Tres burros?

I couldn't help but take this picture after being with Elder Jacobson, and him always saying "hay cinco burros"!

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, August 27, 2012 9:13 AM

Alright... Now I have to remember what happened last week... Ben and Amber weren't able to meet with us this week.  They were down in the Athens area for a wedding...  We will have the scoop for you all next week!

In weeks past I believe I mentioned to you a couple by the name of Kristal, and Deven.  Kristal is a less-active that is coming back, and Deven is the boyfriend that is not a member.  We had lost contact with them for a couple of weeks.  We tried quite a few times to contact them.  Stopping by, texting, calling, etc.  But there wasn't any luck.  We just happened to be in the area, and decided to give it a knock.  To our amazement Deven answered the door, and asked us to come back the next day!

We waddled back and shared with him the plan of salvation.  He understood it for the most-part, but he has a few questions.  Second coming questions, the good ol' “you shall not add or take away from this book" doubt.  We set up another appointment for the next day.

We were able to resolve the doubts and questions.  We taught him lesson three from Preach my Gospel.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Our lesson was at the Chapel, and we were able to show him the baptismal font.  We extended to him the 22nd of September.  He said he'd work towards it!

He came to church the next day.  Kristal told us that he is planning on reading all of the Book of Mormon before the 22nd!  So, there are two things we need to make happen before then... A testimony of the Book of Mormon, and a marriage.  I know that if Deven is willing to follow the Lord things will work out.  I really believe his heart is in the right place.

Zone Conference was great!  I was able to see quite a few of my old companions there.  Elder Ragan, Jacobson, & Garner.  Elder Garner is now training in Spanish North.  The Westerville area.

We focused ourselves on the Primitive church of Christ, and the Apostasy.  Why there was such a need for a Restoration.  I've seen this as I've studied. 

My goal is to finish the all of canonized (inspired) scripture before my release.  I'm chugging through the Old Testament, New Testament, & Book of Mormon.  Time after time I see the pattern of how God calls man to be his prophet and guide his covenant people.  The more and more I read, more and more I can testify that this is the Church of Christ, and we are now in the Fullness of times! 

I love you all, don't do anything dumb, read your scriptures, clean the kennel, and brush your teeth.

Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Bluebird

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2012 9:28 AM 

This morning we left the apartment and worked out.  What did we see while we were out?  A school bus!  School is in session here in the Columbus area.  It's funny depending on what side of Gender Rd. you are on you can be in three different school districts.  Columbus, Canal Winchester, or Pickerington. Boundaries here are crazy!  People will carefully pick their homes to make sure they get the 2 of the better school districts.

This past week one of our 'coming back members' dropped smoking. Brother Hansen is a seasoned man.  Around 55 years old.  He is an aircraft mechanic for American Eagle Airlines.  If you wonder how we get to and from the Library on Mondays.  He's our man!  He also gives us rides to and from church.  Like I said he has committed to keep more fully the Word of Wisdom.  Last Friday he finished off his last pack and made the commitment to stop.  He's been doing well thus far, he still needs support.  If you could pray for Brother Hansen that would be great!

Ben came to church once again!  We are excited for him.  We just wish that his wife would join him.  She still can't fathom the fact that in the Mormon Church it's okay if you have a screaming baby!  Ben, he's keeping the commitment of coming to church, but he's still apprehensive about praying to know.  This is something we take happily!  That God answers prayers.  Over time we have learned that it's more than just a feeling you get...  If we are just to say it's a feeling you get, the answer to your prayer could have been heart-burn!  As a community of Church goers we have a general idea of how the Spirit works. 

Ben recognizes that.  His true concern is that he doesn't want to be deceived.  He showed us a scripture in Corinthians that the devil can appear to us as angels of light (roughly).  With that in mind it begs the question.  Is it heartburn, or the Spirit? 

We brought a member with us; Brother Bawden. (He went to Dixie College, yep he was a Rebel!)  He explained it like the 'gut-feeling' you can get.  He explained it very well.  We hope that Ben can get it.  Right now what Ben needs is to pour over the Book of Mormon.  He's read parts, but hasn't given himself into reading it.  So, if you could, I'd like to ask you to pray for Ben and Amber.  For both of them to have a desire to read the Book of Mormon, and have a desire to know of its truthfulness.

We will keep working!  We have Zone Conference tomorrow with President Nilsen, and Transfers are next Thursday!  Exciting stuff happening here in The Great OCM!

Love you all!  Don't sleep in too late T!

Para Siempre,

Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Feliz Cumpliaños Bummy!

P.S. Here is the flyer for the Columbus Crew Mormon night!

Great week in the Ohio

Elder Welch and Elder Ipson

You have me at my desk. This is us weekly planning. I still look pretty sweaty from our bike ride.

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 9:12 AM

Where to start on what has happened this past week....Jordan we'll start with her!  Right after her baptism Jordan basically fell off the face of the earth.  She went and lived at her Sister's home where her old friends could contact her.  Not to mention her sister wasn't a good influence to begin with!  To make a long story short nobody from the Ward could contact her for a month.  She relapsed to smoking, and later overdosed on Heroine.  Great...  However Bishop Peterson was able to stop by when she was in the hospital, and contact was made again!  Jordan knew what she was doing was wrong, and... well... dumb.. She wanted to change, but if she went back to her normal refuge, she'd probably do the same thing again.

Sister Trowbridge had played a great role in Jordan's conversion.  Taking her to the Eastland mall clothes shopping with her daughters, FHE, and other dinners.  Sister Trowbridge was devastated to hear that Jordan had fallen back into that old rut.  She told us, "Had I known she went (there) I would have had her stay at our house".  The moment contact had been regained with Jordan, Sister Trowbridge was on top of convincing her husband to let her stay.  Why such lengths with an Ex-drug abuser?  She had a friend that did the same thing, but lost their life because of drugs.  She didn't want it to happen to Jordan.  After quite a bit of coaxing Brother Trowbridge, Jordan was allowed board at the Trowbridge home.  Heavy restrictions have been placed on Jordan.  She is not allowed to use the phone, or Facebook.  It's going to be a change, but this is the biggest second chance anyone could get right now!  However, she was back at church yesterday.  There were more than just a few who were excited to see her there.  Her Uncle Brian (Who baptized her).  Also relieved the Melchizedek Priesthood yesterday.  It was a big day for the two of them!

Ben also came to church this week!  Amber is still very apprehensive on bringing Kelsey.  She doesn't like her fussing...  Elder Welch and I are a little perplexed as to what to do with these two.  Ben acts like a teenager.  He likes the Book of Mormon, sees the patterns in Gospel.  I believe he really likes what we share.  However he's still planted in his old beliefs, and is picking apart what we have to say intellectually.  We tell him it's by the Spirit, but he keeps saying, "Truth is truth".  He's trying to find the truth of the Book by.. doing something....  I'm not sure....  We keep reminding him how to find the truth.  Read, Ponder, Pray.  It's a simple formula!  (Let us not forget my Algebra II scores...)

While out riding my bike this week, I had a low front tire.  We were swinging into a parking lot, when my bike slid out from under me!  The damage... a bruised ego, and a bent front rim!  If you remember while I was in Kentucky this same thing happened to me.  So I used my experience!  I pulled off my front rim, and beat in on the asphalt 'till is was as true as I could get it!  The day proceeded on normally! 

We are looking forward to another week and are excited to get working! 

Love you all, and have a fun time getting ready for school!

Para Siempre,

Elder Ipson

P.S.S.S. The random guy with a boom-box is Disco Stu! The game between Elder Ramsey and his Trainer was how many times you could spot him. For the record I am at 2. Once with Elder Jacobson, and once with Elder Welch. I'll let you know if I see him again and try to get a better picture of him! You can usually find him somewhere on S. Hamilton. We saw him on Kimberly and S. Hamilton next to the McDonalds. Legend is... That missionaries have tracted into him. I know of other missionaries who have talked to him! So if you're in the 'hood, look out for Disco Stu!

The Gathering of Israel

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 9:20 AM

Here it is Monday Morning...  What did I do last week...  At this point I only have 30 minutes to remember...GO!

We were able to see Ben and Amber again this week!  They are doing fine, and little Kelsey, well, she's still little!  Amber is still apprehensive bringing Kelsey to church.  Kelsey will get a little fussy during church (don't let this fool ya!  Kelsey is the best 6 month-year-old in the congregation), so this week Amber and little Kelsey stayed home.  However Ben made his appearance at church this week!  He did a lot better going through church this week.  He gave answers to questions, and was a good participant of the classes! I was grateful for that.  Why?  Our Gospel Principle teachers were gone this week, and it fell on Elder Welch and I to teach the class.  It was on....  The Gathering of Israel!  Good hefty topic right?

Ben I think enjoyed church more this week, now knowing how the system works.  He describes to us his other church.  They burn through scriptures like nobody's business.  During class Sunday he still had a little bug in him, and he was flipping through the book of Numbers.  Hopefully we can get Amber in Kelsey there next week!

As for the gathering of Israel,  I find it funny that we got called upon to teach that.  Why?  While you are out here you get study "bugs".  Times where you want to dive into a certain principle.  This past week, it was the Abrahamic Covenant.  While I'm still grasping this great Covenant that God made with him, my mind has been expanded on how we works with us.  To bring to pass our eternal life.  To give us the Priesthood, and the ordinances of the Priesthood to lead us to salvation, and exaltation.  Very clearly in Abraham 2:11 the Lord promises to bless the families of the Earth.  This is a testament to me that God truly is the same Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.  He hasn't been harping about families only in this dispensation!

What has sunk in:  The sanctity of my calling.  Under this Covenant, and others that have been renewed, I am Gathering Israel.  I am acting under the keys given to Moses, then to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple to gather Israel.  I always knew that it happened someplace up in the Cleveland Mission, but it has sunk in while here in the Columbus Mission.

There are many other promises that follow the Covenant, but knowing this, the message of the Restoration has more meaning. 

I will get of my soap box...  I love you all. Good job Leighton at your swim meet! Wish I could have done a cannonball of the blocks with ya!

Have a great week, and happy Birthday Mr. T!

Para Siempre,

Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

P.S. So this is our indicator sheet.  We email this to President every week.  If you wonder why letters have gotten shorter.  This is the reason why!