And I think to myself . . .. what a wonderful world

I admit it - I peeked at Joshua's journal entry last week... "we may not always notice it, but this is probably the happiest times in our life." I teared up a little - it's true. Here are some of the reasons why:

- We have no school, no homework. At night we can watch movies without feeling guilty. 

- Speaking of watching movies, Joshua just informed me that I convinced him of the greatness of watching movies. Our favorites are old time black and whites. Fred Astair, Ginger Rogers, Gary Cooper.  We also found an entertaining new TV series called Sherlock, originally aired on BBC. Thank you Netflix. 

- There is an AM radio station based in Provo that plays radio shows every night from 10-12. Some of them are really scary, some make us laugh. A lot. I wish we could take the station with us to Indiana...

- Posh jobs that let Joshua work from home and me set my own hours.

- Because of those great jobs and no school, we go on weekend vacations, about every weekend! Recently we have hiked around Zion National Park, acquired sunburns from the southern California sun, attended a wedding in Oregon, took pictures of the Seattle skyline, and probably we did some other fun things.

- We live in a nice house - with a brand new kitchen and fancy couches, a yard with bushes we planted ourselves, a big garden plot with great soil (Joshua's new favorite hobby!), blossoming tulips (my new favorite flower), a fat, old bunny named Buddy, four chickens named after our grandmothers' maiden names, 2 baby chicks that are really ugly and have no names yet. 

- Our neighborhood is quaint and friendly and has that old-fashioned community feel. Kids from Joshua's cubscouts and from my primary class visit frequently to check on the chickens and to see if we caught any mice. "Oh how I wish I had some hot chocolate right now," they say with their cute little faces. "My hands are so cold." We wave hello to the Bjarnsons across the street, ask the Parrotts how to trim the apple tree, stop and chat with the families going for walks. I decided the small-town feel is definitely for me. 

- Even though the experience makes me sick, the excitement of preparing for our own 'blessed event' is fantastic. Yay for having a baby in November!

- We are surrounded by family. Siblings down the street, sibling downstairs, sibling in the room across the hall (which miraculously translates into dishes being done and me not being lonely when my husband is out making TV), sibling playing baseball games only 40 minutes away, weekend retreats at the parents' in Salt Lake, parties and get-togethers with cousins and aunts and uncles, and good chats over dinner with beloved grandparents.  

- We know what we are doing (for the most part) for the next two years. We even picked out the place we are living and like it. We will be in Bloomington, IN where Joshua will be getting his masters in Public Administration and I will be changing diapers and taking walks to the park. On weekends hopefully we will go drink some fresh cider and visit the camel (I saw one as we drove by a horse ranch when we were scouting out the place!). After Indiana, who knows. But at least we have a two-year plan. It feels good not to be in limbo land. 

And that is why we are happy. 

Last night we got a Christmas tree.. . which is not so bushy as the ones I remember, but at least it has character. And at least we have a tree. There are even pine cones on it! Can you imagine . . .

After a delicious dinner-group dinner of scrambled eggs and sausages by Paul, we got to relax a little. Yay! I started working on a Christmas advent calendar (it will be amazing, don't even worry!) and Joshua was able to read for a while.

Under the glow of rainbow Christmas lights I hung around our room,  we watched a conference talk by Elder Uchtdorf about paying attention to the important parts of life. Don't spend so much time on things that don't really need to be worried about. Spend time thinking, and relaxing.Good advice, I thought.

Today we will go to a performance of Turkish instruments. Joshua is excited. And speaking of Turkish, and Joshua, and excitement and speaking, Joshua is taking a Turkish class. Today he had a speaking session and he said "it went really well."

At the moment I am part of a test shoot in the new BYU Broadcasting building. We have two studios crewed and all the cameras up and lots of engineers and audio guys running around. Great fun. Hopefully the first real shoot won't crash and burn . . .

Back to our Garden

Well, there is a lot more that happened on our trip, including Joshua getting suuuper sick the very last day - leaving me to venture out on my own to gather last-minute souvenirs. But I made it. And he got better, eventually. :) He hated not being able to eat all the delicious plane food (doctors orders). We stayed the weekend in Salt Lake at Joshua's family's new house, which is lovely. We relaxed and watched conference. And I had fun checking out Tara's new beaUTIFUL engagement ring and hearing about all their wedding plans for this winter. Yay!!

Now we are home, and I saved all our tomatoes from rotting by canning them. So proud of myself :) I also took it easy that week from work, trying to get the house in order. I am excited for our nice new windows, and for the material I bought from Mongolia to make curtains with!

I like our house. It will be sad to leave someday when we have to, which we will, eventually. Right now we are working on grad school applications for Joshua. Who knows where life will take us these next few years . . .

A Frustrating Day

Erica and I had many frustrating days on our mission.  Tuesday
reminded us of those days.  All of our best-laid plans went awry.  We
wanted to go to Nalaikh, but my RM friend went to the huduu (countryside) so he
couldn't drive us there.  We met a couple of friends at church
headquarters, but we had to wait a long time for them to be ready to
go.  We did get some potato hushuur from the restaurant across the
street, just like old times (and we ran into several districts of
missionaries coming to eat after their district meetings). Then, while
waiting for Pukii, we went with Sainaa to look for one of my favorite
families, which is also the most inactive of the people that I taught.
 Their living circumstances have really gone downhill (not their
fault--they were swindled by an extended family member), and they are
proving basically impossible to locate.  The car wash they used to
work at is defunct, and none of their supposed neighbors admitted to
knowing who they were.  I might try one more time to get directions
from a relative on Thursday, then we might go Friday morning in one
last-ditch effort to see them...

Anyway, we finally got to Nalaikh at 5pm, we went to see two families
whose kids I'd taught.  I was really heartened to see how active
Sainaa's little sister has become (she was less-active for a long
time). So even in this rough day there was a silver lining in the
cloud.  But then, on the way home, we met with a little opposition.
In a later post, Erica will tell you what happened (I learned my
lesson, to not let her out of my sight or touch!)  :)


*****

Here is the later post from Erica:
Yesterday was a really long day! I was getting really hot and bored of following Joshua and his friend Sainaa around searching for the lost family. And they kept talking in Mongolian and I had to pay really close attention to know if they were going left or right or crossing the street or what! After we gave up we took a really long bus ride to Nalaihk where I got a snickers while Joshua charged his phone. :) The lady at the store was nice and let me sit in the chair. We visited a few families who were very cute and excited to see us. And they gave us a lot of food. Soup, kimchee (they where excited that they had that to serve us), and some eggs and fried sausage. And candy, I ate a lot of that! Anyway, after visiting those nice families, who kept saying how cute I was (I liked that part) we went to catch the bus home. Joshua and Sainaa saw that the bus was pulling away and started to chase after it. We were all running, but I was a little ways behind them. As I was running past a group of teenagers, one of them stuck out his foot and tripped me! Punks. They went a away quickly, and I was glad I made some kind of yelp as I went hurling straight face-down to the dirt. The boys heard me and turned around. Luckily I had caught myself with my wrists so I didn't get too beat up. Except my wrists hurt a lot. But they are ok now. Good times for good stories. And Joshua felt bad so now he is going to make sure to be right next to me the rest of the trip! ;)

The end.

The Church in Mongolia Continues to Prosper

I have been struck again and again by the number of Mongolian missionaries whom I remember as young men/young women, and whom I am shocked to see all grown up as missionaries now, 3 to 5 years after I knew them.  Here is a partial list (more for my benefit of keeping track) that will give you an idea of how many of the 14-18 age kids from the branches I served in have served or are serving missions:

Han-Uul Branch
hmmm...none yet that I can remember.  Actually I do know of at least one, but she is going to be in the post-script of married RMs

Nalaikh Branch

(more to come in that marriage postscript).

Elder Galbayar

Elder Xuyagaa, Elder Purevsukh, Elder Munkhsukh (these three brothers are part of a family that my companion and I contacted, the oldest of them was in prison and the other two were barely progressing investigators when I left the area--I was astounded to hear that they were baptized, much less that the last two listed are RMs and the third is now serving his mission).

Elder Amarbaysgalan (little guy who looked like he was 12 and had no support from his family at all--his family still aren't members but he is a district leader and trainer now).

Sister Ariunzaya - one time, we reluctantly agreed to let her go with us to a couple of lessons even though I thought she was an immature, outspoken girl.  That day all of our plans and back-up plans blew up, and while I was trying to figure out what to do, Ariunzaya suggested that we pray.  I said, okay, fine, you're right, how about you say a prayer. So she did, and then right after that I felt like we should go check on some less-active members in a certain part of town. From the buildings we had been in to the shack where the less-actives liveed, we took a path I'd never taken before.  On the way, we ran into a guy who was pretty much a golden investigator.  He said, "my mom died recently, and I've had a really strong feeling that I need to find out where her spirit has gone."   He and his brother were great people, who, to my knowledge never got baptized, but regardless, little Ariunzaya taught me a lesson about praying for direction and following the Spirit that day.


Unur Branch

Elders Byamba and Ganzorig were great friends when I knew them as young men.  One night I was walking home from an activity with them and two or three other of the young men, and I got the distinct impression that it would be an amazing day for Mongolia when these two became missionaries.  Now Byamba and Ganzorig are serving together as zone leaders of the Erdenet zone.

Elder Bilguun

Elder Chinzorig (older brother of Ganzorig).  They are two fun kids.  I think they might have a sister who also served.

Sister Bulganbat (I have to remember to pass along her email address to Sister Schurz, the sister from my group, who always brought Bulganbat along to lessons as a witness)

Sister Turuu (she went to Utah Provo, and translated for Erica in RS on Sunday).  She is an English teacher now.  She'll go with us on Wednesday to visit a few people.  Her sister Otgoo is waiting for a mission call, it could come any day now.

Elder Boldsaikhan - I taught his parents and he baptized them.  I'll always remember when he shared his testimony at his parent's baptism.  His mom hasn't done so well and has separated from the family.  Boldoo served an honorable mission and is now married with a kid.  His dad, who has long had poor health, lives with them and is still active.  We'll visit them Wednesday.

Elder Jiguur- he replaced Battsetseg as the mission secretary (back from a mission to Hawaii). 


Hailaast Branch

Elder Munkhbayar, now serving in Unur. His sister (name forgot?) was just called to the California San Bernardino Mission

Elder Batgal and Sister Batchimeg--Battsetseg's duu's. You've seen their pictures on our blog.

Elder Battulga, served in Mongolia and now returned and an English teacher.  I was happy to hear that his formerly offended family is back into activity in the Church.

Sister Eegii - she is back from serving in Hawaii and is translating for the couples.

Sisters Chimedavaa and Urangaa - One of them was a flaky branch missionary and the other was an eternal investigator who couldn't get permission from her parents to be baptized.  They are both RMs who gave talks on Sunday about going to the temple, talking about the goals that President Andersen set to go back there.

Sister Shinegerel - I hear she's married now.

Sister Uurt____?  will try to remember the name


Murun Branch

Elders Munkhbayar and Bayraa have returned to Murun, where they serve collectively as branch executive secretary, branch mission leader, and young men's president.  They were branch missionaries; when I was there, one of these two went with us to lessons almost every day. Erica and I went to almost every house with one of them, just like old times. *  Purevochir also took a break from his 7-days-a-week routine of going with the full-time missionaries after school, in order to show us an address I'd forgotten.  He was a tiny 13-year old kid but now he's 16 and can't wait to go on a mission after 3 more years as a super-active branch missionary

Sister Erdenechimeg

Sister Oyunpurev - served in Unur branch where I was her district leader.  She married a non-member which makes me worry about her a little bit but she was at church.  She has a 1-year old baby and seems reasonably happy.  Her older brother, an RM, returned to activity, which I had thought impossible.  He taught a wonderful Elder's Quorum lesson.


Stay tuned for pictures of many of these missionaries.

Also that marriage post-script!

sheep ankle bones = fun times

Sister Munkhnaran, Sister Battsetseg, and Sister Nelson (Wheatley!). Their names don't change, just mine.

Shagai is played with sheep ankle bones. Similar to some kind of dice game, but much funner. Munkhnaran wanted me to make sure I noted that her husband (the one in purple) won. Her mother-in-law gave us a set that we are bringing back. We didn't think we'd slaughter enough sheep ourselves to collect a whole set of bones!

Best RM party ever! Look at us, all married and everything. :) We had dinner and played shagai (see below) at Joshua and my apartment on Sunday afternoon. They approved of my cooking even, so I was happy. It is fun to see my good friends doing so well and married to great boys.

We got her a BYU snuggly blanket.

We had a great weekend in the city. Friday we spent mostly all day with Munknaran and her two moms (Mom and mother-in-law). She lives with her husband's family. And her mom was visiting there too. Sadly, Munkhnaran gave birth to her cute baby boy too early and after a week he went back to heaven. "He was just too perfect," Munkhnaran said. :) The moms made us very tasty food and I ate a lot and we looked at all her pictures. I had fun seeing myself in lots of her mission pictures! Felt famous.

Saturday we went to the RM Conference 2010 - only happens every two years! Nobody told us. Joshua loved seeing everyone as return missionaries, and some of his good friends married to each other! We event went to the "ball dance" that evening and danced around a bit.

Sunday was busy, church-hopping and all. We saw lots of people Joshua knew and worked with on his mission.We set up lots of appointments for the week One of my favorite parts (and his too) was seeing Naranbat (Battsetseg's dad, who Joshua taught, and who we went to the temple with a few weeks ago) conduct the meetings. And one of his sons + Battsetseg's husband bless the sacrament. Very sweet. Such a great family!!

Then after church I made some yummy food and we had a married people triple date :). They were fun to spend the afternoon/evening with talking, eating, and playing games. I liked getting to know my companions' husbands too.

And then finally today we met with Munkhnaran and her mom-in-law for a trip to the zakh (a ginourmous swapmeet/ bazaar place). I got a scarf and Joshua got some little Mongolian stools that I guess he has been missing sitting in. And, of course, I got some material to make a bedspread, curtains, and pillows. Luckily we had a mom with us to figure out how much we needed!

Now we are off to dinner at the Naranbat household, ... maybe try to track down a couple other people on the way.

So maybe living here wouldn't be my first choice (especially not being being able to communicate with anyone aside from smiles and pointing!) but I am having a good time. Joshua is getting in the habit of translating and I am enjoying seeing my old friends. The city is nice because there are lots of nice food places and shops, but I miss the peacefulness and clean air of the countryside! Oh, and anytime anyone says that CA people drive crazy should come here. I have never been so scared for my life than when I was sitting helpless in the back of a miker (pronounced meeker) van as we were passing one really big truck with another really big truck driving straight towards us. That one gave me the shivers!


p.s. Today I saved Joshua from stepping on a dead puppy. Smashed flat in the street. So sad. And the worst part is that we were looking for this internet cafe and had to walk past it like 7 times! ugh. Good note to end on, huh?

RM Conference 2010

Odgerel (served at the same time as Joshua) and his young family