Christmas Day in Choibalsan 2010
The missionaries came over and we had breakfast together...pizza, it turned out really good. We cooked 4 pretty good sized pizzas and there was not a crumb left! They wanted to spend Christmas Eve night here, "I don't think that will work, Elder". But, it is fun that they wanted to include us in their plans (but glad it started at breakfast, not the night before)!
The Elders brought Santa Hats, so they all wanted a picture! We have a new missionary, her name is Sister Nyambayar, this is her 2nd area. Sister Narangaravuu is on the right.
The 2 sign language missionaries - Elder Dagva on the left, has quite a sense of humor, he is fun to watch. Elder Usukhbayar on the right. They are good missionaries!
Elders Sarangerel, on the left and Davaadorj on the right. The missionaries brought us a gift, Dad a wallet, and me a necklace and earrings. It was thoughtful, we gave each of them a small gift, too. But they liked the pizza best, I think.
Later in the day we went to the Church, some of the youth showed up. I think there is a silent alarm that goes off and when the Church is unlocked all the youth start gathering! They come to play ping pong or just hang out. We have no basketball court inside, so the activity is ping pong. Some of the girls like to play the piano and sing. It is fun to just be there and hear them and of course they all want a picture! These are some cute boys, bottom to top, Enkmanlai, a non member, the Elders are teaching him. Bayarsaikhan, is a new member, of only 9 months, he is kind of special to us, and has such a cute personality. Chingunjav, is also taking lessons, his parents don't want him to be baptized yet, but he thinks they will let him soon, he comes to my English class. And Gansukh, he has been a member for a little longer.
Aren't they cute! Gansukh is taking the picture. If you look close you can see the necklace and earrings, they are white beads.
With the missionaries, we had a special "conference/meeting/FHE". We shared our testimonies, heard their conversion stories and then we all wrote a letter - giving a "gift to Jesus", something we will give to Him this year. They put it on the tree, and will collect them on New Year's Day. The city missionaries all gathered and had a Mission Conference, we are so far away that we didn't go in. Instead we had our own meeting, it was very nice and we enjoyed our day. Notice under the tree, next to the picture, is a small pair of baby wool booties, they gave those to us for our newest little grand baby! They are cute and, they informed us, "they will be so warm".We also received a package from home - what a special surprise! It contained letters from the Brady Thanksgiving Party to us, a Christmas Card from Mom and Dad, some pictures and Cherry Chocolates! And lots of seeds to give out to the Branch members, and some to the orphanage! What a special gift to all of us!
Thanks for the gifts!
especially to Trish for sending them!
We love all of you!
We love all of you!
Have a Very Happy New Year!
3 comments:
Sounds like a fun memorable Christmas. The missionaries seem to really like you. Pizza for Christmas morning. That will probably be the first and last time for that, eh? This year we actually didn't even have breakfast. The boys and little Susie were busy playing and not interested in being bothered with food. And we all ate too much the night before. We love you.
Great memories. It sound like you all had a wonderful Christmas. We love you
Looks like you felt at home for Christmas! That is awesome! I say that we start a new tradition and eat pizza every Christmas morning. We would always think of Mongolia if we did that.
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