Mongolia Mission Weeks 1-3

Mongolia Mission Weeks 1-3

Our hope with this blog is to share highlights with our family and friends about our exciting opportunities and awesome responsibilities as missionaries. It's an impossible task, though, because it's hard to condense everything into a few words and pictures. So ask us individually if you'd like to know more about anything! You can contact us by email (jrose219@gmail.com or krose213@gmail.com), Facebook messenger, or you can text Kathy's phone (515-537-3273).

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, we were set apart as missionaries by President Higbee, our new stake president (we were his first missionaries). It was special to have Kathy's dad there.

We spent two weeks in Provo learning about our responsibilities as volunteer English teachers in Mongolia and getting pumped up spiritually. We had some family time, so we visited temples in the area; we also went to the Luminaria at Thanksgiving point with Kristina (#2 daughter), Matthew (#3 son), and his family. 

There are some amazing and inspiring murals at the MTC. (Missionary Training Center)

Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point in Utah

After our MTC experience, we spent the weekend with Jennifer (#1 daughter) and her husband, Matt. She made us a Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday so we wouldn't miss out on a favorite holiday. Kristina joined in the festivities. 

We also got to spend a weekend with Bobby (#1 son) and his family in Orem.

Headed off to Mongolia!

Finally,  on Tuesday, November 26, we flew out of SLC headed to Mongolia by way of Los Angeles and Seoul, Korea. We met a missionary traveling alone to Pusan, Korea and traveled together to Seoul. We landed in Seoul at the same time as the biggest November storm to hit Seoul in recorded history. 140 flights were canceled, including those to Mongolia and Pusan. So the three of us spent 12 hours on Thanksgiving Day in the airport. Good thing we'd already had our feast! It's also a good thing that we never travel without snacks-

Nearly every flight was canceled or delayed that day!

After the missionary departed on a high speed train, we spent two nights in Seoul waiting for our new flight. We visited our temple there as well as a couple of famous places: the Gyeongbokgung Palace, where it is customary to rent period costumes to visit (we didn't know, so we went in missionary clothes :)),  and then the Bukchon Hanok Village, restored traditional Korean houses. 

Seoul, Korea LDS Temple

Bukchon Hanok Village

Somebody(ies) in Korea made use of the snow!

Lunch in Seoul

This cab driver had so much bling! He had created a home away from home for himself and his guests!

On Saturday Nov 30,  we made it to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. We were glad to have made it and even more excited that our luggage also arrived! We stayed in mission headquarters for a couple of days, met lots of missionaries, and helped with a ward potluck (John made 75 dinner rolls) and a Young Single Adult Family Home Evening. 

There was quite a spread at the potluck, 
and even a plate of horse meat.

The Ulaanbaatar airport

View from the apartment on the 5th floor
 of the mission office.

On Monday we will meet with the Mission President and his wife and receive our assignment. Most likely, we will be leaving the capitol. We have really seen the Lord's hand in getting this far along in our adventure and are excited for what's next!