Goodbye to The Carters

Elder Acker and his companion, Elder Notsu, who is from Japan

One of Elder Acker's favorite past times...babies

Hello Everyone! Sorry that it has been awhile since I have written, its been super hectic this transfer, a lot of stuff going on. I didn't have a chance everyday to write in my journal so I'll just do the best that I can in letting you know what happened this week from what I remember!

June 22, 2015- P Day today was much needed, super stressed form last week and today really helped me to relax and take some time to chill. We went to Morialta Falls which is a beautiful conservation park, we went on a little hike and it was so great, I took some pictures but forgot my camera but wow it was beautiful! We then got the chance later that night to see Simon, Kaleb, and Bro Salver, all great lessons, really felt the spirit today! 

June 23, 2015- We started the morning at Brother Bielicki's doing some weeding. After we did some weeding he fed us some gourmet pizzas which were quite strange. I think I'll just stick to pepperoni. We then went to go see Dave and Hala and I was surprised to see an Elder I haven't seen in a long time there, Elder Johnson! I served with him in Darwin, so good to see him again, we had a nice feed all together at Dave and Hala's. We talked to Hala about her desires with the church and apparently she has been looking up anti Mormon stuff, not good. We're trying to help her see the truth from the right sources, she's in Sydney for about 3 weeks so hopefully we can help her when she comes back. We then went to go see an investigator named Kini and we brought a member with us named Brother Mackie who is so knowledgeable about the Gospel. Kini is one that really likes to talk about deep deep doctrine so we thought Brother Mackie would help. It went well yet Kini will always have those questions. He needs to stick to the basics. Search, ponder, and pray. We then went to coordination meeting and received packages from home. Thank you mom and Grandma Jean! We shared our candies together. He ate my American candy and I ate his Japanese candy, quite good! 

June 24, 2015- We found a new investigating family from Iran. We had English Class tonight so we invited them along and they really enjoyed it. It was awesome. I was sitting there in English Class, the only American there. The other people were Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Persian, and Australia. This is a land of many backgrounds, that's for sure! We then went on splits with some members to do some home teaching which was good, I was with a Young Man which was a lot of fun. He's preparing for his mission so I gave him some tips haha weird. 

June 25, 2015- God Be With You Till We Meet Again President and Sister Carter, we had a huge conference today for the farewell of Pres. and Sister Carter, such a sad day, everyone was a wreck, we just love them so much, it is so sad to see them go, words can't explain how much the Carters mean to me. I love them so much and I will miss them. It was a beautiful conference and it was good to have the whole mission there together, It is such a family here. We also all got flu shots today! 

June 26, 2015- This is when it gets boring, this weekend I've been sick as a dog, it SUCKS. Nothing cool to report on because I've been in the flat most of time dying of boredom and sickness, I'm slowly getting over it now but I still feel pretty weak. I'm pretty sure I have the flu, maybe from the flu shot? I don't know! Anyway, just trying to get better so I can get back to normal.. I couldn't hear out of my left ear this morning too so I bought one of this candle things for your ear, used to do it back at home at Nanny's all the time and it seemed to have helped. Elder Notsu is the best too because he's a great cook and has cooked me some much needed soup! He's the best. 

There's really nothing else to report guys, Just another week in the mission, grateful for all of you and your support and prayers towards me. I love you all so much! 

Elder Acker

Transfer 10, week 4

HELLO! Its been a fantastic week here in Evandale! 

Monday May 25, 2015- Had a good P day today, got my haircut then went to the Australian style noodles and company, really nothing here is up to par with American food haha but its alright. We had dinner tonight with the Hadju family, Brother Hadju made chicken pot pie which was awesome. We then went to go see our investigator Kaleb, we introduced him to the Book of Mormon and he is real keen and reading and praying to know if it is the Word of God! 

Tuesday May 26, 2015- We got to go get fish and chips today with the Bealicki's! They are an older couple in our ward and Brother Bealicki reminds me of Sanat Claus haha it was pretty great to go get lunch with them because they took us to the place where all the old people eat for lunch, I love old people so it was god fun haha We then spent most of the day in the flat because Elder Hayes felt sick, always hate staying in the flat but all good. 

Wednsday May 27, 2015- We had a wonderful district meeting today with President Carter attending, and then we got to have interviews with him after which is always great. I love President and Sister Carter so much! 

Thursday May 28, 2015- We saw an investigator of ours today named Gerry, he's about in his 70's and he's a little crazy haha it was the first time I met him because he has been in Queensland for awhile but he is one interesting guy. We then had dinner with the Rice family and they are awesome! Just a young family with two little girls and their just the best. Bro Rice is really loves basketball so we got along well. 

Friday May 29, 2015- Got a call from President Carter this morning telling me that Elder Hayes will have to end his mission in two weeks. He said he felt inspired from his interview on Wednsday that he is just not emotionally capable of continuing to serve. He's really been struggling this transfer but he has served faithfully. He feels happy that he is finishing his mission and is excited to to do missionary work back home. For some reason I was just dead beat today, just so tired. We got Subway today and then we had the opportunity to go on trade offs with the Assistants of the mission for a bit. It was a really great opportunity to learn form them. Their just like any other Elders though which was cool. We finished the night off playing sport at the chapel with some members which was so fun! We played volleyball and basketball. 

Saturday May 30, 2015- What a wonderful day! Dave and Halla had their wedding this morning and it was just so good. They are so happy and are really making changes in their life and Hala is getting baptized in two weeks! We pretty much go to their house evry single day just because they're so awesome and I love their baby boy Nathan, he is so cute! Dave had some family in twon for the wedding so we got to spend time with them later that night and it was just the best! Islanders are just so fun to be with!  We had KFC and were just cracking up all night. We then found a new investigator named Joseppi (Joe) who is from Italia! He is super keen to learn about the gospel! Found him while door knocking! 

Sunday May 31, 2015- Found out this morning that L Tom Perry passed away. Such a great man and Apostle of the Lord. He has taught me so many things, so grateful for his life. Church was good today and after we went o go see our investigator Peter juist to catch up. Then went to dave and Hala's.

Love you all! Have a great week!

Happy, happy, happy

Hello Everyone! I hope everyone's week has been great! Here I am yet with another week of Adelaide adventures!

Monday May 18, 2015- Our P Day was spent today helping all of the senior couple missionaries move. It was actually quite fun with everyone in the district there and the new houses that they moved into were so dang nice! The houses in Adelaide are just beautiful, one of the many exciting things about door knocking besides the fact that were offering salvation to people is that I get to see all kinds of different beautiful houses. The houses are much more abstract in Australia it seems compared to America. Later that night we taught an Indian couple named Shinoy and Samida. They have been in Australia for only a few weeks, we taoguht them the Restoration but they unfortunately don't want to take the lessons any further. That is usually the situation throughout my mission but I have faith that there are people out there ready to listen! We then taught a guy named Kaleb who is in his 20's and is Christian, we taught him the Resto also and it went well and we have a return appointment tonight! 

Tuesday May 19, 2015- The most normal day birthday I have ever encountered in my young years. Yes I did turn 20 today but it was just like any other day besides the wonderful packages I received from my family and Aunt Robbin, thank you so much by the way! It truly means a lot! But I will always remember on this birthday was the day Elder Hayes took a mean fall off his bike, poor guy slid out on some mud and banged up his knee pretty bad. We then had to walk about an hour and a half to get to our dinner appointment which really was hurting him but he's a warrior, let me just tell you how much I respect my companion. Honestly, he is a testimony to me that God truly does change us as we look to Him. there is such a big difference in him from the first time I cam into this area. He has truly relied on Heavenly Father and because of that he is happy, happy, happy and that means I am happy, happy, happy. We had dinner at a couple named the Delfos and they are awesome, their about in their 40's and they joined the church a year ago. There was such a spirit in their home as new members of the church and their just the best! Had pizza with them and they also promised me a Mexican feast sometime later which I am indeed excited for oh and by the way I found a Mexican restaurant just like Chipotle! Tried it this week and yes  not near as good as Chipotle but its something haha.

Thursday May 21, 2015- We had to go to the doctors today to get Elder Hayes knee checked out and you know how doctors offices are, we had to wait in the lobby for about 3 hours before we could even meet with the doctor, but still for some reason I love the environment in doctor office/hospital. Still thinking about being a nurse! Elder Hayes got his leg checked out then we headed out and got some ice cream which is exactly like cold stone creamery. Real nice! 

Saturday May 23, 2015- Today we went to Dave and Hala's house, the Tongan family, and we brought some food to them because they're really struggling financially. Dave and Hala are like my favourite people here in Evandale and I just love their little boy Nathan. We had a sausage sizzle with them and then headed home. Dave and Hala are getting married this Saturday. So excited for them! Hala plans to get baptized a few weeks after too which is even more exciting! 

Sunday May 24, 2015- Normal Sabbath Day today, we went ot go visit a man named Peter today. He lives alone with his dog and is just really in need of some friends. He was a member of the church but requested to get his name taken off the list. He's not interested in getting back into the church but we just visit him and be his friend because he really just needs some support right now. Great man just very lonely. Breaks my heart.

Everyone back home, I love you all so much! I have felt the Spirit of the Lord in abundance this week and I am just so grateful for all those that have supported me in this journey of my life. UI have  learned so much and I am still learning, thank you for all that you do. I know the church is true! 

Elder Acker

Working hard!

Hey everyone! Sorry for the long time without an email! I only have about 20 minutes so I'll try to type fast, a lot of stuff going on! For those who don't know I'm back in Adelaide in an area called Evandale which is right in the heart of the mission, the mission office is in our area. I'm with my companion Elder Hayes who is from Melbourne who is just new to the mission, I am his trainer. We've been busy, busy, busy, and that's just the way I like it so I'll try to let y'all know what happened this week!

Thursday May 7, 2015- We started off the day going to a community garden, apparently in this area we go every Thursday to do service there but man do I love it! I've grown to love gardening on my mission especially weeding haha but it was cool we got to bring pumpkin, lettuce, and chili's home too which was awesome! We then went to the mission office to get me a big coat because boy is it freezing here, its in autumn and it is beautiful but yes very cold. We had dinner tonight with a family named the Penningtons. They have 3 little girls and Bro Pennington is 6'8". He is a giant! He played basketball with us this week which was a lot of fun too. We had rozitto at their house.

Friday May 8, 2015- Met a member named Bro Hidju today who is a pro painter for little figurine game pieces, it was so cool! He has like a whole stash of little board game pieces that he painted himself and you wouldn't believe the detail he does in just those little things, so cool. As we walked out of Bro Hidju's a family pulled up on us in their car, I didn't know who they were at first but then they said "do you remember us Elder Acker?" I then realized that I met them ages ago at the temple and their daughter was leaving for the Philippines for a mission that Monday, it was good to reunite with them, I hope I can do that with some people that I met before. We then went door knocking later that night, first group was some pretty rude people including a Jewish lady that yelled at us but we found a miracle door where a father came to the door with a newborn baby, we got to have a good discussion with him and we'll be coming back to teach him, perfect opporuntity! 

Saturday May 9, 2015- We had dinner with the Smiths tonight, a missionary couple here from Colorado! I'm the first Colorado missionary they have met here while on their mission so it was really good to have dinner with them and chat. We then went to a Dave and Halla's house. Dave is a member of the church and his girlfriend Halla are getting married on May 30 and she will be baptized on the same day, so excited! We go over there quite often becayuse their just so great and the have the best 1 year old kid named Nathan. 

Sunday May 10, 2015- Had my first Sunday in my new ward, and ya it was good besides the fact that a lot of the members just ignored the missionaries... anyway, it was a good Sabbath Day, still got to get to know the members. We then had dinner with a family there named the Scotts. They are awesome, they have a real nice home and we also got to watch the Joseph Smith video with them while the grandma was there who is not a member. She's investigating the church. 

Monday May 11, 2015- Had a great Mothers day today because I got to Skype my family! They're the greatest, I love them so much. We then got to help a friend of the other Elders move out which is always a great thing to do. Little bit of a stress reliever. We again went door knocking today, pretty much everyone was rude which is just stink! But we did meet a nice man on the very last door name Robert, he invited us to come back over which is awesome! Sometimes you just gotta keep going until you find that last person! We also tonight found a new investigatior named Kaleb tonight, college student who is a chirstian. He let us inside his home and we had a real good discussion about God and he invited us back over next week! Miracles are happening! 

Tuesday May 12, 2015- We got a referral today from lds.lorg so we contacted the guy and he just wanted a Book of Mormon for history purposes, not too interesting in learning from us but hopefully as he reads the Book of Moromon, he'll give us a call back! We then had diunner at a family named the Hansfords. Real nice family, they fed us Indian curry and the daughter made delicious chocolate cookies! 

Thursday May 15, 2015- Got to go to the temple today for the first time in 6 months, great as always, such peace and comfort lies within the temple, awesome experience.

Friday May 16, 2015- I was on trade off with Elder Costales today from Phillipines, he's really fun to be around, we had a great time serving in his area. 

Love you all! 

Elder Acker

Meyers Mob and Malachi

Hi Everyone! Its been a pretty busy week this week here in Tennant Creek.

Monday Apr 20, 2015- Today was a pretty normal P-day, emailed family, played basketball at Sports and Rec, later that night we went to the Meyers Mob which is an aboriginal family we go see almost everyday because they're so awesome. We played footy with the kids tonight which was a lot of fun. We also had to really deep clean our flat today because the new senior couple the St Johns are coming tomorrow to inspect our flat!

Tuesday Apr 21, 2015- St Johns came to Tennant Creek today! They inspected our flat then took us out for pizza! They are from Boise, Idaho. I told them that I will most likely be attending BYU I when I return home and they said to take the road trip and I'll have a place to stay, they live right next to the Boise temple too! After we had lunch the St Johns took us out to buy some cleaning supplies haha our house needs a really deep clean, its such a old flat, and we have a mouse in our house that I always see in my peripherals and we haven't caught it yet! Time to get some mouse traps. After the St Johns left, we headed to the library to print off the new area list that was emailed to us then we went out to visit all of these people on the area list but most of them moved out ages ago, so we're just basically cleaning out the area list now.

Wednesday Apr 22, 2015- Started the day off by going to a less active named Susan's house. She's aboriginal, and we read the Book of Mormon with her. She has a hard time living the gospel because all of her family drinks every single night at her house which is pretty much everyone here in Tennant Creek but she says it helps to have us over to read the scriptures. We then went to see an investigator named Gail, she is in the same situation as Susan, just a lot of temptation from their peers, its hard. We then went over to the Meyers Mob and everyone was sick! There is a bug going around, Elder Kata was sick all day yesterday too and now I'm feeling under the weather ugggg. We then went to Pathwa's house, she is the most active member in the branch, and she is part of the Meyers Mob too. She has the cutest baby boy name Malachi too. He is my favourite. 

Friday Apr 24, 2015- Friday was just a normal day to begin with, we were actually at lunch time driving to get pizza and to our surprise, we see the Elders from Alice Springs in their Ute (truck), they decided to surprise us by coming to Tennant! It was so good to see them, it gets lonely with just you and your companion so it was great to see them! So they got here, got all situated and then we headed to Sports and Rec to play basketball and rugby with the kids. We ended up staying there all day, it was a blast! We even got to use the gym for awhile which was nice. Oh and the Elders names are Elder Ware from Ohio and Elder Soli from Hawaii.

Saturday Apr 25, 2015- I was on trade off with Elder Ware today, we visited some people on the area list and then we read the scriptures with a member named Maria, we read the scriptures with her everyday. We then went to Kyrels birthday party! He turned 7, he's a part of the Meyers Mob. We went to a lake for the birthday partynd it was a lot of fun, I love all the people there. We then all went to Lyals house for dinner who feeds us every Saturday Night, we had chicken and dumplings. 

Sunday Apr 6, 2015- We had church this morning and only 4 people showed up, I really wish more people would come. We then had lunch at Pathwa's then the Elders left, we had to stay home all day because elder Kata was sick.

This has been my week everyone, this is a great experience for me even though not a lot is happening workwise but I hope things will pick up.

Love, Elder Acker

Transfer 9, week 3

Good Morning Everyone! 

This week has been busy, busy, busy. We spent most of our week in Alice Springs for General Conference and also Zone Conference with President and Sister Carter. We arrived on Friday after the road trip from Tennant Creek which is 5 hours and as soon as we got in we got KFC. haha Man,  KFC in Australia is so much better than in America.  All we have in Tennant is a place called Red Rooster and its disgusting so it was nice to have a "vacation" in Alice. Alice Springs reminds me so much of home for some reason.  The mountains and the weather is really similar. Anyways we arrived in ALice on Friday then we began zone conference from 2 PM to 8 PM. and we were also glad to meet the new senior couple, Elder and Sister St John, who have just been 2 weeks out in their mission. I got the chance to chat with them for awhile about what goes on with a senior couple mission and it is exciting! I told them that I have grandparents that are planning to serve a mission also! Shout out to Grandma Jean and Grandpa Mark. Zone Conference was really awesome though, I just love President and Sister Carter so much and my faith grows every time I am with them.  They just have that influence on all of us missionaries. Something we do as missionaries to help us to become better teachers is role playing. I had the opportunity to role play with Sister Carter in front of all the missionaries and I had a really amazing experience. She acted as a lady who just lost her husband and doesn't want to hear anything about God, she was pretty hard to get to, but then in the middle of the role play, I just had just a huge, comforting, spiritual witness that God loves me and everyone around me, I couldn't hold back the tears as I just let it all out to Sister Carter on how much I know God lives, I don't even know what I said! But these moments in my life, especially on my mission I will never forget.  I know God lives and I know that this church is His Kingdom here on earth. no matter how imperfect or what trials come to my life I will never be able to deny that knowledge. What a blessing it is to have this Gospel in our lives. I am far from perfect, I make mistakes every single day but the ATonemtnet is what allows us to be imperfect and still be able to live with our Father forever in happiness. Please know my dear family and friends that there is more to life than just this. I KNOW IT. Before my mission I tried to convince myself that the church wasn't true because I wanted to feel free to live in the world, but now I know, there is no denying, the Plan of Salvation is real. Jesus Christ lives, He is our Redeemer, He knows what we are going through in life and He knows how to help. I want you all to know that I am doing alright. Sure, it is hard being in these remote areas and there is a lot of temptation to just give up and stop trying but I know that God is with me.  He is by my side and He will never leave because He loves me. He loves us, we are His offpring. 

I love you all, Elder Acker

P.S. Our most active member, Pathwa, is in prison now, we have two members in Prison.

Tennant Creek

G'day everyone! Happy Easter! 

Tuesday March 31, 2015- The aboriginal kids here love to play basketball! Lucky enough that Elder Katta and I love it too. We spent most of the day today playing basketball at the sport and rec club with all the kids. It was a blast. They are all such great kids. Everyone who I have talked to that has served in Ternnant Creek has said that the kids are the best and I can definitely see that, they're all crack up. So later on that day our power went out at the flat so we had to go buy a power card. We buy power cards to keep the house running haha.

Wednsday Apr 1, 2015- We had a lesson today with Maria, a member here. We read the scriptures with her everyday. We then got a new investigator named Terry and also put an investigator named Gail on baptism date. Its been a great day! 

Thursday Apr 2, 2015- We did a car wash service today for some people which was a lot of fun! We then were fed meat pies. Today we tried to visit a lot of people but no one was home! Long day

Friday Apr 3, 2015- We taught a less active named Susan today. She really enjoyed it and wants to come back to church. We then saw Terry again and taught the Restoratiion. We then tauight an 11 year old named Locky, he is great, he really wants to be abptized but his parents aren't allowing him but he will get there some day. 

Saturday Apr 4, 2015- Ran hills this morning with Elder Katta and now my legs are dead. We had a lesson today with an investigator named Kristine, it went well and she came to church! We then had a spaghetti dinner at a man named Lau's house. He's not investigating but he has been feeding the missionaries for ages now so its every Saturday we go over.

Sunday Apr 5, 2015- Had Sacrament Meeting this morning, only 3 people showed up but the Spirit was still present. I spoke on the plan of salvation. We then took a road trip to Elliot, a town next to Tennant and proselyted there for the day. 

Love you all, have a great week!

Elder Acker