Dear Ones,

We will be out of the office next week attending a managers conference. We thought it would be a nice relaxing time.  But, Sister Webb has been asked to do a water color class for the wives of the managers.  She is now spending time on the web getting tips on how to teach that class.  It should be entertaining if not informative.  It's been 4 years since she had a brush in her hand.  

We think it is another one of those language issues we some times run into in the church.  People ask what medium of art you likes best and then  the next thing you know your is asked to teach a class on the subject.  Kind of like filling out a mission application.  They ask questions about any possible limitations one might have, like, lets say, you don't do well in humidity.  Then they send you some place that champions the cause of humidity.  Did we mention the rainy season has begun?  It's nice because the temperature has dipped 2 degrees and now everyone has this nice sheen covering every inch of the body.  They say it is good for one's complexion.

We completed the assignment for the lawyers conference.  Sister Webb put together a video that shows what we do in the Welfare/ Humanitarian program of the church along with personal experiences we have had in the field.  Elder Webb addressed his fellow doctors of law together we took too much time, but we enjoyed ourselves. The message was well received and fewer people slept through our presentation than the previous talks.  We took that as a sign of success. That and the fact that during break the other attorneys asked us questions and we were both busily engaged in different conversations.  It is a good way to share the message of the gospel with out business associates.

This is what is left of a class room that was hit by typhoon Yolanda 4 years ago.  We are partnering with an organization that is rebuilding the schools.  LDS Charities will donate school desks and other needed supplies.

We met with the Area Presidency and passed two new deals that we have put together as well as talked about others  things.  One project we passed has to do with chairs for schools in Bohol.  Bohol was hit by an earthquake 3 years ago, and then typhoon Yolanda destroyed anything that was left 3 weeks later.  We have partnered with an NGO who is rebuilding the schools.  We will supply school equipment to complete the project including school desks.

We also discussed other issues and left with assignments to deal with a few problems.  It is an interesting process to watch as these men with the authority to preside over the Philippines work through tough problem and deal with hot spots.   We feel privileged we are allowed to participate. There is a lot to learn; things that will improve our private lives as well as our church assignments.

As one might imagine our hours in the office have increased.  We will need to reorganize our lives and prioritize things a bit or we might as well move our beds to the office.  It is Saturday morning.  Elder Webb returned to the office about 6:30 am to get in a couple hours of work in before we need to take a van across town to Asia Mall to meet Elder Soleta who will drive it to some remote village north of Baguio for the kick off of our Solar Lamp project.  We were planning on being there but have been giving another assignment by the DTA so Danny will represent the church and public affairs will be there to record the proceedings in photography.  This is the big celebration kick off.  We have been working with the Department of Education, but like many governmental projects things run at their pace, driven by their priorities and politics. Getting them to live by the church rules is a bit tricky, and we find it difficult not to get caught up in the momentum of their work. Our job is to protect the church. The drama can be exhausting as decisions and signatures are left literally to the last minutes. That is just how governments work.

We have mentioned before that these solar lamps are going to remote schools with out electricity.  As we were mapping out the delivery it was discovered the Brandshaws will need a different vehicle.  They will cross 7 streams and rivers and the rainy season has begun.  The roads are more like trails and when it rains they become mud pits.   We decided to bring in the military and their big trucks to help.  The Bradshaw are excited for the adventure.  It will be different than the wheel chair projects which takes the majority of their time.  They are great people.

U.S. Ambassador Goldberg 

On Sunday last we were privileged to attend the Memorial Day Services at the U.S. Cemetery here in Global City.  It was hosted by the U.S. Embassy here in Manila.  This cemetery is a stunningly beautiful memorial to those U.S. and Filipino soldiers who gave their lives fighting for freedom  during WWII. It is the one peaceful place I have found in this vast city of noise and congestion outside the temple. The ceremony was a reverent, solemn event befitting the sacrifice represented there.  Contemplating the vast number of lives given in that one war was a sobering.  I wish I could share the magnitude of this memorial..... 

Elder Webb with the Girl Scouts

Like all of you, we are trying to do our best to serve the Lord.  It is so good to know that He is busy in this work making a way for His Gospel of love to reach every soul, even those in remote areas.

We love and miss you all.  June is just around the corner and we are coming up on 11 months.  Thank you for your prayers, notes and letters of love and encouragement.  We are very blessed to have so good people in our lives. It's beginning to feel like we have a vast family spreading throughout the world. Those of you who have missed writing us as missionaries still have a few months before this opportunity is lost forever.  

Love, 

Elder and Sister Webb

mom and dad

gma and gpa

Norriss and Carol