Hello from good ol’ Keokuk! :)
Leaving Iowa City was extremely bittersweet, but I am so grateful to be serving here in Keokuk, right on the Mississippi river! It is beautiful, the people are so friendly, and Sister Andersen is amazing! (We came out together! ) I am so excited to just get to work and have already seen many miracles in the past 4 days!
Before leaving Iowa City, it was such a blessing to say “see you later” to so many wonderful families and friends that I will cherish and love forever! One of the most amazing experiences happened my last week there as well… Sunday, a couple from the University ward brought a girl to church who they had met at Costco…she loved it, we taught her the first lesson during Sunday School, she loved it. Monday night after Sister Campbell left, we were able to meet with Beth again and found out that she hadn’t been able to put down the Book of Mormon ALL DAY!... she agreed with everything and pretty much taught us! Haha… oh yeah… and the best part is?!... She is getting baptized this Saturday! 2 weeks after meeting the members that brought her to church! NOW THAT’S A MIRACLE!!! I strongly believe Heavenly Father has many of those special spirits prepared in each area, and I am so excited to continue to find those who are truly thirsting for the truth.
Transfer meeting caused a bit of anxiety, having it be my first actual “transfer” of the mission! …but being transferred to KEOKUK, IA is such a blessing! Sister Andersen opened this area 3 months ago, it’s right across from Nauvoo, we took a bike ride along the Mississippi River this morning, we went to the Labor Day parade yesterday where the whole town was out! J Awe man, I can’t even express how much I love it here already!...oh and not to mention being welcomed in with a baptism on Saturday! Now that’s another story for another day, but wow! Haha. We are in a small branch, live with the Branch President and his cute little family, the ward mission leader Brother Hoelker used to live in the 9th ward (appx. 1996) right by the symkoviacs, Rachel Montoya ( a girl from pleasant grove living here for nursing school) has a younger sister who just barely married one my best friends from BYU Hawaii, Cozi! SUCH A SMALL WORLD, but I am so grateful Heavenly Father has placed me here at this time with such incredible people who I feel like I’ve known forever already!
Last night we met with one of our investigators (who the sister met right when they got here), who is so inspiring! She is INVESTIGATING like I’ve never seen before, it’s great! Haha. She studies the Book of Mormon, Bible, and the gospel principles book all day everyday! She has been through so much in her life, and finally made some huge decisions yesterday that will change her life for the better. She told us how the Book of Mormon has changed her life completely. It hit us so hard… to witness the power and strength that truly does come from reading and studying and living the gospel. IT’S TRUE!!!
I just want to share my testimony of the Priesthood. I know that it is real, I know that it has been restored to the earth; I am so grateful for the worthy priesthood holders in my life that I can call on at any time for blessings…I don’t know what I would do without it! I know Heavenly Father loves us all so much and wants us to be happy. I know that He is aware of me, and I am so grateful that I am able to talk to him and hear from him always. I’m so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the knowledge that I am truly never alone. I know that he knows me personally and has walked the paths I am walking right along with me. I know this church is true. I know that families are forever. I know that as we do our best and continue moving forward, never giving up, blessings will come in abundance. I know that the Book of Mormon changes lives, it has changed mine. I know that as we read and study and ponder the gospel, we will feel of our Father in Heaven’s love and be directed by His hand In all we do.
Love Always,
Sister Natalia Chantae AlstonLeaving Iowa City was extremely bittersweet, but I am so grateful to be serving here in Keokuk, right on the Mississippi river! It is beautiful, the people are so friendly, and Sister Andersen is amazing! (We came out together! ) I am so excited to just get to work and have already seen many miracles in the past 4 days!
Before leaving Iowa City, it was such a blessing to say “see you later” to so many wonderful families and friends that I will cherish and love forever! One of the most amazing experiences happened my last week there as well… Sunday, a couple from the University ward brought a girl to church who they had met at Costco…she loved it, we taught her the first lesson during Sunday School, she loved it. Monday night after Sister Campbell left, we were able to meet with Beth again and found out that she hadn’t been able to put down the Book of Mormon ALL DAY!... she agreed with everything and pretty much taught us! Haha… oh yeah… and the best part is?!... She is getting baptized this Saturday! 2 weeks after meeting the members that brought her to church! NOW THAT’S A MIRACLE!!! I strongly believe Heavenly Father has many of those special spirits prepared in each area, and I am so excited to continue to find those who are truly thirsting for the truth.
Transfer meeting caused a bit of anxiety, having it be my first actual “transfer” of the mission! …but being transferred to KEOKUK, IA is such a blessing! Sister Andersen opened this area 3 months ago, it’s right across from Nauvoo, we took a bike ride along the Mississippi River this morning, we went to the Labor Day parade yesterday where the whole town was out! J Awe man, I can’t even express how much I love it here already!...oh and not to mention being welcomed in with a baptism on Saturday! Now that’s another story for another day, but wow! Haha. We are in a small branch, live with the Branch President and his cute little family, the ward mission leader Brother Hoelker used to live in the 9th ward (appx. 1996) right by the symkoviacs, Rachel Montoya ( a girl from pleasant grove living here for nursing school) has a younger sister who just barely married one my best friends from BYU Hawaii, Cozi! SUCH A SMALL WORLD, but I am so grateful Heavenly Father has placed me here at this time with such incredible people who I feel like I’ve known forever already!
Last night we met with one of our investigators (who the sister met right when they got here), who is so inspiring! She is INVESTIGATING like I’ve never seen before, it’s great! Haha. She studies the Book of Mormon, Bible, and the gospel principles book all day everyday! She has been through so much in her life, and finally made some huge decisions yesterday that will change her life for the better. She told us how the Book of Mormon has changed her life completely. It hit us so hard… to witness the power and strength that truly does come from reading and studying and living the gospel. IT’S TRUE!!!
I just want to share my testimony of the Priesthood. I know that it is real, I know that it has been restored to the earth; I am so grateful for the worthy priesthood holders in my life that I can call on at any time for blessings…I don’t know what I would do without it! I know Heavenly Father loves us all so much and wants us to be happy. I know that He is aware of me, and I am so grateful that I am able to talk to him and hear from him always. I’m so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the knowledge that I am truly never alone. I know that he knows me personally and has walked the paths I am walking right along with me. I know this church is true. I know that families are forever. I know that as we do our best and continue moving forward, never giving up, blessings will come in abundance. I know that the Book of Mormon changes lives, it has changed mine. I know that as we read and study and ponder the gospel, we will feel of our Father in Heaven’s love and be directed by His hand In all we do.
Love Always,
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