Hey Y'all

Hey Y'all

Well Another week has passed. I hope and pray that everything is going good back at home! It makes me so happy to see all of the emails and read about everything that is going on back at home. All is well here in Crotone. I am starting to understand a lot more with the language and starting to interact a lot more with the people. The Biggest I can do for now is just have a smile on my face and really care for the people. The language will come with time, but I can always show that I love and care for the people. So that is what I am trying my best to do.

This passed week was kind of a BUST. The basketball coach bailed on us monday night about an hour before basketball practice was supposed to start. That was a huge blow...and honestly is sucked. Then on Tuesday we had an appointment set up that is about and Hour walk.....and when we got there no one was home, and they didn't let us know. So Bust, After Bust this week. Sometimes that is how life goes though...We try our best and put all the effort in but no fruits come from it. Just have to Keep On Keepin On as Joe Dirt would say. 

I went on my first Scambio ( Exchange ) this passed week from Thursday to Saturday. It was seriously so fun. We traveled to Catanzaro...or "CAT CITY" is what we like to call it. Here is what happened....

Thursday Night I went with Anziano Calchera...(Anziano Calchera is in His 15th Transfer and a Super Good Missionary! He is Sweet!!) and taught an English Course to a bunch of 12 year old boys and girls up in the mountains. It was SWEET! The boys asked me about family, and my girlfriend back home which was toooo good to talk about. The Girls were in love with me....Haha I would look at them to ask them a question and their faces would just blush and they would look away. It was so funny. I got a picture with them and the girls just piled around me. After that we went into the City and did some tracting for a little bit. We stopped one guy and we had a great discussion about Christ. At the end we were like could we set up an appointment with you and maybe talk more about Christ and The Atonement and He said..."Nope. You Mormons just steal money from everyone!" and then he ran off. So that was a new one that I have never heard before. Just had to laugh about it and go find someone else.

Friday was another sweet day of the Exchange. Friday I went with Anziano Williams. He is from Idaho and is in his 5th Transfer. He is a Country Boy through and through...and a Great Missionary!! We tracted through the city and met some cool people. We took a pretty full train ride back home to the House and on the train we had to sit by some 18 year old girls. Now on the train we only spoke English to each other...and so the girls next to us thought we didn't speak Italian. They were saying some pretty seductive things and they were in love with My Trainer and I...They were saying how they would love to talk to us and get to know us...and some other things that I am not allowed to email about. They also were having bets on whether we spoke Italian or not. So after we got off the train we went up to them and spoke in straight Italian. Their faces were so red and they were soooo embarrassed. It was so funny! I seriously almost died....I loved it! 

Friday Night we did a finding thing called Gesso. ( Gesso is Chalk in Italian. ) It is where you write a question on a black sheet with chalk and then lay it down in a crowded area where people walk by often. It is a great finding tool and I stopped many people. It was kind of hard to understand sometimes and many people didn't want to listen...but some stopped and some listened. We did it on Prophets. It was so much fun!! 

Thursday Night and Friday Night we got pizza from this little place called the Salsa Rossa. The Man and Lady that own this place are the best. They give the missionaries an entire pizza for 2.50 Euro. More then a 50 percent discount. They are the best and I also got a picture with them. They aren't members now, but one day they will be for sure! There are some pretty amazing people in this world and I am so grateful for them. They are the kind of people that keep this world a beautiful place. 

This world we live in is such a Beautiful place. Being here in Italy has really opened my eyes to how blessed we are to live in such a nice place surrounded by family. We are not defined by the mistakes we have made or the person that we used to be. What defines us is who we are trying to become..."For where your treasure is, there will your Heart be also...(Mathew 6-21). The Gospel of Jesus Christ means two words to me....Endless Opportunities. Endings are not our Destiny. Do not be scared to try something new, or be scared to change something for the better. This life is all about change and becoming better then we were yesterday. Perfection doesn't come in this life...It comes in the next. We cant expect things from ourselves that are unreasonable....but we can expect improvement from ourselves. God loves us more then we know. His love is incomprehensible. I love you all so much. 

So that is about it for this passed week. We got busted early on in the week and had a way good Scambio. I met some amazing people, and improved a ton in the Italian language. I hope that all of you back home have an amazing week full of great experiences with your families and friends. Always know that you are in my prayers and I love each of you so much. I am grateful, blessed, and truly lucky to have so much support. I love you all!

have the best week everyone.

elder jardee nessen