Time in the USA

I am back in Ulaanbaatar now, back from my time in the USA. In so many ways it was a great time. Kathy and I spent time in Ohio and California with family and friends.

In Ohio we saw Christy, Eric and little Audrey and spent Christmas there. Kim and Lenny drove there from California after they drove to Virginia. Great time. So nice to all be together. We went to Christy and Eric's church several times, went shopping, went to the movies, spent time at home. ... and lots of pillow fights with Audrey :)

After that Kathy and I went to California. We were with Lenny and Kim in San Diego for some days, and then with friends in Santa Ana. What a beautiful place California is... especially in the winter when Mongolia is so cold! We visited Lenny and Kim's church and did some things together. In Santa Ana where we used to live we spent time with friends and people in our church we used to attend while living there. Busy time in many ways.

Now I'm back in Mongolia. Great to be back. Lot's to do! And waiting for Kathy to return in a few weeks after she enjoys life in California for a little while longer :)

Gingerbread house competition :)

Celebrating Christmas at our church and school :)

We had two big Christmas parties in Ulaanbaatar before I flew to Ohio to meet Kathy and our two daughters and families. Our Language Education Institute had it's Christmas party at the main hall at MIU. Great time. Each year gets better :) We had lots of food and fun watching performances by the students and had some great games. Very memorable!

Torch Church also had a Christmas service / party. Great to see so many attend and participate. So much talent in our church! And so good to worship together and remember the central reason for the celebration... the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus came into the world to save mankind from their sin and separation from God, that He and we can live together forever. His names are so meaningful. The Bible tells us about His mother Mary:

And she will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, 

for He will save His people from their sins. 

~ Matthew 1:21

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they 

shall call His name Immanuel, which means, God with us.

~ Matthew 1:23

I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas! 

Our LEI Christmas party:

The overhead banner for the party

This is the photo background for the party

Our MC's Tom and Nandia

We gave each teacher and staff an LEI mug for Christmas :)

Our Torch Church Christmas service / party:

Our backdrop for the Christmas service and party

The MC's Bobby and Nomin