Letters from Sister Alston: 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