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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

New school year

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today I started school. I am so ready for this school year! I am excited about my subjects and about all of the other things that I hope to do. I am so excited because this year I will study philosophy and apologetics as two of my classes. I really hope that these help me start to prepare for all of the things that God has planned for me and to live in the present the way I should be. I am really at peace with this upcoming year of school, I fell sure that God will bless it and make it bear fruit. I had my first philosophy class today and I came across a really cool point by St. Thomas Aquinas it is "That in which a man rests as in his last end is master of his affections, since he takes from it his entire rule of life." It made me start to think. It made me think what was the point of my life, as in what is my last end? I believe it is heaven and to be the best missionary I can be but is that what guides my actions? It is a lot to think about. It really made me think about it, and I know that I need to find my goal, the goal that God wants for me and live for it. It is a big task but I think it will be good to know and to work towards it. I am so blessed to live in such a comfortable house and to have such a great life, but it makes it easy to start to become lazy. I do not want to fall into laziness or to lack zeal. I am excited about living in this new place, I hope it helps me start to form good habits and live on fire and like a person truly in love! I pray for all of you daily, please pray for me. God bless and keep on keeping on!
Peace and Love in Christ,
Alyse

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

How old are you?

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
On my way back from Mexico last week we were at the border trying to cross back into the USA. There were probably seven people there, I don't know why exactly but all of them were standing there, inspecting our vehicle or listening to what we were saying. The one lady that was checking out all of our passports read each person's name and then would move to the next one. That is until she got to me. She pronounced my name wrong, then looked around the car for me. I smiled and waved to show her where I was sitting. Then she looked at my passport and back at me, "How old are you?" she asked. I smiled, "Fifteen." She looked at me skeptically, "Where are your parents?" "At home back in Louisiana." Then she looked around the whole car, apparently noticing for the first time that we were all young. "You are all young." We smiled and nodded, "Yes mam," "You aren't afraid to be going to Mexico?" James, who was in the passenger seat just shrugged his shoulders and said, "No. God is on our side." The lady laughed a little and said, "Yes he is." Then she waved us on. As we drove on we all laughed a little. I guess she doesn't see a car full of missionaries under the age of 25 all of the time, which doesn't really surprise me.
It made me glad though. Often times I look at my age as a hindrance, a block between me and where I want to be. But it isn't, it is cool to see that it makes a difference. Even if that difference is hidden in a question, the point is that it shows. It was fun to answer that lady, to tell her who I was even if it was done for legal purposes. I know we changed her day, I bet she remembered us as the crazy car of young missionaries. It was awesome.
Peace and love in Christ,
Alyse

Friday, August 20, 2010

New Baby

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I have great news! My mom just found out yesterday that she is expecting a baby! Our whole family is super excited. For those of ya'll who don't know I would like to share some background on the subject. My mom and Kevin got married on January 2nd of 2009. Shortly after they found out they were pregnant and were super excited but then God took the baby to be with him. Our whole family was devastated. We didn't know why something like that would happen to us. So we prayed and God sent my mom another baby and this one also died early on. I now have 4 sisters and brothers in heaven praying for me. I still don't know why God let our babies die but I know that he loves us so much and he loves those babies so well, so much better than we could love them. I am sad because I never met my little siblings but soon enough we will spend eternity together. We have grown closer as a family because of this and also I know that God has an awesome plan. Kevin, my step-dad says that he can suffer with God. That God must feel like he feels for every child of his that doesn't love him, for all of his children that never talk with him. That those are the ones that are his but he never gets to meet them. I am not saying that my mom has miscarried because that is God's plan or will, but even through the suffering we can grow in Love and in unity. I ask you all to please pray. Please pray for my new baby brother or sister that is so small right now, please pray that my family gets to meet it in nine months. Pray for all of those who suffer with the same sadness of loosing a baby, and for all those who don't know and choose for their baby's lives to be ended. Thank you all so much for your prayers!
Peace and Love in Christ,
Alyse
p.s- my new little "donate" button on the top lets you make credit card donations into my mission account, I will use this money in my mission work and try to make it go to the best service for the building of the kingdom of God. Also I love it when people comment on my posts! Please make blog related comments in order to share with me and with all of the other readers of my blog!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

My week in General Cepeda

Dear readers,
I was so incredibly blessed by my week in General Cepeda. We had a small group of people which was so nice since we all really got to know each other. I was able to lead home visits and I visited my wonderful brothers and sisters who live so simply and welcome me so warmly each and every time I go to be with them. The week was really special because we had so many FMC missionaries there for that trip it was Me, Erika, Teresa, Breanne, Susanna, James and Jonathan. At night we would go out for an evening of wonderful Ejido (rancho) visits. I was blessed to share my testimony along with the group since it was small enough to be able to do so. I translated, Tonio preached and played guitar and Breanne and James were there as well, praising it up, and spreading missionary joy and love wherever they went. Victoria and Rachel were there as well with the group that came from Colorado. For desert day we went up to one of my favorite places, the cave. This cave has so much history! During the Christian persecution people would go in secret and a priest would celebrate mass. Also while we were in General Cepeda we had “Cenaculos”, which means “upper room” with the whole town. Once a month they all get together then walk to 12 homes where they expose Jesus for an hour with prayer and meditation, then all 12 sectors all head back to the church with singing and praising for a beautiful mass together. So many other beautiful and wonderful things happened the week I spent in General and I will hopefully write about them soon! But until then God Bless! Also, I will hopefully post my Faith Camp/ Covecrest pics soon, sorry that it is taking so long!
Peace and Love in Christ,
Alyse

Friday, August 6, 2010

In Mexico

Dear readers,
I am in General Cepeda!!! It was a wonderful surprise since it was totally unexpected. My mom let me come and now I am here for a week! My family and I just moved to a new apartment and if you want to learn how to be persistent try carrying everything your family owns up three flights of stairs! I am here in General with a bunch of awesome missionaries preparing for an awesome group. We had a bit of a problem at the border yesterday but it all worked out in the end, after we arrived in General about 6 hours later that expected. I am so blessed to be here again. I am keeping you all in my prayers.
Peace and Love in Christ,
Alyse