Basketball and Night Skiing

This week was a fun one. I got to go to the BYU vs. San Diego State basketball game on Wednesday night, and then on Friday night I went cross-country night skiing with a bunch of friends from high school. Here are some fun pictures... I can finally download them from my camera to my laptop. Hurray!

Kylie, Jessica, Kaitlyn

We were so high up (nosebleed section). Hence the horrible pictures of the court. It was still so much fun :)

We are all ready to go!

I love these lovely ladies!

And let me just say that night skiing was absolutely terrifying for the first half hour or so. It was so dark, and I fell so many times. But after that I started to understand how to maneuver myself better. By the end I could go down the entire run without falling! It was seriously one of the funnest things I have done in a long time, and we are planning to go again soon.

How Would It Be?

My Dear Friends,

How would it be?

To think that tonight was my last time seeing her, ever? How would it be, to wonder what would happen after death? How would it be, to think that after this life, there is nothing?

I don't really want to know how that would be. Because it would be very frightening indeed.

Tonight I went to visit my dear Grandma LuJean for what may have been the last time in my mortal life. It was so very good to see her. I sat there and watched her talk to us while she was in so much pain, but she was so happy we were there. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It's a strange feeling, one that I have never experienced before. You see, I have never had someone so close to me die. I took her hand, and kissed her forehead, and said softly, "I love you!" And then I hurried out of that house as fast as I could go. The strongest emotion I have felt in a while swelled up in my heart.

That strong emotion was grief.

As soon as I got outside I started sobbing. And I couldn't control it. So many thoughts were going through my head. I cried on and off all the way home. My grandmother is an angel. She is an incredible woman, a lovely wife, and a wonderful grandmother. I have so many happy memories with her. She has been a big part of my life, for as long as I have lived. I love her. So much.

But this post was not meant to be one of sadness.

I have a message for all of you.

This is not the end.

Because guess what? Heavenly Father made something incredible, something called The Plan of Salvation. And my grandmother, the beautiful woman in the photograph above, is going home to rest. Cancer doesn't affect our spirits. I have no doubt that she has a great work to do on the other side of the veil. So I will wait....

Because guess what else?? (This is the best part)....

I get to be with her Forever. Eternity. Infinity, Infinity, Infinity. Because I have been sealed to my family through the sacred ordinances of the temple.

I have such a testimony of this gospel. There is a plan for us after this life, as our Savior conquered death. I know it with all of my heart, because the spirit has born witness to me. Death is not the end, but a mere beginning....

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

A Newfound Gratitude

This morning I had an interesting experience. A new appreciation, you might call it. Every morning when Ashley and I go running, the military is there working out as well. Ashley and I joke about how they are 'machines.' And honestly, it is true. As we run around the track, they are either running or doing insanely hard exercises in the center of the arena. Sometimes just watching them makes my body hurt! And they are there every morning at 6 a.m. I don't know how long they train, because we leave before they do. All I know is that they are very disciplined and very strong. Anyway, this morning as I was walking out of the Smith Fieldhouse, I saw a group of ARMY men working out in the bitter cold. They were in full uniform. Have you ever seen those huge vest/pack things that they wear? I would imagine they weigh an awful lot.... Some guys were squatting or doing push-ups, and others were doing a sort of relay course with these huge packs either on their backs or in their arms. The men were absolutely panting. I slowed down to watch as I walked by. Then I noticed a man on the last leg of the relay. He was army crawling (he had his huge vest on), and I could tell he was giving it everything that he had. He struggled to make his arms move one more step. The officer (if that is what you would call her) that was training him said, "Come on, soldier. There is an injured child on your back, and their life depends on you." What she said pricked my heart. His face was filled with strain and pain, but he pushed forward, not stopping or giving up. As I watched him and all the other ARMY men, I got chills. These men and thousands more with them are fighting, training, working for our country. Our country. This land of America. The land of the FREE. I have always been grateful for the soldiers, and for all they do. But this morning my gratitude was deepened.

God bless these amazing individuals who sacrifice for citizens and people across the world that they don't even know. And may we do our part, to keep this country free, that their sacrifice may not be in vain.

God Bless America.

Some Things You Should Know...

Jerrica, I am stealing your post idea because I loved it. I hope you don't mind. After reading your blog, I made a goal to post more. We will see how it goes! Love you girl.

Some Things You Should Know....

1. I love roller coasters.

2. Dancing in warm rain is magical.

3. I love my MacBook Pro.

4. I go to Brigham Young University.

5. I am studying Dietetics, but don't believe half of what they teach me.

6. Missionary letters are the best thing since sliced bread.

7. I miss my home, even though I live 30 mins away.

8. I love snow.

9. But only until Christmas.

10. I am a runner - and I have an amazing running partner.

11. Disneyland is basically my home away from home.

12. Summer and Fall are my favorite times of year.

13. Sometimes I brush my teeth in the shower.

14. I love getting phone calls from little siblings and cousins.

15. I love making things beautiful, and I want to get better at it.

16. I keep a journal.

17. I am studying Preach My Gospel.

18. Sometimes I am afraid.

19. I secretly enjoy Chemistry sometimes.

20. I hate math past Pre-Calculus.

21. I miss being a dancer.

22. I hate tendonitis.

23. I have a good idea of what I need to do with my professional life.

24. I believe in Christ.

25. I hate playing sports that require coordination, but enjoy watching them.

26. I am proud to be a Livingston.

27. I think about and pray for Grandma LuJean every day.

28. Sometimes I am really high strung....

29. I love laughing!

30. But hate being tickled.

31. I love things that smell good.

32. I love baking bread.

33. I am afraid of deep ocean water and bridges over rushing water.

34. I have nightmares sometimes about fighting huge animals.

35. I love eating breakfast.

36. Sometimes I hate school and homework.

37. I get white in the winter and tan in the summer.

38. I cry a lot.

39. I love watching movies.

40. I love playing games.

41. I hate working fast food and swear to never do it again.

42. I often take naps.

43. I am in love. :) :) :)

44. Someday I would like to write a book.

45. Someday I will be married in the temple to the man of my dreams.

46. I can't wait to have children and raise a family.

47. I wish I could play the piano. My poor children... it won't be an option for them :) They will thank me later.

48. I am quiet in large groups, and very talkative in small groups.

49. My normal face looks angry.

50. My parents are the most amazing human beings EVER.

51. I love holidays of all sorts. Especially Christmas and the 4th of July.

52. My dream is to help women not be afraid.

53. I am learning to remember who I am, and I am loving myself for the first time in a long time.

54. I love shopping.

55. Hoyt gets back in approximately 6.5 months.

56. My favorite treat is ice cream. Especially with Oreos.

57. I hate cotton candy.

58. If you tell me I can't do something, I will find a way to do it.

59. I am really picky when it comes to dating.

60. I like public speaking.

61. I think Grandma Linda is very wise.

62. I like staining decks with grandpa DaWayne because I love talking with him.

63. I still sleep with my fuzzy.

64. I want to travel to another country someday. Soon.

65. I love highlighting my hair.

66. Swimming at Ken and Robin's pool = a perfect summer day.

67. I like getting up early.

68. I like sleeping in.

69. When I am really tired, I break down.

70. I love cooking.

71. I kiss the clock at 11:11 and make wishes.

72. I believe that dreams come true.

73. I believe that everything worth living for in life requires hard work.

74. I love my room mate.

75. I can't wait for summer.

76. Roses are ok, but I love gerber daisies and tulips and poppies.

77. I think my mom and my little sisters are so beautiful.

78. Tanner can make me laugh like no one else on this earth.

79. I hate scary things.

80. I hate that I don't see Ammon and Audrey a lot. Because I love them. Heaps.

81. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people call Miiiiilk "Melk."It is an I! Not an E!!!

82. Pomegranates are one of my favorite fruits.

83. I have been blessed beyond measure.

84. I believe I am smart. And that is because my dad taught me to believe it. Thanks dad.

85. Did you know happiness is a choice?

86. I love you all infinity!

87. The end

It's time.

As most of you know, I used to run cross country in high school. I was never very fast, but I fell in love with running. The speed doesn't matter as much to me as the distance. I love distance running, and I would love to run a half marathon someday. What about a marathon? Mmmm.. we will see :) When I got tendonitis, I kind of fell out of it. I tried on and off to run over the past two and a half years, but I never really stayed very committed. I have decided however, that it is time once again to take up the hobby that I absolutely LOVE. So I got these little babies for Christmas...

Asics is by far my favorite brand of running shoes. I love them. I am running at 6:30 every morning right now with my good friend Ashley (she ran cross country with me and actually is Audrey's sister!). It is too cold to run outside (for now) so we go down to the Smith Fieldhouse and run around the track. I am looooving it. I plan on running the Strawberry Day's and Independence Day's 5Ks this summer. If my legs are feeling really good I may even embark a 10K. We will have to see as summer gets closer.