The great city, Ulaanbaatar. I love the old architecture, but I am afraid the new architecture is going to take over the old:(

Mom I know you love painting fruit stands, so here is a picture of a typical fruit stand in Mongolia.

My sister's best friend Choka's family. They are the best!!

I was so excited about my cashmere sleeping bag that I just had to try it out on the floor:)

The first single adult conference in Mongolia!

My sister's best friend is Mongolian and most of my best friends are Mongolian too. NewLight and I are talking to Megan and her best friend Choka. I guess there is just something with Balli's and Mongolians:) Let's do it again soon Meg!

The primary mode of transportation:)

Naadam Festival

The famous wrestlers and me:)

Playing cards with our wizard

Everyday life in Hatgal, Khuvsul aimaag

The people who live in this regions are called the "reindeer people." They live in tepees and hunt for all of their food. Shamins live among them. Shaminism is the second biggest religion in Mongolia. While Chinggis Khaan ruled the largest empire in the history of the world we relied on a Shamin for direction and guidance. When Bulganbat and I met with the Shamin she was applied to tell us our future.

One of the deepest and clearest lakes of Asia. It is 2760 sq km (1080 sq mi) alpine lake, with water so pure you can drink it and they do. The people in this area get all there drinking water right from the lake. It is the world's 14th largest source of fresh water. It is right on the border of Russia, and the lake is so sacred to local Mongolians, that they refer to it as 'mother.'

That's a big boat:)

In Balli fashion the first thing we did when we got to Hatgal was head for the boats on the lake:)

Inside of our ger...at least the beds were really soft after our long ride to Khuvsgul:)

Me and the wizard in front of the ger

One of my favorite parts of the trip was the ger we stayed at. The lady who rented it to us was amazing!! She was SO kind and SO much fun to be around!! Bulganbat and I called her our wizard because she would just appear out of nowhere with the best home-made food, or she'd come in the morning to start the fire in our ger so that we wouldn't be cold in the morning:) Truly a kind GOOD person!

After 33 hours riding on a dirt road in a 13 passenger van, packed with 20 people, and 5 flat tires we finally made it to Khuvsgul. They ran out of tires so they fill the ripped tire with dirt and scotched it, what an experience:) But the drive was worth the beautiful scenery that we got to see in Khuvsgul!!! I am glad we went!

The beautiful Khuvsgul lake:)

Here comes Santa's sleigh:)

Translating my new member's mission application...She is going on a mission...YEAH!! She is the best!

These are the other students who are studying Mongolian with me

My class, and other researchers in Mongolia, went to the countryside.

Sending prayers up to heaven

Visiting the famous monastery in Ulaanbaatar. Gandan Monastery

It has been one week since we have had hot water, how many more days do you think it will be?:)

Zone Conference

Yesterday I was able to attend zone conference and listen to President and Sister Anderson speak. As usual it was incredible!! I made me feel like a missionary all over again.

Who needs seat belts when we are always packed in like sardines:)

Visiting NewLight's (Shinegerel) family.

One of my favorite things since being back is just hanging out with my new members. Bilguun, the 13 yr old who went to church for 3 years by himself and whose mom decided she wanted to be a member too when she went to his baptism, and I checking our e-mail at the internet cafe:)

June 18th I went to Sukhbaatar square to watch the inauguration of the new President of Mongolia, Elbegdor. It was Mongolia’s fifth presidential election since the overturn of Soviet Union government in 1990.

While I was in Erdenet Tserenbat, the district president, invited me over for Mongolian food. His wife made the best salad; apples, yogurt and snickers:) It made me SO happy because I can only eat so much Mongolian food:) The next day was church and they asked me to come up and bear my testimony. The first time in over a year that I have had to stand before 200 people and speak Mongolian:) They are planning to split the branch soon.