Lyssa's inspirational thoughts for the day!

Happy Sunday friends! We made it through another week  ☀️🥰   This last week, I feel as though my testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ’s Atonement has increased exponentially! I don’t know why, but for a time, I always thought that the Atonement was ONLY for sin. Only for the mistakes I made that I needed to repent of. The older I became and the more gospel knowledge I acquired, I learned that the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers EVERYTHING. Our sins, weaknesses, pains, afflictions, anger, jealously, you name it! It’s covered. In Hebrew, the basic word for atonement is kaphar, a verb that means 'to cover' or 'to forgive.' Elder David A. Bednar said "....There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during our mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, 'No one understands. No one knows.' No human being, perh...

Faith over fear ⛰♥️ Do you ever feel scared of making the wrong choice or going down the wrong path? Do you feel overwhelmed because there are so many directions you could go and you don’t even know where to start? When I saw this quote, it hit me. Yes there are bad days. Yes life is hard. Yes, I am going to struggle. I know these things. It’s LIFE! At times, it’s easy to feel weighed down. The worries of life, the here and now, not to mention the future are always swirling around in my mind. (??) I’ve been so bombarded lately with discouragement, worry, trepidation about my future, and about the plan that God has for ME. Michael A. Dunn, a managing director of BYU broadcasting said: “Fear can freeze us. It can paralyze us. It can stop us in our tracks and keep us from moving forward. Its gripping chokehold suffocates our sapling faith, and without that faith we cannot move forward.” Whoa... that smacked me in the face. I have faith! But when I stopped and thought more about t...

This morning I was on the phone on hold for more time than a person should be. Anyone ever been there? I kept calling and got a busy signal. Then when I was finally transferred through, my wait time was an atrocious amount of time and to top it off, there were about 100 people ahead of me. I had been calling right when they opened, how come my call didn’t go through? But the other 100 people’s calls did? I was already getting impatient and frustrated, and now I had to wait even more?! Seriously? Great. It’s not like I had anything else to do with my day. 😅 While I was on hold, I was able to really think. My thoughts led me towards my own life and the individual plan that God has for me. My expectations for my life were not at all what I thought was going to happen. Do you ever feel like that? You think to yourself: I have been waiting a long time for promised blessings, only to find out that 100’s of people have gone before me and it’s worked out for them. Crazy right? This kind ...

My heart is so full today! I was listening to a talk this morning called “The faith to do His will” by Beth Luthy, a nursing professor at BYU. She told a story out of a book called “Why Is This Happening to Me?” By: Reverend Wayne Monbleau.  He said one of the reasons God allows tribulation is to transform us into wounded healers. He wrote: A wounded healer is someone who has suffered; but instead of being self-centered, the wounded healer sees suffering in an an “other”-centered context . . . with holy compassion and mercy for others.” Trials, especially as of late, have brought me to my knees countless times. I have had lots of emotions. Lots of frustration, tears, anger, sadness, loneliness, and impatience on my end.  The thoughts that have flooded my mind are of the future. What’s next for me, for Lyssa? What am I supposed to do for a career? Where am I supposed to be? It’s been quite hard and I find myself discouraged. Sister Luthy goes onto say...

Did I ever mention I really enjoy writing and poetry? Well, inspiration has struck.  ☺️👏🏻 Today is my last day as a seminary teacher and as Sister Wanner. It’s been an unforgettable experience.  ♥️🙏🏻 The time has come, the clock is near, To close the chapter on this last year. I’ve learned so much, and lived through life. It’s been up and down, with joy and strife. The people I’ve met, will always be in my heart. Even though the time has come for us to part. God has been there and is my strength  He has constantly been there through this great length. The love I have in my heart is so much, Thank goodness we can all keep in touch. I will forever treasure my students and my class. I’m just hoping they all get good grades and pass. This year has been eventful with lots of surprises. Earthquakes, a pandemic, and did I mention a virus? Poetry and writing is something I’ve always loved. Especially when the feeling of peace d...

These 2 beauties are the BEST friends anyone could ask for. I met Amy and her family in kindergarten and we’ve been the best of friends ever since. We make time for each other, both give 100%, and are there for each other. It really has been the most PERFECT friendship.  During this whole pandemic, Amy, Emily, and I have done daily scripture study over zoom. There have been a couple days where we haven’t had it, but we’ve been going strong for the past couple months. Being able to read the scriptures, share our testimonies and life experiences, as well as lifting one another up, has been amazing.  🙏🏻  We’re there for each other. We strengthen each other, and we understand and are there for one another. Lately I have felt a disconnect between God and I. I don’t know how to describe it, but this morning Amy shared an experience and she said all the right things I needed to hear. She was crying, I was crying, and sweet Emily was just taking it all in. It was exact...

As I reflect upon the last year of my life, there have been so many life lessons. I have been so blessed and grateful to be able to teach seminary here at Bear River. My students are amazing and my faculty is out of this world. Not only that, they are now my friends.  🥰  I have learned so much from each and every person that has entered into my life this year. They are the best of the best.  ♥️  I love them all so much! Yesterday I went to the seminary: I packed up my classroom and office, turned in my key, visited with students, and my fellow teacher friends, took lots of pictures, and said goodbye. It was HARD. Seeing some of my students and teachers was a beautiful experience. I was a little melancholy and sad to close this chapter, but it’ll be something I will treasure forever. The memories and experiences will always live on!  I have gained so much! So many friendships, my gospel knowledge that has increased, how I’ve become a better teacher, but...