Lunchside Talk

Hello everyone. Some of you might not know me, or only know me over Facebook, but I am Makenzie Lewis. I'm going to speak to you today about how having a relationship with Christ will help you here on earth.

So I'm going to give you the story of my accident. I was at a reunion with my family in Oakley, Utah. One of the options was to ride an ATV for fun. We had all sorts of activities, but that one remained the favorite. We had just finished taking family pictures and we were all sitting around the cabin, then the ATV came back for a final ride before we returned it to the rental place. Me and 3 other cousins went on that final ride (it's always the last ride). The ATV is street approved so we were on the road with other cars. We went to the trails and drove around for a bit. Then, it was time to go to return the ATV. There was a road that led to the cabin. We were driving down that road and a truck pulling a trailer was behind us. We were turning left right when that truck decided it was going to try to pass us. The truck T-boned the ATV right where I was sitting. Luckily I had my seatbelt and helmet on which saved my life. 2 of my cousins had concussions and 1 was a little bruised; he remembers the whole thing. I was the only one of the four of us that had to be life-flighted. I suffered the most major injuries.

I'm telling you this from what I've been told, and partially my memory of what led up to the accident. My memory of the accident is completely gone, which is really quite a blessing. 

I spent 71 total days in the hospital, 33 in a coma. I basically slept the summer away. When I woke up I think I was in too much shock to be sad about it. I had the gospel and that's what kept me going. I had a relationship with Christ that only grew from this experience. I think knowing that Christ knows exactly how I felt and feel has allowed me to depend on him. I prayed for the littlest miracles during my stay at the hospital. I would pray for things like being able to have enough energy, being able to balance, getting my trach out, and removing my c-collar for good (the giant brace around my neck).

There were also many miracles that happened. One was where my injury occurred in my brain. Before I woke up everyone was so unsure of what I'd remember or be capable of. Luckily where I was injured did not affect my personality, long term memory, and most importantly my knowledge of the gospel. I know that being able to remember my relationship with Christ really was such a huge blessing to be able to endure this trial. We can endure life on earth and trials because we know He understands them.
We cannot choose what misfortunes might happen to us here on earth, but we do have agency. That is one of the biggest blessings we have received. Christ had his agency yet he chose to follow the Father. Something that I found interesting was that I could choose how to react to this misfortune, though I had no control over the situation. Many doctors asked me if I was depressed at all; I actually would become frustrated after hearing it so many times, because they actually EXPECTED me to be depressed. They did not expect me to be positive at all. I put my faith in the Lord and chose my attitude and would just work my hardest. Many times during my recovery I would just laugh at how I couldn't do the simplest things. Yes, I'm sure some people thought I was weird, but it helped me get through it. My therapists loved the fact that I could have a good attitude despite my limitations. Happiness and faith in the Lord is what has helped me come this far.
Jeffrey R. Holland gave one of my favorite talks titled "An High Priest of Good Things to Come". There is a quote from it that I'd like to share. It says, "Don't give up. Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come."
Also there is a scripture I'd like to share. It is Phillipians 4:13. It states, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I love that bold statement. If we lean on Christ he will help us do ALL things.
I think something for us to remember is that things don't happen by chance. God has a plan for each of us that will not be frustrated. This earth life is short compared to the eternities. Honestly, we never know when our time will be over, and it is a test for each of us to endure whatever comes our way. I know that having a strong relationship with Christ will help you to return to live with him in heaven.
TESTIMONY

Crazy how you can suddenly miss so many days.

Well last night I emailed a couple missionaries. It's so good to hear from them! I emailed Brock Johnson and Landen Broadhead, and I heard back from both of them. 

Today I officially did my own ponytail. Mom and Dad were ecstatic. I was too. I mean I had worked on it for a while but I officially did it by myself like to go out in public. Scary right? My mom was taking me to therapy and she finally noticed I did my own hair when I was already in the car.
We also had a piano recital tonight. It was our Christmas recital, I played Ding, Dong Merrily on high. I think I did pretty well considering my left hand is learning all over again. After we got home Mom and Dad went to a Christmas party. The kids went to Yogurtland and I waited for jake to get off work. Mom and Dad came home and I went with Dad to Yogurtland because jake got off work late.
Mom said something about a mission tonight and I said I wasn't sure if I was going to go. She stat

Taco Bell

It's Friday, which really means nothing to me because I don't go to school. I hope to have some type of social life tonight. Wish me luck.
Yesterday turned out to be an okay day. I got a paper signed for our lawyer to provide information for him. I also got my license plates for the new car I'm driving. It's a white 2012 Ford Focus. It's beautiful, I love it. I also helped my brother shop for his eagle project. He is filling stockings for the Children's Justice Center. It's a great project and he's received so many donations. It's cool to see how giving people are.
We also went to Taco Bell last night. Dad loves it, Mom hates it. I love it as well. I was going to go to lunch with Dad but he got busy at work, so that was to make up for lunch. It's funny because Mom will make faces at whatever we're eating.
Therapy also went well yesterday. I got to play soccer. It was basically practicing dribbling while I was in the harness for safety. It was fun, reminds me of how much I miss playing soccer.:(
I got asked on two different dates. The first one I got asked on is next Tuesday. It's to go see the Forgotten Carols. Anthony Holt asked me. We're not like super good friends but we do go to school together. The second one is tomorrow night. Naythan Bell asked me to that one. I know him through Success Academy. He said we would be going to Pine Valley to decorate a Christmas tree. I'm not for sure about that one but I'll probably end up going.
Today I went to go workout first at the Summit. I didn't feel as strong today but that's okay. I am dying to run and jump, SO BAD. Just gotta be patient and keep working at it.
Tonight I am going to help Garrett assemble his stockings. I'm excited to help do this service. I think it will be really good, a chance to give back.

5 month mark

How is it Thursday already? Weeks fly by, but days are slow. Idk if that makes any sense, oh well.
Today all I have scheduled is therapy at 3. I only do physical therapy now. HALLELUJAH. I seriously was going crazy going to three different therapies, it drove me insane. I mean I'm sure it helped me but day to day it was hard to see progress. Especially in speech therapy.
It is so hard to stay positive. It seems like everything is going against you. Everyone expects you to be depressed about your situation. And when you do get sad, to them, it seems like so much more. I was actually called a Debbie Downer yesterday. That actually made me mad because I stay SO positive and the one time I'm feeling down I get no help. Then they said that nobody wants to help me cause I get so down. That's when I knew that they didn't know me, and obviously don't understand my situation.
That's what's so hard about my situation. It's not physically obvious, so people have a hard time empathizing.
Today marks 5 months since the accident. Weird to think it happened that long ago. It feels like forever but it also feels like yesterday. I actually remember laying in the hospital thinking of what life would be like when I got home. It's been like 2 1/2 months since I got home. Now I dream of what life will be like another 5 months from now. I feel like it will seem to take longer because 1 month of the past 5 months was spent in a coma. Coma's are strange. If you would have told me a year ago I would be in a coma I definitely wouldn't believe you. It honestly felt like a really long dream. When I woke up I had no idea what day it was. I was at a family reunion and suddenly I was in a hospital for who knows how long. Kinda scary when I think back on it. I think at the time I was in too much shock to really think about it.
I have started driving and it's the best. I finally feel like I have some freedom, like I'm actually 18. I felt like I was 15 for a while cause I would spend a whole lot of time at home and I always had to ask for a ride everywhere. If you think school is bad try spending all your time at home and going nowhere. I miss school so much. I miss learning, I miss friends, the social aspect of it, I miss hearing about high school drama. I learned to love all of this stuff.

TBI

Obviously that post was from a while back. It was from a previous blog I attempted to start. So much has changed since then, it's insane how time changes things.
Well, I was in an accident on July 4 of this year. I have a traumatic brain injury as a result. It has been nearly been 5 months since the accident. Progress is slow but it continues. I have to be patient but it's easier said than done.
Doctors say that it will take about a year to recover from this brain injury, and although it's been a long recovery, I'm almost halfway there and that brings me hope.
Also, I was beyond prepared to have something like this happen. I was taking college classes at Success Academy so now I only have one class and seminary to take to graduate! Such a blessing!
I take online seminary and I'm planning on switching over from online to in-class next week! Super excited about that! I'm also gonna start taking classes over at the high school in January. Maybe attempt to have a social life.(;
Well as a result of my brain injury. my whole left side was not connected to my brain anymore. I have had to relearn how to use my left side. Also my balance was affected, so I have had to work on that. For a while I couldn't even stand on my own. Because of these 2 things, I have had to relearn how to walk. It was like starting from the very beginning. I can walk, but now my goals are to run and jump. I'm still working towards those goals every day.
My future goal is to go to college next year. Hopefully my brain will be recovered enough to handle taking classes. I would love to attend BYU if they let me, but first we'll see if they accept me into the school.

Meet Me

My appearance. I'm short. I have thick golden brown hair that is a pain to keep presentable.  I have blue eyes, and wear colored contacts for fun.  I wear occasionally wear hipster glasses, because as mainstream as they are, I love them.  My hair and my eyes are probably the physical features about myself that I take the most pride in.
I'm kind of a nerd. Okay I am one.  I even have a shirt that says "We are nerds" if that isn't nerdy enough.  But I embrace it.  I love learning.  As much as I say I hate school, I probably love it more than most people.  If I could learn without the stress of homework and tests, I'd probably be a genius by now.  It is the best feeling to learn more and more about the beautiful world we live in.
I will take on challenges. I am currently in a program where I am taking college classes for college credit.  It is a program that I started as a sophomore, and it goes till I am a senior.  By the time I graduate, if I survive it, I will have my associates degree. HOW EXCITING RIGHT. It has been the biggest challenge, but I couldn't be prouder of how far I've come.
I'm a people pleaser.  I hate making anyone unhappy, which I suppose is a good and bad thing.  Often I make others happy at the expense of my own happiness.  I'm okay with it though because I love happy people.
I'm indecisive.  I have the hardest time making a decision.  One of the things that's been a struggle for me is to just make a decision and go with it.  Honestly I will weigh out the pros and cons for days before I make a decision.  I never do anything on impulse.
I'm a Mormon.  I'm a typical Mormon Girl. I know it, I live it, I love it.  My whole life is centered around my religion.  I can't imagine my life without it.  It gives me direction and a purpose, plus it answers my questions about who I am, where I came from, and where I'm going.  It all just MAKES SENSE.  I know it's true!
I have a passion for the piano.  I love being able to sit down and play all the keys to create a beautiful harmony of notes.  I play for my church choir too, if that isn't stressful enough. All in all though, I absolutely love it.  There have been so many times I wanted to quit lessons, but I'm SO happy I didn't. It's a lifelong talent I'm glad I have.
I love exercise. Okay but seriously though, exercise is so great.  Yeah, maybe sometimes I wanna die on spot during a workout.  Despite that, the feeling after I finish a workout is one of my favorites by far. Plus exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't. (Legally blonde reference. Confession: I've only seen that movie like twice in my entire life. Oops.)
I love food. Yep. I really do.  It's probably a good thing I like exercise too then because otherwise that would not balance out so well. Guys, food is so great.
I like to meet new people.  Yes, sometimes I'm beyond awkward (k all the time) but meeting new people is fun to me!
I laugh. A lot. And loudly too, so I've been told. I love to laugh though. It is probably one of my most favorite things in this whole entire world.  Hear a stupid joke? I laugh. Get embarrassed in front of everyone? I laugh. Stressing myself out till I can barely take it anymore? I cry. (GOT YA), and then laugh at how crazy I am. Laughing is my medicine. I don't need anything anything else to make me feel better. Unless I'm like seriously sick...then yes I want some medicine, but that's beside the point.  Laughing works. You all should try it.

Well I'm no where near perfect. I make mistakes.  I'm trying everyday to be the best that I can be.
That's me.

Love,
Kenz

xoxo