Life on the Mississippi

First of all…I forgot the most exciting part of last week!  Haha…Sunday afternoon, we are out walking and start talking to a girl who sends us a few houses down to a home where members used to live…we go and knock on the door and this older woman comes out.  She immediately says, “I know who you are…” and then proceeds to curse us.  Haha.  Literally curses us, the church, Joseph Smith, Moroni, the Book of Mormon; then tells us to never come back again and slams the door behind her.  Sister Rogers and I just looked at each other and said, “You know, I always thought getting cursed would feel different…” haha.  Anyways, that was fun!

Monday:  A fun P-day complete with a birthday party at pizza hut for one of the young women and then a full day chillin at the Brumbles playing games and makin crazy videos!...note to self: never play Mad Gab Mormon Version with Sister Rogers ever again.  My brain just doesn’t work that way.  We had way too much fun! 

Tuesday:   We had a chuck-full day of great lessons!  Started with meeting with Patti, who is more interested in just learning about what we believe and not really willing to change.  Then we went to follow up with Linda…on Sunday we were walking past her getting in a car and she looked super familiar (but I didn’t know where from); so we just started talking to her and she says, oh hey girls!...do you have more books for me to read?!?  Haha…uhhh….we asked if we could just come over and teach her and she told us when and where, not really expecting her to really be there…but come Tuesday morning she sure was there at home and welcomed us in to meet with her, and her 2 daughters as well!  We had a really cool restoration lesson and the 3 of them accepted the baptismal invite.  Apparently Linda knows quite a few members of the branch and had been given a Book of Mormon a few years ago which she reads once in awhile.  One of her daughters, Shalece, is 21 and was soaking in the whole lesson…she even helped her mom understand some of the info she was confused on.  It was cool to feel and see the spirit working within them.  I love this gospel so much!  Tuesday night we had dinner with our new neighbor, Morgan who had invited us over.  She is 19 years old, from Georgia…and is awesome!  We were also able to teach her a little of the restoration which she thought was “absolutely beautiful”.  We are grateful Heavenly Father let us live there to find her!

Wednesday:  Interviews with President Jensen!  I love interviews!  …except he asked me what my plans are for after the mission, and uhhhh… haha… good question president!  I don’t want to think of that right now!  So I’m not!  Haha.  No…it was good to hear his advice and talk to him about the options.  He’s so great.  After interviews, I went on exchanges in Hamilton with Sister Lindgren.  The first person we saw was their recent convert Pattie.  She had planned on showing her a mormon message or something, but it wouldn’t work….we end up having an inspired lesson on the power of the Book of Mormon and saw Pattie’s testimony of it strengthened.  My testimony was strengthened as well, knowing that Heavenly Father really does put into our mouths the words we need when we need them.   Following up with a potential the sisters had met on the street, we are welcomed into Nicole’s apartment and teach her the restoration.  She was excited about it, but then her mom called and when she said she was with the mormon girls, pretty much freaked out.  Opposition in all things, right? Wow, Satan is working really hard; which means we have to work even harder.  I do know that the light always wins.  Even though people have their agency…as long as we are doing our part and teaching them the truth and helping them feel the spirit, we are doing what we are supposed to be doing. 

Thursday:  we end up being stuck inside most of the day because of weather conditions and the president apparently not wanting us to get frostbite.  We end up going to the temple for a session and having a wonderful day.  I love the temple!!! 

Friday:  Weekly planning days are always fun… haha.  Really though, I love planning and discussing the progress of those we are working with. Now if the plans we made actually went through most of the time!  Haha.  Oh the joys of crazy missionary work!  It’s the best!  We had planned on seeing Christi and kids, but when we got there we felt like we needed to be somewhere else.  We end up at Charley Scudders…who we hadn’t seen in a couple weeks.  We talk to him about the many sets of missionaries he’s seen and how the Lord has shaped him and tested him in multiple ways.  He told us how he has a goal of living the word of wisdom 100% by March 2^nd…we then invited him to set a baptismal goal of March 15^th, and after helping resolve his concerns about setting that goal he ended up even praying to be able to achieve that goal. 

Well…I’m out of time, and I’m sure you are too…haha.  But I am just so grateful to be a missionary here at this time and be able to share my experiences with you.  Even though they most likely make little to no sense whatsoever because I just blabber on half the time, I’m happy I get to share them with you.   The church is true. Jesus Christ lives, and He loves us…more than we will ever comprehend. 

Love you all!

Sister Natalia Alston 

Tri-State Week!!!

Another insanely busy week here in the Iowa Des Moines Mission!!!  I am not really sure where to even start! haha.  Well I guess we'll start with...

Monday:  we drove down to Hannibal, MO for exchanges with SIster Robertson and Sister Kissner.  On the way, my GPS decided to take us a "short cut" way...and we ended up on some back dirt country roads, no idea where we were and was a bit freaked out when we passed some creepy abandoned farm houses and barns.  haha...but we just kept driving and eventually found the highway again!  It was quite good fun! ;)  

Tuesday:  Full day in Hannibal with the sisters was a wild success!  I went with Sister Kissner for the morning and we went to check up on a former investigator, but ended up finding out she moved. We stayed in that area and knocked all around.  The first door we knocked on nobody answered but the neighbor came to her front door thinking we had knocked on hers.  She let us right in and we were able to teach the restoration and she even told us about her baptism when she was little and how she wishes she could be baptized again!...holy cow!  haha.  In that same neighborhood we also set up about 5 return appointments for the coming days!  While Sister Rogers was with Sister Robertson, they were able to set a date with an investigator they had been struggling with...so many blessings!  It was so fun to see miracles and have the sisters be so excited to continue being in their area.  :)  

Wednesday:  back in Keokuk for the day! yay!  However, we were only able to see the Salyers, Tina, and Christi...and then we packed up and moved!  haha.  Fasted packing and moving job I've ever done that's for sure!  We now live in Montrose, IA...right on the Mississippi River across from the temple!...yep...it's amazing and I have no idea how I continue to be so blessed!  In fact, last night was a full moon and was right above the temple as we came home...it was such a glorious sight with the light reflecting on the river.
Thursday:  District meeting and exchanges in Macomb, IL!  After district meeting, Sister Rogers and I were able to spend the rest of the day on exchanges with Sister Harmon and Sister Porter (who just got here 2 weeks ago)...I was able to spend the whole time with her.  Even though it was a short 5 hour exchange, we were so blessed to see more miracles!  Sister Porter and I went to check on a potential, who told us to come back a little later that night, but sent us to her neighbor...we knock on her neighbor's door, and hear "come in!"  haha...I always wonder if they regret saying that when they see who was actually at the door...haha.  Anyways....we ended up meeting the neighbor's grandson and his girlfriend who are rarely there.  They gladly let us teach them the restoration.  Michael was so engulfed by the information.  We don't usually do this, but we had him read the first vision. Afterward, he said he felt a lot like Joseph Smith and how everything we had said was familiar and reminding him of what he really does believe.  Having been offended by his old church, he was wanting to find the truth.  MIRACLES!!!  Once again, it was so fun to help these sisters be re-excited about the work and be able to see the Lord's hand at work.  

We finally had half-day Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Keokuk.  Having had no time at all to prepare, we spoke in church yesterday.  Good thing it was on my favorite topic: starting anew and the Atonement.  I am so grateful we have the opportunity to start anew each second of every day. I am also grateful that we are able to take the sacrament and renew our covenants with Heavenly Father each and every week.  What a blessing and wonderful gift our Father in Heaven has given us. I'm sorry this email is pretty scattered and all over the place: as is my life and my brain all the time.  haha.  I am so grateful to all of you for your constant love and support, and love you all so so so much!  Have a fantastic week!

Love Always,
Sister Alston   

The Spirit of God

I'm having a hard time coming up with "titles" for my emails can ya tell? haha.  However, this one fits for this week.  It has been yet another crazy week, but the spirit has been strong and I have once again been reminded of the importance and incredible gift of the spirit in our lives.  Here is a little breakdown of our week:

Monday: P-day

Tuesday: MLC in Iowa City all day

Wednesday: Exchanges in Kirksville, MO

Thursday: Training at Zone Training Meeting in Kirksville, MO

Friday: Training at Zone Training Meeting in Burlington, IA

so...the only full days we had to work in our area this past week were Saturday and Sunday!  Somehow, we got 14 solid lessons in... and it's all because Heavenly Father loves us!!!  Tuesday's MLC was Sister Rogers' first and it was fun!  We discussed as a leadership council the importance of goals, and the new goal for the Iowa Des Moines Mission for 2014.  Last year, we had 545 baptisms as a mission, which is 145 more than the previous year.  Honestly, it was a bit hard to not meet our goal of 550...but President Jensen emphasized the importance of remembering that success comes in the journey of achieving goals.  He also told us how proud Heavenly Father is of us achieving 99.1% of our goal for the year.  We truly do have the most amazing mission here, and I feel so blessed to be a part of it! :)

Wednesday we drove down to Kirksville and had such a wonderful exchange with Sisters Johannson and Hunter, and were able to see many miracles!  Sis. Johannson and I went and taught a lady and her family for the first time and they were so willing to learn more and are some of the most prepared people I've met!  Ended up with 5 new investigators, and I am so excited to continue hearing about them progressing in the gospel.  I also had the honor of eating dinner with Jaque...one of their recent converts; who is Joseph's Smith's 5th great granddaughter...direct descendant!  It was such a strong testimony builder to hear her share her conversion story.  Growing up RLDS, having basically the exact same beliefs as we do, believing in Joseph Smith (obviously) and the Priesthood, temples, prophets, the Book of Mormon, etc...when she went to her church she had a hard time feeling the spirit, but the first time she attended a sacrament meeting with the sisters she knew it was where Heavenly Father wanted her to be, she knew it was true.  It was funny because the sisters would always joke and say, "well..we've never taught another Mormon before!"  There was such a strong spirit about her, and I do feel so privileged to have met her.  

Thursday's Zone Training in Kirksville with the Quincy Zone was fun.  Sister Rogers and I relayed Sister Jensen's training from MLC...all on etiquette and manners! bahahaha...yeah...we laughed too.  Just kidding; we made it fun and even tied in scriptures and how it applies to not only missionary life but for the rest of our lives!  It was great!  On the way back from Kirksville, we ended up stopping in Kahoka to check up on Hailey (the one we miraculously met before Christmas while asking for directions).  She welcomed us in, and gladly accepted the invitation to be baptized! She would have come to church, but ended up getting sick!  So excited to continue working with her.  In fact, one of her New Years resolutions was to strengthen her relationship and faith in God and Jesus Christ!  :D  

Having a lot of time in the car, Sister Rogers and I have been able to talk A LOT.  It has been so fun to be able to get to know each other more and more and I just love her so dang much!  She seriously is amazing and I am so blessed to have her as my companion!  We have been blessed with a greater appreciation for the spirit.  We talked about how the greatest thing we can have is the Holy Ghost to lead, guide, and comfort us.  As long as we have that spirit with us, and are able to share it with others....we can be confident that Heavenly Father is pleased with what we are doing.  

Saturday we went on a new apartment hunt, since the Brodegards are moving... we go to this apartment that Rachael had found and told us about, end up not being there to find an apartment, but finding Cynthia and her family!  She is the property manager, and just moved from Washington 2 months ago.  She told us how the first thing she did was find a church, but not sure how she feels about it yet.  We didn't have to do anything!...she asked us where the church was, if we could come teach her and her family more about it, if we had a youth program that would help her 3 girls (11, 13, 15)...etc.  WOW!  We left and were a bit in shock!  SO GRATEFUL!!! 

 

Anyways... There is so much more I could write, but I just want to say how grateful I am for the spirit in my life.  I never want to do anything that would drive that spirit away.  I am forever grateful for the memories I am making, eternal friendships being made, and my testimony that continues being refined and strengthened.  I love you all so much!  Have a great week!

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Alston

SEESTERS!!!

my poor boots...getting new ones today, don't worry! 

The Mighty Mississippi!! 

New Year, New Companion, New Car!!!

It's a time of change that's for sure!  Welcomed in the New Year getting a good night's rest and having transfers the following day! :) ...which also we were surprised with a brand new car so we don't have to be in a car share anymore!  Literally...BRAND NEW CAR!  2014 Jeep Compass, complete with 4WD and all! :)  It had 150 miles on it when we left Iowa City.  haha.  I've never driven such a new car in my life!
Sister Halee Rogers is my new comp!  ...not sure what President was thinking putting the 2 craziest sisters together, but hey!  LIFE IS A PARTY! :)  Sister Rogers has been out 7 1/2 months, is from Gilbert AZ and is a hoot and a half...and 6 inches taller than me! bahaha!  

So excited for this transfer, it's going to be miraculous!  ...I'm such a terrible companion though.  haha.  Pulled a pretty mean prank on her!  ....so we had set up with the Salyers beforehand to play as a family friend of the Pena's and we would go in as a first lesson.  So we go over there and they welcome us in, introduce ourselves and "get to know" them a bit.  Mike goes on to say how they've done a lot of research, read the Book of Mormon, knows it's true and wants to be baptized.  He said he and Mary have thought a lot about it, and prayed about it...and is okay to marry more than one woman so he could be a part of the church.  I just about lost it at this point....but Sister Rogers handled it very well!  This went on for about 5 minutes...then Mike finally broke and told her the truth!  Yeah.....it was bad.  haha.  But Sister Rogers will never forget her first experience in Keokuk! I guess I continue to carry on the name of "queen of surprises!"  :) 

We have already had so much fun, and are seeing success here in Keokuk.  On Friday we were walking around and this lady was walking out of her house to get into her car so we stopped and talked to her for a bit.  Come to find out, she moved from Ft. Madison 2 months ago and has been wanting to find a church to go to!  She has 5 kids too!  :)  We are excited to meet with Darsey and help her and her family!  MIRACLES!  I love being able to see the hand of the Lord placing specific people in our path each and every day.  As long as we are willing to open our mouths, miracles happen people!

On Saturday we were able to help Patti move apartments, which was fun!  We ended up talking to her a bit and invited her to take the "discussions" from us...and she said that would be nice.  She is very strong in her faith, but all we can do is invite, teach, and let the spirit guide and work within her heart! :)  She is a wonderful woman and has been through so much.  She's one of those "kindred spirits" and she also thought I seemed familiar which is why she is willing to learn more.  She knew I played guitar, so as we were moving, she gave me a guitar and said she was going to try and learn...but doesn't have time...SO NICE!  I love meeting all these wonderful people and making new friendships that will last forever.  There are incredible people in this world.  

One thing I learned this week was the importance of faith.  At transfer meeting, one of the talks was on faith...all miracles are brought about by faith since the beginning of time...it's how God works.  The idea of having faith, however, has completely changed for me.  Not only is it a hope for things or belief in what we can't see, but an EXPECTATION.  If we expect things to happen, the powers of heaven will be unleashed.  I think it goes along with the "law of attraction"...having the mindset that certain things will happen, and not letting anything get in the way of that...if we expect things to happen, they will!  So...that's what I am working on this transfer in particular...is turning my faith into expectations.  I EXPECT great things to happen! :)  

I am so grateful I have this new year to continue serving the Lord here in the mission field.  It's going to be an exciting year! :) 

Love you all!!!

Sister Natalia Alston

PS... today there is a low of -5 and even lower of -20!  haha...We aren't allowed to be outside!  craziness!