Hi Everyone.

It was a great Christmas in Baguio; clear air, evergreen trees of varying shapes and color, and cool nights sleeping with the windows wide open.

A gentleman we met through work who found out we were spending Christmas in Baguio (not a member of the church) invited us to stay at the County Club because he had rooms (part of his membership perks) that would expire by Dec 23.  He not only introduced us to The Baguio Country Club life (Elder Webb spent two days golfing on the goat course -- up and down, up and down -- at Camp John Hay) but we were included in the very private world of a Filipino family clan.  Families are very important here in the Philippines.  Everywhere we visited we saw extended families, multi-generational, filling long tables in the hotels and restaurants.  There were moments I longed for my own family to share this special time. 

Lobby at Baguio Country Club

View at the entrance of the Country Club.  With Azaleas and Rhodies we could not help but feel like we were in the Northwest, our old stomping grounds in Oregon, U.S.A.

This is the Golf Course at the Country Club

Two of the holes on the course from the clubhouse, numbers 1 and 10, criss-cross.

Just in case you are wondering the above sign answers the important question about exhaust.

Christmas lights at the Manor
The pictures really do not do it justice.

After three days at the Country Club we moved to the Manor and were treated to an entirely different but truly lovely experience.  Every afternoon about 4 pm live Christmas music was sung or played in the large yard the hotel surrounded.  Christ is still in Christmas everywhere we have been.  Music was played for an hour as the sun began to set, in most cases it was good old fashioned classical Christmas Hymns.  Several times we were serenaded by the University of Baguio Capella group. The harmony was outstanding.  At dark the Nativity story from Luke 2 was re-enacted, complete with manger, spot lights and actors in great costumes -- especially the Wise Men. Then a fire show with acrobatic displays by young Filipinos dazzled us all .  At 7 pm the fireworks start and continued for about 20 minutes followed by a dinner buffet and more music.  We had a room that looked out on the show and we could watch everything from the comfort of our own room.  We did have to go down for dinner which was served in an outdoor dining room with thousands of our not-so-close friends.   At 9 pm one can listen to live music in the lounge for an up close and personal experience with a small ensemble group.  It really was a great sound and the lounge in the Philippines is a family experience which makes it nice.  We enjoyed ourselves every night.

Some of the Christmas lights in the courtyard at the Manor
Santa can be seen talking with guest.

The back side of the Manor at Camp John Hay, Baguio, Philippines
There were few people left at the office and like South Africa, things just shut down for Christmas.
That is why we could head North.
We had an appointment scheduled in our office on December 28th, with Ayala, other wise we might have stayed a little longer.

Elder and Sister Webb in front of the see through fire place at the Manor

We were invited to spend Christmas Day with Tess.  Tess is the matriarch of a large family.  Her father and Ray’s father (Ray Salvosa is our friend and business associate) were best friends.  Her father’s birthday was December 25.  When their families were young they started a tradition of celebrating Tess’ father’s birthday on Christmas day.  When this man passed away people asked Tess’ mother if she would stop the family party.  Her answer was no and so we continue today as Tess carries on the tradition her mother before her had continued.  It’s been forty years.

We drove to her large home winding through the streets of a Baguio suburb.  We lost our way twice.  We found Ray and he led us to the home of Tess.  We walked down the steps of her back yard.  The house is set on a hill with two levels of daylight basement.  When I look down into the yard I could see a large parachute that was used as a back yard umbrella.  It was strung from the trees with a large central pole, creating a canopy protecting the guests from the sun.  Tables were set for about 100 people.  The buffet was served from three different terraces one passed as one made one's way down the path into the main yard. 

It was so nice to spend the day with a family and friends who really love being together.  Tess has a theme every year and this year it was plaid.  So as a major part of the afternoon was a parade to show off everyone’s plaid something.  Tess gave away prizes all through the afternoon.  I won the worst plaid division for a purse I had slung over my shoulder (what do you expect for a last minute invite). 

Elder Webb got one for a team game he played where he sacrificed himself by diving onto the ground to retrieve the answer to a riddle.  It was very funny and a shock to say the least. We definitely stood out, but after Elder Webb sacrificed himself for the team he was rock star material.  Actually he did it for himself.

Elder Webb's team on the right.
Tess is sitting in the forefront in the red plaid dress. She was kind enough to share her table with us.

The white and green garden house sits in the background

Looking down into Tess' yard and garden party

Much as we hated to, we left for Manila the following day.  We saw four rear end collisions on our way home, which is hard to imagine because we were in a traffic jam and our speed rarely got above 20; but it happened.

We were the only ones in the office through Dec. 30.  The Senior Missionaries began to return on the 30^th because we had an activity on New Year's eve.  We shared a pot luck dinner with the Temple Missionaries and then went over to the temple with our chairs, climbed up to the roof and parked ourselves there waiting for the fireworks to start.  It was fun but we didn’t last all that long before the rains began and we decided to check things out from our apartment window.  In the end it really did not matter where one stood to watch the fireworks.  They were everywhere.  Starting at 9 pm, were just the teasers.  At 11:50 they began in full force and the sky was filled with blasts.  We could not see the fireworks at Eastwood but we could hear them.  Norriss, who worked with cannons in the army, said they sounded just like the 155mm.  Apparently it is a big cannon.  The fireworks continued till about 10min after midnight.  

New Years Eve we had a pot luck dinner complete with Missionary entertainment.
We retired to the roof of the temple about 9 pm to watch the fireworks

Sunday was Fast Sunday, a day of rest.  What a beautiful way to start the New Year energized and recommitted to serve the Lord here in the Philippines.  Monday we were off again. 

We carried our chairs up the narrow steps and enjoyed the panoramic view of the celebration.
Fireworks are a big deal here; a family experience; a neighborhood experience; a country experience.  A week before New Years a new market opened up along the side walk which abuts the Area Office Complex.  About 50 small business set up their tents and tables and the fury of buying fireworks began.  What had been a 3 lane highway turned into a 1 lane highway and parking lots.  There were several businesses, including men who would find you a parking space for a coin.  Food stands went up to accommodate the fireworks shoppers.  It was gone January 1.



When we got back to the office for our meeting on the 28th, we had Christmas all over again   Four large boxes had been delivered while we were gone.   We opened boxes sent from our daughter Elizabeth's ward in  Columbia Falls, Montana, U.S.A. . They were filled with baby blankets, tiny hats, great hygiene kits and new white shirts for the missionaries in the MTC here in Manila.  It was a lovely gift 4 times over.  Once for us (it was so much fun opening the packages and looking at the great gifts that Sister Webb just had to share the experience.  Sister Kasteler was the only other sister left here), once for the missionaries, once for the mothers at the remote birthing clinics in Looc, Batangas,  and once for the sweet babies in need everywhere.  Look how many people were blessed.

Thank you so much!  WE LOVE YOU

It's Christmas

White shirts for the Missionaries in need. This is Sister Trask the MCT  President's wife.

We made some New Born Kits which included the blankets and hats we received.  We took 25 of them to the opening of the Health Clinic and Birthing Center on which LDS Charities partnered .  

Will write about that in the next blog.

We love you all, so very much.  We can report the time is flying by for us as we open ourselves to the next adventure the Lord sees fit for us to share.  We depend on His help and intervention to qualify us for the work we do.  He never fails us. He is watching over his children here in the Philippines.  They Love him and call upon his name day and night.  The Malls are filled with tributes to Him, His birth, His life and His death.  The Catholic Church next to our apartment had a crowd at each of the masses

held during Christmas week.  There were 3-4 a day. The ones of which I was aware were 5 pm 9 pm

and 4 am. The walk and driveway outside the church were filled with people who could not get in because it was so crowded.  People would even stand on the steps of the apartment complex across the street to hear the music and receive the blessings. 

Christmas is a wonderful time of year.

Love, Elder and Sister Webb

Mom and Dad

Grandma and Granpa Webb