Words Cannot Describe

Words Cannot Describe…

Words cannot describe the whirlwind of this week!  But before we talk about that....our tsampts are finished!


Now for our week...we kicked things off Monday with a ten-hour trek — five hours to Khentii, then another five to Choibalsan. We measure in hours, not miles (though it’s 414 miles one way) because time tells the story far better than distance.

Words cannot describe…the roads. We’ve mentioned Mongolian roads before, but this stretch took the crown. There’s a 50 km section between Khentii and Choibalsan that even locals call “hell.” The potholes are so deep and wide that the only logical solution is to leave the road entirely and bounce across the open steppe, weaving around for the least bone-rattling path.  Still, the beauty made up for the bumps. Miles and miles of beautiful green pastures.  Herds of sheep, cows, and horses, and the occasional sudden brake to avoid a  herd passing across the road kept things lively.


JD even closed all three of his exercise rings — 7,700 steps — while sitting in the car (note the blurry picture because I couldn't hold my phone still lol!)


This is actually a "good" road prepared for another 30 km stretch they are working on.

We stopped at a well-known monument in Choibalsan — apparently, you have to take a picture to prove you’ve been to there. With us were Naska, the communications director we work under, and Odmaa from the church’s legal department. Traveling with them was a joy; the miles passed quickly with stories and laughter.



Words cannot describe the gratitude.

Our mission was to donate jaundice treatment equipment to hospitals and nearly 200 backpacks filled with school supplies to students in need. Helping pack those backpacks and then loading them into vehicles was pure joy (even in the rain). Seeing the recipients’ faces, hearing how the donations would change lives — those are moments you don’t forget. JD was even interviewed by a local news station covering the event.











One stop was especially meaningful — Naska’s old school. Words cannot describe his feelings as memories flooded back. This school has a dorm for children as young as first grade who live too far to commute daily from their herder families.    Listening to Naska describe growing up in a herder family — up at 4:30 with the sun, living off the land, making candles for light — felt like stepping into Little House on the Prairie… except it was just 30 years ago.




We peeked into a classroom.  Each room had a class picture, like the one below, hanging in it.  These students started together in 1st grade and are now in 5th. The same teacher and students stay together year after year. Seeing classrooms “put away” for summer made me nostalgic for my own teaching days. 


They even had a “reflection corner” — complete with birds, turtles, and fish.


Words cannot describe the little surprises.
Every trip brings new “TIM” (This Is Mongolia) moments. Like the hotel outlet placed in such an odd spot that we couldn’t help but laugh. 



Or the bathroom design that lets you brush your teeth and shower at the same time! 


And the food — oh, the food! We’ve tried “shakes” here that tasted more like lightly flavored milk, but this smoothie was so good it made up for them all. We over-ordered and had half an enormous pizza left. We spotted a group of kids pooling their money to buy something small to share. Words cannot describe the looks of pure joy and excitement on their faces!  Giving them the leftover pizza was priceless — but watching them carefully divide it so the two friends who had gone off would still get their share? That was beautiful.




Words cannot describe the sparkle.
We were back home Wednesday night, then off Friday for a Young Single Adult Conference. Our ride? A VIP Limousine Bus bedazzled with more glittery bling than you can imagine! The picture doesn't do the bling justice!  


The conference site was breathtaking — for our Laramie friends, picture Vedauwoo in Mongolia. The weekend was packed with games, spiritual growth, and laughter. 







The highlight was a large tree, decorated to represent the “Tree of Life”.  Words cannot describe the awe at this tree!  



I "jumped" at the chance to show off my jump-roping skills! 


We marveled at the volleyball skills of the Mongolian youth — despite the low quality playing surface and net, their play is high quality! 



We also swapped card games: they taught us Chinese Poker, we taught them SWOOSH.

Words cannot describe missing family.
As full as our hearts were, they ached a little too — this week we missed two big birthdays back home. Remi turned two, and Corbin turned eight. They celebrated with an adorable carnival party, the kind I would have loved to help with. But seeing my daughters pull off such creative celebrations makes me so proud. They’re amazing mamas. Happy birthday, sweet Corbin and Remi — we love you!






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