The Miracle of Mary

After my sophomore year of college I wondered how I was going to go back.  I loved school, but mostly because of my roommates.  They all decided to go on missions and I had no idea who I was going to live with when I returned in the fall.  I was bummed.  

The day I returned home for the summer I got a call from my cousin Mary.  She was heading back to school down there and wondered if I wanted to live with her and two of her mission buddies.  I said yes not knowing it was going to be one of the best decisions of my life.  Here are some of the miracles I have been a part of because of Mary.

I made so many friends because of Mary.  I really realized that last night at her wedding reception.  I was surrounded by people I love and I know most of them because Mary introduced me to them.  

Every since my first day at BYU when I would tell people who I was or where I was from they would ask me if I knew Mary.  They immediately loved me.  

Mary was my first roommate that I had that was super diligent.  She inspired me to be more committed to everything I was doing.

I always want to put people first.  Mary always does put people first.  She is friends with so many and reaches out to everyone around her and makes them feel loved.  

Mary asks the best questions.  When I would see her at the end of every day instead of asking me how my day was, she would ask me what the best part of my day was.  Way better question!  Instead of just responding with "good," I had to reflect back on my day and come up with a good answer.  Another one of my favorite questions of hers was, "What's your favorite thing about ________."  Whether I'd been out with someone or talking on the phone it was fun to answer her question and think about all of the good things about the people I choose to spend my time with. 

Mary is so frugal and thrifty.  I've saved many pennies trying to be more like Mary.

Mary always puts the Lord first.  She always studies her scriptures, prays, attends her meetings, and serves those around her.  You can see it in her eyes, her smile, and her countenance.  She just glows.

Mary got married yesterday and I was privileged enough to be asked to do her hair.  I don't know if she knows how much I really loved doing it or not, but it meant a lot to me.  She was a stunning bride and Ryan is one lucky man!  It was so fun being part of her day. 

Living with and near Mary since I've been at college has been a huge blessing to me.  I'm sure she'll continue to be a large part of my life since we're related and all, and just because she's a great person like that.  I'm so thankful for The Miracle of Mary in my life.  

The Cokeville Miracle

Last night I had the opportunity to go to a screening for The Cokeville Miracle at the LDS Film Festival.  

You guys.  It was so good.  I'm having a hard time putting into words the feelings I had last night as I watched the film, and the feelings I've had since, but I'll try.  

I've grown up hearing the story, and I've always believed it was a miracle that those kids and teachers survived that day.  I knew that the events of that day were very tramatic and very real.  Because of that, I was pretty nervous to see the film.  I didn't want to be more scared about the events of that day than I already was.  Well, the exact opposite happened.  I came away from the film knowing without a doubt that angels intervened that day.  Those children and teachers were being watched over.  My testimony of divine intervention, forgiveness, and repentance grew immensely in a short two hours.  I'm proud to say I know many of the survivors of the events of that May day in 1986 and I admire their courage not only that day, but all of the days that have followed.  

So please, spread the word about The Cokeville Miracle.  It comes out in theatres June 5th and I encourage all of you to go see it.   The filmmakers are true artists.  

God lives.  He loves us.  Miracles happen.   

First Class--Last Class

We went to our first class this semester together

And our last class this semester together

Having a sister here is the best!!!  Happy studying all :)

Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day!  

One of my favorite days in elementary school was Veteran's Day.  Each year we would put on a program that the town would come to in honor of our local Veterans. I always loved the songs we learned and I was singing some of them today.  These programs were the start of my appreciation for Veterans. 

I have been interested in American wars for a long time.  My grandpa Herman Teichert was serving his mission over in Germany when WWII broke out.  I have written a few research papers about the war breaking out in Germany and I've been able to use his journal as a primary source. It's so interesting and I've learned so much! My grandpa Oberg was in the military during WWII.  He worked on planes up on the Aleutian Chain.  Every winter when he comes to our house he's reclined in the LazyBoy about 2 feet from the TV watching the History channel.  I love catching some of the action and learning about the war that he was a part of.  Isn't he handsome!

(Thanks Uncle Dave!)

Even though I don't have a ton of military ties, I am still so proud of them!  I have a couple cousins who are currently serving our country and I am so thankful for them and the sacrifice that they make and their families make to keep our country free.  I am so thankful for Veterans everywhere and the courage they had and continue to have as they put their lives on the line so that I can enjoy the freedoms that I do.  I love America.  

All Kinds of Kinds

Friday morning Tess and I were about to walk into her apartment building when the National Anthem started playing on campus.  Without really thinking we both turned to where we knew the flag was and held our hands over our hearts and started to sing.  While we were singing I started getting choked up.  Right now our country seems a little crazy with all the crime, political rifts, immortality, corrupt people, and the hottest topic of late: the government shutdown.  Despite all of these things, I can't help but feel proud to be an American.  Even with all of these problems, it's still the best place in the world to live.  It makes me so sad when I hear people bashing our country or saying awful things about our leaders.  I know I don't have the answers or the confidence to do any better.  I always want to ask those who are making the biggest deal out of everything if they have the knowledge to do better?  Maybe they do, I don't know.  All I know is that our leaders are human.  They make mistakes, so do we, but I believe that most of them are doing what they think will be best for our country.  At least I hope they are.  So, I've decided the greatest contribution I can make is to pray for them.  I pray for the leaders of our nation to be guided by the Sprit.  I know prayer works.  My prayers may not affect the leaders of the nation, but I know they affect me and bring me peace when I hear troubling news.  I know that we'll be alright.  

I was reminded of a video that made me think of America.  We have so many different people from so many different backgrounds, doing so many different things.  I love Miranda Lambert, and she has a song All Kinds of Kinds.  I think it describes America very well and how it wouldn't be as great as it is if there weren't "all kinds of kinds."  Now the key (at least in my opinion) is to find it in us to love "all kinds of kinds." Our country will be a better place if we can all just be a little kinder.  

A Different School

Today I started an intro to Special Education class.  When I walked through the door at 2:00 I had no idea what I was getting into.  

We did normal first day things like syllabus, learning suite and a kajillion questions.  Then the teacher told us to take out our Book of Mormons.  Many iPhones were grabbed, computers, and other smart devices, but I was lucky enough to have my scriptures with me from my D&C class this morning (there's just something about that hard copy...).  She asked us to turn to 3 Nephi 17: 5-11.  I always thought that Jesus called the children first when he can the America's but it was the sick, the blind, the halt, and the leprous.  Those who tend to be the most Christlike (in my opinion).  Then he called the children.  We then watched this video showing the miracles Christ preformed. 

I can't describe the feeling that was in that room, but I know I was holding back the tears.  I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to gain an education to become an elementary teacher.  I feel blessed that I get to receive that education here, at BYU.  There are so many great schools out there that I would love, that could teach me how to be an awesome teacher and give me amazing experiences!  But in how many universities could I open my scriptures, read a passage out loud, and then watch a video about Christ to set the stage and the purpose of the class.  That is one thing I love about BYU.  It's different.

Let's Be Awesome

I know, I know, you're all probably about to pass out...2 blogs in 2 days for Livi!  It's summer.  That's my only excuse.  Anyways, I've really been filled with ideas, but I just haven't written them down.  So now I'm going to write down what has been on my mind a lot this summer: Second chances.  

It's not very often you get second chances, but I've been given a HUGE second chance this summer, a second chance at LIFE!  I fell asleep at the wheel and totaled my dad's car the day I got home from college, April 25th.  So, I've now had over 3 extra months to live!  What a blessed person I am!  I've thought a lot about how blessed I am to still be alive--let alone able to walk and talk and enjoy life, especially the first few weeks after the wreck.  Then last week coming home from my roommate's mission farewell I passed by a fresh car accident.  People were there on the scene, but no ambulances or cops yet.  I saw a person out laying on the ground with people around him trying to help.  I burst into tears!  How easily could that have been me just a few short months ago?!  I walked out of mine!  I began to think again of how I was doing at my "second chance."  

Here's a little picture of the car.  People have been asking to see, and I figure I need at least one picture in this post because there haven't been any in a while, and I'm probably boring you all to death!  Miracles happen people!

Anyways, as I was saying... A million failures came to mind.  I thought of how lately I've been being a crappy aunt.  It seems like every time the kids come over I have to work.  They want me to play with them, and I'm always "too tired."  Lame.  I know.  Then, I thought about being a crappy daughter!  My dad asked me to help index the other night and I immediately replied, " I can't I have to read for my class and continued to sit in the chair reading while my parents indexed.  Once again, wow!  Then, every time I see Tess it seems like the first thing I ask her is, "Did you shut off Jackie and Stan's waters?!"  I mean seriously, I'm sure it'd be nice if I at least said hello once in a while or asked her how her life was?!  

I then remembered a blog post I read back during the school year--Thank you Heavenly Father for intervening while I was wallowing in self-pity!  It was called "Drops of Awesome."  I'm sure some of you have read it, and it is SO good!  So, I decided I was going to find drops of awesome in my life, and this week I have been doing just that!  There's no better time to start changing than now!  So, this week, some of my "drops of awesome" include: 

Going to my family reunion for the WHOLE time!  

Being brave and belting the song Sisters with Tessa at the talent show.     

Jumping on the tramp with the sprinkler with Taffy's kids.

Sleeping on the tramp with them, and some other cool aunt stuff.

Listening to Tessa talk to me about her knee.

Finally worked out with my mom again.

Was on time for church so my Dad was happy :)

Thanking Tessa for all of the work she does on the yards we take care of.  

People, I know you all do all sorts of awesome things everyday!  Remember the good things you do, and you'll find that the mistakes you make won't bring you down as much and they'll happen less frequently.  So, let's all be awesome :)

Life

I was walking to move water at a lawn I take care of, and I looked up at the sunset.  It was perfect.  I love summer, I love sunsets, I love perfect days.  There's so much to be grateful for.  Today I have been reminded how precious life is.  Don't wait to be happy.  Treasure every moment.  Strengthen your relationships with people.  Live your life to the fullest.  Appreciate the little things, cause we only get one chance here. 

--Advice from a 20 year old...take it for what it's worth.    

4 days home and LOTS of blessings

I arrived in good ol' Cokeville Thursday afternoon, and let me tell ya, it's been an eventful time since then!  I've had some time to reflect on all my blessings in the last few days, and I am so blessed! 

Here are some of the things I'm thankful for in the last few days:

*One of my best friends got married in the temple

*I got to see 7 of my 9 nieces and nephews

*There are some really good people in this world

*I'm alive

*My family loves me

*Cokeville people are some of the BEST

*I ate my first tin-foil dinner of the year--yum!

*Saw all of my siblings but 1

*Caught up with old friends

*I have roommates for the fall :)

*My belly has been full...all the time

*I've seen miracles

This is just a short list, but I am feeling so blessed right now.  I have a purpose here on earth, and I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and is looking out for me.  My life is so great, and I'm SO glad I get to keep going on this wonderful journey :)