Lessons from my first week in Mongolia

1) Anyone and everyone is a taxi. It's actually a great way to practice "getting-to-know-you" questions, because when I mess up and sound stupid, we just get out in 5 minutes and never see them again. Also traffic lanes- they don't exist. Or any kind of driving courtesy. Or crosswalks. We just play "don't hit 'em and don't get hit" every day.

2) Puppies are ALWAYS cute. Even if they are rabid, strayed, flea-ridden, and living in garbage, they are still puppies and I will always want to take them home.

3) What's a cold glass of water? I don't know, but after downing a whole plate of buuz it sure would be nice instead of a boiling cup of salty, milky, heram. I really hope I get use to that stuff, cause I'll be drinking it for the next year and a half. Besides that, I've actually really enjoyed all the Mongolian food I've had so far.

Buuz

4) I will never have a good enough reason to complain about my home. I've taught people whose home is the space under the stairs, like Harry Potter, but not nearly as luxurious. They raise a family there, and sometimes grandchildren. It is not clean. It is not warm. They don't even have their own bathroom. But they only are grateful for what they do have, and don't give a second thought to what they don't. That is a lesson that I am still trying to learn.

Personal study is one of my favorite times of the day, because it's when I can lose myself in the scriptures and bring myself closer to Jesus Christ in preparation for a long day of hard work. Before I came to Mongolia, I could never just read the Book of Mormon for an hour straight, but now the time passes too fast. I need that time so the Lord can set me in the right direction for the day.

One thing that has been coming to my mind since I've been in Mongolia is "you won't find fear in the attributes of Christ." or something like that. I can't remember who said it, but if we have fear, then we don't have faith. There have been times, even in just the last week, that I feel the great deceiver creeping in, trying to get me down. It works for a minute, and then that thought pops back into my head. Feeling bad for myself won't do anyone any good. Discouragement will only get it the way. It is really hard to not want to have a pity-party sometimes, cause yeah, my Mongolian still stinks. So what? Go work harder. I am immensely grateful to have been blessed with power over the adversary. He can't even scratch us if we have on the armor of God. D&C 27: 15-18. Go put it on.

байртай
Ханьсэн Эгч

[Quick email Q&A with mom and dad]

1) What ward/branch are you in?

• I am in the сэлбэ ward (pronounced Sethib- kinda) It's the biggest ward. 

2) Are you and Gardener the only girls in your apartment, if not, who?

• Jensen also lives with us, and we do mini splits every night and have to switch her back to her companion every morning- it's kind of a hassle, but whatevs.

3) What floor is your apartment? How many floors in building?

• We live on the 7th of (I think) 11 floors- but there's an elevator!

4) How far do you live from the school where you will teach English?

• I don't know where my school is- I haven't been there yet.

5) What others, besides Olsen, teach at that school?

• Bullwinkle and Koefed also teach there. Koefed will be my teaching companion and trainer. 

6) Did you get your money exchanged? Have you needed to buy anything?

• Yes I got my money exchanged, we're getting groceries right after we email. 

7) Are you mostly walking, buses, or taxis to get around?

• We walk a lot and take a lot of taxis. You stand on the side of the road with your hand out then whoever wants a little extra cash picks you up and takes you wherever you want. 

8) How big was the spider that landed on your shoulder last week?

• Also, yeah, the spider was big.