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!