This whirlwind we call our L.I.F.E.

 Wow!

Time just keeps whizzing by.  I would have posted sooner, but alas, we did not have internet. So here's a little update on what we've been up to these past few months...

-  Flew to Hawaii for an AWESOME McKell family vacation
-  Accepted a new job in WA
-  Packed up our apartment with the help of some amazing friends
-  Flew to Utah for another amazing family reunion
-  Picked up our very first (new to us) car as a couple
-  Drove to WA
-  Found a place to live
-  Un-packed with the help of the very BEST parents in the world!!! (Seriously, don't know how they      put up with us kids!)
-  Visited the WA temple (IT'S GORGEOUS!)
-  And... last, but not least we went to our new ward.  Literally. It's new. The stake boundaries were just   changed and a new ward was created. This last Sunday was the first time that a combination of people   from SIX! different wards met in their new ward.  So our first Sunday was basically a "meet and        greet." Lots of people would start out by saying, "What ward are you from?" and so I'd answer.. The Brooklyn Chinese Branch;).  Haha I thought it was funny:P.  Anyways enough of me talking.  Here are a few pictures of this whirlwind we call our L.I.F.E.

Me, My Grandma Elliott, and the Gorgeous Cousin Crystal standing by Grandma's favorite flowers.

no food + no sleep + packing = you turn into a Zombie

Our view driving into WA... LOVE IT!

Me and Adam at the Temple grounds = our favorite place ;)

This past week Adam and I got to go with the youth in our branch to plant a garden of flowers at a nursing home.  At first I thought, "go play in dirt??? Aren't there spiders in there?" Haha my  family will understand this one;).  Buut, yes.  I did muster up the courage to go... Even with the thought that I might possibly see spiders in the ground.  But I'm here writing this post to say that, no I did not see any spiders, but I DID see worms.  Funny thing though... Somehow because I was wearing gloves I felt protected and unconquerable, like none of the worms or possibly even spiders could scare me.  This is a huge improvement for me if you know me.  Anyways, after playin in the dirt with Adam and other youth for a couple of hours Adam and I noticed that our gloves were pretty much shredded to bits.  I realized after that that I didn't care if I accidentally touched a worm and I certainly wasn't worried if I got dirt under my nails.  And then it hit me.  I actually enjoyed gardening.  I enjoyed playing in the sun.  And I enjoyed beautifying the nursing home grounds.  I think I might just have to have a garden when I have my own yard someday.. Even if there are spiders;).

Powerful quote

 Comfort in expressing your emotions will allow you to share the best of yourself with others, but not being able to control your emotions will reveal your worst. 

I saw this quote and thought it was powerful.  I hope we all can master the art of expression. No one should let angry emotions get in the way of communicating with love.  Communicating ALL emotions IS possible, as long as it is being expressed in love. It's the HOW we communicate our feelings that will either unify and edify or berate and degrade. We cannot let anger get in the way of communicating effectively. I know... This is easier said than done, but I hope we can all strive to indeed live with our "hearts knit together in unity" by expressing ourselves and our emotions with love.  Love is the key!

Hope you all are having a great day and enjoyed my morning thought ;D

Sometimes practice doesn't always make perfect...

Have you ever had those moments where you really wish you could just switch talents with someone? Well, considering what you read in the first sentence of this post, it won't surprise you to know that I sometimes do. Ok, maybe a little more than sometimes..more like, a lot of times.  I don't know. I know the line "practice makes perfect" is constantly repeated by teachers, but I do think there are certain instances where this type of thinking is false. For example, no matter what I do I still can't write the way I would like to.  I wish upon all stars that I could just sit down and wrte exactly what I am feeling, but I have a hard time doing this.  I don't understand. I can play my
Heart out on the piano, but I can't write a simple poem to go with it?  Some how some people can just sit down and write something beautiful.  I really wish I could do this.  Oh to be able to  sit down at a computer and write something great without taking 20 hours of your life! I have been reading a lot of books recently and I love how a book well written can transport you to another time, or another place and bring out emotions in you that you never knew you had.  I have longed to do something similar... Except not through writing books, but through writing lyrics to go along with my music.  I have the music.... The only problem is.... I don't have the lyrics.  Why does writing have to be so dang hard?! I have written hundreds of essays in my life. You'd think I'd be able to write one simple set of lyrics.  Is that so much to ask for? Haha ;)

The Cute Things in Life

So I don't know about you, but I just live for lovey, dovey moments. You know, the kind where you do something cute for your man, or even better... When your man does something cute for you;).  Well, I am also a fan of adorable stories and thought I'd share one with you. This morning I did my usual morning routine which consists of getting up, getting dressed, making lunches, making the bed, tidying up our apartment, and packing my backpack for work. Needless to say, this morning I wasn't overly happy either.. I was, for lack of a better word, grouchy. Well, just as I was about to leave the apartment I decided to grab a book to read during down time at work. Anyways, after a few hours of being at work I decided to open my book, and what lay between the pages of my book was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. It was simple.  It was sweet.  And it was ALL I needed to feel overly happy and ready to conquer whatever I needed to.  It was a little piece of notebook paper that read, "I Love ya!" - Oh the power of a love note - it really is the little things in life that mean the most.  It is funny isn't it? How one small act of kindness can change Your whole day. Yes, it's true.. I live for moments like that;D and Adam, if you are reading this, I love you more! ;)

A book a day keeps stupidity away;)

Scripture study.. This past year I have worked really hard to establish a fixed routine of scripture reading.  I used to hate riding the train to work because it was so looong and boring, but now have replaced that boring time with Spritual Enlightenment time. From trying to study things out for myself I have come to the knowledge that the scriptures are like a giant reservoir of wisdom and I have but merely scooped up a few handfuls of it's knowledge.  The saying "the more you know, the more you realize you don't know" definitely applies here. I have begun to ask myself how can I come to better understand the scriptures and the things they teach? I always feel like I don't know everything, and want so badly to just know it well enough to answer any questions someone might have.  Well, as I was trying to figure out how I can better understand Christ's gospel, I had a line from the sound of music pop into my head. Seriously! I did. You know.. The song where Maria sings "Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start..."Well, once I heard this line I also had this thought pop into my head, "all I need to know are the basics and I can keep building from there." I realized I can't expect to understand everything all at once, but the knowledge I seek will come line upon line and precept upon precept.  It definitely was a comforting thought. So, on that note I thought I would indeed "start at the very  beginning" by also reading gospel principles along with my regular scripture study.  I have to tell you.. I just LOVE that book.  It makes everything so simple.  I know this book is a teachers manual for the gospel principles class, but I promise.  You won't regret reading it.  In fact, you may just come to LOVE it;).  So if you're looking for something to add to your reading list, I'd recommend gospel principles. 

Sent from my iPhone

A Tun of Fun!

What a fun filled 3 months!

 First, Adam and I enjoyed having his family come for Thanksgiving! It was fun being able to show them around the city.  Adam and Mark went to a basketball game at the new Barkley stadium (go BYU! :D) while Susan, Annie and I went to go see Wicked.  It was AMAZING!  We also went to see the movie Lincoln.. Truth be told, I fell asleep haha, but what I did see was good.  Watching a movie in a dark theater after a long day of work is a recipe for sleep.  Then we ate a delicious thanksgiving feast, which Susan helped me prepare.  She taught me how to make the best gravy ;).  Overall, our time together was great.

Our second fun adventure consisted of Adam and I surprising my family for Christmas;).  It was fun being able to play with the little kiddos and being able to perform our christmas program at the care center .  All of the elderly folks there were adorable! I even got a kiss on the cheek by the sweetest old man. :) Christmas Eve was the best one I have ever had!  the little nieces and nephews make it the best!.  Just watching their eyes dance with excitement, and seeing them rip open their presents was too much fun. Surprising my mom, dad, and siblings will forever be one of the best memories I've ever had.

Our third exciting event was having Allie and her friend Hannah come stay with us. We took them to China town to get dumplings, and we took them to little Italy to get New York's number one best canolies;).  After that we took them to the Two Towers memorial site and looked at the reflection pools.  It was beautiful. Then, we went to the Metropolitan art museum;).  It too was beautiful! After that, we went to Shake Shack.  You can't come to New York and not go there. It's the best! Haha needless to say, having them come visit us was SO MUCH FUN!

Adam and I are so grateful for the most wonderful family and friends! We truly are blessed to have them in our lives! Love you guys<3