Happy Halloween!

Hey ya'll!

Let the holiday season begin!  Hope everyone has a spooktacular Halloween this week! hehe. We've had quite the celebration already here in Keokuk!  :)  Wednesday night was the branch chili cook-off and trunk-or-treat which was a total success in all aspects!  We had a total of about 20 non-members in attendance, most of which were families!  It was so great to have them meet more of the members in the branch and just have fun together!  ...not to mention there were 13 chilis to try and judge! haha.  We've got some mean chili-makers in the branch that's for sure!  :)

Other fun Halloween festivities included carving pumpkins with the Salyers and being able to teach the whole family together!  Holy crap I'm amazed at how knowledgeable those kids are about the bible and already know what Jesus Christ did for them.  Their testimonies are so strong!  You know how they said our generation is "the chosen generation"?  yep, nope!...it's the ones comin up right now!  haha.  We were also able to go to the pumpkin walk in Nauvoo!  ...so many pumpkins and so many people!!!  It was fun. :)

Just an example of how we are taken care of here:  Thursday we were taken for hot chocolate in the morning by a less-active, to lunch with some relief society sisters, and then dinner with the missionary couple in the branch!... wow!  Our tummies were fed!  ...our spirits have also been fed this week, in more ways than one. 

We have been trying to discover what it is that the Lord needs us to accomplish here in Keokuk...with getting the branch involved, finding the elect and prepared, helping each other, charity and love...it's been quite the adventure!  I know that we are here as a companionship for a very specific reason, and I think we are slowly finding that reason.  Sister Andersen's strengths are my weaknesses, and my strengths are her weaknesses...almost to a T!  It's amazing how the Lord works, and how he knows us all perfectly...so much more than we even know ourselves!  So I know this email is all over the place, and I apologize!  I guess my thoughts have been all over the place this week and their kinda hard to organize outside my brain! haha.

Anyways... we were so blessed to help Tina set a new baptism date for November 30th, she knows it is what will help her life the most and really has a desire to follow God's plan for her.  We met a 14 year old girl, Makenzie a few weeks ago and were able to teach her again this week.  She moved from Illinois about 2 months ago, and used to go to church on Sundays just her and her grandma.  As we taught her about Heavenly Father and His plan for her, she said she feels worth something again, that she knows Christ is standing right next to her.  So yesterday, she comes to church without any family, and even brought along her friend Brittany!  Makenzie has the sweetest spirit and a longing to know the truth.  She is a special one.

There is SO much potential in this little area.  Yesterday, we had an awesome meeting with the branch mission leader who has had a spiritual awakening and finally understands the importance of his calling.  We set up a plan to get out to Kahoka and Wayland, MO at least every other week (which are small towns in our area 25 miles away)...where only about 2 member families live.  We are excited to see what comes of this new plan, and to continue the work here in Keokuk as well.

I just want everyone to know of the reality of this work.  This truly is the Lord's work, and He is in charge.  This is the time for everyone to come together and work to build the Kingdom of God.  I know it's true.  I know that Satan will just keep working harder because it is true.  As we remember what we have come to know is true and "fan the flame of our faith" we will have the strength to endure and overcome all things.  I am so grateful for the strength he has given me, and continues to give me each day.  I am forever grateful for the prayers, love and support, and especially for my parents who have always been there for me no matter what.  (Just had to add that in there....there's no question...I HAVE THE BEST PARENTS IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE).  :)

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Alston               

Keokuk Update!

Another crazy week here in Iowa!  The fall weather has been perfect, and now it looks like the cold is comin' in early!  haha.  This past week Sister Andersen and I had Mission Leadership Council in Iowa City, then Zone Training Meetings in Quincy and Burlington...so we were all over the place once again!  It is so amazing how the trainings we receive are exactly what we need to hear, and answer the exact questions we've had.  It also amazes me how Sister Andersen and I can be given the same topic to train on for 2 different zones, and they end up being completely different!  I am so grateful for the spirit and the trust that the Lord has in me to be here at this time.

Friday night we were able to attend "Taste of Old Nauvoo" which was a dinner and show put on by the senior couples of Nauvoo.  We had an investigator and her family there and it was super fun!  :) ...not to mention delicious chicken, beans, and corn bread!  I could go through everyday and say what I did, but just know that I am grateful for the people we have here in Keokuk.  I am truly blessed to be in such a humble and prepared place where so many have been prepared to accept the gospel.  Even though we may not see all the fruits of our labors, the seeds we are planting will be harvested eventually.  

"Charity Never Faileth."  Everything else will fail in the end, but charity: the pure love of Christ, is a gift that will forever keep on giving.  If we have charity, nothing else matters.  The perfect example of charity was Jesus Christ, who never thought of himself.  At any moment, He could have given up and returned to heaven...but He loves us so much and knew He was the only way.  He was perfect, and we can become perfect through Him.  Part of becoming perfect through Him is seeing as He sees.  See everyone as a child of God.  See everyone as they can become.  See everyone's strengths.  Love everyone and serve everyone.

I am so grateful I have this time to truly come to know my Savior and understand why I am here on this earth...why any of us are here on this earth.  It's because Heavenly Father loves us.  He wants us to return to live with Him again. He wants us to be happy.  

Know that I love and appreciate all of you, and am forever grateful to my Father in Heaven for letting me have you in my life.

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Alston

Pumpkin carving FHE

Twinners...no, we didn't plan it at all!

October Skies

Happy Monday Ya'll! :) 

So basically, I just want to first of all thank everyone for your constant love, prayers, and support.  I feel so blessed to be serving a mission at this time, and in such an amazing and sacred area.  I'm so grateful that I get to serve here in Keokuk another transfer with Sister Andersen.  This will be the first time I have had just one other companion for more than 6 weeks! yay! :)  haha.  I woke up yesterday, so happy to be here, and so grateful for the things I have learned and who I am becoming.  We were able to do our morning studies on the grounds of the Nauvoo temple yesterday, and I was reminded of how much I love the temple.  It's amazing how strong the spirit is even outside the temple.  Sitting down by the statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, looking back on the Mississippi and forward to the temple...I get chills just talking about it!....but really, I have gained such an appreciation for Joseph Smith and the early saints, and for my ancestors.  We had stake conference in Nauvoo Saturday andSunday, and the whole thing was on the work of salvation.  We are all in this together!  It's so incredible to be a part of missionary work at this time...I LOVE IT!  Two sisters who recently got home from their missions shared their testimonies, and how important their missions have been to them... I know this is shaping me into who I am needed to be in the future and for the rest of my life as a missionary.  I was reminded of the importance of standing in holy places, and having that firm foundation on Christ.  I've been thinking a lot lately about testimony and conversion.  In fact, one of our investigators started an analogy of a teapot and I've kind of changed it... so we all have a kettle or tea pot which gets filled with water (or testimony)... that water can be poured out or filled in at any time.  The heat (or conversion) is what makes the water boil or what strengthens testimony...until it can't all be held in and the kettle whistles!  So Mike said he's this teapot just waiting to whistle.  It's our purpose and responsibility to help all those around us fill their teapot and help them turn up the heat so that their conversion becomes so deep that they can't deny it.  (Okay yeah...it makes more sense in my head, sorry!)  But anyways... It's not our purpose to convert people to the church, to us as missionaries, to the great programs of the church...but to convert them to Jesus Christ.  Once they realize the importance of Jesus Christ, and how everything we believe is centered around HIM, they will receive their witness and truly KNOW the things we share and believe are true.  Going back to the standing in holy places: this morning I was reading about Lahonti and Amalakiah... and thought about how cunning and deceitful Satan is.  He really does try to get us to come off our mountains little by little, and unless we are truly converted to our Savior Jesus Christ and do all he asks and know our foundation, we will eventually give in and "come off our mounts".  I know that as we strengthen those mountains we have, solidify our testimonies of Jesus Christ, believing Him, and become converted to HIM...we will be able to withstand our Amalakiahs.

I am forever grateful for the people that surround me, everywhere I go in the world.  I feel so blessed and grateful for the experiences which Heavenly Father has given me, for the spirit and love He so graciously gives me each and every day.  I know that He is there always.  I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that all things are possible through Him.  I know the Atonement is the only way we are able to return to live with our Father in Heaven again, and I cannot wait for that day!  I know the Book of Mormon was written for us today, that as we read it and ponder those sacred records we will be protected and know what we need to do  as we prepare for the second coming.  I know that everything happens for a reason, and I am grateful Heavenly Father's timing and plan is perfect in every way.  He loves us so much.  He wants us to return to live with Him again.  Let's all strive a little harder to be a little better each and every day.

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Chantae Alston

The marvelous Nauvoo zone!

Elder Austin, Sister Anderson, Sister Alston, Elder Arbon (ZLs and STLs)

The "A Team" of the Nauvoo Temple

Sunday morning studies at the temple!

I love these two!

I love to see the temple

Besties for life

The Field is White

I LOVE CONFERENCE!!!! So sad to have it over already, but so grateful for the messages shared, and spirit felt!  What an incredible conference weekend it was.  I was reminded of the importance of truly KNOWING who we are as children of God, and knowing of our responsibility as members of the church to share the gospel message and blessings with EVERYONE!  I am so grateful to have heard such sincere testimonies and witnesses of the truth and reality of our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ.  I would just like to add my testimony that I know that President Monson and His apostles are called of God to lead and guide us in these last days.  As we prepare for the second coming of Christ, I know we will be protected and not lead astray as we listen and head their words and counsel.  I know that it is up to us to exercise our faith in following His teachings and commandments, that as we do so...the windows of heaven will be opened unto us.

This past Tuesday Sister Lindgren came and joined me here in Keokuk, and Sister Andersen went with her companion Sister Stoffers to Hamilton.  Sister Lindgren and I had such an amazing day together!  Not going to lie, I was a bit nervous because we only had one solid appointment planned, and the rest was following up and finding people... but oh holy cow, Heavenly Father never ceases to amaze me at placing us exactly where we need to be and with whom we need to be. 

Miracle #1  So last week we received a referral from a lady we met on the street, but they weren't home when Sister Andersen and I went, so Sister Lindgren and I went back.  On the door was a sign saying something to the extent of "don't you dare knock on my door, or else..."  so we decide we would knock on the neighbors ajoining home...and Alexis opened the door and let us right in!  She is a single mom of 2 adorable little boys, grew up here in Keokuk and has always had a love for Nauvoo and didn't really know why or what was different when she was there.  She has been to churches, but never felt comfortable at any of them.  When we read the intro to the Book of Mormon, she said she could feel the spirit and that it makes her want to know more.  :D   

Miracle #2  A few weeks ago we had met Morgan, another young single mom of 2 cute kids, who grew up in Keokuk and had a rough past.  She had met with elders before, but just talked with them.  We hadn't been able to see her since.  Sister Lindgren and I go up to her house and her door is wide open and she's sitting on the couch and welcomes us in as well!  We had a great discussion on faith and the importance of having faith and acting on that faith.  She wants to turn her life around, but hasn't been quite sure how to do so.  We talked about the healing power of the Atonement and what Christ did for her, how Heavenly Father loves her and wants her and her family to be safe a happy.  It was one of those lessons where we don't remember what exactly was said, but we know she felt the spirit. 

Miracle #3  On our way to see the Salyers, we see 3 people outside on a porch and go up to them and start talking about God and who He is.  The mom and friend of the mom said they are comfortable with where they are, and don't feel like they need anything else...when we asked Brittany, the 16 year old daughter, she said she would love to learn more.  She lives with her dad, but is with her mom a lot and when she said she would like us to come over, her mom says "you're going to have them come to your dad's house?!"...and she replies with, "It's my belief and I don't care what he thinks!..."  haha. Yep.  She's a keeper. 

So many more miracles every week; I will never be able to express the gratitude that I have for Heavenly Father allowing me to serve here at this time.  Keokuk is truly ready to be harvested, and each week is evidence of that.  By the end of this week, we have the potential to be working with a total of 25 investigators...of all walks of life.  The branch is becoming more involved than ever before, it's the start of another new transfer, fall is here... I know this is where I am needed right now and I am so grateful to be here.

All my love,

Sister Natalia Chantae Alston

We cut Rachel's hair last week!

We're sexy and we know it!