Thanksgiving Dinner

We invited the missionaries came over for Thanksgiving Dinner

Chicken Soup (closest thing we could find to turkey), rice, rolls, pickles and pumpkin cookies.

After dinner we went around the table and shared a blessing,

we all must have had alot of blessings,

it took us almost half an hour, this is of course after we ate.

Im' sure it would have been shorter if we had done it before.

But, we had a good time.

We always enjoy having them in our home.

District picture,

front row - Elder Sarangerel, Dad, Me, Sister Baasanjav

back row - Sister Ariunaa, Sister Narangarav, Sister Munksetseg, Elder Davaadorj
We love each of you and so grateful for each of you!

You are all some of our greatest Blessings!!

We missed you, but grateful we could have Thanksgiving in Choibalsan!
We love our mission here and so grateful to the Lord for sending us here!

Hong Kong - 2

I tended these children while their parents were doing their temple work.

They were cute kids and we did good.

I ask if I could take a picture of them in white, they were so sweet!

The baby missed her Mom,

but the older sister could settle her down and did really good.

Batsengel, next to me, and her mother were sealed as a family,

Dad was proxy for her older brother.

Batsengel served a mission in Arizona and was our translator, for this trip.

Their friend, sitting next to Dad, was sealed to her parents,

and Dad was proxy for her brother.

They have both invited us to come to their house for Tsgaan Sar in February.

We did 2 sessions a day, and the Mongolians did 3 and 4 a day!

We both were able to be proxy for some of their family members,

it truly was a choice experience!

We even listened to some of the sessions in Mongolian, and were even able to understand

some of the words, it was fun to hear it.

Double-Decker bus, it was cool to ride in the top!

Munkhtor, 4 years old, he took a liking to Dad and would walk with him,
come up and give him a hug, or just sit by him.

Tree roots, they were huge and above the ground

This is called Dragon Fruit, it was so different, we weren't sure what to expect,

and when we cut it open, were so surprised what was inside -

white fruit with little black seeds!

It tasted like kiwi.

We bought 2 of them and shared them with everyone, they were very good!

Saying good-bye!

Our 10 days were over, we were all exhausted but so grateful and

aware of the Lord's blessings!

At the Airport they had a display set up on the history of Hong Kong

This is a rickshaw used as taxis in the earlier times.

Hong Kong has alot of hills, it would have taken a lot of strength to pull one of these!

We left Hong Kong the 15th.

It was a beautiful trip, one that we never dreamed to be able to make!
We met people from Taiwan, Inner China, Philippines, and a family from India

who all came to the Temple do be sealed and to do Temple work.

Everything we do in the church - everything -

points to the Temple and to Jesus Christ!
The Lord is so aware of us as His children,

He loves us so much and wants us all to come back to Him

We pray for that, too!

We love each of you so very much!!

Hong Kong Temple Trip Nov 5-18, 2010

I finally got all the pictures in, it's a job sometimes! Because of flight connections we flew into UB from Choibalsan on Monday, Nov 1st, we left UB early Friday morning, arriving in Hong Kong about midnight. Sister Andersen, former mission president's wife, met us and we spent the first night at their home. We checked into Patron Housing the next day. The Temple is across the street from the Patron Housing, it is beautiful, isn't it!

The Mongolian Members came in about midnight on Saturday. We fixed some soup for them, knowing they would be tired and hungry. They had traveled for 3 days on a train all through mainland China. This sister is also Mongolian, she and her family had been to the Temple the week before, on their own to have 3 children sealed to them. They left the next day, Sunday, to go back to Mongolia. She helped me make the soup.

This is our group from Mongolia. There were 17 of us, this included 4 children. They seemed so appreciative of the food.

This is the next day, Sunday, we were all ready for Church and we wanted a picture with the other Mongolian family. We attended the Cantonese Branch, which is there in the building, they had translation from that language into English, then one of the sisters translated English into Mongolian.

On Monday Brother Chan, middle of the picture with the grey hair, took all of us on a tour of Hong Kong. He works at the Temple 4 days a week. He does it as a service to the foreign groups that come in for the Temple, he was very kind. We walked, rode the metro (train), crossed the harbor on a ferry and rode a double-decker bus. It was so fun to see the city, it is a beautiful city, and so clean.

They have wonderful public transportation in Hong Kong, we are on the Metro train, sight-seeing with Bro Chan. We went to the Walk of Stars, Asia Area Church Office Building, The Peak Shopping Mall, walked through the streets of the city, Victoria Harbor, then the light show that evening.

A touring boat in Victoria Harbor. We didn't ride this but it is cool! It was kind of hazy, I think most days it is.

We are at a big shopping mall called The Peak, it overlooks so much of the city. There are so many huge and tall buildings, and so many people!

Every night, the city and some of the business put on a light show, set to music. It lasts about 15 minutes, it is amazing. They put pictures on buildings, lights flash and make designs, and the colors change - it is so cool! It is pretty to see the water reflect the lights

Halloween is Back

Halloween loses some of its charm when you start to think of yourself as “too old to trick or treat.” We were always a little sad when the holiday would come and go without the magic we remembered from our childhood. Well, the magic is back, resurrected by a chubby little puppy dog with floppy ears and a grin that makes you wonder what he’s up to. This was Joshua’s second Halloween, but his first real costume and first trick or treating experience. Even though we only stopped at two houses (the Andersons’ and the Chestnuts’), it felt just like old times, especially since we got to eat all his candy.

...Family Time in Utah...

We are trying to blog more so please be patient with us...

For the weekend of October 23rd, the family went to Utah to visit family. The boys did not have school that Friday so we packed the car and drove to Garry & Marla's House. It seems no matter what time we leave our home in Idaho we always arrive at our destination in Utah at midnight. This weekend was no exception. It was a fun trip it turned out to be a mini-vacation. Garry & Marla were kind enough to host us. They are great. It was great to see you all in Utah. Maybe we can see you next time Kevin. We love you too.

While we were there we were able to see the BYU football game versus Wyoming. BYU even won. The game was much closer than it should have been, but with the year they are having we will gladly take the victory. (Even though Hailee's team was the best football of the day!) After the game we went to Garry's house and tied quilts to send to Mongolia. It was fun too.


We also had a really enjoyable time at Bridal Veil Falls in Provo canyon. It was so pretty with the colors of Autumn. We really love the Autumn time in the intermountain west. The weather is always temperate and with beautiful Autumn colors on the mountains, it makes for a good outing. In this photo, We are just off the trail 30 feet from the falls. Love you all, enjoy.

Oh, yea, and speaking of Utah, Lilly is patiently waiting for her 'long car ride' to Utah (one way). Thanks Dad we owe you one for this one...

Happy Halloween from Mongolia!

Dad and I were invited to the Dornod Institute English Classes' Halloween Party, on Friday evening. There were seven classes involved, each class averaged only about 10 students per class. This is one of them. The Collage is located behind our apartment, across the street.



These costumes are made of newspaper and mailing tape, they were very creative and cute! A member of the Church is right in front, in the middle, she is a cute girl and is receiving help from the PEF program of the Church. She wants to be an English teacher. Each class did a short skit or dance, dressed up in costumes, carved a pumpkin or squash, made a poster and used make up to make one of the students the "scariest monster".

Another class. The other lady, dressed in black is from Scotland, she is here with some service organization and helping with the schools. We see her around town and always say hi and talk with her. She has been in Choibalsan for almost 2 years, she leaves the same time we do. She has a cute accent! They ask her to be a judge for the competitions.

This is Bolor-Erdene she is one of the teachers. She and another teacher came to the Church and invited us to come. She is also a teacher of English in one of the public schools. A couple of weeks ago she brought about 20 of her 9th grade students to our Red Cross Class! That was interesting, we didn't know, but they are cute and we had a good time! There are 2-4 of the students, that have continued to come.

Another class and poster, they love their pictures taken!

Last night our Branch had a Halloween Party, put on by the YM and YW with the help of the missionaries. What a night, word gets around, and we had about 200 kids, and maybe another 50-60 adults! I took my camara, but didn't get a single picture, it was so hectic, I was with "crowd-control." But, everyone was pleased with the results and it was a fun evening!

We think of our cute grandkids dressed up for Halloween and miss them!

Hope all is well and you don't get too much candy!

Have a fun day!

Besure to blog about it, OK!

We love each of you and so grateful we can keep in touch with you,

and what is happening in your lives!
We are grateful for the Gospel and to be
in Mongolia!

Love You!!!

New Missionaries - New Calling

New Choibalsan Branch Presidency

On October 18, 2010 Dad was sustained as the Branch President

Brother Munkhbayar, is the Clerk and his son.

Elder Davaadorj, is our translator and 2nd counselor.

Brother Damdandorj, is 1st counselor, he has been a member a little over a year.

Dad is still kind of overwhelmed with this new calling, it isn't like a Ward or normal Branch. The people are so spread out, there is so much inactivity,

and alot of welfare needs.

The Church has been in Choibalsan since 1998.

But, he is but doing good, the people love him!

We have 2 new Sisters - Sister, Munkhtsetseg (left), Sister Narangarvuu (back),
Sister Baasanjav (front), and Sister Onon (right) returned.

They are so sweet and are good missionaries!

All 4 Elders are new with this transfer,
although Elder Altansukh has been in Choibalsan once before.
(L to R) Elders' Davaadorj, Mungunsor,
Mungunsukh (DL), and Altansukh.
They, also are so willing and so good with the people!

Last Preparation Day the missionaries did service all day for one of the families in the Branch, helping them winterize their little house. They had also cleaned up the grounds of the Church .
They called about 4:00 and said,
"We are so hungry, can you feed some poor servants of the Lord?"
We laughed and said, of course...
So we fixed pancakes, french toast, and sausage,
(Mongolian sausage, which they love)

President and Sister Powell came to Choibalsan, to interview the missionaries,
and to set the new Branch Presidency apart.
They also had a Fireside with the Branch.
Then we all had dinner, at our home, we fed 14 people.
It was a good day and always glad to have someone to speak English to,
and to understand their talks was wonderful!

One of the things that Pres Powell reminded us was,
to stay active in the Church we need to feel the Holy Ghost everyday.
We need to study and read out of the Book of Mormon,
say our prayers and come to Church and partake of the Sacrament!
We love each of you and so grateful for the Lord and His tender mercies!!