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
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