First young man growing up in the Rijeka Branch to serve a mission

One of the highlights of our mission has been to assist Ivan in preparing to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Ivan had just turned 17 when we arrived in Rijeka. Ivan's a remarkable young man who has been willing to teach Sunday School and give talks whenever needed. His English is excellent due to talking to American missionaries since he was 9 years old. We have enjoyed meeting his mother and father and grandparents.
   
Today was Ivan's farewell Sunday talk. President and Sister Melonakos and their son and family drove 2 hours from Zagreb to be here today. We had a wonderful number of members and friends at church today to support Ivan.  Ivan's mother and Aunt, Uncle and cousins came.
   

Perry was asked to speak and began his remarks quoting Nephi in the Book of Mormon, "I Nephi, being born of goodly parents..."  He shared that Ivan has been raised by goodly parents and that's why he has a desire to serve a mission.  Ivan began his talk by expressing appreciation for his mother.  He said he always counseled with his mother about his decisions. He next expressed thanks to Elder Christensen for helping him through all of his mission preparations.
   
We had a branch luncheon for everyone. Whoever stayed after the luncheon was invited into the chapel area to witness Ivan getting set apart as a full-time missionary. President Melonakos said this was his favorite responsibility to set apart a new missionary. There was a reverent spirit in the room.
On Tuesday, his father, grandmother, uncle and cousin drove to Zagreb and stayed overnight at the mission home. At 5 am the next morning we all drove him to the airport. It was really sweet to watch his family say goodbye to him for 2 years. It's a big sacrifice for his family and they are proud of him. We're really proud of him and know he'll be a great missionary.