Letters from Sister Alston: I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Well...Gen Con April 2014 has now come to a close... :( But wow, what an amazing conference it was! I would say a theme found was "Living True to the Faith"...making sure our testimonies and personal conversion are strong so that when the storms come and wind blows, we will not be moved. I was reminded of the importance of keeping our foundation built on Jesus Christ, and how when we strive to live all He and our Father in Heaven asks, we will always be protected. I loved the emphasis on serving all of Heavenly Father's children and reaching out to everyone around us, showing Eternal Love and valuing and loving all that they value and love. "Pure Christlike love flowing from righteousness can CHANGE THE WORLD"...Love is all we need! :) When we remember and focus on the basics, we will know what we need to do in all aspects of our lives. Remember that the Lord can do more with our lives than we can do with our own. GOD'S LAWS SHOULD EVER BE OUR STANDARD. There is no separation, or different compartments of our lives...if we allow there to be separation of religion, life, work, etc...we will never achieve the potential we have been created for. HAVING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. Okay...I love Elder Uchtdorf. His talks are always my favorite (if we are allowed to have favorites?) haha. Gratitude really does change everything, and as we have grateful hearts we will find the gentle peace in the midst of tribulation, closeness and warmth in heaven's embrace, and be fearless and joyful disciples of Christ! "There are no true endings, only EVERLASTING BEGINNINGS". This is why the gospel is so amazing and truly is the "good news!" No matter where we are today, we are able to start over! This is a gospel of deliverance, a gospel of light, joy, and peace. Jesus Christ is the way, and as we follow his example and rely on him we will be able to bear our loads. We have had years of preparation before we came to earth, and only little time to perform and learn what Heavenly Father sent us here to learn and become who he needs us to become. THE TIME IS NOW TO PREPARE. We can find strength in the faith of our own ancestors. Remember their sacrifices and their miraculous stories...we are standing on the shoulders of giants. And one day, we will need to be those giants for others to stand on.

This conference, I received personal conviction that the prophet and apostles are called of God and speak his words. Their testimonies and powerful spirits are undeniable, and I know they have been called to lead us today. I am so grateful for living prophets and apostles and leaders who know exactly what is needed in our day and age. When the world is being ever-darkened by Satan and his followers, we must be that "light set on a hill...a candle that cannot be hid...LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE THAT OTHERS MAY SEE IT AND GLORIFY OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN."

This week we also had the privilege of attending mission leadership council, Quincy zone training meeting, and Nauvoo zone training meeting. Sister Pratt and I were able to relay Sister Jensen's training on FEAR. How fear comes from Satan and how we as missionaries really have no need to fear because we are on the Lord's errand. As long as we are doing what we are supposed to be doing, and following the spirit, we will be protected, given the words to say, and be stronger than ever before. Remembering that we are literally surrounded by angels who are there to bear us up. This is an eternal work, going on on both sides of the veil...and I am so grateful I get to be a part of it! We talked about influential people and teachers in our lives and how we can be influential teachers by loving the people and loving what we have to share. I thought of several people in my life who have changed my life, and I wish I could go back and thank them all so much more than I have. I have been blessed with the most amazing influences in my life, and I know it is because of them that I have accomplished all I have and continue to have a desire to reach for the stars.

Thursday night the Pena's, Salyers, and Rachael had a birthday party for me...and throughout the day I was getting random texts wishing me happy birthday from all the members in the branch. I am so grateful Heavenly Father has placed me here in Keokuk, surrounded by incredible examples and people who I love with all my heart! They do so much for me, and will never understand the effect they have had on my life and what a blessing they truly have been. Well...maybe one day when we are all sitting down in heaven I'll be able to describe in words how much I love them, but until then... I will just keep trying to express my love and gratitude the best I can. We spent Thursday night over in Nauvoo at the Warner's to prepare for our training Friday morning. It's so wonderful having "adopted" grandparents here! They never cease to amaze me at all they do, and I love them so much!

Friday we had 2 incredible experiences in lessons. After zone training meeting in Nauvoo, we drove back to Keokuk and Rachael came to see Brittany, Chris, and Phoenix. We weren't quite sure what to share with them, but as soon as we sat down Brittany was telling us to explain to her mom a little more about Joseph Smith. Chris had been asking Brittany about him, and had read some things online or somewhere...but it was so amazing to feel and see the spirit work within her. She believes that God would want there to be the full truth on the earth today, and that it's so important to find our for ourselves the truth instead of listening to the world. She has a sincere desire to learn and find the truth for herself. We walked out of that lesson in amazement of how there could be so many distractions from kids running around, yet we were able to follow the spirit and say what needed to be said. Friday night, we stopped by to see a less active and her investigator husband, Donny. Wanting to talk about the gospel with him and help him realize the importance of repentance and doing what Heavenly Father wants...we walk in and immediately Nellie said, Donny has been asking a lot of questions about baptism today, can you please talk to him about how Jesus was baptized and how he needs to be baptized that same way? haha... sure, we could do that! It was one of the most spiritual lessons I've had on my mission. Donny is very hard of hearing, so we have to speak up and make things extremely simple for him to understand... which is perfect! He was saying how he wants to be baptized like Jesus was and wants to have the gift of the Holy Ghost to comfort him always. After talking about baptism I, for some reason, pulled out the word of wisdom pamphlet out of my bag and put it on my lap. A couple minutes later, Donny looked up and asked about his smoking. We then went on to talk about the importance of modern revelation and the blessings that come from living the word of wisdom. As we started talking about it he said he didn't think he could ever quit smoking, but in the middle he excused himself, and when we came back he said I just prayed and asked Heavenly Father and I know I need to quit smoking. It was so incredible to feel the spirit so strongly work within all of us!

At Christmas, I was asked what my favorite thing was about my mission. I didn't exactly have an answer, because it is all so different and great everyday!... However... Now I do have an answer. My favorite thing about serving a mission is realizing the power of being under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Being an instrument in the Lord's hands, and being able to listen and teach according to the spirit. It is something that I always want to have in my life...the spirit is the most amazing thing we can have right now and I don't want to ever do anything to lose it.

Saturday evening we were walking down the street and we stopped to talk to these guys outside who were digging up their carrots. Come to find out, one of them had grown up going to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with his grandpa, and the other is related to Joseph Smith! We just talked with them for a few minutes, and by the end, they invited us over for a BBQ Sunday afternoon!... so Sunday in between conference sessions we were able to join them for a fun BBQ...holy delicious food! ...and we are going on Tuesday to teach them! It's amazing how the Lord places people in our paths who are prepared. They are so kind and generous, and we are excited to help their families come closer to God and Jesus Christ. Man...being a missionary is the best!

Thank you all for the sweet birthday wishes, notes and cards...and for all you continue doing for me. Time is flying by, and I am forever grateful for the support you have given me. Here, and throughout my life. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU!!!!

Love Always,

Sister Natalia Alston