Doug, Hillary, and Linkin

Okay, so here's the story...

There has been TONS of construction on Scottsdale Road for like ever, and it takes so long to get anywhere from where we live. My friend lived right down the street but I had to go through all of the traffic so it took me FOREVER to get there. I found out that there was this little secret way that went through the Princess Resort I could use, but the only problem was there was a security guard who checked people passes and what not to get through. You had to live in the neighborhood, or be a guest at the hotel to use the road. I realized that this road would save me tons and tons of time, so naturally I made friends with the security guard. :) He would let me go through all of the time. I would stop and talk to him for a while whenever I went through and we became friends. He would tell me all about his kids and grand kids. I called him "my cute little old guy friend." I know it's probably not that nice but he was the cutest guy ever so I meant it in a good way. He told me how much he looked forward to talking to me each day. If I didn't make it through for a couple of days, he would ask me where I was.
One day I decided to give him a Book of Mormon. I wrote a letter to go with it because I was to chicken to tell him how I felt about the book in person. The next time I went through he thanked me over and over for the book, and even asked me if I could get him one in Spanish because he was having trouble reading it in English. I got him one immediately and he began reading the book. I sent the sister missionaries through a few times to see how he was progressing, and our talks also became around the book. He told me of a friend who also worked at the hotel who he found out was LDS and went to the Spanish Branch. His friend asked him to start going with him but he had to get Sundays off of work before he could attend. He had 2 or 3 different jobs he worked to provide for his family. Nice guy and really hard worker. I was so excited that he had a friend he could go to church with. I had invited him to activities, but he always had work.
The other day I drove through the "secret" road, and he was not there. I kept going through day after day to look for him, but than I saw there was another man in his place. I asked where my friend Nelson was, and the man said he didn't work there anymore. I was so bummed out! I wanted to see was going to happen with Nelson and his Book of Mormon quest, but I guess I'll never know. (and BTW, the new security guard way not friendly!!!!!) I hope Nelson is able to go to church with his LDS friend he found. Bye Nelson! Sorry I never got to say good bye.

(Linkin as an infant sleeping on my dad. Look how little!)