Elder Caden Kapp: The Outback

Ok seriously, this week, was the literal best ever! We were able to do exchanges with the Whyalla Elders. With the exchange we went to their outlining areas to get the work moving there. The first was Ceduna, and then we went to Port Lincoln. There was countless miracles and I've never been in a place so prepared for the Gospel. I'd like to apologize in advance that this email might be long. But let's get to it!

So Tuesday was just driving to Whyalla. On the way we got crocodile burgers which was not bad. Then we drove for the remainder of the day. Day 2: We started our exchanges, I was with Elder Larsen for Ceduna. We drove up and on the way stopped at some members and gave them the sacrament. Such a cool experience because they live in the middle of nowhere so they don't get the sacrament too often. But after a lot of driving we made it. We got to our Motel and went out and visited a friend named Josephine. We talked for a little and scheduled a time to go back the next day. After that lesson we met this guy named Zac walking. He was super chill and just started following Christianity. We were able to answer his questions and share a message. By this time it was late, so we went to this pizza place and got this humongous pizza. Took it back to the rooms to find out how spicy it was. Holy dang was it hot. After some tears from the food, we hit the hay because it was very late and we were very tired.

Day 3: Woke up and got the breakfast the place provided. Which was just cereal and toast, but better than nothing. We then went a saw a member and gave her the sacrament which was great. Then we went to this indigenous art gallery because one of the workers is someone they're teaching. Let me tell you, it was the most amazing art ever. Sadly we weren't allowed to take pictures. But, we had such an amazing lesson with Yana. I also bought one of her paintings which was super cool. After that we went to the beach because there were heaps of groups of indigenous people. So we just started teaching. Elder Larsen and I went from group to group teaching. It was such an amazing experience. We did see a fight or two and some people get arrested, but hey, all part of the work. But no joke, these couple of hours we had on the beach was probably a top highlight for my mission. It was such a good experience. So after a couple of hours of teaching we went and met up with the other Elders and had a lesson with some of their friends. The lesson went so amazing. After that we went to this Aboriginal land and had a lesson with Mr. Smith. It went pretty good, so cool to be in the Outback. After Mr. Smith we went back to see Josephine and her family. We had an amazing lesson with them. And they asked us if they could be baptized! Like what, that's our job haha. Obviously we said yes and scheduled that. Then we had to scurry to the motel and hop on a zoom for our meeting. Overall, today was so great!

Friday: We started our second exchange. Elder Keller and I were together for Port Lincoln. I got to drive this one. We drove for 4 and half hours. On the way we stopped at a members house who literally lives in a house made of wood pallets out bush. Sickest thing ever. Then we stopped at some indigenous friends and had a lesson with them. Then finally we got into Port Lincoln around 8pm. Holy crap this place is beautiful. A very much like Hawaii and Seattle had a kid, that's Port Lincoln. We got food with the other Elders and moved all our stuff into our room.

Day 5: We planned with the other Elders who was going where and what was happening. Then we went out. Elder Keller and I went to visit an indigenous friend but some guy came out and was not happy. So instead we felt like we should door knock. We talked to this hammered guy (literally noon) but it actually went ok all things considered. But we then felt so strong to knock this one house and Suzanna came out. She is someone who really needed a visit. We talked to her for about an hour just on her front porch. She's super keen to take the lessons and grow spiritually. Definitely a miracle. After that we met up with the other Elders to visit a member who turns out wasn't home. So we went to visit other people taught in the past. Then we had a lesson with Sheila and Tim. Sheila has a leg infection but she wants to be baptized more than anything. Just gotta wait for the leg to be better. But the lesson went so smoothly. They had such good questions and agreed and accepted all we had to say. It was so good. After that lesson we went and saw the Smith's. The wife and her sister are members, but not the husband. I talked to Brother Smith a lot and for the first time he stayed for the message. Of course we had it set to teach him and it went very good. After that we had dinner with them and for the first time, I tried watermelon with salt. I always hear about it so we all tried it together. And let me tell you, dang it was good. The flavor was so strong. And get this, for dessert we had ice cream, but with black beans! Apparently that's a thing. It tastes like you'd imagine. After dinner we went and saw Brother and Sister Bartsch. They really needed the visit because they are as sick as can be. It was good for us to help them.

Last day of the trip: We finished our exchanges and went off to church. It's a small group who rents out this senior citizen club. There were 9 members this week which was very good. We had sacrament and Elder Arnold and I got asked to teach Come Follow Me. Then after we had lunch. This was probably my favorite church experience in my entire life. It was so good. We had to take off sadly because we had a 7 hour drive back to Paralowie. After an hour or so Elder Arnold had to switch because he was so tired. So I drove the way home. Fun fact, the longest I've driven before this was probably 45 minutes. It was a good drive but let me tell you, I'm exhausted from the week.

This week was so good and again I'm sorry about how long the email is. But it was such a good week and I'm terrible at journaling so this will help me remember.

A spiritual thought comes from a talk I read this week. The quote is, "Hard makes us stronger, humbles us, and gives us a chance to prove ourselves." We need hard things in life to grow and improve. It would be kind of boring if we stayed the same and never grew. So in short, hard is good. Easier said than done haha.

As always, I love you all and appreciate everything. If you're bored, then you know my email;). Talk to y'all next week.