Letters from Sister Alston: Talents, Exchanges, Transfers, Oh My!!!

HELLO EVERYONE! :) HAPPY MONDAY!

This week has been an exciting one that's for sure! Last Monday, we had a little district talent show which was amazing! All 5 companionships did a talent, then individuals as they wanted. Sister Thompson, Sister Wiest and I shared our talent of singing MoTab's "Circle of Life" in the mini van...yes...it was quite the hit if you can imagine! We set up chairs on the stage like the mini van and pretended like we were driving down the road jammin' out as we always do! :)

Monday night we started our journey to Peoria for exchanges, but since it's about 2 1/2 hours away from Iowa City we were able to stay the night in Bettendorf with the sisters there and made it to Peoria, Illinois Tuesday morning. It was fun to be in a different area and see the work being done there, and spending time with other sisters! We did a lot of tracting, but did have a couple teaching appointments which were fun. It was one of their recent convert's birthday, so we took her over cupcakes and read scriptures with her! It was so amazing to see her excitement and enthusiasm about the Book of Mormon, and said it was the perfect end to her birthday. It was a perfect end to my crazy day as well and reminded me of the importance of the Book of Mormon, and how every chapter relates to us personally if we let it.

On our way back on Wednesday morning, we hit a HUGE STORM!!!...thunder, lightning, downpoor rain...it was way cool but somewhat scary driving on the highway when we couldn't see in front of us! But don't worry, we made it back alive and well! A lot of Iowa City was flooded, so we had to be careful where we went, oh!...and we stopped at the World's Largest Truck Stop IOWA 80! My companions laughed when I told them I've stayed a few nights at truck stops on our summer camping trips! Good times with the fam! :)

Thursday, we were asked to do training for district meeting on Revelation through the Book of Mormon. I was reminded of an activity in the MTC I did; where we got in small groups, pondered a question we had, wrote it down, then prayerfully and slowly read a chapter together while discussing every few verses. We decided we would try it out with our district, and it went so well! I know the Lord guided me in choosing Alma 26 as the chapter for my group, and knew who needed to be in my group...every single one of our questions were answered, and the spirit was so strong as we discussed this amazing chapter. I can't really describe it well, but it was such a neat experience to know Heavenly Father knows exactly what each of us needs at all times.

TRANSFER CALLS came Saturday morning... President talks to Sister Thompson first, telling her she is being transferred to finish-training someone that came out with me; which is was I figured would happen, leaving Sister Wiest to finish-train me.. BUT NO!!! He then says, and Sister Wiest, you are being transferred to another area as well to break someone that came out in your same group. By this time, my heart is beating quite rapidly... President says, "And Sister Alston...I am doing something that I have never done before...you are going to finish training yourself...." pause for like 5 seconds... "Oh, and I am calling you to train a new sister in Iowa City". So yes...2 days before my 2 month "birthday", I will BE A TRAINER!!! I'm happy to be staying in such a wonderful area, but kind of freaking out because I've barely been in Iowa 6 weeks! haha...so...PRAYERS ACCEPTED from anyone and everyone please! :) It's so humbling to know that President Jergensen, and the Lord trust me to already train a new sister, and I know it will be fine...we will learn from each other, and just trust that the Lord knows what He's doing with me! My mission scripture sure is beginning to take on a greater meaning now... "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." I know that this experience will help me grow and become an even better missionary, that as I put my whole trust in the Lord and not worry, He will direct my paths.

It has been such a pleasure working with such incredible sisters, and in this area as my first transfer...and I look forward to hearing of their success in other areas! I know we are being split up so we can strengthen others, that Heavenly Father needs me here and with "Baby April" for a reason! I was reading in Mosiah and Alma this morning and read just the right scriptures I needed... Alma 31:31 "Oh Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful (or anxious and nervous); wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions (new responsibilities) which shall come upon me..." and with an answer to that prayer in Mosiah 24: 13-14 "Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me...and I will ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs...and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."

I know that I will be strengthened through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that Heavenly Father is aware of me and my strengths, weaknesses, and needs...and as I serve Him in faith, diligence, and obedience, He will be with me always. I love this gospel with all my heart, and am so happy to share it with those around me. I'm so grateful for the testimonies that you all share with me, they strengthen my own testimony and keep me going.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Chantae Alston