2013 - It is a NEW YEAR

"New Year" is the big holiday for the season.  To enjoy the atmosphere, 5 couples of the Senior Missionaries walked (about a mile) to Suhkbaatar Square for the midnight fireworks.  It was spectacular.  It was also quite chilly,  -30C with a bit of wind.  After we walked, waited a little while for midnight and then watched for at least 15 minutes, enjoyed the ambiance for a few more and walked back home, we were COLD.  But it was worth it!

This weekend we are in Choibalsan, about 750 km east of UB.  We flew in a plane like the Time Air propellor kind with two seats on one side and one on the other.  It was -38C when we got loaded onto the plane but then we were unloaded while they got another one.  It was probably just too cold. They definitely don't de-ice but it is pretty dry so I guess they do not need to!

This part of the country is much like Southern Alberta with big open skies and fields.  The road to the Airport was drifted over in lots of places so the old Russian Van we were in just followed some tracks out through the field by the road.







The Branch of the Church here is very active.  The first night we were able to see two young people baptized.  We came for their annual Branch Conference since Cal is a counsellor in the Mission Presidency.  On Saturday afternoon we went out with one of the new Sister Missionaries to visit some people they had met.  We invited them to our meetings on Sunday and people from three of our visits came.  They were all very friendly and happy to see us.  All were from the "Ger" district and it would be hard for most out there to realize their circumstances.

Many Grandparents are the
caregivers for their Grandchildren

The first "Virtual Sacrament Meeting" in Mongolia was held on Sunday and we were able to participate from Choibalsan because President Clark was here.  There are several small groups of  members scattered in different parts of Mongolia - lots in mining areas - so they will be joined together by phone or SKYPE for one meeting.  It is coordinated from UB with the different groups meeting in their own areas.  It was a test run and seemed to go well. Hopefully it will be able to continue.

When we were in Salt Lake City for General Conference before we went to the MTC, we happened to meet some Missionaries from Mongolia serving on Temple Square.  We took pictures with them and said we would try to find their parents when we got here.

Yesterday Cal used one of the pictures in his presentation about the new youth programs for the Church because we had been told on of the girls was from Choibalsan.  Her mother was so excited to see her and immediately invited us to come for FHE tonight.

Sister Bat - Ulzii from Choibalsan
second from right

Her parents and little brother

 It was so special to go their home and join the group of friends who regularly meet together for Family Home Evening.  These are wonderful, special people.













 The other couple with us have just moved to Choibalsan to be Branch Support here for 5 months.  The Groesbecks  last 5 months were spent in the northern part of Mongolia, Muron.  In each area they are the only English speaking missionaries - they are a fantastic pair and will be dearly loved by the people here.



Life is still good and All is Well.