One Naadam down...

This week was filled with lots of celebrating, walking, and teaching. It was a great week, but before I begin with all of those details I will write a little bit about my area and my district.

I am in the Songino area. (Perhaps that's why you couldn't find it on the map--I don't know how to spell Mongolian words in English letters). It is a huge area, and there are many little "areas" inside our area. We are always riding buses to get to our lessons and appointments. I haven't been in many gers although most of the people we visit do live in the ger districts. Many of them live in little houses/cabins/shacks. We also have a lot of people in our area that live in apartments.

Our district is made up of six individuals. Sister Largin and myself, Elder Odd and Elder Batbitheg, as well as Elder Bayanjargal and Elder Tolga. Our district leader is Elder Batbitheg. Elder Bayanjargal and Elder Tolga are serving in Muren which is in the country. We only see them once a week via skype when we have district meeting. Elder Odd and Elder Batbitheg live nearby and serve in our area. We play basketball with them and the Unur Elders every morning. (I know what you're thinking--Laura willingly plays basketball every morning? Yes, and apparently my rebounding skills are something to be proud of. :) For the most part we get along well.

This week Mongolia celebrated Naadam. Before I arrived, Sister Largin had coordinated with some Elders to get tickets to the opening ceremony. The opening ceremonies were Thursday morning. It was definitely not the most exciting thing I've ever seen; in fact, it was only dancing and horse riding. However, it was a fun experience. Hoshor is the traditional food of Nadaam. On Thursday night we met up with some other missionaries and made Hoshor together at the church. To make hoshor you make a simple dough, roll it into small circles, place filling in the circles, and fry it. Mongolians always make meat hoshor, but we threw in some American flavors--snickers, apple pie, and PB banana. It was so delicious! On Friday, we gathered for a mission event with all of the missionaries in the city. We played games, ate more hoshor, and enjoyed getting to know each other.

This week we found six new investigators. I'm not sure how many of them will progress, but we taught some really great first lessons. This week we also shared our visiting teaching message with ten woman from the ward. The visiting teaching supervisor was appreciative of our efforts. More than anything, from this experience I have learned the importance of being an active member of the church. We are given callings and assignments to help us and others. Even active members of the church need their testimonies to be strengthened. When we serve and visit others we are helping them strengthen their testimonies, but our testimonies can also be strengthened.

I hope you have a wonderful week.

Love,

Sister Magleby