I'M GIVING IN! :S

Alright, so I don't really know why, but I have this sudden desire to do the 100 day picture challenge. I followed as my friend did this challenge on her blog, and had NO idea how she stuck with it. Especially with my track record, I bet you are all laughing to yourself that I'm committing to blogging every day for 100 days. Well I'm going to! BUT I'm doing it with a little twist. Instead of being stuck to only uploading a single picture every day, I will only post pictures M, W, F, which will leave me Tu, Th, S, for anything I want and Sunday will be the regular quote day. :)

 In reality, this picture challenge will take 232 days to complete instead of 100, ha ha

but it should be fun!

So starting tomorrow you can look forward to reading this blog every and or other day until March 19th and be happy to find a new post!

I have officially sold my soul to blogging....

Oh well! Here goes nothing!:D

...........and THAT's a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

prayer

"Sometimes the answer to prayer

 isn't that it changes lives.

But that it changes YOU."

.............. and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

happy sunday!

Oh Elder...

Whenever I open my mail box and see this....

I know it's going to be a fabulous day :)

Letter days are the best part of the week!

Sigh, I just kinda like that boy a lot....

:)
ha ha ha

A lot of people have been asking me what I do with my letters after I receive them, well, take a look!

 This is my letter binder.

These are my letters.

Now, I know it may look like quite a lot of letters, but actually a good portion of them either were letters we exchanged in high school, or emails we wrote back and forth when he was home. :)

ANYWAY, there you have it. Hope you're all having a wonderful Fri.letter.day! :)
...... and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade!

Sorry this post is kinda "lame-sauce" but I'll make sure to write a "good-sauce"? one later. Ha ha.

I am a Child of God

Today has been one of those amazing Sundays. Unfortunately, none of my nursery kids were there today. :( So I ended up being able to attend Sunday school and relief society. I absoulutely love, love, LOVE, RS. And let me tell you, Heavenly Father knew I needed to hear the lesson today. Today's RS lesson was given by the wonderful Laura Bailey, on President Uctdorfs talk, "Waiting on the Road to Damascus" <-- (click there to read it)

I can't even begin to tell you how incredible this lesson was. The spirit was so strong, and I haven't felt so spiritually strengthened or uplifted in a while. She is an incredible teacher. I LOVE my ward. I learn so much from all the amazing ladies in our RS. I don't think I could quite capture the beauty of how this lesson was taught quite on this blog, but I think everyone that was there will agree with me that it was one of the best lessons ever taught. Sister Bailey always gives wonderful lessons anyway. There were many quotes that I could share from this lesson, but there was one in particular that stood out to me today.

"Preach the gospel everyday; and if necessary, use words." - Francis of Assisi

It's through our actions that mostly does the work. "As I have loved you, love one another". I've kind of been struggling lately with not feeling like I'm doing anything, or more like not doing enough when it comes to sharing the gospel, or even feeling the spirit. I mean, I know I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, but I feel like it hasn't been enough. Although after this lesson, I've come to realize, we are not all the same. For some people, it can be really easy, and for others it can be like hanging on by a thread. But no matter who we are or how hard it can be, Heavenly Father loves, us and is mindful of us. And as long as we keep doing the things that are right, and follow the promptings of the spirit, he will lead us on the road to Damascus.

As we ended our meeting today, we sang the infamous song, "I am a Child of God". I know we have all heard this song before, and we know it by heart. But today the words really stuck out to me. It was as if I was hearing them for the first time.

I
am a child of God,

And he
has sent me here,

Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.

I am a child of God,
And so my needs are
great;
Help me to
understand
his words
Before it grows
 too late.

I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store
If I but
learn
to do his will
I'll
live
with him once more.

Lead me,
guide me,
walk beside me,

Help me find the way.
Teach me
all that I must do
To live
with him someday

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

.................. and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade!

And yes I love my nursery kids dearly, hopefully I'll get to play with them next week. :)

In 48 days..

I will be in a land of

{bright lights}

{beeping horns}

{crazy personalities}

{numerous hot dog stands}

{soothing carriage rides}

{blaring sirens}

{moving underground trains}

{delicious food}

{unforgettable history}

{a beautiful park}

{relaxing boat rides}

{wonderful street entertainment}

{fabulous shopping}

{and most importantly}

{THE THEATER}

That's right, in only 48 short days I'll be in my favorite city in the world!

*NEW YORK*

I can not even BEGIN to explain my excitement! I love New York! Between everything I described above, I mean, what's not to love about it? Okay, I wouldn't want to live there forever, but for a couple months I think it would be magnificent. There is such a wonderful euphoria about New York, that just draws me in from the second I get off the airplane at JFK. I can not WAIT to arrive in that city again, and bask in it's atmosphere for 6 day and 5 beautiful nights. This will be my third time to this beloved city, and even with the Book of Mormon on Broadway, there are still MANY promising shows! Shows staring Daniel Radcliffe, Sutton Foster, and the showstopping Bernadette Peters.

In the past I've had the wonderful privilege to see In the Heights, South Pacific, Billy Elliott, 9 to 5, Mama Mia, Les Miserables, Legally Blonde: The Musical, Marry Poppins, the Drowsy Chaperone, and the incredible breathtaking show, Wicked. And I absolutely can not WAIT to add more to the list. :)

If you can not tell, I am very excited. Ha ha. So let the diet begin, and my determination win! It's time to kick it into gear! I'll see you soon New York!

........... and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade!

*Doubt not, Serve, and Pray*

So tonight I was reading through some quotes given by our beloved Prophet Thomas S. Monson, and I was going to choose just one, but there were specifically these 3 that really stuck out with me that I felt like I should share. However, if you want a little more spiritual enrichment, click here for some more quotes. :) Hope you're all having a wonderful Sunday! :)



“Faith precedes the miracle. It has ever been so and shall ever be. It was not raining when Noah was commanded to build an ark. There was no visible ram in the thicket when Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. Two heavenly personages were not yet seen when Joseph knelt and prayed. First came the test of faith–and then the miracle. Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other. Cast out doubt. Cultivate faith.” ( “The Call to Serve,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 48–49.)

“There are many out there who plead and pray for help. There are those who are discouraged, those who are beset by poor health and challenges of life which leave them in despair. I’ve always believed in the truth of the words, ‘God’s sweetest blessings always go by hands that serve him here below.’ Let us have ready hands, clean hands, and willing hands, that we may participate in providing what our Heavenly Father would have others receive from Him.” ( “Priesthood Power,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 51.)

“Our Heavenly Father has placed an upward reach in every one of us. The words of scripture speak loud and clear: ‘Look to God and live’ (Alma 37:47). No problem is too small for His attention nor so large that He cannot answer the prayer of faith. Prayer surely is the passport to spiritual power. You can pray with purpose when you realize who you are and what Heavenly Father wants you to become. You will not find it difficult to approach Him with your sincere prayer as you remember the words of the Apostle Paul, ‘Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?’ (1 Cor. 3:16).” ( “Your Celestial Journey,” Ensign, May 1999, 96.)

...................... and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

Once Upon A Time...

This {adorable} little girl was in CTR 5.....

and in CTR 5, she made a card for her dad...

 

And the card said this...

"We love the tipl (temple), we grajawat(graduate) into speit(spirit)"

 :)

*Now, I may be a little biased but, Isn't she cute?!?!*

................and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade!

Escape

When ever I used to have a bad day, I could always look forward to play practice. There was always something about walking into that auditorium after the bell rang. I loved being able to leave my self at the door and live my chaotic life, through some one else's. AKA the character or show I was in at that time. You see, there is something so incredible about becoming one with a character and making people guess, if it was really you on the stage. And along the journey, sometimes, you find your self acting like the character in normal life. I could be with my closest friends and just relax and have fun creating a master piece. Ha ha. But honestly, when ever I would get a bad grade on a test, have one too many homework assignments, or have the {wonderful} high school drama eating at me, I could just walk into rehearsal, forget about all of my problems, and be someone else for the 3-5 hours of rehearsal.

Instead of being me,

I could be a mother of four little girls, writing her husband at war, praying for his safe return.

I could be a hopeless romantic teenage girl falling into a forbidden love.

I could have a little sister writing a soldier at war pretending to be me.

I could be a triplet in love with the town hunk, who was more in love with his muscles than any beauty.

I could be a girl who's only wish was to attend a festival and in return fell in love with a prince.

But now I no longer have the privilege of being in high school anymore. Which means getting into shows is a little bit harder. So I must find a new way to "escape". Because with getting older, worse problems than "high school drama" come about and you just need to get a way. There's things like, college, finding jobs, not getting letters, boys, money, and many more.

Hopefully sometime soon I'll find myself in a production some where, but as for now, I'll just have to stick with Spyder rides. But I'm not complaining, ha ha. You get on that bike and you can get so relaxed, and so much thinking done. It's the best. Ha ha.

Yes, I always miss being up on that stage, but right now there are new lessons for me to learn. Rather than new music and new lines, I'm learning new scriptures and finding new insights. I'm finding myself gain a closer relationship with my savior. Which I feel is a beautiful thing. So for now. I'm okay, and I think I will be for the rest of my life. With, or without, theater I know I'm doing the right thing for myself right at this moment in time.

If any of you have any wonderful ways to "escape" let me know. I'm always up for more options! :) And I would love to hear how you guys find your own "escapes". Ha ha. In other words, I really need an "escape right now... ha. Rough week. ;)

Have a wonderful day, even if it's one of those "escape" days! ha ha................. and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade!

My favorite scripture

D&C 122:7
And if thou shouldst be cast into the apit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the bdeep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to chedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of dhell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee eexperience, and shall be for thy good.


The Lord will never give us more than he we can handle. He is always there watching over and protecting us. And although we sometimes feel like we will never be able to get through a trial, the Lord will never leave our side and he will be there every step of the way. All trials are for our good...... and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

Chicken Soup

So aside from Sunday quotes, I've basically been AWOL on this blog... yet... again. SO! Here. I'll give you a little update on my life.

JACOB'S BIRTHDAY IS TOMORROW! Wahoo!!! He's going to be 21! He's getting big...

I went to Rexburg this last weekend for a much needed visit with Fran, and my best friend from BYU-I Michelle, and friends from the collegiate ballroom team. I had a BLAST!!!! I never realized how much I missed being a part of a university, or even how much I just missed IDAHO! Crazy, and yes, this is me. Ha ha. It's funny how last time I would've given ANYTHING to be home instead of in Idaho, and this time I found it extremely hard to leave... I really did NOT want to leave. I drove by myself so naturally, 3.75 hours to yourself equals a lot of thinking time. Some of my thoughts while in the car were:
          -Utah is SO beautiful! I seriously was SO amazed at seeing the drive without snow on the ground. I love the mountains, I love just everything about Utah... and Idaho... ha ha.
          -I totally forgot about the broken down building/wall that gets painted and repainted with the "Welcome Home Elder (Insert name here)"'s all over it. Not going to lie, I teared up a bit. Ha ha JUST KIDDING!
          -I saw 2 Spyders on the way up, a black one, and a gray one.... my dad's is still so much cooler.
          -I am officially addicted to snow cones.
          -I saw the Transformers 3 trailer and now I am seriously worried about my dad's bike turning into a decepticon while on it.
          -I love being able to belt at the top of my lungs and have nobody look at me weird because no one else is on the road!
          -If I were a super hero then I would be able to just transport or fly to Idaho without having to drive forever.
          -Why is it that when you put on biker shorts you automatically feel like the most incredible dancer in the world?
          -My parents are really really really funny, I love them. Ha ha.
          -letters.... they're great!
          -I love water
          -The clouds literally looked like Andy's wall in the movie Toy Story.
          -Justin Beiber is really fun to listen to during a road trip... or any time of the day for that matter.
          -Rexburg has absolutely nothing to do... but they just got a new water park... every one was there... when I mean everyone... I mean everyone within a 50 mile radius, it was fun though!


Like I said earlier it was really, really hard for me to leave. I had so many mixed feelings and I was about ready to just stay up there and register for fall semester... then I got off on the 16th north exit... and pulled up in my drive way and I knew.... THIS is where I need to be. Utah. But because of this confusion I had no idea what I was doing in school and I was so fed up with it and sick of it, that I was about ready to quit and I'm only 3 weeks away. I honestly had no idea why I was in this profession.

So today I started training for my internship. Because of my teacher missing school almost every day, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to start on the actual date. But after a LONG talk with my mom last night and attending school today, I found a way to make it work. School got out at 10:30 so afterwards I ran home and got ready for my first day in the office. I'll admit I was nervous... because I was doubting about me being a Medical Office Administrator.

Then I walked in the door. And this spirit came over me, and then I started checking patients in and collecting co-pay's, cleaning rooms, filing charts, developing x-rays, and last but not least MAKING PHONE CALLS!!! If any of you know me, I am about as chicken as it get when it comes to making a phone call or talking to a person that I don't know. BUT to my surprise, that was one of my favorite parts of the job! I seriously can not even begin to tell you how much I love my job. My "real world" job! I'm so glad that I listened to the promptings of the spirit and now I am here, and I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. I don't believe I could ever get tired of this job. I LOVE meeting new people and I just can't get over how perfect this job really is for me. I guess you kind of just forget when the end is near because it gets so stressful, but I'm so glad that I was able to go today and experience working at the Podiatry office. I can't wait until I get to go to the office again on Thursday... I'm SO EXCITED! :)

So I guess you could say SOME of the stress is gone. Knowing that I'm doing the right thing has really helped, but I have have to admit. Going for bike rides with my dad really calms me down. I've mentioned it before about how much I love this bike, but seriously. This bike works miracles. My mom and I were talking about how no matter how stressed are, we can always get on that bike and it's like we can escape and relax and just feel the breeze and enjoy the beauty around us. For me I guess it's like acting. It's my escape from all of my troubles. I love that bike. So now if any of you guys see me on the bike these next few weeks, you'll know exactly why... ha ha ha! :)

I also LOVE nannying. I can't tell you the joy those little girls bring into my life. Every time I hear the sweet little ones cheer my name as I pull up and they all come running to me and I hug them just brightens my day more than ever. I just love it. I love kids, and I love how happy they can make you. I learn so much from them. I just love them, ha ha.

Also my sister, parents and I are now starting our destination diet to ......... are you ready for it??? NEW YORK!!! We decided I guess... 3 days ago that we all need a vacation, and we have some points to use with our Marriott time share, and we've ALL been CRAVING to go back to New York. SO we don't know the exact dates that we are going, but we will be going before November. Whats the reward for the diet you ask? We'll we're doing it by body percentage, so who ever looses has to buy the winner a present of their choice in New York with a $20 dollar limit per person. So wish me luck as we start this challenge! I can not WAIT to walk the streets of that wonderful city and soak up all it has to offer, yet again. I also have a bucket list of people I would love to see perform on Broadway and because of our beautiful timing, I will be able to knock TWO of those SIX wonderful actress' in less than THREE months!!! I'm SO excited!!! :) So don't worry Sutton Foster and Bernadette Peters, I'm coming to see you!!! :)

So I guess that's a little insight on my life right now, and these next three weeks are going to be really crazy, but once they're done I'll be back and I won't have to worry about school anymore!! What a beautiful thought. :) Ha ha ha.

I hope you all have a wonderful day! Remember to keep smiling! I love you all...... and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

Stake Conference talk

So as you all know, today is Sunday which means spiritual quote day! I'm sorry it's so late, I was up in Rexburg from Thursday until early this morning, I woke up early and hopped in the car to be back for church at one. I had the BEST time, and also MANY spiritual and wonderful experiences that I want to share with you, but recently I've felt the need to post a talk that I gave in Stake Conference a few months ago. Yes, Stake Conference... ha ha. Even though it was one of the scariest experiences of my life, it was really a wonderful spiritual experience. So here it is, and I hope you all have had a wonderful fourth of July weekend/Sunday. :)


Olivia's Stake Conference talk, March 6, 2011
About a year ago, my life was not as great as it could have been. I was nearing the end of my senior year, and faced with the normal stresses that every senior faces. Like applications to college, the school musicals, student council, friends, taking extra classes at East Shore, deciding what college to go to, etc. I was noticing as life got more stressful, my priorities were NOT what they should’ve been. Well let me tell you, the Lord knows when and how to answer your prayers. At the same time my life was spinning in utter chaos, our ward got a new Bishop, Bishop Saltzgiver. As he gave his first talk, it was evident that he LOVED the temple. He told us all that he attended with his wife two times a week. I thought to myself, “Two times a week!? How on EARTH does he do that!?” But right after that, my thoughts came to a screeching halt. “When was the last time I went to the temple?”


Truth be told, I had never really been a temple go’er. I would go once, maybe two times a year? But that was it. I being the immature high school student that thought sleep was better than waking up at 4:30 am to attend the temple with my ward did not know the significance of the temple in my life. As Bishop Saltzgiver continued, he repeatedly said how much the temple changed his life and that the weeks he missed, he could tell the difference in not attending. He made a promise that if we made going to the temple a priority in our life, we would receive some of the greatest blessing we can on this earth.

That day I realized that the only way I was going to turn my life around and become a better person would be by attending the temple at LEAST once a month. I thought that was a pretty good goal considering the circumstances I was in. The following week I met with Bishop Saltzgiver to renew my temple recommend. It was during that interview that I realized that once a month wouldn’t cut it. In order to become who I needed to be, I needed to attend once a week. If Bishop Saltzgiver can go TWO times a week, I can at LEAST go once.

I would like to say that I accomplished that goal and I attended every single week after that interview until graduation. But as we all know, it takes a while to make a habit. I tried to attend as often as I could, but I didn’t completely start the goal until June 25th. and I am happy to say, that today, 33 weeks later(now 53), I have attended the temple at LEAST once every week. It wasn’t always easy and there were a few weeks I missed, but I always made them up by going twice the next week.

I absolutely, LOVE the temple! Even though I haven’t gone through the temple yet, going to do baptisms every week is such a special and important part of my weekly routine. I love being able to go and partake of the spirit, receive guidance, to grow spiritually, to perform work for those that weren’t able to receive the gospel on earth, and my favorite reason, to feel at home. I wrote my best friend who is currently serving a mission in Minnesota, and told him that I was going to be speaking to you about temples. There was one thing in that letter that particularly stood out to me, he said, “Is it any wonder why the temple is called the HOUSE of the Lord? It is our chance to return HOME for a small moment so that we can continue to grow and progress towards being able to return home for forever.” It truly is our Heaven on earth!

We are so fortunate to live SO close to as many temples as we do! So why don’t we take advantage of that? President Thomas S. Monson said, “Temples will bless all who attend them and who sacrifice for their completion. The light of Christ will shine on all--even those who have gone beyond.” There is no doubt that this is true. I have noticed such a difference in the way that I feel the spirit in my life since I have started attending every week. The blessings are SO great in attending. In D&C 97:15-16 it says, “Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God”. You can truly feel the Lord’s presence from the minute you walk onto the temple grounds.

Now we all don’t have the opportunity to SEE God in the temple, but we can feel, which to me, is better than seeing. Wouldn’t you rather eat a chocolate cake, than look at it? Or maybe you’re like me and prefer cheesecake, or like President Kenison and prefer ice cream. I know I do. The FEELing of the dessert is better than just looking at it. You can truly feel the overwhelming powerful feeling of the spirit from the MINUTE you walk on the temple grounds. Brother Paul Vandenberghe stated:

“Such heavenly enlightenment and blessings are available to each of us.” Being able to be worthy and attend the temple and FEEL of that spirit, is one of the greatest blessings.

This past summer my best friend and I had an unexpected event happen that I now know, had I not been going to the temple and following the spirit to make the needed changes in my life, I would have not been prepared to help him. There were many instances where I could literally feel the Lord helping me to know what to say or do. It was a life changing experience for both my friend and myself. I know that it is only because I was attending the temple every week where I had developed a special relationship with the Spirit, that the Lord was able to prompt me in numerous ways to help my friend.

As President Hinckley stated: “Take advantage of the opportunity of being baptized in behalf of the dead. And then let that sacred experience become an anchor to your lives, that you so conduct yourselves at all times and in all circumstances that, at the proper time, you may secure a special and restricted credit card with the Lord, even a recommend to His holy House, there to enjoy all of its blessings and privileges.” President Gordon B. Hinckley.

I am grateful for this anchor that I now have and look forward to the day when I may receive that special and restricted credit card with the Lord, even a temple recommend to enjoy all the blessings and privileges of the temple. I know that as we all make going to the temple a priority in our life, we will all receive the greatest of blessings. I’m so grateful for the knowledge of temples and to be able to live so close to them. I’m grateful for the overwhelming spirit that I feel every time I attend without fail. I know this is the true gospel, and it is the only way that we can return to our father in heaven and live with him forever. I know that heavenly father answers our prayers, and if we have an open heart he will lead us by the spirit through all trials. He lives and loves us, and by going to the temple we can easily feel, and partake of his love. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

.......................and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)
 
ALSO if any of you are wanting to go to the temple, but have no one to go with? Contact me! I would LOVE to go with you. :)