Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Technical Difficulties

Alright folks. This week in so many ways was an interesting one. Had what I thought were a few set backs, but like always God helps me get through them all.
I am learning more and more everyday that you have to rely on others. As hard as that can be sometimes, you have to have people in your life you can fall back on. You also can't be shy in life! You have to take one giant step forward in order to keep moving.

And with that I had to do some digging about my blog and school email and realized I couldn't get into my blog for the last week. Turns out my school signed a contract with google to keep using gmail as our email provider, but we can no longer use blogger and probably some other things like that.. Oh well, I am hear writing that I am moving my blog!
I wanted to make the move easy, here is the link.
http://joyfulalyssa.wordpress.com/
I am hoping I can still access blogger for a while. But in case I can not I am moving everything over. Better safe than sorry. I like blogging so I am sticking to it.

It's 7:30 on a Wednesday evening. Normally I would be at bible study, but this girl has other things to do. And no writing this blog is not one of them. Just gotta do it now while I literally can.
Projects, papers, tests and presentations. That is what the rest of this week is filled with.
This weekend will be spent at WFR with Kaila, which I am super excited about.  We will be gone till Monday :) Happy Day! The ONLY thing I am not happy about is the amount of school work I need to get done. But if I manage my time just right, it will all get done.
This term has been a packed one, as you all know. This last Saturday, young life had a fundraiser! Car wash and garage sale. It went good, but the weather wasn't holding out. So we have more events to come! I've been on a normal schedule lately. Classes, work, young life, homework, the classroom. Oh you know!
Friday I was able to go on a field trip with my little kinders and that was def the highlight of my week. Maybe this term ;) They are so precious. Can't wait till I get to see them tomorrow morning. And I will show up at the right time. My schedule usually has me somewhere by 7 or 8 lately. I almost tried to show up to my 9am class this morning at 8, until I realized I didn't have class till later. And that was the start of today.
Got a lot to accomplish tonight, so those who pray, pray I get what I need done actually done!

I am gonna call it quits, but look for my other blog.
http://joyfulalyssa.wordpress.com/

Same posts are there, and I will be posting new ones from there.
Stay tuned for the life of Alyssa, where life isn't always easy, but easy to praise!

Love you all!
Ms. Lyss (like one little kinder calls me) :)


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Sometimes life is a mystery :)

And I say, it's time to post another blog.
For those of who may not know me very well, I appreciate the times you stick out and read what I have to say. I hope my "journaling" can be a time of encouragement, or hope or something that has a positive light in your life.
For me, it's a time to let the real Alyssa out. I know life has its ups and downs, and that life can sometimes be a struggle. I think it's safe to say, we all face struggles every single day. Mine are more evident some days than others, but they are always there. Struggles don't just go away, as much as I would like them too. They are also usually something we have been facing for what may seem likes years beyond years, or they actually are; such as mine.
What I am dealing with lately, a few people know. I am so fortunate to have those people to talk to, even if I don't always feel as if I can share (when I know I really can!). Eh and thus the blogging comes handy. I have been blessed here at Western with people who are willing to listen to what I feel like is either complaining or negativeness. In reality things can't be bottled up! I heard on Klove not too long ago that for a person to be happy, you must have friends. I am improvising now with what was actually said since I can't remember exact words. It goes like this. A person who doesn't have close friends live as long as a person who has smoked for 15 years. So no friendship= not a lot of years to live. How crazy! I strive to have friends. I strive to make people feel important. It may not happen everyday, but I do not like when people feel left out. I mean I don't like feeling left out. There are some things I could work out to make people feel involved and special. I think what it takes is inviting someone to do something (cough cough, that's how I feel and what I need a lot of the time).
Little bit of a scatter brain, but oh well. I am the one writing, so I can write what I want. Isn't that how it works? Oh also, I should probably go through and reread before I ever post, but I don't. So if my grammar is wrong, that is why. Any who....
God is sooooo good. In my times of doubt or of being impatience or stress through numerous things, I am reminded of His goodness and how he provides. I have been blessed with two earthly brothers from my parents. Who I love dearly and couldn't imagine life without them. Hunter who is 14 will call me here and there and tell me some about what is going on. Most importantly I am so proud of who he is becoming. Before he didn't know how to make friends, but since joining sports he has so many friends and in general is happier! Noticing a trend. Cory, my twin. A guy who I miss and wish could call me! They are both so great, and growing up.
This leads into the brothers I have here at Western. I really don't personally know many of the men at Wednesday Bible Study as well as I might want. But I am thankful that they are here. Leading as great examples of who I and the rest of the women should be waiting for. We deserve nothing but the best in a man and these men prove that day after day. Friday was a night dedicated to the Women of Bible study! Night of Honor. And what a night it was. Escorted to our dinner table, while music was being played. A little bit of a show, and encouragement from the men. I even got to watch all the women from afar taking photos together to document the great time we all were having. It was so amazing to be in the presence of God in this way. A night to dress up, feel pretty and special. We all need one of those every once in a while! What stuck out to me the most that night the anonymous letter we all were given by a brother in Christ. My first reaction when I was hearing about these letters that were at our left side on the dinner table was, "Who would have wrote me a letter, since I barely know any of the guys." Once again, swept off my feet. God knows how to surprise me and let me know that there are people watching and paying attention. Now thinking about it, of course there are men I know at Western. YOUNG LIFE! I dedicate a night every week to hanging out with some amazing leaders who are invested in high school students lives. What a blessing that is in itself! As I start reading this letter it hits me, the man who wrote this letter sees me every week. Sometimes not at my best I must add. As I read and take in the details of this letter I start to tear up. Receiving a letter that is personal and hits home it a good letter! The content was stuff I talk to people about, but bringing it forth is a new way to see things. It was nice to know that people SEE ME! From afar we are all watching; hopefully not judging, but realizing what people are doing. It is nice to hear that what we do in life is making a difference. I am not 100% sure who wrote that letter to me, but I want you to know that I truly appreciated the kind things you had to say. There really aren't many words to describe how I felt when I read it and how I have felt after I've read it.
The things I do in life I don't except recognition. But I will say it is nice to be recognized. I have been stressed lately. I haven't had enough time to think about the stress because of the time I spend doing other things that have to get done. While everyone else was worshipping at bible study tonight, I sat back and started praying. Praying for people in my life, but also the things going on in my life. Then all of a sudden a prayer was answered! It wasn't "big" but it was big enough for me! I am thankful to receive the prayer I personally got from a couple awesome people tonight. They were both spot on with how I was feeling. Now it is time to let God do His work, and for me to pay attention and abide by what He asks of me.
Tomorrow is a new day. An early day where I get to spend time with high school girls, talk about life and build relationships.
It is also important to remember that God provides in so many amazing mysterious ways! this week he has provided comfort when i least expected it!

Praise Jesus for being Jesus! Scott at bible study said tonight, "Jesus+Nothing=Everything!" We have been given everything we ever need! We have done nothing to receive it, but it is still there. By the grace and love through Jesus!

Thanks for reading my long thoughts. I hope you all have an encouraged rest of your week and weekend.
God Bless
Miss Lyss ;)

Friday, May 10, 2013

I'm now... 23 :D

As I'm sitting here on the futon in my house, listening to music and reading a book for class I ponder this week and all of its fullness. I'm realizing the blessing God has given me, bringing me here to Monmouth. I've known about it for a while, but really... I could have ended up anywhere. Somewhere in Washington going to a university, where I'd try to go home every weekend or something of the sort. Somewhere across the country (which would have been awesome) but I am here. A small town, thirty minutes from Oregon's state capital and fairly close too two major schools. In this place, God is here. God is other places, and even with you wherever you are. But ultimately he brought me here to listen, to learn, to ponder, and to appreciate. 

This week has been a rough one. From a busy bust schedule everyday, to not doing well in a class, or from having to go to the dentist because of a crack in my tooth that happened all of a sudden. I've done lots of shedding of tears, asking so many questions in my head and talking to God. I know things that can get tough, and that everyone's tough is different. My tough this week was just too much to handle at times. But most importantly God opened doors and showed me love through people. 

It's been a nonstop week and one that I am happy to endure. It's the end of week six in school which means projects and tests are being pushed full force. My attitude: there's a lot going on, a lot to do, but it can be done. I've got to look for the outlet of help when I need it. I can push away. 

Tuesday I faced a day of prayer, the elementary school, hs lunch and work. While eating a snack at work I thought to myself how much my tooth was hurting. Okay this pain was not normal, even for me. I've also decide I need to cut back on the sugar. Because this particular tooth that was hurting had already been worked on twice and all of its troubles were due to some sort of sweet. As this tooth pain would not subside, it was time to call the dentist. Who I have been avoiding because I just don't have the money to get work done. Other plans were in store. I rushed to the dentist from work hoping they had a time slot so they could work on my tooth that day. Praise The Lord! I was able to get in and have a temp filling bad news, I need more work done; which means forking over more money I don't have. It's all important and must get done so no complaints. That was Tuesday with thankfully a nice time of young life to go to and the support from my awesome team :)

Tuesday had come and gone and it was Wednesday. That's normal I know. Presentation to do that day which I felt want over very well. Next class, history; oh joy! Not my favorite, but also not the worst class ever. It was fine until my professor said we would be getting our exam back. Thinking to myself, "I did decent, can't be that bad" get it back..... 68. That equals a D+. This is normal work since I don't retain information well, but that's still not what you want to get. Things are not piling on... Just not in he best of moods facing this week. Then remember sort of that Thursday it is my birthday with a super packed day.

Thursday comes and it's time to face it, but I am excited to be 23. I'm feeling more mature. Not ready to take on adult responsibilities, but still stoked! Wake up early for the day to begin with campaigners, then the elementary school and work. Lets just say it was a good morning, even if too myself I was saying it wasn't. People were kind, even if they didn't remember ;) class comes and goes and we get out a half hour early, noting better than that! The night before, a great couple I know invited me over for pizza birthday dinner. That I really enjoyed an my mood started turning around. He rest f my night consisted of the spring dance concert with a few friends and to end going to crush a nice little fancy bar place that serves wine. I mean I am 23 now for crying out loud! And the whole "bar scene" was never my thing. I am not a wine person, but Kaila picked good. Ending the night there with Kaila and Shelby was a lot of fun!!  The free dessert topped it off even more as well :)

I did have a good birthday and embracing the new age, even if I am still in school and will be for a while!

This morning I've spent it being blessed with the fact I didn't have to work. Even f I need some hours. I got to sleep in; which has not been done for days! Maybe even weeks! Praise God for his goodness an love. I made banana bread and soon will watch safe haven which one of my awesome roommates gave me for my birthday :) can't go wrong with Nicholas! 

Have lots planned for a while, but I am slowly learning to embrace it and hopefully won't keep getting so overwhelmed. Thanks to all for the birthdays wishes, presents and fun. And that included watching my other roommate in the spring dance concert!

Hope you all have a great weekend :)thanks for reading 

Love to all!