they are small because the hay is racked and stacked by hand.

This little Orthodox church was almost hidden by the lush green trees surrounding it.  It was just outside of Berane.

This is our "office" where many great and important decisions are made and lots of computer work is done!  We do have an office, but it is small and very hot.  We just decided that we would sooner work together at the table in our living room where the air conditioning feels just great.

Even though it is very hot outdoors, we are starting to see trucks like this one hauling wood for the coming winter. This very, very old but tough looking truck was parked near our apartment building (and the police station) for a couple of days.

Even though it is July, we see big piles of leaves all around the city.  It is so hot and has not rained for two months that the trees are all stressed and losing their leaves.  We thought because Podgorica has so many trees that we would see a beautiful fall - not we're not so sure.  The trees many all be bare by October.