Alan's Birthday

Thank you, Abbey, for fixing all the mistakes on the blog and for hopefully making it easier for me to post. I'll try it again and see if I am less frustrated this time!

Alan had a wonderful birthday party in Murun. It was supposed to be a surprise, but since there was a surprise party for both Puje and LaNice, it wasn't much of a surprise. But it sure was nice. Many of our dear friends there came to wish him a happy birthday.

In this picture is Alan, LaNice, Puje, President Batmonkh, Elder Bataa, Bayarkhuu, Nyamdalia, Elder Batbileg, Dorjhand, Bataa, and Tuya in the back row.  In the front is Munkkbayar's sister, Munkhotgon, Khandarma, Orna, Bolor-Erdene, Oyundalia, Munkhtuya, Munkhbayar's mother, Khorloo, and Bolormaa.

As usual, we played Skipbo!  The members love that game!  It's a good thing we ordered them a deck of Skipbo cards through Alison so they can play when we leave!  The box was supposed to be here so we could give them the cards for Christmas, but it didn't make it!

What was very unusual, but not totally unexpected because measurements had been taken, was the presenting to us of Mongolian deels made specially for us.  They are beautiful.  And one was made for Puje as well.  The men dressed LaNice in her deel, and the women dressed Alan in his.  The branch president helped Puje with hers.

They were so beautiful and we were so appreciative of this give of love from our wonderful friends in Murun. They said it was in appreciation for our service to them, but we really felt it was more an  expression of their love and service to us.!

President Batmonkh wrote a sweet poem for Alan and read it for his birthday. They have gotten to be such good friends.  This will be a hard good bye for all of us.  This is what it said.

HUMOR QUIZ FOR MY FRIEND

Sorry my grizzled friend, you are clever, yes you are.

In the forties you were born there in America and I was born here in Mongolia.

Both of us were born of wonderful mothers.

Our mothers got us closer as a gift from God.

Let’s praise the God the Father who made this precious rare opportunity

for us to meet and become good friends.

Every time when we meet my best friend always smiles at me.

How can I give back my friend’s gift without words? I try to smile back.

Then my friend raises up his two thumbs in joy and cheers me on. I nod my head.

We almost same aged friends have so many things to share.

Because of different source and speech what can we do, dear friend.

But you and I in every single language can greet each other quite well!

We are two old men but we have become such close friends, yes we have.

Because God blessed to us such darling Puje we can chat as dear friends. I love you!

Let’s confirm it by giving a hug to each other, OK Groesbeck?

Dear my divine fortunate friend, who came from far away,

Your friends who  came to your birthday party

Brought wishes with hope to join again to your children and

Loved ones and especially to your darling companion!

Let’s have wonderful evening all together!

Murun branch’s brothers and sisters who became so much closer together

Because of you want to send their love and best wishes and happiness and peace

To your children and parents and loved ones.

We love you and we will always be together!

What can you do with an old man with grey hair as a swinging bleached fall grass

Let’s give a warm hug to my daughter, LaNice

I LOVE YOU

An, of course, we had a Mongolian birthday cake.  The celebration was also for Elder Bataa who had a birthday earlier in the month and for Munkhotgon, who shared the day with Alan.

Overall, he had a great birthday and we had a great time with our friends. It was almost like a farewell party for us as we will be leaving Murun in a few days!