Conclusion

This is my last blog post for the semester... CRAZY!!! my first semester at BYU is coming to an end. It went by way too fast!

I just looked back on all my post and its insane how much happened and how much changed in 3 and 1/2 short months. I had some amazing times and I've met amazing people. BYU is seriously such an amazing school and I feel incredibly blessed to be going here. As a new member of the church i can't imagine going anywhere else. My testimony has grown so much and I'm so grateful for all my professors. They have helped me so much academically and spiritually. Seriously I'm one blessed girl. I can't wait for three more years at this amazing school and I hope i keep up this blog so i can reflect back on my college experience.

Shout out to Sister Steadman for making us do this project and for truly caring about each oe of her students personally!

Time Management

This semester I'm taking a class called Student Development 109. I wanted to share something that I've learned and has helped me so much through out the semester. It is TIME MANAGEMENT!!!! This is so important and for me I love to be organized and plan everything out so here is an example of a schedule for me.

Monday:
- American Heritage
- Study for math
- Take math test in testing center

Tuesday:
- Start Doctrine paper for Religion
- Present in Writing
- Book Flight
- 9.3 math
- CrossFit

Wednesday:
- Finish doctrine paper
- go to writing center
- missionary lesson
- start student development final
- 9.4 & 9.5 math
- laundry
- Pack

Thursday:
- Final draft of Doctrine paper
- 9.6 math
- finished STDV final project for tues.
- finish packing
- fly home
- Start American Heritage study guide

Making a detailed list of things I need to do helps me prepare for my week. It helps me see what days I will be most busy and what days I will have free time to hang out with friends or do other fun activities. I started this in the middle of the semester and since then I have found that I have so much more time because I get things done fast and productively. I seriously recommend if anyone doesn't have some type of time management skill, to try to do this! I promise it's life changing.

New Media

Eldar Bednar writes in his talk "To sweep the Earth as With a Flood" was one of my favorite things we discussed in class this semester. Social media is a huge in this generation and I think it is so important that youth as well as adults know how to use it. It is important to spread the word of the gospel to everyone that will listen, but sometimes we get so busy with our daily lives that we don't do this consistently. Now sharing a video on Facebook or retweeting the prophet on twitter is helping share vital messages with one click of a button.

This holiday season "He is the gift" and "Because He lives" videos were released by the Church and went viral. I know for me it is so helpful to actually see, nit just in my mind, but on these videos why we celebrate these holidays and what we should be grateful for. Every time I watch these videos I can feel the spirit and it reminds me of why I'm here, and what I should be focusing on in life.

Using social media in a positive way is why God gave it to us, but its when people miss use it that it becomes a problem. We as Latter-day Saints need to be that example and show the world all the blessings that come from being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Family Life

I used to think I wanted more siblings in my family but Im starting to realize that Im blessed with the family I have and our closeness.




My mom is a 5th grade teacher and an example to my entire family! She stayed at home with my sister and I until we went to school and then she went back to college to get her masters in teaching. She still takes classes to benefit her students. Being in school now, I couldn't imagine having a family and two young kids and trying to focus on my education. She is the strongest, most harding working women I know and I hope I will be as great of a mom as she is.

My dad is a retired sargent with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. He is he typically dad who coached our soccer teams, took us on bike rides, made us PB&Js for dinner when my mom was home, and carried us on his shoulders. Growing up my dad was my best find. We would do everything together! I vividly remember him driving a Ford F150 when I was younger and i used to sit in the front with him and put up the middle section and sit right next to him (almost on his lap haha). I'm still super close with him but I'm so grateful for all the time I was able to spend with him.

Now I have one sister who is three years older than me! Growing up I wanted to do everything Taylor did! She would get so annoyed with me when she would have friends over and I would try to play with them. One thing we used to always do during the summer was do music video performances in or around the pool for our parents and extended family. We loved Aaron Carter and Hilary Duff at the time and she was always make me sing Aaron's part which was annoying but I loved it. Today we are best friends. I know I can go to her for anything. We have learn to appreciate one another and it has made our relationship so strong.

Testing Center

Since we are all BYU students, I thought it would be relatable to write about the testing center and as students our love/ hate relationship with it.

It seems like every time I walk in there, I automatically start to sweat... Not because I'm nervous but because they have the heat so stinking high in there! Im not sure why that is because we are already nervous and don't need to be in a sauna while we take a test that seems life changing at that moment.

The next thing that bothers me is the smell.... Seriously are they cooking onions or is that the guy next to me taking a biochem test hahah Its the worst when you have a long test and have to sit in there for a few hours! All the desks are jam packed and trying to find a seat is a real struggle sometimes! I don't know if anyone will agree with me when I say this, but I test better in the grey desks! Seriously try it!!! They are way bigger and more comfortable. Its life changing:)

I know we all dread going to the testing center but it really separates class time from test time. This is such a blessing and its such a privilege to attend BYU so I guess putting up with the testing is no biggie when you put into account all the great things that come from going to this university.

General Conference April 2015

This was my first General Conference being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This was also the first time I attended Conference in person. Being in the same room as the profit for the first time was most diffidently something I will never forget. As the congregation stood up to welcome President Monson onto the stage, I feel chills engulf my body. That was a confirmation to me of the truth that he is our living profit and that we do need to following in his example.

            Every speaker had a lot of good points to bring up and so many of their messages pertained to things that I needed to hear about situations going on in my life. The talk that hit me the hardest was Elder Holland’s about reaching out for help. Many times in my life I have felt the “sandy beneath my hands” making me feel like I was falling to my undeniable death (in the sense of something metal or emotional going on), but his talk really made me realize that Heavenly Father is here to help us. I’m so grateful for the knowledge that I am gaining and knowing that I’m never alone in hard times is one of the biggest blessing.

            Another talk that was giving by Elder Nielson’s talk about his sister going inactive gave me hope for my family to one day see the light of the gospel. Being an example and loving your family for who they are is exactly what they need. It is so important not to make people feel bad for decisions they have made, and let them know that no matter what you will be there for them. In the end everything will work out as long as we as latter-day saints are good examples and do what we can to help others. I’m blessed to have been baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and start helping my family find their way in the church.    

Family Stories

My fathers side of the family both immigrated form Europe and Im so grateful that I was able to hear first hand the stories about my grandparents and great grandparents coming to America. I think family stories are something that everyone should cherish because its what we can tie ourselves back to.

About 70 years ago when my grandmother immigrated to New York from Weisbaden, Germany, she didn’t realize it yet but her whole life was about to change. Her father was a German fighter pilot in World War II and was killed in combat. Her mother was left to raise two little girls on her own, until she met one special American soldier, who would soon become her husband. He married my great grandmother, adopted my grandma and her sister and brought them back to New York with him. Once the war was over and the American troops were done helping the European countries, they hopped aboard a ship and sailed across the Atlantic for 16 days, until they hit the coast of New York. My grandma describes this experience saying, “We arrived in New York City at night on November 4^th on my 8th birthday (my sister was 4 years old).  My father came to our room, and in our pajamas, brought us on deck to see the lights of the city.  When we disembarked the next morning, my dad stopped at a store to buy us "American" socks so we would not look like refugees!” Already, my great grandfather did what he needed to do to help his new family fit in to American culture. My grandmother might not have known it yet, but she was about to face many challenges being a German immigrant in such a horrific time in U.S. history. Changing simple habits in their lives would be helpful in fitting in but unfortunately not prevent the inevitable alienation because of their German background. 

Narrative Overview

Trying to find my topic to write my personal narrative was the most difficult part. I feel like in my life I have had a lot of "ah ha" moments. When I decided to write about the experience of going Cheerleading Worlds and everything that went into it, it took me back! I remembered all the good and bad times that went on. It also made me think about how that experience changed me, and how it effects my work ethic today! This assignment also made me think more about the whole experience of going to worlds rather than the event itself! This was for sure my favorite writing assignment this semester.

Personal Narrative

Winning Even When You Don’t Get First Place

            Five months of preparation, countless injuries, and more blood sweat and tears than you could imagine, and it all comes down to this one moment. Sitting on the panel mats with my cheerleading team all around me, holding hands, and praying that all our hard work will pay off. The beaming voice of the announcer echoes throughout the arena as he begins to announce the placement of each team: Starting with 24^th place our little anxious hearts begin to pound harder and harder as the number gets smaller. We hear

“And in 5^th place, Pride Athletic Champions.”

The team goes silent and small cheers begin from the crowd, but not from girls who just spent what feels like a lifetime on a 3-minute routine that didn’t reach the judges expectations. Low was an understatement to how we felt at that moment.

            Lets go back five months prior. It was a normal Junior 4 practice (junior is the age level and 4 is the skill level). Practice ended and I was getting ready to leave when the cheer gym owner Tenay came up to me and asked if she could talk to me in her office. Tenay was the epitome of a cheer coach, with her toned legs, to her rocking six-pack, and always full of energy. She was willing to step in for girls and show us how to do skills instead of telling. I idolized her and her passion for this intense sport! Fluttering butterflies swarmed my stomach because I knew exactly what this conversation was going to be about. Cheerleading Worlds was coming up and this is not your typical cheer competition. You have to qualify and only a certain number of teams from each country are selected to compete, and our cheer gym had just qualified, among four others from America. I walked into her office shaking like an Olympian standing on the podium awaiting their eminent results. She sat me down and with the anxious voice said

“Mackenzie since our Junior 5 team just qualified for Worlds we are looking to add about 5 more athletes to the routine and wanted to know if you would be one of those girls.”

I felt pools of tears forming in my eyes. I had been working so hard to get my level 5 skills and finally, I was being notice for my countless hours in the gym.

“Yes, of course I will do whatever it takes to help out the team!”

“Thank you so much Mack! I hope you are ready to challenge yourself and work harder than you ever have.”

“Yes, I am Coach”

“Okay I’ll see you at practice on Tuesday then!”

I understood the struggles that were about to begin as I took on this new challenge and the process it would take to adapt to a new team.

            The next week practices began and that’s when everything changed. I was pushed physically, mentally, and emotionally in ways I didn’t know were possible. The team welcomed me with open arms and right away I began to feel like these girls were my family. I knew that I could go to them for anything. As Worlds crept up, our practices were longer, and more intense. I can’t think of one practice that I didn’t get hit in the face, “eat mat” on tumbling, or go home bruised all over. We were all working our bodies to their maximum capability. Because we were so young (11-16 years old), we struggled trying to keep up with the senior 5 team in the gym who we looked up to, but also felt a sense of competition towards. Our team was a new structured collaboration of girls as well and most teams that compete at Worlds have been working together for years. This gave us a disadvantage, but we just kept pushing ourselves. We motivated each other and came together more and more every practice so, that by the time we arrived in Florida to compete we had built intensely close friendships.

            By the time we got to Disney World at least half of the girls had gone through or still had an injury, but knew that they had to push through it for the sake of the other girls. It felt like one thing after another was bringing us down, but we weren’t letting anything stop our perseverance.  We had three full days before the competition started that were dedicated to practicing and team building. We had two practices a day outside and one practice a day at a local cheer gym. In between practices we were eating, napping, and icing our bodies. At this point everything was hitting consistent and we felt ready to get on the mat and give it our all.

            Finally, it was day 1 of the competition. Warm ups went well and nerves were kicking in as we walked on deck. Before we knew it the announcer called out

“And from Las Vegas, Nevada, Pride Athletic Champions.”

The cheers began, and that’s when we all ran out to the floor and got set in our first position. The crowd was dark like the night sea and the spot lights on us, so bright that the glitter on our bows sparkled. Our uniforms, black, blue, and gold perfectly formed to our little bodies! With our every move, the silver rhinestones outlining the initials PAC that shined bright. Here we go, I thought as the music started. Before I knew it I had hit all my stunts, tumbling passes, and jumps. That was it! The music ended and we all came together on the mat, jumping up and down, sweating running down our faces, and celebrating the perfect routine we just had.

“One day down, one to go girls” my coach said to us as we left the arena. Sleeping that night was almost impossible but my body and mind really needed it.

            Day 2 started off well! Again, we had a great warm up and another successful routine. So much weight was lifted off our shoulders as our coach praised us for all the hard work and dedication that we knew finally paid off. At this point all we could do was sit and eagerly wait for awards. Time couldn’t go by fast enough for my team and me! Finally all the teams are called to the mat, now it was time to find out if all these months of training paid off.  We will also know each teams ranking worldwide. 5^th place, really? I thought to myself as tears were being shed from girls all around me. We met up with our coach after the conclusion of the award ceremony and she said something that I will never forget. She gathered us around so we were all hand in hand and said

“Girls, I couldn’t be more proud of you. I know these aren’t the results we wanted, but I’ve seen so much growth in each and every one of you. Not only with your skill level, but also with your maturity and love for one another. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of young women to represent my gym. I love you all so much, now go have fun at Disney and I’ll see you at practice next week!” 

We finished off the trip with a few fun days in Disney World!

            Last Christmas, my good friend from that team met up with me for lunch.

“Gabby! I yell as I run up to my old friend, jumping and getting gitty thinking about all we have to catch up on.

“Mackie, how have you been? I miss seeing you everyday at practice.” Gabby replied

“I know me too! I miss those long practices and endless laughter we used to have with the team”

“Me too! I would have never guessed back then that I would want to relive those moments to bad.”

“Seriously those were the days! Our only worry was if our full-ups, and two-to-fulls were going to stick! haha”

Our little dinner date went on for a while when we realized the restaurant was waiting for us to close up. It’s crazy how much I miss those days.

            

Look Sister Steadman... NO hands!

Research blog!!!!

Changes in research paper

When I was first given this assignment, I initially thought of doing it on World War II. I was going to write about German fighter pilots because my great grandfather died in combat. This subject was very interesting to me but the only thing I didn't really like was that I had no family members to talk to about it because my grandmother (daughter of the German fighter pilot) was very young when he died. I keeper asking questions to my grandma about her past living in Germany when I realized that one of the most important things in my family history was my grandmothers immigration to the united states after WWII. She was young when this happened but surprising she remembered tiny details about what she went through and how she was effected. This change in topic made it way easier for me to write because it was closer to me and it is interesting to read about some of the things my grandmother went through.


Dialog between me and my dad about my grandmother (his mom) immigrating to America. 

What was Omie's biggest struggle in America?
- Based on what she said, her biggest struggle was the language barrier. She was going to school in a place with all Americans that spoke english and she could only speak German. She faced bullying and being called a nazi because of the fact that the war just ended and she was German. Even though she was young and didnt fully understand what was going on, she was still a victim.

what other problems were going on at the time for immigrants?
- Lots of issues were erupting for German immigrants because of the simply fact that majority of Americans had this idea of what a bad country Germany was. Yes, Germany was the country that posed the most issues during the war, but not every German was involved in that side of things. My grandmother said even though her father was a pilot in the war, he was not a nazi! Im not sure what exactly he was but I do know my grandma was so young when that war happened that she was not against the jews or following Hitlers teachings.


Well it seems to me that...

San Fransisco

Presidents Day weekend me and four of my friends decided it would be fun to go San Francisco! Seriously I love in love with that city. 

We did so much in those four days: 

-We stayed by Fishermans Warf which is right by the bay and filled with places to eat and lots of shopping. The bread bowls were insanely good and if anyone goes i recommend you stop by the sour dough restaurant. ITS BOMB!

-Obviously we went to the Golden Gate Bridge. It was so beautiful, but the walk across the bridge was freezing and windy. And I wore sandals so my feet were killing me haha so I'm dumb for that. After walking the bridge we walked to a small town called Salalito, right on the other side of the hill. That was for sure my favorite day just because we had so much fun taking pictures and sight seeing.

-Th next day was full of shopping!!! We rode the cable car and held on to the rails on the outside like typical tourists. Downtown was surprisingly clean and all the shops were amazing. We went to Macy's, Nike, H&M,  and a bunch more! That day we also ate at this place called "Cod Mother Fish & Chips." It was seriously the best thing I have ever eaten! 

I can honestly say that the trip wouldn't have been as fun if I didn't have great company! WE laughed so much and are now planning a beach trip after the semester! YAYAYA traveling with friends is seriously the best!

The First Vision

Obviously at BYU you are required to take a certain amount of religion courses but I recently wrote about the first vision, a topic which really interested me as a convert! The idea the God put all of his work on a young boy truly amazes me so here is a little of what i wrote about! Again sorry my posts have been lengthy but these are just things that I truly care about! 

Many events have shaped Latter-day Saint’s history, but the first vision was undoubtedly the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This event was the turning point for religion and the restoration of Jesus Christ during the great Apostasy. Even though Joseph Smith was unsure about his religious path, he received an answer in the first vision that helped him establish the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and restore the true gospel on earth.

After the death of Jesus Christ and his Apostles, the world was in a state of darkness. Priesthood authority was lost and the truth of the gospel was taken from the earth, causing a “spiritual darkness.”  The prophet Amos stated “a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.” This prophecy was true and those who wanted to follow Christ’s teachings, no longer had the ability to. Many people tried to preach a message of faith and get as many followers as they could, but all of them were missing something. Each new church that was being formed had bits and pieces of the gospel but none had it in fullness. This issue caused a young Joseph Smith to question each religion and also question which one he should join.

As a young boy, Joseph Smith was searching for complete truth in a single religion and looked towards heavenly father for guidance. He found that many of the churches already established had some truth but none of them were complete. Each religion was missing something. The young, 14 year old boy was “Concerned by his sins and unsure which spiritual path to follow, he sought guidance by attending meetings, reading scriptures, and praying.” It was important that Joseph got baptized into the church he knew brought complete truth to the world. Joseph didn’t know this yet, but him surviving typhoid fever not only blessed the Smith family, but also would soon bless the entire world. He survived an epidemic that “caused more than 3,000 deaths in the New England area.” Leading up to the first vision, Joseph kept an open mind and truly searched for guidance in every way he knew how.

Joseph kept reading the bible so he could have some clarity on what his religious path should be. As he read through the scriptures one day, he noticed a passage that said, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and unbraideth not: and it shall be given him.” This passage really made Joseph think about God and if he asked, would God give him an answer? In Joseph Smith’s encounter he says, “at length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God.” And that is exactly what Joseph Smith did on the beautiful spring morning of 1820 in the grove near his house in Palmyra, New York. He knelt down and prayed for wisdom and guidance from the Lord and received revelation unlike he has ever experienced before. He speaks of the encounter and says “Immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.”  This was the adversary trying to destroy Joseph because he knew that great work was about to be done. 

What happened next was the first step in restoring The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph then saw a pillar of light above his head, and descended until it fell upon him. Joseph Smith describes this experience saying, “It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other- This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!.” After this Joseph asked which of the religions was right and which one he should join. The Lord answered by telling Joseph that none of the religions were the right one. The Lord said they each had some “form of godliness,” but they denied “the power thereof.” Joseph was also forgiven of his sins and told “walk in my  statutes and keep my commandments behold I am the  Lord of glory I was crucifyed for the world that all those  who believe on my name may have Eternal life.” After this, Joseph was told more things that would help guide him in the direction to restore the church on the earth.

            Joseph Smith was chosen for a reason and Heavenly Father had a specific plan for him to bring the teachings of the true gospel back to earth. This first vision was just the start of many that Joseph would have in his lifetime. Although he was a young boy at the time, he understood his responsibility to spread the world and do the Lord’s work so that future generations could be blessed with the teachings from The Church of Jesus Christ  of Latter-day Saints.