Dinner Night

 December 10, 2010

Hello everyone! My companion and I are getting along better! he and I know some old folk songs and are singing them quite often. It's crazy sometimes because he keeps telling people to put me in the choir, but that will never happen. Anyway a cool story happened a couple days ago. During a lesson my companion completely disobeyed the rules about having people at our apartment and invited them to dinner. It was so hectic trying to get everything ready that we found we couldn't heat everything up fast enough! So we used every burner on the stove and the microwave never got a break! It was funny because I wound up with an umpteenth number of sauce burns from everything exploding but nothing too serious. And we got everything set down just in time for them to come over and they never showed up. lol But it was fun because we took the food to their house and caroled and left them with our plates (that way we can return for them later and give them a lesson) and it was so humbling to hear that our new neighbors were so thankful and glad to have such wonderful and nice people like us living next to them. She said she came from  a rough part of town and had to move down here so that she could get away from everything! I think I smell a conversion nearby! Anyway we have some more baptismal dates set so we'll see if I can get my first baptism this transfer! Keep your fingers crossed!!!!

MISSION ADVICE: Pranks are a good way to get sent home. They lead to an endless cycle of revenge.

Happy Birthday to: Eric Kelly, Logan Proksch, and Nolan Amparano

Thanksgiving, the Pennywhistle and Deodorant

 November 29, 2010

0-0 The days are flying by! Well, for thanksgiving this year we went to Two members houses, had P-Day and played horseshoes. It was sooooo hard, but most of the time my points were Leaners so I figure that was pretty good.  =)  If anyone wants or needs to email me my email address is   ian.nessen@myldsmail.net   make sure you get that right or it will send it to a different website! So far the only people I've recieved emails from since I have been out here are: Mom, Dad, Ariel, Houston, Ray Long, Sister Knowles, Elder Meza, Sister Proksch, Alex, and Bishop Brown. If your name isn't up there I haven't gotten anything, which kinda makes me sad =( but hey all it takes is just copying the email address above and correcting whatever went wrong :3 YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!  So anyway, my new companion is Elder Madsen, book worm at heart, but he keeps life exciting. By the way, I am now becoming very good at playing the pennywhistle which I bought for 8 bucks down at Sam Ash  :)  It was worth every penny! (haha knee slapper) anyway dumb jokes aside, mom we have about three recorders (flutes) underneath the game cabinet in the front room. Ariel knows what they are. If you wouldn't mind I would like to be able to play one of those for my Christymas present!  :D love you much! (Oh, and it would be nice to have a list a which notes to play it's kinda different from a whistle) Anyway, my time has run short but I will leave you with some mission advice.

MISSION ADVICE: People like seeing the missionaries only when they put deodorant on. Words to the wise.
Being healthy is essential for a mission, if you eat healthy you feel more energized!

Happy Birthday to: Eric Kelly, Logan Proksch, Nolan Amparano, Mike Kindred, Brittney Dingledine, Julie Ikeda, my good friend Jamie Beckwith, and Zach Giffin-pope (PS Thanks for all you did to make my sister happy!!!!)

Transfers, Tiki Torches and Mission Advice

 November 22, 2010

Hello everyone! For anyone who's wondering, yes I am still in Brooksville, FL I have not been transferred yet. My companion is leaving though and I have a new one coming in. Elder Allan will be replaced by Elder Madsen who will be newer than I am. So I will be a step-trainer. We'll see how that goes for the time being. We spent some time this past week preparing for a members' 18th birthday party which was really fun! Everything was decorated in blue and tiki torches were everywhere! (We set up most of the decorations) And everyone sang songs and we sat around the campfire and got cozy. It was so nice! The young women even came up with a song "Oh us Mormon Girls We're Unforgettable" if any of you want to see it it should be on youtube. I didn't bring my camera today, so I'll just have to send you all pictures next week. So far I have read every letter in my inbox so I don't think I have missed any emails. I do miss the letters from my friends though :( but i understand they're busy! :) By the way, I haven't recieved a letter from Haley yet, is she still there? The weather here is still very nice. I find it weird that the trees are not turning colors. It's still very much green here. It seems as if the plants have no clue that it's Fall. I miss spending time with you all and hope that your ventures are safe and rewarding!

MISSION ADVICE: If you are around someone you don't like, instead of treating them with disrespect and violence, try using compassion and try to understand thing from their point of view. And also, a mission is different than any kind of job out there. The reason being, anyone can give you a textbook or a job and it will pretty much be the same thing anywhere you go (given there may be a change here and there), but with a mission there is no set rule for teaching people and the rubric changes with every place you go. You can't just do what everyone else does, you have to watch constantly and pick out which things you think are good and apply them. That's the only way you can become effective at missionary work.


Happy Birthday to Whitney Montandon and Amanda Blake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First Flat Tire

 November  15, 2010

Hello everyone! Guess what? I finally got my first flat tire! Along with three others....... but yeah it's about time! It's cool having the CO2 canisters to inflate your tubes. The are miracle workers! Well, the other day I bought a camera cord just to figure out that my charger doubles as a USB! So I can officially send you guys pictures now! YAY!!!!!! I reeeeaaaally have to keep it short today, but I'll toss in what I can. Thank you mom for all of your letters I still open them and read them and all of them are still here with me! I figure I might get a binder or something to put them in. =D I miss you all and hope the best for all of you!!!! And my best wishes to my greatest buddy Alex who is sick with Typhoid Fever and hope he gets well! I will be holding a mighty prayer for you!!!!

MISSION ADVICE: When buying camera cords, make sure your charger doubles as a USB. C02 Cartridges are great for instantaneously inflating your tires, but they are hard to find. Make sure you use them sparingly. Note books are great! I have three and I use them all the time! And last but not least missionaries LOVE recieving letters especially around the holidays when it can be the most stressful.... try sending one to a missionary these next few holidays! (I'll be waiting  :)  ) The reason being, is email may be convenient for you, but it isn't convenient for the missionary so don't be surprised if he forgets about your email. It can take a while depending on who is in his "friends" list, so letters are a sure fire way to get a response! Love you all and be safe out there!!!

Elder Nessen

P.S. Happy birthday to: Jim Easter and Toshi Shino!!!!!!!!!

Halloween and "Happy Holidays!"

November 1, 2010

 

Hi everyone! everything is going well! Mom, I opened your package yesterday (Halloween). My favorite Holiday and I didn't even get to celebrate it. I made some decorations and some fake blood using miscellaneous items around the house. It was so cool to make everything! But we only got one group of Trick-or-treaters that night.... I had bought 2 bags of candy and everything!!! My companion and I just played cards and dominoes...then I remembered the package and it cheered me up more than anything that night! My companion and I took pictures and ate the candy. I decided if I couldn't celebrate Halloween our way that I could at least spend it in the most cheerful way I could imagine. A Halloween package sent by my loving family! I think it cheered up Elder Allan too since no one sent him anything this Halloween. Thank you so much for all you do!

 

As for me today I feel pretty good. I got to help this past week with an event that people here call "The Fall Festival". My companion and I got to be the judges of the Chili Cook Off, the deserts, and the decorated rooms! It was so cool! They had a room with all the characters from Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland and the Bishopric Dressed up as Wonka and the Oompa Loompas.

 

MISSION ADVICE:

Out here in the mission field I have learned that holidays can be VERY sketchy. I didn't even know that people considered Halloween to be an evil or sacreligious holiday, but down here there are so many politics about it. It just seems purely ridiculous. It's almost as if people want to annoy each other on purpose. Keep this in mind when you are on your mission. "Happy Holidays" is a VERY good term of phrase.

 

Love,  Elder Nessen

Interesting Week 8, and Happy Birthday Dad!

 October 25, 2010

 

Well, think week was a little interesting.....

 

Yesterday we found out that one of our investigators was, in actuality, a psychopath. Apparently a member in the ward was a police officer and had records that the man we taught was mentally ill and for our safety wanted us to stay away from him. Pretty creepy. And another investigator we had to drop because she was determined and hardset that she recieves revelation, and her latest one deemed the Amish as the true faith and that electricity is Gods' light and we are stealing it from him. So we really have fun out here! On the bright side we had an investigator who wanted to be baptised after 3 months of lessons, so it was a good day! There are so many people out there to teach and the work needs to be sped up a lot! Whatever you can do to further the work, make sure you do it! Nothing brings more hope and joy to your soul than helping your fellow man!

 

MISSION ADVICE:

Improve yourself in any way possible before your mission. It greatly affects the way your days will go!

And be sure to buy a blanket to keep you warm at night! (im just using a sheet, but that will change as of tomorrow)

Events are great! Try hosting a few before you leave so you know how to influence people through activities and talks!

 

Happy Birthday to Julie Stanley, Carl Soderpalm, Kyle Wilson, Sara Easter, Nicole Heath, and last but certainly not the most very least,

 

 

 

MY  DAD!!!!!  For always being there for me and showing me how to run!!!! (and ride a bike)  =D

 

LOVE YOU!!!!!

 

Sincerely, Elder Nessen

Happy Birthday to Tess and Emily!

 October 18, 2010

 

Well, to start with......   HAPPY BIRTHDAY

To Tess and Emily!!!! Hurray!!!!!!!

And unfortunately I forgot my birthday cheat sheet so I'll have to congratulate others another day...... But it is so wonderful to hear from all of you! Thank you so much for all of the wonderful cards! Especially Emily, Tess, and Haley for the beautiful cards and pictures they send me! It reminds me of home!

 

Speaking of home there are many Elders out here that have out of this world objects and items when you meet them. For instance, the Elders that we're visiting today to do emails have Halo action figures, Calendars, and BB guns.Ah, brings back memories, time to focus on the work will come at about 5 today when Pday and chores are over. Good news! I get my awesome new Trek bike in two days! Definitely a step up from the rust bucket that I had to ride for 40 miles these past couple of days....  X(  It's not fun to have limited miles (especially when your former companion decided to use all of them up before he left)

 

MISSION ADVICE: You will realize more and more once you come onto your mission, that the church is perfect, but the members aren't. Not by a huge long shot. It's been so stressful this week with members for the sheer fact that many of them don't understand the importance of the work we are doing, and the different processes that we need to take each time a transfer happens. (My old companion did a poor job of training me apparently, so when he left I didn't know squat about the area. Stay in school kids and remember: Always pray for your companion and hope you he's a good one that will TEACH you.) There are so many members who can't do their jobs because of the information that I lack about investigators. It's rough because now my companion doesn't know anyone in the area, but my old companion gave me just the bare bones. It's a sad situation, but I've definitely grown to love the investigators a lot  because of their understanding and compassion. You all will be amazed at how the church works when you get out here on your mission, there are so many more . Anyway, I'm outta time so I'll talk to all of you later!

 

Remember, Preach my Gospel will be your new bible on your mission. Everything you do will come out of that book! I'm regretting not taking notes, but here's a couple of tips:

 

Memorize your purpose as a missionary (page 1 i think it's in a red box)
And Take notes and write down the scriptures you find. It's nice to have a cheat sheet when people have troubles and need comfort! (hint: Try searching on google about bible answers, it might help)

 

Love, Elder Nessen

Blessings, Trials and Change

 October 11, 2010
So today, we recieved word that my companion is now going to be switched with another one. I'm still pretty lost as to what I need to remember. We have a list of about 50 people we need to see and an investigators list of 20.  :S  I'm a stressin Nessen. So, anyway I had an interesting experience yesterday at about 7 PM Atlantic time (for whomever would like to do the math). One of my investigators decided to give me a blessing to rid me of my seizures. So I gladly accepted and it. And after the blessing he 'spoke in tongues' and said that I will never have them again unless I'm not faithful. I sure hope I don't have one in front of him :S   It was really uplifting in a way though to know that someone cared about me enough to bless me with his oil that he cherished so deeply. This man's name is Tommy (he is a Martial Arts master and was trained by the actor of the blue power ranger on Light Speed Rescue), and his mother had given him this oil that she brought from Jerusalem. It was blessed by a priest in the Lord's tomb and he keeps it very sacred to him. So it was a real treasure for me to participate in that. This man Tommy, is a very spiritual man and will go spread the word of god rather than look for work. He also has seizures and has had an amazing life of trials and complications. Throughout all of this he still manages to hang onto his beliefs. He truly is amazing. He even called up the other night and gave me some new insight. When I picked up the phone he couldn't remember who I was, so I told him "this is Elder Nessen". "You're the one with the seizures right?"  "Yes, I told him. Yeah that's right, I remembered your companion's name, but I forgot yours." In my head I laughed and then he said, "I just wanted to add you to my prayer sheet"......... I can testify to all of you, that you stand as beacons on a hill brothers and sisters. Each and every one of you sets an example for everyone who sees you. Know this, that every one of you is writing history for your posterity, that you are influencing others in ways you cannot even imagine!    One other investigator told me this, and it made all the difference in my life, he said: "You cannot deny it! One way or another, there was a sequence of events that led you into MY home this day. And it is MY choice to either accept or give up the things you have, that will change me." -Ozzie   There are so many things that we do to one another without even thinking. Just walking by someone on the street can change a series of events. Our Father in Heaven puts us there to learn, and to have opportunities to change ourselves and others for the better. The way I like to look at it is; a trial is an opportunity from God to learn and to change. Many times we do not because it is simply easier to be ourselves and give into temptation. The way I see it, a trial is God giving us a second chance to change. I leave this blessing with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Onto the less spiritual stuff now.  :P  The other day it hit me, I'm an 8th of my way through my mission.  0.0  And people, I need some Halloween ideas. We have a bunch of clothes that people left here from a while ago so I'm thinking fake blood will be good. Anyone have any ideas on how to make it? Thanks!  (P.S. Here's a cool idea I saw down here! Someone took a broken mower and put it in their front yard. They had fake body parts strewn around it. cool huh?) Anyway, now for some:

MISSION ADVICE: If you're living in an apartment look everywhere for useful items. You'd be surprised what missionaries leave behind. And also, Study up on things to don't know so you can talk with people about them on your mission it really helps to get them to listen to you. Compliments work wonders! Always butter them up! Oh and Alex, One person down here served a mission in El Salvador. Y'know how they always go through your postage and eat the things they find? Ask your mom to make a cake with laxatives. It makes them humble for a while  :)

Anyway, Love ya and miss you all!

Love, Elder Nessen