December 30, 2013

What an amazing Christmas we had here in Keokuk!  I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend Christmas.  We spent Christmas Eve with the Brumble family, where we ate some delicious food (their pig, Pinky, who went to market this summer) haha, and way too many sweets!  But hey...I guess that's what the holidays are for, right?! ;/  We played some games, and just had fun with them!  Christmas morning we got to sleep in till 8! ...and we got to sleep upstairs in the comfy beds since the Brodegards were out of town all week!  woo hoo!  We came down and made some gluten free cinnamon rolls which were the bomb.com and don't worry....we ate them all! haha.  Then it was time to SKYPE!!!!.... I decided to call Tasia's phone because they wouldn't expect it...to tell them to get on...so she answers and then screams when she finds out it's me...it was awesome.  haha.  Finally get skype working at the Pena's, and as soon as the video went on I saw Elder Taylor Alston on the other computer screen looking at me and I lost it!  ...it's been 10 months since I saw/heard him, because he was in the MTC Mother's Day, so that was the best thing ever!!!!  He's growing up so fast!!!  haha... it was a great surprise to have both grandparents there as well and to see that they are alive and well (other than grandpa Ted looking like his face got hammered in)... but I LOVED just being able to see all my family and hear their voices and feel like I was hangin out at home for a bit!  Tasia even performed one of her dances for us, and oh holy cow that girl is gifted... I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!!  We spent the whole day with the Pena's playing games and hangin out, eatin some more good food!  Shari even got the recipe for my favorite peachy pear salad from my mom and made it for me!  :) :) :)  We are surrounded by such incredible families and I am forever grateful for the love they have shown me and support which I feel. They are truly home away from home and I am so blessed to be here!  

We also spent Christmas night with the Salyers family which is always a blast.  We are spoiled that's for sure!  It has been so fun to see how different families celebrate the holidays, and to have them open up their homes and hearts to us.  I have learned so much this holiday season of how I want to have my home in the future, and am eternally grateful for the friendships I continue to make here.  Sister Andersen and I went to the temple with Elder and Sister Warner on Friday.  It was just what we needed, and I was reminded of the importance of the temple.  So grateful I am serving in an area just 20 minutes away, and to the Nauvoo temple!  How did I get so lucky?!?!  Even though this is a difficult area of the world, it is THE BEST MISSION EVER!  :)  Yesterday (Sunday) I never thought I would be so excited to go to church in my life!  Having to go one week without the sacrament was driving me insane!  haha... yesterday was so uplifting.  It's amazing what church will do.  Sunday school was neat talking about building a Zion society, and what Zion really is.  Creating a Zion society is support, love, faith, service, obedience... and that is our whole goal as latter day saints; to bring that type of society to the world.  To be the examples of goodness and light and to help others along the way.  How blessed we are! :)  

Anyways... I'll get off my soap box now, but I am so grateful for all of you and love you so much!  Have a happy happy new year and ring in 2014 with smiles and love to all! =D 

Love Always,
Sister Natalia Alston

PS... Sister Andersen is being transferred and I am staying here in Keokuk!              

Christmas Eve and Christmas! 

Russian dancing! 

Keokuk missionaries for life! 

the Brodegards 

     

Merry Christmas from Keokuk, Iowa!!!

This week has been full of service, love, laughter, ice, snow, cold noses, warmed hearts and friendly faces!  haha.  Okay...cheesy I know, but what do you expect?  It's me! haha.  MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!  I would like to wish you all the most wonderful Christmas of all!  I have learned the true meaning of Christmas this year, and wish everyone could experience this wonderful holiday season out in the mission field!  We were able to attend the Messiah at the Catholic church over in Nauvoo, and a Christmas Cantada performance at one of the baptist churches here in Keokuk...both of which were fantastic!  Since I wasn't able to see Grandma Alston in the Messiah this year, that worked out great!  On Saturday we were also able to help out at God's Way Christian Center with their Christmas baskets...blessing about 150 families with Christmas gifts.  So cool to be a part of this community and get to know everyone and see the different churches and the good they are doing.  We have been welcomed like family with Pastor Sylvia and God's Way and we are grateful for the relationship we are building with them.  

Tuesday we had a rough day where every single appointment we had either cancelled or fell through... but we just kept on pushing along and it turned out to be a great day!  As we knock on doors, the people aren't rude here, they are just not interested in what we have to say!  We were walking and knocking in this one neighborhood and started talking to a guy outside fixing his jeep.  He said he's happy to see us out sharing the Lord's light.  He said he's never met a single mormon he doesn't like and really respects us for what we believe and what we do.  He then went on telling us how even though we may not see the results, as long as we keep trying and continue pressing forward with smiles on our faces; and learning something along the way...it's all worth it.  We walked away feeling great, and looked at each other thinking we just met one of the 3 Nephites.  haha.  It was a blessing from Heavenly Father that's for sure!  We both needed to hear it.  :)  

Wednesday we walked across town to see a less active and stopped at a couple members houses on the way back, then went and saw Lydia (a girl we met at bible study at God's Way one time) and she said she would like to learn more.  She's a single mom of 2 cute little boys and another one due in February.  We are excited to see how the gospel blesses her life and her family's life.  Aww man...I just wish you all could meet these awesome people! I love them so much!  Oh yeah...and Mark, the guy I talked about last week who moved to Dallas City...is now back here in Keokuk and working things out with Christi. So that's a blessing as well!  Even though they may not be ready to join the church quite yet, we know they are being blessed and are progressing.  That's another lesson we've been reminded of this week: THE LORD AND HIS TIMING.  haha.  Even though we wish so badly that people would progress and be baptized and receive all the blessings in store for them... Heavenly Father's plan and timing in perfect.  He knows these people so much better than we do, and even though we may not "reap the fruits" that we plant, the time will come.  The time we have on earth is just a blink of an eye compared to eternity...so just remember the eternal perspective! :)

Friday night/Saturday I experienced my first freezing rain storm...it was crazy!  It literally froze as it got to the ground!  ...we had fun ice skating along the roads the rest of the night...literally sliding the whole time!  It was great!  We were just laughing and thinking of how ridiculous we look and how crazy we are for being out...but I guess, as missionaries we do some pretty crazy things!  Sadly, because of the storm, church yesterday was cancelled.... blahhhh... I hate missing church and not being able to take the sacrament.  But we ended up going to a Christmas service at God's Way; and we learned a lot!  It was so interesting to say the least.  I'm grateful for the knowledge of the gospel that I have, and for the spirit that I have felt.  I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christ's church restored to the earth in it's fulness.  

Well...time's almost up, but I just want everyone that reads this to know that I appreciate and love you.  Remember the reason for the season.  I know that Jesus came to the earth so we could all be together again...and I look forward to the day that I get to see all the incredible souls I have come in contact with, that have changed my life forever, and continue to learn and grow with one another.  I know that God gave us the greatest gift of all, His only beloved son, Jesus Christ, because He loves us...that Jesus Christ gave His life for us because He loves us...Though we may never understand the degree of their love, how will we show them that we love them in return? 

I HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Alston

fun at the branch Christmas party!

 

On the 9th day of Christmas!

What the?  It's Christmas next week?  YAY!  Well, we are short on time today, so I will try to fill you in on everything!  This week was great!  It started off with an amazing zone conference where I was able to see Sister Hill and so many other missionaries that I love! :)  Last Saturday one of the APs called and asked me to put together another last minute musical number....so that was exciting!  For the branch choir we had this really pretty arrangement of Oh Holy Night, so I just stole it and had 4 elders and 4 sisters sing!  And even though we were only able to do it 3 times the morning of, it was so fantastic!!!  Awww man I just love music so so much!  And so grateful Heavenly Father has allowed me to continue developing these talents to share with others.  The afternoon session of the conference was a chance for each district to perform a Book of Mormon skit, or do a musical number and oh my heavens...there were some hilarious ones!  We had so much fun!  Then we got to watch Ephraim's rescue...it's great, ya'll should watch it sometime!  It was a great reminder once again of how blessed we are to be serving at this time...with cars...and coats and gloves...and houses with heaters...and beds... and boots!  And what a sacred place the Iowa Des Moines Mission really is.  Oh man I am so blessed to be here!!!

Mark Hallford, the guy that wasn't sure he believed in God anymore, got a priesthood blessing last week and has completely changed.  He got kicked out of his house and was going to take his daughter to Colorado, but ended up just going over to Dallas City, IL... so Elder and Sister Warner are going to continue working with him!  It was so amazing to see his entire person change and he was so grateful to have had the opportunity to get a blessing.  He called us the next morning to thank us and tell us that this has been the best he's felt since he's been here in Iowa.  So grateful we were able to meet him and see his testimony grow and feel his love of God come back into his life.  THAT is why I am here.  

Yesterday we had a Christmas Miracle...  Jewels, one of our recent converts introduced us to her friend Austin who she had brought to church.  We ended up teaching him after the block and he said he felt at home and knows this is where the Lord wants him to be.  He even quit smoking this past week when Jewels told him if he wants to be a part of the church he would have to quit...so he did! haha.  And he's getting baptized on the 28th!!!  Heavenly Father loves us so much.

Oh man...well we are headed up to Burlington for the day with the zone... but I just want you all to know that I KNOW that I am where I am supposed to be.  I know the Atonement is real.  I know that families can be together forever.  I am so grateful for this special time of year and that I get to truly share the light of Christ as a missionary with all those around me.  Let us all do the same and in the next 2 weeks make a special effort to share the Love of Christ with all those around us.  Reach out to those in need.  Smile at strangers.  Be aware of those random acts of kindness and service.  I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Love Always,
Sister Natalia Alston 

The Quincy Zone

I have the best mission ever! 

The Nauvoo Zone

The amazing Nauvoo zone...I love them!

We live with the cutest kids on the block! Grant and Darcy Brodegard 

Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

What a great first week of December! Instead of making gingerbread houses, we found some cute rice crispy snowmen and had some fun!  Played some more volleyball, did yoga, and even some kick-boxing this morning to stay warm! Haha.  It finally snowed yesterday, so now it has reason to be cold!  When it was 3 degrees and windy, with no snow…it was just miserable! But now it looks pretty and is actually quite a bit warmer with the snow as insulation. Things sure have been crazy once again, and Sister Andersen and I were out of our area for another 3 days in a row with Mission Leadership Council and Zone Training Meetings.  Going from Iowa City to Nauvoo to Quincy!  So much fun though!  Sister Jensen gave such a wonderful training on the power of positive thinking.  I felt like I was talking to my mom!  (LOVE YOU MOM!) It’s so true, the way we think is the way we act.  We can’t control the wind, but we can adjust the sails.  President Jensen also reminded us of the importance of covenants.  Something that I had never thought of before is the covenant I made to serve a full-time mission.  When I signed my acceptance letter, I entered into a covenant.  THAT is why it was so hard to make the final decision to go.  Satan knew it would be a good thing, that this covenant would effect the rest of my life, and he did not want me coming out!...Anyways, it all makes sense now.  Boy am I glad I still came!  It has been the best thing ever!  I am also so grateful for the opportunity that we have to take the sacrament each Sunday, and that we are able to renew ALL covenants we make with God.  The church is true!

Saturday we were able to go with Mark, Christi, Dylan, Akadia, Caleb and Alexis to Nauvoo to see the Nativity displays at the stake center, give them a church tour, and then spent some time at the visitor center!  I love that family so much!  As we were talking about the temple, Akadia asked if she could go inside.  We told her she had to wait till she is baptized, and she said, “well, can I get baptized tonight and go to the temple tomorrow!?”  haha.  It’s amazing how the kids just soak up the gospel! It’s amazing!  Yesterday, they came to church which was such a blessing, and they loved it and plan to come back! It’s so cool to look back and see the miracle of this family.  Finding them and just befriending them, not being let in the first few times going over there…and now they are looking to be baptized!  Heavenly Father’s plan is perfect!

 In Sunday School, the most amazing lesson was given by the branch mission leader on the law of chastity and importance of the family unit.  He went to Moroni 7:45-47 and changed the word “charity” to “family”…   “And FAMILY suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  Wherefore, my beloved brethren (and sisteren haha), if ye have not FAMILY, ye are nothing, for FAMILY never faileth.  Wherefore, cleave unto FAMILY, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail – But FAMILY is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”  I am so grateful to my family, for the charity and love they continually show me.  I know that families can be together forever.  I HAVE THE BEST FAMILY IN ALL OF ETERNITY NO BATTLE BOOM! Haha.  For reals though…  Even though it’s never been perfect, it’s been pretty darn close, and I know it’s only going to get better.  I’m so grateful for the experiences we have shared, for the lessons I have learned, and for the love I have felt that I could get nowhere else.   

I LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU ALL SO MUCH!  

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Alston

ps...apparently there is a video of me doing head shoulders knees and toes in singing time last Sunday...haha.  yep, I'm still me!  ;) 

oh yeah!  I forgot!  Thursday night we went to Dylan's 5th grade "crazy Christmas" performance at the Grand Theater and it was so fun!  Because I wasn't able to make it to Tasia's performances, I guess it will suffice.  They even did Holiday Lights, and it took me back to the good old 6th grade days!  SO FUN! 

snowman rice crispy treats!

Dylan's 5th grade Christmas performance

winter fun! 

December???

Wait a second...wasn't it just the 4th of July?  haha.  I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving and ate a lot!  I sure did!  :)  ...but let's start off at the beginning of the week last week.  

Monday we were able to play volleyball at Midwest Academy and then eat dinner there with the Tranes and Robbins!  Don't worry, I was sitting in the massage chair and almost burned down the house when it started to smoke like crazy!  haha....whoops!  Apparently the battery was dead... oh and Sunday at church Brother Trane had asked what we wanted for dinner and jokingly told him steak...well....as and ye shall receive!  Steak it was!  yummmy  :)  

Tuesday we drove down to Kahoka for the evening.  After dropping off the elders where they needed to go, we couldn't remember where the member lived that we were supposed to meet for dinner and ended up a little lost.  (...even though you can't get TOO lost in a town that's 3X5 miles...haha)  We drove around for a bit, and ended up stopping at one house that had a lot of Christmas lights and decorations up to ask if they happened to know the McDaniels.  Well, sure enough they did and we found the house we were looking for!  As we left, we knew we needed to go back and see Hailey (the one that told us where they lived) after dinner.  So after eating and playing a couple rounds of hide and seek with the kids, we went back to thank Hailey and ended up having a wonderful lesson with her.  She has a son with Cerebral Palsy and another little daughter, stopped going to church but would like to start going again.  As we talked to her about Heavenly Father's plan for her, and how we want to help her strengthen her relationship with God again and help her and her family...she started to cry.  She prayed one of the sweetest prayers and we can't wait to go back and teach her more.  So even though we thought we were lost...we ended up exactly where we needed to be!  

Wednesday we went up to Mt. Pleasant for exchanges with the Hermanas and had a great time with them.  We were reminded of how everything happens on the Lord's time table, not ours.  He puts us with the people and in the areas we need to be at all times.  I was with Hermana Howell, and all the appointments she had set up ended up falling through.  However, as we prayed and moved forward with faith...we were able to meet and talk to some new people, and ended up with a new investigator because we listened to the spirit guide.  My new favorite saying... "Let the Holy Spirit Guide!"  haha.  

Thursday: THANKSGIVING!!!!  Such a great day!  So much food!  So much fun!  Started off driving back to Keokuk from Mt. Pleasant, then were able to go to Tina's house for lunch with her family.  It was so nice of her to let us join her and her family, and even though they don't have much...she was thanking us for coming and telling us how much it meant to her.  We are so blessed.  The people here are so humble and giving.  After Tina's we headed to Midwest Academy to eat with the Tranes, Manwills, and all the students.  It was so fun!  We ended up staying there and playing volleyball with a few of the girl students for 3 hours.  

Friday we had a great lesson with Nadine, an older lady we have been meeting with for awhile.  We watched the Restoration DVD and she said she felt the warm fuzzies.  She has been praying to know the truth, and said she hasn't gotten a no, so we were able to testify that the feelings she was feeling were from the Holy Ghost telling her it was true.  I love her.  Everytime we go over there she tells us how grateful she is for us and how she loves us. That night we continued Thanksgiving by eating dinner with the Salyers family....and got to meet more of the fam bam!  I love them all so much!  After dinner we drove through the City of Christmas; which is a huge light display throughout Rand Park here in Keokuk.  It got us into the holiday spirit that's for sure!  :)  I love this season!!!!  

Saturday we had the most powerful lesson with the Salyers and a member, Brother Zirkel.  He was able to come and share his conversion story and testimony...and the spirit was so strong!  I can't even begin to explain the feelings that were felt or what was shared, but I was also reminded of the truthfulness of this gospel and how blessed I am to have it in my life.  I know this church is true.  I know Joseph Smith restored it in it's fulness to the earth.  I know Jesus Christ leads and guides us through a living prophet today.  

I had the wonderful opportunity to do singing time in primary yesterday.  It was just what I needed.  I felt at home!  It was so fun to be with the kids, to hear their sweet voices sing the simple truths of those amazing songs...and to feel of their strong spirits.  I love my life! :)  

"God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called."  I know I am far from perfect, and I am so grateful the Lord has trusted me enough to serve among these people, His children in this area.  I am so grateful to be a part of the marvelous work at this time. 

Love Always,

Sister Alston 

Cute little Eskimos! 

Fresh deer anyone? : ) I love Missouri! 

Thanksgiving at Tina's!

Thanksgiving volleyball at Midwest!

Sleeping under the Christmas tree while the Brodegards were out of town! 

Thanksgiving with the Salyers! 

Spoons!