My Mission Farewell

Here are a few of the many snaps from my farewell, it was an amazing night and I'm so grateful for everyone that came! Lots of laughs and hugs all round, a night I will never forget. 

You are Incredible!

 

"My brothers and sisters, imagine what it would mean to you if you could see yourself as God sees you. What if you looked at yourself with the same benevolence, love, and confidence that God does? Imagine the impact it would have on your life to understand your eternal potential as God understands it. If you could view yourself through His eyes, what influence would that have on your life?" - Gerald J. Causee

"Don't worry about being perfect, 

worry about being YOU"

And what you are is a precious son or daughter of a loving Heavenly Father, who wants nothing but the best for you, he wants to you to be happy, he wants to bless you, he wants to support and uplift you. You are the son or daughter of the most glorious being in the universe! And he loves you more then you anyone could ever comprehend. You are magnificent, wonderful, beautiful, look past your imperfections, look past self doubts, because when you do, you will see yourself for what your truly are. 
The world will try to tell you, you're not skinny enough, not pale enough, not tanned enough, you haven't got the perfect smile, your hair isn't shiny and silky smooth. NO! This is not true! Because you are more beautiful than any photo-shopping and airbrushing can do. Those people in the magazines, those pictures aren't who they really are, the ideal doesn't exist, don't be caught up in trying to look perfect when it doesn't exist.

One of the reasons we came to this earth is to receive a body, it is a beautiful gift that every single one of us has been given, a beautiful gift given with love from our Heavenly Father.
One thing that truly changed the way I see myself is when someone said to me "When you call yourself ugly, you are mocking one of God's creations". This is true! and it really hit home. I suddenly realized what I was doing and how damaging something as simple as calling myself "ugly" could be and I have carried this with me, ever since. 

One of my all time favourite Mormon Messages is Our True Identity by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, this talk changed my life and the way I see myself, whenever I feel self doubt creeping up on me, I remember this talk. I encouage you to watch and listen, and you feel feel the love of the Lord in your heart.  (CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK) 

You are Incredible, no matter who you are, where you're from, no matter what your story. You are a child of God who loves you, remember that, be proud of it, “Be loyal to the royal that is in you, for you are the child of a King.” - Harold B. Lee

Remember to smile and enjoy life, no matter what hard times come, the Lord is always there and I can testify to you that he answers prayers and through faith in him your life can be changed. God lives, Jesus Christ lives and I'm so grateful for the love they have for me and for every person past present and future. I'm grateful for the atonement, knowing Christ has felt every bit of pain, sorrow, concern, self doubt, everything, and also taken upon himself all my sins. No one is perfect, Christ's grace is sufficient, as we do all we can do, to be the best we can be. Remember God and Jesus Christ love you, you are never alone and you are incredible! and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

- Jennadene Ryan xo

Mission Clothes

Like most girls trying to shop for their mission, I had a lot of troubles finding "cute" clothes that were modest, bright and professional, so that I can look the best I can while being a representative of the Lord in teaching his gospel. I am no fashionista, but below are some of the outfits I have made up using the combinations of 12 tops and 7 skirts. I made sure that all (if not most) of my tops and skirts went together (that's around 84 outfits!), and this is without different cardigans, scarves, belts and jewelry to change the look. Where I live, we don't have a massive variety of places to shop. Online shopping became my best friend, more specifically asos.com. I bought 5 of my skirts from asos (pink, blue, navy, rust, green), 1 from Rockmans (black flow skirt) and 1 from a local thrift shop (straight black skirt). I bought my tops from Target, Harris Scarfe, Rockmans, and specialist stores around Melbourne.

I'll be serving my mission with 2 summers, so I made sure my tops were light, breathable, durable, and super comfortable, also throwing in some tops that will be awesome for the chilly spring and autumn (fall) days.  

These  are a few things I learnt while shopping and researching on blogs, Pinterest, websites, etc.

1. Be picky, because these are what you are taking with you for 18 months
2. Don't be too exact (or too picky however) in what you want, because if you're anything like me no where will have exactly what you want for a reasonable price, So be willing to be flexible.
3. Be you! Don't buy things because that's what all the other Sisters are wearing, make sure you stick with you're own style.
4. Mix colours that you normally might not mix, because you might find they actually look amazing together! 
5. Make sure you can look yourself in the mirror and be comfortable representing the Lord in what you're wearing, not drawing attention away from the message we share.

 

Fan the Flame of Your Faith (December 28th - January 1st)

My Group 40L

New Years Eve YSA
Melbourne Convention 2013 

For New Years Eve, YSA come from all around Australia to Melbourne for a convention at a University, for fun activities, dances, spiritual uplifting, friend making, city adventures and more. 

I will give you a brief account of some amazing days spent with some amazing people. 

Day 1 (Saturday 28th): 

• Really hot weather 
• Registrations at Melbourne University (and finding out I had an amazing room to stay in)
• Catch busses to Luna Park
• Rides, Dinner, Friend making and Dance at Luna Park

Day 2 (Sunday 29th):

• Sacrament/Sunday School
• Relief Society Priesthood
• Workshops (2/4 to choose from)
• Dinner
• Fireside
• Chills with friends

Day 3 (Monday 30th):

• Melbourne Adventures! (Zoo or Ice skating)
• Free time around Melbourne
• Get ready for Ball
• Convention Ball at Melbourne Town Hall

Day 4 (Tuesday 31st):

• Service Project
• Chills around Melbourne
• Chills back at Uni with friends 
• BBQ Dinner
• Get Ready for NYE Dance
• Mid Summers Night Dream NYE Dance with candy bar, photobooth, sticky note wall of goals for 2014, amazing props, decent music, countdown and chilling outside because it was too hot inside, haha. 
• Countdown
• Run outside for Fireworks
• Continue dancing
• Stay up all night and have our own "after party" playing games all night!

Day 5 (Wednesday 1st):

• Still awake in the morning
• stop playing games at 6:30 am
• Get ready for the day and pack our things
• Breakfast
• Farewell
• Go home and sleep the rest of the day!

I learnt a lot at convention! This years topic was "Fan the Flame of Your Faith" the talk given by Jeffrey R. Holland.

I made a lot of friends, and strengthened friendships I already had, had an all nighter, danced like no one was watching (even though in fact there were plenty of people watching! haha), met sisters that served in Temple Square (they've helped me out so much!) laughed lots, screamed and counted down to new years, cried of joy, hugged friends, lost my voice, said goodbyes, basically had an amazing time!

But the things that stood out to me most were: 1. Conversion is never ending! We are constantly going through conversion and testimony building 2. The Atonement is real in so many more ways I previously had testimony of. 3. Jesus Christ is there for us and he loves us so much, he wants to support and bless us in our lives. 4. DREAM BIG!

Sincerely, Jennadene Ryan