La obra Americana

Elder Ipson, Elder Welch, Jordan and her Uncle Brian

Jordan and Brian

Brian, Jordan, Elder Welch, Elder Ipson

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 9:13 AM

This past week Jordan was baptized.  Whew...  It's always a relief when that happens! Now I've learned you can take a sigh when they are confirmed!  The service was at noon.  Her Uncle Brian did the baptism for her, and Brother Barclay (one of the Ward Missionaries) performed the Confirmation.

To give you the full story on Jordan:

I'll start this way...  67 days ago, she was a Heroine addict.  Puts things in perspective right?

Here in Ohio you are allowed to go to trade school.  She elected to train to be a dental assistant.  She received her certificate and was working making some decent money right out of High School.  At one point along the way she picked up smoking, and Heroine addictions.  While working as a dental assistant she was pulled out for a random drug test.  Knowing she wouldn't pass she quit her job.

She did pick up another job, but, it was at Taco Bell.  I don't recall for how long she worked there...However: She was on the last hour of one of her shifts.  She felt absolutely horrible.  She asked permission to leave and go home an hour early.  She wasn't allowed, but she quit, because she felt that bad.

Thirty minutes after getting him she was in an ambulance.  Because of all the drugs she had taken she had 7 cysts in her lungs.

To make matters worse; her father kicked her out of the home while she was in the Hospital.  At this point she didn't have a home.

However Brian her Uncle took her in.  His living conditions wouldn't be considered ideal.  He's living in subsidized government housing.  He can't drive a car due to a foot condition he has.  So his days are spent watching TNT, and playing World of Warcraft.  The funny thing that's how Brian came in contact with a member of the Church last year.  World of Warcraft! 

Anywho Elder Welch's prior companion passed by Brian and found Jordan.  The began to teach her, and she clung to the Gospel.  She had already quit heroine.  Two weeks ago she dropped the Smoking problem.  She has come a long ways in two months.  Right now we are hoping she can pick up a job, and be able to sustain herself once again.  Last week she got in contact with the Columbus South YSA Reps.  So, we hope she can go make friends there!

An item of note.  We found a Black Man named Gino last week.  He is an assistant minister at a local church here.  The funny thing is.. He came to Jordan's baptism!  He really like the service, as well as our chapel.  The funny part of it as was his attire.  Crazy Brown Pinstripe suit, and he reeked of Calvin Klein Eternity!  So, there were many dimensions of the man named Gino!  We'll be seeing him later tonight!

I love you all and hope you don't get into too much trouble!

Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Nasty License Plates

Dora's Family at the Baptism (Bishop Peterson)

This was just after the bite. If you look at my hand you'll see a paper towel covering the bite. No worries my hand is healing just fine.

Sent: Monday, June 18, 2012 9:25 AM

Well how was that for a gift?  I about died getting that for Dad.  I was on Trabue road on the freeway overpass, and I instantly thought...  Fathers' Day!  So, there was a valiant effort in getting that plate!

This past week Dora Quatmaa was baptized.  Most of the time there is some sort of stipulation to get someone baptized.  Usually it is some sort of doubt, concern, fear etc.  Dora didn't have that.  She was baptized Saturday without a fuss.  Rather, it was the Confirmation that had us between a rock and a hard spot!  Why?  She wasn't there!  To get Dora and her family to church, a member usually has to drive them.  That's what happened yesterday.  Nothing new.  However the member got in some sort of accident. (car)  There wasn't any real damage, but it just cost time.  So, Elder Welch and I were biting our nails all throughout sacrament meeting for Dora to be there.  It wasn't until after the Sacrament when we could do the Confirmation.  So, moral of the story...  Drive safely on Sundays.  The Devil is still driving that day too!

I'm also proud to say I've been bit by a dog on my mission!  Yep, I've had the full experience!  We were out tracting the other day.  (Of course, it always happens while you're out tracting)  We knock the door, and the dog behind goes bezerk.  This isn't anything new.  Dogs just like to be the second doorbell!  The door opens, a man looks out at us, and his dog bolts out the door. 

My gut reaction was to treat the dog like Quick.  Start petting him, so, he doesn't get away.  The dog buys into it for a split second until the owner yells at him to get back inside.  Right there the dog pees, and begins to bark.  (I mention the pee because Elder Welch got that as a present from the dog)  As the dog barks he shakes his head without any coordination.  My hand was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  The dog's teeth glanced my hand, and gave me what looks to be a 'snake-bite' on my palm.

The dog was taken inside.  All I wanted to do was wash off my hand.  I asked to go inside and wash off my hands.  The owner just gave me the dumb look of...  "The dog that just bit you is in there.  You want to go inside?"  So we had him bring out some alcohol and peroxide.  We washed the wound right on his porch.  We made a contact while washing the wound, but sadly he wasn't interested.  Well coach... I took one for the team!

Jordan is still preparing for her baptism this Saturday.  We will be passing by regularly to make sure she isn't smoking.  Yesterday she had the honors of tearing up her last 6 cigarettes.  She seemed rather content to tear up the crux.

I failed to mention a small bit about Elder Welch.  Last year he had some heavy desire to go and do Spanish work.  Or to learn Spanish.  So during one of his interviews he made a fairly eloquent pitch to President to get this go.  President didn't buy it.  So once Elder Welch found out I was a Spanish Elder he was ecstatic!  Up to this point Elder Welch has learned his vowels, Un burro sabe mas que tu, and Tengo que ir al bano. Right now I'm teaching him all of the essentials to living in Hispanic Cultures.  Today we're going to buy some spicy stuff.  That always helps you learn Spanish!

That is my letter for today.  Remember..  No capes! & no C.O.W.'s  got it!

I love you all, and Feliz Cumplianos Leighton!

Para Siempre,

Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

No se como hablar en Ingles

New Mailing Address!
Elder Austin Ipson
Ohio Columbus Mission
6770 Ed Lane
Canal Winchester, OH 43110

Elder Welch and Elder Ipson

Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 8:54 AM

So transfers have come!  Dad, sorry...  I didn't go to Dayton.  Rather I'm in the Columbus area.  Infact I'm still in Spanish West's area, but.... I'm now in English Work!  President has sent me to the Pickerington 2nd Ward in the Columbus South Stake.  Hipanic Population... 2... I'm still looking for them....

It's been an intersting week to say the least.  We knew the Spanish Transfer was going to be big.  I had that gut feeling that I would be leaving Spanish West.  My gut also said I'd be going to English work.  I didn't want to believe it!  So, what happened, Spanish South was dissolved into Spanish West.  Elder Jacobson and Elder Ragan took over what is now 2/3 of Columbus.  Elder Holbrook went to do Spanish work in the Westerville Branch.  So, you shut down an area, that take two Elders out of a job.  Elder Wheadon and I both went to English work.

My companion is Elder Welch.  He is from Farmington, Utah.  He has been serving here in the Pickerington 2nd for 4 1/2 months.  So he knows the area fairly well.  He is the youngest of 4.  And is Zealous to do the work!  Elder Welch had been training just before I got there.  His companion had been suffering depression while he was here.  In short his comp. was slow on his feet, and just had a hard time with the work.  Needless to say Elder Welch is ready hit the pavement and get the work done.

The area... Well, I'm on a bike.  Guess the Lord knew the St. George boy could take the bike in the Summer right?  We're coming up on the hotter part of the month.  It hasn't gotten extremely hot yet, but I'm waiting for it!

We also had a surprise this week.  Pickerington 2 recieved 2 mini-missionaries.  In other words two priest age men, that are perspective missionaries, and will serve with us for the week.  It's like training... all over again...  They're both eager to do the work.  (There's a scripture about Brideling your passions I believe....)

In previous transfers Elder Welch has done great work.  Right now we have three people on date.  Elder Welch with a grin on his face our first half hour together told us we'd be having a baptism next week. (This week)  Her name is Dura Quadra.  She is from Ghana (there are a ton of Ghaneans out here).  She speaks very little English so her daughter translates the lessons for us.

Our other investigators are Olen and Jordan(Girl Jordan).  They are on date for the 23rd of June (Feliz Cumplianos!)  Were are finishing up some Word of Wisdom problems with the both of them. 

We'll there's my shot-gun blast of an E-mail!  Hope it finds you well!  I love you all!  Just hope I can re-learn how to pray in English!

Para Siempre,

Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Photos from Lucero's!

Looks like Austin was transferred....but to where....stay tuned to find out on Monday!


Despedida de Elder Ipson su ultimo dia en la Rama Franlin esperamos verle pronto lo extrañaremos.
Translation:  Elder Ipson his last day at the Franklin Branch, hope to see you soon miss him.
Elder Jacobson and Elder Ipson at the Lucero home.

Elder Jacobson and I with the Lucero Family

Elder Jacobson, Horacio Lucero, Elder Ipson

Elder Jacobson, Horacio Lucero, Elder Ipson

Uy que miedo !!
Este charro si es muy valiente
Translation: Uy that fear! If this el charro is very courageous.

Chrome....

I got my absentee Ballot for the Republican Primary. We got all of our stuff that had some sort of American Heritage.... Couldn't help ourselves...

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2012 10:30 AM

To start of the email I want to tell you what Elder Jacobson and I did to start P-day.

Every day when we leave our apartment we go by a Classic Car Dealership on Wilson & Fisher.  We've oo'd and awe'd every day as we've passed.  Today for our P-day activity we got up the gumption to go take a look at the stuff there.  Needless to say...  It was refreshing!  It's amazing what a Camaro with matching numbers can do for a guy!

Right now our investigator work has tapered off hard.  Immigration is hot again.  Hotter than before.  They've finally made their way to Spanish South's area.  They are the densest of all Spanish Areas.  With migration running amuck in there, there is not a bit a trust for guys with white shirts!  Why this affects us; when one person gets rounded up, the rest of the Hispanics know about it in a couple hours.  It's like they always say.... You can't out-run a Motorola!

To combat this, we've gone to less-active work.  Sure we still go out and find, but it's not all that effective.  We have been having success on this other front. 

I don't recall if I have told you much about Jose.  So, I will tell you his whole story! 

Spanish South was visiting one of their investigators.  While there they ran into Jose.  Jose told them that he was a member of our church, and was baptized in Mexico (This happens more than you would think).  Elder Ragan and Elder Holbrook gathered his information.

Elder Jacobson and I work the information of this Jose' guy out of them.  It's pretty far away.  (Considering we have mileage limitations).  It's a 25 mile round trip, and in Spanish West we round out to have around 45 a day.  So this is a good chunk of our miles to go take a shot like this.  Well... We took it! 

The first time we go he seemed surprised to see us.  One of those," you actually came out here?" Sort of looks.  We got know him and a little more of his situation. 

While in Mexico he was baptized when he was 10.  And moved along to receive the Aaronic Priesthood (Priest).  However there was a situation where people’s feelings were hurt.  A bishop was blamed.  And Jose and his family stopped going to church.  For 20 Jose didn't have contact at church.

After this lesson Jose had the conviction to come to church.  Renew his covenants and start again.  He has come for the past three weeks.  The first week he came with his whole family.  He and his wife, and their 5 boys.  Ranging from ages 3-10.  His wife isn't that interested in acting upon the gospel message at this time.  She takes care of the 2 youngest twins.  They can get restless at church.  Jose for the past two weeks has brought his three oldest sons to church.  There is a Good Better Best situation here, but well take the Better Situation.

He is a little hesitant in some things.  For example praying.  He isn't (in his mind) ready to pray vocally yet.  However during class yesterday he gave great comments.  Jose is picking up little by little how the church thing works. 

One of his comments fills a hole in the start of his whole "coming back" process.  Jose said, “The day the missionaries (Ragan & Holbrook) found me I was talking with my wife about how I wanted to go back to church.  I found it funny that, the very day I say that.  He puts someone in my way to come back."  It was amazing to me; to hear that. 

Jose has had an interview with Pres. Navarro.  Don't know for what.  I just hope he has an excitement to keep going and become worthy to use his Priesthood once again. 

That's the bulk of what happened in the Ohio this week.  We are still working with families to get their friends to FHE.  One family has hit the ground running with this.  We hope to teach the same person tonight! 

Once again Transfers are this week!  I could go, and I might not at the same time.  Consecutively Elder Jacobson has been here longer.  In total time I've been in Spanish West longer.  So, who knows how it will shake out.  We'll get calls tomorrow! 

Love you all.   Hope you aren’t already bored of Summer!

Para Siempre,

Elder Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus Mission