Elder Hillary - Happy Birthday!

December 13

The day you were born - my world became complete.

You were the most valiant to wait the longest to come

to earth.  It must have been difficult waiting so long,

watching everyone leave one at a time.  But you came to earth

with a great purpose - and great challenges

You came well equipped  to fulfill both...

(Darn - I wanted to post the picture of him laying

on a dentist chair they found on the side of the road,

but it's no where to be found - I'll find it - it's worth posting)

So... it's time to throw those teenage years to the wind.

This will be the first birthday away from the Hillary Family.

We all miss this punker - he's the quiet member of the family,

anyone that knows our family would agree he's quiet, timid,

and thoughtful. So on his 347th day on his mission - he turns 20.

I wish I could have the pirate birthday party, or the cowboy one,

or some circus theme like years gone by - those days are

just found in the scrapbooks of time.  The party I celebrate with him

this year is that of service, and devotion, and true to the heart

testimony of Christ.  I think of the many gifts he's be given throughout

this past year - I'll share a few with you on HIS day.

Gifts of family and friends supporting him, teaching

him and encouraging him to go out into the world

and teach the gospel.

Gifts of courage, faith and endurance in the MTC.

The gift of gifted doctors that pieced him together,

and although not of our faith - gave him faith

that he was unique and special and that they felt

something amazing when they were around him.

Gifts of a Bishop and Stake President, and an

MTC Branch President that never let him give up hope.

Companions that endured the tough times with him.

The opportunity to actually serve his mission,

with part of his lung missing - the gift of being

able to become the missionary he'd dreamed of.

The gifts of new adventures, in a new mission,

with companions that stood by him.  The ability

to stand by companions when they made

life difficult... and endured with the hand of'

the Lord.  The gift of believing in those that

gave him a chance to share the message of the church.

The gifts of investigators, becoming members, becoming

lifelong memories.  The gifts of finding amazing human

beings that cared for him and took him into their

lives and loved him as their own.  (Loved you guys!)

The gift of Elizabeth, and Jessica and Lucy. and Mr. Brooks.

The gift of comfort on lonely, uncertain nights

when the dawn was very far away.

The gift of debit cards - that leave traces

of where he's been transferred for his mom.

The ability to read IM but not touch the keys... (:

The gift of knowing that he has a family here

that loves him and prays for him daily.

The gift of a future free from anyone that would

hold him back from his dreams.  What the?

The promise that comes from a new

companion, in a new place, with new challenges.

The gift of accepting the Lord's will in all things

The gift of being a Warrior - the world needs

more Warriors.  In return for all of these gifts?

He gives it all back every single day.

Happy 20th birthday son!

We all love you SO much!

Dream Big!!  Eat Cake!!

Add Ice Cream!

CELEBRATE!

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