We hope you are staying warm. We don't have a problem staying warm; except at church when they turn the air conditioning up and we sit right under it. As we sat there shivering, we thought, "this feels like December!" Then we went outside and thought, "this feels like July!"
Another transfer week is in the books. Twenty-one missionaries left for home--most of them for the U.S. and winter snow. We have seen pictures of some of them bundled in sweaters and experiencing icy roads. What a shock to the system! It will be our turn soon enough!
Back to Groundhog Day, er transfers. This was our biggest departing batch since we have been here, and the sisters in this batch got here just before we did. Nearly all of them were leaders in the mission, but that just gives other missionaries an opportunity to step up and lead; and they always do. It also may have been our last time teaching the departure workshop. The church is implementing "My Plan" in the Philippines, which is a day and a half workshop for departing missionaries. The full day is to be taught by the local CES director, and the half day by President Clark. We expect it to be in place by the January transfer. We will miss teaching the workshop; it was one of the funnest tasks we had.
Twelve new missionaries arrived on Wednesday, and by Thursday, transfers were complete and all missionaries were settled in their new areas. After Mission Leadership Council tomorrow and Tuesday, we will get serious about preparations for Christmas Conference, which is almost upon us. Such is life for us, just one thing after another. But busy is good.
We have been enjoying all of the nativities around town this season, and the carolers have started this week. Nearly every evening they are at our gate singing and pounding on beatboxes. We enjoy the music from inside because if we go out, they will want a tip. Then word gets around, and pretty soon we are getting all kinds of carolers because the white people will pay for songs. Just call us Scrooge. We choose to give in other ways. Back to the nativities; apparently there is a contest for the most beautiful nativity. That explains the very elaborate ones, and the weird ones as well. It's fun to see all of the different nativites, but we wonder if the motivation is to honor the Savior or win a prize. Maybe a little of both?
Last night we got dinner from McDonalds, then headed to a nearby park to see the Christmas lights and displays. By the time we got there it was raining hard and they had turned the lights off. So we sat in the parking lot, ate our dinner while listening to the rain, the went home. We will try again another night. Today we attended Tarlac 1st Ward, a large and well run ward so different from Burgos and Dapdap branches. But we enjoy attending all three of them and have dear friends in each unit.
Well that's about it from here. We leave you with 3 Nephi 1:13: "Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets." His promises are sure!
Maligayang Pasko!
Elder and Sister Whiting
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| Jeepney of the Week - Italian Tourister |
A few of the many nativites found throughout the city of Tarlac.
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