Delayed White Christmas!

Yesterday we had planned to come and email families, and President Nilsen.  However giant snow flakes started falling from the sky Boxing Day Morning!  Quickly the snow stuck and turned into about 10 inches of Snow!  We got a notice from the mission office, telling us not to use the cars today.  

Elder Clay and I looked at each other, and sighed.  All of our plans were down in Dayton.  We were stuck in Huber Heights!  Some of the public transportation was down, so that wasn't even an option.  We just gritted our teeth, and started making the walk around Huber Heights.  We first came to the library, only to find out it was closed! Then up to Victoria's (the restaurant) to do service for it to be, closed.  Already tired, we took refuge in a near-by McDonalds, grabbed a McDouble, and went on our way again!

We did a lot of service as we walked.  Helping people shovel their driveways, and helping guys in their cool sports cars back up!  We did a lot of hiking in the snow, uphill, both ways, but we did get to help quite a few people.

The real troopers yesterday were the mail-men.  Yesterday afternoon I received my flight itinerary.  That is one of those papers I never thought I'd get.  You were asking about my flight from Minneapolis to SLC.  I think Delta overbooked the flight, and since it wouldn't  effect the time I arrived to STG.  I was the one that got moved.  In fact I was talking to Elder Unzaga an English Elder in Huber Heights, he still has people in our transfer group on his flight itinerary.  So I think I'm the lone man!  Elder Clay accuses me of being trunky I probably am...  I'll just keep pushing until my ministerial certificate expires!

Much Love!

Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

I totally spaced two things...  So in Mexico.  They basically have two Christmas's.  La Navidad, and the Dia de los Reyes (day of the Kings).  El Dia de los Reyes, is to celebrate the 3 wise-men and their arrival to the Savior.  It is celebrated on the 5th of January shoes are set out, and toys are placed inside by the traveling kings.  To entice the Magi into coming sweets are left out for them, and hay for the camels.  The next morning the presents of the Magi are unwrapped!  The fun part of the holiday is eating the Rosca de Reyes. It is a typical Spanish cake. (in other words not very sweet) however inside are little dolls.  When cutting the Rosca if you get a piece with a doll in it you are awarded good fortune for the year!  As well you are on the commitee for a party that will happen at a later time, and you'll have to make tamales for the party!

This holiday is one of my favorites in the Spanish Culture.  It's a low key Christmas, and I think it will work for our holiday when I come back!  I think it's funny that it falls on these days.  I'll try and hunt down a reciepe for the Rosca if you'd like.  I'm sure Candelaria would know how to make it, or get a hold of one.  Just let me know if this is something you'd all like to do!

Also... I need to get my books taken care of.  Do you know how to check on what books I need?  If not I can come home and get that taken care of.  It's nothing too serious.

Much love Mom, have a good week!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

We've yet to see snow here in the Ohio.  These past couple of days it’s been around 60 degrees.  So it's not a white Christmas thus far!

This past week Elder Clay and I definitely saw the Lord's hand in the work!  Last Tuesday we were able to see Marcela, and also her husband Craig.  The first lesson was more directed to Marcela.  We taught her the message of the Restoration of the Gospel.  As we taught about prophets and their roles, she was right on board.  We moved to the Savior's ministry, followed by the Apostasy.  When we hit this point Marcela got an extremely scared look on her face and asked, "What happened to the Priesthood authority?"  When a person asks that question, you know that they are seekers of the truth!  We quickly referred to the story of the first vision; from there she soaked in everything like a sponge!  Not to mention Sister Galvan was there in the lesson.  She was able to testify to her friend of the truthfulness of the Gospel.  By the end both of them were in tears and hugging! 

This first lesson was all in Spanish.  Her husband Craig came in and out, but never really participated.  Craig speaks only a bit of Spanish. 

Our next lesson we taught Marcela the Plan of Salvation.  The Spirit filled the room.  The lesson was near as intense as the first, but as the progression of man and his spirit was outlined, solace filled her heart.  Life's questions were answered in this lesson.  

Craig chimed in at the end.  He has some doubts of what we shared.  Common Doubts.  Elder Clay then testified of the Book of Mormon, and the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Craig will prove to be the harder head, but he still has great promise! 

We woke up Sunday Morning to make Marcela, Craig, and kids breakfast to make sure they were coming to church.  While at church Marcela told members of the Relief Society how she had a person confront her about meeting with "Los Mormones".  Marcela testified to her about what she has learned, and how she already believes that Joseph Smith is a prophet! 

Elder Clay and I are excited for this family.  We could see them being baptized very soon.  We hope to be able to fire the question this week! 

At this point this mission is on track for 501 baptisms in the year of 2012!  That is if all the people that are on date now get baptized.  We are so close!  The excitement is building!

Almost out of time....

I love you all!  Just don't drink too much Egg Nog!

Para Siempre,

Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

'Tis the Season

We received Austin’s travel plans yesterday.  Looks like he will arrive at the St. George Airport on Friday, January 4^th at 4:25pm.

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 10:18 AM

It's been a long time right?  Can barely believe I'm back on the computer!

We've had a tender mercy this last week.  One of our members Sister Galvan invited one of her friends to the Branch Christmas Party!  Her name is Maricela.  The crazy thing is that she has already been to church and talked with missionaries before!  Sister Galvan simply wanted us to go meet her and hand off a copy of Joy to the World.  We did so, and as we did Maricela asked if we could come to her house teach her more!  Elder Clay and I were caught completely off-guard!  We got her information, and set up an appointment for tonight!  Elder Clay and I are excited for this lesson to come!

Yesterday was our Mission Christmas Devotional.  Shawn Bradley came once again.  He told a story from when he was a missionary.  He was serving in the Sydney Australia Mission.  He and his companion wanted to baptize one more person before Elder Bradley went home (he had 4 weeks).  They work, and found a lady named Teresa.  She went to church and kept all of the commitments!  Up until tithing.  She was a single mother, and having a hard time keeping afloat.  She couldn't understand why God would take her money when she was in a time of financial crisis.  Elder Bradley and his companion fasted and prayed for her.  Later one of the members who was a friend to Teresa, called the missionaries.  She told them that something was wrong with Teresa's ankle and she wanted a Priesthood Blessing.  Elder Bradley and companion scurried over to her house and gave her the blessing.  Elder Bradley didn't think much of the blessing at this time, however once they got home there was a message on the answering machine from Teresa.  The message was, that while Elder Bradley was giving the Blessing her ankle was healed!  She didn't know how to say it then, but she knew she needed to be baptized!  She was, and so was her boyfriend!

Simply, Elder Clay and I hope the same thing happens here in Dayton Spanish! :D

Mom, you asked about how my final days in the mission will be.  So I'll tell you!  The transfer meeting is on Thursday.  The Transfer Meeting is at 11:00 a.m. The transfer will be announced.  Elder Clay will get a new companion, we'll sing the mission song, and I'll give my departing testimony to the missionaries, and the members that brought the missionaries.

Quickly after there will be a mad scramble as people say good-byes grab their stuff, take pictures, and head off to their new areas.  Departing missionaries will stay.  The chapel we meet at is on the same lot as the temple.  Departing Missionaries will go to the 1:00 p.m. temple session.  After-which the assistants will take all 20 of us to the mission-home (we have huge transfer group).  President will grill us with our departing interview.  We'll stay the night at the mission home in Powell.  No party at the Harley....  The assistants President and Sister Nilsen will take us to the airport and give us the boot.  Simple as that!

Also with my bike i plan on leaving it in the Mission for another missionary to use.  With the amount of wrecks I've had, and the price for shipping it home, it just doesn't seem worth the pain of getting it home and getting it worked on.  I'll let Abram (my good ol' Trek) stay in Ohio for another two years!

Time is running out.  Remember, I love you all!

Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

One Long Week...

The Poor Monkey didn't see it coming
(Birthday Pinata)



Dirty Dayton



"Jingle Bells"



Dish washing at Victoria's



Christmas Temple Trip



 My Darn Bike! (My sweet Trek 3700)

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 1:51 PM

So, you all are probably wondering why P-day is Thursday.  Right?

Well today was the Dayton East Temple day!  Elder Clay and I were able to go through the temple with our zone.  The temple is pretty small so to come and do a session you need to make a reservation in advance.

Going with the Zone we thought our names would be on the list, because the mission makes the reservation for us now.  (Before, we would arrange it ourselves every quarter of the year.  Now we have predetermined days when we go with our zone).  Elder Clay and I walk in, and we aren't on the list! There were already 20 some-odd missionaries not to mention their rides to the temple.  So it was already looking to be a full session.  We were cast aside to see if there would be room for us in the session.  Once we were told that there was space, we were thrown into a separate locker room.  The baptismal font locker room.  Away from all of the other missionaries and temple patrons.  I see a trend here...

However it was great to be at the temple.  It was a good relief from the long week! 

Last week we also had a District/Zone Leader Training with President Nilsen.  We are pushing hard right now for the 500 baptisms.  I believe we lie at 439.  He wanted all of us trained on the topics of leadership and faith.  It was a great meeting; I learned a lot from it!  Specifically he talked a lot on the love we need to have for the members of our district, for our members, and our investigators.  Not to mention anyone else we contact!  This is a labor of love. 

From Tuesday night to Thursday Morning I had the chance to go on one last exchange with Elder Ragan!  He is the Spanish Zone Leader in East Cherry Spanish (Eastern Cincinnati area).  He is training for his last two transfers.  Elder Larson from Mesa, Arizona.  Elder Ragan is not one to get "trunky", but this assignment is definitely good prevention for that ailment!

It was fun to be with him for those couple of days.  To catch up, and learn from one another again.  The sad thing is, that we always planned on being on the same plane home, but that won't happen.

Somehow while he was at the mission office a couple of months ago flight plans were put in front of him.  He found out he would fly to Atlanta, then to SLC, while I would go to Minneapolis to SLC then St. George.  Accuse me of being trunky, but I'm bummed I won't be on the same plane, let alone be in the same airport for a layover! 

Next week the mission will have it's annual Christmas Devotional.  It will be this Monday down in Liberty, Ohio.  This is were I was while I was in Miami River.  Our P-day should be moved to Tuesday. 

Things are still doing good here in the Dirty Dayton.  I love you all!

Have a good week!

Para Siempre,

Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission