Week six.... Two more weeks to go!

Elder Z. Ipson gets dirt paths, I get railroads.

This transfer is flying!  People have told me how they've dreaded 7 week transfers.  This one hasn't been too bad.  Even though things have been really slow, we are starting to pick up some work.  For a while I've been dragging my heels.  It was one of those times where people didn't seem to want to talk to us.  That being said my faith has been restored with a less-active who wants her 17-year old daughter and 9 year old son to be baptized.  The just moved from one part of our area to another part of our area.  The good thing about this is that she is closer!  Making it quite a bit easier to go see her.  It was great to see Andrea (The Less Active) change as we read about 3 Nephi 11.  She asked us a few questions about authority of the Priesthood, and she was fairly methodical.  Normally she will talk your ear off, but this time when she said something it was thought out.  We are going to see as soon as possible to make sure she is fine in her new apartment, and find out when we can teach Pamela and Julio.  (They are Dominicans.  Tell Scott and Trent they are the best!  'ta heavy <----- tell them that too!)

This week we had another great experience.  It's interesting to pick up investigators that have investigated the church before.  This is what happened this week.  We've been working in a set of trailers, and we've been talking to a Mexican by the name of Fransisco.  He has had some of Preach My Gospel's "questions of the soul".  So we've had a few good talks with him, but never a real lesson.  Just the other day we sat down and had a real lesson.  At the first we found out that his wife Myra had been meeting with Sister Missionaries (Missioneras) when they lived in Kentucky.  So she knew some of the protocol of how missionaries gave lessons.  The lesson plugged along as we talked about the establishment of the Savior's Church and moved on to the Restoration.  It fell upon me to share the 1st Vision, and I did so as best as I could.  We let the silence set in, and talked about what that vision meant.  We then asked them how they felt as we shared those glorious words.  Fransisco answered in a way that I won't ever forget.  He related to us that as I was sharing those words, the picture that Elder Whittingham was holding (of the 1st vision) seemed to portray the words of the first vision as I said them.  Elder Whittingham very boldly stated that it was the Holy Ghost he was feeling.  With this lesson Fransisco has gotten an experience to begin his testimony of this work.  I hope it only continues to grow.

We have also picked up another solid investigator this week.  It is President Maya's nephew.  Hector is a 19 year old and has been studying in Monterrey for the past two years.  He is unsure what is plans are, but he will be heading back to Mexico in a couple of weeks.  Time is not on our side here, and Hector lives just across the street from our area boundaries, so he really is Elders Ragan & Ramsey's.  They haven't found time to go and see him, so Elder Whittingham and I may steal him.... :P.....  He is very intelligent, and spiritually awake.  He knows the way to know this church is the true church is through studying and praying about the Book of Mormon.  He comes to church and is already an example with the demeanor that he has.  If he were to become a member I could see him easily becoming a bishop down the road.

Work is picking up.  Right as Elder Whittingham is winding down.  10 Days left for him, but he and I are going to work hard so that this next transfer will be a good one!

 
I must thank you for the Apple Betty.  It makes me laugh though.  We had Carne Asada yesterday with some Guatemalans  (Happy 4th of July!) and we broke out the Apple Betty.  I only saw him eat a couple of bites of it!  Hispanics do not eat nearly as sweet as we do.  As docile as that was, I think we need to tone down our baking skills for the Hispanics!

I love you all, and (presumptuously) I know you love me, but just because you're in Chicago that doesn't give you reason to come to Ohio, or even tell me you were here. That's just not Kosher!

Para Siempre, 

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

A Week of Change

Elder Whittingham and I with Pres. & Sister Jensen

My loaf of bread! Put that on the Resume!

From:  Elder Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2011 9:28 AM 

The six month mark is coming!  This week!  I really can't believe I've been away from home that long!  Granted a chunk of my time away was in the MTC, but time has flown.  Now as for this 7 week transfer thing...  That can make things a little long.  I don't know if I have filled you in on why we are having it.  You may know that we are getting a new Mission President this July. President Jensen will be leaving us, and President Nilsen will come to fill his place.  So to give President Nilsen a bit more time to get things out before transfers a week has been added to this transfer.  That means the following transfer will be 5 weeks.  It's weird, because it is week 5 of this transfer, but we still have roughly two weeks until we get transfer calls.  Interesting stuff.

Now the real change is this new president.  Last week we had our last Specialized Training with President Jensen.  He really went out with a bang with his final discourse to us!  He really emphasized that it is the mindset that makes a missionary, and the person.  He read us part of a study by Harvard that says most employers now look for employees with a stronger mindset than skillset.  I'm going to tackle this mindset.  My Spanish is still... Blech, but I need to go in with a stronger mentality of things.  Right now, I think that's what's holding me back.

I do have to thank you for the big package of stuff!  I was expecting that in a couple of weeks, but to see it in front of our apartment door was a good surprise!  I was really just telling you how great that Dryel stuff is.  I didn't expect to get a transfer and a half's worth of stuff!  My slacks will be smellin' good these next few transfers.  Thank you for the suit as well.  It is nice to have some thing that has some pinstripes.  I really wanted it so I could have a "President Suit".  That way I can go to church and see President Nilsen in something that doesn't look quite so hammered.  I was doing that with my suit and that brown pair of pants, but now I'm down a pair.  (I believe Adrian's has a lot in my name, rather than a number).  Now there is a downside to the "President Suit".  It has no buffer room for weight gain!  When I put on the pants it was like Mr. Incredible in one of the first trailers for The Incredibles.  I had to suck it in pretty good.  After that day I've been hitting up the pickles more often; rather than the candy Sister Vane sent me...

Really work is plodding along.  We haven't had the best week.  We had one lesson a day.  Normally we can get around 14-20 lessons a week, but we go by people and they insisted on moving their lessons back a week.  Aye, stuff like this can drive a missionary crazy! 

That sums up the week!  I'll be putting my shoulder to the wheel this coming week, and maybe I'll have a better update on investigators. 

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Rain+Bike+200lb Missionary=.....

Elder Austin Ipson
12 Randolph Ct., Apt 102
Fairfield, OH 45014-4383

Well this week was filled up with more giggles than anything else!  I'll start off with the poob sauce that I sent Dad for Fathers day (En las palabras de Presidente Maya; El dia de los jefes).  That sauce is part of a series, and each of us sent off a hot sauce to our Dads.  Elder Ramsey sent of "Ultra Death".  In Elder Ramsey's email his dad said it had him pacified for over a half an hour, and he can take the sauce!  So be grateful I sent you this sauce to do the tough man challenge!  I eat stuff that's mas picante than that!  At some houses we are expected to just eat pickled Jalapenos.  That was mostly in Columbus though.

Now you are probably wondering about the subject line.  Well the time came.  I took my spill on the bike!  Elder Ragan and I were on exchanges, and we were just starting our way out of the complex.  I'm sure you've google mapped our complex, and saw that it is a nice down hill.  Mid way down in the more circular part of the the road down to Dixie Highway, we decided to go the back way out of the parking lot.  I gave it some brake, and commenced to U-turn.  The factor I didn't take into all of this, is that it had rained a bit that morning and that the road was a bit damp.  So midway through the u-turn my bike kicked out from under me!  By the time I realized what was going on, I realized a bail-out would do more damage.  So I clung to that bike for dear life as I scooted across the pavement a good eight feet.  When the dust settled I waited for that surge of pain to surge through my body... I waited, and waited, waited some more... It didn't come!  I came out with a few scratches on my right wrist, left elbow, and knee.  The best part was I didn't even get road rash!  The real damage was in my slacks.  I've got a decent sized hole in them now.  So I'll do my best to patch it up, and they'll only come out on fish-gutting days!  (If you can remember that e-mail from my 1st transfer) 

This bike area is taking a decent toll on my slacks.  Fortunatly Elder Wittingham showed me Dryel.  It's an in-dryer dry cleaning.... thing...  It's beend doing a good job of getting the smell out of my pants!  I just need to shell out the money sometime and get them pressed.

With this pair of slacks out of commision; the system is thrown off.  I remembered that I have that old grey suit in my closet.  I think it wants to come to Ohio to finish it's life!  It think that would be the cheapest solution if you could flat rate that to me rather than bust out the cash to get new brown slacks.

I want you to save money because I really need to mooch....  Kronk (my good ol' Trek) is in need of some "Pedros", and all we have in the apartment is WD-40.  It's a good fix but the other Elders are fighting the gunk that builds up in a couple days.  I don't want to commit to it, but I just can't find a place that sells decent lube.  Help with that would be great!

In my last transfer I kinda left my Spanish-English Dictionary......  it's been a bit harder to study without it, so a replacement would be glorious!  It's the same one that is in Doug's room (At Grandma's houses) it has a chicken on it!) it was a very good dictionary.  So if you could find something like that.  Well that would be awesome!

Now just to more thing I would love to have!  I have a Burgandy Solid Silk tie in my closet, could you send that as well?  Then, Elder Ramsey and I were craving real homemade bread, could you get me a reciepe too? 

I feel like such a mooch right now....  But the gospel is true!

Right now we are still trying to find good solid investigators.  This few weeks have been difficult.  We have a lot of potentials, but those potentials give us the shaft, so we keep on looking!  Elder Whittingham is still doing great for going home in 4 weeks.  Although it's starting to click that the plane ride is soon.  I hope he can hold it together when he gets his trunky papers!

More and more, my favorite time of the day is personal study.  Right now my "theme" is the christ-like attributes.  It's been that way for a while, but I really think that is the most crucial thing for us, as members of the Church.  That's what we are trying to be.  The primary song says it best.  "I'm trying to be like Jesus".  That is the simplest doctrine, yet the most crucial!  That is our whole plan here on the earth.  To follow the example of our Older Brother.  To be more like our Savior!  I can't wait to embark on this new study I've conjured up this moring, and I especially can't wait to tell you how it went!  Now time is running low, because I spent a good bunch of my time trying to mooch, so I'll start the letter to President Jensen.

Much Love, Para Simpre,

Elder A. Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

P.S. Sorry for no photos.... :P

P.S.S. Happy B-day Goooozawits!

My lack of ability to think up a whitty subject line....

First rule of obedience. The hair.... Needs more Gel!

Not too much to report about this week.  I'm sure if I were to look in my journal I'd find some pretty good stuff, but this week, well... Not much happened.  As you know I had to head into the Dentist this past week.  It was a non-event.  I went in fill out some paper work.  Got my toothed filled & polished. The situation wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  Afterwards I gave them the insurance cards (Because I can't remember what the little codes meant)  & Elder Whittingham & I went on our way!  Yeah!  I feel like a flop on the reporting side of this.  Especially after the David Letterman count-down last week!

Really this week has been rather slow.  All of the people that we wanted to see.  We didn't get to see.  It was a week of work, without visible success.  On the other hand this forced us to go finding.  With the resources we had we did the best we could to find.  Hopefully all of the future investigators we have, turn into solid investigators.  Really all we have right now are...  Well eternal investigators.  It's time to get the work restarted here in Miami River 1.

I'm sure Dad remembers the days when he was in a bike area.  Coming home, drenched with sweat, just wanting to pass out rather than plan the next day.  Yeah, this area is kicking my slacks!  After taking care of the tire after that flat, It seems I've been chasing ghosts out of the bike.  fortunately it's come down to adjusting the rear disc brake.  One day I shall conquer it!

Although I must inform you of one of our activities that we will be doing today.  As of late we've really had a thing for Hot Sauce.  Now the time has come to produce some of our own!  So today's activity will be going down to "Jungle Jim's" and going in on some Habenero plants!  That's right T!  We're throwing down the Spicy Stuff!  I can't wait to get experimenting! 

Already P-day looks like a good chance to gasp our breath, and realize better weeks are to come.  It all relies on our obedience.  I've really seen that with the move to a 4-pad.  So much more can happen if we are simply obedient!

So in other words be good!

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Top 10 Reasons why going to the Dentist is fun as a missionary!

10. If the appointment falls through then we can tract the surrounding area!

9. In the waiting room I can read the Liahona in Spanish.  Forget Sports Illustrated

8. Alma 7 has a new meaning afterwards.

7. When the Dentist blinds me with the overhead light; I can practice the first vision!

6. I can learn the Spanish word for ouch.

5. I can mooch medical miles from the Mission office!

4. Talking to the Dentist about blessings of the gospel

3. Finding out you don't have to get a root-canal.

2. Getting trunky as I talk to the Dentist about home.

1. I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head!

Cool swamp in Fairfield

The next two photos are to rub into Tanner's face
because "they" mixed up his plates.

This is the Zuniga family. The parents are going on Saturday to be endowed and sealed.
I hope that we can weasel a way up to Columbus to go see them. They are amazing!

Elder Austin Ipson
12 Randolph Ct., Apt 102
Fairfield, OH  45014-4383

So there comes a time in the mission where you find out... Well bad things do happen to missionaries!  A couple weeks ago I was eating some pretzels, and i took a bite out of one, and the pretzel broke weird.  Some of it got inbetween my teeth so I went to floss.I got somes stuff out but It still felt like there was some stuff in there, but I didn't care to much because we had a lesson to go to.  So time passed & I didn't realize that I got used to this feeling.  Last week while flossing my floss fell into an unknown crevace in my 2nd to last molar.  I realized then that I had a cracked tooth, and that I needed to get it fixed.  I was cleaning it out the best I could, but as I was doing this, it chipped off.  This isn't the bad part.  It uncovered I nice hole in the tooth behind it!  These past couple of days I've had some sensitive teeth.  Tomorrow I go in to get it fixed.  Hopefully I don't need much more than a filling.

In other medical news Elder Ramsey had a fun experience yesterday.  As he and Elder Ragan were coming into the complex, (on their bikes) Elder Ramsey's back tire was clipped by a car.  It was enough to send Elder Ramsey flying, yet to land on his feet.  He is fine, but the peeving part is that the car that hit him drove off without a word.  Eeeesh....  Elder Ramsey is perfectly fine.  He called Pres. Jensen just to let him know what went down.  Pres. Jensen told him to take it easy today.  Elder Ramsey has been trying to get this card to work, but none of us are buying it.  Elder Ramsey is such a nut!

I've been hammered these past two days.  Since we have a car only half of the time, obviously we're on bikes.  The problem is, that the Hispanics are a half an hour out from our apartment.  Not including the humid heat, it...is.... hard... Blech...  Fortunatly there is work to do.  It's just a matter of getting there.  Oh yeah!  My first week here my tire blew out!  So I had to go buy some tubes and stuff.  It cost me $41.41.  My tire is huge!  So tubes automatically cost more.  But it's a pretty smooth ride!

Things are coming together though.  One of our "Eternals" is only steps away from the font.  Wilber, has been waiting for some papers to come from Mexico so he can be married to his Member Wife.  (Yes they are breaking the law of Chastity), but they've been waiting for this paper for quite a while.  I know missionaries have been going for a couple years, so... Yeah... I'm just going to get them married!  We are waiting for an agency to get just a little bit more info.  It's just a matter of time now!

Lessons have been down this past week.  We had a total of 8 lessons.  This no car thing is taking a toll on the area. Hopefully we become awesome planners, and things work out.

I love you all Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

To Austin, from Jewel, our Cat

Jewel the Cat
596 Spring Circle, garage suite
Washington, UT 84780

Senior Austin

12 Randolph Court, Apt. 102
Farifield, Ohio 45014-4383

Dear Senior Austin!

I know, I know, you didn’t think cats could talk or write a letter, but that’s just what we want you to think.  Cats do have the power of speech, but it is beneath us to speak to our minions.  Because, let’s face it, you live to serve me!  But for you, I will make an exception because you’re one of my favorite people.  If you tell anyone I said that, I will deny it. 

First of all, where are you????  I’ve been wondering if you have used up all of your 9 lives or something like that.  My humans here just aren’t as good as you at letting me use them for pouncing practice or a scratching pole.  Nobody lets me use their arm for biting and harassment like you, although I do try now and then.

Your brother, the shorter guy, thinks he is the cat whisperer.  He’s good for talking to, but not much action.  At least he brings me food and water when I command it.  Your sister, she makes idle threats like she’s going to shiskabob me for dinner, but I am smarter than she is, and I know this is false.  Your mom, well, she’s good for rubbing behind the ears and talking to me.  And your Dad, I don’t know about him; he says he likes your dog Quik more than me and makes horrible noises with the motorcycle (that’s why I like to get hair and paw prints on his ride) but I know he worships me and he only pretends to despise me.  I know everything, by the way.  Oh, and tell your dad that people who hate cats will come back as mice in their next life!

I have noticed that there is one major difference between you and me:  You work 16 hours an day and sleep 8 hours a day; and I sleep 16 hours a day, and play for the other 8 hours.  Let’s get one thing clear, I do what I want, when I want.  I am the master, and you are to tend to my every need.

The mystery remains though, where are you?  I don’t know where you are and don’t know when you will come back home.  I’m saving many mice and lizards for you, and even though I will be elated to see you again one day, I will have to pretend to ignore you and walk away so the others in the house won’t know you are my true favorite.

Well human, hang in there.  Every time you get knocked down (or tossed in the air, for that matter); try to land on your feet.  Wishing you more than 9 lives,

Love always,

Jewel

PS – No amount of masking tape can remove my fur from your clothes and couch.  Oh, and if I don’t like the way my litter box is cleaned, I will throw up in the garage.

Jewel sent Elder Ipson a package too including: bird Peeps, Goldfish crackers, mouse traps, Hello Kitty stickers, lint roller, KitKats, and Tuna.  Hope this makes him smile!  :)

Google Map This First! - transferred to Cincinnati area



P.S. the first is all of the missionaries at this transfer.
Elder Ramsey is in front of me, and Elder Whittingham is behind Elder Ragan.

 P.S.S. This is the catch of the day. After the freak summer storms that can drench you in a matter of seconds.

P.S.S.S. This made me cry. (Columbus)

May 31, 2011

12 Randolph Court #102
Farifield, Ohio 45014

The Trifecta is complete!  All of the C cities in Ohio have been conquered by the Ipson family!  Right now I'm serving down in "Cincy" with Elder Whittingham.  Yes there is a relationship to Coach Whittingham (Uncle); this is his last transfer, so "killing" him is sort of odd.  It's going to let me know that people really do leave the mission!

With the big picture of all of the missionaries Elder Whittingham is on the top right near Elder Ragan.  Speaking of him, he is sitting right next to me!  We are sharing a four pad right now.  It's fun to talk about some of the experiences we had in the MTC intermingled with some of the experiences we've had in the field.

It's weird going into a new area.  I don't know much about anything, so when it comes to nightly planning I can only do so much.  I can't wait to be able to actually help put together a plan! 

So you are probably wondering what the area is like.  Well Dave I'm sure made his way into Dayton at one point.  He might be able to enlighten you about that.  The area we've been going to recently is Hamilton.  Elder Whittingham says that Hamilton is a bit nicer than Dayton, but has the same feel.  So if you can glean that from Dave it would be a good description of what it's like.  The real change for me is that I'm now knocking duplexes rather than apartment complexes.  Most defiantly a different feel.

With the first hit of the heat wave I'm wishing that the Spring weather would come back!  It is steamy down here!  Headlights on any car are always tainted with water!  Now the thing that makes this less bearable is the fact that we share a car with Elder Ragan, and Elder Ramsey.  (It's an old 07 Malibu; it's about to 50,000 miles so I might see it become a new car).  I'm grateful we have a car, but what makes it hard is that we just can't accept that there is only one car.  So we dream about being in the car the other Elders have.

We had a very warm welcome to the Branch, when I say that I mean a refiners fire!  Elder Ramsey & I were asked to give talks on exaltation.  Very broad topic...  So for my first real mission talk I gave the atonement, how we could change and obtain exaltation.  I gave the example of Peter.  He denied the Savior thrice, promised that he would feed his sheep three times, and taught the gospel with power and conviction.  In Elder Growes talk this past conference he outlines the atonement very clearly.  By no means was this the King Follet Discourse, but it's simple doctrine that we must understand to progress.  As it says in Preach my Gospel, all things can be made right through the atonement.

It is defiantly a change here in Cincy.  President Maya has so much vigor to do Missionary work.  He has a stout list of things for us to do, as well as help the branch with their 14 baptisms they want this year.  Shifting gears is different but I can't wait to see what this 7 week transfer will bring!

Please give Shayne my regards, and my solidified hope that she gets well soon.

I love you all, Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission (+Cincinnati)

May 23, 2011 - "7 Days"

AstroTurf is pretty comfy!

Here we are.  In anticipation of what's going to happen this transfer.  How it stands in our district; Elder Nelson and I feel we are staying, and that Elder Ramsey and Klein will be heading out.  Both of them will be heading out of the city, because the other Spanish area has a trainee.  Training takes 12 weeks, and they are halfway through.  So I don't see a change anytime soon.  It will be fun to see where those two go.  I'm with you now Dad.  I think they'll send me a seasoned missionary over to Spanish West.  Now before he comes....  I'm going to steal Elder Klein's mattress!  Some mornings I just have to lie on the floor & stretch to straighten it out again.  So, I look forward to exchanges; to say the least.

I had to do a bit of mental math in my head when you told me that Leighton had been dancing for 10 years of her life.  I didn't realize how long she's really been doing it!  If she keeps plugging away, she might be a Panthera!  Thus forcing dad out of that Heavy brimmed blue hat!  Leighton, keep dancing.  We need to help dad out with his style!

Mom I must thank you for the shirts, hat, and cowbell! I've got a feva', and the only prescription is mo' cowbell!  I pulled the package out of the package slot in our mailbox, and heard that distinct sound!  I knew that my feva' was about to be cured!

Now I don't remember if I told you this, but Elder Klein and I had a contact with a Baptist minister.   Ask Tanner about the Blubbo's drive-thru microphone.  After you hear his impression of that, well...  You'll know what it was like talking with that minister!  It didn't matter what we said, or how kindly we put it.  It was a garbled mess of words trying to combat what we said.  He even had the audacity to tell us we practiced polygamy even though we frankly told him that we didn't.  Television is a lie....  Anyways, I'll take Hispanics that pray to Maria, rather than saved by grace minister.

It's funny because the other day we were out finding (tracting), and it was mostly Americans that didn't really want to hear the true gospel.  We tried every potential, and did our best to look for something, but doors didn't open...  Tired, and ready to hit the bikes to head over to our next appointment.  We walked back.  We saw a family, but we weren't sure if they were Hispanic, but we had a handful more of potentials to see.  Those potentials didn't open the door, and it was about time to go.  We stood over our bikes wondering what to do.  Then we decided to go back and see that family that we weren't quite sure about, so we hobbled over.  Turns out they were Hispanic!  One was on the phone, and the other was watching her 3ish year old daughter.  We were talking to the one lady.  She was like most other Hispanics.  Not very interested, but at least kind to us.  The other got off the phone and started talking to us.  Quite the opposite!  We had an awesome 40 minute contact.  She has a lot of questions, good questions.  We had a lesson with her the other day, and she ask what it meant in Peter when the Savior was teaching to the people in prison.  She wants to learn, and she wants to get her schedule changed so she can come to church!  Unlike most of the Hispanic people, I think she means to keep her word.

We just got a call from the Zone Leaders!  That scared Elder Klein!  Had it been the Assistants, or President Jensen.  That would have meant a few things, with a call this early in the day.  Zone Leader, trainer, and the greatest servant of them all Assistant to the President.  The sigh of relief when Elder Klein saw that it was just the Zone Leaders, was... well... good! 

After that random tangent you will know what will become of us next Monday!

Now as for our old investigators...   Jose is now dropped.  He liked learning from us, but he wouldn't go to church, and wouldn't give up the beer.  He loves the BofM, and knows Joseph Smith to be a prophet, but won't act on it to go to church.  He knows that's what he needs to do, but wouldn't do it.  So maybe one day someone will look in the area book and find him when he's ready to act.  Rolan and Aracelli are a similar story.  They say they want to be baptized, but we haven't seen them at church in a month, and Rolan has a job on Sundays.  Even though he's cycled through quite a few jobs now....  Aracelli said she would be coming to church yesterday, but the pew sat empty.  We have the hardest time making contact, and don't know if their desire to be baptized is just words at this point.

It makes you want to bang your head, but you just have to keep finding new people to teach.  This transfer has been quite a bit better since we've kept finding new people.  It's a constant process of finding and teaching.  Just need to put the shoulder to the wheel!

Love ya'll
os amo; para siempre

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

P.S. I finally remembered my camera card!
P.P.S. AstroTurf is pretty comfy!

Monday, May 16, 2011 - Phhhhhbbbbt! I forgot my camera card!

So, as the subject line says.... I forgot to bring my camera card to the library....  I'm going to plead for forgiveness from the Momma!


We were supposed to have six investigators to church this Sunday.  (Actually it was a broadcast Stake Conference with Pres. Eyering, Elder Ballard, & Bishop Edgley).  We were pumped!  We had a good lesson with Araselli & Rolan earlier this week, but they sort of fizzled out. They were able to move into their new apartment this week, but we've only made contact a few times.  We even got it all worked out that a member would take them to a baptism out in New Albany, but we knock on the door and Araselli was disheveled and in Pj's. Rolan was out working as well.  So as of now we are wondering what to do with this pair that we've been working with for so long.


I mentioned how we were out in New Albany for a baptism.  We actually did get an investigator to go out to it!  Hector & his "woman" Susanna piled their two kids into the car and followed us out to the Stake Center out there.  The sad part is, is that their transmission has gone out after that trip, and weren't able to make it to church.  Sort of an ox in the mire sort of thing.  Hector needs a car to get to work, so he was searching all day Sunday to get a new car.  We've had good (great) lessons with Hector.  The culminating one was with Elder Klein & Ramsey.  (I was on exchanges with Elder Nelson where I did my first door contact in Spanish (I managed to work out a few return appointments)(Well we'll see if they actually turn into return appointments...))  They were watching the Restoration movie, and that's were the real fire to know started.  We had some great lessons with Hector about the Atonement, and how with that he can overcome some of his depression.  he knows his happiness will rely on the Doctrine of Christ, but as for a testimony in the Book of Mormon it's not quite there.  So they watched the movie, and after the 1st vision of Joseph Smith, Elder Klein asked if Susanna would pray.  Without hesitation she poured out her soul to our Father in Heaven.  They both know that through the Book of Mormon they can know these things.  We just need to teach by The Spirit and not by our own understanding.


The other two are a pair of investigators we found a week ago.  we finally got a return appointment by simply dropping in.  Rosa the wife let us in while her husband was in the back sleeping.  She had some great questions, and we invited her to the Stake conference to listen to a modern day apostle.  She was intrigued.  At this point Fillipi the husband was awake(ish) and with us for the lesson.  He was about to say something "Don't we have something tomorrow?", but Rosa quickly objected before he could finish his sentence!  Why they didn't come.  I don't know, but following up will be necessary.


Transfers are coming up next week.  Nobody has any idea what's going to go down.  Elder Klein has been in the area for 4 transfers, and they don't like to leave areas to green missionaries.  So, it's going to be crazy to get that call on Sunday to know who's going and who's staying.  I've got a feeling I'll be somewhere in Cincinnati, and Elder Klein might go to Dayton, but.... I shouldn't be getting this kind of revelation... Oh well it's fun to think about! 


Every day I'm studying the Christlike attributes.  Today I found a new favorite scripture it is...

·         2 Nephi 9:51

51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

We need to be doing things that will keep us active.  Diligent in the ways of the Lord.  We need to be wise as Jacob says in his epistle, and have a conscious mind of all things.  Then to always partake of the things of The Lord.  Meaning read your scriptures. and constantly keep yourself clean of all blemish.  Feast upon his words so that there may not be a famine of the word of the Savior, but that you may become fat upon his word.

So the simple truth is, what are you doing to become spiritually fat?  We we take time in our lives to fill ourselves?  It's the simple things; Reading, praying, and always trying to become stronger in the faith.  The fun part is, you can never be spiritually obese! :D

I love you all; Para Siempre

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

I have a few minutes left.  So I thought I would tell you about how I ran over a Gopher!
We were going over one of the train bridges on our bikes, and we hit the crest of the hill.  I whipped out my downhill drafting skills, and got down low to cut through the air.  I saw Elder Klein swerve a bit, and it didn't register as to why until I saw a brown mass on that apron. I hit it.  And I hit it gooood (Bubba J voice).  So, this event lightened our moods the rest of the day!


I must comment on the apron you sent oh so long a go.  Now the translation for apron is mandil.  When I first pulled it out of the box Elder Klein yelled ah! Mandilo'n!  Now a Mandilo'n is a term for whipped husband.  I wear that apron with pride!


My final statement today is how I love Dominicans!  I can't understand a word they say, but their Spanish is so much cooler than ours!  'ta heavy! (It's cool)  Como tu 'ta?  (How have you been?)  Their intonations are crazy, but it's awesome.  I can't wait to lay that down on Riley!  He'll wonder what Spanish really is!

May 9, 2011 - Triathlon: Pray-Bike-Preach

May 8, 2011 was Mother’s Day so we got a call from Austin at about 3:30 and were able to chat with him for just over 40 minutes.  The time flew by!  So fun to hear his voice, listen to his experiences, and he challenged us all to do better at reading our scriptures….and less time playing video games.  J  Dale was able to announce that he had completed the St. George Ironman the day before.  Austin, Elder Ipson, is doing well, working hard, working on the language, getting used to the climate of rain and humidity and hot, getting used to the streets of Columbus, and making contacts and friends.   We sure do love him and are so proud of him.  It was the best Mother’s Day weekend ever!

May 9, 2011

Triathlon: Pray-Bike-Preach

So the story of my name tag:

Well, we had just finished a zone meeting a couple weeks ago, and we were taking Spanish South back to their apartment.  We put our backpacks into the trunk, but I was ignorant to the fact that my tag got swept off as I was taking off my backpack. Now this tag has the pin-on attachment on the back, and that can be attached to a metal clip that can be fitted right on to the lapel of a jacket.  So my tag waited there in that church parking lot, for me to finally realize it was gone.  About the time we got to their (Spanish South's) apartment I realized that it was gone.  So I pleaded for Elder Klein to turn around and drive back so I could pick up that little piece of my soul.  There were a few other functions going on at the church that day, so traffic in the lot was decent.  As we pulled into the lot I saw those white letters staring out of the pavement, and I raced over to them.  Rejoicing I picked it up.  My prodigal son had returned.  I say prodigal because the tag had an encounter with a car!  The tag was perfectly fine.  You could clearly see my name, and Jesucristo.  So the inscription and the plastic structure of it were fine!  Although you flip it over and it wasn't the same story.  The metal pin and the back were bent completely sideways, and the part that attaches to the lapel was completely smashed.  I was lucky I had a spare lapel clip, but it took a bit of working to get it on.
So that day, I learned that value of a name.  Not the top name of the tag, but the name that sits square on that black plaque.

Now Dad I feel like there might have been a little bit of disappointment when you found out I keep my plaque attached to my white bible.  It's not because I feel like I need the rules every moment of the day.  Rather, I keep my missionary certificate in the white bible.  I kind of need the white bible in case I get a wise cracking policeman, or complex manager trying to impede the work.  So that's why I keep the white bible with me.  The plaque stays on it, because it becomes one thing to lose rather than two things!  Rather one thing to keep track of instead of one!  Scoff if you'd like, but I want to be ready for the wise cracks, and I don't want to lose my identity for these next two years!

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures for you.  We are planning to go down to The Horseshoe at OSU.  We should get some picks there.  I love you all, and hope to have a bit more to say next email!

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

May 2, 2011 - "Well this week fell apart. Better get some duct tape!"

All of the Spanish Elders in Columbus (except four of them)

We got a pineapple in the apartment!

Monday, May 2, 2011 at 10:40 am

Mom:  Hey Austin!  Happy Monday to you. I'm sure you've heard that Osama Bin Laden is dead. Yeah, although not sure what to expect now. Well, this is it...Ironman week! The training is done. Dad just needs to drink, drink, drink this week. Pray for Dad this week. It will be a hard day but I know dad wants to be able to tell you he finished when we talk to you on Mother’s Day. Remember 1-888-634-9669 right!  Still raining??  I'm sure. Its gonna be 90 here by the weekend. Hot for Ironman. Can't believe its May!  Tanner reminds me this morning only 17 more days of school. Wow. Love love love you!

Austin:  Well if Dad has a good taper & fuels his body right he should be okay.  Just enjoy that cold Sand Hollow water while you can!  It's funny because Elder Klein got a report that Osama Bin Laden has been killed, but he first read it to be Obama has been killed.  I didn't know what to think at that moment.

Preface:
We have it worked out to call at a member’s house.  I'm guessing that I'll be calling around five o'clock.  If I don't call then, it will be in an expanse between 5-8.  So be ready for a 614 area code number.  (Actually it might even be an 801 number)

Well Poop....
So I came off a very good week last week, but pride can get the best of you.  With Aracelli & Rolan going to church last week, we felt very adamant that they would be coming next (this week), but alas.... They didn't...  We went to their apartment on the infamous Wedgewood Road.  Elder Klein claims to have heard voices on the other side of the door, but all I know is that the door didn't open. :(  We haven't made any true, human, physical, 1st person contact in a week.  Part of it was poor planning, & dropped appointments.  (Eyes rolling at myself)  While we did make some contact in the week.  (Phone calls, texts)  We haven't been able to actually help them progress.  Ever since yesterday the line has been dead.  We even asked a few of the members that live very close to them to try and make contact.  Still nothing.  We are planning today to drop in on them to figure out what needs to be done.

While our week was full of deflated appointments, and unopened doors we learned that planning needs to go into those appointments.  It's hard when you get back to the apartment to get a plan together for the next day, when this day didn't fly so well, but we learned you need to be diligent otherwise whatever plan you make won't be inspired. 

The week was rather bleak, but we did have "Specialized Training".  Another fancy word for Zone Conference since SLC won't let have missions have more than "X" amount of zone meetings.  It was all good.  We learned a few more ways to make door contacts.  So my confidence at an American door is a little bit better.  The culminating event was the talk we watched at the end.  President Jensen has access to MTC files so we actually watched the talk that set the tone of my mission.  IT was the talk by Elder Holland my 2nd week at the MTC.  Nostalgic feelings came over me as I realized that there is so much more that I need to be doing to get this work done.  

Now this e-mail seems a little dark and dreary, but I will perk you with interest with a story that Elder Klein & I have experienced.  I believe I told you about Cynthia.  How her husband got deported back to Mexico, and she was packing up to go home.  Well we gathered news about her.  This diamond in the rough has a story that is worthy of the Ensign.  I'm just glad I got to be a part of it!  So make sure to ask about Cynthia when I call on Sunday.

At that Specialized Training President Jensen handed everyone a Book of Mormon.  Our goal is to read & highlight all of the Christ-like attributes.  The introduction was interesting to try and figure out what passages are what attribute, but it got really easy when I got to Laman & Lemuel.  The page stayed nice and white!  It's fun to read about Nephi and how he dealt with his wishy-washy brothers.  It also made me laugh, in 1 Nephi 3:1 (I believe) Nephi seems to be somewhat nonchalant with his visit with the Lord.  I feel that needs to be the same with our scripture study.  That we come away knowing what we need to do, & it feels like a common occurrence to read them.

I love you all & can't wait to hear from you on Sunday!

Para Siempre,
Elder A. Ipson

P.S.  Please clean the kennel

Mom:  Clean the kennel? We were saving that for you I think! The count is 5 dead mice in Quiks water bowl now. He's still digging up the yard but we love him! At least he doesn't dig up the tomatoes.

Austin: Maybe we could get him to fertilize the tomatoes, so you don't have to clean the kennel!

Mom:  Haha. Did you get the email from Aubrey? Love you! Have a good week!

Austin: Yes I did, but I'm confined to snail mail.  Pres. says so.... Talk to you Sunday!

April 24, 2011 - "Don't you kinow I've had _______ since Easters?" - Nacho Libre

Easter.....

I won't forget this Easter.  We finally got Rolan & Aracelli to church this week!  So this is the first time in my whole mission where I had investigators at church!  Crazy that the hardest thing to do is to get people to church, but... it is.  So Easter got started off with a bang!  Both Rolan & Aracelli liked church. Even Elders Quorum where we had a random debate about the price of chicken (complete with chalkboard diagram); Rolan got a kick out of it.  After sacrament, and the whole meeting members were really good about talking to them, and inviting them to the other meetings.  We didn't even have to show Aracelli where Relief Society was!  You also know it's going to be good for them when their son comes & goes from Primary without a fuss.  Jose' (their four year-old) is a good kid anyways, but to have him come away happy is icing on the cake!

Elder Klein & I are excited for this family, and they are on date for the 14th of May.  We are going to convert our excitement to work & make sure that they make their long awaited (& delayed date).  We just need to get them to church 2 more times, and go over the plan of Salvation with a few commandments alongside. 

Now it being Easter people feel the need to go to church.  It was funny to go proselyting, and see people ready go to church, or in their Sunday Clothes with a post-mass Corona!  Seeing some Hispanics in Sunday Clothes is an odd thing...

So this week I have exchanges with the Zone Leaders in the Scioto area (Elder Klein is the district leader).  So if Dave was ever in Grove City knocking doors; I'm on his old stomping grounds doing English work on Wednesday!

I did get your Easter packages this week.  My slow weight gaining problem is not going to be helped...  You sent me my weakness.  I weakness that is almost impossible to overcome!  Thank you though; our money supplies are low this week.

Oh, yeah last week I mentioned that was going to purchase a GPS.  I did do that, with my own expenses.  I kinda, forgot, to, grab, the, receipts....  On P-days & District meeting days we had over to the Spanish South Apartment in Westland to work-out & study.  In the scurry of grabbing things this morning I failed to grab those.  So I will write down what I bought & where so that you can know how broke I am!  Thanks so much for keeping a running tab!

I'd like to know how Mom's talk went this Easter.  I got an overview of it but, I need the second hand accounts now!  Dad, I know you compared me to Peter in you last letter but that is blasphemy.  After reading D&C 10:69 there is a key word whosoever.  Whosoever endures to the end I will build upon my church (more or less).  Now, please, this isn't a jab at anyone's age, but you’ve been enduring to the end a bit longer than I have.  So...  by the definition of D&C 10:69, the church isn't built on me, it's built upon the members that continue to keep their covenants until the end. 

All in all this week has been different.  It feels like a brand new area, despite living in the same apartment.  It's defiantly weird heading over to the East end of town and searching out "Little Mexico".  All-in-all it's good.  Spanish is coming piece by piece, and I can't wait for my moment when I realize that I know the language, but as for now.  It's time to put my nose back in the book & get it down!

I love you all, and hoped you had a Happy Easter.
Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission  

(P.S. it's raining.....)

April 18, 2011 - "A Long Awaited P-Day"

This past week has been crazy!  To preface all of this it was transfer time, and Elder Mcllellan from Spanish East made his way home to Vegas this week.  To say I didn't move would be a lie.  While I am inside the same apartment, my area now covers almost all of Columbus (excluding the Northern 1/3).  President closed Spanish East, and gave all of their area to Spanish West (Me).  He also opened Spanish South, placing Elder Ramsey of the old Spanish East area, and moved in Elder Nelson from Cincinnati.  Spanish South basically took Elder Klein and I's "honey hole".  So the bulk of Hispanics that live in the city are in Spanish South's area. So they've picked up most of our investigators & potentials.  We managed to keep Aracelli & Roland despite the fact they are in Spanish South's area.  Other than that we are really starting from scratch since what's leftover really isn't progressing.

The funny part about all of this is that next month President is going to open Spanish East again...  I have a feeling I will be in that apartment...  It's also funny because Spanish South hasn't had an apartment since transfers on Thursday.  So they’ve been chilling in our apartment for the past few days.  So our front room is basically a mess from their stuff, and the stuff we acquired from an investigator.  They are finally getting their own apartment today; complete with new beds.  We also hit up Elder Duff (Senior Housing Missionary (Old Truck Driver) (Hilarious old "bum"))) for new beds.  I cross my fingers because my bed is more of a "taco shell".

This transfer made for an interesting week, but just how things played out besides this fact were interesting too!  One of our investigator's husbands got deported back to Mexico (It was "La Migra" rounding people up at his work).  She decided that she wants to head back so she can be with him again.  She has been selling her stuff for dirt cheap, but there was still a full apartment when it was time to go.  Her "friends" wanted to take the keys to the apartment to "take care of it".  Cynthia saw through their ploy.  We had taken Hermana Lucero with us to an appointment, and they got talking about how to take care of all of this stuff.  Hermana Lucero wound up with the keys, and promised to sell as much as she could to help Cynthia.  As missionaries we tried to stay out of it as much as we could.  Although Cynthia insisted that we take what we needed.  I felt guilty doing it... but I knew that I would be hurting the situation by not taking anything.  Hispanics are so giving.  I had another case this week where a family gave me the shirt off their backs.  We tried to plant a seed with Cynthia.  We gave her a Book of Mormon, and sent her on her way.  Her home is in Michoacán so she has quite a bit to work through to get home.  I pray every night that she'll make it home and see her family.

Now I mentioned an experience where Hispanics gave me the shirt off their backs.  We were with the Zuniga family for dinner before Elder Mcllellan headed off for home.  They fed us cake and other goodies; which in itself was an amazing act of Charity.  But before we headed out brother Zuniga gave Elder Mcllellan a Futbol jersey.  One that he had played in for a league, but bore the semblance to a real Mexican team.  I was slightly envious, but if anyone, Elder Mcllellan deserved it.  Then Brother Zuniga started showing us more jerseys.  I was intrigued.  Then he started handing the other three Elders Jerseys.  I was completely blown away by his generosity!  You come to love the people, but with people like this you can't help but love them.

Aracelli & Rolan are coming around.  While they didn't make it to church this week, and Elder Klein I were devastated.  We had two great lessons this week, and it really seemed that we've just become great friends!  We skulked from meeting to meeting, and during Hermano Parkus's lesson on Honesty (Blech) we got a call from Aracelli!  We scurried out to the foyer to answer.  She told us that she had a miscarriage threat the night before and spent the night in the hospital.  (By the way she's pregnant)  She told us this isn't the first time, that's she's had a miscarriage before...  She was also feeling sick, so we gave a blessing to her since we had taught about the priesthood already.  I anointed, and Elder Klein blessed.  Although during the blessing she bolted to the bathroom to vomit, and came back.  Elder Klein was a little confused on what to do, but I figured that since the anointing was good, we just needed to do the blessing again.

The work is having its ups and downs.  Essentially Spanish West is a new area, so I will be buying a GPS to get around.  I figure it will be a good idea to get it now rather than later.  This week has been crazy but it's finally settling down.

Love you all
Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

April 11, 2011 - "It Rains Every Monday"

Monday, April 11, 2011

“It Rains Every Monday”

Here I am again!
Like it says in the subject line it's raining, pretty sure it has rained at one point every Monday.  Besides the rain the weather has spiked up!  Earlier this week it was mid sixties.  Yesterday it was a toasty eighty-five!  This St. G boy is going to have a fun time in the humidity!  In fact it's funny; yesterday we walked out into a good layer of fog.  Not something I'm too used to seeing back home, but it's common place here.  More and more I miss those Red Rocks, and planes keep become Sky West connections, but the love of the people keep me here.

Yesterday was a fun day.  (As I tell this story I know it was Sunday).  After a long fast we went over to Brother Navarro's house for a fish fry.  The catch of the day.... Walleye!  Now, being a trout fisherman my whole life I took for granted how easy it is to prepare those little morsels.  We all had the pleasure of de-scaling our meal.  One fish would take about twenty minutes of going against the scales with a spoon, but it was a nice change.  Elders Klein, Ramsey, and Mcllellan all got to tango with the spines on the back of the fish, but I came away scot free!

Now like our Native American Friends, Mexicans believe in saving all they can.  While Brother Navarro is quite Americanized, he hasn't deviated from that philosophy.  So the whole fish got fried!  Fins, spines, head, eyes, only exempting the organs.  Obviously the Missionaries got the honor of eating the head.  I wish I would have gotten a picture!  While the cheeks were good, there wasn't much to save from those other parts of the fish.  Fins were also edible!  They tasted more like potato chips.  After chasing every little corner of the fish to find the meat, I came to the conclusion.... They (the members) took all of the good body pieces, giving the "honor" to the missionaries.

This week I also had my first exchange with Elder Ramsey.  He is from Arizona, and has been out for about 6 months.  We went to the East end of town.  Now you'd think that Elder Ramsey, though he's the Junior companion to Elder Mcllellan, would be driving.  Not so!  Something is up in the mission office, so yours truly was driving.  I'll make Uncle Dave happy by saying we dragged Broad Street from the East end of town, to come back to the West!  So my first driving experience wasn't even in my own area!  Elder Ramsey did enlighten me on how to prepare fish.  We were making Tilapia (spelling?) and he put lemon pepper all over the fish.  Then we added pickled Jalapenos to the dish.  Little did we know that these chilies weren't normal.  We baked it, and ate.  Overall the food was good, but the supernaturally hot jalapenos did us in!

On Saturday I went to the temple.  It was in Spanish.  Oh boy...  I could get through most of the session okay, but they talked in vosotros form.  Riley will be talking in this form when he comes back, but Hispanics rarely use this.  So, hearing people talking this way was difficult.  This form is used in the scriptures, but it’s one thing to actually listen to this form of speaking.  It's a good thing I could do some parts of the session in English, but I've learned so much, some things have slipped my mind. I needed quite a bit of help at a certain point...

Now those trading cards.  Elder hall sent me one.  He has been sending them to all of his friends serving in America.  So, to return the favor, I'm sending one back!  I'd like to send one to Elder Coby Johnson, but I failed to get the mission home address from him.  Like every week I am begging at the feet of the master for more.... So... Please?

I love you all, and as soon as I get through all the letters I got from leaving the MTC, arriving to the field, and the ones that have just come.  I will make an effort to get each of you a letter!  I love you all and hope the best.

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

April 3, 2011 - We Saw Austin on TV!!!

We caught a glimpse of Elder Ipson along with his MTC Companion, Elder Ragan in the KSL Special for the 50th Anniversary of the Missionary Training Center that was aired between General Conference sessions on Sunday afternoon.  They were sitting across the table from their other two roommates, Elder Foster and Elder Reid.  Austin had mentioned in his letters in February that they had seen KSL's cameras at the MTC for several days, so we waited patiently for Conference weekend, hoping to see him.  And we did!  Several of our friends and family also saw him too and called, or e-mailed, or posted to Facebook that they had also seen him.  General Conference Weekend was special to us just knowing that Austin would be watching and listening to the same speakers and music as we were.  So, yes, we're a little weird:  we paused the TV and took a photo so we could remember the moment........

Elder Reid & Elder Foster sitting across the table
from Elder Ragan and Elder Ipson.
Lunch looks good at the MTC!

Elder Ragan and Elder Ipson
Dining at the MTC Cafeteria.

Elder Ipson & Elder Klein - Columbus West

Elder Ipson and Elder Klein at the Columbus Temple
March 31, 2011



Serving in the Columbus West part of the Mission



April 4, 2011 - "It's Fo-You!"

Here it is! The culminating event! The day we get to take off jackets!  Now that General Conference is over the jackets come off, and humidity combines with heat!  Although, the weather out here has been shifty.  At one point it seemed liked spring was right around the corner, but winter had second thoughts.  It's finally coming out of the snowy slump we had at the beginning of the week, and now I can go out side without a sweater underneath.  It's funny, yesterday was such a beautiful day, and carried over to this morning.  We received warning from an English member that a storm was coming in.  I woke up to find everything nice and dry, but as companion study progressed so did the rain!  It was coming down even harder than STG rain I've ever seen,but it multiplied...  I think I might drown....

You've asked where I do my laundry, well we actually have a washer and dryer in our apartment!  Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.  I've found that resolve stain stick has been my saving grace to my clothes so far.   Without it, well... A few things wouldn't be quite so white...

Now that picture that dad sent me with the Dixie State Herald Trumpets.  I am not in that picture.  I see people I know though, but I'm not one of them.

It's fun to hear about T and his solo driving efforts  I remember my first time going to school alone.  My knuckles were white, and my eyes wide!  I was scared that first time around all on my own, but I learned really quick if you just look out for everyone else you will be fine.  It's the moments I wasn't that got me.

This week was rather bittersweet. Appointments fell through, even when we'd confirmed the appointment and lined up members to come with us.  In fact we got a few of the college students that live up in the Hilliard area to come to see Luz, our 16 year old investigator.  (we were in the south part of Columbus)  Despite our efforts and a few phone calls, there we were on Kingsford street with members, and a bucket of apologies.

We also had a member lesson with Rolan y Aracelli set up with the Parkus.  ((Chilean family) BTW the rice and fish is hot, and tomatoes and lettuce are chilled) They canceled on us, and we haven't been able to make contact with them.  Aracelli sent us a text, to tell us she wouldn't make it, and since then nothing.  We've even head over to hers and Rolan's apartment 3 times.  Nothing....  So the word of the day, perseverance!

On a brighter note we did get Jose' to the Saturday afternoon session of Conference!  He seemed to enjoy it.  It was in Spanish I didn't get a thing.  I could probably list off all the words that I got, and still have plenty of time to finish the email!  It's also funny because Jose' brought his cousin Braulio.  Now every normal family has a drunk, or an equivalent.  This is Braulio.  Elder Klein & I are pretty sure that he showed up drunk.  Now he wasn't out of line, but he was quoting scriptures as if he were Paul himself!  So I was pretty disgruntled that the drunk came away from that session of conference with more than I did... 

Needless to say, conference was amazing!  It seemed like we were getting rebuked from all angles this time around, and those that usually are passive speakers pounded the pulpit to splinters!  I was buckling up for Elder Holland, to find out I was getting a bear hug.  This is not the Elder Holland I heard in February!  Needless to say it was amazing to hear from those called by God to spread his word.

The one that reached out and grabbed me was Elder Bednar's talk on personal revelation.  Lately that has been my theme in scripture study.  I can study any topic, but eventually I wind up in personal revelation.  I think I was supposed to be getting a message...  I had an eye-opening-chuckle when he talked about how you can receive revelation for yourself.   He goes on to list these marvellous manifestations as to how we can receive revelation, and at the end of the list, was thoughts.  I find it interesting that he put it in that order.  In addition he only mentioned that divine communion was less-common.  I'm not going to take the Martin Harris approach & beg for a witness, but rather take the study I have done, and with inspiration, find the mysteries of the kingdom.  (D&C 63:23 (I know it's in D&C 63) 

So there isn't a day that goes by that I don't see a police car.  Law enforcement, and emergency vehicles are constantly on the run here.  It's funny because last week I saw two ambulances cross each other!  Neither of them really heading towards the hospital.  There is a Brain Regan joke about Log trucks.  Well there is now one about ambulances!  A simple phone call would have sorted all of this out!

Now the best event of them all!  Elder Klein & I were on our way to a dinner appointment, and we saw mom with her two children walking along the sidewalk.  While driving by we took a glance, and their skin made us think that they might be Hispanic.  So, we pulled the car over, and went to talk to them.  Obviously two guys in a suit getting out of a car to talk to you is pretty odd, and the mom was a bit weirded out.  She tried to ward us off with "I don't know English", seeing through her ploy we deployed our Spanish.  Little did we know that she didn't know Spanish either!  You might be guess Portuguese, Italian, French.  None of the above.  Try Arabic!  This family is from Iraq, and have been here in the states for about a year.  Her daughters speak wonderful English.  You'd think that they'd been born here!  Our message was simple families can be together forever.  As we relayed our message to her daughter, her eyes lit up!  She was excited to here that she could be with her mom forever!  She talked to her mom in Arabic (if that is their language....) and her eyes lit up the same way, and in her best Englished asked us if that's what her daughter had told her.  We replied the affirmative, and left her with a Together Forever video.  That light in their eyes, to hear such a joyous message, lasted in me.  Even though appointments may fall through, I can remember that, and know there is a purpose to be here.  I hope the best for the missionaries we handed them off two.  (We figured English missionaries would be better since the daughters speak English (Spanish Elders don't teach in English very well...))

It has it's ups, and downs, but I know I wouldn't be growing anywhere else!  I will send a card home soon.  There are only a few pictures, forgive me, but there isn't a large amount of time in the field to take pictures!  Until next week.  I love you all!  Para Siempre.

Love,

Elder A. Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus Mission