Our Missionaries

I know this isn't the followup on the apartment we said we would be doing but we wanted to share an experience we have had with some of our Elders.

Often the Elders and Sisters will call and ask if they can bring an investigator to our apartment to teach them a discussion. We received such a request yesterday afternoon. They needed a place to teach a young lady so we said, "Sure, come on over." And we ran home to get things ready.

When they came, they had with them one of our students from our Tuesday afternoon English discussion group (it's not really a class, just an opportunity for them to practice their English). The one circled is the young lady referred to. We talk about all sorts of things in that group and it has been rather fun. And we have had about three of them who have or soon will join the Church.

The three of them came and had a good Gospel discussion, even though Sister Caldwell and I could not understand much of it. When they finished, we told the Elders that we had a small package waiting for us at the Office Building and if they would pick it up when they escorted this young lady back there and return with it, we would feed them dinner (we had planned to do so anyway, but thought we might as well get something out of it, too!).

While they were gone, we fixed up a batch of tacos and nachos. We also had a bowl of left over 'Suddenly Salad' in the fridge (you know that pasta stuff out of a box) which we needed to finish off. So we put that on the table, too. Missionaries will eat anything!

Soon, the expected knock came at the door. Sister Caldwell opened the door to indeed find our two Elders. However, it wasn't just the two of them, mind you, but she found four of them standing there! Yup! It seems that two others had gotten wind that something good might be going on and sort of invited themselves!

Well, we set out what we had, blessed it and dinner was on. And they were incredible to watch! Soon, the taco meat and the tortilla chips were gone. So they started making tacos with whatever was left. A little bit of taco cheese in a taco shell and they were happy! Leftover lettuce and a tomato or two was good, too! Oh, and have you ever tried a Suddenly Salad taco? These Elders did! And in about the time Sister Caldwell and I managed to down one taco each, the rest of the meal had vanished! A professional magician would have been proud!

When they finished, there wasn't even a scrap left on the table (see pic - wait, I think I see a little piece of lettuce there)! We watched for a few more minutes, certain that one of them would soon pick up a bowl and start licking it!

The missionaries insist that they like the local fare of Mongolian food. Be that as it may, when we set them down to good a old American dinner, it sure disappears in a real hurry!

It is always a fun time around here when we invite the missionaries to dinner!
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A New Kitchen

It has been eight months since we left home for this opportunity to serve. We can't believe how fast time passes!

This post will likely be of most interest to our family. Just a short update about our little apartment.

Remember the early pictures of our apartment? Here's one or two to remind you what the kitchen looked liked. The tile was black with dirt and grease and there was virtually no counter top space.

But we have been working on it for nearly eight months, now -- whenever we could find a few minutes here and there. We figure we will be living here for about two years and it is worth it to make it a little nicer. And the couple who follows us here will likely appreciate it, as well.

Note the homemade bread on the counter. The bread here tends to be a bit heavy and stale. So we make all of our own bread. And boy is it good! Of course, there is a down side. It seems that we have this uncontrollable urge to eat a good chunk of it just as it comes out of the oven! Hot bread and honey -- yummy! You see, we have this great bread recipe that is easy and irresistible. You ought to try it sometime (inside joke)!

But we try to keep our landlord from learning about the improvements. We hear that if one makes such improvements and the landlord finds out, they have been know to raise the rent because the place is much nicer and worth more now!! Go figure!

As you can see, we've added a bit of counter top by shifting things around in the apartment, dug out and replaced the grout (and yes, it was VERY difficult!), covered the mess under the sink and changed the hangers for kitchen tools, etc. It has made a big difference and we like it a lot better!

We've also added quite a bit of new shelving here and there. For example, though the spice rack between the wall cabinets appears in all of these pictures, it was actually one of the first things we added. There's probably one or two more things we will do, yet, but it's coming along pretty good.

Next post -- the new bathroom!
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The Countryside - Conclusion

Our day in the Mongolian countryside continued to be one rich experience as our host family finished the process they had started (see previous two blog entries). It was fascinating to watch as they made final preparations for our evening meal.

Once the goat was cut into pieces, they began the cooking process. Not what we were used to, but actually fairly similar to what some of our young scouts have been known to do in the states. They used a milk can.

While all of the 'fun' we've been describing was going on outside, the family had been warming up the stove inside their ger. We sort of thought they would likely just pan fry the meat. Nope! They used the fire in the stove to heat rocks. And remember the pictures of the area? No trees, right? So what does one use for fueling a fire? Well, dried cow dung, of course!

He started placing pieces of goat in the milk can (see above).

Then, he would remove a hot rock from the fire box of the hot stove (you know, the rocks that had been carefully heated in burning cow dung), knock the ashes from them by hitting them and rolling them around on the top of the stove and then put them in the milk can with the meat. Then, more meat, more rocks, more meat, more rocks, some potatoes, beets, salt, etc. Cooked this way it is called Khorkhog (the k's are silent).

By this time, the ger was getting pretty hot inside. The heat didn't seem to bother them much. They were probably used to it. As for us, give us an good old air conditioned home any day!

Finally, he sealed the milk can and locked it closed, placed it on top of the hot stove and added additional heat using the propane torches. As you can see in the picture, the flame would, at times become quite large. We wondered how safe it was! We were sure glad they were experienced at all this!

It was really hot in there now, and most of us opted to wait outside for the rest of the cooking process.

About 75 minutes later, the can full of food was ready to eat! It actually tasted quite good! However, that goat was not really all that plump and well filled out. And the meat was a bit on the skimpy side as it was attached to and wrapped around the bones. But the flavor was really good and the potatoes and beets (Mongolian beets are orange and quite different from ours) were excellent!

As you might have figured out, they have no refrigeration. So what does one do with a milk can full of meat? They invite all of the neighbors over and have a big feast! They rotate those dinners between several ger families and don't worry about refrigerating anything -- at least not in the summer. No problem in the winter! Nature provides a wonderful deep freeze!

Before we knew it, it was time to head back to Ulaanbaatar. A bit later than we had anticipated, but we counted it as worth it!

Don't you wish you were here? Don't worry. We watched very carefully and would be happy to provide the same meal when we return home! Anyone got a spare goat?
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The Countryside - Part 2

As we mentioned, our host family was very cordial and made us feel very welcome. Two of their little granddaughters were staying with them for the summer (a common thing here in Mongolia) and they were as cute as little buttons (especially the youngest one)!

Not long after we first arrived (and actually before Elder Caldwell's horse ride), the family offered us a little bit of lunch. If you look closely, you can probably identify the following: bread, butter, white cheese (both made by our hosts), a spread made of cooked milk, flour and sugar, hot milk (they like hot drinks here and prefer hot water over cold) and, yes, wrapped pieces of commercially purchased candy. It was actually pretty tasty.

Sister Caldwell is drinking some of the milk in this picture. It was not the arig we have seen on other occasions, but just hot milk watered down a bit, with a little bit of salt. It didn't seem to have the off taste we have found in the store bought milk. Notice the furnishings just behind Sister Caldwell. Considering what they are, some of the gers we have been are rather nicely and comfortably arranged. There were also two queen sized beds.

During the afternoon another man appeared herding a small group of horses. He then caught a couple of them using the hoop you can see in the pictures. But then he just let them go and we couldn't quite figure out what he was doing until our guide explained that it was all just a show for our benefit!

You can see that this little valley is rather pretty in it's own way. Lots of green grass and rolling hills --- and quiet! Noticeable by their absence is the lack of trees. That is the rule in this part of the country. However, other parts (which we also hope to visit) are very mountainous and full of trees --- kind of like Utah! We have seen pictures and they have shown a completely different side of Mongolia we do hope we have opportunity to visit, at some point.

Then it came time to start preparing dinner! Again, we had no idea all of this was going to be taking place. We thought we were just out for an afternoon drive! It soon became apparent we would be a bit longer than just the afternoon (which was a bit problematic for us -- we were supposed to be at a baptismal service that night with dinner for our branch missionaries). But it really was an interesting trip and well worth it!

Now, remember that goat we mentioned? Well, our host and our vehicle driver (I forgot to mention we had a driver - that's him in the blue pants with the stripe), went over to the coral, grabbed the little goat, threw him on his back and pinned him down. Then they cut a incision in it's stomach, reached in and . . . . well, you get the picture! We had goat for dinner! Surprise! We didn't even know we were going to have dinner!

Elder Caldwell grew up on a farm were it was part of the routine to do things similar to this. It wasn't something he would care to see every day but it wasn't new to him either. The Sisters, on the other hand, hid in the ger and waited for it to be over!

It really was an interesting process. Once they had the insides cleaned out, they hung him from a post and burned all of the hair off, using propane torches. Before the advent of a the torch, they would put it over an open fire to remove the hair.


We will finish our story in the next installment!
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The Countryside

Note: It is great to see others visiting the site! We originally started it for our family and thought perhaps a few of the ward members might occasionally visit. We are really surprised to see so many others leaving comments! Glad you can all visit, though we are curious about how most of you even found us!



We went out to the countryside yesterday. No, you don't understand. I mean, we REALLY went out to the countryside yesterday!

Two of the Mongolian brethren that we work with here in Ulaanbaatar wanted to take a couple of senior couples on a little trip away from the city. These two brethren own a tour company and are quite familiar with doing things such as this. Their intention was to have us experience what we might refer to as a trip 'out in the sticks' -- that is, far away from Mongolian city life as we have come to know it. They said they just wanted to show us around and let us see the 'real' Mongolia. Oh my! Maybe we 'bit off' more than we bargained for!

But first, along our route, we came across this shrine beside the road. It is apparently felt that it can bring good fortune when one stops, walks around the shrine three times and deposits a stone nearby. When a large truck drove by and honked his horn, our guides promptly explained that some are too lazy to stop, so they just honk as they drive by! However, they had to honk three times!

The roads were . . . well . . . interesting -- again! They were paved for the first part but were not nearly as good as those on our trip to Darkhan, Erdenet, etc.

We went about 40 kilometers south and east of Ulaanbaatar to a little town whose name escapes me. There we picked up a lawyer friend of theirs who was expecting us. It seems we were on our way to visit some of his family.

During the rest of our journey, we went from paved roads (well, sort of), to unpaved roads, to where is the road! When you get out far enough, the roads really aren't roads at all but just paths across open fields where the locals have driven in order to reach their gers. And when one path becomes a bit difficult (like after a storm), they just drive somewhere else, thus the multiple routes you can see in the photo.

We did finally arrive. These are photos of our host, his family and their ger. Note the solar panel right next to the ger. When we were invited into their home, we noticed a television and one light bulb. The solar panel is used to recharge a battery which in turn powers the tv and the light when needed. The contrasts are, indeed, striking as we see different parts of Mongolia.

Our host family, had quite a bunch of livestock, as well. He told us, in fact, that he had about 250 head total. Most were out of sight but we did see a few horses, a small herd of cows (kept close by for their milk), and one goat, which we were soon to learn was there for our benefit. We'll tell you more about the goat later. You're not going to want to miss this one! It is a story all by itself. Trust us!

The family was very nice and we enjoyed their willingness to share their life with us for a few minutes. That is the lady of the house in the picture and her husband seated just behind her. Those are traditional Mongolian Dells they are wearing.

When we asked, we were told that they get needed water from a well about 6 km away. That's about 4 miles. They pack in enough to last from 4 to 7 days, each trip. That would be difficult enough in the summer. We can't imagine doing that in the winter!

Next is a picture of Elder Caldwell taking a little ride. When he saw the horses, he couldn't resist! He grew up with horses and this was just a little journey back in time for him. 'You never forget how to ride a horse!' And yes, seniors are allowed to do such things while serving! It is, of course, a different story for the younger missionaries.

We will need to break this down into two or three different segments. We had a really great experience. And trust us, the best is yet to come!
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The Ulaanbaatar West Stake!

We have a stake! The Ulaanbaatar District has been divided and now forms the Ulaanbaatar Mongolia West Stake and the Ulaanbaatar East District.

It’s been an event filled weekend, as you might suppose. The forming of the first stake in Mongolia is finally a reality. There are now two districts, fourteen branches, 6 wards and one stake within the boundaries of the Ulaanbaatar mission. The members here are very excited about this new milestone in their history.

Elder Hallstrom (area President who will become a member of the Seventy’s Presidency in July) and Elder Chong (an area authority seventy) came to oversee the work. Both have been wonderful to have with us. We had two meetings on Saturday (a Priesthood Leadership Meeting at 4:00 pm and an adult meeting at 7:00 pm – just like back home!). Most of their remarks centered around the keys of presidency, of sustaining and releasing individual when changes in callings happen and of the differences between a stake and a district.

The Saturday meetings were held in the Bayanzurkh building. The chapel was filled for the leadership meeting and both the Chapel and the basement meeting area (where they had closed circuit tv) were packed for the adult meeting.

In the mission field, all Church members are under the jurisdiction of the Mission President. It is the Mission President who must interview all temple candidates and sign all temple recommends, along with the appropriate Branch President. But when a stake is formed, those members living within the Stake boundaries then are under the jurisdiction of the Stake President. He will now assume the responsibility for signing recommends, etc. It actually takes some of the burden from a Mission President.


We met at a community cultural center for Sunday’s session. The Church does not have a facility here large enough to hold even a quarter of the membership. With the organization of the new stake, there is also now a stake center in the planning stages and that will be a much needed addition, as well.

The center was full to capacity, as Elder Hallstrom rose to the pulpit and announced the organization of the stake. People had come from literally around the world to be part of this. We have about 20 past missionaries who have come from the United States who could not resist coming to see the fruits of their labors as this day unfolded. As we said in our last post, we leave our mark on this area and it leaves its mark on us.

Two members of the now past District Presidency became the new Stake Presidency. The second counselor does not live within the boundaries of the new stake and had to be released. President Odgerel (the past District President and the new Stake President), then, will become the first High Priest ever to be ordained in Mongolia. Bishops and High Council members will also then be ordained High Priests. As Elder Hallstrom added parenthetically, ‘this is the end of chapter one in Mongolia and the beginning of chapter two’.

The presidency of the new district is very young. The second counselor is not even married, yet, but they are wonderful brethren and will do a great job. As they bore their testimonies, the new District President became quite emotional – something not often seen in Mongolian men.

It is not unusual, apparently, for a second stake to follow not very long after the organization of the first. Therefore, part of the council given throughout the meetings was to strengthen the branches in the Ulaanbaatar East District in preparation for that second stake. We have little doubt that these people will soon have that second stake. Who knows, we might even still be around here when it happens!

During Sunday’s session, Elder Hallstrom referred us to the 1st section of the Doctrine and Covenants verse 30, telling us that we were seeing the fulfilling of that verse in this part of the world, in what was happening today. “And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness . . .”

A Patriarch was not called today. Elder Hallstrom explained that it now became incumbent upon the new Stake Presidency to deliberate, pray and recommend an appropriate name to the First Presidency. But he also counseled that once one was called and set apart, the members here needed to be patient. It would be some time before one Patriarch would be able to give all in Mongolia who desired, a Patriarchal Blessing. We will anxiously await that milestone, as well.

The stone that rolls forth without hands is getting larger.
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