New Years 2014 Erdenet

Since we had just recently arrived in Erdenet, we stayed here for the New Year celebration rather than going to UB like we did last year.  It was kind of fun to see the sculptures that were created

at the town square. 

We ran into Radnaa there.

She was working on a sculpture.           

        This man was pretty proud of his horse.

We didn't stay downtown for the fireworks, but we did have a pretty good view of them from our balcony window.  We were already in bed when they started, but, Alan got up and got some pictures.

Christmas Activities

 Christmas  Day with the Missionaries

On Christmas Day, all the missionaries from our zone got together for a Christmas Party in Darkhan.  We all piled into a meeker for the 3-hour trip from Erdenet. 

We visited and sang songs and had an enjoyable trip. 

It was good to see some of the other missionaries, especially the other senior couples. 

While in Darkhan, we went Christmas caroling to the homes of members. 

It was cold, but we had a great time and felt warm inside.  The Christmas season

has a way of doing that!

Those of us there from Choibalsan.  Sister Oyuntuya, LaNice, Purwee, Alan, Boditsog

and Elder Chimgunjav

We sure love Boditsog and Purwee.  We helped them get their paperwork ready to go to the Hong Kong Temple last year.  Shortly after they returned, they were called to serve a mission.  They are the first senior couple from Mongolia to serve.  We love them!

 

Sister Hill, Purwee, and Sister Groesbeck (It seems strange to see us with our name tags on.  The Americans were not allowed to wear them anywhere but at the church, and sometimes not even there.)

Hasherden, Elder Robbins and Elder Fredley working in the kitchen.  Robbins and Hash-erden are the Zone Leaders.

Sister Fredley worked hard getting the food ready.  She is a real trooper to prepare food for about 30 of us. 

Branch Christmas Party

Alan is the high councilor over the YSA and we had started to plan an activity for the district.  However, as we barely got into the planning, we were told there was no money to transport the YSA from Erdenet and other outlying communities to Darkhan, so the activity was cancelled.  However, the YSAs for Erdenet still had an activity--which was the one for the branch and for which they did most of the work.

Tugsbaatar is an amazing artist--I mean REALLY amazing.  He did most of the designing and decorating for the Christmas party. 

This is Dulgoon.  She is Sister Bulgen's sister and is not as active as Bulgen.  She was very helpful

in preparing for the Christmas party though,

The decorations turned out beautiful.  The YSA also conducted and executed the program.  The Branch President wasn't even there!  Not sure where he was!  But the YSA did a great job. 

The turnout was really pretty good.  The food was interesting--bread with ketchup and a slice of salami-type meat and a few pieces of cucumber.  It was actually very tasty!

After we ate (which we didn't really because they ran out of food), we taught the Heel and Toe Polka and everyone had a great time.  That dance is so good for getting people up and moving. 

A tree used for an activity to help make good choices.

Sister Erdenchimeg's family sharing their singing talent. 

Overall, it was a very successful Christmas Party!

Christmas Primary

We helped in the Primary doing the same Christmas activity we did last year in Murun.  The kids enjoyed cutting out, coloring and gluing the nativity sets. 

Then we did the nativity.  We did it with both branches and so there are two

pictures with different people. The kids were so cute.  I'm not sure they had ever done that before!

Odtsetseg is the Primary President and is an RM.  She's a great girl but needs training!

Christmas 1

It was fun decorating our little apartment for Christmas.  This nativity was sent by Alison last year in our Christmas box that made it Choibalsan in February, so it was new this year!

Alan found a little fake Christmas tree on our balcony.  He repaired the stand and there were even some decorations for it.   

                                         Elder Clement found us some lights at a store downtown, and, 
                           with the snowflakes with the kids' pictures on them, the tree turned out very cute. 

Street vendors popped up everywhere selling Christmas things--which is pretty interesting considering this is not a Christian nation.  Mostly the stuff was Santa and winter things, but still they celebrate

the commercial part of Christmas.  We bought a Russian Santa from this vendor!

The streets were pretty crowded.  This is Zax and the boxes are filled with cake!  It's a big deal 

here to have cake for the holidays.  We bought one and took it out to Erdenchimeg's for dinner.

And here's Santa himself--the American Santa anyway.  The Russian Santa

always wears blue and not red!

New Erdenet Friends

Ganchimeg and Oyuntsetseg and daughters, Gangaabyamba, Tsagaanbombog, and  Gangaanorov.

This is Grandma Neena.  She seems to have a testimony but doesn't come out to church much.

She did start attending more often after our visit. 

RM, Zaya and investigator husband, Enkhbaatar, and son. He didn't join the church as far as we know.  He said he couldn't get an answer to his prayer.  We still have hope that he will join someday soon!

Oyuntsetseg and family.  She's the YW President and very active. The rest of the family are less active, including Markee, grandson, and Nomin, daughter.

Our translator, Degii and her son, Delgoon.  I was teaching her how to make a cake. 

Degii and Altensukh and kids, Delgoon and Hulan.

Tugsbaatar, an amazingly talented artist, and RM!

Erdenchimeg and Mijiddorj's ger for New Years!  It was a small ger, but full of lots of people. 

Elder Yerner, Sister Zaya, Elder Clement, Sister Oyuntuya, Sister Groesbeck,  Elder Ulziibayar, and Sister Tsevelmaa.  We stopped at the Zax and bought a cake to take.  The place was packed with people.  Amazing!

Erdenechimeg's family.  Such cute daughters!

It is January and the air outside is very cold.  However, the inside of gers is very warm from the stove used for cooking and heating.  This little guy was running around in his underwear because it was so hot inside. The baby wore nothing but a shirt, which is not uncommon here.  They don't usually use diapers, so holding babies is sort of a risky business!

Six children and two parents live in this ger, and it's always very neat and clean!

Elder Yerner working a puzzle Alan made.

All the missionaries and Mijiddorj's family.  

There was lots of food for everyone!

There's always room for games too!

Mijiddorj making harem!

Such a wonderful and faithful family.  Mijiddorj works in the mines and so is home every two weeks for a week to be with his family.  Erdenechimeg takes care of the family and the home while he is gone.  Mongolian women are very strong and capable!