Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2011 1:50 PM
Well here it is. Tuesday afternoon and I'm finally getting the word rattled off. To start off this week was nuts! We fell right into a person who has been prepared to hear our message!
The experience starts last Tuesday. We were heading over to a less-active named Angela. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary up until the point we started translating for a friend that happened to be there. She had some papers for a court case that had been filed against her from her ex-husband. The lady we were translating for is named Alma. The problem she is up against is that her husband is filing for custody of her children. Now this is where it gets sticky. The hearing is this Friday. Yup. Quick right? The next twist to the story is that her kids fear going and being with the dad. We had a later visit and the older of the two started crying just when other people were talking about it.
The situation is tough that's for sure, but President Maya has really pulled through with this situation. He has a lawyer lined up to talk to her, and an interpreter as well.
Now with the politics of this miracle aside she has been extremely receptive to our message! Our first visit when we were translating the papers Elder Gonzalez gave her a blessing of counsel. Afterwards Alma was in tears. We set up a time to teach her individually, and went back Thursday. This time we got to meet her kids. Diego of 9 years old, and Yisiri of 8. We were able to teach the Restoration, and they all accepted a Book of Mormon. We even got little Diego to pray! In fact it's kind of funny; at one point Diego said he wanted to be a Christan! Well good thing the Mormons found him. Right?
We had another appointment Saturday a little more in depth on the Book of Mormon. Alma understands what it is, but Diego still calls it a Bible!
Most Saturdays the Branch has an activity where we have a Noche de Hogar (Family home Evening) where we have a short lesson and play volleyball. Alma and her kids were so excited to go. We had it all lined up that President Maya would pick them up and take them to the church, but of course there has to be a catch right? President Maya called and told us his truck was out of gas! Frantically we called up the 2nd Counselor to help us out. Brother Carmany got it worked out and Alma and her family were able to make it to the Noche de Hogar.
It was amazing to give that short lesson, and introduce those kids to the church. Even more so to give Alma a tour of the Chapel. We are positive she felt the spirit, because she came to church the next day! She couldn't make Sacrament meeting, but she did make "Gospel Blasphemy" with Hermano Mejia. The reason is our church starts at 12, and that was the same time where custody changes.
We get to see Alma today, and hope to go more in Depth on the Plan of Salvation, and Eternal Family Principles. All-in-all the Lord has blessed us with someone truly prepared to hear the gospel, but with all of this stuff going on I know we are going to need their names being prayed for.
We are still working with the Batistas. Pamela seems to have disappeared on us, and she may take a bit longer. However Julio is making progess. Teaching him is like trying to tackle a football, but if all goes well she should be Baptized next Saturday!
The Lord has truly blessed Elder Gonzalez and I in Miami River Spanish 1. As well as Elder Ramsey and Homewood. This Thursday they should have a baptism. The work is beginning to roll in these areas!
I'm glad to see that my room is being put to good use! Fill it to the brim for all I care! Just as long as My Black Trumpet and my Goggles aren't harmed I'll be happy! Love you all have a great week!
Para Siempre,
Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus MissionP.S. yes I did get the Prescription
P.S.S. For clothes I have everything I need. There are only things that I want.... I would love the fleece state championship jacket that I have in the closet. As for shoes, the soles are holding up fine. They have a bit more life left. However my shoes never really developed a place were my feet just "sink-in". We talked about Orthodics before I left but it never happened. I was goofing around with a Dr. Scholls Orthodic machine and found that their 440 A (I believe) was the right fit. This is just something I "want" not something I need.
P.S.S.S. I will get a flu shot, but I don't know the cost...
P.S.S.S.S. Thank you Mom! :)
