Just Like Old Times

 Hi Everyone!

   This week was actually super great! We had a few meetings which were alright, and a lot of success with the work. So overall there's nothing to complain about, all is going well. So during the week we had a zone conference with Elder and Sister Wakolo, which was so great. Something that stood out that they talked about is what kind of missionary are we going to choose to be. We can be the missionaries who are happy, finding joy and love for the work. Or we can be the ones who find a negative in every little things. The choice is ours. And for me it's also how we live life. Are we going to negative and get lost in the troubles of the world, or will we enjoy this life that God has given us and make the most of it? At the end of the meeting, Elder Wakolo invited every companionship to find two new people to teach, and extend two baptism invitations before Friday meeting. Since my companion and I were flying down to Adelaide the next day, it meant we had less than 24 hours to do so. But for those who know me, I'm not one to back down, so we went for it.

   This is probably one of the bigger miracles from the week. After zone conference we went to our flat and prayfully decided which of our friends would benefit most from the invitation to be baptized. The ones we felt strongest about were all from part member families. The first was Jamika. She's around 11-12 and her mom and grandparents who she lives with are members. She's come to church a few times and recently has really opened up to us. So we go over and have a lesson with her family and invite her and she said yes! To celebrate we played a game with her and her sister with the Australian football. 

   

   The second and third people we chose was a couple who's kids are members from Mulgabore, but they and their grandkids are not. Their names are Natalie and Angelo. They've been put on date before but weren't too sure if they really wanted to. So we went and taught their family. From this lesson their grandkids sat in so that's where our new friends came from. As we taught Natalie and Angelo we had their kids talk about their baptism and how it's helped them. Then to our surprise Angelo raises his hand and says, "I would like to be baptized." Okay that's one, and what about Natalie? She says she wants to but she wants to learn more, we said perfect our next baptism service is December 7. She said that date would work for her. 

   For me this shows how important the work of the Lord is. Nothing is going to stop it. It will move forward and miracles will continue to come depending on the faith of us. And by us I mean all who are baptized. Because didn't we covenant to do missionary work as members? Oh we sure did! And thank goodness we did because it is the greatest work on this Earth. So why wouldn't we want to be part of it?

   Another huge miracle was with our friend Christina who's on date for baptism. We show up to her house and she's outside for our lesson. We walk up and she just seemed off. We ask how she's feeling and she told us sad and said she was thinking about her mother who had passed away. Man, I'm telling you the mission makes you soft because this really made me sad seeing her so sad. But it went away because I thought of God's plan for us and talked to her about it. She remembered what we talked about in previous lessons and her countenance changed. We ask her after talking for bit how she was doing and she said much better. So we shared our lesson and she accepted everything. We left feeling happy but what brought more to our happiness was the text we got from Christina about 20 minutes later. She said God showed her this scripture after we left and it was a confirmation for her. The scripture was Alma 7:14. Go read it and you'll know why it brought us much joy. We're so excited and happy for Christina, she truly is one ready to deeper her relationship with our Savior.

   Okay now the travel. We left Wednesday to Adelaide for an in person MLC with Elder and Sister Wakolo on Thursday. We made our flight and flew to Adelaide. Thursday we had a great meeting. In this meeting we broke off into four groups and each had a topic which we would present to the MLC after 25 minutes of planning on how to best help the mission with this topic. Our groups topic was baptism. We went off as a group and discussed on how we would increase baptisms in the mission. I was chosen to be the group leader and would present our ideas. I don't know if you've ever given a presentation in front of a general authority but man stressful. But it went good. After MLC we got dinner and then something super amazing happened. At the start of my mission I taught a guy named Wayne for a long time. My companion and I grew a strong relationship with him. And he still messages me, and while in Adelaide I had the chance to have a lesson with him and introduce him to the sister missionaries in the area. It was so good to catch up with him. He's definitely a lifelong friend. It was a visit I needed probably more than he did.

   The next day we travelled back to Alice Springs and got to work. That evening we started exchanges with the Elders in Alice Springs. For exchange Elder Somerville came to our area with me. The exchanges went well. We saw a lot of people and had a bunch of friends and members come to the branch activity. Elder Somerville is a good missionary and I enjoyed the day with him.

   Then to finish the week, Sunday was just jammed packed with lessons. We only had a few days in our area but the days we did had were stellar.

   Spiritual Thought: Isaiah 24:5

"The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." This scripture shows the importance of having a restoration. Without it, we would be still lost not having the truth needed.

   Well as always if you made it to the end then you're a real one. Love you all, talk to you next week!

Wayne

Flying

Anna and her granddaughter

Camping in the Outback

 Okay what a week!

   So much happened this week that is worth note taking. So this may be long or not, we'll see what happens. If you make it to the end, good on you, if not then what a shame. 

   Big thing #1: We did an exchange with the Bush Elders. This meant I got to go to Mulga-Bore! For those who don't know, Mulga-Bore is an Aboriginal community in which everyone is a member. So cool! The members there are so awesome. Then with the exchange we slept in tents. The other Elders have a house out bush but not enough beds for us so we tented. Not gonna lie, such a highlight being able to say I camped in the Outback. But so hot! Probably some of the worst sleep of my mission. But hey, no one said missions would be easy. Overall the exchange was great. I got to eat Kangaroo tail, and bush Melon and also got to teach a lot in this place called Harts Range. 

   Big thing #2: Member meets this week were something else. For Monday, an American family invited us over and we had a bunch of American cereal for dinner. Not a good idea. You then feel sick and never want to eat cereal again. The second dinner was a house of Samoan members invited us missionaries over for dinner and they basically planned a wedding for me in Samoa. So that was the most uncomfortable dinner ever. Then thirdly is the islander members just buy us food like crazy. It's so unhealthy for us but we appreciate their love and support.

   Big thing #3: The work has been going so well. A lot of the less active members we've been working with have been progressing so well and we've been able to build genuine relationships with them. This week we went and Anna taught us how to paint and painted with us. We also had some great lessons with Kerry, even though his dogs keep trying to bite me. And we've had heaps of success with all the part member families we've been working with. On the friends side of things, we found out Wilson is a member (huge shock). But the rest are doing great. Overall, it's been huge miracles.

   Big thing #4: We've had a lot of service opportunities for non-members. We've been letterbox dropping our free service flyers and it's paid off. We had a couple this last week and alot this upcoming week. We're excited for it but this next week will be BUSY. We have zone conference tomorrow will Elder Wakolo. Then we fly down Wednesday for MLC on Thursday. We'll then fly up Friday and then the work grind begins. 

   Big thing #5: The final thing I wanted to talk about is just the work. The members and friends here are so elect. All my areas mean so much to me but Alice Springs might take the win on favorite. Too soon to tell but I sure am loving it. So many fun opportunities and experiences. Like basketball night, the lessons, those we teach, painting, exchanges, and just spending time with the community. All are just small things that makes the work great.

   Spiritual Thought: "The Returned Missionary" By Elder L. Tom Perry; "His words are always positive and direct, revealing the blessings that come through following His law and His way." A lot of times we can get lost or confused on what is the words and promptings and Christ, and what are the promptings of man or even the adversary. Anything positive comes from God, and we need to act immediately on it. Why should God keep prompting us if we just ignore his promptings? We need to do our part and act and then he'll bless us because of it. 

   Well family and friends, sure do love you all. Big shoutout to my little sister on getting her mission call. She's absolutely going to kill it in the field.

Well I'll talk to you all next week!

-Elder Kapp

Painting with Anna

Painting with LB

Exchanges

Mulga Bore

Sunset

Flying, Monkey

   What a week of traveling this week. First off Monday, I got packed, went to the airport and flew to Alice Springs. It was a good flight. Then the next day we flew to Adelaide for MLC. The lady at the desk said we made the flight by 4 minutes. Close one. Then Thursday we woke up at 5:45 and got a flight back to Alice Springs. Then in two weeks we fly back down for another meeting. Not complaining because it is much better than zoom.

   This week overall though, so good! Holy cow I love Alice Springs. Right now we're working with a bunch of less-active/part member families. Everyday is just packed with lessons which is a great thing to have. One lesson we had that was great was with our friend Christina. We had two with her this week and she just retains information so well. Then she came to church Sunday and watched General Conference and she said she really enjoyed it so that was good. 

   Some super amazing members is Sharon, she's the lady I met on exchanges in Katherine who has been to the temple. She's a crack up. We had to jump her car Sunday morning and she had us put the cables on backwards and safe to say we almost died (but really but dying sounds more intense). Then there's a deaf member LB who's doing a painting for me. And then Tim and Kerry are just some two super cool members. 

   Another super cool friend is this guy named Wilson. He's from China and super cool. We taught him English class and had a lesson which was super good. He has good questions for us which makes teachings more interesting. He's come to church four weeks in a row which is super cool. We're very keen for him.

   One last super cool miracle is there's this place called the APY lands that is in the middle of nowhere. We have some members there and a couple came to church Sunday. It was so cool to see them there.

   Spiritual Thought: "All of us have family members we love who are being tempted and tried by the seemingly constant forces of Satan, the destroyer, who would make all God’s children miserable. For many of us, there have been sleepless nights. We have tried to surround the people who are at risk with every force for good. We have pled in prayer for them. We have loved them. We have set the best example we could."

-President Henry B. Eyring

   Well I love you all and hope you all have a great week. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you.

Christina

Kerry

APY Members

Jump Starting Sharon's Car

Baptism and Alice Springs?

  Okay, so... a lot happened this week. First things first I'm being transferred. Very bitter sweet. I always said if I were to be transferred, I would want to go to Alice Springs zone leader. And God answered. I actually fly down today and I'll be with Elder Keller, who I did a couple of exchanges with down south in Ceduna. I am so excited! My bucket list is going to be complete. But the bitter part is leaving this area. The friends, members, and missionaries all are just my favorites. But the work goes on and the next chapter is beginning. I gotta keep up. Again, super excited!

   Big blessing, I was supposed to fly to Alice Springs Friday morning but President moved it because we had a baptism that night. Such a blessing! The baptism went so GREAT! So many members came, Adam and Chelsea brought their families and the experience, the speakers, and the spirit was so good. I'm seriously going to miss Adam and Chelsea but I'm so glad I've been able to be part of their journey this far. They will do such amazing things in the church. So excited for them. Adam also got the Aaronic Priesthood which was great to be part of. 

   This week we also were able to have a couple of lessons with Sharona and her family. They came to church Sunday which was great and after Sharona came up to me to say goodbye which was very sweet. Then another miracle is we've been able to teach Sharona's neighbors this week. They're two cheeky older Aboriginal ladies who are a hoot. I absolutely love them. 

   Another great lesson was with Terisita. Last week she told us she was going out to community for a funeral so we knew she was leaving soon. But while planning for the day Tuesday I actually deleted our repeating contact for her that day but the second I did the spirit said go see her. Terisita in the first place is kind of flaky with lessons so I was uncertain but we went. And it ended being one of the best lessons with her. Her little boy was sick and she said was praying that we'd come by. She was able to open up to us and the visit really helped but the relationship needed with her. Sadly though she did go out to community and won't be back until November but when she does get back hopefully the Elders and teach her more. 

   To addition to the lessons and member visits we also did a lot of service this week. Most of it was just yard work with the district. My favorite though was this guy responded to our service post on Facebook as sort of a joke. Well I wish I got a photo of the look on his face when we showed up with a lawnmower. It was priceless and he was speechless. We mowed his lawn and then after he told us how surprised he was because he thought we were just joking. Very fun interaction. He was pretty awkward because we called his bluff. Also a little sidetrack, but a pretty fun service was picking up one of our friend's mangos and sorting them good and bad and then washing them. And we had a good lesson after so that was a bonus.

  We also had some amazing lessons with members this week. Since we have a car we got to go see Caroline. Then also Tommy and Michelle before they left, and then of course Agnes and Dennis. All are doing amazing and going strong. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention we have a car! Ours is still not fixed but a companionship left so we have a car until ours gets fixed. Sadly I won't be here for that joyous reunion but at least we have one. 

 

   Some random stuff this week, Elder Hansen has been with us for a couple of days because we're swapping areas. Sunday we drove half way to Katherine and back dropping of the Provstgaards to the Katherine Elders because they'll be driving a car from Katherine to Adelaide. And then the best way to leave an area is having a smoked brisket and corn bread with Adam, Chelsea, and Elder and Sister Chick.

   Spiritual Thought: Adam shared this scripture in his testimony after he was baptized and I loved it. 3 Nephi 14:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." 

   Well here's to possibly the last chapter of the mission. Love you all, have a great week!

-Elder Kapp

Baptism of Adam and Chelsea

Kay, Zannie, random girl, and Kim

Elder and Sister Chick

Sunset while doing service

Jumping a car for church

More from the baptism