Boohumbug



Thanks for the Boo-Berry!
(Notice the Elder on the left with 2 spoons!...and are they really eating from a pool table?)
Missionary apartment lighting isn't the best, but you can get the 'jist of it!

 From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, October 31, 2011 1:32 PM

I apologize for the tardiness of this letter.  Halloween calls for a little bit different of protocol.  We started out today by doing service at the Pantaleon's house.  To combat the complexity of trick-r-treaters going out at night, missionaries have been asked to take the 2 final hours of the day they would use, to move it to service hours in the morning.  So that's what we did.  Rake the leaves in the trailer park of the Pantaleon!

With the change of the season, has come a big change in the Branch.  I don't know if I've said anything, but this cute little branch is losing 3 big families.  All holding priesthood callings...  The Branch has been concerned about this, and the outcome.  During the one of the stake meetings this past week Pres. Nilsen made a Cameo, and much was said about our little branch.  There was talk of combining with the Lakeside park branch, merging with Miami River, or the East Cherry unit.  Even stocking the branch with transplant "Gringos" was considered, however none of these ideas pulled through.  The decision was made by President Rockwood to keep the branch going.  For this to happen the branch would have to pull off a feat.  They are going to be under survey these next couple of months to see what happens.

After this meeting Pres. Nilsen gave all of us a call during companionship study, we put it on speakerphone to hear.  He told us what is going to be done here, and it will take a lot of work to pull off.  He also gave us guidance to coordinate a meeting with President Rockwood.  That's exactly what we did.  Yesterday we had our meeting with Pres. Rockwood.  He explained that he is ready to move forward with this.  The very fact that there were four missionaries sent to the branch at this time, registered with him.  We planned through a few things.  We are hoping to get a 40-day fast put together with the Spanish Speakers in the stake.  There will be missionary activities (parties) every two weeks to boost missionary work.  To top this all off, on the 13th of November there will be a special broadcast from the Conference Center just for Latinos!  President Rockwood compared what is going on, to Apollo 13.  A severe situation, but will be one of the greatest miracles.  I'm truly excited to be here, and see what the Lord as promised to this branch!

With all of that said, we are ready to buckle down, and go to work.  Word is at this point, that the Elders may become counselors to President Avila.  Elder Homewood has already been roped in to be a ward Clerk!  At this point if there is a name to put into the temple, it would be Andrew Avila and his family.  He is invested in this branch, and I hope he has every fiber of support possible!  (Why he doesn't have counselors now:  One of them past away, and another is moving to Arkansas for business opportunities.)

There is a lot that is going down right now, and in my interview, even before the stake meetings President Nilsen amply reassured me.

Thank you for your love, support, and Boo Berry!

Boohumbug,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

P.S.S.  The move should happen, this week!  You should be getting a Florence KY address next week!