Birthday Joys

My birthday is in the fall, when the leaves have long since changed colors and are all gone, there is a nip in the air and Halloween is just a few days away. This year it was the same, but different. Today was missionary apartment checks for the Rosales Zone; 9 apartments, 13 missionaries and about 160 Km of driving. The weather forecast for today was 93 degrees and a heat index of 113. Yes, this was going to be a birthday to remember.

We were ready to go... had lots of bottled water, Gatorade and Oreos to get us and the zone leaders past the lunch hour and through the day until we completed the apartment checks and had time for dinner. The sun seemed especially hot and intense today for some reason.

We met the zone leaders and went to the first apartment... four sisters. I was greeted with, happy birthday President! What... how did they know? I was so surprised and pleased.The same thing happened at the next apartment and the next and the next and... It was a great day with my missionaries. They lifted my heart and made me feel 10 years younger! What a blessing in my life they are. Thank you for your kindness and Christ-like example.

Elders Tolman and Dela Cruz made a great birthday card for me using balloons his family sent to Elder Tolman for his birthday last week.

Elders Solayao and Oculares

 

Birthday card from Elders Solayao and Oculares. Drawing in the card is by Elder Solayao.

Elders Villacer and Dickey remembered my birthday with a smile and a flan for mom and me. Wow! It was good!

Ready for a birthday dinner at Pizza Hut after a full day of apartment checks with the zone leaders, Elders Costales and Bermejo. It's October so the Christmas trees and other holiday decorations are up at the malls.

Elders Costales and Bermejo shared a birthday dinner with us and finished off a Mud Pie dessert before going to their evening teaching appointments.

It's the 'ber' months so, Christmas and New Year's lighted decorations are on sale in the stores now.

Thanks to my sweetheart, who baked the cake in a kitchen that was way over 100 degrees, hot and sticky, in a tiny propane oven... the birthday tradition lives on... cherry chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream. That's a lot of cake and ice cream over the years and I don't regret any of it! In fact I savor those moments in my mind over and over! Thanks for the sweet memories my love.