Christmas in Mongolia

This has been a different but special Christmas for us.  We miss everyone at home and all the traditional gatherings, food and other events.  Here Christmas for the general population does not happen.  This is a Buddhist country so schools and stores are open, and life goes on just as an ordinary day.  The big celebration is New Years Day.  They even have trees and lights and gift giving (our English class students told us that most gifts are "sweets" and when guests come over, they put money on the tree).

The Elders were so polite
they even let the Sisters dish up first

We emptied most of the furniture out of our little living room, hauled two tables from the Church and had two districts - 14 missionaries and 3 Senior Couples over for "Christmas Dinner".








  It wasn't Turkey and stuffing but we had three kinds of crockpot chicken, rice, corn, green salad and even red jello that I found in our cupboard.
 It was cozy but fun to have a big group - made us feel like home.  It was also great to be able to have someone else's kids over since we couldn't have our own!

Elder Stewart asked our sign language Elder to say the Blessing.  How touching to have him sign while his companion translated into Mongolian and one of the sisters translated into English!

Some of them had to go early because they had to teach their English Classes and others had a meeting but we had long enough to eat, sing and play a game of "pass around the present".

Cal was excited to give each of them a little bag with oranges, banana and candy when they left. We wash all the fruit and vegetables we buy in bleach water and then rinse in clean water.  Elder Stewart is good at this job - here are some of his oranges!!

 We are so grateful to be able to be here with such wonderful young (and old) people who are happily serving our Heavenly Father.  Even though the general population here do not recognize Him, we were able to collectively remember our Savior Jesus Christ on this day we celebrate His birth.

Sharing a message from the Book of Mormon
with the occupant of an ice house!!

One of the Department Stores close by had a beautiful display of Ice Sculptures.  In this country there is little fear of them melting before Spring!!







During the last few days Cal has gotten pictures of lots of the missionaries over there.  He has been able to e-mail some of those pictures to many of the American parents as a special Christmas surprise - they have appreciated them.  Most of the Mongolian Missionary's parents do not have e-mail.

Life is Good and All is Well!