general women's meeting

I had a bit of a rough morning. I decided to wash my bed sheets, which I find is one of the hardest tasks ever.  It needs to be done, but as bad as it sounds I do not do it nearly enough. After a little incident, I got pretty frustrated with my parents and I had a wee little meltdown/freak out. Let's just also throw in the fact that I have been at home a lot this week with the two snow days and there have been some late bed times. My parents are also going on vacation soon and I have been a little stressed about them leaving.

Before I left for school I was doing okay until my mom asked me when I would be home because we had some dinner plans at Auntie Karen's.  It just sparked my emotions again and it was even worse when she came and gave me a hug. I could feel that she knew exactly what I was going through.

I pulled myself back together and went to school to work on a paper with Ellen. I like spending time with her even though i find getting this paper together is a challenge.  She has been so encouraging this whole time. Before we left, we ate some cookies and everything just felt good again.

When I got home in the later afternoon, we got ready to go to Auntie Karen's and Paul's.  We mostly hung out for awhile. I continued to read 'the fault in our stars'. Paul made us the most delicious ribs for supper along with homemade Mac and Cheese and Mom made and brought along one of our favourites, Mr. Noodle Salad.  Now, at 10:51pm I am still stuffed. It was such a great meal.

We dropped Bryan and Dad off at home and went in town to run an errand. Mom bought me a new shirt (it was on sale for 4.94, I love Joe Fresh). I also always love car ride chats with my mom. Sometimes we talk about really important things. We also both like to talk. We never not have something to talk about.

When we got home, she helped me make mine and Kayla's bed. I started on Kayla's by myself, and when I called her to come back and help me with something, when she came back in she had her laptop with her. 

As we finished making the beds, my mom and I watched the first General Women's Meeting for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so happy that it was us, just working on a task together and listening to the words for the women of the church to hear. I could have been doing anything tonight, but when it comes down to it, I am happy I was here. I am happy to be home. I'm happy to have a wonderful mother, sister and be part of a wonderful sisterhood. It is pretty amazing if you ask me. 

crazy, busy friday!

Friday was a little bit of a crazy day! After the two snow days, I was excited to get out and about but I really did have a full day ahead of me.  At 10:45 I had to be at the Delta Hotel for the Business Society Luncheon.  I got up early, and showered and got ready. I had no idea what to wear because of all the dump load of snow. Most of the girls would be wearing dresses and skirts, but I just wasn't feeling it, so I went with my favourite black straight leg dress pants, a short sleeve blue silk dress shirt and black wedges. I did feel pretty so that's all that matters.  I made my way downtown and found some parking nearby, because to be honest I don't like underground parking at all, nuh uh. So I had to walk a little bit and get some snow on my feet, no biggie.

The luncheon was great and I was happy to see Casey and Jocelyn. The semester had been pretty crazy for them, but they work so hard and I am really proud of them and also secretly jealous that the are graduating. I'll miss them a lot next year.

I booted out of there right after the guest speaker was finished because I had to be at school for 1:30. I was presenting my Service Learning project at an Introduction to University/Leadership showcase. For this project, I helped out with the YSA, the Relief Society (enrichment activities) and a little bit in my community. I was surprised to hear that some classmates chose me to present, and one even said "it is really good to see that you are doing a lot for your church". I am glad I can showcase that to others. So I presented it to a group of students, I got a free t-shirt and congratulatory letter from my instructor. I felt really happy about for the opportunity to be given the project and that I could present it (and maybe because I get extra marks for presenting it!).

I went back downtown to pick up an event guide for East Coast Music Week 2014. I am excited to be a volunteer ambassador and I am looking forward to great music, good times and lots of it.

I got home around 3:45, got cozy into bed, ate mini eggs for dinner and did some reading. I went out with mom a little later and we both bought dark green maxi skirts. 

It really was a great, long, fun day. 

                                      

march

March has been madness, but great madness.
I have learned a lot.  School has been a roller coaster to say the least.
I worked a little bit here and there, I am feeling as broke as ever.
I am happy when that I have enough to get by and pay my bills.
I have been VERY good this semester at not spending money.
I have to work on saving money.
The other night, I was planning on making dinner, so I bought some cupcakes on the way home for dessert.
I love, love , love getting mail from Elder Pinsent.  Just about 5 months until he is home.
My skin is not treating me too well, but I feel pretty most days.
I like spending time with my best girlfriend Ellen.  She is such a gem.
I have been enjoying the sunshine, but I DID NOT enjoy the dump load of snow we just got.
White Juan 2.0 you SUCK.
I just want spring already.  I am ready to wear flats, and scarfs and light jackets.
I am excited to not have to warm up my car before I drive it.
My dad went to visit his mother, and he brought home an old photo album.  I was one cool kid.
Like I mentioned, school has been crazy.
One day that Ellen and I were suppose to give a presentation, the light bulb in the projector blew. Sucked.
      [but then some computer guy came and set up a new projector! yay]
Today, I basically finished two of my courses, and that feels AWESOME.
These pictures didn't want to go in the middle of the post, so check them out to the right.
Keep smiling lovely, soon enough things will GREAT.

True Love Should be Painful

by Seth Adam Smith
via http://sethadamsmith.com/2014/01/20/true-love-is-painful/

For whatever reason, we seem to have this funny idea that love is supposed to be bliss or that when we get married we've somehow achieved a state of “happily-ever-after.”

Well, that’s just not true. Love is actually quite painful.

In fact, if you’re doing it right, love, marriage, and family will be the most painful things you’ll ever experience. Not because they’re bad things, but because to love at all means to open yourselves up to vulnerability and pain. And to love someone completely—as you do in marriage—is to put your whole heart on the line.

True love will be painful. True love should be painful.

To be clear, when I say that true love should be painful I am not referring to abusive, obsessive, or co-dependent relationships; those relationships are predicated upon selfishness and will inevitably produce a pain that’s destructive and detrimental.

No, the “painful love” to which I am referring are those relationships that help us grow beyond ourselves. Because we are all imperfect, we will inevitably get hurt. But that hurt has the ability to make us stronger than before. Marriage and family relationships are to our hearts like exercise is to our muscles.

A number of years ago, I overheard my mother talking about her parents—Grandpa and Grandma Adams. While in her fifties, Grandma Adams was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease that disrupts the body’s ability to communicate with its nervous system. Within a few short years, Grandma had lost the ability to walk and was confined to a wheelchair. Grandpa, who was a police chief, retired two years earlier than he had planned so he could take care of his wife.

My grandfather helped my grandmother bathe, get around the house, and run errands. He once told my mother: “It hurts me to see her like this. You know, when I got married I thought that everything would be smooth sailing. I never imagined that I would have to help her change her catheter every day. But I do it and I don’t mind it—because I love her.”

Please disabuse your minds of a perfect, painless love; it simply doesn't exist.Because love isn't always fluffy, cute, and cuddly. More often than not, real love has its sleeves rolled up, dirt and grime smeared on its arms, and sweat dripping down its forehead. True love asks us to do hard things, almost impossible things—to repeatedly try to help a sibling overcome an addiction again and again and again, to care for a dying parent, to embrace a wayward child, to comfort someone who is suffering, to risk your safety for another, or to give birth to a child.

C. S. Lewis put it this way: There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one…Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness…The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.

Yes, love is painful. But as C. S. Lewis suggests, we can respond to any relationship with either a closed, hellish heart, or an open, heavenly heart. If you keep your heart open, that same pain can become a purifying pain, astrengthening pain. If we choose forgiveness over bitterness, that pain can heal instead of hurt. Instead of a pain that divides, it can be a pain that binds. Instead of a pain that breaks us down, it can be a pain that builds us up.

Fear, hatred, and selfishness? Those are easy. But Hell is easy. Faith, love, and selflessness? Those are hard. But Heaven is hard—and rewarding.

Grandpa and Grandma Adams created a legacy for their children and grandchildren that we have never forgotten. But creating a legacy of love is simply impossible without pain or opposition. So don’t worry that your relationships are painful and difficult. Love will always be quite painful. Instead, worry about how you will react to the pain. Will you respond with a closed, hellish heart, or an open, heavenly heart?

baby & birthday parties

Just some exciting things about March!

The Ceron family welcomed a new little lady into their lives.  Alleah Luna is just so cute, small and beautiful!  I like her a lot and I am super happy for her family.  She is very lucky to be part of such a great family.  I am also happy to know them and be able to see them every Sunday!

On the 18th, we celebrated the Relief Society Organization's 172nd birthday.  I did some decorating for the activity and Pat Steen made a delicious cake!  I am so happy to be part of a world-wide women's' organization that celebrates women and their roles and duties.  It was nice to spend some time with my very own sister.  On Saturday morning, she left for New Glasgow, Nova Scotia to start a journalism internship.  It was hard to say good-bye, but I am so happy and proud of her.    

On March 21st, daddy and Auntie Karen celebrated their birthday!  I think it is so fun that my dad is a twin.  Double the fun.  My Aunt is the best, I just love her and everything she does for me.  On Friday night we went out to dinner as a family and Auntie Karen, Paul and Matthew.  East Side Marios was a perfect spot to relax and eat with these people.  The next night, Auntie Karen had a party at her house.  Her house perfect for parties, complete with a pool table and 'movie theatre'.  I love going there and spending time with everyone.  Even though I didn't have my partner in crime with me, I was okay.  

Happy Birthday Daddy and Auntie Karen, let's party again next year! 

[I didn't actually make this cake, but it sure was delicious!  Thanks Paul]

Sunday Wisdom

school lol

oh my gosh, school is completely taking over my life.
But at the same time, I am getting to the point where I am so totally over all of my courses.
Cannot wait to be done of this semester!
19 days until I pass in my last assignment.
[1 sociology paper, ageing presentation, ageing paper (stressful), leadership service learning journal, leadership portfolio, 1 forum post for communications and 1 more journal entry!]

Oh, and then I go back to school in May for three courses.  So much for a break right?  But I will happily take anything!

quick little temple trip

don't mind the socks and clogs, it was cold and I didn't want to put my heels back on.

On Saturday, some sisters from my ward took a temple trip.  I traveled in a van with my mom, sister, Heather Hirtle, Tammy MacKay, Amalia Peripoli and Angela Biggley.  There was 17 sisters total from Charlottetown that attended the temple, and we held the trip in remembrance of a wonderful sister, Joyce, who passed away 5 years ago.  My dad and a couple other men from my ward also went over for the day, so it was so nice to be in the Temple with my family.  Kayla, Amalia and I did baptisms/confirmations while the other sisters did sessions.  Unfortunately, it was a very quick trip and I did not get to visit my Pinsents, but I sure did miss them.

I loved being in the temple, even though it was short and sweet.  I love how I feel when I am there.  It is indescribable.

XO, Lyssa

     

David's Tea

Oh David's Tea being clever with me on this stormy day.  I just loved it so much!  So I obviously had to take some pictures! 

Oh, and the snow was too frozen to make a snow man!  

                                            

storm warning

I am on my second cup of hot chocolate as I can hear the wind blowing outside.  All of the ice on the windows is a little pretty, but I am happy I am not outside.  When I woke up and saw that UPEI had a delay until 10am [when my class started anyways], I pretty much decided I wouldn't be going.  I felt a little guilty, but I went back to bed.  When my alarm went off at 9, sure enough classes and campus got closed for the day!  Sure, there is a bit to be done today, but I am glad I will be doing it all from home.  But first thing is first, drink hot chocolate with my sister and watch Glee from two nights ago that she missed.  I watched it, but she was just so cute when she asked if I would watch it with her, I couldn't say no ;)

man crush monday

what a babe;

miss and love him, oh so much

I Know My Saviour Loves Me

Life has been busy. I have seen busier days, but lately the days just seem full of things to do and there never seems to be enough time to get everything done.  Most of the time though, I am happy. My life is good.

March is a great month. For one, March marks 6 months until Elder Pinsent comes home. I am pretty excited about that.  The first week of March has also been really great. On the 1st, we went out to dinner for Bryan's 23rd birthday. I had the most delicious Sheppard's pie at Churchill Arms in Charlottetown.  I spent some time with Mom during the day we had gone out shopping. The school week was of course busy like I mentioned. As I get more work done, I continue to see the end in sight. I have to take 4 spring/summer courses thought so I know the end of this semester will just be  another break for me until I go back in May.  Dad got back on the 7th and it has been so good to have him home.  I have missed him and all his silly little quirks and the ways he knows how to make me laugh.  This weekend I did lots of school work on Saturday with some group partners.  I also had the chance to hang out with Chelsey, Casey, Cody, Amanda and Jonathan.  It was so much fun to be silly and crazy with them for one night amidst all this stress and craziness.  Cody, Casey and I got lost on our way to the place, but once we got there, the laughs made up for it. 

Tons of exciting things will be happening over the next little while. Kayla will leave on an internship, Mom and dad will go on vacation, I'll be home with my brother for two weeks, I will watch my last General Conference without Haig by my side. We will spend Easter as a family and in May I will see City and Colour live.

I think what makes me most happy is how blessed I feel. I know it comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ. My life is far from perfect, but I know that He is doing all He can for me to make sure I am happy right now.  And because of that, I feel bliss beyond measure.  The support that I have received from friends recently has been outstanding.  I know my Saviour Loves me for putting these people into my life.  I also know that He knows that I can do this.  He motivates me to do all I can, and sometime I will reap more blessings for all of this hard work.  Sometimes, we just have to be patient, but always moving forward with hope and faith.

  

4th year business elective

Oh you know, just paying $500 some dollars to take a university course and we get to build bridges out of construction paper, straws, some cardboard and other tools.  

my university career is crazy busy and stressful most of the time, but hey this was fun!

#uniquelyalyssa for the win

for future reference

Returned Missionaries Need a Friend, a Responsibility, and Spiritual Nourishment

 By Marianne Holman Prescott, Church News staff writer

In private, they talked about the growth he had experienced, about the skills and habits he had developed. They talked about future plans and discussed rules to live by. The young missionary felt good about the service he had rendered, and he felt he had learned what really matters in life—that happiness and holiness go together—and how to work hard.

“It is heartbreaking to leave the people you love,” 

Just under a year and a half ago, President Thomas S. Monson announced a change to the age requirement of men and women participating in missionary service. According to a recent report issued by the First Presidency of the Church, there are 80,000 missionaries serving in 405 missions around the world. Never before have there been so many missionaries out serving, which will cause the number of recently returned missionaries to grow over the next year.

Although missionaries know the gospel and have exhausted their days sharing it with others, sometimes their return home can be an adjustment, with the “new and improved” version of them returning home to oftentimes the same situation that they left.

A PARTING GIFT

For many, a mission is a time of spiritual growth, filled with gaining knowledge, good habits, and skills. Missionaries have been taught by their mission president and have learned how to serve the Lord and dedicate their lives.

Before missionaries return home, they have an exit interview with their mission presidents. While each experience is different because of the personal nature of the interview, it is a time for mission presidents to share their “parting advice” and counsel their missionaries one last time. It is also an opportunity to reflect with the missionaries about the changes they experienced and how their conversion to the Lord has deepened and to talk to them about their future.

“Throughout their missions, I talk to the missionaries frequently about their future roles as fathers and mothers, husbands and wives,” said President Jordan Clements of the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission. “For example, … during a [recent] zone conference in which I addressed goal setting and planning, I described the vital role these skills play in their future success as husbands and wives and as parents.”

Whether he is talking about work plans, education plans, or goals for the future, President Clements said that with some of his missionaries the guidance and counsel he shares is very personal and specific.

“During our interview, I’ll also discuss weaknesses that the missionaries may have struggled with prior to the mission and how they will build appropriate fortifications in their lives to ensure that they never go back,” he said.

In general conference of May 1999, President Gordon B. Hinckley gave the counsel that every new convert needs three things: a friend, an assignment, and to be “nourished by the good word of God.” Just like new converts making commitments to progress in the gospel, returning missionaries can apply the same principles they used with the people they taught on their mission as a guide when they return home and adjust to their new schedule.

A FRIEND---Not all missionaries have the immediate transition to school with an opportunity to quickly meet new friends and welcome a new social scene. And drastically cutting ties with old friends isn’t always the best option. However, missionaries must recognize and constantly evaluate their surroundings—including people, situations, and influences.

A RESPONSIBILITY---Depending on where missionaries return home, they may head to a large singles ward or to a small family branch. Sometimes it takes time to receive a calling. Sometimes the calling is something they have never done. No matter the situation, a willingness to serve will help returning missionaries keep their testimonies strong as well as help in their units.  “I’ve seen [newly returned missionaries] in positions where they have opportunity to work with young men preparing for missions, [some] are able to continue with missionary work by being a ward missionary or in the elders quorum, and, in a few instances, we have them serving in leadership capacities,” 

NOURISHED BY THE GOOD WORD OF GOD---“He made us promise that we would read the Book of Mormon at least five minutes a day,” the returned missionary said. “Beyond anything else, if we keep reading the Book of Mormon every day we will be OK.”  When asked if he has kept that promise, he quickly answered, “Absolutely.”  Just as a new convert finds strength in diving into the scriptures, one of the most important transitions for missionaries to make after coming home is making the scriptures a part of everyday life.

The missionary is a different person than he or she was before entering the mission field, “becoming” something much more than they were before they arrived. He also recognizes that the counsel might not be easy to follow, but as they follow the teachings, every effort they make will be worth it. The transformation that takes place in a short year and a half or two years can be life altering and can set the stage for the rest of the missionaries’ lives—if they let it.

“We love the missionaries with all our hearts and see them as sacred instruments through whom the Lord has worked many mighty miracles,” President Clements said. “We feel blessed to serve with them. We are eyewitnesses to the miracles the Lord works in their lives as they faithfully serve Him. The greatest miracles I’ve observed in my life have been the transformation over two years or 18 months of a halting, hesitant, yet faithful young teenager [or young adult] into a powerful man or woman of Christ.”

As missionaries apply the skills and counsel given to them on their missions, they are able to stay faithful as they make the transition home and establish habits for the rest of their lives.

modesty

Today, someone posted something on Facebook regarding modesty that I did not agree with at all.  I could write a big long post about it, or about why I dress modestly, but I don't think I need to.  I know why I dress modestly and although I learned it through my religion, in my life now, it is not influenced by my church.  It has become my own personal decision because I feel more comfortable when I have more covered.  There are many posts out there trying to say women should feel free to dress however they want, claiming that modesty makes women dress in a way try to impress other people or limit men from having desires about them.  Let me just say, if a man is genuinely attracted to you, he is still going to be interested if you are dressed modestly!  Basically what I am trying to say is modesty in dress is important to me.  I have been counselled to dress modestly, but throughout the years I have accepted the fact to dress in a way that covers my body because I do find it more flattering.  It has also become a key element in my own personal style and fashion creations.     

"modesty isn't about covering up your body... it's about revealing your dignity"

"classy is when a woman has everything to flaunt, but chooses not to show it"

"being well-dressed is a beautiful form of politeness"

"you want what you're wearing to say something good about who you are"

"the less you reveal, the more people can wonder about you"

"modesty is always beautiful"

xo