welp, it's official! as of Saturday, Elder Pritchard has been out for 1 month!! (: and I finally got my first letter from him while he's been in Hawaii! I don't think I've ever ran down the stairs faster, than when I heard my mom say "Mandy, you have a letter!" haha I was smiling like an idiot the whole time I read it ( and the 6 times I read it after that) He is in an area called Hau'lua! Right next to the beach (: He said that he has already got 2 boys interested in baptism! so I hope that those go through for him! He was so cute in the letter! I can already tell how happy the mission is making him, and that makes me SO happy (: also! on Monday, I got a cute little surprise e-mail! here's a little thought from the elder himself:

it truly is a blessing to be out here mand.  i dont know what i
was thinking when i said that i did not want to serve a mission.  i
know that this is where the lord wants me, and where i want to be! it
has changed my life in ways that i could never imagine! but it has also
brought me to my knees alot! but in those times where i feel like
giving up, i think about all the people that are there helping me
stand and push the work forward. you were always there for me mand!
and i will always be here for you. i know that the lord has plans for
both of us, and if we strive to keep his commandments and endure to the
end, he will bless us in ways that we could never imagine.
something that i've realized since i have been here, is that when god
blesses you, the blessings don't just affect you, but
everyone around you. when ever you are feeling like giving up mand or
you feel like your faith isnt good enough, please don't give up. whenever you feel this way, i encourage you to read Ether 12:6.  i love you mand!

What a cute boy huh? He also said that he gave a talk in church this past Sunday! haha what a stud (: I would have given anything to hear it! (: gall he just makes me so happy! I can't even believe how lucky I am to have somebody who realizes how important a mission really is! and to have a grip on what really matters in this life. When Baker first left, I struggled a lot with knowing that I was no longer going to be a priority in his every day life. I wasn't going to be his main focus like I had been for the past 2 years. Like I was just being put on the shelf. He kept saying to me that he didn't know how often we would talk, because he had this vision in his mind of what kind of missionary he wanted to be, and nothing would stop him from getting there. He wanted to "lose himself in the work" Of course I understood that he wanted to be an amazing missionary! Infact, he probably wouldn't even have to try to be that! I already knew he was going to be amazing. But the thing that I had a hard time wrapping my head around, is why did I have to get the short end of the stick, in order for him to reach that? me...his biggest support system? But what I needed to see, was that Baker had put me first in everything he did for the past two years, and if he was EVER going to put something before me, what better than to be the lord? Through hearing Bakers testimony, and just reading the things that he has to say, I've discovered that I ALWAYS want him to put the Lord before me. because in the long run, that is what will bring me, and our family the most eternal happiness. And who in their right mind couldn't wait two short years for something THAT rewarding? Everyone's situation is different, and some boys might be able to achieve that goal without putting their relationship on hold, but when Baker has a goal, he will not let anything stop him from reaching that goal. And that's one of the qualities I admire most about him. I am so happy with my boy (: and I couldn't be more proud of how hard he is working! (: also in the e-mail, he attached some pics! (hallelujah) haha so here they are!

This is his view from his apartment on the beach! haha he's soo lucky! He is in an area called Hau'ula. He said it is honestly paradise.

aaaannd here is the cute boy himself! (: I wish more than anything I could just wrap my arms around him! I miss him more than anything!

So there's this little thing called the after e-mail/skype/letter/phone call/picture..crash. and it is my worst enemy. haha whenever I get any one of those things^ I am on this natural high! and then the second im done reading the letter, seeing the picture, or talking to him, I just hit an all time low. Because how much I miss him, hits me so hard. And the only person I want to talk to is him. and he is the only person that I want to hold me while I cry to him about how much I want him here :( but then again, if he was here, this whole thing wouldn't be a problem! Its so frustrating to want something so simple. but have it be so out of reach. Something like a simple kiss, or hearing his laugh, or feeling his arms around me, having a good morning text to wake up to, having him tickle my back, or even just laying on the couch, watching him play Xbox! haha I used to get so bugged when all he wanted to do was play Xbox. I'd be so freakin bored, and begging him to come lay next to me, and he'd just say "babe, one more game! one more round!" and I'd just roll my eyes. ha but seriously, I'd give ANYTHING to have him sitting infront of me, playing stupid Madden. Like, these things aren't that complicated! yet, they are impossible to have :(  there is this song that I have fallen madly in love with haha it's called "the longer the waiting" it's by Josh Turner. (: here are some of the lyrics:

Oh, the longer the waiting, the sweeter the kiss (24 months, better be a dang good kiss)

It's better my darling, I promise you this

The next time I hold you, I'm not letting go

Will you wait for me darling, I need to know (yes of course i will)

Though we won't be together again 'til the spring (March 2014)

Just imagine the treasures I'll bring (so many blessings)

Come lay with me, stay with me, soon I'll be gone

I will remember you all winter long

And when I return to the one that I miss (me)

Oh, the longer the waiting, the sweeter the kiss

The sweeter the kiss (can't wait)

When the mornings are warm and the valleys are green

I'll come back from wherever I've been (Hawaii)

I just love how much it applies to our situation. Even the whole spring part (: soo I had to put in my little input! hahah soo yeah, I sure hope that that kiss is as good as the song says it will be! (: I just wish that I didn't have to wait 23 more months to find out! haha... 695 days to be exact. but who's counting, right?

I will hold you in my heart, until I can hold you in my arms again <3

I love you bakey (:

xoxoxo mwah!