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!