Good Day!

Good day! This last week has been crazy! To start the week on Monday night we got a knock on the door, it was the down stairs neighbors. They informed us that their was water coming through their ceiling. We come down and see water coming through so we ran up stairs to look in the bathroom and our floor is damp. We don't know what caused it but it was wet. So we wiped it up and looked for the leak. We couldn't find one. So the neighbors called the plumber and they did all kinds of tests. They don't know why the floor was wet but the drain in the bathroom had a leak and was causing the leak in the ceiling. We had to bike like crazy to see people and make it back in time for the plumbers. It was crazy. Then one of our YSA's nephew passed away from a heart attack at the age of 4. We sat down with him and shared the plan of salvation with him. All he could think about was the plan God has for us and he know he will see him again. We also taught a man who just lost his father. He passed away at 92 we think. He is having a hard time but he is very interested in life after death and God. We have been teaching like crazy. We have 10 people on date for baptism with a few that are getting close. We have been riding around like mad. We need to get those fit bits so we can track our Ks! All is good in Darwin! There are heaps of lizards and birds! Haven't found a croc or a kangaroo yet but I've been looking! I have found a huge huntsman spider along with a white tip. The white tip causes flesh to rot around the bite sight. I found a very large snake and a huge cockroach! I almost ran over a dog as well. I'm excited for the work and all the creepy crawlies of the night! The Flying fox is a amazing creature! They aren't full size in Darwin but they are like a hawk. Oh yeah there are heaps of sea hawks so let waffle know!

Love you guys!

Elder Atkinson went with Elder Hobby to get his stitches out... they decided to trade glasses while they were waiting... (Pic courtesy of Brother & Sister Farrer {they spoil us with post and pictures!} Love them!)

today was the first day since the M.T.C. that we got to talk/email back and forth for a bit! LOVED IT!!!

Clay had emailed Ty but he never received it, so I told him Clay said to tell Norbert hi (His pet gecko) here is Ty's reply: " We have three now! Norbert, norberta, and Steve. I'm starting a collection! Caught a iguana the other day. I think they would have gotten mad if I took him to the flat.."

HAHAHA Love you Elder Atkinson!! 

It's a small world! .... Master Chef =)

Hey Family!

All is well here in Darwin! I absolutely love it here! They People are very unique! We have been biking hard and talking to everyone, knocking on doors and working on a plan to reorganize the areas here in Darwin! This week Elder Taleo had to go with Elder Hamilton to Kathrine for some Zone and District business. So I was with Elder Hobby and Elder Escueta. We biked all Over the main city and the beaches. We had a lot of fun! On the way home on Wednesday night Elder Hobby crashed into a parked truck. He smashed it! The taillight was busted and his bike tire was wrapped like mad! He is okay but President Parker told him to be more careful. That was his fourth crash. He was pretty shaken up from it. But when I was looking for his glasses on the road I found a piece of the tail light! I gave it to him the next day and he put it in his journal! I love Elder Hobby! We are hoping to be companions sometime for a long time!

So I have received a reputation of being a master chef.... When we are on exchanges I make food out of whatever they have and everyone likes it. It's defiantly been fun! Oh yeah so there is a Elder Hamilton here! He played for maple mountain baseball and we played on the game cocks together! We surprised everyone here! They are asking what are the odds that we would be in Darwin together after winning a tournament together!
Love you heaps!


more to Dad:  I heard about the law in Russia. How is Tristan? How does that work?

Nice job on your Truck! I wish you luck with the bumper! I will try and send a mission plaque picture I can seem to figure out the camera... It's hard.

I love President Toone! I told you he was huge! Can you get his email? I would love to email him sometime! (I sent him Sister Toone's Email) 

I'm working with Elder Taleo to reorganize the zone areas. We want to make it more efficient! We are teaching a lot of people but everyone in Darwin moves like mad. It's fun planting seeds and referring them to others. We have had a lot of training's and are learning a lot! 

Norbet is doing well! He is very fun! We say goodbye to him when we go out of the flat!

Love you heaps! Send pics of the truck!

More to Mom:  So I don't know how to work it. (wifi camera) And it's not setup to send it to your phone. So I'll try and figure it out sometime. The wifi in the church isn't very good.
Yes I did pay for my bike. It's in Adelaide. There are bikes here in Darwin that stay here. Because it would be like sending your bike from home to New York to get it here in Darwin!
I know about the Pokemon go. We have strategic contacting spots where players go and play. We are using it for missionary work!

....So I called him norbert. He is my friend!

 Wednesday July 6th morning was Arriver's Training on Skype

Hey Dad!
Heaps means a lot and peak is cool. It is so confusing but I figure if I start to use them it will make more sense in the long run. We are the only Elders in Darwin that don't have a car. We are biking all day everyday. Its been heaps of fun down here! But I miss Chevy's they aren't here down here. Well they sort of are but they are a different company, they go by Holden, they don't have a big verity. There aren't an old classic cars down here they are either new of ugly as. I love it here though. They people are absolutely crazy and are blunt in there dealing with each other. There is heaps of racism. We talk to heaps of people walking the streets every day. We get yelled at heaps! So we made a game out of it! Who ever get cussed at the most wins! It is very interesting to learn some aboriginal.  They defiantly are a interesting culture. I want to learn more about their lifes in tribes because when they aren't in their tribe they are kinda trashy. I love the people here heaps and im excited to keep learning! Tell my Yapa's I said Hi! Yapa's is Brothers. Tell the youth hi for me and bishop, razor, and Brother brown hi as well! Love you Heaps


Mom,
The Flag is peak! I love it and yes you put in on the right way. The small star is always on the bottom. The puppies are so cute! I love my little miss Maddie! This week has been really cool! We have met with heaps of people and I got told I have an American ascent. I never though we had an ascent but it makes sense. I love the people and the culture here in Darwin. They remember the cost of freedom heaps better than America. We went to the Darwin museum last pday. It is peak, Heaps of animals and history about the people and the culture! I am enjoying the dry season here! Im not looking forward to the wet season. It supposed to be really humid, hot, and rains heaps. It will be an adventure! The beach here is awesome! And the best part! We have a pet gecko! Well sort of... He made his way into the Flat and we cant get him out. So I called him norbert. He is my friend. I love it here and ill try and send some pics today!

love you heaps!

Funny story... after we get his emails I get another one with 4 pictures!! you can imagine my excitement!! it was the pictures of the crab looking thing (posted below) and 3 pictures I took on his camera of his jeep and Maddux and Chipper the dogs to see if it worked!! lol so only one picture from Elder Atkinson. good thing we have a great senior couple in the area that are so wonderful and takes pictures for there fb page!!

Not sure about this.. was just in an email.. crap/lobster/spider??

 (From Elder and Sister Farrer: Today we went to Safe NT so that Elder Gaastra and Elder Atkinson could get their required 'working with children cards'... closed for remodeling...they sent us to the Police Station...lines...paperwork....off to another building to finish up. Good thing we have patient Elders...today is their preparation day and I know they are anxious to be done with this and on to their free time...

 Ready to get their required working with children cards...

What?....closed for remodeling?...on to the Police Station...

 

Getting the forms...paying the fees...

 

 

 

 

Waiting...

 

 

 Finished here