Schoolroom

Some how the time thus far teaching has flown by! We have just completed our 5th week of classes we all seem to be thriving! I am so pleased with how my classroom has come into shape and there is something for everyone. Here we are just this last Friday both working at our math and then having fun with science. The table you see us all over is full of sand, basically a sandbox inside. We used it to make our volcano, which was a success when it, not just erupted, but exploded upwards getting me with vinegar. What a hoot!!!

Mongolia Field Forum

Not long after coming back to Mongolia we participated in our annual team retreat, where we prayed together, played together, and planned together too. This is a picture of the kids' program. We stayed in a very nice wooden ger, climbed some beautiful hills (with trees!), and even rode a horse or two... Zeke rode one of them side-saddle for over 100 yards hanging on for dear life! It was a great chance to worship and fellowship with teammates - some of whom we hardly ever see! And then we came home and got to work - organizing the house, preparing Krista's classroom, and making plans for the year in our community.

Sunshine

What wonderful weather in the pacific northwest - we brought along a Mongolian sky! Just so you don't think that we are finished having fun, every day is a blast at grandma's house - bike riding, hot tubbing, picking flowers and strawberries, sprinklers, speedboats and more!

Also our kids have been going to swim lessons twice a week at the local Y. Eden is finally getting over her aquaphobia! The boys have a pretty good flail too...

More Fun!

Does the fun never end?! Our kids think they are on an extended vacation (while everyone else is still in school!). First we went bowling on cousin Kaden's birthday... they should hand out knee-pads along with those shoes! The whole ground shakes when these guys play! Zeke took home 1st place with 120-something (no trophy, though). The week after that we caught a new movie in 3D!!

This week we all went to the Enchanted Forest. The kids flew through the Fairy Tales ...I don't remember them being so scary. They were even a bit scared of Alice's rabbit hole (maybe I overdid my evil cackle?). The kiddie rides were great, especially the bumper cars and boats, but they REALLY loved the big rides! They went again and again on the bobsled, log ride, and Challenge of Mondor (side note: I am now a "Champion of Mondor"). It was a gorgeous day and there were almost no lines!

More Sand

As if Hawaii wasn't enough sand, we recently spent a lovely weekend with Grammie & Papa on the Oregon coast! We had some great pine-cone fights, experienced some wildlife (note our fearless "croc hunter"), and tromped across the sand dunes. Our boys climbed up and slid down to their hearts' content, along with Papa's great dog Amos. They even burrowed together and took a quick nap! Different from Hawaii, but still lots of fun and beautiful.

We also had the chance to spend time with some new and old friends at Reedsport Church of God - great desserts and even better fellowship!

Hawaiian thaw

What a great place to thaw out! While our friends are still getting snow (end of May!) we were surfing, snorkeling and castle-building in Honolulu!

We made some new friends at Kapahulu Bible Church, which was walking distance from Waikiki - where the boys spent every day in the water. But Eden stayed elbow-deep in sand most of the time (aquaphobia?).

Top it all off with a fire-dancing Luau and we were a very happy, long-john free family!

Mongolian kids

Every year we probably get a little more Mongol... for example we eat some pretty weird foods, have no fashion sense, and have really tiny space cushions! But we get to learn and do a lot of neat things too... like wear cool hats and hang out in round tents,

hone our archery skills,

and eat some pretty weird foods! Isn't the world full of intersting things?! As we get used to the Mongolian things, and bring them back to America with us, some people might think us strange... and maybe we are! Wasn't Abraham a "pilgrim on the earth" and Moses a "stranger in a strange land"? Wasn't Paul made a "spectacle to the world...a fool for Christ"? As for me I am very much looking forward to some of the quirks and flavor we will bring home with us next month!

Please pray for preparations and trip!

Our "Big" Girl

Here she is, almost 4! She sure is growing up... although you can't tell it much from her height. I think she is still wearing some 2T clothes!! But she is chattering away - in BOTH languages - and twirling her way around the house. Notice also how she manages to get chapstick or even make-up from any female within a 20-foot radius.
Every once in awhile she gets a bit tired from her busy schedule... the other day she even fell asleep at the snack table!

Merry White Moon!

It is that time of year again, as we come to the end of the nine 9's of winter - the White Moon, Mongolian new year. There are all kinds of traditions associated with this ancient holiday... most of which aren't done anymore. Here are the kids enjoying one of our many home visits... you can probably tell by all of the smiles that they get ALL the candy they want!

Although still quite crisp outdoors (sub-zero nights) some of us are looking forward to the beginning of the archery season... no, not hunting. The Urianhai, an ethnic group known for their archery, shoot from 50 meters at a row of leather balls - the object of which is to knock as many out of the square as possible. Larry, Zeke and I are still a bit rusty... can't hit a thing at 30 meters. But we'll get there as long as the neighbor kids (and adults!) stand back long enough to let us practice! It's surprising how many "modern" Mongolians have never ridden a horse or shot a bow...

Growin' Up So Fast

Our kids sure are growing up! All of them will have birthdays again in the next month or so.

Static-Girl: small of stature but sporting a powerful shock and scorching scold. Watch out for her glare AND her kisses...

Favorite song: "Mamo Nash Ir" (Mongolian lullaby)

The Yeller: superpower includes both piercing high-pitch and tremendous volume. Unfortunately his powers do not seem to have an "off" switch...

Favorite song - "Afternoon Delight"...?!

The Wacky-Tackler: demonstrates a variety of curious interests and skills - kung-fu, memorizing songs, drawing strange creatures, and tackling dad from behind...

Favorite song: "Jedi" by Weird Al

Lil' stocking stuffer?

Santa was NOT pleased with these kids last Christmas! That's a big lump of coal. Or perhaps, in Mongolia, that means you were a really GOOD child... it could keep our house warm for days! Especially with the heat wave we have been having lately...

snow has actually been melting! If you don't know, that is HIGHLY unusual for Mongolia in February. And of course it followed right after I shoveled another 2+ TONS into my coal closet!

Overnighters

Every other week or so we keep some strange company... the Lains! We feel so sorry for them in that horribly warm apartment, with all that running water, that we invite them for an overnighter on occasion (plus we usually make lattes when they come!). The kids have a blast even though we confine them to the upstairs (except for Edie who prefers to hang out with adults). It is very nice to spend time talking about our backgrounds (theirs much more interesting than ours!) and our dreams (surprisingly similar!), and get the chance to pray meaningfully with one another. It's all good... well, except for the small lice incident...

Preschool Days

Thanks to good snow this year this is what our school bus has looked like for Edie. On this day I made the mistake of thinking that it would be just as easy to pull Saiah down to the school and then back with Edie, as without Saiah.

Now that the first of the year has come and gone the Hepatitis that was a worry in Saiah's class is gone and he is back at Mongolian preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This gives me much needed time to do other jobs without kids. Yesterday was his first day back and he came out telling me how it was his "best day at preschool ever". Then he continued to tell me how he pested his teacher during the entire time he was to be sleeping. Not a surprise but, I have true sympathy since he does that to me the other three days of the week.

They are both doing well with preschool and Edie even taught me a new word in Mongolian this week, I just wish I could remember what it was!!

"Snow Daughters"

Here is our adorable little girl. She is all dressed up with her friends for her school program. I know I showed you pictures of their programs before, but these are worth a closer look. It is especially important to know that Edie was sick that day and the only reason I took her to school was so she could be part if the program and then she was a pro!

Merry Christmas

What a Christmas this year! Our holidays must have resembled many of yours it was full of parties. We counted the other day, we were invited or helped plan 8 different Christmas/New Years parties, crazy! We are relieved to say that we did not make it to all, thanks to Jeremy's terrible cold, but those we did make were a good time!

Here is us after the presents had been opened, as always too much good stuff to count. Thanks to all who prayed for us during the holidays. We trust yours were as blessed as ours.

Holiday Programs

On the 19th we were a busy family with 2 school programs in one day. We started at Edie's preschool for her class program. This was a variety of children singing/staring at the parents, a short play that included also of prodding by the teachers and our Edie was part of the dance of the snow daughters. Here again, there was a cryer among the girls and constant reminders from the teachers of what was the next move. We were so proud of our girl since she had to be bribed to dance with the required dress, shoes, and hair bows. She is above with her teacher showing everyone how it should be done.

Phew, next one. In the afternoon we had Zeke and Saiah's program. This included games, singing an Australian rendition of Jingle Bells, recorder playing and play staring the oldest girl in the class, Jubilee. Notice the picture of their program, the teacher was busy handing out the words of the next song and absent-mindedly handed Saiah the microphone. His face says it all. He was master of the mic for only about a minute but, he had all the adults roaring with laughter!!

By evening we were exhausted and treated ourselves to dinner out with most all the team in Darhan. What a great day!!

Winter has set in!

So, I know that we usually have cute pics of the kids but for all you folks from the temperate climates, here it is. Our wonderful helper did laundry, yes by hand, and this is what we got home to at 5pm. The trick is to get them brought in the house before the sun goes down and it is really cold. So this time the jeans and sweatshirts dripped, before this week it was warm enough that though frozen the water dripped off before they were brought in.

Note of interest, it takes 4 days for frozen clothes to dry and yes, when you pick them up they are stiff, almost rock hard!

Cowkids!!

Here are our three cowkids!! You will notice that their choice of hats varies, but all still very authentic for the job they have selected.

Mrs Teacher

Our schoolhouse teacher, Ms. Kirsten, has been sick the last couple of days... so Krista has been filling in! Sure it has been a bit stressful (10 or so kids in 5 grades in 1 classroom), but she is a super-mom! As far as I know all of the kids are still alive and a few of them even passed their tests today ;) But "super-mom" is a bit tired... We sure appreciate our schoolteacher!!

More Outdoor Fun

Here we are casually crossing a pleasant stream on a bridge of our own making! I'm thankful we had such a nice camping trip early September, because we are already using the woodstove and wearing long-johns to work!! There is always a window between the weather turning cold and the city's heat being turned on. Yes, we have had our first frosts and the garden is now OUT of commission... but I guess it would be anyway because of the cows getting into it while we were gone. But is it too cold to go fishing next week...?

Great Outdoors

One of our visit highlights was camping in the Mongolian countryside... especially because we had trees! Speaking of trees, here is the infamous "dead stump" of a tree that broke Zeke's arm. Don't ask me what he was thinking! But no worries this trip, except for the lightning storm in the middle of the night... I think my sleeping bag was the only one that got wet.

Building bridges across the stream, watching the herds of horses go by, looking for caves, telling stories, a few smores and lots of coffee! Not to mention solitude... except for the 300 year-old Tibetan Buddhist temple across the valley. Not all that easy to get to (a few mts. and rivers to cross) but definitely worth the trip!

Grandparents' Visit

We have had a wonderful visit with "grandma & grandpa" over the past 2 weeks. We've had so much fun it has flown by! We started out in UB enjoying the "fancy" stores and restaurants. Here we are at an Irish Pub in Mongolia... doesn't it look like we belong?! I think we have also had Italian, American, Mongolian and tonight maybe Thai food.

Then we moved on up to Darhan and relaxed in the quiet comfort of our cozy cabin... while grandpa took care of all of the kids! Enjoy this rare footage!! Not long after that they moved into one of our CAMA apartments in town... More to come on our great visit!

Our Not-so-little Girl

First day of school for Eden... notice the frown. At least she isn't screaming! Despite the morning tears she genuinely seems to like her teacher and the other kids. Sometimes she can't decide if she likes being a "big girl" who has her own school now, or if she prefers to stay close to mommy or daddy. A lot of times she would rather stay inside and hang out with adults rather than play... lots of attention! But she also loves to listen and watch other kids. Pray for her!

School's In

It's that time of year again already! Here are our VERY excited young students on their first day of MK school... Isaiah (starting Kindergarten), Averi Lain (2nd grade), and Zeke (3rd grade). Miss Kirsten has 10 students in our little Darhan school this year, though Krista will be helping out with Saiah every morning in their very own kindergarten class! Eden will probably start Mongolian pre-school Sept. 1st.

One Big Team!

Well, here we are - CAMA Mongolia. There are a few extras (a vision team from Tennessee), but not too many, and I think that adults are now officially outnumbered by kids!! We are very blessed. Our initial team in 2003 was about 7 families, which went down to 2 (the Yims and us!), but now we have 7 just in Darhan (if you match up Alli our Australian and Kirsten the MK kids' teacher) and 4 in UB. Praise God! What will all of these people do?! Well, at least half of them are still in language study...

New Friends

Our team just received 2 new families in UB and 2 here in Darhan. Right after breakfast our kids run over to play with the Lains (Avery & Eli), who have been staying in a Mongolian ger and "living with" one of our neighbor families. Eden would be there too, but she is still pouting over her toast. Tomorrow we all head to our Field Forum Retreat!

New Pups

They showed up on our doorstep and, after Saiah fed them once, refused to leave. I refused to feed them (Mongolians don't like female puppies, not functional enough) ...but finally gave in because the kids were having so much fun. So, please meet "Puppy Chow" and "Snack Attack." Also notice the green in our yard and the coming vegetables! Oh, and we mongolianized (de-Americanized?) the water pump and it is working much better...

Mongolia's Wild West

It was a long and fast trip through the Wild West of Mongolia, 11 days through almost as many states (with a focus on Hovd, Ovs and Bayan-Ulgii). But we did manage to get out of the car every once in awhile. We even found a few nice camping spots (yes, most of it was as bare as the pictures suggest). For more info you'll have to ask email and ask for a summary!

Livestock Safari

Another weekend fieldtrip! We took our visiting dentist (Dr. Anderson) and his lovely assistant (Linda) a half-hour north and found this Mongolian oasis. Loads of camels and horses and cows, not to mention goats and sheep... ALL five of the traditional Mongolian livestock! It was a super hot day (104F) but we had lots of fun. Then we went to Bulgan to visit our friends the Bergevins (and ride horses), and now I am getting ready to head West on an even bigger adventure!

Lil' Angel...

Here's our little cutie snuggling a kitty...
of course, she is just as likely to grab it by the tail or the neck and dance a jig, but isn't she beautiful!? She must be outside whenever possible, and she must wear boots because wherever there is water and mud, that's where she'll be! She keeps her brothers in line, and all the neighbors for that matter, with her index finger and a zinging scold. Yup, that's our girl!

School's Out

School is out and our mischievious band of MK kids are back on the streets! Zeke is enjoying staying at home (I didn't even see him this morning because he was sleeping in). He wakes up (eventually), eats breakfast in his underwear, plays on his GameBoy, watches a movie, grabs a snack, plays on the computer... he doesn't realize that we are going to kick him out of the house whenever there is no rain or sandstorm! It will be a little more difficult to make him play with his little brother and sister...

Garden Time

It's that time of year! Krista has been busy planting and watering. Thankfully we have lots of helpers! Here they are trying out our foot-pump (quite popular with the neighbors since our hand-pump is having problems!). It's a bit messy, but we are trying to canal the water through our garden. Notice the small trees behind them beginning to bud and the small patch of grass to the right... pathetic for an Oregonian, but we finally have some green!

Out and About

We went on a fieldtrip the other week and it was quite the Mongolian adventure! After figuring out the "pecking order" with the local bully (see pic) our kids were able to chase the goat kids to their hearts' content. And of course there was plenty of fresh milk, which was good because we didn't take lunches and we were stuck there for quite some time with a flat tire (and no spare). Thankfully friends brought some glue and a bike pump so we could fix the tube...

Naptime

Mongolians say that Spring makes you tired (probably from surviving the long harsh winter). Well, it is true, and we have been exhausted this past week. Our projects and churches are a juggling act, our house and well need some work, and there is a big beautiful garden to plant! God help us to help Him!