Sain Uu!

Daraagiin neg dex udur bid Skype-eer yarix yum baina! Yansiin goe shuu! Setgel xutluj baina uu ger bul mini ee? It's been an incredible fast week here.... it hasn't registered with me yet that Christmas is already here?? So I'll make sure I get on that on before Sunday! I love missionary work because of the constant focus that we have to be closer to the Lord and His spirit. That really is something that every man needs to have in his life, not just in a Christmas season or a short two year period. I want to share with you a line from this weeks Pass Down that really impressed me while reading/translating it:

"Certainly the greatest discovery ever made is when man discovers his Redeemer."

This week I've seen that principle over and over a few times and this sentence sums up a lot of this week's thoughts and impressions. We take upon ourselves His name through baptism so that we can discover His joy and receive peace and eternal life. We discover more about Christ as we read the scriptures with an attitude that allows His Gospel principles to be revealed to us (without love, charity, and a desire to draw closer to Christ the scriptures will not be opened unto us). I am and need to continue working harder to discover my Redeemer.

So here's a little look into what's been going on here:

On Monday I got a haircut, that's about all we got to, we had a busy preparation day. Elder Neuberger and I did try to make hash browns and had a wonderful failure- so were going back to the drawing board on that one! I'm constantly grateful for having Elder Neuberger as a companion- he's great! Elder Wilson had me help him in a little translation service project for a member that finished the day off, we keep saying we're going to get the deels made, but it hasn't been happening... that's why I haven't drawn out the money yet, but we'll get it done before Tsagaan Sar baix aa.... I'm excited to show you all!

Tuesday after district meeting we had lunch with the Fords and some of the best enchiladas/the only enchiladas I've had in the last couple years! I'm really excited for all the food exchange that will be had upon our meeting up again- I'll make you guys delish Mongolian food! You guys are probably, out of "respect," saving that aaruult that I sent you and I want you to know I'm grateful that you guys are being so patient before enjoying. Tuesday night was mostly spent teaching English at New West, which is going really good! We have a lot of involved and interested students which makes the teaching rewarding on both sides. Then we got one more lesson in before heading home with our couple that are getting baptized this next week, Bro. Purev and Sister Nyamsuren. They are what we would call an "Uvuu" and "Emee" (Grandpa and Grandma), a couple of their kids are members of the Church and we've been working towards their baptism day for over a month now. I love them! They meticulously record every principle that we teach in the lessons (to not forget) and we can't leave until they've been given a commitment along with a reading assignment (sometimes they will ask before we have the chance to give it) and are working very hard to be ready for baptism. Elder Neuberger taught me an important lesson this night, that while we don't track and knock doors to find that "golden investigator," in our work through teaching English and then getting out and teaching we are being led in a similar manner to those who are prepared to receive the Gospel. It changed my perspective on English teaching and made me more grateful for that opportunity. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were also a lot of teaching for Elder Neuberger and I with lessons squeezed in between and on the way home.

Saturday, a full day of study and work! We met with Ganbold and his family and also our investigator Batsaikhan. Have I told you about Batsaikhan? If I haven't I'm sorry! I'll summarize: When Elder Tuvshinbayar and I were companions, Elder Tuvshinbayar was very insistent about getting his haircut at this certain place (the "Best Salon" gedeg), and so I'd follow him along and then just bring something to read. The last time we went as a companionship I brought along a copy of the Book of Mormon and read while I waited. Next to me a college student sat down and started flipping through a magazine, but glancing over at this American reading a book in Mongolian. First a few glances, and by this time I notice that he is watching, (say a quick prayer that I will be able to have the Spirit) and wait patiently for the right moment. Within a few minutes the magazine is down and he is reading with me! As he starts looking around for the name of this book I take the opportunity to introduce the Book and share my testimony about it. He very happily accepted the copy that I was carrying with a few marked passages and I gave him my number, told him that we would like to explain to him more about this book. After reading some he called and we began meeting with Batsaikhan. Fast forward and Batsaikhan is now preparing for baptism. He has been praying for an answer, but remarked in the last few weeks how he hasn't been able to recognize an answer. Then on Saturday as we taught him about the Plan of Salvation, he closed by telling me his version of the same story I just shared. While attending college he began to search out religion because he felt like he wanted to belong to something and wanted the faith and the path to lead him to a better life. His parent's religion didn't satisfy and he determined to find out more about Christians, investigating a few different churches. The day we met he was discouraged at the lack of success his search had shown and took a few minutes to sit down and think. He then asked that God would help him, and then went to get a haircut. He said to me that he then realized that God had been answering his prayers and guiding him. It was a great lesson and his faith has increased immensely as we have been meeting with him this week.

This is not a unique story to missionary work. But I was grateful again for the confirmation that the Lord is leading us, and leading others to us to receive this the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that this is a great work that we are all involved in, and I pray will not be a hinderance to this cause but with the Spirit can continue to invite and help. One of the highlights of my week!

Then Sunday. I have been doing some branch-hopping lately and yesterday went to Baganuur with the Clarks, the Gledhills, and Elder Myagmardorj. We left at 9 to make the noon sacrament meeting and then after attending the block ( I had the opportunity to translate), we took the 2+ hour drive back, met up with our companions and went to meet with Ganbold and his family again. Brother Ganbold is the best! Not a big talker but is incredibly kind. He found out that I really dig aarts (it's like the aaruult but in a hot drink- by far my favorite Mongolian treat!) so he made us some buuz and aarts before we met as a family. Too good! I know that I'm going to miss Mongolian food so bad and so I'm soaking it all up as much as I can know. Elder Neuberger.... ha ha hasn't really caught the fire yet, took about 2 sips of the aarts and then threw in the towel (he really wants to like it so it was kind of a bummer for him, but he'll have it after a few more attempts). And so I got double portions, everybody wins!

Merry Christmas to all of you that read this email. I hope that we can all remember Him who loves us, and to put aside all the desires, bad feelings, and habits that keep us from being closer to Him. The second we do that we will have peace and surety in our lives. That is the goal of Christmas and a main purpose in our lives. To my family, I'll tell you all Merry Christmas in person on Sunday!

Love, Elder Ryan Jolley

P.S. Most of the pictures are very obvious. But you may wonder why Elder Neuberger and I are touching buses.... We had some choice traffic this week that was so dense that there was little clearance between us and the other cars on all sides. So in the standstill we decided to each touch a bus.