The Real Life

So, I've been doing a million fun things lately.  Anyone who follows my Instagram or who is friends with me on Facebook definitely knows that.  I went to...

Zions

Stewart Falls

BYU Sporting events

the ski mountain 

Laramie

1st grade for a month

home

birthday parties 

Moab

fires

Questival

the Bean Museum

California

and some other fun places!

While all of this was going on, so were some real life things.  I was taking 16 credits, working, exercising, and just being a human.  I worked hard, met some goals, and didn't quite reach others.  Some days were awesome, some days were normal, and some days were just plain crappy, BUT every single day had something wonderful.  Whether it was the clear blue sky on my way home from a frustrating day at work, or a killer morning hike up the Y with Rachel and Tess--each day had something good.  This semester I was the happiest I have ever been. It's amazing how when YOU choose to be happy, happiness surrounds you.  Now I've moved home for the summer and some days are tough.  The rain just keeps coming (we really need it, but it makes work a little worse...), but I've been lucky enough to get a great work partner, live with three of the coolest people, and spend every day in this great community.  So, here's to another one of the happiest summers of ever, and I'll try to do a better job at keeping you all posted.  Not just on the fabulous, adventurous days, but on the regular days as well :)  

Livi's Logic #12

When I think of the most beautiful people in my life, it's those that are constantly finding the best in others.  I'm so lucky to live with some awesome girls that are always finding the best in others.  It's contagious!  So, here's to finding the beauty in others, so that I too can be a beautiful person.  

Spring in Provo

Spring has been in full swing down here, and I love it!!!  How can you not be happy when you're seeing beautiful sights like this each day?!

The trees are actually now starting to lose all of their blossoms, but still, it's been beautiful!  It's hard to believe, but they smell even better than they look.  I have loved going on walks and I've never been on runs that smell so darn good!  The smells, the sun, the happy atmosphere--I'm loving it.  I love spring in Provo a lot.  

1st Graders Rock!

So, I've taken about a month long hiatus from blogging, and basically everything else of normal life.  The reason: I've been doing a month long practicum (field experience) in a first grade classroom in Hobble Creek Elementary up in Mapleton.  What a fun month it's been!  

I went to school every day like a teacher would, arriving thirty minutes early, but I left about an hour before school got out.  I was blessed to have an awesome mentor teacher.  Miss Johnson was so sweet and helpful.  She is one of the most patient people I have ever met and I admire her so much!  She let me take on quite a few responsibilities and it was such a great experience.  I taught the morning routine each day, which in first grade takes about an hour.  Then I would teach one or two other lessons that I had planned throughout the day as well as help with any activity that we were doing.  While teaching was fun, the kids were definitely the best part!  I love those little kids so much.  They are so patient and forgiving.  We all truly do need to become as little children.  They just captured my heart.  

Seriously, BYU's elementary education program does an awesome job of getting you prepared.  If I ever needed questions answered, someone was there to answer them for me.  They came and observed me teach lessons and gave me super helpful feedback.  I gained a lot of confidence in my teaching ability this past month, which was very needed.  I've been questioning my decision of major on and off the last year, but this experience helped remind me I'm making the right choice for now :)  

All of my education classes went on hold for the month, and today it was back up to campus.  I actually quite enjoyed it.  I also got to return to my beloved Upholstery Shop.  That place just makes me so happy.  Here's to the last (roughly) 4 weeks of school!!  

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.   

Livi's Logic #11

I just need to be more thankful.  Sometimes I get caught up in all of the areas I'm lacking in.  I need to just be thankful for all of the great opportunities I have every day.  "To breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love," and so many more! 

Lessons From My Days in Peru

Today marks two months since I got back from Peru.  I've been back for almost as much time as I was gone (not very long) and it's about time I reflect on some of the things I learned from my trip.  

1. The Church is TRUE!  Some of my most special times while I was in Peru were while I was at church.  The curriculum, the order, the sacrament, the happy people--it was all just like it is here and it was so refreshing. While there I gained an even stronger testimony of our prophet, Thomas S. Monson and his apostles and how they are called of God.  I also gained a greater appreciation for the Hymns and the power of music.  My favorite part of each meeting was singing the hymns in Spanish.  So beautiful.  

 (Where's Waldo?! With the YSA from the San Jeronimo Ward)

2. Kids are the best.  Saying goodbye to these cute little rascals on November 27th was possibly one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.  Knowing that I probably wouldn't see any of them again just broke my heart.  They are so full of love and patience.  They never got frustrated with my bad Spanish.  Each time I lost my patience with them, they quickly forgave me.  Their warm hugs and shouts of "Profe-Tee-chair" greeted me each day.  We had so much fun together learning, laughing, brushing our teeth, reading stories, dancing, and so much more.  I understand why the Savior teaches us to become like little children.  They are just so pure and genuine.  I hope to become half as humble, kind, and pacient as the kids at Nuevas Americas.  

3. Everybody has something to give.  The people of Peru work for what they have.  Everyday I saw grandmothers, mothers, and young girls walking up long hills and hopping on and off busses with giant packs tied around their backs.  They did whatever it took to get to the market to sell their goods.  Everyone down there had something to offer.  Husbands spent months and even years working away from home to help support their families.  The youth worked after school was out, earning money to help buy food.  For the most part, people gave what they had to have a good life.  I was very inspired.  

(Her dry, cracked heels were on countless other hard workers as well)

4. I love my family very much.  As I was saying goodbye to my parents in the SLC airport I was somewhat shocked to find myself fighting back tears.  I had been looking forward to this trip for so long!  Why in the heck was I starting to cry?! That was when my mom said, "Isn't it nice to have something so great that it's hard to leave?"  She was so right.  Even though I was setting out to fulfill one of my dreams, it was hard to leave my family and friends.  They're just so great.  While I was gone I got excited about each FaceTime call, each email, and each Facebook message.  Family really is everything.

5. Be thankful.  We are so blessed to live in America.  We have drinkable water.  We have carpet.  We have pretty good sanitation systems.  We don't have a million stray dogs.  We take care of each other.  We have nice vehicles.  We don't have to worry too much about food poisoning or parasites.  We have great hospitals.  We have a great life. 

5. There's more adventurer in my soul than I thought.  While I was down there, I kind of thrived off of doing new things.  Everything around me was new, but I could have easily gotten into a routine and not tried new things.  I tried to do the exact opposite.  I took the public transportation everywhere!  A little sketchy at times--yes!  Culturally educational--you bet ya!  I would try different routes walking home from preschool each day.  I got pretty lost a few times, but I always managed to find a familiar landmark and I got to see a lot of the city that way.  I tried to see all of Peru that I could while I was there (money and time allowing...). I didn't care if I had a buddy to go with me or not, I was going to make the most of it.  At the time, I didn't feel too adventurous, but looking back I figure a young blonde girl, going to Peru --by herself--, finding her way around Cusco, visiting ruins, taking tours in Spanish, and just flat out living in a different country is pretty darn adventurous.  

6. I can do hard things.  You guys.  Learning a language is hard.  It can be frustrating.  It can make you want to cry.  It can also make you cry.  It can also be rewarding.  Spanish is beautiful.  

7. Let your heart love people.  Even though I knew I was only going to be in Cusco for a short time, I decided to love the people I was with.  I grew to love the other volunteers, the people in my ward, the family I lived with, and mostly the kids and Flor.  Putting my heart out there made saying goodbye so much harder, but made my time there so much more worth it.  

This list is not all.  In fact, I'll probably think of 5 more awesome things I learned tomorrow, but it's a pretty good summary.  The trip changed my life.  While I'm still the same Livi, I've learned so much about life, about friendship, and most importantly, about myself.