Update

Hello everyone!!!

Well, sleeping in the same room and being with 2 sick companions 24/7, I finally got a little bit of the season-changing cold...but hope it doesn't last very long!  We had another snow storm Saturday night all through Sunday, and it's supposed to snow for the next two days!  I thought spring was here?!?  But I guess Utah hasn't been much better, aye?! 

This week was busy, we taught about 22 lessons all together, my favorite being a church tour with Craig.  Craig is 41 years old, and was a referral from Mormon.org...he is AWESOME!!! We were able to teach him on Wednesday evening at his home, and he was so intrigued and ready to learn about the gospel...he basically asked us when he could be baptized!  haha.  So I had my first experience inviting someone to be baptized, and he said yes!  :)  Friday, for the church tour, we showed him around while teaching him the restoration.  I have never felt such a difference between the chapel and the rest of the building, so it was a special experience for me as well.  As we were talking about the importance of the Sacrament, he started to get teary-eyed and we asked what he was feeling.  He just said, "Why haven't I known of this before now?"  That's when you know you have found one that has been truly prepared by the Lord.  It made me think about times that I could have shared the knowledge of the gospel with those around me before my mission...so...if you ever feel like you should share even the smallest of testimonies, DO IT!!!  The worst that could happen is they say no, right?  Anyways...we are excited to see Craig progress and be baptized on April 27th! OH!!! And that same night we set a baptismal date with Tomeasha for April 20th!  So as of right now...we have a brother (and hopefully sister) getting baptized March 30th, General Conference April 6th, Brion's baptism April 12th, ward temple trip April 13th (CAN'T WAIT TO GO TO NAUVOO!!!), Tomeasha's baptism April 20th, and Craig's baptism April 27th!  Busy, Busy, Busy!!!  "The field is white, ready to harvest!"  I know the Lord has placed me in this area first for a reason, and even though other areas may not be as successful, I'm so grateful I have witnessed what CAN happen!

Every Wednesday morning we are able to volunteer at the local crisis center/food bank.  I love it!  It's heartbreaking to see these families come in and get what might be their only source of groceries for the week, but I feel blessed to help them and hopefully be a little ray of sunshine in their day.  I smile definitely goes a long way that's for sure!

Thursday we had district lunch at Costco!  hehe.  As we were leaving, I noticed a man and woman watching us and as I walked by she asked if we were Mormons.  I was able to explain that we were missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and answer some questions she had.  The Irish man that was with her was hilarious...he thought I was 27, sister Thompson was 23, and Sister Wiest was 17...I think that was a new record for me!  Anyways... the woman wanted to know what we believed, and told us she had studied religions her whole life but hadn't ever heard much about 'Mormons'... we gave them a Book of Mormon and exchanged numbers, and hopefully we'll be able to teach them this week!

In district meeting, we focused on being fearless, and how fear and faith can not coexist in our minds...something that I continue to work on each day!  It's so true though!  Fear only gets in the way, and is the adversary trying to keep us from doing great work.

In our tracting efforts, we were able to talk to a few people that weren't very interested, but were still willing to listen.  I don't think we get as many doors slammed in our faces because we are girls...which is nice.  haha. 

Yesterday was a great Sunday, even though it was long.  I was able to play some prelude music on the piano before Sacrament Meeting, which was amazing...I don't get to play very often during the week, so I'll take any chance I can!  :)  During our first sacrament meeting I started reading Ether 3, where the Brother of Jared has faith enough to see God's finger light the stones...later they are in the boat on the stormy seas, but continue to have faith and praise God for the His light and protection.  I thought about how we are all on our own stormy seas, or journeys through life, and as long as we trust in Heavenly Father and remember that He is the one in control, and thank Him for all he continues to do for us...whether we are sailing on a smooth sea (good times) or about the be swallowed up in the depths of the sea (trials, hard times)...we will have His light, His guidance and direction through the spirit to protect us.  I feel so blessed to have that knowledge in my life, for the comfort it gives me to know that I always have someone there to show me the way, as long as I am living righteously.

Thank you for your prayers, love and constant support...I couldn't do it without you! 

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Chantae Alston