SO I'M OUT EIGHT MONTHS NOW............

April 22, 2013

Dear Friends, Family, Aquaintances, Buddy, and Fat Louis,

So I just came to the realization as of today I have been on the Lords errand for 8 months... Where the heck does the time go? man..

Well we had a super cool Miracle this week. We called up an inactive member (we decided to work to reactivate the members here as there are lots, and do finding that way) and this man amazes me to ever extent and definition of the word amazing. He said that he wanted us to come over and it would be fine to get to know us, but his girlfriend is interested in the church. And he can´t teach her or tell her about the church because he doesn´t have the spirit with him right now. So we went over there and got to meet them. They have had a now 8 week old baby together and are looking for eternal marraige.So to put a long story short, they obviously have to get married first, but as of today M is our first baptismal date here in Rotterdam.  He (I) used to be a semi-pro MMA fighter (we get along great) and she is just the kindest most honest seeker of truth. When she accepted baptism there was not hesitation in her voice. It was soooo cooollll. Please pray for them, as when this happens, these two will/are kingdom builders. These people are so amazing.

 I have gained such a testimony of the fact that when things are going good between you and your companion, that you will have good lessons. Unity is essential. "If ye are not one ye are not mine". It's essential to everything.

Well attached are some photos I hope you enjoy.

PS:The pictures of flowers and stuff with wooden shoes are from Keukenhof. We got to go after our Temple Conference it was super cool.



thats all folks.

 

 

Caption for me and Elder Sumter.... Ebony and Ivory!!!

 

 

MITCH IS GOING NOWHERE REALLY FAST!!!!!

 

TULIPS IN THE NETHERLANDS

 

SUNSET IN THE NETHERLANDS

 

The shirt:Orange is supposed to be spelled Oranje, thats the dutch spelling
(Don´t worry mom, I only wear the orange shirt to bed.)

A MIGHTY CHANGE OF HEART

Dear Everyone,

This week has been one of remembrance and repentance for me. Of remembering how good the Lord has been to me, and repenting of my memory loss, and turning towards the Lord.

I would like to relate a story:

 We were walking along at my favorite part of Turnhout; there is a super cool bridge that lights up at night that goes over a beautiful canal. This was midday, and the setting was perfect. We were walking along talking about who knows what, when I looked up and saw a young woman walking towards me, I got the impression to talk to her. As I had decided to follow every impression I talked to her about the Book of Mormon, and how much joy and knowledge it has brought me. She said of course, “I'll take it, Joy is always welcome.” We said we would like to share a message about it. She said” right now?” Now generally, my first reaction is to say “well you look busy, we could come by tonight “, but instead in words not of my own, I said yes now. We taught her about it and its origins right on the spot and it was so nice there were no other people to bother us, no busy streets, just the spirit. Now after this was done, she said,”ok thank you very much I will read in this for sure.” We gave her a card and told her to call us she said she would.... Now at first reaction I thought you idiot why didn't you get her number?!! Or address?! But a calming sensation overwhelmed me and said just to let it go.

It is now my knowledge that that mighty change of heart comes with a submissiveness to the lords will. To know that when acting in the spirit, nothing will go wrong. Because with a perfect being leading us, we can never be lead wrong. I am so grateful for the spirit and its guiding influence in my life. That it can be here to bless the lives of others. This is true, and life couldn't get better.

 In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Ipson

 After we got this email from Mitch he sent another one.   He has been transferred in an "emergency" transfer to Roterdam.  He didn't give any details so I guess we will be in suspense until he sends an email next week. 

MITCH AT A ZONE CONFERENCE.  I KNOW THE ELDER TO MITCH'S RIGHT IS ELDER LIND, HE AND MITCH WERE IN THE MTC TOGETHER.  I DON'T KNOW THE NAMES OF THE OTHER ELDERS.

WHAT UP?

Life has been a little slow for Elder Mitch and so I thought you might like to read an email he sent a few weeks ago. 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Well this week once again not too much success, but its still getting better every week!!!! I'm doing my best and I feel thats what the Lord wants from me is to just keep trying, to "just keep walking" in the words of Elder Holland. And I know that success is just around the river bend, I just have to follow the spirit and listen to what the Lord has for me.

I gained such a huge appreciation and testimony of prayer. I don't know that I have ever felt such love and comfort as I did last night. As I sat conversing with my Father in Heaven about the week, I just felt like this last week is in the past. That I need to "Akunamatata" and let the Lord do his thing, and soon enough they will come. But I am bound and determined to make it happen. As I keep my hand in the hand of the Lords, I know things will happen that are good. Patience is key (right dad haha).

This church is true. Everything makes sense. We have a prophet on the earth today, and as we kneel in prayer to our father in heaven and follow the council of his prophet life will be ok. Its never easy, and it never will be. But through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ we can be empowered. And have strength to do the hard things in our life. I know the blessings of obedience, and obedience to the commandments that the Lord has placed before us are for our own good. Because he knows better. He knows what will harm us, and will protect us. What will bring us despair, and what will bring us comfort. This time on earth is but a short time, and WHEN we endure with our faith, we will be filled with light and we can be happy! That is the promise of the Atonement. Is happiness in this life, and in the next. I leave this witness with you brothers and sisters that Jesus is the Christ. That the only way back is through him, and that his arms are always stretched open, and in the words of Elder Holland "You have never traveled beyond the reach of divine love". In de naam van onze Verlosser Jezus Christus. Amen.

Always there for you,

Elder Ipson

 

Ale' manneke!

or according to Google Translate: Ale Little Man Is the title of Mitch's current email. Not quite sure what he means but I'm sure eventually he will explain it to me. The inevitable has happened--yes, you guessed it--the dreaded transfer.

Mitch has been serving in Vlissigen, Netherlands for the four months he has been in the country. He loved it and was very comfortabl there.  He was transferred to Turnhout, Belgium. In his own words "holy cow", I don't know crap". Well his grammar is still terrible. He is dying because he said: "I can't understand a word that is being said. I hope people don't think I'm being rude but it's hard to pay attention when I don't have a clue what the conversation is about". I think he will end up loving this area almost as much as Vlissingen. He is out of his comfort zone and I know that that is one of the points of being transferred, not only to have different experiences but to also have a chance to meet new friends.

The branch he is serving in is larger than the one in Vlissingen. I think he may be a little overwhelmed with the culture shock. He is also missing the Van Eijzeren Family, I can't blame him for that.

I believe that the Spirit or Light within ourselves attracts others that radiate similar light. I know that Mitch will make some great friends in this area. When our Stake President set him apart as a full time missionary, Mitch was blessed with the gift of tongues and that he would love the people just like his own family. I believe that with all of my heart, otherwise I probably couldn't stand this separation called serving a mission. I've learned that "I can do hard things". I know Mitch has learned that too.

Of course, I don't have any details about his companion yet except for Mitch said he is awesome. Hopefully, Mitch will have time to give us some details soon.

STAY STRONG AND CARRY ON

I had better make this update quick. Times are changing more quickly than I can keep up with. Mitch's new companion in Vlissingen is Elder Tyler Mathis. He is from Lehi, Utah. It will be fun for Mitch to serve with him. He is tall just like Mitch's first companion, Elder Van De Graaff. Mitch thinks it's quite comical to knock on doors with them. The person answering the door will look up and then down. The look on their face is hysterical those are Mitch's words. He loves his companion. He feels like Vlissingen is his home away from home. He loves the Van Eijzeren Family and so do we. Brother Van Eijzeren is the Branch President. Sister Van Eijzeren keeps us up to date on Mitch's happenings and supplies the majority of the photos we get. With out her we would not have any detailed information. They are what I think of as true Christians. They are constantly serving. They have taken care of my son and his companion: they have made sure they were well fed, spiritualy as well as temporally. They have opened their home to all as a haven from the storms of life. They also serve their friends; members and non members alike. They care and attend to those they know have needs. Whether these friends are alone and down or are in need of physicial items. They know them and they are taken care of. They supply us with a weekly list of names that the Elders would like us to pray for. They give not only a list of names but they give us a brief description of the people on the list. I love the information for the ones who have children and are looking for a quiet haven amid their trials. I have often told Mitch that the feeling we leave people with is what they remember. Our Church leaders give us goals to meet. Our Church keeps track of all of our members and that involves numbers. Numbers are important for record keeping. But ultimately the people themselves are what is important whether they are members or not. Many are not interested in attending a church or in changing their religion. For most of us religion is not just attending a meeting on Sunday but it is our culture. That is extremely difficult to change. He needs to love the people. I know that he loves the people of Vlissingen. The Van Eijzeren Family have led the way for him. I know his time in Vlissingen is coming to a close. It's always hard to start a new chapter in life but this is going to be extremely difficult for him. Our Heavenly Father knows what he is doing and will give Mitch the strength that he needs to make this transition to a new adventure. I am also sad that he will be leaving but I too know that change is necessary for growth. My son has out grown me in ways that are multitude. I hope that some day I too will have the Spiritual maturity that he has. His strength in purpose and in his goals has amazed me. We are grateful to our Heavenly Father for the strength that Mitch has brought to our family. Amen.

MITCH AND ELDER MATHIS

JANUARY 2013

AND THEN THERE WAS ONE

Well it's happened.  Mitch was worried that he would receive the call Sunday night and be transferred, but actually the phone call was for his companion, Elder Van De Graaff.  Elder VDG was made a zone leader in a place called Neeman.  It's in the northern part of The Netherlands, close to the Austrian border.  Mitch was sad to say goodbye but he knew that it would come.

Mitch's new companion is Elder Mathis.  I don't know anything about him yet, and I won't know until the Van  Eijzeren's write to us to give us the details.  Mitch is always in a "hurry" when he emails. 

They did have another baptism.  Sister,  Ijeoma Francisca Ibechukwu. she is from Nigeria and is learning to speak Dutch, so the service was in English.  She is 32 years old and she came to The Netherlands because of the war in her country, her dad and brother were killed and she does not know where her mom is.  Pretty sad story, it reminds me that I should be more grateful for what I have.

Back to Mitch.  It snowed in Vlissingen.  Birgitta Van Eijeren sent pictures to me, thank heavens.

As you can see by the picture Mitch loves the food in the Netherlands.  In one of his emails he made the comment, "Holy Good Food Batman", over an awesome dinner someone fixed for them.  A totally new expression for Mitch. However, it does give a pretty awesome picture of the food he had. 

This Sunday is transfer Sunday so he's worried he will get moved.  It would be nice if he could finish out the time that his companion, Elder Van De Graaff has left.  I think he only has about a month before he comes home. 

The baptism that they had was an ederly woman, 75 years.  Her 80 year-old husband performed the baptism.  He had been a member for about 40 years.  Someone asked if she was doing a  "death bed repentence thing".  Mitch said some of the questions in the baptism interview were hard to ask her.