Today is the Day!

Today is the day!!!  Time sure has gone by way to fast, but I finally feel excited and ready to begin this new adventure as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Iowa Des Moines mission.  Tonight I will be set apart as a full time missionary, then tomorrow I'm off to the MTC in Provo for just 2 weeks...then to Iowa/Illinois/Missouri until August 2014!  Anyways....I could never thank everyone enough for all they have done for me.  For your love, support, friendship, examples, prayers....THANK YOU!!!!

I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord for the next 18 months...it really is the least I could do to give back for all my Father in Heaven has given me.  I know that it will be hard at times...but it will be worth it. :)  I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true and only true church on the earth today.  I know that our Heavenly Father loves and cares for each and every one of us...that He has a specific plan for us here on the earth.  I know that He hears and answers our prayers; sometimes not exactly how we would expect.  I know that Thomas S. Monson is the true and living prophet today, that if we listen to and heed his counsel, we will be blessed.  I have a strong testimony of the temple, and know that my family will be together not only for time, but for all eternity because of the blessings that come from the temple.  I know the Atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is real, that it is through Him we are able to be forgiven of our sins and return to live in Heaven again.  I'm so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel in my life, and I can't wait to learn so much more while on my mission and share that knowledge with so many others so they are able to feel of the peace and happiness that I have.

My mission scripture is Proverbs 3: 5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all they ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."  I testify that that if we do put our full trust in the Lord, and acknowledge Him in all we do...He will bless us and lead us to where we are supposed to be.  Sometimes His plan for us may not be the same as our plan for us, but if will trust and follow Him, we will always be on the pathway back to Him.

If any of you would like to write me while I'm gone ( PLEASE DO!!! ), I will post my MTC address and Mission Home address on here.  My sister will be posting my weekly letters on here, as well as my updated apartment addresses for letters.

 MTC ADDRESS - from Feb. 27, 2013 to March 4, 2013
Sister Natalia Chantae Alston
MTC Mailbox # 21
IA-DMOIN 0313
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793


MISSION HOME ADDRESS - use for packages and letters (until I have my apartment address for letters) from March 4, 2013 - August 2014
Sister Natalia Chantae Alston
Iowa Des Moines Mission
8515 Douglas Avenue Ste. 19
Urbandale, IA 50322
United States

I LOVE YOU ALL SO SO SO SO MUCH!!!!  I look forward to hearing from you!  See you soon!!!

 OPENING MY MISSION CALL!!!

My call came a week before Christmas.  I stalked the mailman and didn't let anyone know it came.  Wrapped it and put it in my luggage to take to California...I surprised my family on Christmas morning...it was the last present to be opened. :)  So hard to wait that week...but SO worth the looks on their faces!!!