Just a little bit late...

My workspace (on a good day)

Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 8:46 AM,
12 Randolph Ct., Apt 102, Fairfield, OH 45014-4383

So Pres. Nilsen threw a curveball at us and changed up our P-day for this week.  Elder Robbins of the seventy came to The Ohio to do some stake business in the Cincinnati Stake Conferences.  Yesterday he had a workshop with the Elders in leadership positions.  Leaving the rest of us to wonder what's going on!  So P-day is today.

Also thank you for forwarding those packages from distribution.  I don't know if you looked but it was full of pictures, and a pair of CD's.  Not much.  But thank you for forwarding that stuff.  And the Gym Shorts were a nice addition!

Now as I mentioned the Stakes here had their conferences.  This was my first real Stake Conference.  The last one was a broadcast, and it consisted of our branch crammed into the relief society room listening to a cute T.V.  This time I was actually in the congregation of the whole stake!  I completely forgot what it was like to go to a thriving American ward!  Even though I was sitting next to one of my favorite Guatemalan members named Pascual; It reminded me that there is American culture outside of our little branch!

We passed by the Batista's this week.  I was graced with eating some sweet Dominican food, and having a good lesson with Sister Batista.  Unfortunately Pamela wasn't there.  However this lesson still proved pivotal.  Andrea had taken a slight taper.  So it was a little bit harder to work with her children.  After this lesson she's back on board!  We head back today to have a lesson with the family.  It's great to know that she is on board once again!

We also had our first Specialized Training with Pres. Nilsen.  We headed down to Kentucky where he really stressed finding.  Elder Gonzalez and I were un poco orgulloso because we have put making sure we always have new people to teach.  I'm grateful that Elder Gonzalez still has a fire to go out and find.  At times I can be a bit faithed out, but he will give me faith.  (Even if it is force-fed)

Now i did get your pictures, and mom has a sweet ride, I'm jealous of Dad for getting to meet Cadel Evans (p.s. who won the other jerseys in the tour? Green, king of the Mountain etc), and T!  Way to get a date!  You sly dog! (King Julian voice)

Don't pop any tires I love you all; have a good week!

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Crazy Stuff!

Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 8:59 AM

Before I head into all the craziness of this week I have to thank you for the packages and letters.  That bike stuff was immediately in handy.  Elder Ragan got transfer ed and snuck away with the bike pump.  This left Elder Ramsey hanging with his bad bike luck.  So we shot a CO2 into his tire to help him out.

And thank you to Leighton for sending your... talk (discourso... discourse... talk!  There's the word!)  It was fun to read that.  Especially since our Zone had a fast to reach our baptismal goal this year.

Now transfers.... I am still here with Elder Gonzalez.  Hamilton is still due for more blasphemous spouts from the Ipson family.  Hey someone has to do it!  Even if the Grand Poobah is part of the Clergy.  Elder Ragan is now with Elder Gonzalez's old trainee Elder Roach from Las Vegas.  They are both in my old area of Spanish West.  The crazy part is how he's now working with some of the investigators that I had three months ago.  It will really be interesting to see what happens up there, especially with that really young companionship.

Elder Ramsey got the training call this week, and he's training Elder Homewood.  All I have to say is wow...  This kid was ready to come out.  His Spanish is far superior to mine when I was in his shoes.  He doesn't have the stomach for crazy Guatemalan food yet.  His first day he went to a "member" named Pascual where he had a corn soup that was the consistency of snot.  Bienvenidos a la mision!  He's been very diligent in speaking the language so far.  He's going to be a good missionary.

Now, I'm sure you're wondering what happened to Elder Klein.  He will stay in the area of Columbus, because he was called to English work as a Zone Leader!  Yep, Elder Klein is a Zone Leader.  I don't know if I ever mentioned Elder Neilson, but he got the call to be a zone leader as well.  He is in the adjacent Cincy East Zone.

Everything was really shaken up this transfer, but I'm glad I got to stay.  The little run down city of Hamilton has my heart captured.  I don't know if you have googled mapped Hamilton, but if you look up East Street.  This is the area where we do a lot of work.  Just don't let Mom do the Googling...

We had a small miracle happen this week.  Pamela accepted baptism!  We were ecstatic after our lesson!   Before she wouldn't commit to this, but the spirit was strong enough in the lesson to help her say yes.  The date is still up in the air, but we are heading over tomorrow to go see her.

Here's the crazy news for this week.  Remember Angie?  Yeah, she, ugh, got put in a mental facility....  Crazy stuff right?  Elder Gonzalez got the impression to call Jesus on Saturday.  He picked up and told us what happened to Angie.  He also told us that he's been reading the Book of Mormon!  We are excited for him.  Still a little wary of the situation, but we are going to carefully see what we can do to help this family come unto Christ.

So, yeah... That's all of the week I can remember in one setting.  Good way to start another 6 weeks right?  Anyways good luck with school, and Tanner what ever you do, don't let Mr. Sundin do a contest to see who can jump higher up a wall.  Please?

Love you all and have a good week.  Even if you are out doing Fast Pass or Razr rides.

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Cold Sore season is upon us... & I'm out of Valtrex.  Is there any way you can get some shipped to me?

P.S. sorry... No photos....... :(

Tia Dalma

Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 8:47 AM

Wow, school is starting up!  I remember when I was in the MTC and those last two quarters ran themselves through.  Now Leighton is starting up 8th grade... Wow!  I still remember those years!  (Mental Montage while writing e-mail (Yes T with a wagon fulla' pancakes))

It's funny to look at that picture of Leighton.  She doesn't look like a little girl anymore.  She's growing up!  ACCCCK!  I hope that my T enjoys my present to him, and puts it to good use.  Maybe he should take it to school.....  So I'd love to see T's schedule and see what he's up to this year at PVHS.  Oh, and don't forget to keep me updated on my favorite swim team.  Please? 

Now I hope you read the subject line.  Odd name no?  Think back to Pirate of the Caribbean.  Remember the old sea witch?  Now think about how she acts.  Well we found her in Ohio....   Last week I told you about Jesus and Angie.  Well, we're not going back.  There's too much crazy stuff going on.  It was a hard decision to make, but we had a door contact the other day with Angie, and we just didn't feel right the whole time.  During that contact we saw that Angie has a different side.  To put it right out on the table; her side is little to close to the advasary.   One thing I didn't realize is that Dominicans have a small thing for Voodoo.  We suspect that's what's up.  It truly was an interesting experience.  After the whole event, I became more appreciative of the Priesthood, and my Savior.

Up to this point in the mission, I've taken the message of the Restoration for granted.  I always thought that it would be getting people to believe that Joseph Smith restored the Gospel.  I didn't know that this time her, I would be getting people to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.  In Mexican culture they hold La Virgen Maria dear to there hearts.  I'm sure Uncle Bryan can attest to that.  I've had a lesson with a person who read the Bible, but didn't believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior.  I've even heard a crazy theory that there is more than one son of God.  After this contact with Angie, I can more completely understand what role Jesus Christ has in this life, and this work.

In fact it was Elder Holland when Elder Ragan and I were in the MTC together said, "You can't do this, if you don't love Him".  Little by little I understand this more.  This church is, His church.  The Priesthood I hold, is his Priesthood.  Right now I am his Missionary.  I will go where he wants me to go...

Which reminds me.  Transfers are this week.  I have a feeling I might be heading out.  There's rumor of 3 more Spanish Missionaries coming in.  If this is true, it will really shake up the areas.  So it's looking about to be about a 50-50 chance that I go.  I'm going to miss the streets of Hamilton Ohio.  Those tarnished streets have grown on me!  I guess I let you know what goes down next Monday... Right?

I can't wait to hear about the first days of school, and all the fun that I'm missing out on.  As always I love you all, and happy birthday Dad.  I won't make fun of you being old, because I'm finding grey hair. (fortunatly I'm not balding like some missionaries)

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus

Tilapia a la Diabla

My Blackberry pie, and fruit stand Watermelon

Elder Gonzalez and I after a good Hamilton rain.

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 10:53 AM

Running a little late today. We had a member take us to lunch.

What a week!  Wow.  Really the run down this week will go along with a family that we found.   Last week we were working a set of trailers up in Hamilton near the "airport".  It was Hot and Muggy.  Overall that day it was not a pleasant experience.  We were getting on the bikes to head up to our last appointment in that area, when we had a Domican lady burst out her of her door, and offered us a pair of Pepsi's.  We quickly accepted, and as quickly as we saw her she vanished.  This week we were back in that area, and Elder Gonzalez and I decided to  stop by and say thank you for the pair of pops.  Before we could even say thank you.  Infact we were still walking up the steps to her patio we heard "Mi'jos!"  (Mis hijos), or my children.  She bolted to the door and just started talking to us.  Before I knew it I had a Mountain Dew in my hand, and was getting my ear talked off by her.  We told her why we are here as missionaries, and that we would like to come back.  She quickly abliged, and set up a time Friday. 

I wasn't there for that appointment. I was on exchanges with Elder Ragan since Elder Ramsey is our district leader.  During that lesson Elder Gonzalez and Elder Ramsey met the husband Jesus.  (Hey-soos)  They were thoroughly impressed.  He truly  wanted to know what it is about us that sets us apart.

Yesterday Elder Gonzalez and I went back to teach him.  We had a heavy How to begin Teaching (Chapter 10 Preach my Gospel).  We both felt impressed to hit the final one.  That you will want to be baptized, and he ate it all up!  We then proceeded to teach the Restoration. We hit every single point in the lesson.  No stone went uncovered.  At one point Angie went to go talk to someone, and left the lesson as we shared the 1st vision.  We finished, but as soon as we did she came back cussing up a Spanish storm.  We feared that The Holy Ghost had left the lesson for goodd, but we were blessed.  We got to talk about the Book of Mormon, and as we talked about it hey was truly excited to read it.  As we held it in our hand, it seemed as though he just wanted to just take it for himself and begin his changing process. 

We were also blessed because we were able to extend a baptismal date.  The 10th of September.  He accepted with no concerns.  There have been times we've extended dates, but we know this one is heaven sent, and it is his date.  We go again to see him on Wednesday, and hope to get all of his family on date as well.   The work Elder Gonzalez and I are putting in is not going unnoticed.  They Lord truly has blessed us with people to teach.  The stars are lining up, and we feel that Jesus will be baptized.  I just would like that Jesus, and Angie have their names put in at the temple.  (Sorry no last name).

I'm so excited for what is going on over here!  The field is now brillant white!  Thank you for all of your support.

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Now I did remember that T's b-day is tomorrow.  I'm sending a box of stuff home along with his present (and Dad's)  There will also be a big wad of letters and some of my old planners.  Just set those aside, and the rest should be fair game to all!

You said that you'd get me anything I needed right?  Well I need a bike care pack more than anything else.  I may be crazy but I think bike stuff is cheaper at home.  If not that, in more supply!  I need a few threaded CO2 catridges, and a 26x2.00 tube. Some of the stuff I need is already in the kit I made for the Blue Bike.  If you could get that sent to me that would be greatly appriciated!

Now... with this last request, I don't think I have enough mooch points to pull this one off.  In the mission you are allowed to have small string instuments.  Namely Ukelele or Violin.  These are great ice breakers, and come in handy for musical numbers.  For example last week we sang "Mas Cerca Dios de Ti" or "Nearer my God to thee" with a Uke in the background.  Some of the branches at times lack music for sacrament.  I've been crossing my fingers that someone at home might come across a cheap violin, if not locally, I remember Mr. Candland got his online for a 100 dollars.  This isn't essential to the work, but it is a great tool.

I guess I'll end with all of these P.S.'s and just get Tanner's present sent right?  Os Amo!

Cuando yo era un Obispo...

Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 9:09 AM

Good week.  Honestly, I'm ready for a nap... I'm pooped. With the month coming to a close we had to manage the miles so we didn't go over.  So Elder Gonzalez and I were on the bikes most of the week.  Blech.  I miss the desert heat.  It is so much better!  When it's hot it's hot.  There is no trickery with the humidity.  Hopefully August gives the heat a hard taper.

Now that we have the formalities of the weather out of the way I can move into the juicier topics.  This week we had our interviews with President Nilsen.  When you talk to him, he doesn't have that daunting countinance that Pres. Jensen had.  We had a good interview, and he truly does want the best for the mission... It seems so long ago... I can barely remember it!

I also headed out with Elder Ramsey for exchanges this week.  (Sounds familiar right?)  We headed down to Western Hills to see a member for dinner.  On our way we saw a good ol' American fruit stand.  That was one of the best cantaloupe, and watermelon I've ever had.  Pics to come next week.  I forgot my camera.. :P

Really the climax of the week was Sacrament meeting yesterday.  The Branch Presidency asked the missionaries to speak, and perform a musical number.  So Elders Ragan, Ramsey and I pulled the weight speaking.  I was second in line after Elder Ragan, and I expounded on the last paragraph of the Book of Mormon.

It was a rather simple talk.  No Bruce R. McKonkie, Jeffery R. Holland, or snippets of the King Follet discourse.  Rather it all came out of that good ol' triple combination.  I've never walked away from a discourse more full of the spirit than after that lesson.  There were errors with my Spanish, it's to be expected, but it just seemed to flow.  I've never been able to easily say what I've wanted to say in Spanish.  In fact I wrote out the discourse (I'll send it home if ya'll don't lose it), but I only looked at it to see the scriptures.  Oddly enough what I said over the pulpit was about what put on paper.

I really think that talk had some meaning after talking to someone on Saturday.  He looked rather shady to begin with.  Black, with dreads past his shoulder, wearing a white tank-top (just can't call it the slang term).  This is the outward description, and it matches quite a few of his beliefs.  As we talked to him we found that he believed that Heavenly Father is God.  Although he couldn't accept Jesus Christ as the Savior.  He pulled out weak examples of how he couldn't be, and made jabs to his divine calling.  He did his best to pry us from this belief.  On the contrary I grasped to my knowledge.  We taught him of the Book of Mormon, but he still wouldn't listen.  I feel so badly that he was lost, but wouldn't go to the light and see salvation.  This experience with Gershon (was his name) really fueled the testimony I had during that talk.  To hit the first thing that you will learn from the Book of Mormon. That Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world!  He revealed himself, with The Father to Joseph Smith, to once again give us the way to have salvation. 

Little by little I'm learning to appreciate this Gospel more and more.  Oh, and T.  Here is your advice for sis:  Mosiah 12:27

Love you all, and have good week.

Para Siempre,
Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Plugging Along

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 9:32 AM

Well another week down, and I can barely believe I am behind the computer again!  This week Elder Gonzalez & I really hit the pavement hard.  We racked up a good 15 lessons.  Elder Whittingham had a hard time reaching this goal even before the trunky papers came.  So already the diligence has stepped itself up!  Our real pitfall is that we set-up return appointments, and nearly every single one we've set up has fallen through.  So our ability to conjure up new investigators has been rather weak.  However the Members love the Natives, and even though my Cuban companion was born in Anaheim, and raised in Miami, he passes off as a native.

Elder Gonzalez's story is interesting.  As I implied earlier he was born in California, and Moved to Miami and lived a Majority of his life there.  Living in North Cuba!  His mother is Cuban, and that's where the implied native comes in.  Now his story gets crazy when I tell you he lived the preluding 4 years to the mission, in Korea!  He has been everywhere!  He's even told us of a time he snuck into Tokyo.  He has a twin brother that is serving in the Chicago Mission right now  (He is a White Sox fan, so you can use the logistics to figure out his general area).  The funny thing is, that both were called to English speaking, but at some point moved to Spanish.

Elder Gonzalez has been all around the southern part of the mission.  He hasn't made his way past Columbus.  Although  he has had a variety in his areas.  From rural areas, to serving over the Rhine (Spelling?).  It's been fun to hear some of his stories of the mission.

Now, this week I was able to give my first two priesthood blessings.  Up to this point I've always anointed.  Both of them were two less actives.  The first one was Lorena.  I had never seen her up to this point in the mission.  We dropped by one day, and asked for a blessing, we said we'd come back the next day when her husband was home so we could do it inside.  Next day rolls around, and no husband, but she was adamant to receive on anyways.  She informed us of the birth she had given and a few of the ailments that had subdued her.  She hinted something about her husband, but not much.  However in the blessing that's what I felt to focus on.  That as she was an example, and strived to become like our Savior her marriage would be better.  She then related that she was having marital issues, and would like us to come back and teach her husband a small lesson, and get to know him!

My second blessing was my first in Spanish.  We got a call Friday morning. I was still tie-less at this point from Andrea' Batista. She was in tears as I answered the phone.  With the combined efforts of E. Gonzalez and I, we quickly found out she wanted a blessing.  We immediately went out to West Chester.  While I was driving I was still trying to figure out what was going on, because we were out of that apartment in a matter of 2 minutes.  Elder Ramsey and Ragan were trying to put two, and two together as to why we were leaving!  Anyways we arrived at Andrea's apartment and she hobbles in holding her stomach.  Her daughter Pamela right at her side doing everything she could to help her.  We sat her down and quickly anointed, and proceeded to the blessing.  I was the one to bless her.  As I did it I said things I didn't think to say.  It was a miracle I could have the inspiration to say the things I did.  It was difficult as well.  We are asked as missionaries not to use the form "Tu"  (it means you)  because it is very informal, but for blessings it is a need to talk this way.  It was difficult, but like Dad's scripture on "The Blanket" says open your mouth and it shall be filled.  I gagged a little bit on what I was filled with, but it was filled! 

Unfortunately she is still feeling a bit ill.  We plan to go see her tomorrow, see how she's doing, and start progressing with Julio, and Pamela.

The work hard, but you see so many miracles.  Just being able to hold the Priesthood is a miracle in itself.  I am deeply humbled every time I have the opportunity to use it.  I love you all, keep the commandments, and clean the kennel.

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

P.S. Lo Siento.  No aye fotos hoy.

Received letter from Austin's new Mission President....

Question of the day: Did Uncle Dave serve in Mount Vernon?

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2011 9:03 AM

After the transfers I'm still here in Miami River Spanish 1!  I'm not to suprised about this, but the Spanish work has taken a big shake up.  Elder Klein was training his fourth, but he had to go home for surgery, and Elder Sealy went to become a Zone Leader.  Putting us down 2 Spanish Elders.  This past Transfer the mission had opened up another Spanish area in Dayton.  This consisted of Elder Gonzalez, and his trainee Elder Roach.  They were doing a good job up in Dayton, but circumstances persued and, their area was shut down after a transfer.  This was not due to lack of lessons, rather a matter of being needed elsewhere.  So with them being dissolved, Elder Klein was short a trainee, and picked up Elder Roach, and I picked up Elder Gonzalez!  Now the funny part is that Elder Gonzalez had been doing English work up to the point of training Elder Roach.  So he has been going through a change picking his Spanish back up.  Now Elder Gonzalez has a Cuban mother, and a Mexican father if I am not mistaken, but his Spanish has the fast paced Cubano sound.  It's not thick, but it's fast!  We have already hit the ground running.  though he has 15 months down, he has a greenie fire after serving in some areas that lacked a bit of missionary drive.  Already we searching out new people, and getting a game plan together to work with President Maya better than before!

Now I ask if Dave had served in Mount Vernon the other day, because I ran into some just after the transfer meeting.  The name; Brandy Adams....  Hopefully this rings a bell.  We were in line at a Subway a couple blocks away from the temple, and I was just there minding my own business.  There were a few people there that were dressed fairly nice, so I just assumed that they had just gotten out of the Temple session that runs during the transfer meeting.  Brandy, who I didn't know yet looked at my badge, and said something to the effect of, "Elder Ipson, I haven't seen one of those for about.... X amount of years".  I knew where this was going immediately!  So I started to probe, and see what she knew.  She told me that an Elder Ipson had baptized her a while back and she still lives in Mount Vernon.  The funny part is the first name she remembered was "Danny".  She made a remark that at one point she wrote him.  I then gestured the name Dave, and she had a small reminiscing moment, before the crowd escorted her off.  So, all in a matter of minutes I encountered the work of Uncle Dave, and I am fairly sure that she was doing work in the temple.  Good work in The Ohio!

Now as for Elder Whittingham, he's home.  It was weird to think around two o'clock on Friday that he was seeing his family...  It kinda trunked me out.  Not too bad though!  Elder Gonzalez and I have a drive to go out and work.  Trunkiness can no longer play a part in this work.  In D&C 4 it lists of Attributes a Missionary should have.  Trunkiness is not one of them... However Godliness is....  I've got big shoes to fill...  I know that Elder Gonzalez & I are supposed to be together.  As we set goals for the month of August, we knew the numbers that we wrote down were people that are ready to hear the gospel.  So, we are out to find completely different areas.  Try and find new people.  We are excited to head out every day, whether we're on bikes or in the car! 

Now I mentioned Andrea Batista, and her children Julio, and Pamela.  I want so badly for them to come to church, and have the to kids baptized.  Could you please put their names in at the temple?

Thank you for all the love that you send me.  I love you all.  Oh and T when we come out here to tour the mission, we're taking a man trip to Blue Ash Chili.  You may have seen it on Diners Drive ins & Dives.  Good Stuff!

Love you all until next time!

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

OOOH! The trunkiness!

My dream car. (Just need to weld in some new shock towers)

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 9:01 AM

Mi familia chula,

Elder Whittingham got the trunky papers.  All hope is lost until thursday! Help me!  Send me a new companion, AAAAAH! 

All of this being said I love Elder Whittingham.  I wish I could go another round of transfers with him, but he needs to go home!  So today we are sending him of right. (Since today is his last P-Day).  We are heading down to the Reds Clubhouse to go get decked out.  Expect my Debit funds to drop significantly.  I have a few reciepts that I haven't reported, but I will give you the damage report next week!

So we met our new mission president last week.  He has a completely different facade than President Jensen.  He "Chulado" Cafe Rio, but not too much.  He's hoping that he might get some shipped in for a zone conference sometime.  (There is a new one that just went up in Maryland).  Whenever I sent in a letter to Pres. Jensen I never got a response.  With this past letter, I recieved a meaningful recall.  So far he has a great first impression.  I can't wait to get to work with him!

The investigator pool is slowly filling up!  This past while we've been working with a less active se llama Andrea Batista. She is Dominican and Solidifies the fact that Dominicans are the best. (Mark it Elders Carlson and Taylor (or soon to be)) Latley she has realized the importance of her children being baptized, and we've had a good deal of support from her.  For example she brought 17 year old Pamela, and 8 year old Julio to church.  So many of the less-actives are willing to have there children baptized, but fail to see that going to church is a good prerequisite to being baptized.  So to see this parental support for these two is invigorating!  Both Andrea' and Pamela work an astronomical amount, but if we work we can help Pamela and Julio to baptism.  BTW: Yes, at this point Julio would be a member of record.  We actually set his bapt. date for the 27th of August, three days before his 9th birthday.  So I would like to have his bapt. not count when we call in our weekly numbers!

We are so excited for this next transfer!  I've gotten a new vision as to what this work is.  When you come out as a cute little greenie you don't really know what it is your doing.  After you've had some time to think about it; it rests on your shoulders what this work is.  Yes we are to prepare the people we teach for baptism, but our purpose in Preach my Gospel says otherwise.  The last sentance is "to endure to the end" (Hopefully that's the right translation).  Enduring to the end means going to the temple.  Not just getting a calling and doing "stuff".  As I've been thinking of my purpose, bapt. has so much more meaning.  It's not just a number you can tote around after your mission.  It the people that you helped get that essential ordinance to prepare for the Temple.  Not just baptism, but the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Without it, it would be close to impossible to be worthy to enter the temple.  And thus we see, those that keep the commandments, and obtain a testimony of the Holy Ghost, will prepare themselves for the blessings from on high!

I love you all, and can't wait to tell you who's my next chaparito!

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

P.S. Never, ever, ever do a count down with my mail, e-mails. This has destroyed Elder Whittingham.  Please preserve my sanity!

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!