What a great first week of December! Instead of making gingerbread houses, we found some cute rice crispy snowmen and had some fun! Played some more volleyball, did yoga, and even some kick-boxing this morning to stay warm! Haha. It finally snowed yesterday, so now it has reason to be cold! When it was 3 degrees and windy, with no snow…it was just miserable! But now it looks pretty and is actually quite a bit warmer with the snow as insulation. Things sure have been crazy once again, and Sister Andersen and I were out of our area for another 3 days in a row with Mission Leadership Council and Zone Training Meetings. Going from Iowa City to Nauvoo to Quincy! So much fun though! Sister Jensen gave such a wonderful training on the power of positive thinking. I felt like I was talking to my mom! (LOVE YOU MOM!) It’s so true, the way we think is the way we act. We can’t control the wind, but we can adjust the sails. President Jensen also reminded us of the importance of covenants. Something that I had never thought of before is the covenant I made to serve a full-time mission. When I signed my acceptance letter, I entered into a covenant. THAT is why it was so hard to make the final decision to go. Satan knew it would be a good thing, that this covenant would effect the rest of my life, and he did not want me coming out!...Anyways, it all makes sense now. Boy am I glad I still came! It has been the best thing ever! I am also so grateful for the opportunity that we have to take the sacrament each Sunday, and that we are able to renew ALL covenants we make with God. The church is true!
Saturday we were able to go with Mark, Christi, Dylan, Akadia, Caleb and Alexis to Nauvoo to see the Nativity displays at the stake center, give them a church tour, and then spent some time at the visitor center! I love that family so much! As we were talking about the temple, Akadia asked if she could go inside. We told her she had to wait till she is baptized, and she said, “well, can I get baptized tonight and go to the temple tomorrow!?” haha. It’s amazing how the kids just soak up the gospel! It’s amazing! Yesterday, they came to church which was such a blessing, and they loved it and plan to come back! It’s so cool to look back and see the miracle of this family. Finding them and just befriending them, not being let in the first few times going over there…and now they are looking to be baptized! Heavenly Father’s plan is perfect!
In Sunday School, the most amazing lesson was given by the branch mission leader on the law of chastity and importance of the family unit. He went to Moroni 7:45-47 and changed the word “charity” to “family”… “And FAMILY suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Wherefore, my beloved brethren (and sisteren haha), if ye have not FAMILY, ye are nothing, for FAMILY never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto FAMILY, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail – But FAMILY is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” I am so grateful to my family, for the charity and love they continually show me. I know that families can be together forever. I HAVE THE BEST FAMILY IN ALL OF ETERNITY NO BATTLE BOOM! Haha. For reals though… Even though it’s never been perfect, it’s been pretty darn close, and I know it’s only going to get better. I’m so grateful for the experiences we have shared, for the lessons I have learned, and for the love I have felt that I could get nowhere else.
I LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU ALL SO MUCH!
Love Always,
Sister Natalia Alston
ps...apparently there is a video of me doing head shoulders knees and toes in singing time last Sunday...haha. yep, I'm still me! ;)
oh yeah! I forgot! Thursday night we went to Dylan's 5th grade "crazy Christmas" performance at the Grand Theater and it was so fun! Because I wasn't able to make it to Tasia's performances, I guess it will suffice. They even did Holiday Lights, and it took me back to the good old 6th grade days! SO FUN!
oh yeah! I forgot! Thursday night we went to Dylan's 5th grade "crazy Christmas" performance at the Grand Theater and it was so fun! Because I wasn't able to make it to Tasia's performances, I guess it will suffice. They even did Holiday Lights, and it took me back to the good old 6th grade days! SO FUN!
 |
| snowman rice crispy treats! |
 |
| Dylan's 5th grade Christmas performance |
 |
| winter fun! |
No comments:
Post a Comment