SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE......Wow this has been a week of surprises and what a fun week it has been.  Guess birthdays make for lots of fun.  First of all Dan schemed with some of the other couples and they had a surprise birthday party for me Tuesday night.  They fixed a delicious dinner, gave gifts and then we played games.  It was the four couples of us that came out from the MTC together so it was a fun evening.  Wednesday we drove to Kirtland for a dentist appointment, not too bad, and lunch with the FM (maintenance) missionary couple, Elder and Sister Miles.  They are really a cute couple from California and we enjoyed being with them.  When we walked into the visitor's center, there were three sr. couples and six sister missionaries all singing 'Happy Birthday' to us.  We got lots of hugs and well wishes and we left with great big smiles on our faces.  Who wouldn't be smiling with all those friends?  Thursday was just a full day at the Johnson Home and then Friday the Holtry's said we should do FHE since we had missed it earlier because of parties and why not go to Subway for supper that night...okay that sounds good.  Well, we got our sandwiches and  then came home for our FHE. Sister Holtry got a phone call and ran into our bedroom to take it....that's a bit strange.  Then a few minutes later there is a tap on our door.  Dan opened it to find Melinda standing there...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...Melinda!!!!!  Guess she had schemed with the Holtry's to make sure we would be there.  They quickly left for home leaving us still smiling and shaking our heads.  They told us they would serve all day Saturday and we could be with Melinda.  Well, we did the temple, went out to see Lake Erie, did a tour at Kirtland, went to dinner at Mary Yodders, (Amish) bought a bumbleberry pie, checked out an antique shop, went to the cheese factory, and of course the Chocolate factory.  Came home and grabbed a breath and went to Rootstown for a ward talent show.  Melinda walks in and there are squeels and hugs.  She found a friend from Provo.  How fun!!!
Today we attended meetings in the ward  and then came back to serve this afternoon at the Home.  We did a tour for her and then about 4:40 one lady came by and we did a tour for her.  She had just returned from a tour of duty and was trying to get home to Boston.  We left the Home and drove over to Lorenzo Snow's childhood home.  The family were so great to receive us and show us through the home.  They love the history of the home and being able to share it.  Was nice....  Came home and had waffles, played a game and watched a movie.  I think we are all tired.  Tomorrow we will do a couple of close things and then she heads for home and we face the rest of the week.  It has truly been a fun, special week and we appreciate it all so very much.  Thanks for the cards, gifts and well wishes.  We will truly remember this birthday for a long time:)  :)  :) 

I'm posting a couple of photos.... one of the Kirtland Temple,  the Whitney Store, and sitting in the Lorenzo Snow home.

 

 

 

 

 

Come and see us and we'll also give you the whirlwind tour.....