Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 9:27 AM
Another week gone. Wow... It's remarkable how quickly I find myself at a computer on Mondays! Now that I'm here I need to remember what I did last week... Ugh, it's a blur!
A few weeks ago President Nilsen gave us the challenge to Read the Book of Mormon before a Zone Conference we will have in late May. This challenge requires us to read 10 pages a day. That however, is if you are reading an English Book of Mormon. I was the poor fool who thought.... Oh, this will be a great chance for me to read the Book of Mormon in Spanish! I realized it wasn't a great idea... Why? Because there are roughly 100 more pages in the Spanish Version of the Book of Mormon. On top of that, I learned Spanish in Ohio! The Spanish I know can be horrible Spanglish. Ask Uncle Mo what the word Checkiar means and he'll probably give you a funny look! That's how the Mexican population says to check.
Now that I've described the situation I'm in, and that I've gotten too far to turn back now, I have to say... I've never learned so much from a reading of the Book of Mormon! I did read it last year and looked for the attributes of Christ and marked them. I learned a great deal. This year I am looking for all of the references of Christ and the words that he speaks to his children. Whether it be him, or by one of his servants. As I read, and mark these things I keep finding our need for the Savior. The life he lived, the things he taught, the atonement he expiated. I realized the gifts he has given me each time I read. A time to learn, repentance, his love, the ability to speak and read another language, and eternal life if I stand worthy in the end.
I've had to do quite a bit of catch up reading in Spanish, but, it is meaning so much more reading That Testament of Christ, in the language of the people I am here to serve.
This past week we've seen our pool of investigators diminish. It's been tough to see such promising people go. Norma, the lady we found a few weeks ago has disappeared. We've passed by many times, but have come to the conclusion that she must now be in Honduras looking for her deported husband. If we hear anything about her we'll let you know.
We went back to Hector this week, and watched the Restoration with them. Elder Klein and Ramsey went on exchanges last year and showed this to them. By the end they were both crying, and committed to baptism. This time with Elder Jacobson and I they took a snooze... Ugh... Fortunately Susanna; Hector's wife has read a little bit of the Book of Mormon. So, there is still some fire there!
I love you all so much! It makes me laugh that Sancho is now a household word! The question is, did it replace the word Poob? I hope goes well, and that you are all the same. Que Dios les bendiga!
Transfer calls are coming up tomorrow. I doubt I'll go, but, you never know!
Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission
A few weeks ago President Nilsen gave us the challenge to Read the Book of Mormon before a Zone Conference we will have in late May. This challenge requires us to read 10 pages a day. That however, is if you are reading an English Book of Mormon. I was the poor fool who thought.... Oh, this will be a great chance for me to read the Book of Mormon in Spanish! I realized it wasn't a great idea... Why? Because there are roughly 100 more pages in the Spanish Version of the Book of Mormon. On top of that, I learned Spanish in Ohio! The Spanish I know can be horrible Spanglish. Ask Uncle Mo what the word Checkiar means and he'll probably give you a funny look! That's how the Mexican population says to check.
Now that I've described the situation I'm in, and that I've gotten too far to turn back now, I have to say... I've never learned so much from a reading of the Book of Mormon! I did read it last year and looked for the attributes of Christ and marked them. I learned a great deal. This year I am looking for all of the references of Christ and the words that he speaks to his children. Whether it be him, or by one of his servants. As I read, and mark these things I keep finding our need for the Savior. The life he lived, the things he taught, the atonement he expiated. I realized the gifts he has given me each time I read. A time to learn, repentance, his love, the ability to speak and read another language, and eternal life if I stand worthy in the end.
I've had to do quite a bit of catch up reading in Spanish, but, it is meaning so much more reading That Testament of Christ, in the language of the people I am here to serve.
This past week we've seen our pool of investigators diminish. It's been tough to see such promising people go. Norma, the lady we found a few weeks ago has disappeared. We've passed by many times, but have come to the conclusion that she must now be in Honduras looking for her deported husband. If we hear anything about her we'll let you know.
We went back to Hector this week, and watched the Restoration with them. Elder Klein and Ramsey went on exchanges last year and showed this to them. By the end they were both crying, and committed to baptism. This time with Elder Jacobson and I they took a snooze... Ugh... Fortunately Susanna; Hector's wife has read a little bit of the Book of Mormon. So, there is still some fire there!
I love you all so much! It makes me laugh that Sancho is now a household word! The question is, did it replace the word Poob? I hope goes well, and that you are all the same. Que Dios les bendiga!
Transfer calls are coming up tomorrow. I doubt I'll go, but, you never know!
Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission
