Week 14 Season of Giving


Tis the season.  Even though it doesn't feel much like Christmas around here we have found a few secular reminders.  We do however rejoice every day in our Saviors birth, life and plan of redemption for us all.






We had a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends from Wisconsin, via Tokyo.  The Shearer's are serving as the Asia North Area Medical Specialists and had come to Ulaanbaatar for a conference.  We were able to enjoy a fabulous evening and dinner with them and the Butler's before they returned to Tokyo.  The lamb chops and salmon were divine too, by the way.
I kind of wonder what the goatee may have looked like if he would have let it grow just a bit more.  Either way they both look super important.  We're going to miss these guys tremendously.  They may never know how much they have done for us and the impact they have had as we arrived in Mongolia to begin this adventure.  хайртай шүү






Did we mention that besides being the coldest capital city in the world, Ulaanbaatar is also one of the most polluted?  The air quality index reached a whopping 319 this week which is in the hazardous category.  It is currently 251 as I compose this post.  The smoke comes from a variety of sources.  The city is powered mostly with coal fired plants and to help with it all the city is surrounded by Ger (Yurt) Districts, which mostly heat with coal or wood and then of course did we mention the traffic.  You can imagine the street food takes on its own unique flavor.  We dawn our N95's everywhere we go. 



I met an incredible new friend this week. When we met it felt like we have known each other forever.  Sarantsetseg has also just retired and is now taking the opportunity to learn and grow in ways she has desired for a long time. I loved getting to share my thoughts and feeling of my heart with her.  These pictures only tell a fraction of this sweet story.  This meeting was not by chance, truly a gift from God.


Family Home Evening/Come Follow Me (FHE/CFM) this week was awesome as we braved the weather just long enough to listen to a quick Alleluia song and grab a photo in front of the Nativity.  We closed the evening with a meeting to plan the YSA Christmas/New Years party.



We had the opportunity to meet with some new American friends for lunch.  They are here playing professional basketball (Grace, center) and volleyball (Krysten, right).  They are both amazing and pleasant to visit with.  We hope to spend some more time with them before they have to return home or onto their next adventure.  Thanks for the memories.
The restaurant even provided gloves for the monster burger.  Doing it right!









The Deseret International Charities have been working hard all year long to provide needs to many in this amazing country.  This week many of the teacher/missionaries, near the city, and church members were able to help in the efforts as they filled around 3000 food bags, over a three-day period, to be distributed throughout the country.  It was around 70,000 pounds of food and hygiene supplies.  The Butler's worked tirelessly to help make it happen. 

We were invited to join the Church Service Center employees at their annual gathering.  It was a ton of fun to get to know each of them better and enjoy an awesome buffet lunch.
President and Sister Namgur, son's; David and Danny and three of our senior couples along with Bishop Jiguur (mission secretary).

The days and weeks fly by so fast.  We have been in Mongolia for nearly three months.  We continue to marvel at all of the new things we are learning and experiencing.  The culture and the people never cease to amaze.  As we recognize the countless miracles the Lord is pouring out upon them every day, we are grateful to be a small part of it.  We are truly engaged in His work.

хайртай шүү







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