Fighter Pilots and Capone's Lawyer

There are a two stories that were shared this past Sunday during sacrament meeting.  I would now like to pass them on to all of you.

"Story number one:

Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare.

He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mothership, he saw something that turned his blood cold.
A squadron of Japanese bombers were speeding their way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor, could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet.

Reflection and Growth

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  Today marks a big mission landmark for me, one year of being a missionary.  For an Elder, this would be the half way mark (aka the "hump").  As a Sister it marks two thirds of the mission.  Tragic and sad, but it's the life of a Sister Missionary.

At zone conference yesterday we were privileged to hear the testimonies of  a couple of our soon-to-be departing missionaries and listen to the words of wisdom they had to share.  Listening to them made me reflect back to who I was before the mission, just one year ago.  What changes have I seen within myself since then?  What kind of person have I become?  One thing rang true to me, I don't want to be who I used to be.

To backtrack a little, I wasn't some horrible person.  Never a "rebel" or a "wild child."  Just your typical 21 year old LDS girl.  Made good choices and didn't do anything contrary to church standards.  I went to church, went to some activities, and read my scriptures occasionally.  Not overly dedicated or tons of effort put into my religion.  I knew it was true and all that jazz, just didn't give it the priority it deserved.  My evaluation of this person, pathetic!

Pit stop on Highway 1

One year on my mission has made me a whole new being.  I have grown in more ways then I can ever possibly hope to explain or try to convey.  The person I am now is far superior to the pathetic being I was before.  This may sound harsh, but it's true.  There has been a change from within me. 

"1Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word..."

There is a light within my soul that I didn't know was missing.  Now that I have found it I don't ever want to lose it.  "Onward and upward;" no turning back to who I was.  This change has happened and is all attributed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Gospel of Christ changes lives.  It makes an okay life amazing and an amazing life even better.  If you haven't yet, I invite you now to come unto Christ and make that change in your life.  He invites all men everywhere to "2follow thou me."  To follow Christ's example and be baptized.


"3Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel."

If this is your desire, please please PLEASE take the steps necessary to follow Christ.  Meet with the missionaries and have that change of heart too.  I know it will bless your life forever.

Dawn of a New Era

Transfers have come and gone, again, and this time it affected me.  I have been sent to the northernmost zone of our mission, in a city called Eureka, to be companions with Hermana Haslam.  Yes, that is correct, Hermana.  We are in an English/Spanish companionship.  So far it has been full of excitement and challenges.  Both of us are new to the area and thus have no idea what it's like, where anything is, who is in the ward, or which way is North.  But, don't you fret, we are up to the challenge.  The area is gorgeous and the people are extremely welcoming and kind.

One of the bigger challenges has been cleaning up the apartment and going through all of the information about the area.  It has taken us some time (and still is).  While going through the apartment we did find one of the neatest things I have seen on my mission.  Take a look....

It is a history of all the Elders that have served here since about 2000.  Crazy right?!  I was amazed at how many there were.  I mean, that is a rather long heritage of missionaries here in Eureka 2nd ward.  After the amazement I noticed the bottom of this very very long list.  Look below...

"The End of the Elders."  A legacy at an end.  From what I have gathered, there haven't been any Sisters here.  Hermana Haslam and I are the first.

A new legacy has begun and I am very excited about it.  This new transfer comes with new challenges and trials, but also new blessings and miracles.  Each area I have served in has taught me a valuable lesson. 

 My first area was where I truly learned what it meant to love the people and to have charity.  Loving everyone is not an easy task, but as we strive to see others the way Christ does, we are blessed. 

In my second area I learned a lot about myself.  What my weaknesses are and what I can improve on within myself.  Rough, but very rewarding.  "1And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." 

In my third area my future kept coming into mind.  Somewhat of a daunting idea, but it seemed to be in the forefront of my mind.  What would I do with my future?  What kind of person do I want to be?  How can I become the person the Lord wants me to be?  These questions continued to swirl around within my mind for what seemed to be forever.  What I learned was that I have become a different person than I was and that I want to become so much more.

I am so exited to see what Eureka has in store for me.  The people we will teach, the people I will meet, and everything the Lord has planned out.  What will Eureka teach me?  Well, I'll keep you posted on that one.

Thanks to my Friends

Today I would just like to briefly share something that has been on my mind.  As I have been online today, talking to others, reading blogs, and pondering upon what I wanted to say, the thought that kept popping into my mind was friends.  My thoughts kept being drawn to the many amazing friends that I have in my life.  Some I've known since birth, some from before my mission, and some I have found while on my mission.  As I continued to ponder about all of my friends, I remembered a quote from the movie "The Little Rascals":  "You only meet your once in a lifetime friends... once in a lifetime."  All I can say to that is "Amen!"

There are so many people that come in and out of our lives.  Many come and go, but many come into our lives and stay forever.  Each person I have become friends with has changed my life.  Some are drastic changes, others  are smaller, but each person has helped mold me.  To all those that have come into my life, thank you!  Who I am is because of you.  To all those I have yet to meet, I'm excited to be friends.

Down by 1



Elder Trevor Nestman, Elder Christopher Nestman, Sister Nestman



For those faithful followers of my blog, you are aware that I have 2 brothers out serving missions as well.  Major blessing for my family!  But, that can only last so long.  My brother, Elder Christopher Nestman, sent his last email as a missionary today.  He will be headed home in less than 2 weeks.  He shared some words of wisdom with the rest of us in his email that I would like to share.

"So as my last e-mail to my sister and brother while I'm a missionary I just want to say that being a missionary is the most amazing experience you can ever have.  It really is a chance for you to let the Lord work on you and improve you more than any other time in your life.  While we're teaching our investigators we really are the Lords investigators.  Be humble and let Him change you.  When the two of you really let that happen, that's when you're mission becomes a life changing experience and you become a better you." 

I love when he says "we are the Lord's investigators."  We are always learning from Him.  He is the ultimate teacher and one that can guide us to where we need to be.  Too often we lose sight of that.  Forget who really is the teacher in this life.  We are all investigators.  Each of us is learning daily how to become better then we are today.  Each day we have a higher 100% we can reach.  Become a better you.  Be humble and let Him change you.

I think we missed our exit......

The other night I had one of those "special" moments we all know and love.  It could also be referred to as a "blonde moment", but we won't go there.  So, my companion and I were over in Fairfield using the Family History Center to do online missionary work.  We have been there numerous times and know exactly how to get there.  Which is a fairly big accomplishment for me (not the best with directions.....).  After working online for a while it was time to head home for the night.  We drove the usual way.  Veering another way is never a good thing in the "Driving Handbook of Sister Nestman."  Just gets me more lost and confused.  This time going home, for one reason or another, we missed the exit to our house.  We were either distracted, not paying attention, or lost track of where we were.  In any case, I got off the right path and had to make a detour.

As I thought about my little escapade, I immediately thought of how there are times in life that I have had to take a detour.  There have been soooo many times in my life where I have found myself distracted from my main goal.  Times where I have lost sight of my actual destination.  It's not called the "straight and narrow path" for no reason.  It wasn't meant to be easy, but it is worth it and we do have help.  If I had been paying better attention, I would have seen the sign that said "Cordelia Exit."  The Lord also gives us street signs and warnings.  He gives us direction so we can find our destination.  Some of these "street signs" or "directions" are the scriptures, prophets, the spirit, and so much more.  He is ALWAYS there to guide us.  It is up to us to follow or not.   

For those that miss their exit, like me, there is a way back.  We can always change the direction of our travel.  This is done through repentance.  Knowing you aren't living in accordance to the Lord's teachings and then changing your ways.  Relying on Jesus Christ and His infinite atoning sacrifice for us.  Sometimes, changing our ways can be a long process.  You may not be able to turn around right then.  It may take time.  But, there is always a way back.  Always a way to get back on track.  Yes, I did make it home and yes, I am still working on getting back home to my Heavenly Father.  Again, not easy, but worth it.

Change

"The only constant in life is change."  A very common quote that has been said many many times by numerous people.  The last time I heard this was in an email from my father the other day.  It was nothing profound or new, but it got me thinking.  Change happens ALL the time whether we like it or not.  Why is change so scary to so many?  For me, it is a fear of the unknown.  I don't like not knowing, but I have to rise above that fear and accept the change.  Staying stagnant is not a good way to live life. 

"There is nothing so unchanging, so inevitable as change itself. The things we see, touch, and feel are always changing. Relationships between friends, husband and wife, father and son, brother and sister are all dynamic, changing relationships. There is a constant that allows us to use change for our own good, and that constant is the revealed eternal truths of our Heavenly Father." (Elder Marvin J. Ashton).

Change helps us learn and grow.  It helps us grow as a person, become something better.  "Yes, there is pain in change, but there is also great satisfaction in recognizing that progress is being achieved. Life is a series of hills and valleys and often the best growth comes in the valleys" (Elder Marvin J. Ashton).  Keep changing and growing and becoming better.

Who I Am Hates Who I've Been

This is a song that has always reminded me that we can change our life around.  We do not have to stay the person we are or were.  Anyone can change and become better.  "If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living" (Gail Sheehy).   Let's all change for the better and not look back at who we were.