Package Two: You are my Sunshine!

So, I've seen several ADORABLE sunshine package ideas online. But, again, Ben doesn't eat junk food, so I had to be a little more creative. In this package:

-Two yellow ties, personalized with stitching on the back
-Lemon Wet Wipes
-PacMan Bandaids
-Rubber ducky
-Yellow silly string
-Yellow Bouncy ball
-Yellow Chapstick
-Yellow Highlighters
-Yellow Frisbee
-Yellow loofa

I bought some really adorable scrapbook paper at Hobby Lobby and decorated it a ton. I included a nice long letter and some other small crafts I had made, as well as copies of the pictures we took together right before he left. :)

Ben's Senior Pictures

Ok, so before Ben left, we took some senior pictures in Austin. He just graduated from UT (with a 4.0 I might add). His uncle took them and let me jump in them for a few pictures. I love them. And I look at them way too much haha I love my cute Elder.

Ben is a terrible picture taker. I had to tickle him in between shots and make stupid faces alot haha.

I love this one because I know he's looking at me. Look at that smile.

Personal favorite.

I have an adorable boyfriend. 

Why I Wait

If you had told me a year ago that I would be "waiting" for a missionary, I would have called you crazy and laughed at you. Seriously. A year ago, there is no way I would be doing what I'm doing- waiting two years for some boy I've only dated 5 months while he's 5000 miles away and I only get an email once a week. And even when I say it now, I think I sound crazy. My brain tells me that I'm insane for doing this. A year ago, though, I wasn't ready for this. I wasn't ready to meet Ben. I wasn't ready to fall head over heels for a boy who was going to leave for 104 weeks. But, as certain events transpired in my life, I saw the Lord preparing me for something greater... and when I met Ben, I knew almost immediately that he was what Heavenly Father had been preparing me for. He makes me better everyday without telling me that I should be different than who I am. He loves me, and makes sure that I know it even with him gone. He has taught me more about love in the last 5 months than I'd ever known. With him by my side, the Plan of Salvation makes alot more sense. I see the eternities with him by my side. There is no one in the entire world that I would rather face life challenges with then him. And I honestly believe that after being with him, I could never be truly happy with anyone else.

So, when people ask me why I wait, its hard for me to put all that into words, especially to people who don't share my beliefs. I get the people who tell me I'm crazy for doing this when I'm only 18 years old. I get the people that pretend to be happy for me when I can tell that they think I'll only last a couple of weeks. But, here it is:
I wait because I refuse to deny what Heavenly Father has revealed to me as His plan.
I wait because Ben is my best friend.
I wait because we were made for each other, and nothing and no one will ever change that.
I wait because, for me, there is no other choice. I know I'm going to spend forever with him, and these 2 years are just a step in that process.
I wait because I love Benjamin Matthew Reynolds with everything that I have, and I always will.

Two years in the span of eternity really isn't that long.

Week One Email

I got my fist email! Since I'm updating his blog, I got a personal one and the general one. I love that boy. He sounds so happy. I also found out that he'll be home at least a month early, so YAY! He flys to Chile on Monday. :)

Package One!

First package is made and sent! Since he leaves for Chile on Monday, I sent his "greenie" package. I had alot of fun making it. Ben doesnt eat candy or any kind of junk food, so I had to buy other things to send. I hope he likes it!

A L W A Y S T O G E T H E R A T H E A R T

Following the MG trend, I made this. Chile is one lucky country.

New Cuddle Buddy

Ok, so Ben and I made this the week before he went in. YAY for Build-A-Bear. I ordered the outfit online. It even came with a tiny Book of Mormon! How cute. We put a recording device in each hand so I can hear his voice when I need it....and I've needed it alot this week. I love that boy so much.