Last full week of 1st Transfer!

Due to transfers next week, if you send Natalia a letter, please send everything to the mission home address! Thanks! 

Sister Natalia Alston

Iowa Des Moines Mission

8515 Douglas Ave. Ste. 19

Urbandale, IA 50322

Happy Tax day to all! haha.  So I was thinking yesterday about what I was doing this time last year...GRADUATING BYUH!  Holy Moly where does time go?!  And...it's the last full week of my first transfer here in the field!  We have NO idea what will happen this next transfer, but know that I won't be staying in the trio because there are so many new sisters coming and they need trainers.  We find out who gets to pack their bags on Saturday night, but that's it until transfer meeting next Thursday!

On Tuesday, the sisters from Bettendorf came for exchanges with us which was such a neat experience!  It was fun to meet 2 new sisters, and be able to work with them and learn from them.  We talked about the choice of becoming the 4th missionary, and how we should all strive to become the best we can be.  It truly is our CHOICE, and we can become whoever we want to become.  When we choose to become who Heavenly Father wants us and needs us to become, that is when the miracles and change happen, that is when we are the happiest.  I know this to be true, and have seen many instances where I have been blessed and seen miracles because I have chosen to submit to the Father's will.  Tuesday in itself we saw many miracles.  We were able to visit a recent convert family that hasn't let us in for a couple weeks, the mom of another recent convert wants to learn more and get to the temple this summer, and we had a total of 11 lessons in one day!  The power of planning effectively, and working hard!  Now...if that could be the case every day we'd be good! haha.  Just kidding, "every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day!"

Another miracle of the week: Trisha, the girl I thought I might have scared away with the baptismal invitation, CONTACTED US for a lesson and we were able to teach her on Friday afternoon.  She is such a gem, and intrigued by the gospel.  We were able to teach her the restoration, and invite her to read the Book of Mormon.  She said she knew we don't drink coffee and stuff, and said (without us even teaching her about the Word of Wisdom) that she is willing to give it up.  She also made it to church yesterday, and stayed all 3 hours...AND called to set up another appointment for this week. :)  I know Heavenly Father is placing these people who are so prepared and ready to accept the gospel in our paths and I am so grateful for them.  Another one that was placed in our path was Bryan, but I have to tell you the whole story first!

On Saturday, we were able to go to NAUVOO with the ward and a couple recent converts to help at the font.  We left at 5:30 AM, and got to the temple at 8:00...it made me SO grateful to have so many temples close to my house and I've never had to drive more than 20 minutes to get to one!  Anyways...Nauvoo is such a special place!  I felt such peace and reverence, and felt of the special spirit that can only be felt there.  Nick, the 12 year old that got baptized a couple weekends ago was able to do baptisms for the dead and it was the sweetest thing ever...every time he cam out of the water he got this sweet smile on his face and I know he could feel the presence of those he was doing the work for.  It reminded me of my first time at the temple, doing baptisms at the Salt Lake temple with my grandpa Alston, and what a special experience that was for me.  I love them temple and know that it is the house of God.  After the temple, we were able to go see Brigham Young's house, visit a few other places and walk around old Nauvoo.  It is beautiful!  So peaceful there on the Mississippi River, and a perfect sun shiny day! :)  Making it back to Iowa City around 4:30, we went to the Library so Sister Thompson could get an exchange report into President.  While I was reading on lds.org and marking some scriptures, I look back and see this guy holding his son and say hi and get talking to him.  He asked if I was reading the Bible and I was able to teach him about the Book of Mormon and a little about our church.  He had studied many religions and all of their books, but never the Mormon Book...so I gave him a copy and invited him to read it and to come to church if he could.  It was so neat to be in the middle of a library, teaching someone about my favorite thing...I could have easily passed by the opportunity, but I'm so glad Heavenly Father trusted me and put Bryan in my path.

I feel like I barely covered any of what happened this week, but I guess that's how it is every week!  I'm so grateful for the experiences I am having here, and for the knowledge and understanding of the gospel I am gaining.  I know this church is the true, restored gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today and I am so happy I get to share it with others.

Hope you have a wonderful week!

With Love,

Sister Natalia Alston

oh! I forgot the best part of the week!  BRION WAS BAPTIZED!!!  After waiting 2 years, he was finally able to be baptized on Friday night...and his wife who said she would never set foot on church  property came and supported him!  :)  SO MANY MIRACLES!!!

oh I also forgot fun fact: Last week I ran into KYRA ENGLISH, well now PEERY...my best friend from 5th and 6th grade!!! Randomly at Chipotle....it was weird, but so cool!  haha.