Aug11
8 Months
8 Months Today! I hope you all are doing well and I hope you all had a
good week. I hope the weather is nice back home and I hope you all are
continuing to have a good summer. I can't believe that it is already
August. Time is sure flying bye. I love you all.
Last Monday, Elder Just and I were able to get on one of the U.S.
Bases over here in Italy. They have an American food court, an
American grocery store, and everyone there is respectful. Three things
I haven't seen or experienced in awhile. In the food court they had an
actual Subway. I almost fell over when I saw the yellow and white
sign. So of course I got myself a nice foot long and so did Elder
Just. Afterwards we raided the grocery story grabbing every single
thing in sight really. We can out of there will 4 bags of chips, 24
cans of Mountain Dew, every type of Oreo that you can think of, and
last but not least....Pop Tarts. It was Heaven inside of the base. We
will definitely be making another trip to the base very soon. One of
the most therapeutic days I've had in awhile. Nothing is more relaxing
than a nice can of Mountain Dew in one hand and a hand full of Doritos
in the other. God Bless America.
We had some good lessons this week with one of our investigators. We
met with Salvatore, the guy that owns the pizzeria, twice this week
and had two good lesson. Since Elder Just and I are so young in the
mission we have really tried to focus on getting a member to come with
us for most of our lessons. We were able to get a member for every one
of our lessons this week, and so that was a huge help. The first
lesson with Salvatore we re-taught the end of the Restoration ( The
Joseph Smith Story and The Book of Mormon ) and it went well. He
agreed to being reading and praying to find his answer. A few days
later we met again and taught him the Plan of Salvation. I was very
excited for this lesson because Salvatore is a young guy and has a
little two year old boy. I was able to share my story about how my mom
past away when I was just a little guy, but also how one day I will be
able to see her again, and more importantly if I do what is right, I
will get to spend forever with her. The concept of forever families
really seemed to hit home with Salvatore. We are hoping to get a
baptismal date with him tomorrow. He is a really good guy and is
really respectful to us missionaries. Our Martial Arts lesson with
Francesco fell through this week, which was a huge hit. Him and his
wife kind of snubbed us. I am not sure if they did it on purpose, or
if they forgot about our lesson...but when we knocked on their door,
nobody was home. We called their cell phone and nobody picked up. They
didn't come to English course on Tuesday or Thursday, so as of right
now I am not sure what to think. They did send us a text after we
waited on their doorstep for about 20 minutes and it said "Excuse us
but we aren't home tonight." It bothered me a bit that they just
texted, instead of answering their phone and just telling us.....but I
love them and we are going to do our best with them this coming
Wednesday. They are good people and would make good strong members,
they just have to be willing and humble enough to change. They have
received their answer, they know what is right....Now they just have
to turn everything over to Christ and have faith in Him.
Our New Convert / Less Active Pizza Night went great again. This week
we decided to watch The Lamb of God and talk about our Savior. I sat
in the back and as the moving went along, I could see tears running
down both of our New Converts faces. It was powerful. Very powerful at
that. Afterwards we kicked the lights on and just had a good open
discussion about our Savior and just how much He truly loves us. Our
Savior loves us more than we can comprehend. I heard once that our
names are engraved in the scars on His hands, wrists and feet where
the nails were driven. Once we are willing enough to give everything
to our Savior and just trust Him with all of our heart, might, mind
and strength...He never lets us go. He always keeps us near. Because
Jesus walked such a long and dreadful path completely and utterly
alone, we do not have too. He knows our trials, our weaknesses, our
fears, our doubts, our pains, our afflictions... But He never leaves
us unaided in those times of difficulty. Rain or Shine, Smooth or
Rough...The one perfect constant in our lives is the Love that Jesus
Christ offers us.
Yesterday, we went over to an Americans house for Sunday dinner. It
was awesome. The man, Sam is his name, is a member...but his wife is
not. They are middle aged people and Sam is truly incredible. He had a
stroke a little while back and lost all control of the left side of
his body. He is the most positive and happy man I have ever met.
Yesterday we talked with them about Trials and overcoming them. I was
able to tell Moms story another time and bare my testimony on the
amazing blessings that come from the temple. One of my favorite
scriptures about trials is Romans 8:18 and that says...."18 For I
reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Trials come
not to harm or to destroy, but to build and prepare. I know that I
would not be who I am today without the trials that I have gone
through. The comforting thing to know is that I was never alone in
those times of difficulty.
We just got back from our P-Day trip today. We went to Caserta and
rode bikes through this super pretty garden. I will send some pictures
home shortly. Felt good to get back on a bike, my legs were burning a
little bit.....but it made me feel like I was cruising the streets of
Howell Valley again.
That was our week in a Nutshell. Things are going really well with
Anziano Just and I. He is a good guy and is doing really well. I am
lucky to be companions with him. In the areas where I am weak, He is
strong. In the areas where I am strong, He is stronger. I am grateful
for him and his willingness to work. Transfer calls are this coming
Saturday and I am praying that we stay together for another transfer.
We have some big, special things happening here in Napoli in the next
few months. I can feel it. All is well here. We are healthy, happy and
often times really sweaty, but we are doing well. Life is great.
Mission life is great. This is a beautiful world full of good people.
I am grateful for all of you. For your support, prayers and love. Next
week I will be sure to have a spiritual thought. I hope you all have
an awesome week and take real good care. I love you all so much.
Thanks again for everything.
Peace be the Journey,
Anziano JarDee Nessen
good week. I hope the weather is nice back home and I hope you all are
continuing to have a good summer. I can't believe that it is already
August. Time is sure flying bye. I love you all.
Last Monday, Elder Just and I were able to get on one of the U.S.
Bases over here in Italy. They have an American food court, an
American grocery store, and everyone there is respectful. Three things
I haven't seen or experienced in awhile. In the food court they had an
actual Subway. I almost fell over when I saw the yellow and white
sign. So of course I got myself a nice foot long and so did Elder
Just. Afterwards we raided the grocery story grabbing every single
thing in sight really. We can out of there will 4 bags of chips, 24
cans of Mountain Dew, every type of Oreo that you can think of, and
last but not least....Pop Tarts. It was Heaven inside of the base. We
will definitely be making another trip to the base very soon. One of
the most therapeutic days I've had in awhile. Nothing is more relaxing
than a nice can of Mountain Dew in one hand and a hand full of Doritos
in the other. God Bless America.
We had some good lessons this week with one of our investigators. We
met with Salvatore, the guy that owns the pizzeria, twice this week
and had two good lesson. Since Elder Just and I are so young in the
mission we have really tried to focus on getting a member to come with
us for most of our lessons. We were able to get a member for every one
of our lessons this week, and so that was a huge help. The first
lesson with Salvatore we re-taught the end of the Restoration ( The
Joseph Smith Story and The Book of Mormon ) and it went well. He
agreed to being reading and praying to find his answer. A few days
later we met again and taught him the Plan of Salvation. I was very
excited for this lesson because Salvatore is a young guy and has a
little two year old boy. I was able to share my story about how my mom
past away when I was just a little guy, but also how one day I will be
able to see her again, and more importantly if I do what is right, I
will get to spend forever with her. The concept of forever families
really seemed to hit home with Salvatore. We are hoping to get a
baptismal date with him tomorrow. He is a really good guy and is
really respectful to us missionaries. Our Martial Arts lesson with
Francesco fell through this week, which was a huge hit. Him and his
wife kind of snubbed us. I am not sure if they did it on purpose, or
if they forgot about our lesson...but when we knocked on their door,
nobody was home. We called their cell phone and nobody picked up. They
didn't come to English course on Tuesday or Thursday, so as of right
now I am not sure what to think. They did send us a text after we
waited on their doorstep for about 20 minutes and it said "Excuse us
but we aren't home tonight." It bothered me a bit that they just
texted, instead of answering their phone and just telling us.....but I
love them and we are going to do our best with them this coming
Wednesday. They are good people and would make good strong members,
they just have to be willing and humble enough to change. They have
received their answer, they know what is right....Now they just have
to turn everything over to Christ and have faith in Him.
Our New Convert / Less Active Pizza Night went great again. This week
we decided to watch The Lamb of God and talk about our Savior. I sat
in the back and as the moving went along, I could see tears running
down both of our New Converts faces. It was powerful. Very powerful at
that. Afterwards we kicked the lights on and just had a good open
discussion about our Savior and just how much He truly loves us. Our
Savior loves us more than we can comprehend. I heard once that our
names are engraved in the scars on His hands, wrists and feet where
the nails were driven. Once we are willing enough to give everything
to our Savior and just trust Him with all of our heart, might, mind
and strength...He never lets us go. He always keeps us near. Because
Jesus walked such a long and dreadful path completely and utterly
alone, we do not have too. He knows our trials, our weaknesses, our
fears, our doubts, our pains, our afflictions... But He never leaves
us unaided in those times of difficulty. Rain or Shine, Smooth or
Rough...The one perfect constant in our lives is the Love that Jesus
Christ offers us.
Yesterday, we went over to an Americans house for Sunday dinner. It
was awesome. The man, Sam is his name, is a member...but his wife is
not. They are middle aged people and Sam is truly incredible. He had a
stroke a little while back and lost all control of the left side of
his body. He is the most positive and happy man I have ever met.
Yesterday we talked with them about Trials and overcoming them. I was
able to tell Moms story another time and bare my testimony on the
amazing blessings that come from the temple. One of my favorite
scriptures about trials is Romans 8:18 and that says...."18 For I
reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Trials come
not to harm or to destroy, but to build and prepare. I know that I
would not be who I am today without the trials that I have gone
through. The comforting thing to know is that I was never alone in
those times of difficulty.
We just got back from our P-Day trip today. We went to Caserta and
rode bikes through this super pretty garden. I will send some pictures
home shortly. Felt good to get back on a bike, my legs were burning a
little bit.....but it made me feel like I was cruising the streets of
Howell Valley again.
That was our week in a Nutshell. Things are going really well with
Anziano Just and I. He is a good guy and is doing really well. I am
lucky to be companions with him. In the areas where I am weak, He is
strong. In the areas where I am strong, He is stronger. I am grateful
for him and his willingness to work. Transfer calls are this coming
Saturday and I am praying that we stay together for another transfer.
We have some big, special things happening here in Napoli in the next
few months. I can feel it. All is well here. We are healthy, happy and
often times really sweaty, but we are doing well. Life is great.
Mission life is great. This is a beautiful world full of good people.
I am grateful for all of you. For your support, prayers and love. Next
week I will be sure to have a spiritual thought. I hope you all have
an awesome week and take real good care. I love you all so much.
Thanks again for everything.
Peace be the Journey,
Anziano JarDee Nessen
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