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

Elizabeth's Baptism! (December 22nd 2013)

Myself, Liz and Lisi

It all started with a Facebook message on November 27th 8:46pm "Hey, uh, so this is weird and everything but like say I was kind of curious about maybe becoming a Mormon.
Who would I talk to? Do I just like, call the church or something? 

Like idk I just keep seeing all your instagram pictures and stuff and I've never seen someone so happy because of their faith and it makes me wonder if maybe it'll make me that happy"
I can't even put in words how absolutely ecstatic I was when I got this message!
The following Wednesday (December 4th 2013) she was to be meeting with the missionaries in her area, that night I got a message from her saying "Guess what?!" with a picture of a calender and on it, was her baptismal date for the December 22nd 2013! I seriously jumped and screamed of excitement, I seriously had no words to describe the feeling, complete and utter joy would be an understatement. 

I went to one of the discussions and met the missionaries (Elder Gines and Elder Murdock and also Lisi who had been to the previous discussions and also baptized her today) had an amazing spirit filled lesson, and now today came!

Liz and Lisi both look so radiant in their whites!

She was so excited! Bursting out the seams of excitement even! After church, it was a case of "It's actually happening in a hour", she was scared she was going to faint or puke, I told her she would be fine! We got her ready and took photos, a whole heap of her family came! Which was so amazing! 

We had the opening hymn "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today" and her Great Aunt Lynne had the opening talk. The time was here!!! I braid her hair and tuck it down the jump suit, and walk out so I can get a good view of it all. I squeeze my way through and I see her walk down into the font, Both Liz and Lisi were so nervous! The prayer was said and she went down, all was good!... until her knee popped up, she came up and she had to do it again, I remind her to bend her knees. She goes down, she comes up and says "Did it work?", everyone clapped and smiled, there were tears from a few of us (of course), but there it is LIZ HAS BEEN BAPTIZED! (she will be confirmed next Sunday). I walk into the bathrooms and give her the best hug I can without getting saturated, there were tears! From both of us, she got ready and we went out, and now it was my time to talk, I talked about The Holy Ghost and how we can recognize it and how he is there to comfort us. I bore my testimony to her, I wanted my talk to be for Liz, she had tears with a massive smile on her face and thanked me afterwards, so I take it she enjoyed it. Some people bore testimony and then we closed up with "Amazing Grace".

I can't even begin to imagine how she must be feeling, but I am so proud of her and happy for her, I feel so honored to be a part of this journey. This will be a day she never forgets (or a day I never forget) and will hold close to her heart always, today her life changed and for a brilliant better. To help her come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, to find that blazing faith she has, it is so wonderful! She is seriously a spiritual powerhouse! And will bless the lives of all those who come into her life.

I know that this church is true, and I'm so grateful for the gospel in my life. I know that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father live, and that they answer prayers. I'm grateful for the Holy Ghost for the witness that it has given me of the truth of these things. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God, I know Thomas S. Monson is a called prophet of God and that Joseph Smith restored this true and wonderful gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Brother, Savior, Redeemer & Friend (December 15th 2013)

Today in Relief Society, we had an amazing lesson focused on the Mission of Jesus Christ, we put pictures on the wall, and all reflected on how Jesus Christ has influences our life and how he has blessed us. 

This picture is so symbolic to me, today for me it means, as I seek Christ he will come, that He lives and loves me with an infinite love. He is there to strengthen, uplift and support me as I put my faith in him. 

This has been my main testimony builder over the past month with everything that has happened in my life. I'm so grateful for the testimony I have and it grows stronger and each day passes. I feel closer to him as each day passes and I look forward to feeling even closer with him as time goes by. 

I love Jesus Christ, my brother, savior, redeemer and friend. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.