Letters from Sister Alston: Lightning Bugs and Lightning Storms! (June 24, 2013)

Welcome to the great Midwest!!! :) It is GORGEOUS!!! ...and I love the storms, and the lightning bugs are finally coming out and multiplying rapidly! haha. Last night I just sat by the window and watched a lightning storm and all the lightning bugs flashing in the backyard. It was awesome! ...then was awakened to the true Midwest rolling thunder!

This week marks 4 months, can you believe it?! I can't!!! Time is flying on by! (even though the days and weeks sometimes last forever, haha) Monday night we had a great lesson with Jacob, who we met through the YSA sisters - he is their neighbor - about the word of wisdom. He said he wanted to stop everything cold turkey! It's amazing to see the power of the Atonement work and change people even in such a short amount of time. Tuesday we had a sick day and were quarantined in our little room all day which wasn't so fun...but that's okay! Wednesday we had our goodbye zone conference with President and Sister Jergensen. I hope to be like them when I grow up! haha. I was asked to put together the musical number, and did an octet of Because I Have Been Given Much...which ended up tying in perfectly with their message. I know it wasn't me who chose that song!...I love witnessing the hand of the Lord in all things. Wednesday-Thursday Sister Lloyd and I went on our first STL exchanges in Mt. Vernon and were able to get to know the sisters and the area better. We saw little miracles and helped them realize their purpose and potential. I love going on exchanges and being able to interact with such amazing sisters and see the other areas! We had an incredible lesson with a recent convert/less active who was baptized in February just before I got here. He realized that he has been missing Christ in his life again, and he knows it's important to continue acting in faith and moving forward, and coming to church. He was deeply touched by a scripture Sister Campbell shared, and even asked her how she knew to share that scripture with him...once again, a testimony builder for me of how the Lord knows these people so much more than I ever could...that He knows what they need and as we are listening carefully and doing all we can do, He makes up the rest. I love the people here. :)

Once again I have so much more to say, but out of time... but I do have to tell you about Saturday! We had a family fun day at a park with the ward, and invited a few families we are working with but none of them came. As we were leaving, we noticed a lady sitting alone on a picnic table that we didn't recognize and decided to go and talk to her. We learned that she recently became homeless with her 3 young boys and has been praying to find God in her life again. She told us that we are the first ones in the 3 years she has been here that have approached her and wanted to get to know her and talk to her. She was so excited when we invited her to church, and were able to introduce her to a few of the members who so graciously welcomed her. SHE CAME TO ALL 3 HOURS OF CHURCH YESTERDAY and we are so excited to meet with her this evening. I know the Lord continues placing people in our path, and as long as we follow the spirit and are aware of those around us and talk to everyone, we will continue having miraculous experiences such as this! Saturday night we had the opportunity to sit in on African Music practice and a recent converts, then go have authentic Mexican food for dinner! I love being surrounded by so many cultures! Who thought it would be like that in IOWA?!? hehe.

Last night's broadcast was incredible. It gave me a renewed sense of excitement for the work, and reminded me of how blessed I am to be serving a mission at this time. With the help of members, working together to bring our friends and brothers and sisters into the gospel, the stone surely will roll farther and wider than ever before. I am so grateful I have this opportunity to be here serving Heavenly Father's children here in the Iowa Des Moines Mission...THE BEST MISSION EVER!!! :) haha. I know this church is true...this work would not progress as it is if it weren't true! I love and appreciate you all so much and am continually uplifted by your prayers and inspired words through cards. Particularly my sweet family...every single card/letter is ALWAYS what I need to hear right at that moment. I love this gospel, and am so grateful I have the knowledge of Heavenly Father's Plan...knowing that this work is not only moving forward here on earth, but in heaven as well.

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Alston