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| 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. |
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| P.S.S. This is the catch of the day. After the freak summer storms that can drench you in a matter of seconds. |
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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. IpsonThe Great Ohio Columbus Mission (+Cincinnati)
