The only thing better than a birthday party is a SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY, and this year was one of the best. Many were involved, so about the only one surprised was GERHARD !
January 7, 2009, began with an early-morning back scratch ( a rare treat that could have been the whole celebration) since Gerhard was opening the temple at 7:00 A.M. for the painters and carpenters who are trying to finish in the allotted two weeks.
By 8:00 Bro. Cetina brought the "Rosca de Reyes" that he had fought the crowds in Walmart to buy, Cornelio and Jesús Sanchez and the maraca player in their trio had dressed in their white guayaberas and were tuning up, the Oropezas brought the traditional hot chocolate to drink, and Elder and Sis. Smith brought another rosca, which was needed, too.
Bro. Sulub and Bro. Cetina ushered Gerhard onto the front porch of the temple and....

the party began.

There was lots of posing for pictures with Presidente Schill-






Getting the little figure of baby Jesus means that you furnish tamales for another celebration on Feb. 2, so it looks like Pdte. Schill will host another party soon.

Another family picture...