Was it just me, or did conference go by WAY too fast?! I honestly can't believe it's already come and gone... but the messages were so simple, clear, and straight forward. FAITH. OBEDIENCE. REPENTANCE. VIRTUE. PEACE and LIGHT through Jesus Christ. LOVE. PATIENCE. HUMILITY. RIGHTEOUSNESS. BELIEVING. Yep, that's it in a nut shell! :) One talk that particularly stuck out to me was President Eyring's, "Draw near unto the Savior, and He will draw near unto you." We have to be willing to do our part, do everything we can to follow Jesus Christ, and the Lord promises to be with us. I think this is essential in today's world, because it is so easy to get caught up and busy with life and forget to do the little things. As we pray with sincerity, study the scriptures and words of the prophets, help lift one another's burdens, serve those around us, and go forward in faith and obedience - we will come closer to Him and He will come closer to us, and be able to pour out the blessings He desires for us to have. We need to trust that Heavenly Father knows us better than we know ourselves, that His plan is far greater than any plan we could come up with on our own. As I have looked back on the past few years, I realize how true this is. Heavenly Father had specific things He had in mind for me to do, people He needed me to meet, and lessons I needed to learn. As I continue to learn the importance and blessings of submitting my will to the Father, I am humbled and grateful to know that I do have a loving Father in Heaven who is very much aware of me and what I am going through. I know that serving a mission is just another thing that He needs me to do...for Him, for His children, for me, and for my future. I know that as I continue service Him faithfully and diligently, He will lead me along.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY WISHES! :) I can officially say I am 21! woot woot! haha. It was a great day, and one that I will never forget! My wonderful companions made me a delicious pancake breakfast, complete with sparkling cider even! We had zone training meeting, and when we got to the stake center I was confused because all the lights were off where we were meeting. All I could see were 6 lit up balloons on a table...and then the lights came on and the whole zone was already there and sang Happy Birthday to me! I know, I suck at telling stories via email...but it was such a wonderful surprise! The zone leaders had decorated with my favorite colors: balloons and streamers all around the table, and even got everyone to sign a giant shirt for me! haha...it was awesome! :) Anyways...the meeting itself was very inspirational and reminded us how we are all converts. We are all continually growing in the gospel and becoming better each day (or at least trying to). We should focus on having SPIRITUAL EYES...seeing everyone as the Savior sees them: not seeing them as they are, but as they can become. The best birthday present though?!?...TAYLOR WENT INTO THE MTC!!!!
Thursday was an interesting day...Both Sister Thompson and Sister Wiest went to meetings, so I got to stay with Sister He for the day in her area! We were able to street contact, bus contact, knock doors...it was fun! It was different being on campus, trying to talk to students who are not interested in the slightest, and have classes to get to...but it was fun!
We were able to have a different investigator at each session of conference which was awesome! It was interesting to sit there and try to process the information like they would. In between Saturday morning and afternoon sessions, we were invited over to lunch with Trisha, a non member who came and watched the morning session with us and her friend in the University ward. She was very interested in the Priesthood and wanted to know what else made our church different from others. We were able to teach her about the Priesthood being the power of God, and how when we are baptized we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. She thought it was so cool that the Holy Spirit could always be with someone, and that God's power is still on the earth. As we were wrapping things up over the lunch table, I had a very strong impression to invite her to be baptized. Uh....what?! We hadn't even taught her the first lesson! haha... yeah...I was totally fighting with the spirit and didn't exactly know what to do; and it ended up just coming out and surprising everyone, including myself! Sister Thompson said she bets that moment was on instant replay up in heaven, and I have no doubt it was! Trisha's friend's mouth dropped, my companions were just staring at each other, and I had no idea what had just happened! The first thing out of Trisha's mouth was, "Right now?!?" ...then I had some time to somehow calmly explain that we will teach her all she needs to know, if she prays and asks if its true, etc. etc.... and she said yes she would like to keep learning and if she knew it was what she needed to do she would! A relief on my end that's for sure! I am still in shock of the whole situation, but so grateful that I was able to follow a prompting from the Holy Ghost and hopefully gain greater trust with Heavenly Father. Let's just say, none of us will ever forget this conference!
I am out of time, but I want you all to know how much I love and appreciate you and your prayers! I would be a mess if it wasn't for all the support, love and prayers I feel each day. :) I love it here, and there is no where else I'd rather be! "I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it." There are definitely ups and downs, but as I focus on the ups, the downs don't matter.
Keep on Keeping on!!! :)
Love Always,
Sister Natalia Alston
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