Tender Mercies

Today started like every other day. I had class at 2:00, came home and changed for work and began my shift at 5:00 with my good friend and co worker Ashlynn. The shop was empty and we did all the normal things.. cleaning, refilling things and making sure everything was ready for the closing shift.

A guy walked in and proceeded to order a waffle and a drink but then wanted to talk to Ashlynn and I before we finished his oder. He then asked us a list of questions that went something like this..

- Do you know that you Heavenly Father loves you? Yes!
- Do you believe that you have a good heart? I would surely like to think so
- Have you experienced trials and struggles? Yes
- Have you experienced or are you experienced financial struggles? We all are, its college haha
- Do you love your Heavenly Father? Yes, with all that I am!


He then tipped Ashlynn and I, but this was no regular tip. He tipped us $100!!

We thanked him over and over again but he said, "Don't thank me, thank your Heavenly Father." He then continued and said, "Never give up on your dreams, never settle for anything less than the best. You are a daughter of our loving Father in Heaven and there is nothing he loves more than His children. You deserve the best. Do not hesitate. Whatever you want to do with your life.. DO IT!"

This young man was 19 years old and said exactly what I needed to hear, in a very straight forward way. But this was not it. After he left I walked over to the table that he was eating at to clean off the table and I found this..

This event did not end the list of tender mercies that happened today at work..

About an hour or so later another young man walked in while Ashlynn and I were knee deep in orders and said, "I had a great day today and I thought I would bring in these flowers for you guys!"
 I turned to Ashlynn and said, "That did not just happen! There is a God, and He loves us!"

Ashlynn and I were more than blessed today. I am a very firm believer that everything has a purpose and everything happens for a reason, whether something needs to happen because of it or we need to learn something. These moments, these lessons, these gestures happened because I/we needed to hear them.

"THERE IS A GOD, AND HE LOVES US!"

Mom, I Love You THIS Big!

Dear Momma, 

It is Mothers Day and I want to remind you of how much I love you, how blessed I am to have you as MY momma. You have given so much for me, given so much so that I can have every opportunity in the world. You have supported me in everything I have wanted to do, whether those things seem to be out of my reach or right at my finger tips, you have reminded me that there is no limit to the things I can do. You have given me confidence in myself. You have given me the strength to go through just about anything. You have a spirit about you that I cannot explain into words. I am beyond blessed to have a woman like you that I have looked up to you my entire life and I know that I was sent to you for a reason. 

Lets take a trip down memory lane and I will show you some of my favorite adventures that we have shared.

Lets start at the very beginning, a very good place to start... (Anyone catch the Sound of Music reference? Mom?) 

^^^ My Junior Year in high school, I insisted that we take a picture on this beautiful sunday! I am so glad that we did :)

^^^ I never thought that I would ever show a picture of me in my pioneer get up for Trek but ya know what, we look adorable! I was so happy that you were on Trek with me and that we were able to share this amazing experience together. 

^^^ Classic McKell family outings.. hiking the Narrows in Saint George. 

^^^ BYU Football Games. BYU vs. Hawaii.... Fun Fact: WE WON!

^^^ Our New York trip to visit Adam and Christy 

^^^ Funny faces on the subway.. classic Mom and Annie!

^^^ Graduation! 

^^^ Trip to Hawaii. Celebrating Austin's homecoming, graduation, announcement of Aaron and Caroline being pregnant and many other things! Oh that face Momma haha 

^^^ The McKell girls.. cannot wait for the time when we have the opportunity to snap a picture with Austin's '"wife to be" Chandra (Love you Chan!) and the precious addition Eleanor Ruby McKell

^^^ Trip to San Jose visiting Aaron and Caroline. Mom found her favorite plaque in the fun candy and soda shop. Careful! Don't make her use her crabby mommy powers!

Lastly, my roommates and I decided that the best way to express our love for our moms was in song. We decided to sing the song that we all sang in primary but put our own little twist on it! 

Here's my present to you :) 

I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living my Mommy you'll be!