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!