11-9-2009

Hey, mom.We should have a baptism this weekend. There are a few people that if they would have come to church yesterday, they would be getting baptized, as well. But they all had excuses, so we are hoping for next week. But our baptism is for a lady who's husband has been a member for ten years, and we have no idea why she hasn't been taught before. But it's pretty exciting. That's exciting to hear that Andrew is getting close on his papers. Let me know. When is Tristan going to turn his in, do you know?St. Vincent is a lot different than Tobago. It is a lot more hilly, and there are a ton more members. (Of course, there still are only about 50-60 active members)I think there is still a customs tax, but the whole stop in Trinidad was that you stuff may not get there, because they search it before it gets to you. So for christmas I would like a hard drive so that I can put my pictures on there, and stuff like that. One of those portable hard drives. Well, I have some bad news. I lost my camera. We don't even know how it happened. I put it in some other elders car for a day, and then when I went to get it that night, it was gone. So, if you could put some extra money on my card, I can get a new one. Thanks.Well, that's about it for this week. I love you, and will talk to you later.Love, Elder Ackerman

11-2-2009

Hey, St. Vincent is great. There are 8 elders on the island, so it's not so much isolation as Tobago was. The senior couple here is the Wheelers. I'm not sure if they have a blog, but you can check. You can send packages here. My mailing address is POBox 601 Kingstown, St. Vincent West Indies. I probably will be here for Christmas. So, the church here has an actual building here. It's pretty nice for the West Indies. Apparently, a long time ago, the Prime Minister and his #2 were members, and so the activity in the church was around 300. But they died, and then it dropped to about 80. But that is still better than Tobago. But I love it here. We are teaching quite a few people right now. A man named Boxer that used to be an investigator, we met him just walking around calling into houses. He didn't come to church, but he said he wasn't going to be able to, but should be there next week. My companion is Elder Huntsman. He's from Texas. Well, that's about it. I still am trying to learn the area, so I don't know a whole lot about it. I'll keep you updated, though. Love yah. Love Elder Ackerman

10-27-2009

Well, I've got a lot of news this time. I noticed that you are leaving for Disneyland on wednesday. That is such a coincidence. I leave for St. Vincent on wednesday. Yep, I am leaving Tobago. It came as a surprise to all of us. The thing is, there are going to be four elders here next transfer. Now, what is crazy is that Elder Larson is leaving too. So we are getting 4 elders that don't know the area. And the Leishmans haven't been here very long, so they are still learning the area. Just for informations sake, Elder Larson is going to St. Maarten to learn french. We did get two more baptisms this last weekend, though. Natasha (who Elder Jarvis and I baptized) had two neices that are baptismal age. We have been going over there at least 2 or three times a week, and have become practically family to us. So when they found out we were leaving, we told them they needed to be baptized before we left. So we baptized them Sunday after church. Yesterday we went out to the other side of the Island with the Leishmans. We went to a waterfall called Argyle Falls. It was awesome. I told you all about it in my last letter, though. And there will be a ton of pictures of it on the dvd. That's funny that the Palmers thought I had been out longer. The Palmers are so cool, though. Well, this is the last email from Tobago. I will have an actual mailing adress in St. Vincent, so you can use that once I tell it to you next week. I love you, and hope to hear from you soon.Love, Elder Ackerman

10-19-2009

Hey, Mom.Don't worry about last week. It's no problem. The Leishman's said that they were going to be adding more things to their blog soon. They are going to send you an email, too. Well, Elder Larson did have an ingrown toenail, but the mission nurse thinks he may have MRSA. So we are going to Trinididad in the morning, and we'll find out if he does have it. Still not getting out much.I haven't heard of any cases of swine flu here, but they are really afraid of it, and they have signs up everywhere about washing your hands and coughing. But there were a few people in the MTC that got it, and they didn't get too sick. We got to listen to all the 12 and First Presidencies talk. We downloaded them off the internet, and since we have been inside lately, we have been listening to those. You know, I think Elder Larson and I are the only missionaries in the world that didn't get to watch conference. (That may be a little bit of a stretch, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were true).Well, yesterday at church, we only had 9 people. Technically 5 because four of us were missionaries. It's the second time that has happened. Thankfully, Fay was one of those nine. Alright, so I will let you know everything that happens in the next week. There may be some new developments, so I'll let you know. Love, Elder Ackerman

10-12-2009

Hey, Mom. I suppose I just got here a little too early for yah. But I just wanted to write and tell you about Fay's baptism this last weekend. I'm sur eif it's on the Leishmans blog, then you know all about it, but just in case. It was sweet. We found a different beach than the one we have done the last two batisms at. It was so cool. I'll be sending you a bunch of pictures here in a few weeks, so don't worry about that. We have been off our feet again almost this entire week again, and this week isn't looking any better. I hope I don't die of boredom.
Well, that's pretty much all that happened this last week. I love you, mom. Love, Elder Ackerman

10-6-2009

Mom, I envy you. I did not get to watch conference. The Leishmans were our only source for conference, and they went to Trinidad to get the rest of there stuff. And since our branch is still developing, we don't have a satellite to watch it with. And to futher the utter agony, Elder Larson and I have been stuck inside pretty much all week. Elder Larson (by doctors orders) has had to stay off of his foot. He got an ingrown toenail. So I havebeen really bored. I shot a freezeframe movie on my camera of two missionaries. It is pretty sweet. I'm sending it to you in my next package home. Well, we are baptizing Fay this weekend. Thanks for praying. Keep praying for Alphonso, though. He really loves the Book of Mormon, but doesn't really feel in a hurry to get baptized. Well, that is all the news from Tobago. I love you, and look forward to hearing from you next week. Love, Elder Ackerman

9-28-2009

It's great to hear that you are loving school. Is it alot harder than pregrad? Elder Larson and I get along great. We are having an excellent time here. In fact, remember I told you about Fay a while ago? Well, she had went to Trinidad for a while, but she got back this week. Some things happened in Trinidad that made her realize that she needed to change her life. So now she really wants to be baptized. We are actually teaching her tonight. I'll let you know how that goes next week. I'm not sure if the Leishman's have a blog. I can ask when they get here. The Ross's are leaving tomorrow (tuesday). They live somewhere in the Salt Lake area. It's no scene that the money wasn't on right away. I just am looking to get some stuff some time this transfer, so don't feel too rushed. I probably won't send any pictures home until the end of this transfer. Then I can get you all the pictures from this and last transfer. But there are going to be a ton, so don't get too worried. Well, I love you mom, and it was great to hear from you. The work is going great, and I look forward to hearing from you next week. Love, Elder Ackerman

Note from Jeri Kay

So I begged Patty to let me put Brandon's letters on the blog, and then it has taken me 2 weeks to get to it. Sorry, I am a flake! But here are Brandon's letters! yay!

Idaho potatoes in Tobago!

This is an Idaho potato?

Hurrah for Israel!