To Austin, from Jewel, our Cat

Jewel the Cat
596 Spring Circle, garage suite
Washington, UT 84780

Senior Austin

12 Randolph Court, Apt. 102
Farifield, Ohio 45014-4383

Dear Senior Austin!

I know, I know, you didn’t think cats could talk or write a letter, but that’s just what we want you to think.  Cats do have the power of speech, but it is beneath us to speak to our minions.  Because, let’s face it, you live to serve me!  But for you, I will make an exception because you’re one of my favorite people.  If you tell anyone I said that, I will deny it. 

First of all, where are you????  I’ve been wondering if you have used up all of your 9 lives or something like that.  My humans here just aren’t as good as you at letting me use them for pouncing practice or a scratching pole.  Nobody lets me use their arm for biting and harassment like you, although I do try now and then.

Your brother, the shorter guy, thinks he is the cat whisperer.  He’s good for talking to, but not much action.  At least he brings me food and water when I command it.  Your sister, she makes idle threats like she’s going to shiskabob me for dinner, but I am smarter than she is, and I know this is false.  Your mom, well, she’s good for rubbing behind the ears and talking to me.  And your Dad, I don’t know about him; he says he likes your dog Quik more than me and makes horrible noises with the motorcycle (that’s why I like to get hair and paw prints on his ride) but I know he worships me and he only pretends to despise me.  I know everything, by the way.  Oh, and tell your dad that people who hate cats will come back as mice in their next life!

I have noticed that there is one major difference between you and me:  You work 16 hours an day and sleep 8 hours a day; and I sleep 16 hours a day, and play for the other 8 hours.  Let’s get one thing clear, I do what I want, when I want.  I am the master, and you are to tend to my every need.

The mystery remains though, where are you?  I don’t know where you are and don’t know when you will come back home.  I’m saving many mice and lizards for you, and even though I will be elated to see you again one day, I will have to pretend to ignore you and walk away so the others in the house won’t know you are my true favorite.

Well human, hang in there.  Every time you get knocked down (or tossed in the air, for that matter); try to land on your feet.  Wishing you more than 9 lives,

Love always,

Jewel

PS – No amount of masking tape can remove my fur from your clothes and couch.  Oh, and if I don’t like the way my litter box is cleaned, I will throw up in the garage.

Jewel sent Elder Ipson a package too including: bird Peeps, Goldfish crackers, mouse traps, Hello Kitty stickers, lint roller, KitKats, and Tuna.  Hope this makes him smile!  :)

Google Map This First! - transferred to Cincinnati area



P.S. the first is all of the missionaries at this transfer.
Elder Ramsey is in front of me, and Elder Whittingham is behind Elder Ragan.

 P.S.S. This is the catch of the day. After the freak summer storms that can drench you in a matter of seconds.

P.S.S.S. This made me cry. (Columbus)

May 31, 2011

12 Randolph Court #102
Farifield, Ohio 45014

The Trifecta is complete!  All of the C cities in Ohio have been conquered by the Ipson family!  Right now I'm serving down in "Cincy" with Elder Whittingham.  Yes there is a relationship to Coach Whittingham (Uncle); this is his last transfer, so "killing" him is sort of odd.  It's going to let me know that people really do leave the mission!

With the big picture of all of the missionaries Elder Whittingham is on the top right near Elder Ragan.  Speaking of him, he is sitting right next to me!  We are sharing a four pad right now.  It's fun to talk about some of the experiences we had in the MTC intermingled with some of the experiences we've had in the field.

It's weird going into a new area.  I don't know much about anything, so when it comes to nightly planning I can only do so much.  I can't wait to be able to actually help put together a plan! 

So you are probably wondering what the area is like.  Well Dave I'm sure made his way into Dayton at one point.  He might be able to enlighten you about that.  The area we've been going to recently is Hamilton.  Elder Whittingham says that Hamilton is a bit nicer than Dayton, but has the same feel.  So if you can glean that from Dave it would be a good description of what it's like.  The real change for me is that I'm now knocking duplexes rather than apartment complexes.  Most defiantly a different feel.

With the first hit of the heat wave I'm wishing that the Spring weather would come back!  It is steamy down here!  Headlights on any car are always tainted with water!  Now the thing that makes this less bearable is the fact that we share a car with Elder Ragan, and Elder Ramsey.  (It's an old 07 Malibu; it's about to 50,000 miles so I might see it become a new car).  I'm grateful we have a car, but what makes it hard is that we just can't accept that there is only one car.  So we dream about being in the car the other Elders have.

We had a very warm welcome to the Branch, when I say that I mean a refiners fire!  Elder Ramsey & I were asked to give talks on exaltation.  Very broad topic...  So for my first real mission talk I gave the atonement, how we could change and obtain exaltation.  I gave the example of Peter.  He denied the Savior thrice, promised that he would feed his sheep three times, and taught the gospel with power and conviction.  In Elder Growes talk this past conference he outlines the atonement very clearly.  By no means was this the King Follet Discourse, but it's simple doctrine that we must understand to progress.  As it says in Preach my Gospel, all things can be made right through the atonement.

It is defiantly a change here in Cincy.  President Maya has so much vigor to do Missionary work.  He has a stout list of things for us to do, as well as help the branch with their 14 baptisms they want this year.  Shifting gears is different but I can't wait to see what this 7 week transfer will bring!

Please give Shayne my regards, and my solidified hope that she gets well soon.

I love you all, Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission (+Cincinnati)

May 23, 2011 - "7 Days"

AstroTurf is pretty comfy!

Here we are.  In anticipation of what's going to happen this transfer.  How it stands in our district; Elder Nelson and I feel we are staying, and that Elder Ramsey and Klein will be heading out.  Both of them will be heading out of the city, because the other Spanish area has a trainee.  Training takes 12 weeks, and they are halfway through.  So I don't see a change anytime soon.  It will be fun to see where those two go.  I'm with you now Dad.  I think they'll send me a seasoned missionary over to Spanish West.  Now before he comes....  I'm going to steal Elder Klein's mattress!  Some mornings I just have to lie on the floor & stretch to straighten it out again.  So, I look forward to exchanges; to say the least.

I had to do a bit of mental math in my head when you told me that Leighton had been dancing for 10 years of her life.  I didn't realize how long she's really been doing it!  If she keeps plugging away, she might be a Panthera!  Thus forcing dad out of that Heavy brimmed blue hat!  Leighton, keep dancing.  We need to help dad out with his style!

Mom I must thank you for the shirts, hat, and cowbell! I've got a feva', and the only prescription is mo' cowbell!  I pulled the package out of the package slot in our mailbox, and heard that distinct sound!  I knew that my feva' was about to be cured!

Now I don't remember if I told you this, but Elder Klein and I had a contact with a Baptist minister.   Ask Tanner about the Blubbo's drive-thru microphone.  After you hear his impression of that, well...  You'll know what it was like talking with that minister!  It didn't matter what we said, or how kindly we put it.  It was a garbled mess of words trying to combat what we said.  He even had the audacity to tell us we practiced polygamy even though we frankly told him that we didn't.  Television is a lie....  Anyways, I'll take Hispanics that pray to Maria, rather than saved by grace minister.

It's funny because the other day we were out finding (tracting), and it was mostly Americans that didn't really want to hear the true gospel.  We tried every potential, and did our best to look for something, but doors didn't open...  Tired, and ready to hit the bikes to head over to our next appointment.  We walked back.  We saw a family, but we weren't sure if they were Hispanic, but we had a handful more of potentials to see.  Those potentials didn't open the door, and it was about time to go.  We stood over our bikes wondering what to do.  Then we decided to go back and see that family that we weren't quite sure about, so we hobbled over.  Turns out they were Hispanic!  One was on the phone, and the other was watching her 3ish year old daughter.  We were talking to the one lady.  She was like most other Hispanics.  Not very interested, but at least kind to us.  The other got off the phone and started talking to us.  Quite the opposite!  We had an awesome 40 minute contact.  She has a lot of questions, good questions.  We had a lesson with her the other day, and she ask what it meant in Peter when the Savior was teaching to the people in prison.  She wants to learn, and she wants to get her schedule changed so she can come to church!  Unlike most of the Hispanic people, I think she means to keep her word.

We just got a call from the Zone Leaders!  That scared Elder Klein!  Had it been the Assistants, or President Jensen.  That would have meant a few things, with a call this early in the day.  Zone Leader, trainer, and the greatest servant of them all Assistant to the President.  The sigh of relief when Elder Klein saw that it was just the Zone Leaders, was... well... good! 

After that random tangent you will know what will become of us next Monday!

Now as for our old investigators...   Jose is now dropped.  He liked learning from us, but he wouldn't go to church, and wouldn't give up the beer.  He loves the BofM, and knows Joseph Smith to be a prophet, but won't act on it to go to church.  He knows that's what he needs to do, but wouldn't do it.  So maybe one day someone will look in the area book and find him when he's ready to act.  Rolan and Aracelli are a similar story.  They say they want to be baptized, but we haven't seen them at church in a month, and Rolan has a job on Sundays.  Even though he's cycled through quite a few jobs now....  Aracelli said she would be coming to church yesterday, but the pew sat empty.  We have the hardest time making contact, and don't know if their desire to be baptized is just words at this point.

It makes you want to bang your head, but you just have to keep finding new people to teach.  This transfer has been quite a bit better since we've kept finding new people.  It's a constant process of finding and teaching.  Just need to put the shoulder to the wheel!

Love ya'll
os amo; para siempre

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

P.S. I finally remembered my camera card!
P.P.S. AstroTurf is pretty comfy!

Monday, May 16, 2011 - Phhhhhbbbbt! I forgot my camera card!

So, as the subject line says.... I forgot to bring my camera card to the library....  I'm going to plead for forgiveness from the Momma!


We were supposed to have six investigators to church this Sunday.  (Actually it was a broadcast Stake Conference with Pres. Eyering, Elder Ballard, & Bishop Edgley).  We were pumped!  We had a good lesson with Araselli & Rolan earlier this week, but they sort of fizzled out. They were able to move into their new apartment this week, but we've only made contact a few times.  We even got it all worked out that a member would take them to a baptism out in New Albany, but we knock on the door and Araselli was disheveled and in Pj's. Rolan was out working as well.  So as of now we are wondering what to do with this pair that we've been working with for so long.


I mentioned how we were out in New Albany for a baptism.  We actually did get an investigator to go out to it!  Hector & his "woman" Susanna piled their two kids into the car and followed us out to the Stake Center out there.  The sad part is, is that their transmission has gone out after that trip, and weren't able to make it to church.  Sort of an ox in the mire sort of thing.  Hector needs a car to get to work, so he was searching all day Sunday to get a new car.  We've had good (great) lessons with Hector.  The culminating one was with Elder Klein & Ramsey.  (I was on exchanges with Elder Nelson where I did my first door contact in Spanish (I managed to work out a few return appointments)(Well we'll see if they actually turn into return appointments...))  They were watching the Restoration movie, and that's were the real fire to know started.  We had some great lessons with Hector about the Atonement, and how with that he can overcome some of his depression.  he knows his happiness will rely on the Doctrine of Christ, but as for a testimony in the Book of Mormon it's not quite there.  So they watched the movie, and after the 1st vision of Joseph Smith, Elder Klein asked if Susanna would pray.  Without hesitation she poured out her soul to our Father in Heaven.  They both know that through the Book of Mormon they can know these things.  We just need to teach by The Spirit and not by our own understanding.


The other two are a pair of investigators we found a week ago.  we finally got a return appointment by simply dropping in.  Rosa the wife let us in while her husband was in the back sleeping.  She had some great questions, and we invited her to the Stake conference to listen to a modern day apostle.  She was intrigued.  At this point Fillipi the husband was awake(ish) and with us for the lesson.  He was about to say something "Don't we have something tomorrow?", but Rosa quickly objected before he could finish his sentence!  Why they didn't come.  I don't know, but following up will be necessary.


Transfers are coming up next week.  Nobody has any idea what's going to go down.  Elder Klein has been in the area for 4 transfers, and they don't like to leave areas to green missionaries.  So, it's going to be crazy to get that call on Sunday to know who's going and who's staying.  I've got a feeling I'll be somewhere in Cincinnati, and Elder Klein might go to Dayton, but.... I shouldn't be getting this kind of revelation... Oh well it's fun to think about! 


Every day I'm studying the Christlike attributes.  Today I found a new favorite scripture it is...

·         2 Nephi 9:51

51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

We need to be doing things that will keep us active.  Diligent in the ways of the Lord.  We need to be wise as Jacob says in his epistle, and have a conscious mind of all things.  Then to always partake of the things of The Lord.  Meaning read your scriptures. and constantly keep yourself clean of all blemish.  Feast upon his words so that there may not be a famine of the word of the Savior, but that you may become fat upon his word.

So the simple truth is, what are you doing to become spiritually fat?  We we take time in our lives to fill ourselves?  It's the simple things; Reading, praying, and always trying to become stronger in the faith.  The fun part is, you can never be spiritually obese! :D

I love you all; Para Siempre

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

I have a few minutes left.  So I thought I would tell you about how I ran over a Gopher!
We were going over one of the train bridges on our bikes, and we hit the crest of the hill.  I whipped out my downhill drafting skills, and got down low to cut through the air.  I saw Elder Klein swerve a bit, and it didn't register as to why until I saw a brown mass on that apron. I hit it.  And I hit it gooood (Bubba J voice).  So, this event lightened our moods the rest of the day!


I must comment on the apron you sent oh so long a go.  Now the translation for apron is mandil.  When I first pulled it out of the box Elder Klein yelled ah! Mandilo'n!  Now a Mandilo'n is a term for whipped husband.  I wear that apron with pride!


My final statement today is how I love Dominicans!  I can't understand a word they say, but their Spanish is so much cooler than ours!  'ta heavy! (It's cool)  Como tu 'ta?  (How have you been?)  Their intonations are crazy, but it's awesome.  I can't wait to lay that down on Riley!  He'll wonder what Spanish really is!

May 9, 2011 - Triathlon: Pray-Bike-Preach

May 8, 2011 was Mother’s Day so we got a call from Austin at about 3:30 and were able to chat with him for just over 40 minutes.  The time flew by!  So fun to hear his voice, listen to his experiences, and he challenged us all to do better at reading our scriptures….and less time playing video games.  J  Dale was able to announce that he had completed the St. George Ironman the day before.  Austin, Elder Ipson, is doing well, working hard, working on the language, getting used to the climate of rain and humidity and hot, getting used to the streets of Columbus, and making contacts and friends.   We sure do love him and are so proud of him.  It was the best Mother’s Day weekend ever!

May 9, 2011

Triathlon: Pray-Bike-Preach

So the story of my name tag:

Well, we had just finished a zone meeting a couple weeks ago, and we were taking Spanish South back to their apartment.  We put our backpacks into the trunk, but I was ignorant to the fact that my tag got swept off as I was taking off my backpack. Now this tag has the pin-on attachment on the back, and that can be attached to a metal clip that can be fitted right on to the lapel of a jacket.  So my tag waited there in that church parking lot, for me to finally realize it was gone.  About the time we got to their (Spanish South's) apartment I realized that it was gone.  So I pleaded for Elder Klein to turn around and drive back so I could pick up that little piece of my soul.  There were a few other functions going on at the church that day, so traffic in the lot was decent.  As we pulled into the lot I saw those white letters staring out of the pavement, and I raced over to them.  Rejoicing I picked it up.  My prodigal son had returned.  I say prodigal because the tag had an encounter with a car!  The tag was perfectly fine.  You could clearly see my name, and Jesucristo.  So the inscription and the plastic structure of it were fine!  Although you flip it over and it wasn't the same story.  The metal pin and the back were bent completely sideways, and the part that attaches to the lapel was completely smashed.  I was lucky I had a spare lapel clip, but it took a bit of working to get it on.
So that day, I learned that value of a name.  Not the top name of the tag, but the name that sits square on that black plaque.

Now Dad I feel like there might have been a little bit of disappointment when you found out I keep my plaque attached to my white bible.  It's not because I feel like I need the rules every moment of the day.  Rather, I keep my missionary certificate in the white bible.  I kind of need the white bible in case I get a wise cracking policeman, or complex manager trying to impede the work.  So that's why I keep the white bible with me.  The plaque stays on it, because it becomes one thing to lose rather than two things!  Rather one thing to keep track of instead of one!  Scoff if you'd like, but I want to be ready for the wise cracks, and I don't want to lose my identity for these next two years!

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures for you.  We are planning to go down to The Horseshoe at OSU.  We should get some picks there.  I love you all, and hope to have a bit more to say next email!

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

May 2, 2011 - "Well this week fell apart. Better get some duct tape!"

All of the Spanish Elders in Columbus (except four of them)

We got a pineapple in the apartment!

Monday, May 2, 2011 at 10:40 am

Mom:  Hey Austin!  Happy Monday to you. I'm sure you've heard that Osama Bin Laden is dead. Yeah, although not sure what to expect now. Well, this is it...Ironman week! The training is done. Dad just needs to drink, drink, drink this week. Pray for Dad this week. It will be a hard day but I know dad wants to be able to tell you he finished when we talk to you on Mother’s Day. Remember 1-888-634-9669 right!  Still raining??  I'm sure. Its gonna be 90 here by the weekend. Hot for Ironman. Can't believe its May!  Tanner reminds me this morning only 17 more days of school. Wow. Love love love you!

Austin:  Well if Dad has a good taper & fuels his body right he should be okay.  Just enjoy that cold Sand Hollow water while you can!  It's funny because Elder Klein got a report that Osama Bin Laden has been killed, but he first read it to be Obama has been killed.  I didn't know what to think at that moment.

Preface:
We have it worked out to call at a member’s house.  I'm guessing that I'll be calling around five o'clock.  If I don't call then, it will be in an expanse between 5-8.  So be ready for a 614 area code number.  (Actually it might even be an 801 number)

Well Poop....
So I came off a very good week last week, but pride can get the best of you.  With Aracelli & Rolan going to church last week, we felt very adamant that they would be coming next (this week), but alas.... They didn't...  We went to their apartment on the infamous Wedgewood Road.  Elder Klein claims to have heard voices on the other side of the door, but all I know is that the door didn't open. :(  We haven't made any true, human, physical, 1st person contact in a week.  Part of it was poor planning, & dropped appointments.  (Eyes rolling at myself)  While we did make some contact in the week.  (Phone calls, texts)  We haven't been able to actually help them progress.  Ever since yesterday the line has been dead.  We even asked a few of the members that live very close to them to try and make contact.  Still nothing.  We are planning today to drop in on them to figure out what needs to be done.

While our week was full of deflated appointments, and unopened doors we learned that planning needs to go into those appointments.  It's hard when you get back to the apartment to get a plan together for the next day, when this day didn't fly so well, but we learned you need to be diligent otherwise whatever plan you make won't be inspired. 

The week was rather bleak, but we did have "Specialized Training".  Another fancy word for Zone Conference since SLC won't let have missions have more than "X" amount of zone meetings.  It was all good.  We learned a few more ways to make door contacts.  So my confidence at an American door is a little bit better.  The culminating event was the talk we watched at the end.  President Jensen has access to MTC files so we actually watched the talk that set the tone of my mission.  IT was the talk by Elder Holland my 2nd week at the MTC.  Nostalgic feelings came over me as I realized that there is so much more that I need to be doing to get this work done.  

Now this e-mail seems a little dark and dreary, but I will perk you with interest with a story that Elder Klein & I have experienced.  I believe I told you about Cynthia.  How her husband got deported back to Mexico, and she was packing up to go home.  Well we gathered news about her.  This diamond in the rough has a story that is worthy of the Ensign.  I'm just glad I got to be a part of it!  So make sure to ask about Cynthia when I call on Sunday.

At that Specialized Training President Jensen handed everyone a Book of Mormon.  Our goal is to read & highlight all of the Christ-like attributes.  The introduction was interesting to try and figure out what passages are what attribute, but it got really easy when I got to Laman & Lemuel.  The page stayed nice and white!  It's fun to read about Nephi and how he dealt with his wishy-washy brothers.  It also made me laugh, in 1 Nephi 3:1 (I believe) Nephi seems to be somewhat nonchalant with his visit with the Lord.  I feel that needs to be the same with our scripture study.  That we come away knowing what we need to do, & it feels like a common occurrence to read them.

I love you all & can't wait to hear from you on Sunday!

Para Siempre,
Elder A. Ipson

P.S.  Please clean the kennel

Mom:  Clean the kennel? We were saving that for you I think! The count is 5 dead mice in Quiks water bowl now. He's still digging up the yard but we love him! At least he doesn't dig up the tomatoes.

Austin: Maybe we could get him to fertilize the tomatoes, so you don't have to clean the kennel!

Mom:  Haha. Did you get the email from Aubrey? Love you! Have a good week!

Austin: Yes I did, but I'm confined to snail mail.  Pres. says so.... Talk to you Sunday!