Letters from Sister Alston: 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