Senior Missionary Conference in Šibernik, Croatia (near Split)

We had a wonderful 2 1/2 days together with the 32 seniors serving in the Adriatic North Mission. This conference was held in Šibernik, Croatia. The senior couples and two single sisters serving here are pretty adventurous or they wouldn't be serving internationally. Twice a year, the senior missionaries meet together to share best practices and inspire and strengthen each other. During mealtimes we sat with different couples and enjoyed getting to know them. Several of the couples here have served multiple missions and it is great to get acquainted with them.  We spent an afternoon at Krka National Park walking through the many small waterfalls. The day before the conference we took a 4 Island speed boat trip with many of the senior couples. We went swimming and got to see a Blue Cave.
     The couple who will replace us, Elder and Sister Howard from Pocatello, Idaho has arrived. Elder Howard is a Podiatrist and has helped a missionary with a dislocated thumb his first week here.  We will start training them and will work together until we leave.  We drove to and from the conference with them which was fun. After the conference, we had a walking tour of old town Split and Diocletian's palace. Diocletian was a Croatian who became emperor of the Roman Empire. When he wanted to retire he built a palace in Split. It is still impressive.

     There is a really compelling story about the statue of Bishop Gregory Nin of Split. (taken from Split Day Trips website)
"In the early 900’s, Gregory was the Bishop of Nin. Nin is now a small town, but at the time, it was a major cultural, political and religious center. Its bishop was a progressive figure who opposed the Latinization of the local population. After the Great Synodal Assembly of 926, Gregory Nin started holding services in the Old Croatian language rather than in Latin. This was a brave step because with it, the bishop opposed the rulings of the Church and therefore the Pope himself."

What Gregory Nin did was revolutionary and made a major impact on Croatian culture and the development of the country as a whole. Everyone and not just the noble and rich people, who could afford education, could understand the teachings of the Bible and the Church. This was a major turning point in history and is regarded to be the foundation for the formation of the Croatian nationality.

THE STATUE’S STORY
The Statue of Gregory Nin was erected in 1929 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the bishop’s brave opposition against the official rulings of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the work of Ivan Mestrovic, perhaps the most famous Croatian sculptor, who worked all over the world in the first half of the 20th century."

We also spent on night of the Island of Pag.
The island is famous for their intricate handmade lace. A few women keep this tradition alive today.