Tsagaan Sar, Box and GRACE

This past Monday and Tuesday was Tsagaan Sar (White Moon/month) - one of the big Mongolian National holidays. We were invited to a couple homes. Always bring a gift for the host and hostess of the house and be prepared to eat a lot. Buuz, steamed meat dumplings, are traditionally served, along with cold salads and hot milk tea. This time we were also served homemade fruit juice that was quite tasty. Much better than the drink we were offered the day before. :/

enjoying milk tea

enjoying the sugary treats

Today I received a phone call that I had mail at the local post office and I'd better go pick it up. I quickly threw on some layers of warm clothing, grabbed Jaaz's bike and set off. Big mistake! I haven't ridden a bike in a LONG time! And on icy trails and roads in the sub zero weather, that was interesting. My legs were hurting by the time I got back to the house! But so excited to have my box here!!! I was dreading the thought   that it would arrive after I left Hatgal. God is good. I thoroughly enjoyed opening it, seeing all the randomness from my BFFF and my sister. All their notes and stickers were awesome! 

My long awaited box!!!

Recently I've been reading through the New Testament again. One thing that I was noticing was that many times that the word "Grace" appears. Been thinking a lot about God's grace - how He always there for His children, giving strength, grace and peace during trials and struggles. So glad I serve a God that cares!!

Tonight I am especially grateful for His Grace. I opened my email today for the first time in a week and in my inbox was a troubling email. A short forwarded note that a good friend of mine was killed a couple days ago. I don't know much about the situation, but she leaves behind a husband and three dear, lovely, young children. This family was one of God's warrior families, serving Him on the foreign field. 

My heart is heavy tonight. 

But I KNOW my GOD is Good. 

and I KNOW HE is still in Control. 

God's Grace is Real

Alone.... and Kindle!

ALONE.

What does that mean to you? 

For me, it means the past two days my ears have rang because of the silence that threatens to engulf me. At night, the dark and quiet closes in and reminds me that I am all alone. I may be living on the outskirts of a town with 3,000 other people, but there are only two Americans currently here. And the other isn't someone I would willingly chose to spend time with. 

I don't mind being alone. Reading, studying, tutoring and emailing have filled up much of my time. Besides the normal living, as in stoking the fires to stay warm and cooking food. But as much as I enjoy it, it is eerie. 

My Christmas presents from my family came a week or so ago. I had requested and received a Kindle! I love to read, but had refrained from getting a Kindle or Nook, because I prefer a real book. There is just something about having a book in your hands, breathing in the aroma of old paper and ink while living the experiences of another person during a different time. But I've realized this trip what a blessing a Kindle can be. While in Xinjiang we traveled with only backpacks for days. We had many hours in buses, but I couldn't  afford to bring any books. (besides my NT) One of my traveling companions had a Kindle with hundreds of reading options! I decided then and there, it was time to get one. 

Funny thing is, in order to add books to your Kindle library one must register the Kindle. No problem, except you need wifi to do so. Ugh, I am in the middle of Outer Mongolia! Wifi doesn't exist out here! All internet is dial up, so I can't connect and add books yet. The only books that came on the device are two different dictionaries. Now don't laugh, but at times I've taken to "reading" through parts of the dictionary. Hey, it's helping build my vocabulary! And it has been helpful also while studying, I can easily look up a definition when I want a better explanation of a word. 

Just to reassure y'all. While I may be humanly "alone," I am not truly alone. My Lord has never left me. And my time with Him has been sweet. 

God is good!

Oh, one more thing.... 

I just want to say "GO NANOOKS!!"

Our college hockey team, University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks have won the past six games! They are now #20 in the nation in Division I College Hockey. I may be thousands of miles away and not able to attend any games this season, I'm still cheering them on. I've been able to listen online to a couple of their games and have enjoyed it immensely. 

4th of July

  "Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the   field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not    what course others may take; but as for me, Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!"       -Patrick Henry, 1755


"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible."                       - George Washington

Praise the Lord that we can celebrate Independence day! 236 years ago, our forefathers declared to England and King George that they would not stand for his injustice and tyranny. They proclaimed themselves free. Free to make their own choices. Free to be governed by themselves. 

FREEDOM

is a precious word. 

It is not something that is free however. Many men, women and children have given their time, fortune, land, family and some even their lives, so that today we could be free. 

Don't forget their sacrifice. Remember them. 

Thank those who are still alive who give of themselves.

For the 4th, I decided to make some patriotic cookies. I had the day off which meant I actually had the time to do it. :) Start off with some Alaskan blueberries and (not Alaskan) strawberries. 

So vibrant blue... and vibrant in taste! 

Cookies baked, icing made, blueberries ready. Time to slice the strawberries and.... 

 you have.... Red, white & blue Stars!

They look pretty cool, huh? 

but they took a lot of time! so after 14 of them, I decided it was enough. :)  

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of you, my friends and blog readers. The few of you. :) 

the funky White House Christmas tree
with the Washington monument in the background

Capital Tree - much nicer

Capital building

I pray that each of you have a joyous Christmas with family and friends.