If Rexburg was a Mongolian town, it's name would be Darkhan

Dear Family and Friends,

 

This week was very "different." It started out with a variety of Christmas celebrations. On Tuesday we had our branch Christmas party. Despite the long talks, it went very well. The Sukhbaatar branch knows how to party, and we always eat delicious food! On Wednesday we had our missionary party. We ate dinner together, had a Christmas program, and then sang Christmas songs together. It was definitely not the most exciting Christmas I've ever experienced, but it hit the spot. On Thursday I talked to my family, and then this happened...

 

We went home after Skype to do big plan. During the course of our planning Sister Onon told me that she was going to call President Benson to ask if we could go to Darkhan (the area where she is serving). I was thinking about how much I would love to go to Darkhan, but I also thought there was no way it would ever happen. Some time passed and I jokingly asked, "Hey, have you called President Benson yet?" She hadn't but grabbed the phone to call him right then. She basically just said that the work in Sukhbaatar was going well but that there were good investigators that we needed to meet with in Darkhan. She explained the situation and he quickly gave us permission. According to Sister Onon his only advice was to go on the train that night. I was shocked and quite excited. I later texted him just to clarify and he called me back. "Sister Magleby, have you ever been to Darkhan?" No. "Well, have fun. Let me know if you have any problems." That's it, that's all he said. I guess he really trusts us which is nice.

 

Anyway, we rode the train for four hours and then arrived in Darkhan. (I really have no idea where Darkhan really is--you'll have to look at a map). It was the cutest little place and it reminded me of home. We met with a lot of wonderful people. There is one American elder serving there right now, but before he arrived they haven't seen American missionaries for quite awhile. They all went crazy when I showed up and we had to take pictures at every house etc. (Being famous would be an awful life!) We also were able to attend their branch Christmas party. Maybe I'll get to go back there someday, but if not I'm glad I got to be there for three days. It was fun to experience the "countryside."

 

I hope you have a great week.

 

Love, Sister Magleby