HAPPY 49TH B-DAY TO *DOUG*

Doug received this little teddy in the mail from KC, Kell, Allee, & Taylee. You push the teddy's belly and all four kids say "Happy Birthday Pampa, we love you". He has listened to it over and over and over. Of course, that is the best part about any holiday, hearing from your loved ones. The phone calls wishing dad happy birthday are cherished.
Happy Happy Birthday to my one and only true love!!!!!
The Elders came by late and celebrated with us
Elder Georges gave Doug a bird whistle from France, it sounds really cool. You put water in it and blow.
And this is what Doug thinks about growing older.

When your birthday is on Sunday and you are a missionary, it is just another day for the most part. Our day began early as we had to travel about 1 1/2 to get to church, or so we thought. Our GPS took us thru some back roads to New Paltz where we went to church and it ended up only being about 55 minutes to our destination.

As you have read previously, out chapel is closed for a bit because of water damage. We had to cancel church in our building but suggested to our branch members that they go to New Burgh, 52 miles away to attend church. Roxann Estrada, one of our members asked if I could find out when New Paltz branch started. I called Elder and Sister Farnsworth when their branch started and she invited us to come to their meeting and dinner afterwards. She somehow knew it was Doug's birthday and said she would fix him a favorite dish of his. To our surprise it was their Branch Conference and the Stake Presidency was there along with many of the stake leaders. Roxanne Estrada, her husband Luis, her sister Silvia and her husband Erik, along with their mama - "mama Burgos" were all there. So this little branch swelled with all the visitors. It was a full house. Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious meal with the Farnsworths, yummy lasagne, salad and birthday cake. I had made Doug's favorite, German Chocolate with butter pecan frosting. I am sure our kids are smiling as they know how much he likes this cake.

We left from Farnsworths and taught lessons at two different part member families and shared pieces of his cake at each place. After arriving home that night, the elders showed up with Birthday wishes and we shared cake with them.