Elder & Sister Ward

18 December 2012 Hello Everyone--Family and Friends,   It has been a while since I've written, but feel I must send you all a Christmas greeting.  In the Philippines they begin the Christmas season with all the Christmas decorations coming out in the stores and the playing of  Christmas music as early as October.  Because the majority of people are Catholic and Protestant, they are big on Nativity scenes.  You see or hear very little bout Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, etc.  They really love Christmas and will be setting off plenty of fireworks on Christmas and New Year's Day, especially.   We had a Christmas social with the Temple Presidency and all of the temple workers on Monday the 17th.  We enjoyed about 5 musical numbers--two guitar numbers, one vocal solo, and two dances, and a Christmas message by Pres Pagaduan.  It was fun and enjoyable and the food was catered and was very good.   ...

Typhoon Hi, Everyone,   The typhoon went another direction and became weaker by the time it was supposed to hit us.  We feel lucky--or blessed, because there definitely was death and destruction on the island of Mindinau just north of us.  We got some really heavy rain and 20-30 mile an hour winds for about and hour or so then it blew over and got deadly calm and nothing more.  We were quite relieved but prepared for the worse case scenario.  The temple was closed only Tuesday afternoon and we're back in full force yesterday and today.  It was rather scary but we're fine.  Thanks for your prayers and concern for us.   Don't know much else, but send our love to all of you.   Lyman and Linnea

TYPHOON COMING OUR WAY Hello Everyone,   Just in case you haven't heard about the typhoon headed our  way.  This one is actually supposed to hit us.  We've been counseled to store up water and food, so we've been preparing all day.  They have tied supports to all the palm trees around our complex in expectation of hard winds.    I think we'll be okay in our housing that is well built, but I worry about the Filipino members who live in such weak shanties--if it turns out to be bad.  We may be without electricity and water for while.  It should be an interesting experience if it does turn out to be a bad one.  But our faith is strong and we'll make it through this.  There are a lot of other people suffering more than we will--I'm sure.   Other than that, we are doing fine; I just haven't had much to talk about lately.  We had to work on Thanksgiving day, but had a potluck dinner last Monday night to ce...