MTC Experiences: The First Two Weeks

Sister Ryan has been in the MTC for two weeks now, and she is loving every minute of it! She's emailed us some fantastic experiences, all of which she's asked to share with you:

ARRIVAL:

Hey There!!!!!

So I'm finally in the PROVO MTC! After so long waiting, I'm finally here!

The first day was extremely amazing! I've learnt so much already and I'm only on my second day! 

P-Day will be soon, so I'll email more about my week then, but I'll tell you know that the spirit is amazing here! The food is just as awful as they say it is and I've already met some incredible people from all over the world, I haven't got my companion yet, that is later today, still doesn't feel overly real yet, but maybe it will when I have a companion. I love it here so much! It's going to be an amazing 3 weeks! again, I learnt lots and I've had so much fun! Can't wait to tell you more! I'm well I'm safe, I'm so so so happy! This is the best thing ever! It is such a blessing to be here! Most people struggle to understand my accent, today alone I had to repeat myself so many times because she just couldn't understand, hahaha, it was pretty hilarious!

So I'll email more when I have more time, I love you all! Hope everything is amazing in Aussie Land. 

I love you all!! Thankyou for everything, chat soon!

Love, Sister Ryan! (Finally in the Provo MTC) xx

WEEK ONE: 

Wow, where do I even start?

Monday: The flight was incredibly boring and not much sleep was had and I sat next to this terrifying body builder who wouldn't speak at all! Going into LA I saw the most beautiful sunrise over the mountains, it was beautiful, no words can describ the beauty I saw that morning (Time Travel for the win!) Our 7 hour stop over in LA was long and tedious and hey! I even got a pat down going through security! hahaha. they cleared me and said must have just been a mistake, hey, as long as they are doing their job right? We finally got on the plane (which was smaller than a jetstar plane to Tassie) and I sat next to this woman who was a recent convert, so that was pretty cool. Looking out the window I saw all these wonderful mountains and sights, just wonderful. Got into SLC and was picked up my Glen and then we went to Del Taco before going home, drove around Orem and there are chapels everywhere here! Saw 3 temples and it was awesome. 

Tuesday: I woke up to SNOW! it was the most incredible thing, got ready and we were off to the MTC, got here and got my badge and we jumped straight into lessons, had lunch (and everyone is right the food is seriously as bad as they say it is), more lessons and I learnt so much! After that the internationals were put into temporary districts, mine was so awesome! They were great and so helpful, we (Sister Worthen and I, she is from NZ, also going to Temple Square) had dinner with them and then personal study, then we went to the Tuesday Night devotional with Don R. Clarke (of the 70) with them and then had district meeting and before we knew it the day was over.

Wedesday: TODAY IS THE DAY I GET MY COMPANION! lessons, and all that and then all the official stuff happened! except... everyone had a companion and we met our dictrict and everything but my companion didn't come... so I stuck with Sister Worthen and her companion (Sister Anderson) and then at dinner my name was announced over the loud speaker to come to the front desk, yep. it happened I got my companion! Her name is Sister Kruse from America Samoa (didn't even know it existed before then) and shes beautiful, I love her so much!!! We also had our first teaching experience which was amazing, I spoke a few times and my heart was beating out of my chest until I did, it was like the spirit was like "Speak now!! Do it!!!" haha. 

In my district we have Sister Worthen , Sister Anderson (Utah), Sister Kruse, Myself, Elder Bean, Elder Petersen and Elder Smith. They are all amazing :)

I am also Senior Companion as well as the Branch Music Coordinator! (Surprise, Surprise!) 

So other then that it's been all classes and learning but the spirit here is so amazing! I love it here so much, everyone is so beautiful and so wonderful! So I'd like to share with you all a few things that have meant a lot to me while being here. 

"Obedience brings blessings, Exact obedience brings miracles"

"Diligence is more important than intelligence"

Never before has our purpose as missionaries been so important, We are to INVITE others to COME unto Christ by HELPING them RECEIVE the restored gospel. We are called of God to do the work, what would we do, say, teach if the Lord were our companion?

I have learnt so much! and I cant even type it all because there is just WAY too much, but know that you are all children of God and that he loves you! You are incredible and amazing and I love you too. Heavenly Father answers prayers and through Christ all things are possible.

I love the MTC and I'm so excited to see what else is ahead of me! Only a few weeks and I'll be on Temple Square!! yay!!!

I have to go now, I'm sorry I didn't send photos, I couldn't figure out how to send them, but when I do, I'll send some. I love you all!!! Thankyou for being so amazing and supportive.

Love, Sister Ryan xx 

PS, I didn't proof read, sorry. 

WEEK TWO: 

This week has been incredible!

Funny story of the week:

I can't even remember what day it was, but we had all just come from gym, and all the sisters needed showers, so we were like cool yay! let's do that, well we just brought what we needed and a towel type thing and go back to our room to get changed, haha we went back, and we had locked ourselves out of our room, none of us had our keys! so I had to get into my dirty gym clothes and then Sister Worthen got her clothes on and she had no shoes, and I only had my thongs, and we had to get Elders/Sisterd along the way to open doors for us etc, so we could make it to the front desk to get a spare key, hahaha. Yep, it was hilarious!! We laughed basically the whole time. Happy ending, we got back into our room without too much embarrassment :)

also another one!

Sister Anderson (from Utah, going to San Diego, Mormon Battalion Visiting Center Mission) taught the Restoration in her sleep, one night I woke up in the middle of the night and I heard her sleep talking (because shes the only one with a distinct American accent) and teaching the Restoration in her sleep, haha. When we told her about it in the morning, it was hilarious! She almost didn't believe us, but I kid you not, she really did!

This morning we went to the temple and it was incredible! But I was so silly and forgot my recommend yep, I was that tired and stupid this morning, and so we had to run back and get it and we JUST made it into the session, but we got there! and it was amazing, it is so beautiful! And I understand why Jayme almost got lost, I almost did too, pretty hilarious. We went at 7am, so the sun wasn't even up yet and when we got out it was a beautiful day!

We just get back into the MTC grounds and we see a gold tagged person (investigators we can set up appointments with and teach in the little spare time we have, its an awesome experience, I love it). He asked us a few questions (all 4 of us sisters) and then we went to his "man cave" and we taught him a little and we are seeing him again next week! YAY! 2 lessons 1 pday, that's right!

So I've turned into one of those missionaries that go teach on their Pdays, you know what? Don't even care, Sister Kruse and I just got back from the best lesson we've ever had, we were teaching a guy named Lance, it's incredible and we taught him over Skype which was awesome (didn't even know you could do that in the MTC), he is super open to the gospel and wants to learn more, is so lovely and I feel like we have a lot to offer to help him come closer to Christ, we are meeting again over skype Monday night and then Tuesday we are meeting with him to give him a Book of Mormon (if we don't see him around on Monday).

Tip for future missionaries going to PROVO MTC: The food isn't that bad, when you know what to pick! Just go around to all the different options (especially the salad bar area) and find out which is better, create your own salads and stuff, so grateful I now know! :)

This week has been hard, I won't lie, there has been some instances where I have found it difficult to teach and to understand what our investigator needs and how to gel well with my companion when we have completely different approaches, it's hard, no matter how much you love your companion, it's not always going to be easy. It's been weird not being able to relax and get rid of stresses the way I usually do (reading books, music, etc.) or even being able to say an out loud prayer to Heavenly Father because well you're always with someone. It got to the point I locked myself in the toilets (with my companion outside the bathroom doors) and got on my knees and said the most meaningful prayer I have said in a long time, I couldn't deal with this alone, I needed him by my side to walk with me hand in hand, to guide in which direction to go because I was lost! I had no idea... then, when I closed my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, I stood up and felt instant comfort! I felt my saviors love, I felt his comfort and guidance and I then knew, what I needed to do.
HEAVENLY FATHER ANSWERS PRAYERS! I can not stress that enough, I know he does, because he has answered so many of mine in the past week, its crazy. He knows me, he knows me by name, he knows Jennadene Ryan, as he knows you! He knows you personally and he knows you better than you know your self, He wants to help you and bless you, but you must turn to him! He knew what I needed to become stronger and to overcome the things that were going on. I know that if you pray with real intent and pure desire, you will feel that also, and you will know that he loves you! and he will help you when you need it most. Check out the Jospeh Millet story, it's incredible, it was shared at this Tuesday Evening's Devotional, it completely changed the way I see my personal relationship with my Heavenly Father.

We has in-feild orientation this week, which was weird, because all the missionaries are leaving next week, but us Visiting Center sisters, have another week ahead of us, because of Visiting Center training, it was an amazing day! I learnt so much! As one does in the MTC, but it was super cool and interactive and we also got to semi meet two of the missionaries from the District 2, which was awesome! And I've also said hello to one of the missionaries from the District 1! :D

ALSO! one of my teachers, Brother Mitsvotai, name sounds familiar?! THATS BECAUSE HE SERVED IN THE MELBOURNE MISSION! And not only that! but he served in the Ballarat Ward! CRAZY RIGHT!
We always have a good chat about Australia and I gave him some Australian stickers, he thought it was the best thing ever :) He also spent a lot of his time in Tasmania in the Devonport stake, so hey! Look at that!

I feel like I'm forgetting stuff, but I have no idea...

Please write to me! I want to hear from you! PLEASE Dear Elder me or something! I really want to hear from you all!

also, SHOUT OUT TO LAUREN P FROM PROVO!!! FOR SENDING ME THAT AMAZING PACKAGE! THANKYOU SO MUCH! IT WAS INCREDIBLE AND AMAZING, I HAVE THE BEST INTERNET FRIENDS, YOU'RE THE SWEETEST AND IT WAS DELICIOUS AND THE PENS ARE AMAZING AND BEING PUT TO GOOD USE! (whoever reads this please make sure she see's this on facebook or something)

Okay, I have to go now, but thankyou for those that have sent me dear elders! I really appreciate it and please keep it up! to those who haven't, please even just one, and that would be amazing! I love reading them and hearing from people. I'm going to do my best today to write physical letters to those that have asked questions and stuff, Love you all so much! Have a great week! Remember to smile bright and that the Lord loves you!

Love you!

Sister Ryan <3

My Setting Apart as a Missionary (9th March 2014)

Stake Pres., Adam, Natasha, Emily, Mum, Peri,
Jennadene, Jacob, Brooke, Ian, Ally, Elizabeth

I am now a set apart missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I couldn't be more excited! 

Tonight was a truly emotional and spiritual event, we arrived at the Deer Park Stake center and waited for friends and my Stake President to come. Once they did, they all sat down in the high councilman room, I had my interview with Stake President and we talked about different things that will happen during the MTC and my mission. 

We joined the others and we had an opening prayer given by my best friend Peri O'donnell and everyone there had the opportunity to share their thoughts and express their feelings towards me, many tears were had, but it was so beautiful! I'm so grateful for the things that were said, they are so special to me and I will remember them always, my Mum shared her feelings I shared my testimony and my Stake president and Stake Clerk also expressed their feelings and testimony and shared a scripture Doctrine & Covenants 62:3 "Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you."

And then the time came, the time for me to be set apart as a missionary of the Lord for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
As I sat in the chair, my stake president invited one of my best friends Adam Louws to take part in the setting apart, no words can describe how much this meant to me! 

There were beautiful words spoken and things that I will hold close to me as I serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind and strength. 

I'm so grateful for everyone that came tonight and shared this amazing experience with me. It was truly such an amazing night and one I will never forget!


I leave my testimony with you that this church is true, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live, that Heavenly Father answers prayers as we faithfully and with pure intent seek him. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are always there for us. The atonement is such a wonderful thing and I'm so grateful for the sacrifice Christ made for all of us, that he understands and we can always turn to him for guidance and comfort, I'm grateful for all the sacrifices made that we now have the gospel in these latter days. You are a child of god and he loves you so much, the Book of Mormon is the word of God and through faith in Christ all things are possible (Moroni 7:33), in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

My Farewell Talk (9th March 2014)

It was requested that I posted my Farewell talk on my blog, it came out a little differently while talking, but you get the idea. 

My mission is different to most being in Temple Square but our purpose is still the same 

Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ an his atonement. Repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. 

 This is not strictly limited to people who are not members of the church, it means everyone, whether it be a young woman, young man, non member, a bishop, a relief society president, to invite others to come unto Christ.

Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. (D&C 18:10) 

We need to remember that every child of god is of great worth and that includes ourselves! If anyone knows me well, you'll know that I love my books, I love reading and that I become easily attached to fictional characters. While on one of the many fandom blogs I follow I found this quote...

"Treat yourself the way you treat your favourite characters, look into your back story to understand your current plot. Sympathize with yourself. Recognize your flaws, and appreciate your strengths. Defend yourself, cheer yourself on when you go into battle. Appreciate every relationship you make and always look for hidden potential. You are the protagonist in your story. You're the main character. You're the hero. Treat yourself like one" 

While preparing for my mission I had ups and downs involving my own personal worth. I had put my papers in it took a long time for me to get my call, amongst all this I was told I had perfectionism which includes being down on myself, making unattainable goals, always having everything, well perfect and that needed to be fixed up before I go otherwise it could create serious problems for me while on the field. So in order to progress past this, I needed to understand my personal worth, "Don't worry about being perfect, worry about being you" which is too see myself as what I am, a daughter of the most glorious being in the universe, a daughter of a king. To see my self the way Heavenly Father sees me. He loves me as he loves every single one of us, because we are his children.

Gerald J. Causse in his talk "We Are The Architects of Our Own Happiness" said "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?"  

As a missionary I believe it is important to not only understand and see others as children of god but ourselves and what that means for us! We all have our insecurities and self doubts, it's a natural thing! I've talked to countless RMs that have told me about their personal struggles with not feeling good enough or not doing good enough as a missionary, when in fact they are doing all that they can.  

So many people, sisters, elders, everyone, worry about being the perfect missionary. 

God didn't call you to go out and be another Robot missionary. 
He called you to go out and be you. 
So you can connect with people that we otherwise wouldn't be able to. - (Sister Stucki)

Dieter F Uchtdorf said: 

“Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.

“… You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!” 

How comforting is that?! To know we are remembered by the most "majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe"  

A quote from Thomas S. Monson, that appeared to me right when I needed it most, when I was feeling the pre-mission stresses of "I can't do this! What was a I thinking! I'm not good enough for this. I'm no way near prepared enough, what am I going to do, I'm leaving everyone, I'm going somewhere I've never been before! I'll be on the field only a matter of days before general conference and I'm not going to know anything for the busiest day on temple square! Etc etc" and it said...
"Whatever our calling, regardless of our fears and anxieties, let us pray and then go and do" this is something I will hold close to me as I serve The Lord with all my heart, might mind and strength and I'm so excited to be serving The Lord in the work he needs me to do. 

"The love of God is perfect, complete, and selfless. Whoever I am, whether I have friends or not, whether I’m popular or not, and even if I feel rejected or persecuted by others, I have an absolute assurance that my Heavenly Father loves me. He knows my needs; He understands my concerns; He is anxious to bless me. And the greatest expression of His love for me is that He “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). He did not remove the Savior’s bitter cup and surely was in agony Himself as He watched His Son suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross. Christ atoned for the sins of all men, and a part of that great Atonement was destined for me and is reserved for me today. This infinite gift, shared by the Father and His Son, confirms in my soul the personal worth I have to Them"  - Gerald J. Causse

Just like anything, we need a testimony ourselves of something before we teach it, if it be Joseph smith the Book of Mormon, tithing, prayer, everything, I think it's important to recognize who we really are in order to be able to share with others their worth, that they are a child of God and how incredible and important they are to Heavenly Father and to Jesus Christ. 

To understand and recognize our individual worth we,just remember that we are children of god and that he loves us, and he loves us so much that he provided a savior for us that we may have eternal life with him, this gospel has blessed my life so much and the reason I've always wanted to serve a mission is very similar to our purpose, I wanted to help them feel the love of the savior and the blessings of the gospel, to help them find comfort in the truth of the words of god. To help them understand who they really are to invite them to come unto Christ. 

Don’t you stop. Don’t you dare give up. Not even for a moment. Even through the worst of times you can feel Him. Do not stop yourself. Help is always there. Comfort is always there. Christ is always there. Not ever will He leave. Not once. Not even for a second. Turn to Him. Trust. Listen. Keep going always. And receive the best ever created for you. You can do this. And it will be greater than you ever could have imagined for yourself. And you will look back and be blown away and left speechless with the direction your life has gone in. - Al Caraway  

 It's been a long time coming and I'm so excited it's right around the corner, that come tomorrow I'll be on my way to the Provo MTC and that April 2nd I'll be on the mission field in Temple Square where The Lord needs me.

*Testimony*  

I'm grateful to know that my mission call was truly inspired, and it has been testified to me multiple times between putting my papers in, getting my call and even now when I'm about to leave something I read that really touched my heart about temple square sisters calls is...  "When our picture comes up, if the Apostle see the Atonement in our eyes, we get put aside for visitor center sisters. Then, they weed through us again, and look for the Sisters that they can see Jesus Christ in our eyes, and those are the ones chosen for Temple Square." When I read this, I was so overcome with the spirit, it brought so many happy tears to my eyes, to know that when my photo came up, and Apostle of the Lord, not only saw the atonement, but Jesus Christ in my eyes, I don't feel like that expresses enough how truly wonderful that is. It is not only something I will carry with me throughout my mission, but throughout my entire life. 

How grateful I am to be called to serve the Utah Salt Lake City, Temple Square mission. It is an honor and a privilege and i feel the blessings and excitement of it all as each day passes! I know that my call is inspired from my loving Heavenly Father, because that is where he needs me. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

The Best Email Yet From Elder Wheeler

With me leaving on my mission next week, it was amazing to receive this on my last not being a missionary P-day. 

Oh my goodness!!! It`s been eating away at me all week whether or not you would get your visa on time, so I wrote you a letter this morning and sealed it and was wrote your home address.. I will have to change that! Oh man! I jumped on the computer and before looking at any of my other 23 emails I looked for yours to read it straight away! And you are getting your VISA! I can`t believe it I`m so incredibly happy for you! I have been praying all week that whether or not you get it, that you will be blessed and comforted, but also that you will get it hahaha. Oh my goodness. Next week my girlfriend is going to be a missionary!!!!! I can`t believe it! The letter I sent hopefully will get to the MTC while you`re there, but I`m going to send you my happy 8 months letter when you are in temple square so it doesn`t get lost or anything. Dude I can`t believe you`re finally going, that it`s finally real!! I am so excited for you! Forget your friends, forget your family, in fact, forget yourself haha I am the most excited for you out of anyone (yes including yourself haha). 

Your email today was amazing, I loved every bit of it! I read it with the biggest smile on my face and when you said you should get your visa, I was just filled with excitement! And I`m going to just write to you this week, no one else. I`m so sorry I didn`t send you a very good email last week, I felt horrible all week when I thought about it, and was praying that you would feel my love and forgive me. I was all like `yeah save the best till last` and then just ran out of time completely :(. Please forgive me! I wrote in my planner, no.1 priority for next p-day, write to Jen, and it doesn`t matter who I miss out. 

Depending on your p-day I might not get an email from you the week you get there! How horrifying! Well, I`m just saying this so if you get there, and your p-day is on like Wednesday or Thursday or something so you don`t get it till the week after, so you know that I know that if I don`t get an email from you it`s because of that, and that way you don`t have to stress about me stressing that I didn`t get an email from my awesome missionary girlfriend. hahaha, did that even make sense? Just don`t think that I thought that you forgot me cause that`s sort of what I did when I got to the MTC. Include me in your letter home on your first day! Just write to your mum and add me in the recipents please! 

So when you get to the MTC find my kohai! I just sent them all an email, and you too haha so you could see it, about it and I told them heaps when I was there too to be on the lookout for the most attractive beautiful woman there! They sit at the sandwich bar to the right of when you enter. If you see anyone with a japanese name tag ask me if they were in the same zone as Elder Wheeler from Australia :D

Okay so you`re absolutely amazing and I love you so much! I am so excited for you to be going to Temple Square, next week! That is so amazing! You`re amazing! Ahh! Make sure you write to me! You have heaps of time at the MTC so please write to me every week if you can! I want to hear from you, it doesn`t matter how long it takes to get to me! I will continue writing to you every week because I love you and want to constantly remind you how much you mean to me! Make the most of this week! I wish I could give you a big hug and a good luck kiss but alas! We`ll have to save that one for another time. Just remember, if you ever feel like maybe we`re growing distant or if you question your feelings for me, I want you to know that I love you regardless, I have never had any doubts if whether or not I love you, from the moment I met you I loved you. I love your spirit and I love your soul. Please please please don`t ever ever ever forget, I love you and want to be with you again, so no matter what gets in the way, no matter what hiccups we have, I love you. I just wanted you to know that before you go out and focus on your training at the MTC. Thank you for being such an inspiring example and motivation to me, I`ve said it before and I`ll say it again, you are never a distraction, only a motivation. I miss you, I miss spending time with you, I`ll be honest, I can`t hide that, but there is no where I`d rather be than here in Ishigaki serving the Lord, and there is never a moment where I wish I weren`t here. And I hope in you knowing that, that I love the Lord enough to do this, that you then know how much I love you. How much faith I have in our relationship, in our love for each other, that I can come out here with no worries that after our missions no matter what has happened, we will be together to pick up where we left off. And that we can worry about that when the time comes. 

Seriously I`m so happy for you to be leaving! It`s about time too! Haha. You deserve this so much. You are the best missionary I have ever met. I told everyone at the MTC and I tell the missionaries here. Now, go out there, and kick some butt! You`re awesome. I`m so lucky to have you in my life, you`re one of the biggest blessings I have. Serve dilligently and serve with all you have. Whether you`re serving in Temple Square or you`re knocking on doors, service to the Lord is one of the greatest things we could be doing in our lives right now and the fact that we`re in this together, we`re doing it together, side-by-side spiritually and emotionally.. it is beautiful. Thank you for everything. This mission is one of the best things I`ve done and I`m so glad to be here. 

I love you, always have and always will. Never doubt, no matter what comes up. I`ll be here. You`re my bestfriend and my girlfriend, I love you.

Love from Jayme <3

I don`t know if you will get the letter I send last week in time, so if you can, please ask your Mum to forward it to you to your mission if it arrives after you leave.

---

This is the best email I've received from him yet, and needless to say I miss him like crazy, but I'm so proud of him and all he does, I know he loves me because he is putting the Lord first, I love him so much, he is such a blessing in my life, he teaches me so much and is such an amazing motivation and example to me. The people of Ishigaki and Japan in general are so blessed to have him, he is an amazing missionary and amazing person, 

I love you Elder Wheeler. <3

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