GRANDKIDS in MONGOLIA - Part 3

Saturday each of the four kids were able to spend the whole day with missionaries out visiting and doing what Missionaries do.  It was a wonderful chance to actually see first hand and participate in the meetings.  They were inspired by the service of the young people here in Mongolia.  It was definitely one of their highlights!!

Sister Matthews,  Carolyn,  Sister Onon

Elder Clement,  Matt,  Elder Boyd

Elder Standley,  Parker,  Elder Stranski

Sister Dariimaa,  AnneE,  Sister Largin

On Sunday we attended our Bayanzurkh Branch where everyone was busy.  Parker and Matt passed the Sacrament, AnneE played a musical number on Ulziika's brother's violin and Carolyn helped tend the Benson kids! We had Elder Boyd translate via headphones so we all could understand what was being said.

Later in the day we went out visiting some of the members of our Branch.  First we visited a family whose father is a wood carver.  Their daughter is 15 years old so the girls shared some of the things they brought.

Some samples of his work

This is the man who carved the YAKS

Sometimes the path is a bit challenging

The Water Station may be several blocks away,
they each haul their own water in different containers.

The next stop was at the home of an 18 year old girl and her cute, chubby baby.  The baby was really friendly and loved all of us!!  The Grandkids brought stuff from Canada and Ohio for both mom and baby.  She came to Church the next week and had her baby blessed.

Baby's cousin, one of our Primary girls, Nandaa

Our last visit was quite a walk over some up and down paths.































 We met a little lady who might be the
oldest member of the Church in
 Mongolia,  she could be 96, 93, or 86.
 This time she said she was 96!!

When they found out that it was Carolyn's Birthday,
she was promptly given a Birthday present!

Carolyn's 15th Birthday was a memorable day -
complete with a Mongolian Birthday Cake and Candles.

Thanks for sharing it with us!!
















A day of shopping, Black Market (how many pairs of shoes did they buy??) (and some very expensive Rolex watches, Superman Belts, etc.)
Ulziika got her brother to drive us to Zaison Hill for a great view over Ulaanbaatar. (It was a little sports car and we put 8 people in it!)  The monument was bult by the Russians to commemorate "unknow soldiers and heros" - a visual representation of the interactions between Russia and Mongolia.  It is the place where Elder Neal A. Maxwell dedicated the land of Mongolia for the Church.

One morning we took President and Sister Benson's kids to a "Bear Park".  It was fun since each little kid had a big kid for a helper.

The trip would not be complete without a Traditional Culture Show - Tumen Ekh is almost like a theatre in the round where you can sit right up close to the performers.  They are very professional - with all the Mongolian instruments, singers, dancers and a contortionist.

We were so grateful to have Parker, Matt, AnneE, and Carolyn share some of our Mission.  We hope that they went home with new insights into life in a different part of the world and an appreciation for the blessings we all have.

As their parting gesture, they kissed the ground of Mongolia,
they loved the time spent here!!

Life is Good and All is Well  . . .

GRANDKIDS in MONGOLIA - part 2

The Senior Couples trip had the dates changed so we just made it part of our adventure.
        The "Older Folks" enjoyed the youthful addition!!

First stop was the Chinggis Khaan Statue - a 40 meter high creation out of town.  Inside are two museums and a big central space with a giant size Mongolian Boot and Whip.  You can go up inside the horse and then out onto his neck for a view of the countryside.

For perspective, the small spot on top of the middle of the mane is a person!

Standing up on the neck of the horse
Notice the detail in the face and whole statue 

Eagle and Vulture experts!

He is heavier than I thought!!

You are right, it takes two hands!!

Don't look at me like that!  One handed!!

Yikes, don't eat me!

"Thirteenth Century" is a group of camps to give an overview of Mongolian life in the 13th Century.

The first stop was the Guard Camp, they were strategically placed so the riders could carry messages to the next place, about 100 kms apart.  We got an opportunity to try some traditional clothes.

A "serious" family photo

These two look like they could easily protect the Homeland!!










 The next stop was the King's Camp.  There we were treated to a meal, soup, good salad, Khoshuur, and more Khoshuur!    This time we got the royal clothing and indeed they looked like Kings and Queens!

The Artist

There was an education camp where we were taught about schooling and each got our names in real Mongolian Script - written right there for us.  It is amazing to watch it done with the ink and brush!


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
At the Crafters Camp we saw how they made some of their necessities.

Our Electric Wheat Grinders have nothing over on this lady with her stone and stick.

Even in the country they get TV with a solar panel!

Grandma and Grandpa and their 2 Grandkids

The Camps were spread over a big area.  The rock formations were amazing - hard to believe that someone didn't just put the rocks on top of each other!!

The first Albino Camel we have seen

That night we stayed at a Ger Camp with all the Senior Couples.  The kids Ger got the first fire going inside so everyone gathered there to hear Sister England recite some of her Ballads, "Sam Magee" and "Frozen Bill".  We were so excited about the story that we caved in one of the beds!!

Their own private Ger

Sister England and her Ballad

No doubt it was the Woods who were too heavy!!

The next morning Grandpa took them for a run.

They found beautiful wild flowers which he presented to Grandma on their return.  The flowers are just gorgeous in all parts of Mongolia.

Turtle Rock

After trying YAKS and HORSES, they thought they had enough skill to attempt a CAMEL ride.

 Enough of this tourist stuff, now on to some service.

To be Continued . . .