It's true--everyone stares at me!

It's true--everyone stares at me. The other day Sister Largin and I were standing on the side of the road while we waited for the bus to come. We happened to be standing near a speed bump, and as the cars slowed down all of the passengers in the car would turn and look at "us." I commented to Sister Largin that they were looking at "us," and she said, "No, they're looking at you!" I found it funny, but I'm sure as the weeks go on, it won't be as humorous.

 

Mongolia is an exciting place. Surprisingly, I really like the food. I haven't eaten anything really strange yet, but I'm sure I will be able to choke it down. The only times I have felt sick are when I eat to much. It's true--they will keep feeding you, and feeding you. My sponsor feeds us lunch every day, and that alone keeps me full for hours. We make American food frequently--french toast, grilled cheese. We also make Mongolian food. In fact, this morning we went to the church with the Elders and made Mongolian food for breakfast. It was a fun preparation day activity. Also, when it rains, it rains! Sadly, the streets and sidewalks get flooded. It makes walking to appointments very wet and exciting.

 

This week we taught a lot of lessons, and we were also able to do a lot of service. Two of our investigators, Odonchemig and Mandag, are building a new summer home. We took the Elders with us to do service, and we helped them move a whole pile of bricks. We stood in a line, and passed the bricks from point A to point B. Unfortunately, while we were there the huge dump truck came and dropped off a whole new load. Luckily, they dropped them off in a much more convenient location.

 

We also have an investigator named Myangad. We taught her twice this week. During the restoration lesson two of my parts were the first vision and the baptismal commitment. It was simply a miracle that I was able to remember the entire first vision, and she understood me! Then, when I asked her to be baptized she immediately said yes. I was taken aback, and Sister Largin and I both thought she hadn't understood. She repeated it, and Myangad replied, "Yes, I want to follow Jesus Christ." That was probably my favorite lesson of the week.

 

We are also teaching three young children and they have an amazing desire to learn. We are trying to help the 13 year old learn how to read. We have a baptism this week. Her name is Shinechemg, and she is 16 years old. I wasn't here to teach her any of the lessons, but I have gotten to know her a little bit. She has an amazing testimony, and she is excited to be getting baptized.

 

Friday was my last day teaching the children English until September. The kindergarten is off for summer break. My sponsor has asked that we keep coming for the rest of this month to teach the teachers English. In July and August, we'll have a complete break. Like I mentioned before, we get food each day after we teach. The food is really delicious (probably because it's kid friendly). The kids take naps after lunch and I'm pretty sure they put some sort of sleeping medication into that food. After English we ride the bus home to study, and each day I am SO tired. It could also simply be the fact that I am teaching 20 rambunctious 3-5 year old's. They are so cute, but it's also a lot of work. I'm supposed to teach them songs and dances. Okay, in all my spare time I will choreograph some moves. The problem is that I don't have much spare time. Hopefully in the next few months I can get ahead for the coming year.

 

The language is coming. I learn new things everyday, but I leave every lesson feeling overwhelmed. I know that it will come eventually, but I want to speak Mongolian NOW! It's a work in progress.

 

Love,

Sister Magleby (aka. Sister Bagalthmaa: This is a real Mongolian name that means "Nature Woman" or something like that. All of the church members joke that I should change my name to this because it is easier for them to say. I'm thinking of "losing" my name tags and requesting a spelling change! :)