Seriously, the BEST part of Christmas day!

Seeing this face, hearing his voice and soaking in THAT SMILE!

He has always been honest with us with this whole mission experience, 

"HARDEST thing I've ever done" is what he tells us.

And so with that, I worry.

Then I get to VISIT with him, and all my worries melt away.

NO DOUBT it's the hardest thing he's ever done. I certainly didn't have the courage or strength to do something so selfless and difficult at that age.

And look at him, he's doing hard things!

Just a reminder that hard things aren't a bad thing...

He's EXACTLY where he needs to be, where he's supposed to be.

Stretching and growing and learning.

He was all smiles and fun to visit with while we talked, 

and then he had to go so we asked him to say family prayer with us.

In Spanish!

He's fluent in the Spanish language but the thing I noticed is how very fluent he was in the communication with his  Heavenly Father, it was obvious he has spent a lot of time pleading and counseling with Him.

There wasn't a dry eye during that prayer... I don't speak spanish, but I know what it feels like when the spirit speaks.

So proud of this boy, Elder Lewis!

Merry Christmas to us all.