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  . . .