Karlovac is still Karlovac. I'm learning a lot about myself here. Is that a small town feature? Either way, the week was pretty uneventful aside from that. This week we stacked a ton of firewood for Zarko and Mira (grandparents of the 3 generation core family in the branch), played tons of sand volleyball with Matt, and talked with Domagoj about starting to have lessons with him. Another week or so and he will be done working on the house that keeps him out of Karlovac and we will start working with him more closely. Matt told the Senior couple here that spending time with us is the only thing that brings him happiness throughout the week. So I guess there's a reason for me to be here? And they love that Elder Merl is from Austria so that at least is getting us a footing.
Probably the highlight of the week was on Sunday during Sacrament meeting. A return missionary who served here in 09 came back with his beautiful wife and 2 year old son. Seeing that future just around the corner and how happy they were wasn't the only thing I learned. He was asked to give a short talk and testimony, and during it he broke into tears several times, genuine tears of love for this small, tiny branch in Karlovac, Croatia. I learned later that he taught Milena and Vlatko (mom and dad of the 3 generation core family) to their baptisms, and for him to see them still active in the church and raising their 2 kids brought him so much joy he told me after when we were talking. I thought of Nana and Zoe and Johan and Cecilija and Andrej and David and Toma and Vesna, and what it must feel like to return after time to see the growth. I thought of the night and day difference of Nana and Zoe from when I first met them to when I came back on my mission, and then even to now. Those thoughts filled me with happiness and made me realize that it doesn't matter where you are. This Elder Freeman truly loves these people in Karlovac, Croatia. The Spirit bore witness of that to me. President Utchdorf's 'Lift Where You Stand' took on a whole new meaning. Even here in Karlovac, even for Elder Hixon.
Mihail (little son of the 3 generation core family) drew us all pictures this week with a superhero logo and a country's flag, and handed them out to us. One had Flash's symbol with the British flag, one had Captain America's with USA's flag, another had Superman's with a Canadian flag (these are random, I know) but he handed me mine and on it was the Batman logo with the Croatian flag.
In the words of a good friend Calley 'Hang in there my friend, the Croatians need batman,' I don't know about that but I guess it's time to gut up and do my part. For now, the Lord says that I am needed here and that I need here.
In the words of a good friend Calley 'Hang in there my friend, the Croatians need batman,' I don't know about that but I guess it's time to gut up and do my part. For now, the Lord says that I am needed here and that I need here.
