Ljubljana Branch has started meeting Thursday evenings to play basketball at one of the local courts. Of course, Elder Lewis could not pass that up.
Sister Staheli and Sister Oakley fresh from the MTC. Sister Kelly will be their trainer for the next two months. We drove their luggage up to Maribor for them while they had an experience on the train. Actually it was great, they were able to teach a whole lesson on the train.
We always have to stop in Celje when we are close and have a Kabob. We drove down by the Church and ran into Elders Cox and McKay and invited them to join us. By the time we got to the kabob shop Elders Nelson & Cox were coming down the street so we all had one. It's always a toss up between who thinks Celje Kabobs are better than Maribor. We vote for Celje. 
We had President & Sister Majc and President Juhart over for Sunday dinner. We are so blessed to serve with such great people. They totally support seminary and institute.
Elder & Sister Schmoe, humanitarian missionaries, who lived in Karlovac, Croatia came into the mission home before going home. Elder Lewis and I took them up to Bled to see some of the sights. That evening they and the other missionaries who were going home had a fabulous dinner with President & Sister Hill and a great testimony meeting. 
Sister DeMill and Sister Carter spent Sunday and Monday night with us before going home on the plane early Tuesday morning with the Schmoes. Sister Carter served in Croatia and Sister DeMill in Slovenia.
Sister Robinson, Sister Justus and I took a Saturday and drove to Skofja Loka, about 30 minutes out of Ljubljana and one of the oldest cities in Slovenia. We walked through old town and toured through the castle on the hill. These are some of the gardens.
This is Martin's House. It is the type of house which prevailed in Skofja Loka and it is the last of its kind. It is known of its late Gothic portal, windows in ground floor and arched hall. It was built as an extension to the city walls which was built for security reasons in the 14th century by bishop Konrad III; the city walls are still perfectly preserved in this part. Near the house there was Poljane's gate with its guarding tower and crossing bridge from the town over defensive ditch which is still visible. 
One of the many quaint streets in old town.
Saturday, August 28, Miha Zatler was baptized by Elder Sherman in Maribor. Samir was a witness. Miha will be a great addition to the Maribor Branch.
We had a big rain storm and the weather turned cold. The next morning we saw snow on the alps. It was a beautiful sight but a little early for snow. We have noticed that a few of the trees are starting to turn. We have needed to turn on our electric heater a couple of times to warm up the apartment.
Elder & Sister LaBoon arrived Friday morning from the MTC. They stayed with us for two days. Elder & Sister Erickson stayed with the Robinsons. We were exctied to have them. President Hill took them to Serbia where they will replace the Densleys doing humanitarian work. They are from Georgia. It was great getting to know them and they are going to do a great job in Serbia. We were able to take them to center and out to Bled so see a little of this country.
Sunday we attended Church in Celje. I was asked to speak in Sacrament meeting and was happy to do so. Sister Andreja Peric translated for me and she is terrific. I spoke about sinking our roots deep into gospel soil and remembering to do the simple things to keep strong testimonies. Pray, read the scriptures daily, serve and endure to the end. This Branch has two baptisms scheduled for the 11th. One of them is Mitja and Borut Lakner's Mom. What a special day that will be. 
Sister Kelly, Staheli, Oakley and Justus during our baptism trip to Maribor.
The baptismal font is ready. It was a little humid in there and surprisingly enough the water was too warm. Usually they have difficulty getting it warm enough. These Elders must know how to work the heater.
Elder Sherman, Miha Zatler, Elder Lewis outside the Maribor Chapel before the baptism.
Sister Justus and the Robinsons joined us in Center, Ljubljana on my birthday. We went down to watch a folk group perform and ended up seeing a street performer from Australia walk a tight rope. 
We took a trip to Savica Waterfall. It is located in the Triglav National Park. We drove to the foot of it and then hiked up 500 stairs to get to where we could see it. It was worth the climb. The visible part of the Savica gets its water from the wider karst region of Crno Jezero (Black Lake) located 500 metres higher. The water that is flowing through hidden underground with tunnels and lakes runs in two separate streams.
Here's where we start the climb.
This is amazing, the water just comes out of the rocks.
For my birthday and Sister Justus' b-day we went up to Bled. It was a picture perfect day. Paul dropped us off at the Church and we started walking around the lake. It was our first time walking around it. We have driven around it many times. We had a special view. 
Paul rented a bike, electric, to come and find us. We all took a turn. It's definitely the way to travel.
I have the best husband in the world, he always sees that I am happy.
We rented a swan boat and he rowed us out to the Island. Where we walked around and enjoyed some beautiful nativity displays in the museum. Then went to a quaint little restaurant for lunch.
In the church we could ring the bell. We each took a turn
It was a wonderful birthday. We stopped at the restaurant to have the famous cream cake on our way home. It was a perfect day. When I got home I had oh so many birthday wishes on my computer. Thank you everyone for your love and friendship.
