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| Elder Z. Ipson gets dirt paths, I get railroads. |
This transfer is flying! People have told me how they've dreaded 7 week transfers. This one hasn't been too bad. Even though things have been really slow, we are starting to pick up some work. For a while I've been dragging my heels. It was one of those times where people didn't seem to want to talk to us. That being said my faith has been restored with a less-active who wants her 17-year old daughter and 9 year old son to be baptized. The just moved from one part of our area to another part of our area. The good thing about this is that she is closer! Making it quite a bit easier to go see her. It was great to see Andrea (The Less Active) change as we read about 3 Nephi 11. She asked us a few questions about authority of the Priesthood, and she was fairly methodical. Normally she will talk your ear off, but this time when she said something it was thought out. We are going to see as soon as possible to make sure she is fine in her new apartment, and find out when we can teach Pamela and Julio. (They are Dominicans. Tell Scott and Trent they are the best! 'ta heavy <----- tell them that too!)
This week we had another great experience. It's interesting to pick up investigators that have investigated the church before. This is what happened this week. We've been working in a set of trailers, and we've been talking to a Mexican by the name of Fransisco. He has had some of Preach My Gospel's "questions of the soul". So we've had a few good talks with him, but never a real lesson. Just the other day we sat down and had a real lesson. At the first we found out that his wife Myra had been meeting with Sister Missionaries (Missioneras) when they lived in Kentucky. So she knew some of the protocol of how missionaries gave lessons. The lesson plugged along as we talked about the establishment of the Savior's Church and moved on to the Restoration. It fell upon me to share the 1st Vision, and I did so as best as I could. We let the silence set in, and talked about what that vision meant. We then asked them how they felt as we shared those glorious words. Fransisco answered in a way that I won't ever forget. He related to us that as I was sharing those words, the picture that Elder Whittingham was holding (of the 1st vision) seemed to portray the words of the first vision as I said them. Elder Whittingham very boldly stated that it was the Holy Ghost he was feeling. With this lesson Fransisco has gotten an experience to begin his testimony of this work. I hope it only continues to grow.
We have also picked up another solid investigator this week. It is President Maya's nephew. Hector is a 19 year old and has been studying in Monterrey for the past two years. He is unsure what is plans are, but he will be heading back to Mexico in a couple of weeks. Time is not on our side here, and Hector lives just across the street from our area boundaries, so he really is Elders Ragan & Ramsey's. They haven't found time to go and see him, so Elder Whittingham and I may steal him.... :P..... He is very intelligent, and spiritually awake. He knows the way to know this church is the true church is through studying and praying about the Book of Mormon. He comes to church and is already an example with the demeanor that he has. If he were to become a member I could see him easily becoming a bishop down the road.
Work is picking up. Right as Elder Whittingham is winding down. 10 Days left for him, but he and I are going to work hard so that this next transfer will be a good one!
I must thank you for the Apple Betty. It makes me laugh though. We had Carne Asada yesterday with some Guatemalans (Happy 4th of July!) and we broke out the Apple Betty. I only saw him eat a couple of bites of it! Hispanics do not eat nearly as sweet as we do. As docile as that was, I think we need to tone down our baking skills for the Hispanics!
I love you all, and (presumptuously) I know you love me, but just because you're in Chicago that doesn't give you reason to come to Ohio, or even tell me you were here. That's just not Kosher!
Para Siempre,
Elder A. IpsonThe Great Ohio Columbus Mission
