Getting Settled

We are settling into our groove, here in the office and also in our apartment. We are so grateful to be here. The Mongolians and also the missionaries who are serving here are all so kind and friendly to us. The Church has just completed a beautiful 40,000 sqft Church Service Building in UB. It's 5 stories and houses a chapel, classrooms, Mission President's office suite and home; District President's office; CES Missionaries; ERC Missionaries, Mission Doctor's Office, Distribution Center and Country Director's Office (ours). It is one of the most used buildings in town! We have people coming and going all of the time. Today, we had 3 drop ins and 1 appointment...a sister came by asking about a wheelchair for her mother who is suffering from liver cancer and is immobile; a director for one of the charitable organizations that we work with came by to receive assistance with a Health Fair; an assistant to one of the Parliament members came by requesting assistance with a homeless project; and two women came by requesting supplies for a day care. We have a wonderful Mongolian sister who is a returned missionary who served in Idaho as our translator. She is really a good sport and we enjoy her. We are so thankful for her and feel like we couldn't function without her. We have only a five minute walk from our apartment to the office. Our apartment is quaint and adequate. The building was built in the '40's by the Russians and is built like a fortress, but with no codes. All of the couple missionaries live there. The AP's live directly above us, up the same stair well. The Mission doctor and his wife live across the hallway. The orientation and welcome that we have received has been phenomenal. We've had dinner with a different couple each of the last four nights, including the Mission President and his wife. We've had a tour of all the favorite shopping areas, including the meat market where they have carcasses laid out across tables and ready to hack off whatever cut of meat you want. The temp has been below freezing every day since we've been here, finally up to 20 degrees today. We love the cold. The sun shines every day and makes you forget about how cold it is. When you dress right, it's not a big deal. We love it, the only thing that's missing is you. We miss you and love you with all our hearts. Please take care of each other and let us hear from you often. We've so thankful to be able to serve this mission.