Aguantar

Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 10:07 AM

The subject line describes what our week was.  Pushing through, and hoping for the best.  We had expended all of our miles this month, forcing us onto the bikes.  I don't mind being on the bikes, and the winter has been fairly mild.  I was ready to mount up and go!  However, I have never seen so many blown tubes, shredded tires, and bent rims!  I will use Friday as an example.

At this point we had already changed Elder Garner's rear tire 2 times.  For some reason a presta-valve is required for his rear rim.  Why it doesn't match his front schrader valve, I don't know....  So, we can't really pack extras around for him.  We might as well have a bike shop for him! 

Anyways Friday...  We bussed up to Erlanger to go see the few futures we had up there, and get our knock on.  We start on the intersection of Commonwealth and Dixie, and head west.  We don't have any problems heading down this stretch of road.  If you are on Google map, and keep going, you will be turning right at the BP.  Well that's what I tried to do.  However, my bike decided a 180 would be better than a 90 degree right turn!  To put a third dimension to this 180, I found my face about to make contact with concrete!  Good thing I had gloves on my hands to help catch my fall!  I came out perfectly fine.  I only got a dime sized fray in one of my pants; however the bike didn't fare as well!  I had a front rim bent, and to salt the wound, my chain got pitched!  So here I am with a wounded bike! :P

It was still ridable to the complex, so I limped it there.  We chained up, and set off to go find our Chilean friend.  As we were walking up the stairs to the building, I heard the indescribable snakebite "Bang!".  At that point I figured it was my bike, and I didn't care.  I had stuff to fix it later. 

The Chilean pulled the "I'm busy, try back another day".  Slightly defeated we hobbled back though the mud to our bikes.  After the survey we realized my bike was still in its wounded state.  However Elder Garner was the one who had the "serpent mishap".  Both of us needed a Coke break at this point, but we exerted faith!  We knock as long as we could, but no luck.  From there we started the 2 mile walk to Montgomery Cyclery.  (We are now regulars to this store.  Infact we now have an account!).

This continues to the next day Saturday!  We get our bikes fixed.  My front rim is fairly true now.  We got everything ready to go Saturday.  We got all of our tires up to spec with my new Specialized pump.  (No that wasn't a bad Idea, I needed a bike pump! P.S. Dad's Specialized can do both schrader and presta valves, cool huh?).  We were all suited up about to say a prayer when the snakebite blast came again! "Bang!"  Now we really needed a Coke break!  Elder Garner only had $ for one tube when he got one Friday.  So.  We didn't have any way to get out and work unless... We walked....  That's what we did!  We went a good 10 miles, walking....  Not an efficient way to work.  I don't recommend it! 

We did figure out what the cause of the tire problems was.  Elder Garner's old tire; the bead exposed some of the metal wire. We believe this would puncture into the tube.

So today I helped a fellow American down on his luck, and got him a new tire and tube.  I also got a new helmet, because at some point someone pulled a switch-a-roo, and I got a helmet with cracks all over it!  So I've got a good looking new one!

That was our week.  Tough, but it taught Elder Garner and I patience.  Whether we wanted to learn, or not! :P

Love you all, and still in suspense over transfer calls!

Para Siempre,
Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Help: My companion snores!

Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:03 AM, Florence KY
 

Week 6 of this big 7 week transfer.  I can barely believe we are at this point now!  It feels like last week I went and picked up Elder Garner!  This transfer I will be finishing up my third here.  You can usually trust your gut, as to when you will be moved out of an area.  As for now...  My gut can say "si", and other times it says "no". It's rather annoying!  I may have made mention one that we try and figure out the transfer weeks in advance to try and peg as to what's going to go down.  Since there are 18 Spanish Missionaries, the chances are that we can figure it out.  For example when I went to Miami River with Elder Whittingham; Elder Ramsey and I were able to peg the transfer right on the money.  However that was in the time of President Jensen.  The Myth is: 2 transfers later he knew where he wanted you, with which companion, making the route there somewhat logical.  However with President Nilsen there seems to be no rhyme nor reason to the transfer.  Yesterday Elder Ramsey and I made an attempt to pin what was going to happen.  We then realized there are too many variables. :P  So you should have one more week of sending me a letter while I am in Kentucky, after that, I suggest the mission office!

Now that I've rambled about the anticipation of this week I'll roll back to what happened this week....  What did happen this week....  OH!  I went through my first Ice storm!  You should be able to pull up my pictures and see what happened to "Boo" aka: Martin (Martin is our Alcoholic investigator.  (The "Boo" chugs gas))  From what I understand this ice-storm was child's play.  There was an Ice-storm last year that plastered an inch of ice on the cars.  So even if you dared hit the roads, you couldn't even get into your car!

Fortunately they've done fairly well to get salt down on time to keep anything bad from happening.

I have to thank for the last package that was sent.  President Avila sends his thanks for the Nauvoo photo Album.   I have to send my thanks for the No-Bake-Cookies.  They were a lot better than the ones I tried to make when Mom and Dad were at LoToJa.

This past week our branch had the Noche de Talentos.  I'm sorry I don't have pictures of that.  I was the run around stage monkey boy that kept things moving.  Elder Ramsey was busy making sure his Puerto Rican investigators didn't go to crazy, Elder Homewood did back flips and what not, and Elder Garner manned the Cookie/Drink table.  (He scored the best job)  The talent show became more of an improv-night once little kids got up and starting singing "I am a Child of God".  Overall it was a good event.  By no means formal, but it was a good activity! (Informality contrast:  We scheduled it to be at 6 p.m. we finally started at 7 p.m. due to the fact that people didn't make it until 6:45.)

That is the bulk of our week!  Ice-storms, Talent Shows, and Transfer Anxiety.  It's all good!

I love you all, more than no-bake-cookies!

Para Siempre,
Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

December 12-13, 2011 - Columbus Ohio Christmas Devotional

Elder Austin Ipson is in the top photo,
Second to back row, 4th from the right.

We were blessed to have two wonderful Christmas Devotionals with guest speakers Annette and Shawn Bradley. Additionally, we feasted on Cafe Rio, had a talent show, a "Preach My Gospel Challenge of the Champions" and lots of visiting. We are blessed most of all to have the Savior leading our mission and church and to know that He lives and loves us.  (Written by Sis. Nilson)

The Mexican John Taylor

El Oasis

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2012 9:14 AM

This week.... has flown by!  Wow!

Anyways as the subject states.  The Mexican John Taylor.  Hector Pantaleon wanted to take us out to lunch for painting his house.  We weren't going to object!  He took us out to a Mexican place on "Turfway" in Florence called El Oasis.  The other Elders got picked up by Hector, but somehow we beat them there.  When we got there we were greeted by a string bean Mexican guy.  He actually greeted us as Elders, but we didn't think too much of it.  The rest of the convoy made their way in, and we sat down.  We then commenced to pour over the menu to decide on what we should eat.  (Yo decidi Soupes de Al Pastor y 2 Tacos de Lengua.  Son muy ricos!) While we got talking to the waiter (same guy who greeted us) in passing he mentioned that he was LDS!  Elder Garner and I flipped open our planners to try and put a name with a face.  We couldn't figure it out...  When he came back we asked his name.  He said, "John".  He spoke better Spanish than English.  So we were figuring he was ours.  Especially when he said he lived in Florence.  However none of our Less-Actives registered as John.  We even tried "Juan", but that didn't yield any results. 

Apparently he was baptized in Mexico, and his father was American.  As we got his address on the way out he told us he was a decedent of John Taylor.  He reminded us of the Carthage Jail pocket watch story, and he tells us that his family has a chair made by him!  This find was defiantly a diamond in the rough.  Who would have thought this rough is in Kentucky!

We are still trucking away with Daniel.  He is slowly overcoming his doubts.  I hope to be able to go over more with him as time rolls along.  He still needs your prayers.

As that last Harvester stated, Alma's kids were baptized!  I'm sorry I failed to mention that.  Elder Luna and Elder Fisco were able to get that taken care of.  When I found out about that I was ecstatic! 

Diego and Jatziri

This past week I decided that the Heater was the best invention ever made!  I'm praying for Spring to come.  I know it's only 20 degrees, but I hope the big man upstairs that it would be a lot better if we had 60 more.  If not that I'll settle for 50 more!

Thank you for all of your prayers and love,
Para Siempre,
Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

P.S.  This summer the branch is going to make a trip out to Nauvoo.  Our Branch President is asking for all resources possible.  If you could, please send some of the photos you have of our trip so we can show the members in our lessons.  Also, I would like to ask you for the Doctrine and Covenant CD's in Spanish.  Time after time it proves itself that visual aids are the best for Hispanics, and Elder Ipson to learn!  Gracias!

Never let anyone know you are good with tools

Donny's Pruning Service

From: Austin Ipson

Sent: Monday, January 09, 2012 9:18 AM

So, our surprise snowstorm didn't last long.  We are back up into the 50's.  This Dixie boy is very happy about that.  However my Hooper born companion still thinks 20 degrees is appealing.  We'll see, when it actually comes!

As the subject line states this week we have been doing quite a bit with tools.  The first project involves me, with a pry-bar, hammer, and a drill.  Now, I'm sure you're all wondering why I have such things.  Well we went to one of our less-actives Jaime Frias.  When we got there he was working on a project in his house.  I know its bad manners to take a man from a project, so I elected to help!  Next thing I knew I was taking the dry-wall out in a rundown trailer!  We only worked in one of the bedrooms and now I know how drywall looks on slacks!

Our second project started out with sheer brute force.  The Avila’s are putting carpet into their basement, and they recruited us to move furniture around.  All four missionaries heaved the furniture of a big room, into a little room!  So we played house Tetris!  We then heaved the scrap carpet to the driveway to get shipped off.  (I don't know how.....) With this being said, I also got recruited to prune their tree! :D  We all know how well I prune trees!  The Avila's have a tree out in their front yard that has been driving Sister Avila nuts.  Since there were missionaries there anyways we got recruited to help cut it down, make a pile, and share the Tree Allegory of Zenos!  It was a fun day of destruction, and chain saws!  (No worries, I didn't actually use the saw)

We had our interviews with President this week.  He however was running late.  A good hour and a half late.  So if you had any sort of Agenda, you get it right on the table.  Well that's what I did.  With what happened with Daniel there never really was good closure with President, and I (Including Elder Wheadon).  So I brought it up to him once again.  We came to the agreement, that whatever he does.  He must not, break the law of Chastity.  Simple as that.  He needs to hear the Birds and the Bees!

Excited to hear this new information our goal this week was to get this news to Daniel.  We dropped by his hotel room, knocked, and he answered!  He was in a hurry, so we set up a time at 8:30 to come back.  In the mean-time we recruited Abraham to come with us.  Abraham is 19 yrs old, and has just submitted his mission papers.  So we wanted him there with us. 

How it worked out, he was at the Martinez at 8:30.  So we pulled him outside and began with a prayer.  At this same time Abraham was inside the apartment.  We were telling Daniel what had happened, and what action needs to take place.  Namely the Birds and the Bees.  At this point Abraham walked outside to help us with the lesson.  He found out very quickly that you talk about odd subjects to people that are much older than you!  Daniel didn't commit to a date.  He confessed (and we saw his reasoning) that all of that happened very fast, and he wanted reassure himself before he committed again.  A little bummed we couldn't get him to commit, yes.  However we were happy he is still willing to keep going, after what happened.

Yesterday was the Cincy Stake Conference.  Who translated?  Missionaries! Which ones, not me! :D  Well I took the closing prayer.  I was the guy that made sure there were enough functioning headsets/ scripture duty.  So I was the "whatever" dude.  Elder Gonzalez elected to take the talks.  It wasn't easy, not to mention Pres. Rockwood went over a good 20 minutes.  Elder Gonzalez was fried by the end.  I think I'll keep my job being the "whatever" dude!

It's been a good week.  We going to keep moving forward, and not let a little drywall get us down!  Love you all, and don't die at school! :P

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Well it's 2012.... That's weird

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 9:27 AM

There you go it's the New Year!  I've now been out for a year....  Shouldn't I feel old? Hmm, oh well....

So we are finally starting to get snow out here.  So far the winter has been pretty mild.  Through December the temperature seemed to hover around the 40's.  The New Year came around and we instantly had to bite the 26 degrees that were waiting for us out side.  Elder Ramsey and I say that the Arctic Monkeys have declared war against us!  Elder Garner keeps making fun of us Desert Rats.  Elder Ramsey and I are quivering and trying to hide from this cold, but he simply taunts us!  I may be dying in the cold here in Kentucky, but I thank my lucky stars that I'm not serving in Cleveland, up on the lake!

This past week we've been trying to spread out our area of work.  Lately we've had a lot of work in the Florence area.  We've knocked some of the complexes to the ground... Ooops....  So with our knocking efforts we've shifted our focus now, in finding in Erlanger, Kentucky.  We go out looking for the Dish 500 satellites with two prongs on them (95.9% chance of Mexican) We found a whole street with this style of satellite.  We're ready to go out in the snow flurries and get it done!

We are still working with the Martinez family.  Sister Martinez has been a great member missionary.  Just last night she asked us for a Copy of the Book of Mormon, because she has been talking with a friend at work about it!  We're very excited for her and the work she is doing!

While at the Martinez's house we got to see Daniel.  You can tell he is a bit down about what has happened.  Please keep him in your prayers.

The question of the week: Do you trust the Elders with paint?

One of the less actives of Elder Ramsey and Homewood pondered upon this question!  Hector Pantaleon (Brother to Benito Pantaleon) has been in the process of getting his rental home cleaned up and taken care of.  He was trying to get everything taken care of before the New Year.  That's when it needed to be done for him to get his deposit out.  Before this service project Hector had been a bit stand-off-ish.  He didn't really want much to do with missionaries.  However this apparent need came right in front of Elder Ramsey and he took it!  He also recruited us to come up and help as well!  We bussed up to their apartment (out of miles) and made a 4 way missionary convoy to Hectors house, on bikes!  It was a spectacle I'm sure to see 4 twenty year old in jeans, dress coats, and helmets on bikes.  This project took a good deal of time.  Requiring us to paint an upstairs and basement, confronting the landlord, and winning the hearts of the natives... I mean less-actives.  By the end of it all we got Hector to jump out of a closet and scare Elder Homewood!  So, by painting his walls we were able to break down Hectors walls (something like that).

This week I gave a talk at church.  I'll be sending that talk home for you all to read.  The general topic was repentance.  I took a different route so you wouldn't get the typical missionary on a soapbox calling people to repentance.

Interviews are this week.  I'll tell you how it goes.

That's what I have to report this week!  Tell Quick hi, and don't let him freeze! (Clean the Kennel por favor)

Les amo Muchisimo

("I love you so much")

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson