Easter Celebrations

Well, I realize it's been a while since Easter, but we thought you would still like to hear about how we celebrated Easter here in Mongolia this year. :) I started out the morning by making these mini muffins to bring to gathering. I made 72 and was going to make more but we ran out of time. I grabbed some cookies that I had just made as well and it was just enough for everyone to have one. :)

Here we are at gathering. The colored words up front say "Jesus Christ again just alive!" (hard translation) in Mongolian.

After the regular service portion was over we had a time of special music and presentations. These boys got up and did a choreographed dance to some music. (The girl in the gray stripes is my language tutor!) We also had a lady share a poem and the youth group did a skit that was very moving about heaven and hell.

Easter Praises!

They also had all the children go up front and they got Easter gifts. Ezra was sleeping through that part. :)

Oh, now he's awake! After the service we had a little snack together...cookies, apples, muffins, and candy.

These ladies had on their best dells. :) Such sweeties!

I love this picture of the boys looking at Ezra. It's an international baby picture! We have America, Mongolia (middle 2) and Korea (R)! The two in the middle are twins the same age as Ezra! He's a big boy!

Here is Ezra enjoying his Easter Gift!

Later that evening we enjoyed a picnic by the river with some friends! These photos are courtesy of our teammate Pam. :)

I made the rest of my muffins and brought them along. They were a bit hit!

Here's the gang at the river! This is one of our favorite places to go now. It's just south of our place and it's so quiet and peaceful. We've been there twice now, but wish we lived closer so we could go more often. We are actually thinking about moving closer since it's also closer to Matt's new job next year!

To The Countryside....

And a few days after Easter, we went to the countryside to celebrate Easter together with our teammates. This is a place called Terelj. It's beautiful! So fresh and just starting to turn green.

Here's our friend Corrie capturing the view with her camera.

And here is our sheep. I couldn't bear to name him.

He gave his life for our meal. It made Jesus' sacrifice for us very real as we celebrated Easter together. We partook in the traditional Mongolian meal of Hor Hok. They kill a sheep and put hot stones inside him to cook the meat and also put vegetables inside to cook together. Matt and others watched the process, but I couldn't watch.

This is the finished product...Mongolian Hor Hog! Mmm...

Here is the 2010-11 Team Mongolia!

There are a couple people missing, and a few that are not returning next year, which we are very bummed about! :( We love our team! 

We had a great Easter with our dear brothers and sisters, remembering the One who gave His life for us. 

We hope you had a blessed Easter as well!

He Is Risen Indeed!

Much love,

The Gens'

Random Fun Things

So, I have several fun photos and things to share and thought I would just do it all in one post. :)
So, hang on to your hats...

First of all, I wanted to share a few birthday celebration photos. The three of us went out at the end of April to celebrate since we had something else going on on my actual birthday. We went to one of my favorite restaurants called Thai Express. I love Thai food.

(I have the two sweetest guys around!!!)

After supper at the Thai Express, we went upstairs to a place called New York, New York for dessert. We got a waffle with chocolate ice cream on top.

Weather Report - May 11:  It snowed today. 

Apparently, it has snowed in all 12 months here. :)

But my plants are enjoying the warm window sill. :)

This one actually bloomed today (it's at the top of the blog!).

 I've already re-potted a couple of plants more than once. The tomatoes (on L) are doing great! I have them in 2 pots now and they are growing like crazy!

And my squash have several blooms on them. Just amazing to see His creation unfold!

And for Mother's Day...

I started a new tradition with Ezra. We made cookies together (choc chip oatmeal)!

And I got to take a nap with him on our bed. It was soooo sweet.

Mmmm....they were yummy. They are all gone already. :)

And Matt made supper for me. His newest creation, now one of our favorites, chicken curry pasta!

And while we're on the topic of food, here's another of our new favorites this year...

Guatemalan Green Beans!

Cook some green beans, separate 2 eggs and beat whites until fluffy, then mix together with yolks, 2 T flour, and 1/4 t. salt and coat the GB with it, then fry in pan until golden on both sides. Cover with 1 cup tomato sauce mixed with 2 cloves fresh garlic, 1/4 t. oregano, 1/4 t. basil, S & P to taste. And top with parmesan cheese. :)
It sounds strange, but is really good!

For Our Anniversary...

We went to Millie's Cafe and had a double cheeseburger with bacon and egg and chicken burritos!
This is one of our favorite restaurants...

With two of our favorite people, Joshua and Jennifer!

That burger is a mouthful! :)

Look at that form! These guys did the same thing last year at the donut shop! Thought I'd throw this pic in from last year for comparison! :)

And last, but not least, our new friend Orna has been helping us around the house three times a week. She's super sweet and loves to play with and sing to Ezra. He really likes Orna. We even got to go out on our double date to Millie's while Ezra stayed home with Orna, without Mommy for the first time. He did so good! She has been a huge blessing to us!

That's all for now! Much love to you all!