July 24th, 2017 - Week 50

Here is what we got from Griffin this week. Sorry I am so late in getting it up. I crashed after work on Monday and didn't check my email and then I didn't get home until late last night. I'll put up a bunch of pictures this weekend, I promise.

Hey guys this week is transfers, and I'm leaving Sansar!!!!!!!! Now I'm going to go to  Songino!!!!!!! I'm going from one of the furthest east to the farthest west place in the city!!!!!!! It's exciting and kind of sad cause I'm leaving Azhuu, we had a really good time together. Now I'm going to be with elder Whitaker, he's pretty cool. He's from north Carolina. I'm also emailing a day late cause I didn't get a chance to cause we went hiking for p-day and did exchange things. The hike was way cool,we got to see a little bit outside the city. 

Elder Griffin Hansen

July 16th, 2017 - Week 49

I'll put up a post of just pictures soon, including more from Naadam. Here is what we got from Griffin this week:

So hey everybody! This wee was Naadam, which is a giant cultural festival here in Mongolia. The whole city shuts down for this festival, and it's given to missionaries as a p-day basically.So to start off our plan was that A and I would split for the day, and that I would go with a few other Americans who also have Mongolian companions. We did this because Naaadam is close to Mothers day or Christmas for Mongolians, so all the Mongolian missionaries get to Skype with their families. So all our companions would Skype their families, while we spent the day at the festival. It worked pretty well!
To start off the day I got ready and put on my Mongolian tsamts,it's like a traditional festival shirt. We went over to the apartment we were going to switch at and we switched. I got together with Elder Callahan and Whitaker. We go to the festival. By this point I still didn't have tickets to get into the stadium, because I was told I could get them there from  scalpers. When we got there there were not scalpers because the police cracked down hard on them that. Also they hardly had any tickets because so many people came to see he new president's inauguration. So we chilled for a little bit until right before a stadium opened. At this point I still didn't have any tickets. So we had this idea! They televise Naadam! So went to this fancy restaurant called California, by this time we were joined by Elder Lambert who also forgot to buy a ticket. It was awesome! The restaurant was like Olive Garden and had sweet food, I forgot what pasta tasted like until I ate some Carbonara. And we watched Naadam on the tv. It was super cool! They had a play and live music, and then Wrestling.

After we ate we went to  Naadam again and played fair games. I was the best archer in my group and I won 10000 togrogs because I knocked down a few cans! Then we went to Hard Rock Cafe, and I've never been in one before and it was dope! They had music I ate an awesome club sandwich. Then we got a call from the ap's (i was still with the Americans) and they were a little mad cause we weren't with our companions. So we got with our comps and went home. Naadam was awesome. 

Then on the 12th was president birthday (same as my brothers, happy birthday bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). So here in Mongolia there are these toys called spinners and everybody has them. So we got president one! Overall this week was really relaxing, and super fun. We also started to meet again with investigators cause they started coming back to the city! Things are looking up! 

Well  that was my week, ooooh also I got my old camera back! here are some pictures and stuff! I also got new shoes!​​

Elder Griffin Hansen

July 9th, 2017 - Week 48

Here's what we got from Griffin:

Hey everybody sorry for the lack of pictures. I lost my camera in a church building. So I don't have any pictures I can send home this week. I'm going to buy a new camera today.

Most Important this week is Naadam, which is a giant cultural celebration here in Mongolia. It starts tomorrow and my companion and I will be doing lots of cool things for that. I'm going get pictures for sure!

Also this week is Campbell's birthday, So HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're the best brother ever!!!!!!!! I love you Campbell and all the cool things you do, like be way better at me at video games and basketball. Stay strong and keep being dope!!

Here's an awkward picture of Campbell

Here's an awkward picture of me

And here's an epic picture of us exploring epically and of some awkward tourists. 

Elder Griffin Hansen

July 2nd, 2017 - Week 47

Here is what we got from Griffin this week, sorry the video won't load on the blog:


Hey everybody, there is not a lot to say about this week, just the usual. However my companion and I took these awesome pictures. One thing we've started doing is working with a few less actives. It's awesome being able to experience life here, people here are sooo cool and have sooooo much faith. Faith is a thing, it's strengthens us when we're down, it pulls out us of dark places, and it makes miracles work. Even if you don't think you have faith, have faith that you'll get faith (you like that, I made that up all on my own). The members here in Mongolia have so much faith for miracles and it's amazing!!!!!! In Alma 32 Alma talks about faith and says;

21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

22 And now, behold, I say unto you, and I would that ye should remember, that God is merciful unto all who believe on his name; therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on his word.

Faith is really important because through faith we are shaped by God and improved. Eventually we are are able to grow into a fuller happiness. 

Here are some cool pictures of my comp and I...

​​Here are some members plying the original Mortal Combat (No I didn't play, and yes I can see your judgement)

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Elder Griffin Hansen