March 6, 2013

Sister Alston's first email!! It was so good to hear from her. She is doing fabulous! Don't forget you can "dear elder" here on dearelder.com until next week! Thank you for all of your support! -Natasha

Oh my heavens what a crazy week! I really don't even know where to begin!

Thank you all for your letters, notes, prayers and encouragement this past week...and THANK YOU Rod, Amy and girls for the package of delicious cookies! The whole district LOVED them!!! :)

From the second I walked into the doors of the MTC, I felt welcomed, loved, and at home. Everyone was so so nice and all that worry, stress, and fear that I had been feeling completely disappeared.

I don't think it hit me until I got my "badge of honor" saying I was Sister Alston from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that I realized I was where I needed to be.

I was taken to my room to drop off my bags, then straight to the classroom where I met my teachers and district. Just in this short (but so long) week, we don't call ourselves a district anymore...WE ARE A FAMILY!

I was one of the first to be in the room, and as I waited for everyone else I was just so excited to meet everyone! As soon as Sister Scholle, my companion, walked in I jumped up and gave her a hug...and I knew we would be great friends. It's amazing to see how the Lord places us where we need to be and who we need to be with at all times. She is from Logan, just turned 20, is the oldest and first of her family to serve a mission because her dad was a convert. We immediately became best of friends, more like sisters actually...in fact, in church on Sunday we were asked if we were sisters! haha...we kinda do look a lot alike. I'll try and figure out how to send pictures later. Anyway...I LOVE HER!!! And the rest of our little family is incredible. Elders Leavitt (who is my old roommate's "brother", Bankhead, Smith (reminds me SO much of Taylor), Coy, and Porter are my 5 new awesome little brothers. And Sisters Scholle, Nye, Hunter, Gubler, and Ostler are my 5 new awesome little sisters! haha...well actually Sister Nye is 24, but then it's me...

So....I guess I should probably tell you a little about this week aye?!...

I've seen SO many people I know, including Elder Rawle (just left this week), Elder Cook(see him everyday at gym!), Elder Ashton, Elder Rasmussen, Sister Forte, Sister Daniels, a bunch of sisters from BYUH...and ELDER ALSTON!!! It was such a blessing to see him, and I get to see him almost every day! :) The other night I was able to eat dinner with him and his district, it was great! When I first saw him I couldn't help but give him a hug...uhhhh.....we kinda got some weird looks and not sure that was alowed but I didn't care! haha! It's funny when we see each other to say, "Hey, Elder Alston!" "Hey, Sister Alston!" SO FUN!

The first day, we talked about the kind of missionaries we want to be, and why we are here. So I made a list of mine.... I want to be the missionary that everyone can count on. I want to give 150% 100% of the time, and not regret a single day. I want to be able to answer questions and teach with the spirit. I want to be fun, caring, a listener, trustworthy, a best friend, happy and optimistic, and SO much more...I continue adding to the list every day. I want to be as Christ was a missionary. I don't want to be afraid to open my mouth and testify of the things I know to be true. I want to find out everyone's story. I already feel the Savior's atoning sacrifice working for me...I have not felf lonely or afraid, and I have felt peace and comfort. I know that it is because of the Atonement that I am able to feel this way and I am so so so grateful for it. "Live Right, Try Hard, and the Lord will lead you along!"

Our 2nd day here, we began teaching an investigator named Dani. She is 19 years old from England and is living with a member family working here in the US. At first, Sister Scholle and I were super nervous and scared about teaching...but the few times we have taught her have been the most powerful experiences of my life so far. I KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT that this church is true, that by the spirit we are able to say the things we need to say. As we study and prepare ourselves...we learn that it's not about us at all...IT'S ABOUT THEM!!! I wish I could tell you more, but I don't have time! AH!!! haha...

Each day, I learn so much and have had a greater desire to become the best me I can. I love the spirit that is here and the love that I feel. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!

Monday was the first time I cried....finding out that Tyler had passed away was extremely difficult for me and I didn't really know what to do. Sister Scholle and I went back to the room after I had read the letter at dinner...and I just cried. Everyone came in a little later and I explained what had happened. The room went completely silent...and I could feel Tyler's spirit with me. Even though this is hard...I know that I now have a little guardian angel with me....I can feel his spirit with me and I know that he is back in His Heavenly Fathers arms completing his mission to the people in heaven. I am so grateful for this knowledge that I have, to know that I will see him again, that he is in a better place now.

I just want you all to know that I know this is where I need to be. We went to the temple this morning and it was so wonderful to feel of Heavenly Father's love for me...and for all of you. I feel of your prayers and support, and could never thank you enough for all you continue to teach me and do for me.

I have so much more to say, but my time is up!!!! I leave the MTC next Wednesday morning for Iowa, so I'm not sure I'll get to email again for a couple weeks....but I'll be sure to write a few letters today! I'm so glad it's P DAY!!! haha LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!!!!

Love, Sister Spunkie Sparkle Alston :)