The Good, the Bad and the . . .

It's Christmas again! Two of the packages promised from home (you know, the ones mailed over a month ago!) arrived in the mail yesterday! In fact, 40 packages arrived in the mission yesterday! It's surprising what a package from home can do to lift one's spirits! I think we managed to get everything in the picture. As you can see, everything arrived in great condition. There was one Reece's that was partially smashed and that was it!

And every single items is just what the doctor ordered! We are really going to enjoy this stuff!

On a more solemn note, Sister Caldwell went to the doctor today. The news wasn't exactly what we had hoped for. It would have been nice had he at least replaced that big old cast with a smaller one. What he did do was rewrap the original one and tell us it has to stay on for at least two more weeks!

He did replace the bandages, as mentioned. And in the process was able to wrap it so that the cast is supported much better. That has helped. We just hope the next two weeks go by really fast!

But the other couples continue to be a great support and help. One of the senior Sister's is a registered nurse. She accompanied Sister Caldwell to the doctor while I taught a workshop that was scheduled some time ago. Then, she rounded up some larger clothes, had Sister Caldwell try them on, and altered them to accommodate the cast. Melba now has a new wardrobe -- one she can wear with the cast, thus allowing her to get out and about more. For both of us! I could use the help at the office!

There is a small silver lining in all this after all!

Note: In the last post, Dave Osborn commented about getting out of the apartment in the event of a fire, in view of all these locks. Good observation. Hadn't really given that much thought. However, I think a major fire is pretty much impossible in these old buildings. The walls, ceilings and floors are all of concrete. And we mean ALL of the walls -- outside walls, inside walls, partions -- everything! A fire's not goin' far in this old place! Might manage to burn the wallpaper off the walls, but I doubt it!

Security

In her comment on our last post, Amy hoped that the latchless door was not our front door. Just thought I'd include some pics of our entry way and the security involved.

From the inside, you can see our front door in the first picture. Well, at least you can see the first of the doors. Open that door and you will find another, as shown in the second picture.

The first door (the inside door), only has three dead bolt type locks.


On the second door (the outside door) you can see a closeup of four of the 17 dead bolt cylinders that constitute the locks on that door. That's right -- 17! Eleven down the front edge of the door (as shown in the picture) an 3 more on each the top and the bottom of the door. It requires two complete turns of the key on that door to get them all locked!

With the three on the inside door, that makes 20! And that, of course, is why there's no latches on the inside doors. They are all on the front doors!

How's that for security, Amy?!

The 1960's and beyond!

We mentioned the adjustments we've faced here. Thought you might like to see some of what we're talking about.

The first picture is of a bar of soap that is used here -- Fels Naptha. Now, to your 'older' folks, that should sound familiar. It was a popular soap in the U.S. some 40 or 50 years ago. But as you can see, it is still a popular item here.

In the next photo, you will notice (if you look closely) that the doors have door knobs, but no latches. Some what typical of the older buildings here in Ulannbaatar.

The remaining pictures are of fooditems we buy here. Food comes labeled in about six different languages here -- Mongolian, Chinese, Korean, Russian, German and even good old English. Sometimes the price tags are a real life saver. If you look closely at the first package, you might be able to make out "Rice" on the price tag!

The second item is presumably beans (thank heaven for pictures). And we are hoping they are good old Navy Beans! We want to make a nice bean and ham soup out of it. But that, of course, depends on whether or not we can find some ham! We'll let you know!

Next . . . hey, a can of peaches in light sugar sauce! The picture and what I can remember of the German tongue have got this one down! We're suprised at the amount of German food product we find here.

The last item is a drink. We just wish we knew what kind of drink!

You can do really great here -- if you are multi-lingual!

Val Crawford Greensides

It was so good to see a picture of your family! Good to know things are going well for you. Give Barb and Mel a hug from us. We sure miss you guys. I still have such great memories of your family.
Sister Caldwell (still)

It's been a nice Sabbath.

Sister Caldwell is on the mend and is doing better each day. Still can't get adequately dressed to leave the apartment but is feeling much better and can get around pretty well. The biggest problem now is 'cabin fever'!

I attended church meetings at our assigned branch in Nalaikh (about 40 km away, if you haven't been following) by myself today. That is a really good branch and we are kind of gettin' attached. There are some really good members of the Church there and we are happy to help in any way that we can.

During fast and testimony meeting today in the branch, a 70 year old brother stood and bore his testimony. He told of how he had been a typical non-Christian in his beliefs until he ran across a copy of the Bible one day. He read it and came to know of and believe in God. He understood that Jesus was our Savior and that what He taught was true. A self converted Christian.

He visited some of the Churches in the area but did not care for their approach. Then he saw two 'prophets' walking down the street. And he asked about our Church. He has been coming to Church since. It takes him about 25 minutes in this cold to reach the Church house. And he seldom misses. He is one of two 70 year old gentlemen currently being taught about the Church there. That is unusual. The older generation are most often steeped in tradition and conditioned by previous socialist regimes to be pretty complacent. It is usually the younger generation who most quickly accept the Gospel. But there are notable exceptions.

He bore a very good testimony. Especially considering that he is not a member of the Church. But I'm certain he soon will be!

This little branch seems to have no problem filling a meeting full of short testimonies born by a humble but committed people. It was a good meeting.

I also attended a fireside tonight for 17 new missionaries called from Mongolia. Some will serve in various places around the world. Many will be serving here, as well. This seems to be a really strong group of missionaries, something the mission president also made note of as he spoke at the fireside. The group includes the first two deaf missionaries ever called here in Mongolia (we listened to their testimony as it was first translated from sign into Mongolian and then into English over out headphones), a handicapped Sister who brings a great spirit here as she serves in the Mission Home, an Elder who is very intelligent, having learned three languages already but who has some form of motor skill difficult that shows in his speech and movements to a degree, a 23 year old Elder, one Elder who was informed by the Mission President of his call two days ago (he still had not received the call directly) but was ready to go and the list goes on. Their testimonies were wonderful. The work is in good hands.

Mongolia continues to send out more missionaries per capita than any other place in the world.



On another note, we are taught that the Savior is our perfect example. I have wondered on occasion over the years about the challenge it seems to sometimes be to have someone so perfect as the example we should follow. How is it possible to follow in such footsteps?

Then a thought occurred to me a couple of days ago.

If I needed someone to show me how to build a home, what kind of a teacher would I want? Would the best choice be someone who did fairly well? Would it do if he were even better than average? Could I learn how to build a perfect home, from a teacher who did not know how? Would it not be better to have one who is perfect at building homes (were such a one to exist) show me the way? However, even with such an example, it is likely that my first attempt would not be as good as his. I would make mistakes, having not the skill nor the experience to build perfectly, yet. None-the-less, would that not be my goal?

Our Savior is our perfect example. He has shown us how to build our heavenly home - perfectly. And, if we follow His example and continue to learn and grow, though we will make mistakes until we learn, it is His perfect example that will teach us how to finally succeed.

I am grateful for a perfect example to follow.

Just had to post this picture of some of the grandkids imitating their grandma (see prevous post for details). Made her laugh 'til it hurt! Some people just have no pity!