Sundaysss

Family is Forever

The past couple of days my posts have not been saving, which is why I look so behind. Technology is awesome but utterly unreliable. 

Anyways I've had a rough week. I made the mistake of telling some friends I was feeling a little left out and tweeting my frustration. Never again. I'm so dumb for doing that. Anyways Anna called me out on my tweets and rumor has it Rachel told them the reason I'd been feeling down is because I felt left out. You can't trust even your "closest friends" sometimes. Sad to say but so true. 

So I've been trying to figure out who in the world I want to become friends with now. The past 2 days my family has been my go-to. Family is forever. They'll always be there for you no matter what. I honestly love my family so much. 

I talked to Morgan today about my situation. Mostly the fight with Anna. Neither of us were right and she says if I want to be treated like normal I need to stop bringing up the TBI. Stop letting it define me. Be just sweet Makenzie Lewis, not Makenzie Lewis with the TBI. She gives such good advice. I love Morgan. 

Tonight I just spent time with the family. We went to Durango's for dinner. We came home and the boys wanted to go play basketball. Madi went too and I came along. It's how I got the picture of Madi. 

I didn't even tell her to pose I just asked if I couldn take her picture. I posted it on Twitter with the caption "Ball is life". It's such a funny photo I love it. She's just a funny little girl. She was my buddy tonight. We also watched "dolphin tale 2" together. I didn't really pay attention to the movie because it was kinda boring but I loved getting to spend time with Madi! It won't be long till these nights are distant memories, sadly. Strange to think about. 

Missed days

So it's Monday already. How?

Anyways so lately life's just been hard. It's hard being in high school with such close minded people, when I went through a life changing experience that totally broadened my perspective and made me realize how blessed I am. I just want people to see the way I do. But not a lot of people will for a while, and some never do.

So I went with Kyler Baumgartner tonight to help him take pictures. We went to the pickle ball courts because it was actually lit there. I had a really good conversation with him; just about life and how awesome the gospel is and hopes and dreams for the future, like what kind of person we want to marry. He's just an awesome guy that I can have these deep conversations with. It's hard to have a deep conversation with most people my age, so that's super impressive. He's going to make an awesome missionary. 

So this past week I was feeling down about friends and my social life. I mean I don't need a lot of friends, just ones I can depend on. I was actually talking to Morgan about it and she gave some awesome advice! I'm actually really looking forward to attending college; I'm beyond excited to meet new people and start fresh!

So I was looking at past pictures today and I thought it was crazy because I look so young. Crazy what time does. I have such fun memories of the past. I'm grateful that despite the brain injury I still have those. 

First day

I've decided that it's just too hard for me to only write for a journal. I was reading the New Era and it gave the idea to put pictures and write a few sentences about them. I think my future prosperity will want to see what a day in my life is like.

So today was my first official day back at school. Friends welcomed me back which made the whole day that much easier for me. The first picture is my first day outfit. Haha why not document it?

The second picture is a student council group. Earlier this year we were put in groups to revise our school constitution. Our section we revised is due this week so my group all came together to finish up. It's great being on student council! I love it!

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.