Happy Thanksgiving!

I love love love this time of year!  Because there is so much to be grateful for and I can get away with expressing my gratitude for everything and everyone and not be seen as a weirdo for randomly saying thank you! haha.  Just kidding, we NEVER need an excuse for being grateful!  Especially to our Father in Heaven!  Something that was said in relief society sums it up nicely:

WHAT IF WE WOKE UP TOMORROW AND HAD ONLY WHAT WE THANKED HEAVENLY FATHER FOR TODAY? ...just some food for thought! :)

It has been a crazy week here in Iowa!  Monday night we were able to have dinner/FHE/birthday party at the Pena's home with Shari's friend Angie and her kids!  It was so much fun!...and Angie was able to see the more "normal" side of us!  :)  Tuesday we had a relief society activity where we sewed some lap quilts and made those fancy shmancy crocheted scarves... it made me think of that quilt I have sitting at home that I started last year at this time.  I think crocheting that thing is going to be the death of me! haha.  I love learning all these handy dandy things though that I know will benefit me someday! ;)  Wednesday evening we had dinner with the Jensens, and boy are they funny!  Moki and Kurt both shared some mission stories and they were hilarious!  Missions are full of excitement and surprises..and sure make for some fun memories!  Thursday we had a little miracle (well, everyday we have little miracles...) but usually we go to the library and to mormon.org time on Saturday but we decided toThursday morning.  We get to the library and see Shari and her kids talking to a lady.  We get talking to her and find out another member in the branch had also talked to her and had her over.  We had heard about Patti, but hadn't met her...and she just "happened" to be at the library the same day as us and we were able to meet her and talk to her a bit more.  She recently converted to christianity, and is completely open to learning more!  She has an adorable 5 year old daughter who has cerebral palsy... I just love how Heavenly Father continues to place us exactly where we need to be!  Friday we were taken out to dinner to the nicest restaurant in Keokuk, "Angelini's".  We are just a little spoiled... haha.  Saturday Christy and her kids Akadia, Caleb, and Alexis were able to come to the Brodegards for dinner and a lesson...I love teaching kids!  They beg their mom to take them to church, but sadly they didn't come yesterday.  I am still grateful to see how the kids soak up the gospel, and know that mom will follow as we continue working with her.

The other night Sister Andersen and I were walking along, in our big coats and boots, and both of us started thinking about how grateful we are to have big coats and boots and warm houses to come home to...unlike our ancestors who had to deal without, walking across most of the united states!  We were reminded of how nothing would be worth anything if we didn't have to sacrifice something for it.  Sacrifice brings about so many blessings!  And really, I am forever grateful for this time that I have to give to the Lord, because He has given me everything!  I owe Him so much more, and always will!  No matter what, if we dedicate our lives to serve God and keep His commandments, we will be taken care of.  Even if we don't necessarily see immediate blessings, the blessings of Heaven will be poured upon us.  I see that each and every day.  The firey darts of the adversary are constantly being thrown at us, and it is our ability to chose to put on the armor of God and prepare ourselves to fight back, or not.  Everything is our choice.  We have been given the tools and armor, but it is always our choice to put it on.  I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.  For this time that I have to share my knowledge of them with others and help them receive the armor and tools to overcome the adversary in these days so we can all usher in the Savior for His second coming.

This week, focus on what you are grateful for... dedicate/rededicate ourselves to serving our Father in Heaven in gratitude for all He continues to give us.  This life is so precious and so important, and I know that as we focus on what we are Thankful for and always express our thanks, things will be so much better!  I love you all so much, and am eternally thankful for the strength and support you give me and have always given me.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Love Always,
Sister Natalia Alston   

having way too much fun!

Playing piano with Emily

shadows and puffy coats

Riding on a Rollercoaster

Yep, that's what a mission is.  One big giant rollercoaster of life for 18 months. haha.  It's crazy to have the highest of highs and the lowest of lows all in one day!  But it is so amazing; because without the lows we really wouldn't appreciate the highs as much!  :) 

Tuesday we spent in Hannibal, MO...yep the famous!  :)  The sisters there opened the area and are doing great!  I love meeting the wonderful people all around this mission and hearing stories and seeing conversions of all walks of life.  This church is true!  On our way back from Hannibal, we stopped in Kahoka (which is on the outskirts of our area) and saw a recent convert and her family.  She had been baptized, then stopped coming for awhile, but it was so neat to hear her experience of how she just felt like she needed to start going again and what a blessing it has been in her life.  

Thursday we had Nauvoo Zone Training Meeting in Ft. Madison and that went so well!  In a role play we did, I was with one of the couple missionary sisters from the Nauvoo temple mission...and she just made my day.  She told me out of the hundreds of missionaries she and her husband have worked with, she had never had such a powerful experience and immediately felt of my love and excitement for the gospel.  It was a good little pick me up. :)  

Friday the Kirksville sisters were able to come on exchanges up here in Keokuk with us!  Wow....what a fun day that was!  (and I even got to sleep on an air mattress out by the Christmas tree!) yippee! haha.  I worked with Sister Hunter, who came out with Sister Andersen and I, and boy is she an awesome teacher!...so powerful and has such a great spirit and enthusiasm about the work.  We had so much fun!  We started off the day with a great lesson with Angie, a member's friend, all about the Book of Mormon.  I love the Book of Mormon!  We didn't find one lady home, but ended up being exactly where we needed to be when we knocked on an apartment door of Sanjida... a 29 year old from India.  She has been here with her husband for about 5 years, and let us right in.  She grew up Hindu, but loves learning about religions.  Because she had grown up believing in multiple Gods, the idea of God as our Father in Heaven was foreign to her.  We shared with her our testimonies and the spirit was so strong.  When we talked about God's plan for us, she started crying and told us she's scared because her 21 year old brother was just diagnosed with cancer in India and she is going back next week to be with him during treatments. 

I was able to share Millie and Tyler with her and told her that no matter what happens, Heavenly Father is there and is with both her and him.  We sat in silence for awhile, talked about trials and life and Heavenly Father's love for her...and by the end, she prayed!  It was amazing! Being able to see someone who didn't even believe in God, pray to a loving Heavenly Father and feel the spirit testify to her that He is there is the best feeling ever!  I am so grateful I have the knowledge of my loving Father in Heaven who truly does know us perfectly and is ALWAYS there no matter what.  Now....people's agency on the other hand...that's difficult sometimes.  haha.  However, I do know that this is the Lord's work and it will be done in His way, in His time.  I am learning patience that's for sure!  ;D  I am also learning that Heavenly Father has placed me here at this time for a reason...and I am truly surrounded by angels.  The other day I was having a hard day and just didn't feel like myself, didn't feel like I was doing good, etc... I prayed so hard to just feel that I was doing something right and that everything was okay.... the next day I get a little piece of paper from Rachael, and it was exactly what I needed to hear.  It's amazing to me how answers come just at the right time, and I am grateful for those answers and angels to be the instruments for the Lord in my life.  I am also so grateful for the righteous influences in my life... to have such a strong support system and love.  I am grateful to be here in the Lord's vineyard at this time in my life, where I know I am being shaped into who Heavenly Father needs me to be. 

 

Love Always,

 

Sister Alston

BFFs

beautiful fall

Playing ultimate frisbee and kickball in the snow!

The wonderful Nauvoo zone!

Happy Tuesday!

I am grateful for all the veterans in my life!  :)  To be in a family of military, I am blessed and so very grateful for their service for our country, there examples of compassion and service to all, and constant hard work and dedication to all they do!  ...and Happy Veteran's Day yesterday!  Sadly the libraries were closed and we couldn't email..but that's okay, here it is now! haha.  :) This past week was pretty crazy and busy!...which is fantastic! :)

We had the privilege of attending a Mission Leadership Training in Iowa City with Brother Jarmin and Brother Steinegel who are the directors of the MTC...it was amazing!  It was an inspired training on how we as a mission and as missionaries are going to achieve the goals we have set...and it will really apply to the rest of our lives!  It's always amazing to be sitting in a meeting and have been talking about what was being shared just the day before!  The spirit is real, and I know this work is the Lord's.  We talked about the importance of CPR (Church, Pray, Read) and how these things are essential and central to our lives here on earth.  This is how we are able to build a relationship with our Father in Heaven, and receive revelation from Him and be lead in all we do...as well as partake of the ordinances of salvation.  It is our privilege to HELP people to these things as well...and even though we are here to invite them, we have to help them as well.  :)  We had incredible roleplays and trainings on these basic invitations and received inspiration on how we can better and best help the people we are working with.  I was reminded of the importance and power that comes from the Book of Mormon...and how 1 Nephi 1 is the first chapter for a reason!  I can't explain in words the spirit that was felt as we opened the Book of Mormon and started at the VERY beginning, explaining Lehi and his family, etc... Every single person can relate to this family in one way or another.  I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon!  I could go on for hours about this training, but I guess you want to hear about other things too!  It has been so fun having Rachael here with us, I don't know what I would do without her!  Its funny because whenever she comes with us, it's like having my best friend here and it's amazing!  Makes things so much more fun, funny, and real!  I don't know how I got so lucky to serve here!

Friday night was a first! haha.... we had a Joseph Smith Movie night with 4 50+ year old ladies, and Rachael!  It was so funny!  I never thought I would ever have a Friday night movie night like that one!  Yesterday for P-day we got together with the zone in Burlington and played bball, and kickball....then some ultimate frisbee in the snowstorm!  FREEZING, but SO FUN!!!   

Jim and Kathy Gilbert are the sweetest people ever!  We were over at there house Saturday, and we heard all about their past!  It was so cool to hear how they have changed their lives around completely, and are now wanting to truly come to know the truth.  Jim told us we are his angels....and boy was that a blessing to hear.  It's moments like that where I know I am exactly where I need to be, and doing exactly what Heavenly Father needs me to do.  Kathy last night (who had't wanted us coming over 6 weeks ago), told us she loves having us over.  Oh I just love them! :) 

AHHH! I only have five minutes left....and have so much more to say!  But I just want to tell you all Iove you and am grateful for you! 

 

Love Always,

Sister Alston

Howdie Ya'll

I have been truly blessed.  And just to start off, I know that prayer is real and that Heavenly Father knows us all PERFECTLY!  Thank you for all the prayers on my behalf, I can feel them each and every day.  

I love Keokuk so much!  Being in a small town really is the best.  Yeah, you deal with a lot of drama and everybody knowing everything about everyone all the time...but I know them and am grateful Heavenly Father knew this is where I have needed to be.

This past week was great!  Monday we played bball with the elders in a park (oh that's another thing I love about Iowa...Parks...EVERYWHERE!)  and we kicked some trash with our mad bball skillz! haha.  Tuesday morning we helped a branch member clean and pack up her kitchen so she could move up to Ft. Madison the next day.  Sad to see her and her husband go, but happy that they will have a much needed change.  Sister Andersen and I had felt like we were needed up in a certain area so head up there before an appointment and knock on a door which we were both "feeling", but no one answered...we knock on a door around the corner and this nice older lady comes out and talks to us.  She lost her husband a year ago, and her daughter and her little girl just moved in because the dad left them.  They were both so friendly and welcoming and we know they are in need of the gospel.  After talking to them for a bit, we went and saw Jim and Kathy Gilbert (an older couple who had met with elders years ago)...and holy cow!  Kathy has done a complete 360!  At first, Jim was the only one that would listen, but now as we have focused the discussion on Jesus Christ and what He has done for us, her heart is completely softening!  Jim began reading the Book of Mormon again, and reads aloud to Kathy as well; who says it sounds a lot like the Bible and they both believe it's true.  They accepted the invitation to be baptized, and we are excited to continue working with them.  We had received a referral from a member in Ft. Madison for a lady in our area named Marsha.  She has worked around members for awhile, but never knew much about the church.  Grew up Lutheran, but very open to what we believe and such a sweet lady!

Wednesday we had interviews with President and Sister Jensen, who I just love so much!  It was nice to talk about my struggles, health issues, and such, and be reassured that everything will be alright.  I know that no matter what, this is where I am needed at this time.  After interviews we drove up to Burlington for exchanges with the sisters there and had such a great time!  The sisters in this mission are so wonderful, powerful, and strong in testimony and faith!  It was fun to get to know them better and spend the day seeing miracles!  We were even able to set a new date with one of their investigators who had been struggling.

Thursday we drove back to Keokuk, and being Halloween we either had to be home or with members starting at 6...so we were able to go to Nauvoo for the youth Halloween party!  So much fun!

Let's see.... we are so blessed with wonderful families in this area, and I am grateful for their stories and testimonies, and willingness to help us in any way!  The branch is slowly catching the missionary vision and we are excited to see what it becomes!

I love you all so much and am forever grateful for all you have done and continue to do for me.

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Chantae Alston