Sorry but I got these first two pictures in here backwards.  This is Enkhtaivan and he had just received his mission call.  He is from the Nalaikh Branch.  We were there Friday evening for the baptism of three young ladies.  Since most of these young adults are the only church members in their family, they come to the church members to open their calls.  Enkhtaivan has been waiting for 6 months.  He will be serving here in the Ulaanbaatar Mongolia Mission so maybe we will get to see him sometime if he gets to be in the city.  He is so excited!! And we are excited for him.

 On Saturday we attended the wedding of Brent Sherwood and Suvdaa.  Brent is from Iowa and served his mission here from Aug. 2008- Aug. 2010.  The wedding had some traditional Mongolian traditions.  The groom walked down the aisle and waited at the altar.

 Then entered the beautiful bride.  Notice the beautiful headband she is wearing.  Her dress and his jacket were made from the same fabric and were stunning.

 The Bishop conducted the ceremony in Mongolian, of course.  The little girl is the ring bearer.  She perfectly handed the groom the brides ring and waited patiently while he put it on her finger.  Then while the bride was answering the bishop, the little girl handed the groom his ring and walked away.  Guess she thought it was taking too long!

 During the time that the Bishop was performing the ceremony, the gentleman in the traditional Mongolian dress played a song on the Mongolian instrument.

 The first kiss as man and wife!!

 Then the bride goes to a pedestal and lights a ceremonial flame.  Beside it is a silver bowl of milk and a small replica of a ger.  It has something to do with asking for blessing of home, food, and warmth (or something along those lines).

 Then the groom is presented with a silver bowl of hot milk on a blue silk scarf.

 He drinks from the bowl and then holds it while the bride takes a drink.

 That bowl is taken away and then he is presented with another one.  This time the bride is presented with her own bowl on a white silk scarf.  They both drink at the same time.

 Then the couple dances to a Russian song sung by the Bishop while everyone stands in a circle around them and claps or dances in place.

 A couple performed a special ballet for the bride and groom.

 Then it was time to cut the cake.

 The couple expressed their feelings and thanked everyone for being there.

Mr. and Mrs. Brent Sherwood.  They plan to go to Iowa as soon as Suvdaa can get her visa and papers okayed.  We wish them well and pray they get to the temple quickly.  They are a very lovely couple.