Boohumbug



Thanks for the Boo-Berry!
(Notice the Elder on the left with 2 spoons!...and are they really eating from a pool table?)
Missionary apartment lighting isn't the best, but you can get the 'jist of it!

 From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, October 31, 2011 1:32 PM

I apologize for the tardiness of this letter.  Halloween calls for a little bit different of protocol.  We started out today by doing service at the Pantaleon's house.  To combat the complexity of trick-r-treaters going out at night, missionaries have been asked to take the 2 final hours of the day they would use, to move it to service hours in the morning.  So that's what we did.  Rake the leaves in the trailer park of the Pantaleon!

With the change of the season, has come a big change in the Branch.  I don't know if I've said anything, but this cute little branch is losing 3 big families.  All holding priesthood callings...  The Branch has been concerned about this, and the outcome.  During the one of the stake meetings this past week Pres. Nilsen made a Cameo, and much was said about our little branch.  There was talk of combining with the Lakeside park branch, merging with Miami River, or the East Cherry unit.  Even stocking the branch with transplant "Gringos" was considered, however none of these ideas pulled through.  The decision was made by President Rockwood to keep the branch going.  For this to happen the branch would have to pull off a feat.  They are going to be under survey these next couple of months to see what happens.

After this meeting Pres. Nilsen gave all of us a call during companionship study, we put it on speakerphone to hear.  He told us what is going to be done here, and it will take a lot of work to pull off.  He also gave us guidance to coordinate a meeting with President Rockwood.  That's exactly what we did.  Yesterday we had our meeting with Pres. Rockwood.  He explained that he is ready to move forward with this.  The very fact that there were four missionaries sent to the branch at this time, registered with him.  We planned through a few things.  We are hoping to get a 40-day fast put together with the Spanish Speakers in the stake.  There will be missionary activities (parties) every two weeks to boost missionary work.  To top this all off, on the 13th of November there will be a special broadcast from the Conference Center just for Latinos!  President Rockwood compared what is going on, to Apollo 13.  A severe situation, but will be one of the greatest miracles.  I'm truly excited to be here, and see what the Lord as promised to this branch!

With all of that said, we are ready to buckle down, and go to work.  Word is at this point, that the Elders may become counselors to President Avila.  Elder Homewood has already been roped in to be a ward Clerk!  At this point if there is a name to put into the temple, it would be Andrew Avila and his family.  He is invested in this branch, and I hope he has every fiber of support possible!  (Why he doesn't have counselors now:  One of them past away, and another is moving to Arkansas for business opportunities.)

There is a lot that is going down right now, and in my interview, even before the stake meetings President Nilsen amply reassured me.

Thank you for your love, support, and Boo Berry!

Boohumbug,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

P.S.S.  The move should happen, this week!  You should be getting a Florence KY address next week!

Why is there a Dodge parked, where there should be a good GM product?

From: Austin Ipson, Fort Mitchell KY
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 8:59 AM

Crazy week!  Definitely one to remember!

This week one of our investigators named Nio (Knee-Oh) called us and told us that she was getting evicted from her apartment.  Kind of odd that I prefaced the situation this way...  It had been a couple of weeks since we had made contact with her.  We had only taught her the Restoration, but she seemed interested with that first lesson we had with her.  We called off and on, to no response for two weeks straight.  Finally, during weekly planning we gave her another try, lo and behold she picked up!  She told us she had read the section we had given her, but was getting evicted.  She had a place set-up to live, so the least we could do is offer to help move her stuff.  Good thing I was son-of-a truck driver/ Elders Quorum President!  We went over and loaded up her stuff into the cute little U-haul, and muddled down to Independece KY.  (Just a side note we had to take "Turkeyfoot Road" to get there. Bienvenidos a Kentucky!)  The unload went smoother than we thought it would... When we got to the town-home she was going to live in, there was still furniture....  She was actually going to be moving into the town-home of her ex-husband, and he would be picking up a studio apartment.  Well as it turns out the husband left a note, saying he'd left, and to take all of the furniture!  Nio didn't know what to think, just cry.  We  don't know why things happened the way they did, but we will be heading back Tuesday to go see her.

If you happen to be a Bengals fan you are in luck!  Fenene one of the Defensive Linemen is a member of the Highland Heights Ward.  His wife who has been a long time investigator got baptized!  It was a simple service for this well to do family, but more beautiful than one can imagine!  You could see a stark difference, just with there Vehicles.  Fenene drove in with a Chevy that more resembled a Kenworth than a Silverado.  It, was huge...  However with that difference you could see the spirit work in it's small simple means.

The story of Fenene was interesting.  He grew up a member in American Samoa.  He'd played football in high school, but he never claimed to be that good. His parents sent him off to the Mainland to get and education, and send home money to help them.  That's what he did.  He got picked up at a Jr. College to play football, because his grades weren't UCLA worthy.  He worked as a bouncer, and a factory worker, trying to get his crazy life in place to help himself, and his family back home.

Finally it came mission time.  He went home to begin to prepare for the mission, until life threw a crazy turn at him.  Coach Meyers from the University of Utah went all of the way to Samoa a to throw a deal at him.  Brother Fenene said he had one of the hardest decisions ever.  It didn't help that his mom said, "Mission", and his dad said, "Go play Football, God knows our circumstances".  To make the decision harder the dad was a 1st Counselor in the Bishopric. 

Well he chose Football.  He didn't tell us why he made that decision, the regrets, or the joy, but he commenced to tell me about how family, how he now has a brother who will be able to serve a mission. His story was quite remarkable.  I now see NFL players in the a different light.  Especially when he made the comment "Ben" (Rothesberger) is hard to take down!

This week has been great!  Just hope we can keep plugging away!  As for my birthday, I'm stumped as to what I want.  I will get the birthday order by Halloween! (That way I can actually look forward to Halloween).

Love you all and have a good week,

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

The Fruits of Labor

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 9:06 AM

Alright, for this email open the picture first.  That is Alma on the left.  Now imagine her in white.  That's right, she got baptized!

I honestly don't know what to type this time...  I didn't get to see her baptism, but knowing that she got baptized means so much to me.

How it all worked out, is that the Miami River Branch was having their annual Noche de Latina, their event of presenting one thing or another from each of the Latino Countries in the Branch to try and bring in Investigators.  Just before that, was Alma's baptism.  We scrambled for a ride to Fairfield.  We finally got one.  Abraham, one of the youth in the word elected to take us up there, in hope of getting free food!  We all piled into his Cavalier (All 4 Missionaries, and Abraham) and took I-71 up to Fairfield.  I kept checking my watch, and we kept running out of time...  The baptism started at 5, but we got there around 5:30.  Soon enough to see people filed back in from the font room to the Relief Society Room.  My heart sunk a little, but it satisfied me to know that I was there.

By teaching Hispanics you'd think you'd be reaping in "Success".  That is not the Case in Ohio, but to sit there and see the one person you've ever worked with to walk into a room, clean from sin.  Makes you appreciate so many things all at once.  The opportunity to teach them.  Experiences with them.  The sweat and bike repairs to go and see them.  Not to mention the tender mercies that over come you when you see step into the waters of baptism.

I never knew what 9 months away from home could do for one person.  I understand more fully what our Heavenly father wants us to do in this life.  To bring to pass the immortality and Eternal Life of others.  Words can't describe, what I'm even trying to say.  Rather, I am perplexed about everything.  The time I've been out, that my birthday is next month, and that I actually get to ask for something for my birthday!  More than that, what is my missionary purpose.  Every day I wonder to myself  why I am I in the Mission I am in.  The area I am in, with the companion I'm with. 

I'm sorry if this is just a scatterbrained e-mail.  Finally seeing someone I've come to love go to the waters of baptism, has me a little shaken up.

It's difficult at times to be a missionary, but I know, I am, doing God's work.  Why he calls me, a 19 year old boy, to talk to some 50 year old in Nararit Mexico, I haven't the slightest clue, but he wouldn't have it any other way.  I am called of God to declare his message.  The Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ, and the Atonement of Christ.  As I've taught these two things, I have come to know their validity.  These words of God I'm proud to bear.  At times nervous to share, but willing to give to those will act on his words!  I know things things to be true for myself.

Thank you so much for all of your support.  Letters every week truly do help.  By the time Friday comes around I could use a letter, and there usually is one!  As for my birthday... No idea... I'm going to have to sleep on that...  I do believe there were some copies of Jesus the Christ in the Italian Leather at the Distubution center...

Love you all, and have a good week,

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

The Sovereign Nation of Kentucky

Cristina's Baptism Day
Elder Wheadon - Cristina - Kaitlyn - Elder Ipson

From: Austin Ipson, Fort Mitchell, KY
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 9:20 AM

Kentucky, wow....

So, guess what happens my first week here in Kentucky!?  I get a baptism!  Yeah, I kind-of robbed the cradle on this one, but this doesn't mean I didn't have my stress getting this baptism set up!  Everything was crunched up to the last minute to get set up.  We were making the program 3 hours away from the baptism, and filling the font 2 hours away!  To top things off the hot water heater needs to rest every five minutes to build up more hot water.  With these variables going on the stars were aligning for a "memorable" baptism.  So with those two hours of filling the font we were trying to do everything else to get ready for the baptism.  Hoping that the font would be filled on time.  We were running hysterically turning water on, setting up chairs, turning off the water, copying programs, turning on the water, throwing refreshments together, turning of the water, realizing there was twenty minutes left, turning the water back on, and hurrying up and waiting.  When 1 P.M. the time of the baptism came around the fount could hold a baptism.  Comfortable by any means, no, but it could be done!

Fortunately for us Hispanic members run on "Hispanic Mormon Standard Time".  Thus giving us 20 more minutes until the baptism actually started.  With this luck we kept the font filling with water.  After twenty minutes the font room was full of people ready to see the baptism of Cristina.  However there was a problem...  Cristina wasn't there....  She had spent the night up in Fairfield with her Sister Angela and was coming down for the baptism when they got lost in the freeway system of Cincinnati.  (If there's anything I have a hatred for it's any road in Cincinnati.  Next to that it's the $10 dollar parking you get swindled into.)  So we were another 40 minutes till the start of the Baptism.  A detail I forgot is that Hermano Wilson, an old Army Colonel was there to baptize Cristina.  (He was my last ward Mission Leader)  I had a hard time telling him that she was going to be late, especially when he needed to be to work by three.

You thought the stars were aligned for disaster, but to top it off,  the level of the water in the font started to go down!  So here's this full room of people waiting for a baptism, a half full font, a stern Army man, and two hay-wire missionaries trying to coordinate this all!  Insanity!

Finally Cristina came, and quickly got dressed, and took her seat.  The font finished filling and was Luke-warm.  And the baptism played out perfectly!  There truly was no flaw to the actual baptism.  There was a great Spirit, and I hope Cristina's husband Luiz felt it.  We have been working hard to get him on-date.  He keeps all of the Commandments, pays his tithing, but he wants to know for a surety he is ready.  He just doesn't know that he is...  If you could, could you please put Luiz Servin's name in the temple.  That would be glorious!

Life here in this branch is crazy.  We are a small branch, we are barely big enough to fill the Relief Society Room. (That's where we meet for Sacrament)  To top it all off 3 solid families are picking up and heading out to Texas!  We going to try and brace ourselves for this by hitting up the Prospective Elders and try and fill the Priesthood spots that will be left vacant.  It'll be crazy, but the Lord is on our side!

Love you all, and hope you have recovered from the Marathon!

Para Siempre,


Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Welcome to Kentucky!

Here is the Address:
(I just don't know how long I'll be here.)
2224 Grace Ave. Apt.1
Fort Mitchell, KY 41017-2040

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 9:10 AM
Subject: Welcome to Kentucky

Never thought that I'd be in Kentucky did ya'?  Well that's where we got shot into!  It's crazy how it all worked out.  We were all waiting for calls Tuesday night, and Elder Ballard our old Zone Leader gave Elder Ramsey the call.  He toyed with us for a second, knowing that something big was going down.  Then the beans spilled.  All four in the 4-pad were getting doubled-out!  So, you are probably wondering, "what did they do to need to get quadrupled out".  I'm still figuring that out... 

It was a mad dash to get everything figured out.  Rides, clean apartment.  What's going, what's getting thrown out, which members to see before we head out.  It was an all out mess!  Fortunately Elder Gonzalez knew a few Jeff Gordon fans, and we all piled into a  Mitsubishi Eclipse, and had a nauseating ride to Columbus.  We threw our stuff to the side, and stumbled into the transfer meeting. 

It was a big transfer;  All over the place people were doubled out and in!  As mission gossip goes people heard about our "quad-out"  so we were rather notorious.  I still don't know what for...  The transfer took a while, and it wasn't until the end I knew my fate.  I was called Designated Driver, and Senior Companion to be with.................. Elder Wheadon! 

I am Elder Wheadon's "Greenie-Breaker"  he just got finished training with Elder Luna.  (If you look at the last transfer Photo he is to my left)  Elder Luna was another Elder Klein Trainee, and Elder Luna is a sweet missionary.  I can see a lot of Luna traits in Elder Wheadon, and a bit of Klein garnished here and there!

Elder Wheadon is from Layton Ut.  He's pretty sick with a soccerball.  So, Spanish work is Ideal for him!  He was the Kicker for his High School Football team, and he also played on his High School Soccer team.  His has a contagiously charismatic personality, which is going to be great because of our new circumstances.

How this all worked out, is that Elder Ramsey and his Trainee, also came down to Kentucky.  So the area is now split between the two Companionships.  Our areas are split by the "275" (interstate), and Elder Wheadon and I take the south side, while Elder Ramsey and Homewood take the North.  How it worked out Elder Wheadon and I have the car ('08 Malibu) and the other Elders are on bikes, but to sweeten the deal for them the Cincinnati bus system stretches into Northern Kentucky.  Right now we are all in one apartment.  Elder Wheadon and I are sleeping on Air Mattresses, and hoping to get a new apartment figured out for our area.

Big changes this transfer! It's crazy!  (Deep Breath)

Good job to all running the marathon! Especially for Super Poob for doing it 10 times!  I can't say "my dad can beat up your dad", but I can say my dad can run a marathon... 10 times!  (Not including Boston)  I love you all, and don't forget the stuff you learned at Conference!

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus Mission...... In Kentucky.....

P.S. You should be getting a package with stuff I couldn't fit.  The Jersey is for T, The glass is for all of you.  And, I think you'll all get a kick out of the "Brown Book".

Sorry I don't have photos this week, but presents make things better right!?

Here Come Transfers!

Send letters to the mission home this week until we know if Austin gets transferred or not to:
Elder Austin Ipson
Ohio Columbus Mission
P.O. Box 939
Powell, OH  43065

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2011 8:47 AM

Yep, transfers are here once again!  I'm a nervous wreck.  Well that's an exaggeration, but that call is highly anticipated!  So, letters for the next little bit should be sent through the mission home/office.

Now as for Quick.  I totally forgot about him being that old!  I remember I got him 5th grade, Nov. 1st.  I just happened to do morning announcements for the school that day.  Why I remember those details.  I really don't know.  We figured that he was born somewhere around the 29th of August.  That way his birthday would line up!  So yeah, you can figure it out from there! 

BTW.  Last weeks subject line was just interpreting Tanner's Brian Regan stand up on grape snow cones.  The Bengals win over the Browns was just a little bit of Mission Pride.

So did my IPod and planner make it home?  Just want to make sure we don't have a South American Postal Service.

Now on to the good stuff.  What really happened out here in the Great Ohio Columbus Mission!

Yesterday we got Alma to church!  Woo!  Everything worked out so that we walked in with her to Sacrament meeting right as they were ending the hymn called to serve, and we sat down as the opening prayer was given.  Alma has been very anxious to be able to take the sacrament these past couple weeks, and she was devastated these past couple since she hasn't been able to come.  She commented about the procedure is little bit different. 

Overall I believed she liked church, and I think she was well taken care of when she went to Relief Society. Sister Sarmiento did a great job of welcoming her in!

This week had its ups and downs, but that has to be the highlight of it.  We've been working with Julio some more.  We are so close to teaching him everything.  All we have left is commandments!  Although we found out a little tidbit about Pamela.  She has a smoking problem.  So, once we can start teaching her again we have a new part of the iceberg to chisel out.

However it's looking like both Alma and Julio should be baptized the 8th of October.  Whether I'm here or not, I hope it happens!

I wish you all good luck at the Marathon this week, and hope your toe-nails don't fall out.  Remember Body Glide now means happy legs later!

Love you all, and don't forget to show that same love to my trumpet :D!

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson

Uva! Me gusta uva, despues del juego!

The A string was almost there, when it all gave out.... :(

From: Austin Ipson, 12 Randolph Ct., Apt 102,
Fairfield, OH  45014-4383
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 8:56 AM

Well another week put down!  I just wonder what happened in it.  Every week we have our weekly planning (usually Friday), and we make plans to go see people, teach them certain things, to help them get ready for baptism.  This week we were hoping to see Julio two times this week.  The final count at the end of the week.... O!  You put your shoulder to the wheel, and sometimes you push yourself off!  Well just buckle down again this week to see what we can get done!

Alma is just trucking along.  We've had a few lessons with her.  The best part is she has been reading the Book of Mormon!  When she reads she reads aloud.  What she didn't know is that little Diego was listening to her read, and he can now tell the story of Nephi and his brothers!  Amazing no?  She still has her date accepted for the 8th of October, but she still doesn't feel ready.   We are eager to teach lesson three in Preach my Gospel, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, to help her feel more secure in this first covenant.

With General Conference coming around, I can barely believe I've been in the field for over 6 months! As a teenager I thought I would only be away from home for a week at a time.  But there you go more than six months!  As missionaries are we are excited for General Conference.  Not for the Winter After effects, or knowing that football is also going on. (Or that the Bengals beat the Browns cough cough) But we are truly excited to hear the prophet speak to us once again!  With this past Ensign that came out Eternal Marriage has really been hit hard, we imagine that the follow up will be the same.

I never realized on my mission how great of a blessing it was to be born into a Celestial Marriage.  Living in this Hispanic culture you experience a telestial way of thinking.  To be loved, and shown the right way as I've grown up has been such a blessing to me!  I didn't know how much I took that for granted when I was living in little Washington Utah.  It is a clear difference on what the atmosphere of a home can do for a family.

Thank you for all the support that you send me.  Especially pictures of massive King Salmon!  It's fun to tell that old fish tale!  If you could, I'd love to have some more pictures of the family, I've exhausted the ones that I have....  Also I've been posting pictures of my companions in my journals.  Could you also send the one of me and Elder Gonzalez?

Thank you so much for all of your prayers, letters, and love!  I love each of you individually!

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

85 and Gordon is lookin' fine!

Photo from Washington City (home).....this is where Austin worked before his mission.  We were driving home on Sunday this week and we had just had a rainstorm with LOTS of lightening.  Saw this beautiful rainbow and had to stop to take a quick photo with the blurry Blackberry.

From: Austin Ipson, Fairfield, OH
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 9:07 AM

  

I got T's bit of good news!  It's nice to hear that Wonder Boy is back at it! :D  I loved the picture of the Community Center.  It looks at lot better when it rains at home!  It's been raining here for the past couple of days, and it always seems to rain harder when I grab the bike.... Hmmm...

  

So that's where we begin the rain.  Elder Homewood and I were on the bikes Wednesday.  And it was raining cats and dogs.  Yeah, I'm pretty sure Quik at one point was in the storm with us!  We were fortunate that Elder Ramsey and Gonzalez left us off a little bit closer, but we still had a good uphill bike.  Not to mention the flat tire I got halfway up the hill!  I don't know what it is, but rain just causes more problems than it fixes.. For Missionaries at least!  After the good half an hour of being pummeled by "Quiks" falling out of the sky Elder Homewood  and I went to our lesson with the Batistas.  We got to teach Julio the Plan of Salvation.  We watered it down to you need to be good, repent, listen to your mom, and then you can be with her forever in the Celestial Kingdom.  Afterwards I was pumped!  With his Baptism coming at the end of the week everything seemed to be falling into place.    Unfortunately we didn't see them for our next visit, and they didn't make it to church. It's been hard getting this family there, but it's going to happen!

The story with Alma just keeps taking more interesting turns.  We've taught around three lessons with her; get her a ride to a lawyer to get some advice, and another to her court hearing.  Getting all of this coordinated with her was stressful, especially when these two events were during work hours.  With the trip to the lawyer we were able to get a ride from my favorite Guatemalan Juan Santos.  As for the ride to the court we couldn't find a ride, so we gave our wallets a sorry hug, and shelled out $30 for a cab.  With all of this going down she trusts us.  I hope we can take that trust and put it in the Book of Mormon.  She has been reading a bit of it, but we hope that she has a solid testimony of it before her baptism on the 8th of October.

The other Elders also had their Baptism Thursday for Isaac Howell.  He is the son of Sister Valdez.  The crazy part of this whole situation, Isaac doesn't speak a lick of Spanish.  It's interesting he is going to a Spanish Branch, and especially interesting that his service was in English, and there were Hispanics that don't really know English supporting him.  I thought it was great!  I was able to give a talk about the Holy Ghost before Isaac was baptized by Brother Krueger.  Isaac was later confirmed a member by Elder Ramsey in sacrament meeting yesterday. 

This past week we hit the midpoint of the transfer.  I wonder how much time I still have left in this area, but whatever the Lord wants me to do I will do!

  

I love you all so much!  Thank you for the peanut butter, y papa ya tu sabes que dijo la tarjeta!  Les amo, ye les vaya bien esta semana especialmente con El Lotoja! 

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

  

P.S. Temple clothes.  I'm good. Companion.... Said he's good..  So we'll see if I'll need anything else later.

P.S.S. Thank you for sending that hoodie.  When it's cold before bed, suit coats don't always cut it!

P.S.S.S.  Is this Uke. a myth?  It still hasn't made it to the "Nasty Natty", but I will keep waiting for it.

P.S.S.S.S.  Oh yeah stamps...  I'M PRETTY GOOD!  Haven't sent out too many letters as of late.  So I have a nice little stash of stamps.

Just a little late no?

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2011 1:50 PM

Well here it is.  Tuesday afternoon and I'm finally getting the word rattled off.  To start off this week was nuts!  We fell right into a person who has been prepared to hear our message!

The experience starts last Tuesday.  We were heading over to a less-active named Angela.  Nothing seemed out of the ordinary up until the point we started translating for a friend that happened to be there.  She had some papers for a court case that had been filed against her from her ex-husband.  The lady we were translating for is named Alma.  The problem she is up against is that her husband is filing for custody of her children. Now this is where it gets sticky.  The hearing is this Friday. Yup.  Quick right?  The next twist to the story is that her kids fear going and being with the dad.  We had a later visit and the older of the two started crying just when other people were talking about it.

The situation is tough that's for sure, but President Maya has really pulled through with this situation.  He has a lawyer lined up to talk to her, and an interpreter as well.

Now with the politics of this miracle aside she has been extremely receptive to our message!  Our first visit when we were translating the papers Elder Gonzalez gave her a blessing of counsel.  Afterwards Alma was in tears.  We set up a time to teach her individually, and went back Thursday.  This time we got to meet her kids.  Diego of 9 years old, and Yisiri of 8.  We were able to teach the Restoration, and they all accepted a Book of Mormon.  We even got little Diego to pray!  In fact it's kind of funny; at one point Diego said he wanted to be a Christan!  Well good thing the Mormons found him.  Right?

We had another appointment Saturday a little more in depth on the Book of Mormon.  Alma understands what it is, but Diego still calls it a Bible! 

Most Saturdays the Branch has an activity where we have a Noche de Hogar (Family home Evening) where we have a short lesson and play volleyball.  Alma and her kids were so excited to go.  We had it all lined up that President Maya would pick them up and take them to the church, but of course there has to be a catch right?  President Maya called and told us his truck was out of gas!  Frantically we called up the 2nd Counselor to help us out.  Brother Carmany got it worked out and Alma and her family were able to make it to the Noche de Hogar.

It was amazing to give that short lesson, and introduce those kids to the church.  Even more so to give Alma a tour of the Chapel.  We are positive she felt the spirit, because she came to church the next day!  She couldn't make Sacrament meeting, but she did make "Gospel Blasphemy" with Hermano Mejia.  The reason is our church starts at 12, and that was the same time where custody changes.

We get to see Alma today, and hope to go more in Depth on the Plan of Salvation, and Eternal Family Principles.  All-in-all the Lord has blessed us with someone truly prepared to hear the gospel, but with all of this stuff going on I know we are going to need their names being prayed for. 

We are still working with the Batistas.  Pamela seems to have disappeared on us, and she may take a bit longer.  However Julio is making progess.  Teaching him is like trying to tackle a football, but if all goes well she should be Baptized next Saturday!

The Lord has truly blessed Elder Gonzalez and I in Miami River Spanish 1.  As well as Elder Ramsey and Homewood.  This Thursday they should have a baptism.  The work is beginning to roll in these areas!

I'm glad to see that my room is being put to good use!  Fill it to the brim for all I care!  Just as long as My Black Trumpet and my Goggles aren't harmed I'll be happy!  Love you all have a great week!

Para Siempre,

Elder A. Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

P.S.  yes I did get the Prescription

P.S.S.  For clothes I have everything I need.  There are only things that I want.... I would love the fleece state championship jacket that I have in the closet.  As for shoes, the soles are holding up fine.  They have a bit more life left.  However my shoes never really developed a place were my feet just "sink-in".  We talked about Orthodics before I left but it never happened.  I was goofing around with a Dr. Scholls Orthodic machine and found that their 440 A (I believe) was the right fit.  This is just something I "want"  not something I need.

P.S.S.S.  I will get a flu shot, but I don't know the cost...

P.S.S.S.S. Thank you Mom! :)

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