From: Austin Ipson, Florence KY
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 8:04 AM
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 8:04 AM
Well it's Tuesday, and I'm on the computer.... Feels like Monday....
Anyways here is my excuse! Yesterday was our Christmas Devotional. We were graced by the daunting presence of President Nilsen's friends Shawn Bradely. Yes the 7'6 Center who played for the Mavericks. You watch Basketball on TV, and you don't realize how big 7'6 is until you are right next to it! Our tallest Elder is Elder Robbins, who actually plays Basketball for Dixie State is Dwarfed by him!
He related to us the his life as a Missionary, and his Missionary experiences in the NBA. To hear about his Missionary experiences in the Austraila was interesting. He related a few experiences he had as a Zone Leader.
His wife actually served a mission as well. Serving in Miami, she went in as a less active, but knew it was the right thing to do. She spent three weeks in the MTC, and made her way out to the field. In her entrance interview with her Mission President, on the spot he asked her if she'd be willing to make the switch to be a Spanish Missionary. She accepted, and told us of the success she had on her mission.
The Christmas Devotional was a great one. We got Cafe Rio. However, at this point I'm sick of hearing those two words. From here on out that place is called Cafe Taco.
With Daniel coming so close to Baptism, the time came for interviews to happen. An interview happened with Pres. Avila, and Daniel, more or less as a get to know you sort of setting. Here we found out a small bit of information. He's not married to his wife back home. This snippet will make a tail-spin to the baptism that was to happen this Thursday.
Pres. Avila felt fine about what was about to happen. Now this information flew around until it came to the Stake President. Then came the mandate to talk to President Nilsen about the situation. If it was going up to him, the situation looked grim.
I caught Pres. Nilsen at one point during the Devotional, explained the situation, but he flat out told me no. He cannot be baptized. his answer shocked me!
Later Elder Wheadon and I called again to confirm the Verdict, and it held the same. No.
The reasoning behind it. Is that he has unresolved business in Mexico that needs to be taken care of, Whether be marriage with the woman he was with, or a complete severing of their relationship.
No matter how you shape it. Someone had to tell him what was going on.
We grabbed his new scriptures. Wrote our testimonies, and headed off to the Days Inn, to his room. We got in, gave him the scriptures, and said a prayer. To try and soften the blow we read a few scriptures. Scriptures to give him confidence that he could do what we were to ask. (Moroni 7:33, and 1 Nephi 3:7). Then, we broke it to him. That he wouldn't be able to be baptized, until he fixes things in Mexico. He took it well. You could see the sadness in his face, but he understood what needed to be done. To finish we had him tell us his testimony, and his experiences. We did the same for him. Gave him a blessing of counsel, and set it up to have a fast with him today.
That's where we are now. Before coming here we opened a fast with him, and we go tonight to finish with him. These moments are crucial for Daniel. I believe the sooner he makes his way to Hidalgo Mexico the better chance he has of being baptized, and living the Gospel in the Fullest Capacity. Please keep him in your prayers.
Rumors are out that transfers aren't done yet! So I'm still awaiting "The Call". There's also other rumors going around that Elder Wheadon might become a Spanish Zone Leader with his old companion Elder Luna. In many instances I've heard the 2nd rumor to be true, so don't be surprised next week, that Elder Wheadon is in the Miami River Branch!
I await the calls with anticipation, and the call in two weeks. With all of the Hispanics around I doubt I'll be able to Skype. However if I have that chance I'll let you know. So be expecting a call from an "859" number. (Unless I get transferred)
Les amo Mucho, y tengan una buena semana.
Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission
