Another year older...and wiser too?

I swear it was just my birthday last year...where is the time going?!?!?  Well...this week was a big change with transfers on Thursday

.  Sister Rogers is now serving in Iowa City (my birthplace)...and Sister Pratt is here in Keokuk again!  She was trained here by Sister Andersen for 3 months, then left when I came and now she's back! ..and I'm still here! hahaha.  Everyone was so happy to see her again, and it's going to be great!  Heavenly Father has a good sense of humor sometimes.  Actually, it's kinda cool cuz they have only had sisters here in Keokuk for almost a year now...and only 4 sisters have served here in that year!  weird, but awesome!!!  :)  I'm so grateful to be one of those 4!  Anyways...Sister Pratt is the bomb.  She is from Arizona, 19 years old (until the 28th of this month...), loves to hunt, has a pet alligator (wait, I don't know if anyone is supposed to know that one....), and I LOVE HER!!!  Basically, Heavenly Father has blessed me with the best companions ever.  I am so blessed! 

Some Highlights of the week:

CARTHAGE AND NAUVOO WITH THE SALYERS AND PENAS - Wednesday we spent the day at Carthage and old Nauvoo with the Salyers and Penas and had such a great time!  I had been to Carthage jail twice before, but this time was different...there was a different spirit there that I could feel.  As we sat in the martyrdom room, I felt the spirit touch my heart in a way that it never has before.  I was reminded of why it all happened, and why I am here as a missionary.  Being able to share my testimony of the restoration with the Salyers family, who has truly become family to me, in a place that is so significant and important in the history of the church and of the restoration...there's nothing that could have been better.  I am so grateful I am able to serve in this area, where there is so much history and where the spirit is so strong.  Though there are still persecutions and many rumors and hardened hearts...there's nowhere else I would rather serve.  I am here on my mission to help others have the same blessings that the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has brought to my life.  I never knew I could love people so much, and feel such an urgency and desire to share this great knowledge.  Man...missions are the best.  I know...I'm a nerd, always have been, always will be. ;) 

TEMPLE WITH THE DISTRICT - being the last P-day of the transfer, we were able to go to the temple as a district.  haha... I'm so spoiled.  I love the temple!!!! 

TRANSFER MEETING IN IOWA CITY - Thursday morning Sister Pena and Emily took us up to Iowa City for transfer meeting.  It was really hard to leave Sister Rogers, but I know she will love Iowa City so much and do wonderful things there.  Another funny story actually... Sister Rogers is now serving with her trainer again!...that doesn't happen very often!  In fact, her and Sister Pratt just switched places.  We pretty much knew that was going to happen since they were the only Sister Training Leaders being transferred...

WOMEN'S CONFERENCE BROADCAST - what a wonderful meeting that was!  It was so fun to watch and feel the spirit that was there!  I'm so glad they have decided to open it to all 8+ girls/women...so fun!  When they had all the 8-11 year olds stand, I knew Tasia was standing and singing and just about lost it... haha.  The youth of the church amaze me!!!  I loved how there was such an emphasis on unity and finding similarities and focusing on our strengths and using our unique abilities and talents to bless others.  I strongly believe that as we follow that counsel we will be more unified as sisters in Zion, and be happier all around!  Too often we are too hard on ourselves and on others... 

I never really get to say all that I want to say, but just know that all is well here in good ol' Keokuk!  I am so grateful for all of you, your love, prayers, and support.  I LOVE YOU and hope you have a fantastic week wherever you may be! 

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Alston

P.S.  GEN CON 2014 T-5 days!!!!!!!!  

Pam and Chloe

Elder and Sister Durrant

The Salyers/Pena clan in Nauvoo : )

woops...missed the self timer... haha

Sister Rogers is off to Iowa City!

cleaning the barn with the Cains!

The Salyers!

Let the Holy Spirit Guide

Wow!  What a week, I don't even know where to begin!  oh how about with breakfast this morning? haha... I have the best family ever! ...sending my favorite, CAFE RIO, back with Shari, Emily and Rachael!  so yup!...I ATE CAFE RIO FOR BREAKFAST THIS MORNING!!!! haha.  yaya! It really was such an amazing week!  However, both Sister Rogers and I were anxious for transfer doctrine, which finally came in this morning as well; and guess who's staying yet another transfer here in KEOKUK!???  ...it will be at least 9 months here for me!  boo ya! :)  Sister Rogers is being transferred on Thursday, so I will be getting a new companion... :(  I mean, it's good to switch it up every now and then...but I'm going to miss Sister Rogers!!!  I guess there's still a lot of work for me to do here, at least for another 6 weeks!  :D 

 

Okay, now for the good stuff, highlights of my week:

 

PAM GOT CONFIRMED YESTERDAY!!!!!  After being baptized a month ago, Pam Wrieden was finally confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and received the Holy Ghost! She was so excited, and so were we!  :)  She was just glowing...man, I just love her so much!  Her dad was able to make it, and absolutely loved church.  After the block, we actually ran over to Pam's to see how she was doing, and her dad was still with her so we were able to sit down and talk to him.  He stayed for sunday school (which was the coolest sunday school I have ever attended) and he said he learned so much and felt the spirit.  As we talked with him, he said he wants to learn more, and he is grateful for the love that has been shared with Pam and how she has changed...he said he thinks this might be the change he needs in his life and wants to keep coming to church.  He said he would like to be baptized as well.  Brother Hall (Pam's dad) is so amazing!  He shared some of his life story with us, and my testimony was strengthened of the power of prayer and how miracles are real.  Another cool story about Pam...Saturday we stopped by to see her and her friend Shirley was over.  Pam immediately had us all sit down and had us start talking with Shirley...who wasn't very receptive to what we had to say.  Pam stops us and says, "okay wait...I need to say a prayer and then I'm going to talk"...she then goes on to share her testimony and taught Shirley the Plan of Salvation in the most simple, beautiful way.  The spirit was so strong as she spoke, as it always is.  Sadly, Shirley still wasn't very interested, and after she left Pam told us how it felt so good to share what she knew, and how it's hard to see them not accept it but knows that it will happen in her time and she has her agency... I always learn so much from her! 

 

PLAYING PICK-UP-STICKS at the Brumble's Saturday morning was fun!  Gave us a chance to wear jeans!!!!  yay! haha.  The Brumbles have a large yard, and so many twigs and logs that needed to be piled up and burnt, so we went over and helped them!  Of course, Sister Brumble made us a delicious breakfast, and we had fun playing pick up sticks for a couple hours...then roasted marshmallows with the bonfire that we had piled up!  :) 

 

This week Heavenly Father blessed us so much.  We were blessed with 7 new investigators, and were able to have a less active member join us on 2 church tours with 3 of those new investigators!  It's amazing to see how the Lord is truly hastening his work, and I am so grateful to be a part of it!  We checked up on a potential we met back in October...Brandon and Taylor, and we were able to teach them, as well as Taylor's sister Macey who was over!  They were all willing to continue learning and have a desire to strengthen their relationships with God.  Steve, we found knocking in an apartment complex.  He is an older man who hasn't been to church since he was 16, but watched BYUTV every morning and loves it!  Shawnie is a less active's granddaughter who is living with her, 14 years old and is trying to figure out who she is.  We are also teaching her boyfriend, Justin now.  Then, Pam's dad, Brother Hall... who is so prepared!...he lives in the elder's area though so we are handing him off to them to teach.  :) 

 

I can't believe time is flying by so fast!  After this next transfer, I only have 2 left!!!  I'm kinda starting to freak out.  It's so fun to hear about all the amazing things that are going on back home, and especially exciting to hear about the Willow Creek 9th Ward ARMY of missionaries that just keeps growing!  It is amazing to be a part of the Army of Helaman at this time, and I am so grateful for this time that Heavenly Father has given me to serve and help others come to the knowledge that I have.  I know he is preparing us each and every day, refining us into the people he needs us to be.  I know he is aware of us and loves us all.  ...and I love all of you and hope you never forget that!!! 

 

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Alston

 

PS...Countdown to GenCon2014: T-12 days!!!!! haha...yep I know...#ConferenceNerd! hehe        

pig snouts, haha : )

love them all!

having fun playing "pick up sticks" and bonfire!!!

The leprechaun's stopped by!

my Andrew!

Keokuk district!

It's a Mighty and It's a Movin!!!

oh...and HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY everyone!  I hope this email finds you all wearing green so you don't get pinched!!!  Don't worry, I have my green suspenders and mustache on!  ;P  It has been an exciting week here in Keokuk!  Full of meetings, singing, finding, teaching, exchanging, more meetings, more exchanging... always a party! Oh!  And we have finally had some spring weather (well…besides the random snow storm Saturday night!)...the river has even thawed completely!!! 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:

NAUVOO STAKE CONFERENCE:  Probably the neatest stake conference I have ever attended.  Elder Real of the 70 was present, all the missionaries in the stake performed Saturday night, Sister Rogers and I also sang a duet Saturday night.  My heart has been so full of gratitude for my Father in Heaven.  I haven’t really explained much of the song I was asked to do…so I’ll explain it a little better now.  So a few weeks ago we attended one of Sister Susan Eastman Black Durrant’s lectures on Joseph Smith over in Nauvoo.  Before the meeting I was sitting playing at the piano while people were coming in.  Sister Durrant came up and thanked me, and asked me to play for the meeting.  At the end of her lecture an old W.W.Phelps poem was read, and she said nobody had taken the challenge to put it to music yet.  Afterwards, she came up and jokingly asked if I was ready to take the challenge, and I said “wel, sure!”…she then asked when I thought I could have it done…which Sister Rogers piped up and said, “oh, she could probably have it done in a week!”…haha…not funny.  Sister Durrant totally beileved her and said, “well okay then!...you two can perform it next Tuesday night at the lecture!”  So…a couple days later I decide I should probably see what I could do, we go the church, I say a prayer, and had it written out in an hour and a half.  Tuesday night comes around, Sister Rogers sings it and I play it…I thought that was the end.  Sister Jensen finds out and asks for the Nauvoo zone to sing it at zone conference, then again at stake conference…When it was sung on Saturday night at stake conference I could barely hold in the tears.  I could hear angels singing with everyone, and I knew this is a major reason why I needed to be in this area at this time.  After the song was sung, Elder Real stood up and asked me to stand.  He looked into my eyes and thanked me for using my talents in the way Heavenly Father needs me to.  Since then, my heart has been overflowing with gratitude for the talents I have been given, for my parents and their willingness to pay for music lessons and encouragement to practice… Heavenly Father’s plan is perfect.  The rest of stake conference was so wonderful, the spirit was so strong as the speakers spoke to us on missionary work, conversion, sharing their testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ, reminding us of the importance of the scriptures and the incredible tool they are in our lives.  My testimony was strengthened this weekend. 

EXCHANGES:  This week we were able to have the Macomb sisters and the Hamilton sisters here in Keokuk with us!  We spent a lot of time finding, and it was so nice outside it was great!!!  It was fun to show our area to other sisters, and be able to help them see all aspects of the work…and to have other views on how to do things!  It was great!  Wednesday night, Sister Harmon and I went to check up on Dillon and Akadia, but they weren’t home…as we were walking back down the stairs to leave something told me to go try the top floor of the apartment building (one that we had never knocked)…we get up to #5 and knock, and Amanda let us right in!  We had such a wonderful lesson with her of the Restoration, and she was excited to read and learn more.  She has 2 adorable little kids, Carter and Zadin…though they were a bit crazy the spirit was so strong as we talked to Amanda.  At the end, she prayed, and it was so sincere.  She hesitated a bit accepting the baptismal invite…she asked if she would find it not to be the right thing to do and we were able to testify and promise to her that it was and that Heavenly Father would tell her if she asked with a sincere heart.  She has been through a lot in her life, and never really had a strong relationship with God or Jesus Christ, but is so willing and wants to strengthen it…especially for her kids.  Once again, I am so grateful Heavenly Father leads us to those who are ready and willing to listen and at least try it out. 

MEETINGS:  Tuesday we had MLC in Iowa City and Thursday we had both Nauvoo and Quincy zone training meetings… WE SPENT THE WHOLE DAY WITH PRESIDENT AND SISTER JENSEN! It was so fun!  To save miles, we were able to ride with them from Nauvoo to Quincy and back, and wow…they are hilarious!  I love getting to know them better every time we are with them.  They are the best and I love them so much!  We were able to talk about BYU Hawaii (since that is where they met), talk about plans and families and it was just awesome! 

This week I am grateful my mission family and my real family get to be combined in a way…Emily and Shari Pena and my best friend Rachael Montoya drove to Utah on Friday and are able to be in Utah for the week…Shari and Emily staying at my house! So that’s pretty fun!  It helps me know that the relationships I build here will last forever, and even after this life…which I am so grateful for.  I want you all to know that I have a testimony of the Plan of Salvation, of the Plan of Happiness.  We are all on this earth to learn and grow, and to be happy!  As we rely on the Savior, we are able to overcome all things, and truly know that we are all special daughters and sons of a loving Heavenly Father.  I know this to be true, and I know that you can know it.  I am grateful for the relationship that I now have with my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for each of you.  For the constant support and prayers.  I feel your prayers each and every day.  Prayer works.

Hope ya’ll have a great week!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Alston    

haha the elders were really confused

Code 3895 #VEST 

Leaving to go to Utah for the week! Have fun with my family! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Best Friends! 

March Madness

Finally, some warmer weather in our neck of the woods!  The Mississippi is unfreezing (...haha...or melting I guess...Iowa's getting to me!)  and there are tons of bald eagles and birds around it's really cool!  I can't believe it's already week 4 in yet another transfer!...time is flying on by!!!  Here's a little snippit of our week!

MONDAY:  Played some volleyball, ate a delicious supper with the Salyers family, then headed down to Hannibal, MO for exchanges! 

TUESDAY:  Such a great exchange and so fun being in Mark Twain territory once again! :)  We started off our day by doing service at a senior living home, and I ended up playing a beautiful grand piano the whole time...it was wonderful!  haha.  Music makes everything better!  While on exchanges, we were able to contact several people, set up new appointments for the sisters, and it was so fun!  I was able to serve with Sister Randall for the day...she is 24, a beautician, and super cool!  She has been out 6 months, and is a powerhouse!  Seriously...the Iowa Des Moines Mission has the best sisters!  We drove back to KeokukTuesday night, the Quincy sisters meeting us there to have exchanges with us in our area! 

WEDNESDAY:  Well...sadly, Sister Barker (one of the Quincy sisters) was up sick all night, and continued to be sick all dayWednesday so Sister Rogers and Sister Hancock went out and tore up the town.  Sick days are no fun! 

THURSDAY:  We had district meeting in Nauvoo

FRIDAY: we ended up catching a ride with a member down to Kirksville to do a quick and impromptu exchange with them!  ...it was fun to attend a baptism with them, and to help them practice using the pamphlets.  It was also fun to pile in the back of the Olsen's van and have a little road trip with Sister Rogers and Rachael!  ...we have way too much fun.  haha.  awe man...it was great!!!  Got back Saturday afternoon.

SATURDAY:  Sister Rogers got a bit sick :(  again...haha...we just keep passing it back and forth its terrible!!!  We saw Pam, the Salyers, Fia (Who has decided to serve a mission!!!), then had dinner with Mike Inman, one of the recent converts. 

SUNDAY:  Yesterday was a great day.  However, I don't think I have ever sneezed so much in my entire life!!!  no joke!  ALL DAY it would not stop! Other than that, it was wonderful!  Got to hear a farewell talk, play the piano in primary, teach the primary kids "families and Be Together Forever" in sign language... went to Carthage.  I love it here! 

 

Wow...okay so now really... this email is terrible I'm sorry I ran out of time!... I hope you all have a wonderful week and know that I love and appreciate you! 

 

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Alston    

Growing out my duck dynasty beard!

Special : )

Tiny, tiny, tiny puppy!

Road trippin it to Kirksville!

Carthage with Rachael, Jewels and the Penas

Our temple view this morning! 

Exchanges in Hannibal, MO