Nov10
November the 9, 2015
Mornin' Family and Friends.
We had kind of a downer week this last week. We had big plans and high
hopes for things we wanted to achieve, but unfortunately not
everything went as we had planned and hope for. Even though we had a
more difficult week, things are still going well. We received our
transfer calls on Saturday.....Anziano Da Ponte and I will be staying
together for another transfer here in Mistretta. We were both pretty
excited to hear the good news. So I don't have much to report this
week, but this is what happened.
Monday we decided to go see how Ninno was doing. We got over to his
house, sat down and began to talk. We were there for about 15 minutes
when there was a knock at the door. Gino, the grizzly looking man that
we had the miracle with a few weeks back, came walking in and sat down
next to us. We had a spiritual thought on the story found in the
beginning of Alma 22. The one where King Lamoni's father says... "I
will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that
I may receive this great joy." ( Alma 22:15 ). After we read the
scripture and explained the story we had a good little conversation.
It was good to have another opportunity to be with Gino. After our
little visit with Ninno and Gino we went over to the Portera Family's
home for a Family Home Evening. They fed us a really nice dinner and
what we did for the spiritual part of Family Home Evening was pretty
cool. Brother Portera, the dad who served a mission and was the branch
president for 17 years here, invited us all to find a scripture that
we liked, read and studied in the last week and tell everyone about
it. It was something so simple, but something so powerful at the same
time. The spirit was strong and we all had a good time. I love the
Portera family.
Wednesday Morning, we had a lesson with our investigator Marina. By
lesson, I meant War-Zone. From the very beginning, she was hostile
with us. For our lesson plan, we wanted to read the same story that we
shared with Gino the previous evening and talk about the first 16
verses of Alma 22. Anziano Da Ponte and I both felt good about it. We
started at verse one and read until the end of 16, but during some of
the verses we would stop to ask a question or explain a certain point.
We read verse 6 and verse 6 talks about repentance. I stopped the
reading to ask the question "What does Repentance mean?" Everyone
pitched in their answers and I thanked everyone for their responses. I
gave my definition of repentance in simply one word, that word being
Change. Immediately Marina began to disagree and shake her head and
this is when I knew that it was going to be a long lesson. I then
asked her what her exact definition of the word repentance, because
she failed to give us her response when I first asked the question.
Well she explained exactly the word Change, the only thing was is she
didn't say it. She explained it, just didn't say it. We continued on
in the lesson and I could tell that all she wanted to do was argue and
fight. Every direction we would go, she would go against it. Every
thing we would say, she would counter it. It got to the point where we
weren't getting anywhere. I am not going to lie, I was pretty upset
and was doing everything in power to keep myself from tearing into
this lady. Luckily, Anziano Da Ponte was there to stick his arm out
and keep me calm. He is such a peacemaker, something that I struggle
with. He is incredible and handled everything very professionally. I
have learned a lot from the guy. We are so different and I mean so
different in every way, but that's what makes us so good together.
While I was shaking from frustration, he was as calm as a cucumber. He
simply but boldly said, and I quote...."Marina, I know that God loves
you and because He loves you, He has sent us here to tell you to come
to church and because you do not come to church....you are rejecting
Him." Now that was bold. He didn't say it in a prideful way. He said
it in a very calm, but powerful manner. She didn't appreciate this
comment. Not one bit. Her not appreciating that comment is normal, the
truth hurts and cuts deep. She began to yell, get angry and call us
some pretty foul things.....We sat there with our mouths shut and gave
her respect. The whole lesson she was so rude and disrespectful. When
she finished her rant, we both bore testimony in a calm and
professional manner. The one thing that she couldn't argue and fight
against was our testimonies. Anziano Da Ponte bore testimony on Gods
love and the divinity of The Book of Mormon. His testimony was
POWERFUL. I followed it up, the best I could, with my testimony on the
importance of the family. I testified that this life change change in
the blink of an eye and how we never know when we will be called back
to our heavenly home. I told my moms story and it seemed to hit home a
little bit with ole Marina. We closed with a prayer and walked out of
there as friends. Marina was dropped as an investigator during the
lesson. It was hard to walk out of their house knowing that the things
we could give them would bring unprecedented happiness, peace and joy
into their lives.....if they would simply humbly themselves and accept
what was in front of them. Even though she was so disrespectful, so
rude, so prideful... It was hard walking out of that house knowing
that we did everything we possibly could to give her this everlasting
happiness, she just refused to accept it.
Last week I told a little bit about Eleonora. Eleonora is our less
active that we were able to meet because her little boy was playing
outside when we came around the corner. She was baptized years back,
but never really had a strong testimony of it all. She is probably 35
year old. She has a 14 year old daughter, a 7 year old son and a 1.5
year old daughter. Currently she is not married legally, but she is
living with a man and has been for I don't know how long. When we met
with her the first time, while we were on our Member Splits, she
invited us to come over whenever we wanted. This last week Anziano Da
Ponte decided that we needed to go pay her and her family a visit. We
took over a big bowl of popcorn that we made and a 1.75 liter bottle
of Fanta. We knocked on the door and she happily let us in. She is so
nice and a pretty funny lady. Her 7 year old son, Emanuele, loves me.
When we got there, he jumped into the chair right next to me.
Immediately he started talking to me. Emanuele and I are now what you
call "Best Friends". We had a nice like half hour with them. We are
trying to take it easy and build that friendship bond between us. We
laughed and had a good time. On our way out, she invited us back over
whenever we want. We plan on heading over there tonight for a little
bit. Tonight we plan on taking over our Family Pictures and telling
our stories. I am excited for tonight! It should be good!!
On Thursday our little old blind member Ninno took us over to see a 55
year old lady. Graziella is her name. Her husband died a few years
back and it was obvious that the pain of him passing away hasn't left
her. I could see it in her eyes. Ninno told us that the previous times
that he has taken missionaries over to her house, she has been kind of
tough with them. Never disrespectful, but tough. When we got over
there she was calm, she was attentive and she listened closely. We
talked a little bit about the family and how she could be with her
husband again. For some reason I didn't have the feeling to tell the
story about Momma Mandee, but that I should save it for a better time.
There was a peaceful feeling in his living room the whole time we were
there. Graziella isn't being prepared. This week we plan of heading
back over there to teach her the Plan of Salvation. I am also excited
to see what we can do with her. She has some children that have
families of their own and we could do a lot of good with this family.
Friday we headed out to Sorella Battista's home for dinner and a
Family Home Evening. Sorella Battista is absolutely incredible. She
was married to a man, and after their marriage, they moved to Germany.
There they had some children, and one of those children was born
handicapped. Her husband was an evil man who would abuse Sorella
Battista, the children and even their handicapped daughter. Hearing
her tell these stories makes me feel so bad. After 35 years of being
with this abusive, evil man....She packed it up and moved back home to
Sicily with her handicap daughter, Serena. Sorella Battista is so
strong. SO STRONG. Also, she is one amazing cook. We always head down
to her house on Friday Evening, which is about 40 minutes one way from
Mistretta, for a Dinner and Family Home Evening. We eat a big,
delicious dinner. Then we have a spiritual thought and we wrap it up
with the card game UNO. I love Sorella Battista and admire her for her
strength.
Saturday morning, we went over to Ninno's home yet again to help him
with his lesson for Sunday. He asked us to study the scriptures with
him, and help him get all prepared for her lesson. It was a tender
experience for me to see just how grateful Ninno was for our help. I
feel like I am so ungrateful sometimes and I know that I take things
for granted. Such as: Reading the scriptures, looking at pictures,
getting around the house easily.... Things that Ninno struggles with
everyday. Now he is not completely blind, but his vision is so bad
that they classify him as a blind person. He can see a little bit, but
not enough to function without having difficulty. Again, it was a good
experience for me to see hoe grateful he was for our help. Afterwards,
we noticed that he was a little low on firewood for his stove. Anziano
Da Ponte and I restocked Ninno's wood pile. Let's just say they Ninno
shouldn't have to worry about wood for a few weeks. I love Ninno. He
is such s good guy!!
English Course Update:
Alright so we have had 3 girls coming pretty consistently and they
have been our only students so far. I am not sure if they are just in
love with us or if they really want to learn English. One is 18 and
the other two are 15 and 16. They are pretty awkward and don't say
much....but one did say a prayer for us the other night and that was
cool. Also our less active Eleanora's 14 year old daughter and 7 year
old son Emanuele started to come as well. They even brought a friend.
So slowly, and I mean slowly... Our English course is getting here.
Hopefully things will continue to go good in that aspect.
That about wraps us up for this week family and friends. We had some
really good things happen this week, but I wish we could have had a
few more things bounce our way. That's life though. You win some and
you lose some. This week, Anziano Da Ponte and I are going to get a
win. I am excited for this week! It should be a good one. I thank you
all for everything. For the love, support and prayers. Truly, I am
grateful for you all. Have a good week, take care and stay warm. I
hear that the snow should be falling in Utah this week. "It's the most
wonderful time of the year..." I love you all!
This week...In honor of Sorella Battista and her strength, I would
like to share a story that I read this morning about the prophet
Joseph Smith and just hoe strong he was.
"In our early Church history, the Prophet Joseph, Emma, and their
11-month-old twins Joseph and Julia were in Hiram, Ohio, at the
Johnson farm. Both of the children were suffering from measles. Joseph
and his little son were sleeping on a trundle bed near the front door.
Brother Mark L. Staker has recounted what happened:
During the night a group of men with black-painted faces burst through
the door and dragged the Prophet outside where they beat him and threw
tar on him and Sidney Rigdon.
“When Emma saw the beaten and tarred Joseph, she fainted.…
“… Though the Prophet had lost a tooth, received a severe injury in
his side, was missing a patch of hair, and had nitric acid burns, he
preached a sermon at the usual Sunday worship service. Among the
Saints gathered there were at least four members of the mob.”
The most tragic part of this mobbing was that little Joseph was
exposed to the night air when his father was dragged away and caught a
severe cold and, as a result, died a few days later."
Joseph Smith was strong. He was a prophet of God. No man would have,
and I believe could have, remained so faithful through all of the
hardships he endured...unless he were called of God to do so. The
Prophet Joseph Smith is one of my heroes for many reasons. One of
those reasons is because no matter how many things he went through, no
matter how many things caused him pain and struggles, no matter how
many things were stacked against him.....He always remained Strong.
When hard times come, and I know that they will, stand tall, stay
Strong and be of good cheer no matter how difficult standing tall,
remaining Strong and being cheerful may seem...We have the Savior of
the World on our side. He is always near us, sending angels from above
to comfort us and blessing us more than we can possibly comprehend.
Let us remain strong in all things just as the King of Kings has done,
as well as the prophet he called to usher in this last dispensation,
Joseph Smith. "38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord. ( Romans 8:38-39 )
I love you all. Have an amazing week.
Love,
Anziano JarDee Nessen
Ps....11 Months Tomorrow!!
We had kind of a downer week this last week. We had big plans and high
hopes for things we wanted to achieve, but unfortunately not
everything went as we had planned and hope for. Even though we had a
more difficult week, things are still going well. We received our
transfer calls on Saturday.....Anziano Da Ponte and I will be staying
together for another transfer here in Mistretta. We were both pretty
excited to hear the good news. So I don't have much to report this
week, but this is what happened.
Monday we decided to go see how Ninno was doing. We got over to his
house, sat down and began to talk. We were there for about 15 minutes
when there was a knock at the door. Gino, the grizzly looking man that
we had the miracle with a few weeks back, came walking in and sat down
next to us. We had a spiritual thought on the story found in the
beginning of Alma 22. The one where King Lamoni's father says... "I
will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that
I may receive this great joy." ( Alma 22:15 ). After we read the
scripture and explained the story we had a good little conversation.
It was good to have another opportunity to be with Gino. After our
little visit with Ninno and Gino we went over to the Portera Family's
home for a Family Home Evening. They fed us a really nice dinner and
what we did for the spiritual part of Family Home Evening was pretty
cool. Brother Portera, the dad who served a mission and was the branch
president for 17 years here, invited us all to find a scripture that
we liked, read and studied in the last week and tell everyone about
it. It was something so simple, but something so powerful at the same
time. The spirit was strong and we all had a good time. I love the
Portera family.
Wednesday Morning, we had a lesson with our investigator Marina. By
lesson, I meant War-Zone. From the very beginning, she was hostile
with us. For our lesson plan, we wanted to read the same story that we
shared with Gino the previous evening and talk about the first 16
verses of Alma 22. Anziano Da Ponte and I both felt good about it. We
started at verse one and read until the end of 16, but during some of
the verses we would stop to ask a question or explain a certain point.
We read verse 6 and verse 6 talks about repentance. I stopped the
reading to ask the question "What does Repentance mean?" Everyone
pitched in their answers and I thanked everyone for their responses. I
gave my definition of repentance in simply one word, that word being
Change. Immediately Marina began to disagree and shake her head and
this is when I knew that it was going to be a long lesson. I then
asked her what her exact definition of the word repentance, because
she failed to give us her response when I first asked the question.
Well she explained exactly the word Change, the only thing was is she
didn't say it. She explained it, just didn't say it. We continued on
in the lesson and I could tell that all she wanted to do was argue and
fight. Every direction we would go, she would go against it. Every
thing we would say, she would counter it. It got to the point where we
weren't getting anywhere. I am not going to lie, I was pretty upset
and was doing everything in power to keep myself from tearing into
this lady. Luckily, Anziano Da Ponte was there to stick his arm out
and keep me calm. He is such a peacemaker, something that I struggle
with. He is incredible and handled everything very professionally. I
have learned a lot from the guy. We are so different and I mean so
different in every way, but that's what makes us so good together.
While I was shaking from frustration, he was as calm as a cucumber. He
simply but boldly said, and I quote...."Marina, I know that God loves
you and because He loves you, He has sent us here to tell you to come
to church and because you do not come to church....you are rejecting
Him." Now that was bold. He didn't say it in a prideful way. He said
it in a very calm, but powerful manner. She didn't appreciate this
comment. Not one bit. Her not appreciating that comment is normal, the
truth hurts and cuts deep. She began to yell, get angry and call us
some pretty foul things.....We sat there with our mouths shut and gave
her respect. The whole lesson she was so rude and disrespectful. When
she finished her rant, we both bore testimony in a calm and
professional manner. The one thing that she couldn't argue and fight
against was our testimonies. Anziano Da Ponte bore testimony on Gods
love and the divinity of The Book of Mormon. His testimony was
POWERFUL. I followed it up, the best I could, with my testimony on the
importance of the family. I testified that this life change change in
the blink of an eye and how we never know when we will be called back
to our heavenly home. I told my moms story and it seemed to hit home a
little bit with ole Marina. We closed with a prayer and walked out of
there as friends. Marina was dropped as an investigator during the
lesson. It was hard to walk out of their house knowing that the things
we could give them would bring unprecedented happiness, peace and joy
into their lives.....if they would simply humbly themselves and accept
what was in front of them. Even though she was so disrespectful, so
rude, so prideful... It was hard walking out of that house knowing
that we did everything we possibly could to give her this everlasting
happiness, she just refused to accept it.
Last week I told a little bit about Eleonora. Eleonora is our less
active that we were able to meet because her little boy was playing
outside when we came around the corner. She was baptized years back,
but never really had a strong testimony of it all. She is probably 35
year old. She has a 14 year old daughter, a 7 year old son and a 1.5
year old daughter. Currently she is not married legally, but she is
living with a man and has been for I don't know how long. When we met
with her the first time, while we were on our Member Splits, she
invited us to come over whenever we wanted. This last week Anziano Da
Ponte decided that we needed to go pay her and her family a visit. We
took over a big bowl of popcorn that we made and a 1.75 liter bottle
of Fanta. We knocked on the door and she happily let us in. She is so
nice and a pretty funny lady. Her 7 year old son, Emanuele, loves me.
When we got there, he jumped into the chair right next to me.
Immediately he started talking to me. Emanuele and I are now what you
call "Best Friends". We had a nice like half hour with them. We are
trying to take it easy and build that friendship bond between us. We
laughed and had a good time. On our way out, she invited us back over
whenever we want. We plan on heading over there tonight for a little
bit. Tonight we plan on taking over our Family Pictures and telling
our stories. I am excited for tonight! It should be good!!
On Thursday our little old blind member Ninno took us over to see a 55
year old lady. Graziella is her name. Her husband died a few years
back and it was obvious that the pain of him passing away hasn't left
her. I could see it in her eyes. Ninno told us that the previous times
that he has taken missionaries over to her house, she has been kind of
tough with them. Never disrespectful, but tough. When we got over
there she was calm, she was attentive and she listened closely. We
talked a little bit about the family and how she could be with her
husband again. For some reason I didn't have the feeling to tell the
story about Momma Mandee, but that I should save it for a better time.
There was a peaceful feeling in his living room the whole time we were
there. Graziella isn't being prepared. This week we plan of heading
back over there to teach her the Plan of Salvation. I am also excited
to see what we can do with her. She has some children that have
families of their own and we could do a lot of good with this family.
Friday we headed out to Sorella Battista's home for dinner and a
Family Home Evening. Sorella Battista is absolutely incredible. She
was married to a man, and after their marriage, they moved to Germany.
There they had some children, and one of those children was born
handicapped. Her husband was an evil man who would abuse Sorella
Battista, the children and even their handicapped daughter. Hearing
her tell these stories makes me feel so bad. After 35 years of being
with this abusive, evil man....She packed it up and moved back home to
Sicily with her handicap daughter, Serena. Sorella Battista is so
strong. SO STRONG. Also, she is one amazing cook. We always head down
to her house on Friday Evening, which is about 40 minutes one way from
Mistretta, for a Dinner and Family Home Evening. We eat a big,
delicious dinner. Then we have a spiritual thought and we wrap it up
with the card game UNO. I love Sorella Battista and admire her for her
strength.
Saturday morning, we went over to Ninno's home yet again to help him
with his lesson for Sunday. He asked us to study the scriptures with
him, and help him get all prepared for her lesson. It was a tender
experience for me to see just how grateful Ninno was for our help. I
feel like I am so ungrateful sometimes and I know that I take things
for granted. Such as: Reading the scriptures, looking at pictures,
getting around the house easily.... Things that Ninno struggles with
everyday. Now he is not completely blind, but his vision is so bad
that they classify him as a blind person. He can see a little bit, but
not enough to function without having difficulty. Again, it was a good
experience for me to see hoe grateful he was for our help. Afterwards,
we noticed that he was a little low on firewood for his stove. Anziano
Da Ponte and I restocked Ninno's wood pile. Let's just say they Ninno
shouldn't have to worry about wood for a few weeks. I love Ninno. He
is such s good guy!!
English Course Update:
Alright so we have had 3 girls coming pretty consistently and they
have been our only students so far. I am not sure if they are just in
love with us or if they really want to learn English. One is 18 and
the other two are 15 and 16. They are pretty awkward and don't say
much....but one did say a prayer for us the other night and that was
cool. Also our less active Eleanora's 14 year old daughter and 7 year
old son Emanuele started to come as well. They even brought a friend.
So slowly, and I mean slowly... Our English course is getting here.
Hopefully things will continue to go good in that aspect.
That about wraps us up for this week family and friends. We had some
really good things happen this week, but I wish we could have had a
few more things bounce our way. That's life though. You win some and
you lose some. This week, Anziano Da Ponte and I are going to get a
win. I am excited for this week! It should be a good one. I thank you
all for everything. For the love, support and prayers. Truly, I am
grateful for you all. Have a good week, take care and stay warm. I
hear that the snow should be falling in Utah this week. "It's the most
wonderful time of the year..." I love you all!
This week...In honor of Sorella Battista and her strength, I would
like to share a story that I read this morning about the prophet
Joseph Smith and just hoe strong he was.
"In our early Church history, the Prophet Joseph, Emma, and their
11-month-old twins Joseph and Julia were in Hiram, Ohio, at the
Johnson farm. Both of the children were suffering from measles. Joseph
and his little son were sleeping on a trundle bed near the front door.
Brother Mark L. Staker has recounted what happened:
During the night a group of men with black-painted faces burst through
the door and dragged the Prophet outside where they beat him and threw
tar on him and Sidney Rigdon.
“When Emma saw the beaten and tarred Joseph, she fainted.…
“… Though the Prophet had lost a tooth, received a severe injury in
his side, was missing a patch of hair, and had nitric acid burns, he
preached a sermon at the usual Sunday worship service. Among the
Saints gathered there were at least four members of the mob.”
The most tragic part of this mobbing was that little Joseph was
exposed to the night air when his father was dragged away and caught a
severe cold and, as a result, died a few days later."
Joseph Smith was strong. He was a prophet of God. No man would have,
and I believe could have, remained so faithful through all of the
hardships he endured...unless he were called of God to do so. The
Prophet Joseph Smith is one of my heroes for many reasons. One of
those reasons is because no matter how many things he went through, no
matter how many things caused him pain and struggles, no matter how
many things were stacked against him.....He always remained Strong.
When hard times come, and I know that they will, stand tall, stay
Strong and be of good cheer no matter how difficult standing tall,
remaining Strong and being cheerful may seem...We have the Savior of
the World on our side. He is always near us, sending angels from above
to comfort us and blessing us more than we can possibly comprehend.
Let us remain strong in all things just as the King of Kings has done,
as well as the prophet he called to usher in this last dispensation,
Joseph Smith. "38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord. ( Romans 8:38-39 )
I love you all. Have an amazing week.
Love,
Anziano JarDee Nessen
Ps....11 Months Tomorrow!!
We ate a Burger at Burger King in Palermo the other day after District Meeting. It was the best €8,10 I have ever spent. Nothing is better than a big old American style hamburger. Also, I wear the Burger King crown whenever we are in the house. Haha!
I found a few extra mattresses in our house....So I made myself a MEGA-BED. There are 3 mattresses on that bad boy and it is so comfortable. I love my MEGA-BED.
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