Well....this marks the official ONE YEAR out this week!  ....I swear I was just living in Hawaii like yesterday...but that was 2 years ago already!  Holy cow!  It has also been the craziest, most hectic and stressful week on my mission as well! haha.... I didn't know so much opposition, confusion, worry, joy, knowledge, stress, happiness, love, etc...could all come out of a single week!  I don't even know where to begin! Okay fine...we'll start at the very beginning: 

TUESDAY:  Mission Leadership Council in Iowa City.  It's always weird going back to the big city after being in Keokuk so long.  haha.  We had an amazing leadership meeting with President and Sister Jensen and received so many wonderful trainings.  There has been a big emphasis on Learning By Faith.  So often we focus on teaching with the spirit, but forget about learning by faith.  I was reminded that it really isn't up to me to convert these people, but it's only the spirit that will and can if they allow it to enter their hearts and put forth the effort to learn and desire to know.  We ourselves have to constantly learn by faith as well.  Building our relationship with the Godhead is the most important thing we can do; especially when there is so much opposition in the world today.  Learning by Faith takes effort and requires personal action, not just being acted upon.  "The most important learnings of life are CAUGHT - not TAUGHT!"  I LOVED THAT!!!! :)  I thought of how my parents have helped me learn by faith my whole life - they have taught me right from wrong, but they never ever forced me to do anything. They left it up to me to decide and to act for myself and learn by experience...taking leaps of faith my whole life and learning and growing into the person I am today.  They will tell you they had nothing to do with it, but they had EVERYTHING to do with it and I am so grateful for all they have taught me.  They taught me what was most important.  They taught me how to make decisions for myself, to act and not be acted upon...even though some of the choices most likely the choices they would have liked me to make, they allowed me to use my agency and have the consequences necessary to learn and become better.  I HAVE THE BEST PARENTS EVER! :)  Anyways... my mind kind of wandered as we were discussing this and that is what I was thinking about.  Thank you mom and dad!  (Great, I'm rambling again!)...I'll talk about the other part of the training in a bit. 

WEDNESDAY:  The last email day we had.  :)  wow...I can't even remember that without looking in my planner! haha.  Brain = fried! :P  We spent some time putting together a member-missionary fireside for the branch.  We are super excited to have this program next week.  (If you haven't checked out the work of salvation lds.org site...DO IT!)  Wednesday afternoon we met Pam and the Masons at the church building to help Pam be more comfortable with her baptism, taking her in the font and showing her exactly what she was going to do.  However, that night...she had a dream that she hit her head and got really hurt.  Having a traumatic brain injury already, this really scared her and she made up her mind that she did not want to be baptized in the font.  She got a blessing on Thursday, and everything was okay. 

THURSDAY:  Sister Rogers and I had Zone Training Meeting in Quincy.  It's fun going to all the meetings, and even better because we get to hear the same trainings 3 times in the week...which means we are really the ones who need to hear it the most.  haha.  It is so neat to see how the trainings change according to the zone though, and how the spirit works within those meetings...awe man...the spirit is incredible!  We drove back from Quincy in a super bad rain storm, which was fun... the went to Pam's to make sure she was okay.  Still a little worked up about the nightmare she had, but after the blessing she was fine again and the baptism was still on for Saturday. 

FRIDAY:  Nauvoo Zone Training Meeting in Burlington...yep...another day in the car! haha.  Who knew life as a missionary was so crazy!...just wait!  This zone training meeting was one of the best that I have been to yet.  It's amazing to have a training planned, then feel the hand of the Lord guide and direct it to where it actually needs to go according to the needs of those in the zone.  Sister Rogers and I were able to train on SACRIFICE.  "I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it."  Heavenly Father is always asking us to sacrifice things, but something which I learned and was reminded about is the fact that He knows exactly what we will do in every situation...we are asked to sacrifice things and go through certain experiences so WE can know that we can do it.  The only thing that we are able to give back to our Father in Heaven that he hasn't already given us it our heart, our desire and agency to do His will.  We are never asked to sacrifice anything without being promised blessings in return.  Even though we may not see those blessings immediately, they will come.  As we submit our will to the Father's will, he blesses us more than we know at this time.  During this whole training, the spirit was so strong.  At the end, we invited whoever wanted to, to share their testimony of the sacrifices they have made and blessings they have seen.  It was amazing.  I want to share with you my testimony of sacrifice, that I know that as we sacrifice our will and strive to do what Heavenly Father wants and needs us to do, he blesses us and is aware of every single thing we do.  I know that the ultimate sacrifice was provided by our older brother, Jesus Christ...who gave everything back to his father and for us...so that we could receive those blessings Heavenly Father has in store for us.  I am so grateful for the sacrifice others have made on my behalf, for my ancestors decision to have the gospel in their lives, and for teaching their children the truth...and for passing that truth right down to me.  We are so blessed to have the gospel in our lives.  Now...after this wonderful spirit-filled meeting, we get out and have 15 notifications on our phone...telling us Pam was refusing to get baptized and that it was being cancelled because she didn't want to do it.  Our hearts just dropped and the craziness began.  So....Friday night we go to the temple with the branch and I just felt to calm and it was amazing.  Get back from the temple, and the craziness just gets worse.  On the phone until 11:00 PM trying to figure things out.  Don't sleep at all.

SATUDAY:  Wake up, find out the true reason why Pam doesn't want to get baptized really is because she was afraid of hitting her head in the font.  Go visit her, and find out she had a dream that morning about being baptized in a pool and everything went well.  We end up spending 2 hours at the YMCA trying to figure out if we could have a baptism there.  They were fine with it, schedule it for Sunday at 4:00...get a call from the one who is baptizing her telling us that wouldn't work....finally get it scheduled for 12:30...just a small group would go over after Sunday School and do the baptism, then have the service with the branch just after church.  okay...moving forward with faith, praying harder than I'd ever prayed before. 

SUNDAY:  Not really sure what was actually going to happen.  Pam comes to sacrament all ready to go...branch president was all for going at 12:30, get there, SHE GOT BAPTIZED, then we went back and had a beautiful service after church.  Yep, that's it in a nutshell! haha.  In the end, it was an amazing experience.  Watching Pam be baptized in the YMCA pool reminded me that it really doesn't matter where, but as long as it is done with the priesthood, it is right.  Her face when she came up out of the water was priceless.  She was so happy and glowing. 

 

YEP!....CRAZIEST WEEK EVER!!!!!.... but I am so grateful that I had that experience, because it was another testament to me that this work is true.  The adversary would not be working so hard if it were not.  I know it's true.  And I am forever grateful for it in my life.  Remember how blessed you are.  Remember the reality of God's plan for you.  Remember that He loves you, and that I LOVE YOU!!!!  I could go into further detail, but it might take you a week to read!  haha...   Hope ya'll have a wonderful week this week! 

 

Love Always,

 

Sister Natalia Alston                      

sunrise anyone?

Valentine's fun

Pam before her baptism

There is a first time for everything...Pam ended up getting baptized in the YMCA pool Sunday afternoon! 

This is Lizzie, our branch president's cow

From the Exodus walk a couple weeks ago

Hola

Well hey there again errbody!  Sorry I'm just getting to email today!...Monday being President's Day and the library was closed, then yesterday we were in Iowa City all day at MLC so that was fun!  Anywho!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day and a fabulous week!  It's been a little hectic over here; but what's new right? haha.  Let's see...

Monday: we had a wonderful discussion with a member couple (he used to be the branch president) about what we can do to help the branch catch the vision of missionary work.  He talked about how when he was a bishop once in Ohio they were asked to really focused on missionary work...imagine that! haha.  Anyways, ended up having some great ideas come up on how we can get the members involved and more excited...and we have a work of salvation fireside this sunday which should be wonderful and really get the ball rolling.

Tuesday:  we went to follow up with a potential and ended up having a 20 minute discussion with her boyfriend on the doorstep.  At first, we weren't too sure how it was going to go, but it ended up being a really neat experience!  Talking about how wonderful it is that God places people exactly where they need to be.  We invited him to church and told him about the Book of Mormon and said we are welcome to come back and talk to him and his family.  His father is a pastor at a church in Ft. Madison, but they don't go there often...so we'll see! :)  We stopped by the Salyers to see how everything was going.  Mike had been in and out of the hospital, but we ended up talking with Mary about how she was feeling and had a good discussion with her.  AND SHE PRAYED!!!!!  IT WAS A MIRACLE!  But shhh...nobody is supposed to know that.  haha.  Tuesday night we went to Sister Susan Black Durrant's lecture in Nauvoo and performed the song she asked for the week before which went great!  She is a wonderful person and so intelligent! 

Wednesday:  P-Day! :) we had one last district P-day and played volleyball from 12-2, went bowling from 2-4, then more volleyball from 4-6!  It was so fun! 

Friday: VALENTINE'S DAY!... I WAS SICK. :(  Slept the morning away... moved to the couch and fell back asleep, then woke up to a knock on the door and Rachael, Shari, and Emily came and surprised us!.... Apparently they were going to come heart attack our apartment while we were out, but I kinda ruined that idea...whoops...haha.  However, it ended up being the best Valentine's Day ever! 

Saturday:  We had Pam's baptismal interview with the zone leaders, then headed to district meeting in Macomb, IL. 

Sunday: Sister Rogers and I sang Because I have been given much in sacrament meeting, went to Relief Society for the first time in 6 weeks (having been in primary all that time.), had a wonderful meeting with President Brumble, the new branch president.  He is awesome and we are so excited to see how the branch grows.    

Monday: We did nothing.  haha.  literally...we woke up to 1/8-1/2 inch of ice covering everything from the freezing rain storm...and were stuck inside until about 3.  Rachael came over and we had a little jam session, lounged around, and had a relaxing time.  It was great!...then we went to Midwest and played volleyball for a couple hours which is always fun.

Tuesday (yesterday):  MLC in Iowa City all day.... it was a great meeting and I was reminded of several things I need to work on and remember.  haha.  It's great going to those meetings and seeing how the other missionaries are also having the same kind of issues and worries as me!  I'm not alone! haha....

 

Anyways...yeah...this isn't the best email and I apologize!  My mind is going a million different ways as always.  This week I am so grateful the Mallory James is getting baptized on Saturday back in Utah!  What a special time that will be for her, I am grateful Heavenly Father is taking such good care of my family and friends back home as well. :)  Pam Wrieden will be baptizedthis Saturday here as well...so knowing that my family is at the same event as I am is so cool!  Oh man...I love this gospel, and am so grateful to have it in my life.  Thank you all for your prayers and support.

 

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Alston 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Okay, I know it's not until Friday...but since I won't be emailing again until next Monday I figured better early than late! :)  So I  hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day...I send a bunch of "HOGS AND KISSES" your way!!! 

This week has been amazing to say the least.  Different, but amazing!  I love being a missionary! 

MONDAY:  We were able to spend the day in Carthage and Nauvoo with our zone for P-day.  My first time to Carthage!  It is such a special place.  I am so grateful I was able to go and feel the spirit testify to me that Joseph Smith truly was a prophet of God who was called to restore the Church of Jesus Christ back to the earth in it's fullness.  He is someone I admire.  His dedication and service to the Lord is an example for us all.  To follow with exactness what the Lord asked...and even giving his life.  Even though we may not be asked to give our lives, we are asked to give all we have; especially when asked.  When thinking about the idea of consecrating our lives to the church and to the Lord, I was reminded that everything we have is His anyways.  Every single thing we have been blessed with is because of his love for us.  He created all things and blessed us with so much.  We will never be able to repay him, but we can do all we can to serve him and do what he asks of us.  I am grateful I have been given this opportunity to give all I have to him.  To help in the vineyard this last time before he comes again.

TUESDAY:  We were able to meet with Morgan again (our neighbor) and to hear more of her story.  It's amazing how the Lord truly is preparing people all around us to accept the gospel.  There really are people searching for the truth, but don't know where to find it.  We read from the Book of Mormon with her and as we read she had so many questions and really felt like it was true.  She had thought the Book of Mormon was to replace the Bible, so when we told her it was an additional witness of the truth, she was so excited really wants to get into it.  Because of a nasty storm that came in Tuesday afternoon, we got grounded.  Being at the Olsen's practicing a musical number, we stayed for a little while and talked with Rachael.  Holy cow I love her so much!!!  It seems that Heavenly Father continues to know exactly what I need in my life, and I am forever grateful he has placed Rachael as an angel in my life to support, love and help me.  Man...Heavenly Father is amazing.  His plan is perfect.  Tuesday night we ended up going to Nauvoo to hear Sister Susan Black Durrant's lecture on Joseph Smith and Far West, MO.  She is doing a lecture series twice a week, and they are so interesting!  I love learning more and more of the history, because it solidifies my testimony of the reality and truthfulness of this work.  I am so blessed to be serving in such a special place.  BEST MISSION EVER!  :) 

WEDNESDAY:  We had the zone leaders come interview Pam for baptism; which went so well...however, she made the decision to move her baptism back 2 weeks to make sure she is ready.  I love Pam so much.  It has been so neat to see and feel her testimony grow and come to know that these things are true.  She now has a deep desire and knowledge that she does need to be baptized and knows it will bless her life.  She's one of those who if we are having a rough day, we go visit her and she never fails to lift our spirits.  I LOVE HER and am so excited she will be baptized on the 22nd! :) 

THURSDAY:  I love teaching kids!!!  They soak everything up!  We were able to meet with Dillon and Akadia again and they seriously have so much faith, and understand the gospel way more than I did when I was 9 and 11! haha.  It's amazing to see them automatically understand and remember the things we teach them, and be so excited to be baptized and love coming to church. 

SATURDAY:  BEST DAY EVER!!!  Started off going to the Nauvoo Exodus (a re-enactment thing of the saints leaving Nauvoo).  It was freezing!!!  We were able to walk the path to the Mississippi the early saints did as they left their city of Nauvoo.  Being with President and Sister Jensen, a couple sisters and a couple elders, Rachel, the Warners, the Christensens...it felt like I was with my family and it was such a neat experience!  At the end we sang Come, Come Ye Saints and I almost started crying because I felt the spirit...but it was too cold I think my tears froze inside my eyes before they could come out.  Just kidding.  We were all able to walk out on the frozen Mississippi which was so cool!  Not everyone gets to say they've done that!  I seriously am so blessed!  

President and Sister Jensen had asked Sister Rogers and I to come be a part of the stake youth conference afterwards, where we were able to answer some questions and talk about how we prepared for our missions and how we wish we would have prepared....haha.  It was awesome!  I love being with the youth.  They are so amazing and I always feel so loved when I am with them! :)  Since we were already in Nauvoo, President let us go to the temple and do a session; which was incredible.  Once again, reminded of how grateful I am for the knowledge of the gospel in my life.  Being able to feel of Heavenly Father's love and know he has a plan specifically for me gives me hope.  He knows my struggles, he knows my pains, he knows everything....we don't ever have to be alone.  This gospel is amazing. The church is true!  :) 

I love you all so much and am eternally grateful for all the love, prayers, support you give me. 

 

xoxoxoxo

Sister Natalia Alston 

Happy Groundhogs Day

This week I have been reminded of the importance of the Atonement.  This morning, in personal study, I read Enos.... my FAVORITE!  As I read, I was reminded of experiences in my own life and how real Enos' experience is.  "The wrestle which I had with God before I received a remission of sins."  I think we all wrestle in the time of repentance - maybe not necessarily with God, but with the adversary.  Wondering to know what God thought of Him, Enos' faith and desire allowed him to receive confirmation that his sins were forgiven him.  As we desire to know these things, and are using the atonement...Satan wants us to feel like we can't, that there's no point in even trying to get right with God.  Even after we have received that confirmation, Satan likes to bring up our pasts as a tool...but as we are strong and constantly focus on the here and now and where we are going, we are able to resist remembering the past.  If that makes any sense whatsoever...haha...I'm not the best with writing exactly how I feel all the time, but oh how I am so grateful for the Atonement!  I was also reminded of how when we truly understand the Atonement and experience it in our own lives, we have a greater desire to share the gospel with others.  Enos experienced this.  Lehi experienced this.  I have experienced this.  The more and more I understand the gospel, particularly the Atonement and what our Savior did for us...the greater my desire to share the gospel is and the happier I am!  So, I invite all of you to study the Atonement this week and feel the power and joy that comes from it each and every day! :)  Then share it with someone else!  

Yesterday, we saw Pam (who is getting baptized on Saturday).  She is an angel in my life, and is so close to the spirit.  As we talked, she shared with us her testimony of Jesus Christ and what he has done for her and how grateful she is to have us in her life and what strength she has received from us and the understanding we have helped her receive.  Pam was in an accident when she was 5, being hit and drug by a truck...leaving her with a serious brain injury so she is slow and takes time to remember and understand things. Yesterday, she told us she listened to 2 CDs of the Book of Mormon, and for the first time understood it all and knows the importance of what we have been teaching her.  She was able to attend a baptism on Saturday with us, and explained that as he went under the water and came up, she literally felt what he was feeling and knew that she is making the right decision to be baptized.  It has been amazing to see her testimony, knowledge, and understanding grow in the 6 months I've been here...and I know I came here because Heavenly Father needed me to meet her so she could strengthen my testimony.  

Jesus Christ lives.  He loves us.  The church is true.  The Book of Mormon is real and written for us individually.  I am so grateful for these things, and grateful for what the gospel has done for me, for what each of you have done for me as well.

Love always,

Sister Natalia Alston