Meetings, Meetings, and more Meetings!

Hello from Iowa City, Dubuque, and Fairfield!

Wow....it has been one crazy week here in Iowa!  I'll give you a run down:

Tuesday: Mission Leadership Council 8-5 in Iowa City

Wednesday: Zone Training Meeting in Iowa City with the Jensens

Thursday: Zone Training Meeting in Dubuque for the Clinton Zone where Sister Lloyd and I were asked to attend and train.  (An hour and a half N. of IC)

Friday: Zone Training Meeting in Fairfield for the Washington and Fairfield Zones where Sister Lloyd and I were asked to attend and train. (An hour and a half S. of IC!)  

so yep!  We spent more time out of our area than we did in our area this week!...good thing Sister Campbell is a champion and was able to stay with another sister and keep the work going here in Iowa City while we were away.  All the meetings were wonderful and it was so fun to train with Sister Lloyd, who has been out 14 months and is incredible; I learn more from her each day.  

MIRACLE:  So during the meeting in Fairfield on Friday I got the impression that we needed to stop in LoneTree on our way home.  ( A tiny town on the outer part of our area that we've never been to ).  We had received a media referral for a lady and hadn't had the chance to follow up with her.  So on the way home, we detour through LoneTree and knock on her door.  Her daughter answers, she comes to the door and is immediately so excited and grateful that we were there and proceeded to let us right in!  She told us her life story, where she is spiritually right now, and what she expects from a church.  I can't even begin to explain what a powerful lesson and discussion we had!  She told us she just feels stuck and like she needs a, and I quote, "restoration of her body and spirit"....she is separated from her husband, her daughter is 12, she was offended by the church she used to attend and wants to feel a part of a family.  When we asked if we could call her Sister Babcock, she got so excited and hugged us for about 5 minutes each!  I'm so grateful we were able to find her and at the right time and have that experience with her!  OH!...and if we would've waited untilSaturday to check up on her and do some finding in LoneTree like we had planned; we found out that she would not be in townSaturday and Sunday... the Lord works in mysterious ways!  The church is true! haha.  

We are staying busy and trying to stay healthy!  :)  

I just want you all to know that I KNOW the gospel of Jesus Christ is what brings the most peace and happiness into my life, and in my family's life.  I'm so grateful to know that we will be together forever.  I know that it is through Jesus Christ, our savior, that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven as we continuously strive to be better and become like Him.  I know that it's not always easy, but it's always worth it.  

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Alston

Taylor's awesome postcard with my wonderful art skills...

getting fancy with the nails on pday! haha...I was quite proud of myself!