Easter Time

Easter Time

Buon Giorno Tutti. (good day everyone)

What a week this past one was and what a week this upcoming one will be. This past week was full of many good laughs, a few miracles, and many good people. This upcoming week will be full of Easter Celebrations, lots of good laughs and spending time with some amazing people out here. 

Basketball last Monday was sweet. We went and played hard with the boys. We didn't leave them with a spiritual thought last Monday, but we could be going on this Wednesday night when we will for sure leave them will something. During the practice we were just doing some drills and the coach was chatting with some parents. I printed off some pictures to give to some of the members and people that we know. I printed one off for the basketball team and wrote them a little note on the back. During the drills I snuck away, grabbed the picture and gave it to the coach. He loved it. He kept saying Thank You and showing members of the team as they came by. I was shocked to see that something so small could really meant so much. It was for sure a good lesson learned.....the things we do don't need to be huge to have a major and lasting effect. Sometimes the smallest of things mean the most. 

English Course this past week was amazing. I teach the advanced people and my comp teaches the beginners class. On Tuesday we went in and they just asked me questions about our church and why I decided to serve a mission. It was seriously so neat. They were so interested in why I chose to say goodbye and come to Italy. It was for sure a good refresher to me of why I am out here doing what I am doing. The hour went by way to fast....but everyone from my English Class says hello to everyone back home. They said to say that they are taking good care of me here in Crotone. Which is true....I love it here. 

I think that some of you saw the photo on Facebook that Angela posted this past week. Angela is a member here in Crotone and actually returned home from her mission in Temple Square the day that I got to Crotone. She is the bomb and is so kind. That night I got the biggest thing of Gelato that you can get. My cone was honestly like 5 pound....I ate it all and it was so good. Italian Ice Cream is so good.....so good. Europe is so much different than the United States.....in just about every way possible but I love it. I never thought that I could love a place or care for people the way I do now.....I love it here. Missionary Work is the best. 

Yesterday was a good Sunday. A way good Sunday. It was the 20th anniversary of becoming a member for a lady in our branch. I will send a picture of her home this week. Sister Grande is her name and she loves me. This is the lady who told me that I could be in the movie Grease with John Travolta. She is divorced and so in one of her cupboards she has all of these cut out pictures of famous actors taped on the inside of her cupboard door......So when I found this out I printed out a picture of me and gave it to her so she could hang it up in the cupboard as well. Lets just say that yesterday when I went over there.....My picture is hanging up in her Cupboard. I love it. She is the best. I have met some of the most amazing people in my short 10 weeks her in Crotone. I have already made some relationships that will last forever. Serving a mission is the greatest decision that I have ever made. Without leaving home and saying goodbye....I would have most likely never set foot in Italy, let alone Crotone. I love it here. 

So this upcoming week is a big one with the celebration of Easter and General Conference. What a special time of the year this truly is. Throughout this week keep The Savior in your heart. For this week is the time when He gave everything for us. Keep Him in Mind Always. Because of Him we may be with our families forever. Because of Him this mortal life has a purpose. Because of Him we may be forgiven of anything and everything. Because of Him death in this life is not the end. Because of Him....We may live forever with the ones that we love most. Keep Our Savior in Mind. Also try and tune into a session of conference or two. This is a time for us to sit back and listen to the best of the best. This is a time for us to know what we need to improve on and where we need to grow. Be Humble throughout the conference. Come away from Conference with a New Hope to be better and a new love for The Savior. Know that I will be watching the same conference at the exact same time.....just about 8,000 miles away. 

This week a few things have popped into my mind many times. I am not sure why they have but I feel as if I should share a little bit about these few subjects. Today I want to talk about Love, Mercy, Forgiveness and being Humble. 

In this mortal life we are not perfect. We all make mistakes. We all say things we don't mean and do things that we know we shouldn't do. This life is hard. This life is rough. This life will beat you down to your knees and keep you there if you let it. I hope and pray that we will all learn to see others as our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ see those that we may look at negatively. Our Father in Heaven knows about every little mistake we make. He knows when we swear under our breath or when we do something we shouldn't.....He knows all of the wrong that we do....but He loves us perfectly. He doesn't magnify the wrong that we do does. Instead He loves us unconditionally and tries to make us better. Heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They Are Forgiven. And They Forgive. In order to be forgiven of the wrong that we have done, we first have to forgive others for the wrong that they have done. Judging people and grudges does nothing except push forward the work of the adversary. There is enough heartache and sorrow in this life without our adding to it through our own stubbornness, bitterness and resentment. The Savior said it best when He said..."He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone." Remember we are not perfect. I hope that we all may lay our burdens at the feet of our Savior. I hope and pray that we will let go of all out our judgments whether they be true or not. I hope and pray that we might all allow The Atonement of Jesus Christ to change and heal our hearts. Let us all Love one Another. Let us all Forgive one another. Let the Love of God fill your Heart. Lets put down our Stones and truly focus on the good in others. There is good in everyone. There really is. My challenge this week is to truly dig down deep into yourself, humble yourself, let any judgments and grudges go and look at those that have have hurt you....and really look at them the way that The Savior would look at them. I promise you that when we humble ( Being Humble means recognizing that we are not on earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others for the better ) ourselves and truly find the good in others.....We experience true and lasting happiness. There is no happiness in putting someone else down. There is none. Happiness comes when we care less about ourselves, and more about making the lives of others easier. 

In closing I would like to share one quote from President Hinckley....

"Stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight."

I love you all. I love you all so much. Have the best week. Enjoy this week. All of the celebrations and parties this week are because of Our Savior. Keep Him in Mind and remember all that He has done for you. I love you all. Thank you for all of the love and support. You are in my prayers. 

God Be With You All Till We Meet Again. 

Peace, Love and Blessings. 

Be Humble. Be Fearless.

God is Love. 

Anziano JarDee Nessen

    Vi Voglio Bene......( I love you all )