The Journey begins...

My fiancé (oh that’s so fun to say) and I recently decided to start pre marital counseling. Not because we are already having issues but because we want a solid foundation to build our marriage on. Also when has Godly counseling ever been a bad thing? Tuesday was our first session and I went in with so much anxiety. Some many thoughts that at had never entered my head began flooding in. What if he (the counselor) says we are too young? What if this makes me not want to marry the man of my dreams? What if he says we are incompatible? And worst of all what if this makes Hayden not want to marry me? With all of these thoughts, I was dreading walking into the office.  However coming out of the meeting I was more excited than ever before about being married and becoming a wife!! We learned so much in that short hour and a half. I can’t wait to go back and discover even more. The advice he gave us not only applied to marriage but a lot of it related to everyday life. There are a few things that I really think are worth sharing for everyone to read.

1.     Don’t be negative! That was some of the first things that came out of his mouth. He talked a lot about communication and how that is key to a successful marriage. His key piece of advice about communicating was don’t be negative. Every answer to a question HAS a positive initial response. He went on to say that when someone says they loved something, you don’t need to instantly come back with a response on how you disliked the same thing even if that is the case. He also pointed out that if someone makes a mistake in what he or she is saying there is no need to point it out for the world to see. I think that this advice is vital for marriage but is also so important for everyday life. Proverbs 16:24 “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” All words that come out of our mouths should be gracious, kind and loving.

    

      2.     “Let your yes be yes and your no be no,” leads us into his second major point. It too is about communicating. Clarity is of vital importance. If you say something be sure and mean it. Do not go back on your word or promises. I can see how this is extremely important in married life but once again this should be an everyday rule we live by. Most people do try to keep their word, but take the extra step and really keep it. If you say you will pray for a person then do it. Remember that integrity is a disappearing in this world so going above and beyond and really being honest with your words makes a difference.

      3.     Finally the last thing I want to point out that he said was happiness cannot be pursued it ensues. Something that ensues occurs as a result of other actions. We need a cause greater than ourselves. For Hayden (my fiancé) and I, it is a happy marriage. That is what our “goal” is. However it’s not something that we pursue. It is something that occurs from being intentional with our behavior, not just our thoughts, everyday. We have to make a daily choice to be self-sacrificing. If we choose to behave this way a happy marriage will ensue. Along these lines he said, the best day of our marriage should be the day one of us dies. We should never settle and we should always make today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today. I think that is a powerful statement that I want to live like in every area of my life.

I hope this inspires you like it inspired me. Also I hope you have a wonderful week and make tomorrow better than today.

Blessings,

Alissa <3

5 Things..

5 Things I am Thankful for...

1. The idea that my handsome boyfriend is now my fiancé!

2. That I have a very good job that allows me to volunteer my off time to work with Beauty Arise and not have to worry about money. 

3. My Family (Biological and work)!!

4. The Incredible Beauty that surrounds me in the state of Alaska!

5. But Most of All how much my King loves me <3

The list could go on and on but recently these are things I have been so grateful for most!!

Style does not define you...

A friend asked me a thought provoking question the other day, it was something along these lines: Are you confused who you are? This was done in the most loving way. In a puzzled tone I asked why would you say something like that. She continued by saying that I have many different styles, referring to the way I dress, and that I must be confused in my identity. We continued to talk about this and I realized I do dress in many "categories." Sometimes I lean toward very girly with my flowery dress and mint green heels, while another day I may be rocking a leather jacket with studded glitter sneakers and then a totally different day I may decide to wear my flat-billed hat with high top Adidas. Its not that I am confused in who I am. My clothes do not represent an identity crisis, on the contrary, my clothes actually represent an identity confidence. I have found such a confidence in Christ that my style does not define me. Don't get me wrong there are still days where I struggle with who God created me to be, but He has shown me so much. And by Him teaching me who I am in Him, I can dress in freedom. I don't have to worry about if I change my style that it will change me. I know who I am in Christ:

I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).

I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).

I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18).

I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).

I am God’s child for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23).

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).

I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I am a spirit being alive to God (Romans 6:11;1 Thessalonians 5:23).

I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind (2 Corinthians 4:4).

I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22,25).

I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).

I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Peter 2:9).

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (1 Corinthians 6:19).

I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).

I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood (Ephesians 1:7).

I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).

I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13).

I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).

I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (Psalm 66:8; 2 Timothy 1:9).

I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).

I am greatly loved by God (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).

I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).

I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7).

I am all these things only through Christ! Not through myself, not through what I do and DEFINITELY NOT through what I wear.  God has given us each a unique personality and style. He wants us to walk in confidence in what He has given us. God wants us to accept our body and our personality. We need to take care of what God has given us and learn to walk in boldness given by Him. As He has been working on my confidence and showing me who I am in Him, He has also shown me that it doesn't matter what I wear my identity is still firm in Christ. So next time you get dressed remember style does not define you, Christ should be the definition of your life.

Some of my style inspiration: 

So classy!

Love her Funky clothes and bright colors

Sometimes I go ninja hehehehehehe ;)

Living Surrendered...

sur·ren·der

səˈrendər/

verb

1. cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority.

2. abandon oneself entirely to (a powerful emotion or influence)

As some of you know I have to follow a strict diet. I had to cut out wheat, black pepper, eggs, dairy, potato and many many other things due to some health issues. It wasn't by choice it was by force. This is a challenge. I LOVE LOVE LOVE bread and ice cream and scrambled eggs and cheese and pizza and pretty much everything about every one of those main food groups! I felt sorry for myself for awhile and just ate plain chicken and rice for almost every meal. I didn't want to try and find stuff to eat I just wanted Jesus to make me better. He healed many people in the Bible and I have heard of so many stories of how people prayed and received healing in present days. So why wouldn't He heal me? Its not like I was deathly sick or even really sick, I am just an inconveniently sick. its not even really sick its more like "special". A "special" where I can't eat everything I want, where I actually have to plan out what I eat, where I can't just go into a gas station and grab anything I want. And boy oh boy did I do that before! Circle K was my grocery store! It was a struggle for awhile, like I said before I felt sorry for myself and pouted, but now I actually try and guess what its fun!! My mom is definitely the one who inspired me to try new things. She has taught me how to make breadsticks I can eat, Alfredo sauce out of cauliflower, and even chocolate cupcakes! It took me awhile to really appreciate having to make food, I am lazy and impatient in the cooking department and really like fast and convenient. So why am I telling you this...because it has changed my life in many ways!

The first way is I obviously feel so much better!!! But on the more spiritual side of things it has taught me what it means to really surrender something you love. Its an everyday battle to chose not to eat food on the "list" (the food does not make me instantly sick, it makes me really sick in the long run). It sounds silly I know: how can not being able to eat stuff teach me about surrendering things, well I will tell you how. I love these foods and I have to give them up. Its hard and Jesus is teaching me how to use an amount of self control I have never had to use ever before. It gives me such a real tangible example on giving up something you love (even if its just a small silly thing you really love). I have to give up my rights to food on a daily basis. It seems small but for me its huge. Jesus has been showing me over these past few months how hard truly giving things up for him can be. In America I feel like we don't struggle very much in other places on giving up things. I especially don't, I have a good job and pretty much have everything I want. So through food, Jesus has taken hold of my heart and been showing me how much one thing can be an idol in our life. I wanted to be mad at God for allowing my body to react to food I love but now I am thankful! It has taught me self control, patience and given me a small small glimpse of what surrendering is. I feel like because of dealing with this I am more aware of His voice and more ready than every to give something up if He asks me too. If its physical or mental or spiritual I am ready to surrender because in the long run, even if we don't understand why, there is a reason why He is asking us to give it up. He only wants the best for us and not to harms. Even though it wasn't Jesus asking me to surrender certain foods, HE is the one who made my body and my love for bread. Something else that I have learned is He wants to bless you! I have learned so many new ways to cook and stores have came out with so many options that as I am typing this I am enjoying a "special" Oreo like cookie. Its still a struggle and some days are worst than others. But when the urge comes to eat that breadstick or bowl of ice cream I can turn to the Lord for help even in the littlest of things. Realizing this has also helped me know how much my Jesus loves me and cares for me and wants to help me. SO even though this simple silly example of surrendering food I hope it shows you that when you obey what the Lord asks of you, either surrendering big or little areas, He will always be there helping and guiding you and in the end just wants you to receive the blessings intended for you!!

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Psalm 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 37:5

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. 

Romans 8:18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

True Beauty!

Sorry for such a gap in between postings its been a busy month. A day after New York Fashion Week I got on a plane to Alaska to work Fur Rondy for two weeks. Then a few days after I got back from Alaska I started LA Fashion Week.




LA Fashion week was incredible! It was the most stressful one I have ever participated in but it was the very best one. Our team had such favor. God really used us in incredible ways. We got promoted  to dressing supervisors mid week and through His help we rocked it. There are so many amazing stories where He was so faithful and moved in crazy ways, but during this week He also taught me something really big and that's what I want to share with you today.




He actually put this on my heart during New York Fashion week and has kept building on it since them. Being backstage at fashion weeks and having went to make up school I hear, "oh well that girl is totally airbrushed she really isn't that beautiful or that perfect," quite often and I am guilty of having those exact words coming out of my mouth. God recently convicted me on how wrong this is. Yes, many ads are airbrushed and enhanced but there are many beautiful girls out there. Runway models and just models in general are beautiful! I don't like when people choose so much to focus on how something is photoshopped to make themselves feel more beautiful it's downgrading the actual person in the ad. Instead we should focus on what we think think is beautiful about ourselves and not compare our image to the one in the magazine or on tv. Yes, they most likely airbrushed or fixed a bit but they are still a beautiful human! It amazes me how quickly we are to justify how beautiful she is because of being airbrushed to make us feel better rather than just saying they are beautiful and we are too. It is true that ads can give you a very very wrong idea of beauty through enhancements but all I am trying to say is that if we focused on how God made us each individually beautiful, including the girl in the ad, and stopped comparing, our lives would be different and it would open doors to a whole new world! We as women in general would be happier and fill more fulfilled. We would stop looking to the wrong places to define our beauty and we would find our identity and worth in Christ.


So that's my newest revelation and it has really made me see models on the runway and in ads in a whole new more loving way.




Genesis 1:27 ESV          
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.




Proverbs 6:25 ESV        
Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;




Song of Solomon 4:7 ESV        
You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.

God is FAITHFUL!

God is faithful in the Little.

My God amazes me. He wants us to know how real He is even in the littlest things. I have realized that 2 out of 3 of my trips to New York for Fashion Week something chaotic has happened to either my flight going there or getting home. My very first trip ever, I almost turned back and decided not to go because I was so stressed! I was leaving Alaska at 11pm. We were driving to the airport barely able to stay on the road due to tropical storm winds. Who would’ve known that Alaska could have a TROPICAL storm? Well they do happen there and it’s intense. I was praying the whole way there hoping once we got to the airport the storm would be done. It wasn’t. We get there and Anchorage has no power the only building with power was the airport. I was delayed 6 hours but patiently waited. Knowing I had missed my connecting flight I went to talk to an attendant and they said there was nothing they could do I would have to figure it out once I got to Seattle.  So once I finally boarded and was on my way all I could pray for was that there would be an open flight. After a long bumpy flight we finally land. I immediately go to an attendant, she sends me to a different person, who sends me to a different person who sends me to another. Now let me tell you Seattle is not a little airport and I was exhausted. Not only could I not sleep on the plane but I literally hadn’t slept for 24 hours at the point. And I had left the day after closing our last and biggest fair so I was running on very little energy. I had to talk to so many different people and no one was giving me any help. I found out that there were tornado warnings in New York and that no one was flying in. The only way I could get there was by spending the night in either Chicago or San Francisco. I was on the verge of tears and called my mom to tell her I was coming home. I didn’t feel well and was tired and just done with travelling. I finally go to the head office and by this time tears were rolling down my face mainly due to exhaustion and the sweet lady said we found you a flight you will get there midnight, does that work? And I was like of course! I finally had a way to get there and was so happy. But the chaos still wasn’t done. I get on the plane, very sick and the flight didn’t help, we make it to our destination but to my horror the pilot announces that we are about to land in New Jersey. My stomach dropped, NEW JERSEY?!? I am suppose to be in New York, being so tired I didn’t realize they were so close. So I get off the plane panicked, not really geographically knowing where I was at and call my friend.  She reassured e they were close and just to go find a taxi and ask them to take me to an address. I did that and ended up finally getting to my home. It may seem like a silly story but by God showing me his faithfulness in the little thing of getting me to New York blessed me so tremendously by being able to spread His love and enjoy at fashion week.

Now coming to this fashion week, I got a call Tuesday Night saying my flight was cancelled for Thursday! I ended up spending about 5 hours on the phone trying to reschedule flights. 4 flights were cancelled due to a winter storm that was coming in. I ended up not being able to fly out until Sunday night but in those extra days I was truly blessed. I got to watch beautiful snow float down everyday and got to spend extra time with some great friends. At times I was frustrated and just wanted to be home but overall it was a great extra few days in New York. However I thought my worries were over but the day of the flight my flight got a late departure due to it being at maximum weight. Not a big deal except I had a connecting flight to get home. As I was unloading the plane I literally had 17 minutes before my flight departed and my gate was at the other end of the airport.  It was the slowest unloading I have ever experienced and minutes were slowly ticking away! I finally got off and ran, Home Alone style, to my flight. I got to the gate and the door was closed. My heart sank but then an attendant saw me and ran to tell them to wait. They re opened the door and I literally had to hop on the plane. My heart was overjoyed and as I sat on the flight I was overwhelmed by God’s faithfulness. He knew I needed to be home to be able to prepare for my flight today (Tuesday) for Alaska. He knew every step on the journey that I would take. And as I am sitting in the airport waiting to board once again I am just struck by how much God loves me and every journey I take He is with and proves His faithfulness in so many ways. After all that has happened I may want to that maybe all of these obstacles are His way of showing me that I shouldn’t be in New York or I jut settle in one place and stay there but its not. Its His way of showing me that He is an awesome God and is so faithful if we will just be faithful to His calling!

Deuteronomy 7:9

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations

Jeremiah 29:11-13

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

Snowed In!!

So this past week I have been in New York for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. It has been so awesome! I have been dressing backstage for many different designers. Its been such an incredible experience. It was my 3rd fashion week, however my first time in February. It was cold, very cold but God definitely moved in BIG ways. I was able to pray for and encourage many models. I also go to build relationships with dressers and supervisors. God is really moving in the fashion industry and doing big things. One of my favorite stories was being able to bless one of our supervisors who was getting sick! I was able to bless her with a Starbucks card and Emergency. She was so thankful we were able to exchange info and I was able to share Jesus with her. Another story that was amazing; is I was standing in the sun warming up and a lady came up and wanted me to go with her to watch a show that she had bought tickets for. She was all alone from Australia and I was ale to be her friend for the afternoon and pray and talk with her. It was such a blessing! Some key verses that we focused on this past week to guide our outreach were:

Proverbs 3

New Living Translation (NLT)

Trusting in the Lord

3 My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
    Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
    and your life will be satisfying.
3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
    Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
    Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
    and you will earn a good reputation.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.

Ezekiel 2

New Living Translation (NLT)

“4 They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ 5 And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.

6 “Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels. 7 You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious! 8 Son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not join them in their rebellion. Open your mouth, and eat what I give you.”

Here are some pics from the last week. The pictures of the models are not mine they are taken from the internet however they are a few of the models I dressed for various shows.  Oh and by the way I am suppose to leave today (Thursday) and am stuck here because of a winter storm until Sunday!