La obra Americana

Elder Ipson, Elder Welch, Jordan and her Uncle Brian

Jordan and Brian

Brian, Jordan, Elder Welch, Elder Ipson

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 9:13 AM

This past week Jordan was baptized.  Whew...  It's always a relief when that happens! Now I've learned you can take a sigh when they are confirmed!  The service was at noon.  Her Uncle Brian did the baptism for her, and Brother Barclay (one of the Ward Missionaries) performed the Confirmation.

To give you the full story on Jordan:

I'll start this way...  67 days ago, she was a Heroine addict.  Puts things in perspective right?

Here in Ohio you are allowed to go to trade school.  She elected to train to be a dental assistant.  She received her certificate and was working making some decent money right out of High School.  At one point along the way she picked up smoking, and Heroine addictions.  While working as a dental assistant she was pulled out for a random drug test.  Knowing she wouldn't pass she quit her job.

She did pick up another job, but, it was at Taco Bell.  I don't recall for how long she worked there...However: She was on the last hour of one of her shifts.  She felt absolutely horrible.  She asked permission to leave and go home an hour early.  She wasn't allowed, but she quit, because she felt that bad.

Thirty minutes after getting him she was in an ambulance.  Because of all the drugs she had taken she had 7 cysts in her lungs.

To make matters worse; her father kicked her out of the home while she was in the Hospital.  At this point she didn't have a home.

However Brian her Uncle took her in.  His living conditions wouldn't be considered ideal.  He's living in subsidized government housing.  He can't drive a car due to a foot condition he has.  So his days are spent watching TNT, and playing World of Warcraft.  The funny thing that's how Brian came in contact with a member of the Church last year.  World of Warcraft! 

Anywho Elder Welch's prior companion passed by Brian and found Jordan.  The began to teach her, and she clung to the Gospel.  She had already quit heroine.  Two weeks ago she dropped the Smoking problem.  She has come a long ways in two months.  Right now we are hoping she can pick up a job, and be able to sustain herself once again.  Last week she got in contact with the Columbus South YSA Reps.  So, we hope she can go make friends there!

An item of note.  We found a Black Man named Gino last week.  He is an assistant minister at a local church here.  The funny thing is.. He came to Jordan's baptism!  He really like the service, as well as our chapel.  The funny part of it as was his attire.  Crazy Brown Pinstripe suit, and he reeked of Calvin Klein Eternity!  So, there were many dimensions of the man named Gino!  We'll be seeing him later tonight!

I love you all and hope you don't get into too much trouble!

Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Nasty License Plates

Dora's Family at the Baptism (Bishop Peterson)

This was just after the bite. If you look at my hand you'll see a paper towel covering the bite. No worries my hand is healing just fine.

Sent: Monday, June 18, 2012 9:25 AM

Well how was that for a gift?  I about died getting that for Dad.  I was on Trabue road on the freeway overpass, and I instantly thought...  Fathers' Day!  So, there was a valiant effort in getting that plate!

This past week Dora Quatmaa was baptized.  Most of the time there is some sort of stipulation to get someone baptized.  Usually it is some sort of doubt, concern, fear etc.  Dora didn't have that.  She was baptized Saturday without a fuss.  Rather, it was the Confirmation that had us between a rock and a hard spot!  Why?  She wasn't there!  To get Dora and her family to church, a member usually has to drive them.  That's what happened yesterday.  Nothing new.  However the member got in some sort of accident. (car)  There wasn't any real damage, but it just cost time.  So, Elder Welch and I were biting our nails all throughout sacrament meeting for Dora to be there.  It wasn't until after the Sacrament when we could do the Confirmation.  So, moral of the story...  Drive safely on Sundays.  The Devil is still driving that day too!

I'm also proud to say I've been bit by a dog on my mission!  Yep, I've had the full experience!  We were out tracting the other day.  (Of course, it always happens while you're out tracting)  We knock the door, and the dog behind goes bezerk.  This isn't anything new.  Dogs just like to be the second doorbell!  The door opens, a man looks out at us, and his dog bolts out the door. 

My gut reaction was to treat the dog like Quick.  Start petting him, so, he doesn't get away.  The dog buys into it for a split second until the owner yells at him to get back inside.  Right there the dog pees, and begins to bark.  (I mention the pee because Elder Welch got that as a present from the dog)  As the dog barks he shakes his head without any coordination.  My hand was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  The dog's teeth glanced my hand, and gave me what looks to be a 'snake-bite' on my palm.

The dog was taken inside.  All I wanted to do was wash off my hand.  I asked to go inside and wash off my hands.  The owner just gave me the dumb look of...  "The dog that just bit you is in there.  You want to go inside?"  So we had him bring out some alcohol and peroxide.  We washed the wound right on his porch.  We made a contact while washing the wound, but sadly he wasn't interested.  Well coach... I took one for the team!

Jordan is still preparing for her baptism this Saturday.  We will be passing by regularly to make sure she isn't smoking.  Yesterday she had the honors of tearing up her last 6 cigarettes.  She seemed rather content to tear up the crux.

I failed to mention a small bit about Elder Welch.  Last year he had some heavy desire to go and do Spanish work.  Or to learn Spanish.  So during one of his interviews he made a fairly eloquent pitch to President to get this go.  President didn't buy it.  So once Elder Welch found out I was a Spanish Elder he was ecstatic!  Up to this point Elder Welch has learned his vowels, Un burro sabe mas que tu, and Tengo que ir al bano. Right now I'm teaching him all of the essentials to living in Hispanic Cultures.  Today we're going to buy some spicy stuff.  That always helps you learn Spanish!

That is my letter for today.  Remember..  No capes! & no C.O.W.'s  got it!

I love you all, and Feliz Cumplianos Leighton!

Para Siempre,

Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

No se como hablar en Ingles

New Mailing Address!
Elder Austin Ipson
Ohio Columbus Mission
6770 Ed Lane
Canal Winchester, OH 43110

Elder Welch and Elder Ipson

Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 8:54 AM

So transfers have come!  Dad, sorry...  I didn't go to Dayton.  Rather I'm in the Columbus area.  Infact I'm still in Spanish West's area, but.... I'm now in English Work!  President has sent me to the Pickerington 2nd Ward in the Columbus South Stake.  Hipanic Population... 2... I'm still looking for them....

It's been an intersting week to say the least.  We knew the Spanish Transfer was going to be big.  I had that gut feeling that I would be leaving Spanish West.  My gut also said I'd be going to English work.  I didn't want to believe it!  So, what happened, Spanish South was dissolved into Spanish West.  Elder Jacobson and Elder Ragan took over what is now 2/3 of Columbus.  Elder Holbrook went to do Spanish work in the Westerville Branch.  So, you shut down an area, that take two Elders out of a job.  Elder Wheadon and I both went to English work.

My companion is Elder Welch.  He is from Farmington, Utah.  He has been serving here in the Pickerington 2nd for 4 1/2 months.  So he knows the area fairly well.  He is the youngest of 4.  And is Zealous to do the work!  Elder Welch had been training just before I got there.  His companion had been suffering depression while he was here.  In short his comp. was slow on his feet, and just had a hard time with the work.  Needless to say Elder Welch is ready hit the pavement and get the work done.

The area... Well, I'm on a bike.  Guess the Lord knew the St. George boy could take the bike in the Summer right?  We're coming up on the hotter part of the month.  It hasn't gotten extremely hot yet, but I'm waiting for it!

We also had a surprise this week.  Pickerington 2 recieved 2 mini-missionaries.  In other words two priest age men, that are perspective missionaries, and will serve with us for the week.  It's like training... all over again...  They're both eager to do the work.  (There's a scripture about Brideling your passions I believe....)

In previous transfers Elder Welch has done great work.  Right now we have three people on date.  Elder Welch with a grin on his face our first half hour together told us we'd be having a baptism next week. (This week)  Her name is Dura Quadra.  She is from Ghana (there are a ton of Ghaneans out here).  She speaks very little English so her daughter translates the lessons for us.

Our other investigators are Olen and Jordan(Girl Jordan).  They are on date for the 23rd of June (Feliz Cumplianos!)  Were are finishing up some Word of Wisdom problems with the both of them. 

We'll there's my shot-gun blast of an E-mail!  Hope it finds you well!  I love you all!  Just hope I can re-learn how to pray in English!

Para Siempre,

Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Photos from Lucero's!

Looks like Austin was transferred....but to where....stay tuned to find out on Monday!


Despedida de Elder Ipson su ultimo dia en la Rama Franlin esperamos verle pronto lo extrañaremos.
Translation:  Elder Ipson his last day at the Franklin Branch, hope to see you soon miss him.
Elder Jacobson and Elder Ipson at the Lucero home.

Elder Jacobson and I with the Lucero Family

Elder Jacobson, Horacio Lucero, Elder Ipson

Elder Jacobson, Horacio Lucero, Elder Ipson

Uy que miedo !!
Este charro si es muy valiente
Translation: Uy that fear! If this el charro is very courageous.

Chrome....

I got my absentee Ballot for the Republican Primary. We got all of our stuff that had some sort of American Heritage.... Couldn't help ourselves...

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2012 10:30 AM

To start of the email I want to tell you what Elder Jacobson and I did to start P-day.

Every day when we leave our apartment we go by a Classic Car Dealership on Wilson & Fisher.  We've oo'd and awe'd every day as we've passed.  Today for our P-day activity we got up the gumption to go take a look at the stuff there.  Needless to say...  It was refreshing!  It's amazing what a Camaro with matching numbers can do for a guy!

Right now our investigator work has tapered off hard.  Immigration is hot again.  Hotter than before.  They've finally made their way to Spanish South's area.  They are the densest of all Spanish Areas.  With migration running amuck in there, there is not a bit a trust for guys with white shirts!  Why this affects us; when one person gets rounded up, the rest of the Hispanics know about it in a couple hours.  It's like they always say.... You can't out-run a Motorola!

To combat this, we've gone to less-active work.  Sure we still go out and find, but it's not all that effective.  We have been having success on this other front. 

I don't recall if I have told you much about Jose.  So, I will tell you his whole story! 

Spanish South was visiting one of their investigators.  While there they ran into Jose.  Jose told them that he was a member of our church, and was baptized in Mexico (This happens more than you would think).  Elder Ragan and Elder Holbrook gathered his information.

Elder Jacobson and I work the information of this Jose' guy out of them.  It's pretty far away.  (Considering we have mileage limitations).  It's a 25 mile round trip, and in Spanish West we round out to have around 45 a day.  So this is a good chunk of our miles to go take a shot like this.  Well... We took it! 

The first time we go he seemed surprised to see us.  One of those," you actually came out here?" Sort of looks.  We got know him and a little more of his situation. 

While in Mexico he was baptized when he was 10.  And moved along to receive the Aaronic Priesthood (Priest).  However there was a situation where people’s feelings were hurt.  A bishop was blamed.  And Jose and his family stopped going to church.  For 20 Jose didn't have contact at church.

After this lesson Jose had the conviction to come to church.  Renew his covenants and start again.  He has come for the past three weeks.  The first week he came with his whole family.  He and his wife, and their 5 boys.  Ranging from ages 3-10.  His wife isn't that interested in acting upon the gospel message at this time.  She takes care of the 2 youngest twins.  They can get restless at church.  Jose for the past two weeks has brought his three oldest sons to church.  There is a Good Better Best situation here, but well take the Better Situation.

He is a little hesitant in some things.  For example praying.  He isn't (in his mind) ready to pray vocally yet.  However during class yesterday he gave great comments.  Jose is picking up little by little how the church thing works. 

One of his comments fills a hole in the start of his whole "coming back" process.  Jose said, “The day the missionaries (Ragan & Holbrook) found me I was talking with my wife about how I wanted to go back to church.  I found it funny that, the very day I say that.  He puts someone in my way to come back."  It was amazing to me; to hear that. 

Jose has had an interview with Pres. Navarro.  Don't know for what.  I just hope he has an excitement to keep going and become worthy to use his Priesthood once again. 

That's the bulk of what happened in the Ohio this week.  We are still working with families to get their friends to FHE.  One family has hit the ground running with this.  We hope to teach the same person tonight! 

Once again Transfers are this week!  I could go, and I might not at the same time.  Consecutively Elder Jacobson has been here longer.  In total time I've been in Spanish West longer.  So, who knows how it will shake out.  We'll get calls tomorrow! 

Love you all.   Hope you aren’t already bored of Summer!

Para Siempre,

Elder Ipson

The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Government Holidays... The Bane of a Missionary’s existence!

This is Julio Trejo. We've been teaching him to get ready for baptism.  His baptism was this past Sunday. He's a nut.  We had a whole conversation (once) about Pokémon Red Version.  Thought I had forgotten that stuff!

Memorial Day BBQ...
It's the best you can do as a Spanish Elder!

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 2:02 PM

It's a day late, but better late than never right? 

Well last week was a heart-breaker for us.  We had Mauricio with a date at one point, but then fell off in a matter of days...  Not only did he fall off, but he'd rather not speak to us anymore....

To go through what happened; we had our lesson on Monday with him.  We recruited Hno. Harris (he served in Ecuador) to come with us.  We taught the Restoration to him.  It was extremely easy to move through the lesson once we hit the part about Joseph Smith.  Why?  He has gone to the Sacred Grove.  He's been to the Smith home, Hill Cumorah, etc.  So the life of the Brother Joseph was known.  We simply needed to bring the spirit in as we taught these things.  When we felt the spirit strongly enough, we invited him to baptism for the 10th of June.  (Baptisms happen on Sundays in this branch)  He didn't accept.  However Hno. Harris stepped in and added his testimony.  Mauricio thought for a moment.  It was a long silence, but we all knew he was going to say yes.  And he did!  We all testified that he was doing the right thing.  Lucy and Leslie (Mom and daughter) were both ecstatic to hear Mauricio say those words.

We set up a return appointment for Friday night.  However that appointment fell through.  So we rescheduled for Saturday.  However it was Friday night that made all of the Difference.  He went out drinking and smoking.  Lucy found out, and she told him fairly straight that he shouldn't be doing that if he is to be baptized.  He didn't like that at all.  Knowing that he was out drinking we still went by for our rescheduled lesson on Saturday.  Lucy greeted us.  She told us that he was "sleeping".  She rolled her eyes as she said it, and we saw a TV going on in the back room.  Needless to say we were disappointed but we kept going.

 I failed to mention that Elder Zwick of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy came to visit us this past week.  He came and talked to us on simplifying and intensifying our teaching.  1 so people don't get bored.  2 so the Spirit can also more powerfully speak to those we teach. 

Elder Zwick also told us of an experience he had with  Pres. Packer.  President Packer took him to his pond out behind his house and told him how it is a place where he thinks and prays.  President Packer asked Elder Zwick, "...where's your pond?"  That was the second theme of the meeting.  How can we more personally gain a testimony of our father in heaven?  So the question to you.  Where is your pond?

As for me.  It is praying more fervently.  Especially before bed.  At times, I'm bushed.  So, to make a long explanation short.  I will pray better at nights, and give a full accounting of the day.

That's my letter for this week.  Just can't believe the transfer is ending next week.  I don't believe I'll go, but you never know.  We’ll know next Tuesday!

Love you all have a good week!

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

All is Well, All is Well

From: Austin Ipson, Columbus, OH
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 9:19 AM

This was a week!

Now our hopeful baptism I introduced as Moracio, however, I am in error.  His name is Mauricio.  Imagine how I felt when I got his name wrong!

That is how we started our week.  We went to a FHE with Hermana Lucy, and her husband Mauricio.  What we taught in that first lesson was the atonement, and its role in our lives.  We then taught that the only way to access the fullness of the atonement is through baptism.  To see the look on Hna. Lucy’s and her daughters’ faces was priceless.  Why?  We invited Mauricio to baptism!  He accepted the invitation to be baptized.  However not a date.  His biggest question was how he could know.  We left him Moroni 10 to read.  We came back, and he had read all of Moroni 10!  In-fact he had great insights us.  The story that he told us; he was getting ready for work and just didn't want to go.  One of those days that wasn't shaping up to be a good one.  However he picked up and read Moroni 10 again (He had read through it a little up to this point).  Verse 20 stuck out to him, and stayed with him all day.  He even noted that his day was far better!

The lesson when we came back we also shared The Plan of Salvation.  It wasn't a very in depth lesson, but his understanding to his purpose was expanded!  He right now is excited to be learning, but was devastated when he couldn't go to church, especially when he found out he could take the sacrament!  Apparently in the past there was a bit of Hoopla about that.

We are very excited for Mauricio as he prepares for baptism.  The sad part is he and his family will be moving back to Ecuador this coming August.  However, He'll be a great member wherever he is!

Spanish South in weeks past ran into a less-active that isn't on our records.  Jose is his name.  He has been less-active for 20 some odd years.  While living in Mexico he was offended by one of the members, and left.  However he now is coming back!  He and his family came last week.  They came 40 minutes early so by the time sacrament meeting started their two-year old twins were restless.  It wasn't looking good...  However the branch did a good job of introducing themselves, and being loving.  To top it all off the kids liked Primary!  So we are hoping Jose and Claudia keep coming with their 5 boys.  (All are under the age of 10, good luck...)  We'll be heading out this Thursday to see them.

Things are looking good with people to teach.  However the Hernandez family will be changing branches.  The Franklin 2 branch is closer to them.  So, it makes sense for them to change.  This just means I won't ever learn how to understand Henry! 

The work is looking up; we are going to keep pressing forward.  Today I also finished the Book of Mormon.  I marked over 4,000 references to Christ.  I wonder how that happened, because I heard there was somewhere around 3,500 references.... Hmmm.....

I love you all, and hope you don't have too much fun this summer... Meh... do what you want!  Just don't get caught!  Have a great week!

Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

No se que decir....

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, May 14, 2012 9:04 AM 

It seems after the phone calls I have no idea what to say in my emails...  Needless to say it was great to hear your voices!  Grandpa I, it was great to hear your text from Dad!

This past week, as I said in the call, we've been using the "leave a blessing" approach.  This week we were able to meet a great deal of people and leave a blessing on each of those homes.  We have quite a few return appointments this coming week.  We hope to move these people to baptism.

I failed to note an important piece of information.  As of late the challenge was given to us to baptize in both May and June.  Yesterday we fasted so that we could achieve this goal.  We are moving forward in faith to accomplish this goal!

We received a call from one of our members, Sister "Lucy".  Her husband is a non-member.  He has heard the lessons many times; however Moracio wants to hear the lessons again!  Sound familiar?  We are hoping this turns out the same with Moracio, like it did with Horacio!  Tonight we'll be going by to teach a family home evening.

We are so grateful to Horacio and Angeles Lucero for having us over on Mother's Day.  Not only did they lend us their phones, but they also made dinner for us.  We plan on doing service for them to show our gratitude.

Sorry this is rather short...  I just don't know what else to say...  Wait....  Yesterday was Mothers' Day.... Does that mean Darlington was yesterday?  T keep me updated!


Leighton got to answer the phone!

Tanner talking to his Bro.

Dale and Austin chat...

Best Mother's Day Gift ever!  Talking with Austin!

Austin says this might be his last phone call home....  :)

After Church - waiting for the phone to RING!
Tanner, Jolene & Leighton

Love you all.  Enjoy your last week of school!
Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Llamadas (means "to call")

P.S. We've driven by this quite a few times.
The pose... I wanted to pull it since I saw this car with Elder Klein.

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2012 9:43 AM 

Wow Mothers' day calls are next Sunday.  It's been a fast few months!

With this past week we were able to get the fast underway.  It wasn't a sequential, as we had planned.  Rather we'd go to the houses, set up the mission plan, and get them ready to fast, and they'd give us a strange look.  It was a look of "did you just say fast?"  It was then we'd realize they wouldn't be fasting that day.  Quite a few times we set up a return appointment to start a fast with families!  Moral of the story, if you want to scare a Hispanic member of the church just say "Tengamos un ayuno hoy".  They'll be quivering for the next five minutes...

This week we had a surprise Specialized Training.  The Mission Department came by to the mission and was able to train the leaders.  What we learned....  A new approach to tracting.  Rather than the normal "Hi we're missionaries from the....."  We present ourselves as Represenatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, and are there to offer a blessing upon the home.  The idea is that we go in, invite the Spirit, get a return appointment, and get out.  That way when we leave they'll want us back, rather than... Oh the Mormons just want to take an hour of our time.

Elder Jacobson and I have been using this as of late.  We haven't had quite the success as other missionaries while knocking, however we have seen the fruits of this training.   We were with one of our members Ruben.  He had a few guys over for a "Carne Asada"=BBQ.  We were able to teach a small lesson on faith.  Then leave a blessing on the home.  Within the blessing we pray for each individual person.  We did so, and nobody wanted to get up.  We all just wanted to sit and feel the Spirit.  The Silence was broken by a girl in the kitchen who said, "what is it will all of you and awkward silences?"  We chuckled then went back to feeling the impression.  We left, and you could tell they didn't want us to leave.

Best not say too much.  Don't want to use all of my material before the call this Sunday.

Can't wait to hear you all.  Leighton, I hope you've practiced your Spanish!

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

U.S.S. Enterprise

From: Austin Ipson
2709 Abbots Loop Ct.,
Columbus, OH 43204-4339
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2012 9:38 AM

As you can see, there aren't any photos.  There were intentions this week to send some home, but the camera didn't make it's way into the car this morning.  So, you'll be getting them next week!

What a week... I don't know where to start!  I guess chronologically will work the best!

This past Tuesday all of the Spanish Elders made their way to Huber Heights (Dayton) for a Spanish Specialized training.  We were able to hear from President Nilsen, and his sentiments on Spanish work in the Ohio.  We heard from one of the Counselors in the Westerville Spanish Branch, The Dayton Branch President, as well as President Maya from the Miami River Branch.  They all gave great motivation in for the work.

The motive behind the training was to better train us, to how to better use members in finding.  Our solution, family home evening!  Our Spanish Zone Leaders Elders Luna and Jensen told us how they did it when they were companions before, and how they are doing it know and seeing success.  The model they are using in getting members to do family home evenings will be implemented to each Spanish area.  I see great success coming out of this.  Going to a FHE sure beats looking for mops on porches!

Tuesday night we received the transfer call....  I'm..... Staying in Columbus for another!  Elder Jacobson will stay with me.  The transfer was extremely small.  There was only a couple changes made in the Spanish work, and the only changes in English work that seemed to be changed were training areas.  Very Small transfer.  Anyways I'll be here.  An update on Elder Ramsey, he was made Spanish Zone Leader.  Elder Luna went to the great position of Senior Companion, and Elder Ramsey filled his spot. 

Since we live a mile away we went to the transfer.  While there we were informed that we were getting a new car!  I was shocked.  I didn't think our car would be changed out for a couple more transfers.  We thought we'd be getting a new Toyota Corolla.  (Missionaries like to gossip, and things like that run through the missionaries).  We got to the mission office in Dublin, and saw quite a few Corollas rolling out.  We got talking to the car Elder and found out we weren't getting a Corolla.  We were getting a new Chevy Malibu!  Elder Jacobson accuses me of having a smug grin on my face when I found out.  I've yet to tell him I've been working through Rick to get the car here.   He's yet to see the High Country Sticker! :P (The car has the nickname of the U.S.S. Enterprise.  It's a big silver car.  We figured it was fitting.  I just can't wear a red tie when I'm in the car though....)

U.S.S. Enterprise

The work has been great this week.  We weren't able to find this week.  However we were able to get back in contact with one of our investigators; Ivan.  For a while he fell off of the face of the earth.  We'd call, pass by, etc.  We couldn't pin him down.  This week it happened!  We got to sit down, and have three lessons with him. 

The first one was rather tense.  It was one where we didn't know how it was going to go.  We knew we just had to hear him out.  We got talking with him, but he starting into the infamous line, "I like what you guys have to say but,...." I was bracing myself for the drop; I've heard those lines before.  Rather he gave us his concern.  He loves the Book of Mormon, what we've taught, but he's afraid of joining a church, because persecution follows whenever you "unite". 
Elder Jacobson fidgeted.  He wanted to say something so badly.  I knew he didn't know what to say either!  So, I pulled the jerk Senior Companion move, and just looked at him, and waited. 

Elder Jacobson bore his testimony of how he came to know the Book of Mormon was true, and because of that, Joseph Smith was a prophet, and how the Church of Jesus Christ is the restored church on the earth.  I took my turn and applied it to Ivan.  How he can know, and what that means.  Ivan knows the Bible decently well.  He knows of the persecutions of the Saints in the Savior's time.  When I reminded him of that, the Holy Ghost testified to him the path he needed to take.  Ever since that lesson he has been hungry to know more.

We had a second lesson with our Branch Mission Leader Hermano Parkus, and we taught the Plan of Salvation.  Ivan's sight on eternity was expanded as we taught.  There was moments where new principles were introduced (Celestial, Terestial, Telestial Kingdoms) when there was confusion, but as we showed him how we have the Doctrine, understanding came.  When all was said and done, we reminded him.  Pray, and you will know.

Ivan came to the Columbus Stake Conference.  Through Translation he was able to hear the words of our Mission President, and his wife, and the Columbus Stake Presidency.  After the conference we showed him around the chapel.  The very interesting part is that he did the drywall in the New Albany Chapel!  So, he knew his way around fairly well!  (Elder Klein had an investigator that did the tile in the Baptismal font in the New Albany Building)  So needless to say, he liked knowing how we use our chapels after putting one together!

Our final lesson we answered questions. Was he full of them.  From leadership of the Church to Baptisms for the Dead.  There was a broad spectrum of topics covered.  We feel an extreme sense of urgency to help him to baptism.  He will be returning to Mexico in July to go and be married.  This really seems to be a climax in his life right now, and it's only getting more intense.  We hope to see him at church this next week.  So he can see how the church works on a normal day.  Not only that, but teach him, and give him a baptismal date!

Things are coming along.  The Branch is really surprising us as we do this fast.  Yesterday we had Brother Hernandez pilfering in our commissary because they had set a decent goal of giving out copies of the Book of Mormon.  So, there will be a report next week on the fast.

Crazy week.  Even though it was crazy I still love you all.  Good job T for becoming an Eagle Scout.  Good job to Mom for dragging him there!

We are off to go shopping.  I'm going to go drop off my bike for a tune-up.  My back brake doesn't know if it wants to work or not.  I'd fix it myself, but I just don't have the tools to do it.  That, and I might make it worse knowing my past!

Love you all.  Until next week.
Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Y Ancontecio: And it came to pass

From: Austin Ipson, Columbus, OH
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 9:27 AM 

Another week gone.  Wow... It's remarkable how quickly I find myself at a computer on Mondays!  Now that I'm here I need to remember what I did last week...  Ugh, it's a blur!

A few weeks ago President Nilsen gave us the challenge to Read the Book of Mormon before a Zone Conference we will have in late May.  This challenge requires us to read 10 pages a day.  That however, is if you are reading an English Book of Mormon.  I was the poor fool who thought....  Oh, this will be a great chance for me to read the Book of Mormon in Spanish!  I realized it wasn't a great idea... Why?  Because there are roughly 100 more pages in the Spanish Version of the Book of Mormon. On top of that, I learned Spanish in Ohio!  The Spanish I know can be horrible Spanglish.  Ask Uncle Mo what the word Checkiar means and he'll probably give you a funny look!  That's how the Mexican population says to check. 

Now that I've described the situation I'm in, and that I've gotten too far to turn back now, I have to say...  I've never learned so much from a reading of the Book of Mormon!  I did read it last year and looked for the attributes of Christ and marked them.  I learned a great deal.  This year I am looking for all of the references of Christ and the words that he speaks to his children.  Whether it be him, or by one of his servants.  As I read, and mark these things I keep finding our need for the Savior.  The life he lived, the things he taught, the atonement he expiated.  I realized the gifts he has given me each time I read.  A time to learn, repentance, his love, the ability to speak and read another language, and eternal life if I stand worthy in the end. 

I've had to do quite a bit of catch up reading in Spanish, but, it is meaning so much more reading That Testament of Christ, in the language of the people I am here to serve.

This past week we've seen our pool of investigators diminish.  It's been tough to see such promising people go. Norma, the lady we found a few weeks ago has disappeared.  We've passed by many times, but have come to the conclusion that she must now be in Honduras looking for her deported husband.  If we hear anything about her we'll let you know.

We went back to Hector this week, and watched the Restoration with them.  Elder Klein and Ramsey went on exchanges last year and showed this to them.  By the end they were both crying, and committed to baptism.  This time with Elder Jacobson and I they took a snooze...  Ugh...  Fortunately Susanna; Hector's wife has read a little bit of the Book of Mormon.  So, there is still some fire there!

I love you all so much!  It makes me laugh that Sancho is now a household word!  The question is, did it replace the word Poob?  I hope goes well, and that you are all the same.  Que Dios les bendiga!

Transfer calls are coming up tomorrow.  I doubt I'll go, but, you never know!

Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Progress

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2012 9:26 AM
Subject: Progress 

This week was definitely a week of progress.  We have been working hard in all aspects of the work.  We've been making sure to get members to lessons, visit our less actives, and floss every night.  Elder Jacobson and I have been doing the best we can in the work.

I have been with Elder Jacobson for almost two transfers now, and I have been reprimanded for not giving a better description of him.  Well here I go.  Elder "Jacobo" (People can't pronounce his last name) is from good ol' Provo Utah.  He graduated in the class younger than me, 2011.  He played soccer for Mountain View High School, and can easily school me, and most of the Hispanics when we play.  He's about 6'1, and 170lbs.  Decent sized kid.  Makes us look like migration even more!  He's got greenie fire.  Well not necessarily fire but...  I'll put it this way...  whenever I have Dad's "things aren't working I need a Coke" theory he fishes me out of the need of a Coke into a want, and I find myself knocking more doors!  This branch has been one of the harder branches to work with.  The members seem to be complacent with the branch.  They see other needs than missionary work.  Missionaries (unfortunately this includes me) have or had at one time thrown in the towel trying to work with the leadership.  Elder Jacobo has been persistent for the three transfers he's been here!  This will lead to what is going down in the branch right now.

We've all known that something needs to happen in the branch for missionary work to get a jumpstart in the branch.  We've thought of all sorts of ideas to get things things in motion.  We might think up a good one, but it simply gets shot down in Ward Council.  We have gotten smarter though...

We went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders, and their idea was to do a fast with the ward.  In the mission the trend is to do a sequential fast for 40 days.  We simply don't have the members to support that.  instead it will comprise a week.  To get the ball rolling we took some inspiration from Rep. 75 and started calling up members of the ward to back us up when we bring it up.  Our ally in the Branch Council floor was the 1st Counselor Brother Harris.  That's how we got smarter.  We just had to pretend we were on the house floor!

In the meeting we followed protocol and we were heard out and put on the record!  The Branch is going for it!  We will be setting up the fast to be centered around the Cinco de Mayo.  We are excited to see the ball rolling here!

This past week we picked up an old investigator.  Hector Pablo.  I was teaching him with Elder Klein.  He needs to get married.  That was his hold back the first time around.  Elder Ragan was here in West for a little while, and he said that Hector just had a few things to sort out before he could get married.  Hopefully it happens this time!  (Note: It is extremely hard to get married in Ohio.  Especially if you are illegal.  If you are going to be illegal go to Kentucky, it is far easier to get a marriage license)

In our lesson with him we simply read the Book of Mormon with him.  We picked up where he left of.  2 Nephi chapter 1.  We concluded and shared what we learned.  I know we were supposed to be back there when he said,"I loved it when Elder Klein would come and read with me.  I always felt better".  What we are teaching is true, and blesses lives.  I hope that Hector can see the joy of the gospel in , not just reading the Book of Mormon, but living it in its entirety.  I know this is true.  I now, am a servant of the Lord.  I am doing his work.

I Love you all lots, and hope all goes well this week!

Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Journals.....

Holy smokes.  I didn't realize how much upkeep journals are!  This time I don't need pens.  Rather I need more Journals!  I'm sending home one of my journals.  I bought this one in the MTC, and all my other journals match.  (they also match my scripture set)  I'm sending it home in hopes that you could send me two more of its semblance.  There is a company name in the back of the journal.  Gallery Journals I believe...  If you have questions feel free to ask.  I'm getting on this now before the need comes. According to my writing trends I won't need more than two more (Hopefully). 

So once again.  don't feel rushed.  if it takes time, I've got plenty of it!  When you do send them out, could you send the journal back as well?  I look back at them sometimes. 

When you do get my journal, feel free to skim through.  I don't believe there is anything in there that I would be embarressed to have my parents see.  Brother and Sister maybe.....

Thank you mom for helping me.
Donnie Boy

Subject: .......

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2012 10:23 AM

This past week...I don't know...  It went by extremely quick!  If I recall Uncle Dave served on the OSU campus.  If so, he'll remember a street that was well worn by missionaries this week.  High Street.  If I am right he is probably chuckling.  Why?  It's one of the places to be if you are an OSU student.  I'm just fortunate that temperatures have been fairly cool this past week.  Anyways, I bring this up, because last Tuesday we were up and down this street all day. 

Tuesday we go over by campus.  Mixed in the college housing you can find a few Hispanics.  Most of the housing in this area is duplex homes.  (Rather Ragged in some cases).  We only devote a day of the week to this area, because there is work, but it is hard finding work.  Our day started out on 7th and High.  (After driving up High once to get there), and we scurried around the area there in search for our "Sombrero Wearing Friends".  This pursued for a couple hours, until we had to leave OSU for an appointment scheduled by "Broad & Georgesville" a ways a way from campus.  We piled into the car & drove back down High street.

Normally we could take the freeway, and land ourselves a little closer to OSU; however we had a member that we were going to go pick up and take to a lesson.  This forced us to head up High street once again!  At this point I had it learned what lane to stay in to go all the way back up to 7th and High.

We had our lesson with our member named Martin (He's a honey, if you ask when I come home; I tell you all about him!), and the investigator Hermengildo.  We were able to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to him.  Martin is a less-active & it's was good for him to share his testimony with Hermengildo.  The problem with both of these guys is that they don't have cars, and get called into work on Sundays.  (Without notice beforehand).  So, progress is rather slow.  Nevertheless it was a good lesson for both of them.

It came time to take Martin home, so, we hopped on High & took him home!  At this point I could point out all of the Steak Houses on that street.  I didn't know how much more I was about to get to know it.  After stopping Martin's house and giving him a blessing (he's had a nasty cough as of late), we looked through our planners to see what we should do.  We still had some potentials up around OSU that are usually home later at night, so, we got on High, and headed back up!  After that trip up I could probably tell you just about anything you might need, that could be on that street.  Whether you want a bike, tattoo, some Hookah, or a steak.  If I was so inclined I could lead you in the right direction!

After this final trip up, we were able to meet quite a few people, and set up return appointments.  So that last trip wasn't in vain!  However the morale of the story....  Don't plan your day so you keep covering the same ground, over, and over, and over!

We've taught quite a few people this week.  One of them being a lady named Norma.  (I may have mentioned her)  Her husband has recently been caught by migration.  Leaving her alone with her kids.  We can't help a ton, but we can teach of families being together forever.  That is what we did.  She had read a Restoration pamphlet.  So what we did the whole time was do our best to tie the families and the Restoration together.  After she read the first vision she was in tears.  She described what she felt inside as "beautiful".  We extended for the 20th of May.  & we hope to keep working with her towards that date. (She accepted)

I love you all.  Wish you the best.  If there is any advice I can give you.... Don't buy running shoes; they make you sore when you use them!  I hope all is well, and the Spirit is always in our home.

Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

I don't know where to start.....

From: Elder Austin Ipson, columbus, OH
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2012 10:22 AM

Conference was amazing.  So many powerful messages pointed right to us.  I would target certain talks, but that would be futile.  Why?  4 out of the 5 sessions I watched in Spanish.  I'll put it this way...  I can have a quick conversation about Tacos, however I can't understand the Medical terms of Elder Nelson when he is giving the specifics on the human body!  That being said, when I was listening I had to rely on the Spirit to fill in the gaps.  The Spirit enlightened me, and helped me to understand more fully of what I can do better as a missionary.

The highlight of the whole conference wasn't the talks given.  Rather, it was seeing Horacio and his soon to be 12 year old Bryan show up to Priesthood Session!  Both Elder Jacobson and I were ecstatic!  The best part is he stayed awake the whole time!  We were grateful for the talks that were given that very simply put how the Priesthood works, and how we can be better holders of the Priesthood.  Due to Horacio's work schedule he hasn't been able to make it back to receive the Priesthood, but you can see his doing the best he can at this time to be a great member.

As a side note: Elder Bednar made mention that you need to let people be agents unto themselves, not merely objects to be acted upon.  This was a point that he made to us while he was here.  So when we heard that, all four missionaries in the Priesthood session all just looked at one another and chuckled, because we've heard that spheal before!  It's like we had a conference preview!

In-between sessions we hit the pavement and went finding.  We didn't come up with anyth8ing, but I'm sure the Lord was trying to see how dilligent we really were.  After Conference we had a few lessons set up.  One with a less-active we've been trying to contact for quite some time.  Her name is Samarra Navarro.  Sister to the Branch President.  Samarra and an old friend have been thinking of coming back to church.  While we were out and about Samarra gave us a call and asked us to come by and share something about how the church was started.  We taught both Samarra and her friend Brittany the first lesson.  Both are better at speaking and reading in English.  So that's how we taught.  It was then I realized, I don't know Spanish or English!  However, the lesson was powerful.  We were able to teach both of them of Joseph Smith, his role, and how he restored the Church of Jesus Christ again on the earth.  The Spirit was strong, through the whole lesson.  We left them with 3 Nephi 11 to read.  Knowing that chapter could surely invite the Spirit to testify to them, that it's time to come back!

Our following lesson we taught a man named Ivan.  We had taught him once before, but we weren't able to complete the lesson.  This time we were ready, and he wanted to learn.  So T can study this... We shared bullet points from Chapter 10 the How to begin Teaching, so he remembered why we are there.  We told him that as he acted on the invitations we'd give him, he would come to know this is true.  It was intent to listen, but when we said that he seemed intrigued.  We taught him that as he learned, it would be by the Spirit, and we explained how it worked.  We had taught a bit about the Holy Ghost in our past visit, and as we talked about it he quoted Galatians 5:22 a scripture we had used previously to teach about the Holy Ghost.  The stage was set for him to have a truly miraculous experience!

We went through the first lesson, and taught about God our Heavenly Father, how he gives us families, prophets, to lead and guide us.  He gave us magnificent comments.  We were being edified as we taught!  We proceed to the Ministry of Christ, how he established the church, and gave his Priesthood to the Apostles.  He opened to the Bible and upheld our testimony of Christ's ministry!  We taught that this church fell, and how the people were in darkness for a time.

We gave the story of Joseph Smith.  Before we began he gave us some of the knowledge that he had of him.  All he lacked was the knowledge of the first vision.  That is what we shared with him.  It fell upon me to share those eloquent words.  As I repeated the words a smile came across Ivan's face.  When I finished, he started laughing...  Uncontrollably saying," Yo te creo" (I believe you).  How he said it came across rather oddly, as though he were mocking us.  We didn't know what to do.  However the Spirit testified to both Elder Jacobson and I, to wait.  That is what we did.  The two minutes of him laughing seemed like an Eternity!  However, when he finally looked up at us, we saw, tears.  We knew that this laughter was not a mocking laughter!  It was of Joy!

He told us that he has only felt that happy on one other occasion.  That was 7 years ago.  He knew by that powerful feeling that the Holy Ghost was testifying of the truthfulness of the prophet Joseph Smith.  We then invited him to be baptized the 13th of May.  He replied that he would fast and pray to know that this is right.  He committed to reading the Book of Mormon, to know of it's truthfulness.

The work is good, the gospel is great.  We can truly see God's hand in the work.  Migration is hot, but God is helping us find, his lost sheep.

I love you all so much.  I hope you were all edified by conference.  (I hope you didn't fall asleep during conference).  I hope to hear from you all soon.

Para Siempre,

Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

La Migra Viene!

From: Austin Ipson
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 10:12 AM

This has been a long week.

It's always been a joke amongst the Spanish Missionaries, how we look like migration workers.  Well, this week it's become more of a reality! Our normal mode of finding as Spanish Missionaries is knocking.  While walking through apartment complexes, trailer parks, and more impoverished housing we look for signs to help us out.  To side track for a moment I'll enlighten you on these signs.

When you examine a door, the first thing you try to find is the Satellite dishes.  Dish Network is the most popular amongst Hispanics, and the satellite of choice is the Dish 500.  It has two prongs, and simply says Dish 500 on it.  This is an 80% chance that the door you are about to knock is Hispanic.  Occasionally you will take a visual check, and see where the cable runs; if you are working an apartment complex with Breeze-ways.  This is the first sign.

The next sign is a mop outside.  It is usually a standard mop.  Wood handle, painted blue or green, and the mop head.  Rarely is it anything but this.  Whenever you see a mop outside the door, you just knock it.  It is a 99.99% chance of being Hispanic.  This sign is not as prevalent as others.  However, when seen, there are no questions asked!

Those are the big ones.  The ones you pray for when you hit the pavement and go tracting.  Others include, shoes outside the door, broken blinds, bed sheets in place of blinds, Dora the Explorer toys (I'm not joking), Bottles/cans of Corona and (or) Modelo Beer, Mexican flags, signs on the door that say "Este Hogar es Catolico, no aceptamos propoganda de ninguna orta religion" (I especially like knocking these doors), and if you are looking from afar, Honda Civics that have more than three colors, and Auto Zone Chrome pieces. 

These are a few of many signs that help us narrow down which doors to knock.  At times they are tricky to find, so we'll just starting knocking.  If it is English, we’ll try to get in, and teach.  After the contact (and or) lesson we ask if there are Hispanics that live next to them.  If there are, they are more than willing to point them out!

So, this is our normal way of finding.  I don't recall if I've ever went over this, but, if you have.  It's good stuff to know if you want to go find some good Mexican Food!  This is what I've done most of my mission to go find new investigators, but as of late, it's not working.

We will go up to doors that meet these stated qualifications, and they won't open.  Little kids will look through the blinds, squelch something to their mom, and immediately lights will go out in the house.  Then, silence.  I've had this happen a few times on my mission, and it's worth a chuckle.  We break out some pictures of the Savior and it usually helps.  However, we can't rely on that anymore!

This isn't blind fear either.  We have seen the migration workers out and about doing their jobs.  They go two-by-two, in white shirts and ties.  The only thing that separates them appearance-wise from us...  They have patches, we have name-tags.  They have utility-belts, we have backpacks.  So it's easy to see why there is a mix up.

Just a quick story...  Last week we met a man named Noe.  He had just moved from Indiana to Columbus.  He is Hondurans, and going to try his luck here in Ohio.  We set up a return appointment for the following week.  We came back to our lesson the following week, and nobody answered the door.  We left a note, and tried back the next day.  It took knocking a few times but his wife opened.  She said she got our note the day prior.  She said if we hadn't of left a note explaining who we were, she wouldn't have opened the door (Thinking we were migration).  She then told us that her husband was picked up by migration while leaving the apartment complex, a few days before!  We were shocked! 

So this is the situation we are working with.  It's been a struggle.  However, it is the Lord very frankly telling me, "Go work with the less-actives".  So, that is what we will be doing in these coming weeks!  Hitting the less-actives because they don't think we are "La Migra".

That is the tempo here in Columbus.  We are going to take the Lord's blunt counsel and hit the pavement!

I love you all and hope all is well back home.  The weather can't decide what it wants to do.  So, I imagine it's better on your side!

I love you all a bunch, and hope you don't think this is a migration document!

Para Siempre,

Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Kickin' in Columbus

2709 Abbots Loop Ct.
Columbus, OH  43204-4339

From: Austin Ipson, Columbus, OH
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 9:31 AM 

I guess I'm not done here!  The Lord has both Elder Jacobson and I staying in Spanish West.  We both wondered what was going to fall on us this transfer, but we were untouched.  However there was big change throughout the Spanish Work.  Elder Ramsey and Elder Homewood were "doubled-out" of Kentucky.  President had Ohio River Spanish 2 closed.  The reason lies in the fact that we don't have the same amount of Spanish Elders as we used to.  Elder Homewood went to Dayton, and Elder Ramsey to Eastgate.  Eastgate is an area in the Cincy area.

As for things that have happened here, Elder Oakley got pulled into English work as a Zone Leader.  We were now down a District Leader here.  So guesses as to who the new District Leader is?  You all knew him from the beginning... Would you like to use a lifeline?...  We will eliminate two guesses...  Final Answer?... (Dun, Dun, Dun) You just won $64,000 (If you guessed Elder Ragan).

That's right Elder Ragan has made his way back here.  Before I got to West he was here with an Elder by the name of Elder Roach.  (Elder Roach started Elder Jacobson's training).  So, with Elder Ragan getting transferred here, he has only served in two different branches.  Here in the Franklin 1 and Down in Miami River.  I find it interesting how most of his mission will be in these two branches.

So the district is:

Spanish West:                          Spanish South:

Elder Ipson                               Elder Ragan
Elder Jacobson                         Elder Holbrook

Already we can feel the difference of having Elder Ragan.  Elder Ragan is very adamant on keeping mission rules.  With Elder Oakley they were kept, but it was a very relaxed feel.  With Elder Ragan being here we are feeling the cloud of obedience come over us.

Yesterday we had the Tornado warning sirens go off!  The funny thing was, we were the furthest away from our apartment that we could be!  We took a day to be on the East side of Columbus and see the members over there.  While on "Refugee Road" We heard the sirens kick on, and clouds swirl in.  What was our shelter?  The old abandoned Spanish East apartment!  We happen to have the keys on our key ring.  So we took refuge there.  There was golf-ball sized hail, and a fairly decent lightning storm.  We got a call from Elders Ragan and Holbrook.  They told us it had cleared up on the West Side.  From then we waited for the window of opportunity, and "made the jump to hyper speed" to get out of the mess on the East Side.  Grateful to say the green Mazda 3 got us home safe!

Right now we are picking up new investigators.  It has taken a bit of work to find them, but the work has paid off.  Last week we found Jose and Laudra.  They let us in and let us share the Restoration with them.  They were great, and said we could come back.  This week we went by and read the first chapter of the Book of Mormon with them.  They both seemed to like it.  We even got their youngest daughter to read with us!  The Spirit was there as we read.  We're grateful the Lord has given us this family to teach.

I love you all so much, even if you go break the Sabbath without me.  I still forgive you.  I'll just write to Mike Helton to get the race moved to a Saturday, so we don't have to break the Sabbath! :D  Have fun with school and stuff.  Spring Break is sometime soon.  Unless it has passed....  Keep me updated! :P I’ll send you picks of how Spring looks in our apartment complex!

Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

Rubber to the Road

From: Austin Ipson, Columbus, OH
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2012 10:03 AM

Wait..... Didn't I just send a letter?  Is it really P-day?...This past week flew.  Week five of the transfer usually does.  This week we found ourselves doing a ton of finding.  With our focus off of Horacio we are out finding people by knocking, and seeing less-actives in hopes we can obtain referrals from them.

We had a good little blow to our investigator pool this week as well.  We had two different investigators tell us they were done...  It was tough but we were able to go find 4 new investigators this week!  The first one is Nancy; she is the wife of a person we've been teaching for the past few weeks.  The second was a guy by the name of Elmer.  Elders in Hilliard gave Elders Roach and Jacobson this referral a while back, and we were finally able to get in and teach him.  Three and Four was a husband and wife by the name of Jose' and Ilda.  There were countless hours of finding, but the Lord really helped us while finding.

As missionaries we have our setbacks.  One of ours as Spanish Missionaries:  People think we are migration!  A couple guys walking up to an apartment in shirt and tie, just makes you think government official right?  This week however the area has been "hot".  There have been drug busts going on all over the city, a couple people have escaped from a jail, and migration has been working heavily in housing that our members live in.  By no means is this increased police force a threat to us, but it makes finding a bit harder.

We will go up to doors, knock, and wait...  We will see the blinds shake a little bit.  Occasionally we will see a pair of eyes look out.  Then you will hear everything go quiet, and the lights will go out.  This is a difficult trend we've been facing as of late.  So to combat this, we always have a pass-a-long card of the Savior in hand to help them realized were not migration!

Yesterday we were in a trailer park, and we kept getting the "Oh, no La Migra" look.  It was like an old western watching all of the Hispanics run back into their trailers from the "Religious Sheriffs".  We decided to simply pull out a couple copies of the Book of Mormon, and Pamphlets.  Carrying those around we got "the look", but there was that look of relief once they saw the books in our hands.

These past couple of days we have seen the weather look a lot better.  A few times we wanted to take of our jackets, but we realized, it's still suit season.  Yesterday it was in the 70's, and everyone was taking advantage of that!  In that same trailer park, we saw countless people outside grilling.  The only way to describe the happenings of this trailer park, is to turn on a Kenny Chesney song!

At this point I've explained two groups.  The drunk ones that were out grilling and having a good time, and the sober ones that were mortified of missionaries.  Asi es la vida Hispana en America.  I hope this letter paints a picture as to what I do every day.  It's fun-being a Missionary/Migration Worker!

Transfers are this week.  There's nothing rotten in Denmark, but it just smells funny...President Nilsen sent out a voice-mail to the mission saying, “If you think you are staying you are going, if you think you are going you are going."  Something along those lines.  So, I haven't the slightest as to what's going to happen this transfer.  I could be here, or somewhere else.  Who knows?  I will give you the update next week, to tell you what happened!

I love you all, and hope it didn't snow on you at the races!
Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission

What took 12 years.....



Left to Right Elder Oakly, Elder Holbrook, Horacio Lucero,
Elder Jacobson, and Elder Ipson.
Below Nathan Lucero (Seven years old)

From: Austin Ipson, Columbus, OH
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2012 9:42 AM

It was one year ago I made my way into the mission.  March 3rd of 2011.  I saw President Jensen with a Lavender Purple tie come up and ask me if I was the Chinese speaking missionary!  This year is was Elder Bednar saying,"Thank you Elder Ipson" as we finished our meeting.  Later that night, it was seeing Horacio enter the waters of Baptism, and telling me he was going to call his lawyers because the water was cold!

There is something remarkable how things happen on specific days.  Especially a landmark day like that...  Enough nostalgia I'm sure you all are going crazy to find out what all happened!

This all goes back to Tuesday.  We still had to teach, Chastity, Tithing, The Word of Wisdom, 6/10 of the 10 Commandments, and Obedience.   Quite a Laundry list of things to teach in one setting, no?  Well that's what we did!  We got Brother Harris with us for this lesson, and we fired out the commandments.  Elder Jacobson did the best he could, but this was the first time he'd ever taught any of the Commandments in Spanish.  The main load was on me and Brother Harris.  The pattern we followed.  We taught, testified, invited, and promised the blessings.  To each of the commandments he could repeat it, and crack a joke about it. 

By the end all of us were exhausted!  It only took and hour to get through the material, but it was a packed hour of feeling the Spirit! 

The following day was his interview.  Our district leader Elder Oakley did the interview. (See photo; he is the Red-Head).  This was his first interview, so... Who knew what was going to happen!  The interview took 40 minutes!  All of us were nerve-wracked!  Sister Lucero far surpassed the anxiousness that we had!  He came out with a smile, and Elder Oakley handed me the form, with his John Hancock.  He passed!  Now it was a matter to get this whole service put together in three days. 

To make a long story short...  We got it done.  Phone calls were made, and a few trips to the Library were made to make the program.  3 Bottles of Lime-a-way were bought to clean out the Font. (It needed a lot of TLC.  Rust Streaks and Calcium build-up).  Lots of preparation were made in these few days we had.  Not to mention the few lessons we had scheduled here and there.

Stressful as it was, it was worth it!  This baptism was very well attended.  Most of the branch was able to make it.  The man who baptized Horacio was a past Branch President here.  Brother Luis Zepeda.  To give you the background on him...  The Lucero family was the first family he ever visited as a branch president.  At the beginning Horacio, was a bit stand-off-ish.  He didn't really want anything to do with the church.  However Horacio for some reason let President Zepeda in.  They got talking, and at one point President Zepeda told Horacio he'd make a great Branch President.  Horacio replied,"but I'm not even a member!  How could I be?"  

So with that story we have the man who baptized him, and a Branch President's old prophesy.  The stars aligned this day!  The baptism ran smoothly.  There wasn't a single hiccup.  The Spirit was strong, and the Branch has already picked him up as a member.  It was great to see that he already had good friendship throughout the Branch!  In all honesty our job was easy here!

The confirmation happened the next day.  Horacio had Brother Harris give him the Holy Ghost.  It was a thrill, more of a thrill I believe.  To give him the Holy Ghost.  To baptize him with the "Fire" that the Savior spoke of.  That same day we were able to eat with the Lucero family, and Horacio was his same joking self, but there was something greatly different about him.  It wasn't how he was acting, rather a different light about him.  It's interesting to think back about that and realize the difference in his countanance.

Now, I won't neglect the visit of Elder Bednar.  That was quite an experience!  Beforehand he had asked us to read a pair of talks he had given at earlier times.  They were both on the topic of Faith.  By no means did he lecture to us.  Give us a sermon, but counseled with us!  From the very beginning he had us share what we had learned from the literature he had given us.  He would then ask us questions to help apply it to ourselves, or to gain a greater understanding.  We learned the basics like, faith comes from action, to more detailed doctrine, that we aren't immidiatly blessed for our faith.  He showed us scriptures in Alma 26 that illustrate that God gives to us blessings.  We qualify with our faith and action, but it is the will of God to give whatever it may be, to us.

Later, he opened up the floor to us.  Wow... a chance to ask an Apostle what-ever you wanted!  I had my own question, but it was answered by another's question.  What I learned, is that Apostles are representatives to the name of Christ, and can testify in all aspects of him.  Their testimonies are in dependant, and have power of no other man.  This was something I knew, but it had different meaning coming from his own mouth, being 50 ft, away from the pulpit. 

It is now my desire, to come to know the Savior more.  Especially with Easter in this coming month.  For me there is no better time, than to study of Him.  Elder Bednar left us with a promise, in-fact these were the last words of his testimony.

(as you lose yourself in the work)..."You will not only know of Him, but will come to know Him".  I want to take that promise and use it to the fullest!  That is my desire, with the time I have here!  To come to know Him.

I love you all so much, and I see so many blessings that the Lord has given me!  I thank you so much for your support, for your love, and letters.  I hope you all have a great week, and all goes well this week!

Para Siempre,
Elder Ipson
The Great Ohio Columbus Mission