Apr04
April 4th, 2016 // #14 of 2016
Good Morning Y'all.
Well here we are and another week has bit the dust. I cannot believe
it is already April and next month we will have the chance to skype
once again. It seems like yesterday we were talking on Christmas Day.
All is well out here in Mistretta. This past week was full of miracles
and I'm grateful to my Father in Heaven for blessing us with these
miracles. The weather over here is heating up, and especially down
here in Sicily. It's getting real warm and spring is starting up. The
birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming and I'm sneezing every
other minute from the insane amount of pollen in the air. Anziano Dunn
is doing well and is continuing to make strides each day in his
development. I'm grateful to be his companion and especially for his
patience with me.
This week we don't have a lot of time, but I would like to share two
miracles that happened this last week.
Miracle Number One.
We had to head to the other side of Sicily on Thursday evening because
Anziano Dunn had himself a class to attend in order to receive his
documents to live in Italy for the next few years. We stayed the night
with the Elders in Messina and headed out plenty early to make sure we
reached our destination on time. I looked it up on my iPad and it
wasn't far, so I wasn't to worried. Well Friday morning came along and
we headed out for the class. When we arrived at our so called
"destination" the sign for the class was nowhere in sight. I became
worried because if we missed this class, there was a pretty good
chance that Anziano Dunn could be in some trouble with the law. I
turned on our phones wifi hotspot and reentered the address into my
gps. Still, nothing to be found. Now it was about 8:55 and the panic
started to set in. In my mind and my heart I said a little prayer,
"Heavenly Father, guide me to this location." After my cry for help, I
started walking. We walked down the next street, than one more and
than one more when the thought came to mind, "Go one more." We walked
one more block and the thought came into my mind, "Take a left." We
took a left and about 100 yards after that left we stumbled upon the
class right on time. It was a miracle from on high. For a second I had
to humble myself and turn to my Father in Heaven. Miracles always
occur when we choose to be humble and follow the simple, settle
promptings of the Spirit. Rather than doing everything under our own
will and desires. I need to be better at that. The class went well and
we headed on back to Mistretta.
Miracle Number Two.
I'm not sure if you all remember that experience I had back before
Christmas when I was promoted to simply knock on the doors of our
apartment building instead of going somewhere else. Well that night we
got let into a home for the first time and showed them the video that
the church produced for Christmas. They invited us to return. Well we
tried to return. We tried again. After about the 10th time it became
obvious that this family had zero interest. Keep this is mind.
Wednesday morning we went on exchanges with the Elders of Palermo 2.
Elder Whiting and I returned to Mistretta. Wednesday morning we got
out the house and began the walk heading out of our apartment
building. The father that had let us in his house nearly four months
ago, and had done a very good job avoiding us ever since, stopped us
on the sidewalk and asked if we could stop by Friday evening. Humbly
and super pumped inside I replied, "Of course." We stopped by and
right from the beginning we were able to hit it off with this family.
They want to learn private English inside the home, but they also said
that they would be more than happy, and have the desire to hear our
message of Jesus Christ. There are genuine people. The father is a
doctor and is 42 years old. His wife is 39 and stays at home. They
have a 17 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. Once again we were
able to make a bond right from the beginning and I've never been more
excited leaving a house before in my mission. Good things will come
from this family, I can feel it.
After months of avoiding us, saying no and turning us done for return
appointments something has touched this man or gave him the thought to
invite us over. I'm not sure if it is because he sees us nearly
everyday on the streets or walking home at 9 pm...but the spirit is
working on him and I cannot wait to be apart of bringing the message
of the Restored Gospel to the family Lo Giudice.
Some small happenings of the week.
Thursday we went down into the farm of Vito Purpari for some service.
I helped him build a shed with stones and cement, while Anziano Dunn
was off chasing butterflies and whistling at the birds. We had a
lesson with Maria, Nino's sister, and we finally discovered what her
needs are. After weeks of praying, pondering and studied we have found
exactly what she needs. Also we had a Branch Fireside Wednesday
evening because we wanted to Revolutionize the way we do missionary
work in Mistretta. We called upon the members to reach out and work on
their friends. Well the members heard and answered that call. Each
member family has presented an opportunity for us to do missionary
work to a nonmember in the 4 days after that Fireside. Now we just
have to keep this flame burning inside of them.
General Conference was something pretty incredible. The talks,
councils and testimonies were all certainly inspired. I hope you all
had the opportunity to tune in for a session or two. I was really
touched by the talk given by Elder Christofferson when he spoke on
Fathers. I've always been overly blessed in that category with my old
man, my grandpa's and my great grandpa's. I was also very touched by
the talk that followed the talk on Fathers, that being the talk that
Elder Cook gave on The Temples. The blessings of the temple are
eternal and go beyond the temporary bands of death. I appreciated the
talks given in the Saturday morning session on being humble, on
forgiveness and praying for those who would address us. I continue to
marvel in disgust at the people who shouted "Opposed" when asked to
sustain our dear Prophet and Apostles. For all those who disagree with
whom the Lord has called, here is a warning from the beginning pages
of the Book of Mormon: "Thus shall be the destruction of all nations,
kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve
apostles of the Lamb." (1st Nephi 11:36) They are called to preach,
teach and testify of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are not called
to preach what is easy on the ear, teach what is politically correct
and testify of things that they think might be true. They boldly
preach His gospel, they teach what He wants to be taught and they are
truly Special Witnesses with perfect certainty of Him. It truly is
such a privilege to hear from these extraordinary men and women every
6 months. It is refreshing and strengthening indeed. Truly, we are
grateful for our Prophet and Apostles. Once again, I would invite any
of you who didn't get the chance to tune into one or more sessions of
General Conference. It will be worth your time. I promise you that.
Well friends and family, that about does it for this week. I apologize
but this week I will not be able to respond individually. We will be
going to pick up my African suit and shopping around for some other
things. Next week be ready for an African Style Photoshoot. I hope you
all have a great week back home in the main land and I hope that
everyone is well. Once again I apologize for not having enough time to
respond to everyone personally, but thank you for all writing me a
little something.
I love you.
I pray for you.
I'm grateful for you.
Make it a good week.
Find the Hand of God each day.
Anziano JarDee Nessen
Italy Rome Mission
Romans 1:15-16
Well here we are and another week has bit the dust. I cannot believe
it is already April and next month we will have the chance to skype
once again. It seems like yesterday we were talking on Christmas Day.
All is well out here in Mistretta. This past week was full of miracles
and I'm grateful to my Father in Heaven for blessing us with these
miracles. The weather over here is heating up, and especially down
here in Sicily. It's getting real warm and spring is starting up. The
birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming and I'm sneezing every
other minute from the insane amount of pollen in the air. Anziano Dunn
is doing well and is continuing to make strides each day in his
development. I'm grateful to be his companion and especially for his
patience with me.
This week we don't have a lot of time, but I would like to share two
miracles that happened this last week.
Miracle Number One.
We had to head to the other side of Sicily on Thursday evening because
Anziano Dunn had himself a class to attend in order to receive his
documents to live in Italy for the next few years. We stayed the night
with the Elders in Messina and headed out plenty early to make sure we
reached our destination on time. I looked it up on my iPad and it
wasn't far, so I wasn't to worried. Well Friday morning came along and
we headed out for the class. When we arrived at our so called
"destination" the sign for the class was nowhere in sight. I became
worried because if we missed this class, there was a pretty good
chance that Anziano Dunn could be in some trouble with the law. I
turned on our phones wifi hotspot and reentered the address into my
gps. Still, nothing to be found. Now it was about 8:55 and the panic
started to set in. In my mind and my heart I said a little prayer,
"Heavenly Father, guide me to this location." After my cry for help, I
started walking. We walked down the next street, than one more and
than one more when the thought came to mind, "Go one more." We walked
one more block and the thought came into my mind, "Take a left." We
took a left and about 100 yards after that left we stumbled upon the
class right on time. It was a miracle from on high. For a second I had
to humble myself and turn to my Father in Heaven. Miracles always
occur when we choose to be humble and follow the simple, settle
promptings of the Spirit. Rather than doing everything under our own
will and desires. I need to be better at that. The class went well and
we headed on back to Mistretta.
Miracle Number Two.
I'm not sure if you all remember that experience I had back before
Christmas when I was promoted to simply knock on the doors of our
apartment building instead of going somewhere else. Well that night we
got let into a home for the first time and showed them the video that
the church produced for Christmas. They invited us to return. Well we
tried to return. We tried again. After about the 10th time it became
obvious that this family had zero interest. Keep this is mind.
Wednesday morning we went on exchanges with the Elders of Palermo 2.
Elder Whiting and I returned to Mistretta. Wednesday morning we got
out the house and began the walk heading out of our apartment
building. The father that had let us in his house nearly four months
ago, and had done a very good job avoiding us ever since, stopped us
on the sidewalk and asked if we could stop by Friday evening. Humbly
and super pumped inside I replied, "Of course." We stopped by and
right from the beginning we were able to hit it off with this family.
They want to learn private English inside the home, but they also said
that they would be more than happy, and have the desire to hear our
message of Jesus Christ. There are genuine people. The father is a
doctor and is 42 years old. His wife is 39 and stays at home. They
have a 17 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. Once again we were
able to make a bond right from the beginning and I've never been more
excited leaving a house before in my mission. Good things will come
from this family, I can feel it.
After months of avoiding us, saying no and turning us done for return
appointments something has touched this man or gave him the thought to
invite us over. I'm not sure if it is because he sees us nearly
everyday on the streets or walking home at 9 pm...but the spirit is
working on him and I cannot wait to be apart of bringing the message
of the Restored Gospel to the family Lo Giudice.
Some small happenings of the week.
Thursday we went down into the farm of Vito Purpari for some service.
I helped him build a shed with stones and cement, while Anziano Dunn
was off chasing butterflies and whistling at the birds. We had a
lesson with Maria, Nino's sister, and we finally discovered what her
needs are. After weeks of praying, pondering and studied we have found
exactly what she needs. Also we had a Branch Fireside Wednesday
evening because we wanted to Revolutionize the way we do missionary
work in Mistretta. We called upon the members to reach out and work on
their friends. Well the members heard and answered that call. Each
member family has presented an opportunity for us to do missionary
work to a nonmember in the 4 days after that Fireside. Now we just
have to keep this flame burning inside of them.
General Conference was something pretty incredible. The talks,
councils and testimonies were all certainly inspired. I hope you all
had the opportunity to tune in for a session or two. I was really
touched by the talk given by Elder Christofferson when he spoke on
Fathers. I've always been overly blessed in that category with my old
man, my grandpa's and my great grandpa's. I was also very touched by
the talk that followed the talk on Fathers, that being the talk that
Elder Cook gave on The Temples. The blessings of the temple are
eternal and go beyond the temporary bands of death. I appreciated the
talks given in the Saturday morning session on being humble, on
forgiveness and praying for those who would address us. I continue to
marvel in disgust at the people who shouted "Opposed" when asked to
sustain our dear Prophet and Apostles. For all those who disagree with
whom the Lord has called, here is a warning from the beginning pages
of the Book of Mormon: "Thus shall be the destruction of all nations,
kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve
apostles of the Lamb." (1st Nephi 11:36) They are called to preach,
teach and testify of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are not called
to preach what is easy on the ear, teach what is politically correct
and testify of things that they think might be true. They boldly
preach His gospel, they teach what He wants to be taught and they are
truly Special Witnesses with perfect certainty of Him. It truly is
such a privilege to hear from these extraordinary men and women every
6 months. It is refreshing and strengthening indeed. Truly, we are
grateful for our Prophet and Apostles. Once again, I would invite any
of you who didn't get the chance to tune into one or more sessions of
General Conference. It will be worth your time. I promise you that.
Well friends and family, that about does it for this week. I apologize
but this week I will not be able to respond individually. We will be
going to pick up my African suit and shopping around for some other
things. Next week be ready for an African Style Photoshoot. I hope you
all have a great week back home in the main land and I hope that
everyone is well. Once again I apologize for not having enough time to
respond to everyone personally, but thank you for all writing me a
little something.
I love you.
I pray for you.
I'm grateful for you.
Make it a good week.
Find the Hand of God each day.
Anziano JarDee Nessen
Italy Rome Mission
Romans 1:15-16
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