Farewell For Now, Mongolia

We can hardly believe the time has come for us to leave behind the 5 degree temperatures in Mongolia for the 85 degree temperatures in Palau—at least for a little while! Tomorrow around noon we’ll board our flight, which takes us through Seoul, Korea, and then on to Guam. We’ll spend a few days there picking up some summer clothes, meeting our new mission president and other senior couples, and attending the temple before continuing on to Palau.

Our hearts will always be in Mongolia with the wonderful people we’ve grown to love, but we’re also very excited for the adventures ahead!

Even though our departure was approaching, we didn’t slow down one bit. On Tuesday, we visited a hospital to represent Deseret International Charities (DIC) at a donation ceremony where new equipment for the early detection of glaucoma was presented.



Thursday marked our last day (for now) serving at the House of Mercy. We brought along some homemade “Can’t Leave Alone Bars” to share with our volunteer friends there. Serving with such kind, dedicated people has truly been one of the greatest joys of our time here. Two young adult sisters who volunteer with us every week even surprised us with the most adorable gift—two camels we’ve affectionately named Clyde and Clarice!



We often wake up to news from home since everyone in the States is working while we’re asleep. On Friday, that news was particularly exciting—a Church Newsroom article reported that the Mongolian Ambassador to the United States had met with President Oaks! We quickly got to work to get the article translated into Mongolian, and it was published later that same day.

Then, on Saturday morning, we woke up to even bigger news—the announcement of a new mission in Mongolia! What a thrilling time of growth for the Church here. We’re so grateful that we’ll be back in time to see this wonderful development take effect on July 1st.

Saturday also brought another highlight: the annual English Conference, sponsored by DIC. Nearly 180 Mongolian teachers who teach English in schools across the country gathered for this full-day event to learn from five professors from BYU’s Department of Linguistics. They shared their expertise through a series of inspiring workshops. It was a massive effort involving many volunteers, and we were happy to help by stuffing folders, setting up tables and chairs, assisting with lunch, and organizing missionary support. J.D. was even asked to give some closing remarks.  He was in his element speaking about educators, and in English! It was an uplifting day that made my teacher heart sing!





As we reflect on the first third of our mission we feel so blessed to have been a part of so many amazing things...the first handcart trek in Mongolia in 15 years, the first girl's camp, an amazing YSA Conference, , the announcement of the temple site and rendering accompanied by a visit from Elder Andersen, the first National Communication Council Training, the announcement of a new mission in Mongolia, and so many smaller but equally exciting events.  We can't wait to see what the next 6 months has in store for us! Next time we write, it will be from the sunny beaches of Palau—until then, bayartai! 🌏✈️🌴


Comments

  1. Dr. JAKOctober 26, 2025 at 1:43 PM

    Wait what???? You are leaving Mongolia already? I need to know about the assignment of your mission. Now to Palau! Wow! You will bless them. We know it. -all our love

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bill and Shauna CookeOctober 28, 2025 at 9:04 AM

    In Palau will you be replacing Elder and sister Lieber who were there from January to August of this year? Shauna and I have been looking to the history of Palau and the island just south where US MARINES in WWII had to get rid of the Japanese. Shauna has been looking at the Elder and Sister Lieber stories on Palau. WOW great for the new mission in Mongolia. We found in Church News where the new temple will be. Naadamchid Road, Khan Uul, 8 Khoroo of almost 11 acres. Google Earth shows a vacant lot there on the south side of that road.

    ReplyDelete

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