New companion coming

Last week of the transfer! 5 more left! Just found out that Elder Notsu is packing, I will be getting a new companion tomorrow

Thursday July 23, 2015- Today we walked a man named Simon's dog named Winston, we usually do this about twice a week, man I miss my dog Jack, hopefully my family will get a dog soon! :) We went to go see the Balodis family today, always good to go over there, he showed us the video of that guy who got attacked by a shark in a recent surfing competition, crazy that he is alive. We then had ward council tonight, for some reason I always get really stressed out after ward council haha we're trying to work better with members, it was a good meeting though, awesome experience to attend that meeting often.

Friday July 24, 2015- Literally nothing happened today, no one was home! Just one of those days, we did have sports night tonight though which is always a good time even though like no one shows up haha

Saturday July 25, 2015- So stinkin cold! We were on the bikes this morning and I just could not handle it, too freezing! I never even thought Australia would be cold haha We went to go set up chairs at the chapel this morning for the Stake Sacrament Meeting tomorrow, went by really fast cuz we had a lot of people helping out. We then went to go see the Spaldings, lovely couple. We then went door knocking for quite a long time tonight, finding no one interested, real tough this week, no one seems to want to listen but we'll keep pushing.

Sunday July 26, 2015- Had a big Stake Sacrament Meeting today which was great, we then got to go see a man named Antwin, Antwin has had a pretty rough past and he is just now trying to change, we arrived at his home and as we started talking he just broke down crying, we felt inspired to give him a blessing and the Spirit truly touched his heart, we hope to still continue to help him trun his life around. We then went to go see a Malaysian investigator named Alen, he is a man that is truly seeking for the right way in his life, he is really open to learning, we're so glad to be able to share what we know with him.

Excited for the new transfer! The last 5 transfers I have had 5 different companions, crazy!

Love you all! 

Elder Acker

Elder Notsu

Transfer 11, week 5

Hello Everyone! Wow I can't believe it is the final week of the transfer this week, it just goes by so fast! It is so dang cold here in Adelaide and I can't seem to kick the cold that I've had this whole transfer, sucks so bad! I'm ready for hot weather!

Tuesday July 14, 2015- Trade off today with Elder Boyd from Idaho, he is the man! He is 26 yrs. old and he is just the best. I didn't really know him too well until we went on trade off, I was able to get to know him a lot better. We had a really good trade off, we were able to visit a Recent Convert named Lucia who is just the best, she's the tattooed Mormon of Australia! I'll have to get a picture with her before I leave, anyways she had a friend over named Mark today and we were able to stop by and visit. He all of a sudden just expressed to us his interest of learning about the gospel and how he wants to get rid of the guilt he has from his past, perfect missionary opportunity, we were able to teach him right then and there with the help of Lucia, it went really well and he started crying. Unfortunately, we found out a few days later that just after we left he kept drinking (he was a little tipsy when we were there) and he actually stole some pills and ended up having seizures that night. Lucia had to call the ambulance, he's doing well but probably won't be at Lucia's anymore :(

Wednesday July 15, 2015- We had zone training today about urgency and weaknesses, really inspiring! It is just so funny sometimes in meetings because everyone tries to like make the most profound comments like it is a competition, and sometimes missionaries use spiritual voices which is hilarious, be real! We then had interviews with Pres. Parker and wow he is the man! SO loving and I really feel like I can be totally open with him. He expressed to me that the last 6 months of your mission you will remember most throughout your life so he committed me to make it the best part of my mission, really feel motivated to! We later had dinner at a recently married part member families home, we just pigged out on their wedding food haha

Saturday July 18, 2015- We helped clean up the chapel this morning after they had an amazing YSA activity yesterday, it looked so fun. We then got to go to Dave and Mike's rugby game, really fun! 

Not much more to share this week, thank you so much for your support everyone! 

Love, Elder Acker

Fainting Elder and Iranian movie

Hello, hello, hello!! So grateful to be able to email you all today!

Thursday July 9, 2015- Haven't been able to write until today because I had no time to write in my journal this week because we've been so busy! We had another huge mission conference to welcome the Parkers to the mission and we were hosting missionaries at our flat every night, and that means no quiet time to write in my journal haha I do love having all the missionaries here but there is just something about just having normal days with my companion which are the best. I enjoy those normal working days. Conference was very good, the Parkers are a wonderful blessing to our mission and the training went well. So I have a very interesting story to tell you about my best friend in the mission, Elder Tanner. So we had all the missionaries at the conference and the Assistants chose Elder Tanner and his companion to role play in front of everyone! I give him props because that takes guts! They got up there, and after the role play we were evaluating and he Elder Tanner was talking about how the role play went and he said, "my head is spinning, I am so nervous." Which is normal! He looked fine and then about 2 minutes passed by and he started to turn white as a ghost and slowly started rocking back and forth, before we knew it he fainted! After he came back he just said "oh my gosh that was so embarrassing" hahaha we joke around about it now, I'm going to remember that for a long time, I love Elder Tanner. Anyways, today we got to visit a less active lady named Jacky who was really cool then we had ward council with the new bishopric, it was solid! Really effective meeting, I'm excited to see these things put in action in the ward. 

Friday July 10, 2015- Wasn't feeling that great this morning, just felt lazy and unmotivated but around lunch time we went on trade offs and I was with Elder Costales from the Philippines. I love him, it was good to go on trade off with him even though we had a pretty bad experience tonight. We went to go see our investigator Josspepi tonight who was on baptism date, we knocked at his door and he was wearing a suit, I have no idea why but he was, we came inside, started talking and let me tell you, I though Joseppi was a golden investigator, he just seemed so ready and he was keeping all of his commitments but today, something changed, we had asked if he had read the material we gave him and he just went off telling us God is not real, and telling us that we have been brainwashed, yes I have had many interactions with these kind of people but it was such a surprise to hear it from Jossepi. We had a long discussion, but all he tried to do was "awaken" us to the truth, that is what he said. We asked him right before we left, why do you think we come to your home Jossepi? and he just said, because you want my money! Elder Costales couldn't hold back the laughter, and we just said and testified about how we were there to bring him happiness, he doesn't understand, tough night, but nothing new right? 

Saturday July 11, 2015- Such a gloomy day today full of rain, hail, and cold winds! absolutely freezing! We got o see and Italian couple today, we tried to share the Book f Mormon with them but they refused, said they couldn't read the small letters anyways. We then had a church potluck activity tonight which was good after a stressful week. 

Sunday July 12, 2015- Had church today which was great as always, then we hosted a missionary who was going home tomorrow, he was so excited to go home haha it was funny. We then got to visit a Persian family, we showed them a movie about Jesus Christ then they were able to show an Iranian Christ movie, there was such a funny part, for some reason in the movie, when Christ goes to get baptized he just stands next to John the Baptist in the water and then just dunks himself underwater, Jesus Christ baptizes himself! Oh boy, evidence of the apostasy.

Well, another week gone by, I'll talk to you next week!

New mission presidents!!

G'day everyone! So good to be able to write you all again!

Monday June 29, 2015- Solid P Day even though I'm still trying to get over this sickness, just sucks! I lost hearing in my left ear this morning which was strange, my body is failing me! haha honestly have been trying to get better for so long, hope to get to 100% soon. Went to go see a member tonight named Sis Shamma, she was recently baptized so we got to visit her and her non-member husband which went well. Probably wasn't a good idea to go biking in the cold tonight but I just was tired of being in the car, felt so lazy! We biked to our investigator Park who is from Korea. He plans to be baptized in December in Korea but we really just felt the Spirit prompt us to testify to him that he can be baptized sooner and that he is ready. He has left for Korera for two weeks to think about it, we hope he makes the right decision. He is so ready to receive the full blessings of the Gospel!

Wednesday July 1, 2015- Busy, busy, busy day. Started off the morning with district meeting, then we managed to get 5 lessons in today which is really good for this mission. Usually we only get one or two per day. We were just staying busy, those are the best days.

Thursday July 2, 2015- We started the morning by doing some weeding for Balodis family. I really do love weeding, but there was these weird plants that he had that sting you every time you touch them, honestly had no idea a plant could do such a things, weirdest sensation when you touch them. We were able to try Bro Balodis's famous cronuts after that which are like lighter flakier donuts and boy were they good! Way better than donuts! We then went to Bro Bielicki's and had some hot chocolate with him, he's the best! 

Friday July 3, 2015- Lousy day, still feeling sick, it keeps coming on and off, I want to work but my body tells me to rest and I hate it, I just want to work! Slept most of the day today because that's what the mission office sister advised me to do. We then were able to go to the Puckridges, which are like the grandparents of the ward and we were able to relax with them for awhile, gave me some really nice herbal tea which helped me a lot, liked it so much that I went and bought some myself. I guess I'm hopping on the herbal tea drinking train. Got a blessing from Elder Notsu also to help me overcome my sicky.

Sunday July 5, 2015- The Sabbath truly makes everything better. Taking the sacrament allowed me to feel a renewal spiritually and physically. Was able to meet our new Mission President and Mission Mom, Pres and Sis Parker. It wasn't until I met them that it hit me that the Carters are gone, weird feeling but honestly the Parkers are great, look forward to serving with them. We had a multi stake fireside tonight for the parkers. Elder Ntosu and I really wanted to go but we needed an investigator to come, we were thinking of who and an investigator name Joseppi came to mind, we haven't seen him for a few weeks but he was home tonight and he gladly decided to come! He is from Italy. he really enjoyed the fireside, felt the spirit, and loved meeting the friendly happy people of the church. As we walked him back home he asked "does it cost money to be baptized?" we had a good laugh, then we were able to give him a book of Mormon and we felt prompted to invite him to baptism, and he accepted a baptism date for August 15! Miracle!!! We're excited to work towards his baptism, he is prepared! These are the moments I live for on the mission. 

Have a great week everyone! 

Love Elder Acker