Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Paniqui, Tarlac,

Phipppines

23 December 2009

Every Wednesday we have the opportunity to attend the missionary development meeting with the young Elders and Sisters and during the most recent meeting we were asked to help them with their Paniqui Zone Christmas presentation for the Mission Zone Conference to be held December 23rd in Tarlac. They had prepared a script and assigned parts to all eighteen missionaries in the zone then asked us to be the grandparents (type casting!) and narrators in the skit. The Grandfather told the story to his grandchildren that when he went on a mission as young man, they still had to work hard on Christmas day. The missionaries did a great job through songs (Called to Serve) and scenes that depicted working hard, even though being far from home and a little homesick on a special holiday but continued to work faithfully and finally found a golden family that made this their best Christmas day ever (Joy to the World!)

We had a great time practicing and singing with them and learned a lot from their example of diligence and obedience in following mission rules and being blessed for the commitment. At the end of the practice we gave them each (12 Elders, 6 Sisters) a little stocking filled with treats from Santa. As you can imagine, Wednesdays are one of our most favorite days of the week!

We also got to participate in a skit that just the “Senior” couples presented so it was a really fun Zone Conference. President and Sister Puzey helped us all to focus on the birth and especially on the life of the Savior. He is the Light of the world and through his teachings and example has brought the only true light to all mankind. His Light will give us understanding and lead us to follow the Savior’s example to help us endure to the end.

We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season.

Elder NB & Sister MB

What are "Ber" Months?

Tarlac City, Tarlac,

Philippines

6 December 2009

We were having a discussion with a member back in September when she mentioned the “Ber” months were here. Not knowing what she was talking about we asked what were the “Ber” months? She looked at us as if we where little children and said “You know September, October, November and December”. These are the months the Philippines celebrate the Christmas holidays. Yes, they start as early as September singing Christmas carols. While attending a missionary district meeting in September we sang a carol as one of our songs. To us it was a bit early.

As we paid more attention we noticed businesses started putting up Christmas decorations and trees as part of their way of doing business. Even the local municipalities have their displays out and lit in October. Other cities have waited until December to open their displays of Christmas. Many houses are also putting up lights for the season.

The Philippines is a Christian country so Christ’s birth is the theme of almost all their community displays. As we drive for our assignments we can see a whole spectrum of displays from the most humble – a little manger with small figures set alongside the country road, to big elaborate sets that are hugh and well lighted. No matter how it is presented it shows the enthusiasm each community has for this time of year.

The weather does not let us relate to the Christmas season that we remember from back home because it is so warm. We have no snow, no ice on the roads, do not have to wear coats or gloves or hats to keep our ears warm – we only wear short sleeved shirts, sun glasses and keep the A/C turned on in the car and house.

In our house here in Tarlac we will put up a little table top Christmas tree (we inherited from the previous missionaries) for our personal celebration and enjoy our Christmas time together here in this beautiful country.

Elder NB & Sister MB