Well, here am I!
Before I start... I can't open PDFs. These computers here have been "set-apart" to only do a few things. PDF reading is not one of them.
It's been so great to hear from all of you guys! From Little Leighton to Elder Ipson the Older. I have so much fun reading all of your letters!
So, basketball is a hot topic at our house huh? Well, I knew it was only a matter of time until Dad got his calling, and it's good to hear that Tanner has his clutch moments. Keep me updated. I want to know if our 11th can keep up the inner stake legacy of always making the play-offs. (Just don't live up to the legacy I left in my last church ball game). So, a new baby in the ward? You better make sure and hold that baby for me!
So, Dad says that the new airport is open. I have to laugh I didn't know it was that close to being done! Elder Long (played basketball for Hurricane) and I both got letters yesterday (Letters didn't come on MLK Day) both saying that the airport is open. We both laughed because like dad said, we "don't have to ride in the Brazilias anymore." So coming home from the mission, I will be coming home in style!
So, I've been reading Zack's e-mails and I'm getting kind of jealous, all this time in the MTC, and I don't get to have the experiences he is having. I'm not counting down my date of "escape" from the MTC, but I can't wait to get out there and start working in Ohio. I sent a letter to him last week. I haven't heard anything from that letter again. Hopefully the letter made it to Trinidad in one piece.... If not I'll just send another this week. But please keep forwarding me emails from him.
Now I'm sure you want me to talk about myself, and what's going on here. Well, this past week we have lost a district, so We sang God be with you 'Till we meet again" en Español. Being obnoxious missionaries we sing it at the top of our lungs burning out all vocal performance for the next day. If Bob were to hear our technique he would cringe!
Anyways most of this district is heading off to Argentina, and a pair is leaving today for Texas. In our district we have a couple leaving for the D.R. (Dominican Republic) MTC. Tomorrow they head off, and we hope the best for them in their missions in Puerto Rico. We also got a new district last Wednesday, they are all going to Chile! Crazy!
Last night we had Elder Gong of the Seventy come and talk to us. He really invigorated my want to read from the Book of Mormon. Lately I've had my nose in the Bible reading about the Savior. More or less I've been studying the life of Peter. Despite his weaknesses he really is what the Lord called "The Rock". If I could be like anyone it would be like Peter...
Before I forget there are a few people I would love to hear from. So if you could, could you please release your inner bond and get me address for the following people.
McCall Matthews, Cody Eckman, Tiffany Prince, Coby Johnson, Danny Gillespie
So, I really must thank you for the Chips and Dip! That is the most glorious food I've had in a while. Whether it's the Salt Peter or the grease, all of the food slowly starts tasting the same. Although that being said we have a 1-10 code of what to eat here at the MTC. 10 being the highest, you rate the food according to how it looks. Then if you invert the number you get how good the food tastes, so if you have something that looks like a 7, it should come out to taste like a three. Another variable to add in is the gassiness it gives you. So the higher the tastiness number the higher the gas number. This should provide you evidence to the paradox we call food here at the MTC.
This past couple of weeks I've seen friends come in and go. To preface the story, Elder Hall (Boston Mass.) had his flight cancelled due to weather somewhere, and he got stuck at the MTC, another day. The funny thing is that Elder Jansen (Moscow West, Russia) came in that day. While Elder Hall and I were eating we saw Dork Dots! We were so excited! We literally pounced on Elder Jansen as he walked in! I'm sure he was flattered and confused about what just happened, but we were so happy to see a familiar face. (Oh yeah, Danny Gillespie comes in soon). Elder Hall is sure that his flight was cancelled just so he could see Elder Jansen! I wouldn't doubt it, the Lord has his hand in everything! I'm re-converted each day, and some days more than others. (Time is running out)
Mucha Amor,
Elder A. Ipson (The younger)
Columbus Ohio Mission
