2 days!

Tuesday January 4th was Ben's 19th Birthday!  Tyler and Brad decided they needed a "Brother's" outing...so they came and picked up Ben, Noah and Ethan and took them bowling!  One of their favorite things to do.  It meant so much that they all wanted to be together!

We spent the rest of the day getting Ben packed and getting the final necessary things done.
We took all the family to President Raines office where Ben's dear friend Scott came up from BYU and met us for Ben to be set apart as a full time missionary.  Pres. Raines has been such a dear friend for so many years... he gave Ben some wonderful advice and gave him a beautiful blessing when he set him apart.  After he told Ben he felt that there is no coincidence that he was called to speak Mandarin Chinese and that he would use it throughout his life and in his future educational pursuits.  It was a powerful experience.
We went home and shared experiences and advice.  It was really a tender, sweet time.

Then we had ice cream cake to celebrate Ben's Birthday...it felt like everyone just wanted to be together.  No one wanted to leave...it was a remarkable feeling!

 James gave him the ring he made for him.  CTR in Chinese and OYM for "Open Your Mouth"...
He loved it!

 A few precious moments on his guitar.  We will sure miss hearing him play!

 Kalvin trying to stow away in Uncle Ben's suitcase...