Rainy and Cold

 Heyooo 

    What is up everyone? How have y'all been? 

   This week was pretty uninteresting not gonna lie. Most of our appointments fell through and we haven't been able to find anyone new who's interested. But that's ok because there was still good. We had a lesson with Aiden and it went super well. We're giving him a tour of the chapel this week and hopefully he comes to church this Sunday. He's super chill and it's been great teaching him. We also had a great lesson with a non active member. And got to see him at church. And we met this lady at the bus stop the other week and she came to church which was a big surprise. We were in sacrament and she just texted us that she's on her way. It made me super happy. So we passed her to the sisters for a lesson this week. Super stoked about that. 

   We had service for the same lady again with the sisters. A whole lot of stuff to be thrown out. Tons of spiders and cockroaches. And let me tell you, they ain't small. The service was good, she asked us a ton of questions during it and we were able to clear some things up. Overall it was a good time. Another service opportunity we had was on Saturday when we went on exchanges and one of the ZL's came here and we helped someone move. They literally had almost no help show up so it was a long time of work. But so good to wind down from all the slammed doors. Plus they gave us Subway so can't complain. After the service we went to a park and talked to people up to our dinner appointment. The dinner was with this Vietnamese family celebrating a birthday. So a lot of people. The food was so good though. There was a lot. There was, and bare with me, noodles, rice, shrimp, cabbage, sweet and spicy soup, catfish, smoked turkey leg, duck, and octopus. The octopus was the only one I wasn't too sure about because it was so crunchy. But the rest was amazing. Oh and they said my chopstick skills were impressive and when an Asian says that, you know you've made it.

   Then today for pday my comp and I made doughnuts for a sister in my district's birthday. They were ummm fun to make, we'll see about the taste haha. Oh also, earlier this week we were door knocking and there was this huge blue tongue lizard. Good thing the people weren't home because I was on all fours looking at it under a bush. ALSO, this week has been freezing! They said it's been winter weather. It's been super windy and raining. And I'm on a bike. It's February, where's the sun?! (sorry everyone in Utah haha)

    Overall there wasn't a ton that happened, but all the little things helped the week feel good. If it was conversations with people at the park, games, or painting, they all helped me find joy each day. Just a little joy makes the biggest difference. Love you all, have the best week ever!!!

    -Elder Kapp

Hiding from rain

Doughnuts

Coco Boba my one love

Koalas, Junk, and Stolen Bike

 How's it going everyone?!!!

   This week has been such a good one! I wanna start with talking about our teaching visits. We've been able to find a lot of new people and teach a lot this week. It's been great. One person we are teaching is Aiden. He loves learning about religions. Like loves it. And that's great for us because he loves talking to us. He'll call his friends and read them the Book of Mormon. We got to meet him twice this last week and everything is looking great and solid with him. On the other side of things. We had an hour lesson with a friend that was just us trying to make him understand how women can teach things. Our ward mission leader was there and no matter what he said he'd say the Bible says this or that. He's a super kind man but just needs to understand that there's more to the Bible. (Like the Book of Mormon). We also had a lot of member lessons this week. We shared our ward mission plan so members can start being missionaries. It was super good seeing members excited about it.

   We had zone conference on Wednesday which was super good. Got to hear some great talks and had some great food. Then that evening my district went to the temple! It was so so great being back there. The spirit and joy there is unmatchable. It's so pretty and such an amazing time. 

   On Thursday we had service! There's this super cool lady who the sisters are trying to teach. We showed up and let me tell you, she has a TON of junk. Filling her garage and a car and yeah, it's bad. But we got to work for three hours. Clearing a ton out and cutting bushes and finding lots of huge red back spiders. Which Jasmin just loves killing. It went good though. We'll be going every Thursday for the next while. 

   On Friday we had some visits with members and then door knocking!!! So we locked up our bikes and knocked this street for two hours. We found three people we were able to share a lesson with and have appointments with this next week. One of them was this older lady who loved talking. We gave her a Book of Mormon and she was SO excited. She said she'll read it. That day was going perfect until... we got back to our bikes. Or should I say bike. My bike got stolen. They not only stole my bike but also our two locks, and my helmet. All they left was this little light. That was just the best walk home, which btw wasn't close. But Elder Carr (mission couple) is the man and got me a new one. 

   On Saturday we were able to attend a baptism in our zone. It was such an amazing experience. It was the first baptism I've been to where the person was taught by missionaries. It was so heartwarming to see how much of a difference missionary work can make in someone's life. My comp and I celebrated by me making spaghetti from scratch. Made the noodles and sauce. And it actually turned out super good. 

   And now, what I've been waiting to see my whole time being here... koalas!!! Today for pday, our district went to these waterfalls that had koalas there. They're so cute! It was so pretty. It was so nice just being away from the city area and enjoying God's work. Such a great pday. The hikes and falls were amazing and loads of fun. 10/10 recommend if you ever come to Australia for some strange reason haha. Just jokes.

   This week was amazing. It even rained! Like if my bike wouldn't have gotten stolen, it would've been a perfect week. It shows how much God hears us and cares about us. He's always watching out for us when we need that last push. He's been here for me when I've needed him and I can't even begin to describe my loved and gratitude for Him. 

   I wanna share one story we heard then a quick scripture. I don't remember who shared this story but it goes something along the lines as, "There was a wife and a husband. The wife wakes up and looks at her neighbor hanging clothes up to dry. She tells her husband "look at her, she's hanging up dirty clothes." She judged and mocked her. And then the next day the same thing. The wife saw her hanging dirty clothes and judged her for it. On the third day the wife looks out and sees she's hanging up clean clothes. She says to her husband, "Look she finally learned and is doing it right." The husband responds, "No, I decided to get up early and clean the windows."" The story is definitely not quoted. But I loved hearing it from a speaker in sacrament. Make sure we're not judging people. We don't know the whole truth about people. Don't look through a dirty window.

   3 Nephi 15:9 "Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life."

   Love you all! Hope you all have an amazing week! Keep in touch.

   -Elder Kapp

Spaghetti

Nature

Temple

Koalas

Australians Love American Accents

 The distance from you and our Heavenly Father, is the distance your knees are from the ground.

   Hey everyone!!! Week two in the field coming to an end. It was a week full of events and fun stuff. I'll try to cover it all and not have this be too long of an email haha. To start off, the flat we live in was never cleaned or anything because one elder broke his collarbone. So I've been cleaning the heck out of it. And with that there was no food when we got here in this area. But we made it to pday where I then bet my comp that we could make it another week without shopping. All the food in our flat is expired and old. But we did it. Probably why I was dead sick on Tuesday haha. I told him to think of the memories we're making. We ate bread for dinner multiple nights. Literally bread. But we did it, that's all that matters.

   Like I said, I was sick Tuesday which was no fun. Then Wednesday was just a door knocking day. Oh and people here love my American accent. Like people will tell me all the time. It's weird because to me I don't have one. Oh well. We were supposed to have a couple of teaching appointments Thursday and they all fell through. Including the one person the last missionaries were teaching because apparently he was meeting them in secret and his wife found out. So that's been put on hold. That night we had dinner at Sister Robertson's. When we got there she said it's not ready and for me to play the piano for her and her family while they cooked and stuff. So I just played hymns. For 20 minutes and if I stopped she'd say, "It sounds good, now keep playing." Sister Robertson is a loud, and sweet Chinese lady. Let me tell you, you do what she says haha. Dinner was amazing as always though. Friday we had a lesson with these Indian roommates. It actually went good and we're meeting with them Friday. The problem is, they move in two weeks! So that's a bummer. 

   On Saturday we had a couple of lessons. They all went amazing. One of them was with Aiden who loves religions. So we read with him a chapter from the Boom of Mormon. Later that day we had a lesson with someone who speaks French. The sisters were teaching him but the language barrier was too hard so they needed someone who could pronounce French words from Google translate. And I was asked. It actually went super great. We talked and his English is good, just some stuff he needed said in French. We talked for almost two hours. And we're meeting him this next week. 

   That night we were visiting not active members and we stopped by this house that's owned by this assisted living place. No one answered and when we were getting our bikes a guy walked up and asked if we are coming or going. And ofc me being me responded with, "Depends, wanna learn some cool stuff about Jesus." He said yes and was the member we were looking for. We talked and I was just being a smart Alec the whole time. We asked him his favorite part about church and he said singing, and I asked him to come and to sing with me and he came! We got him a ride last minute and were able to talk a lot after church. Speaking of church, bishop surprised me last second to speak. Literally last second. So sweet of him. Anywho we told Andre we'll visit him and we'll see him here next week. 

    Then today I passed my driving test! Super weird driving on the left side. I kept switching on the windshield wipers instead of the turn signal because they're switched. Oops haha

   Facts about the Morialta area and Australia so far. People just walk in the middle of the street. Like you have cars on both side driving by but you just walk down the street. I have not seen a male cop, literally they've all been female. Those are my facts of the week. Stay tuned for next week.

   Funny story for the week: my comp and I were out door knocking when this old lady opened her garage. When she saw us she yelled in terror, "Noo! Please no! Stay away!" And she slammed her garage door. Then while we were at her neighbor's door, she poked her head around the corner and saw us and took off running. I wonder what history she has with the missionaries haha! 

     As I wrap up I wanted to give a huge thank you to everyone who's been supporting me. The first week was a rough one but the love and support made it so much better. I am grateful for you all and love you all. I am so blessed to be Elder Kapp. A mission is definitely the hardest and greatest thing you'll do. But the positives outweigh the negatives my a landslide. You can't think about yourself, you think about Heavenly Father and the people you're here for. It's been a real eye opener for me realizing that. But I've loved it. And everyday that goes by, is another day I'm loving the mission more and more. Thank you again everyone. I love you and hope you have the best week ever! 

-Elder Kapp

More birds

Super long teaching call

Clinton!!!

Park near our flat

Garbage from cleaning

The Land Down Under

  We made it!!! I'm in Australia! There's so much to talk about but let's back track to earlier this week... Finishing up the MTC had its ups and downs. Yes we were finally leaving and getting out in the field. We would finally get food that's bearable. But, we had to say goodbye to our friends and MTC family. Elder Simister, Elder Fleming and I decided to end with a bang. We got buzz cuts. So yeah, that happened. The morning everyone left was hard. I was one of the last groups to go, so I had to say goodbye to everyone. It was sad ngl, but they'll all do great. It was so weird being alone for a couple of hours. It was like 4 am and I couldn't sleep, so I decided to pass the time by cleaning. I just started to clean all the rooms near by haha. And then finally it was our turn to go. Elder Rawlings and Sister Springer were the two I was traveling with. On the way to the airport I talked to our driver who works at the MTC. He said our mission is called the dead lands, bc no one wants the gospel. That was just so joyful. But we made our flight (almost got on a plane to Fiji by accident) and headed to Melbourne. And I slept the whole time! Once we landed we had no clue where to go. We went down dark hallways and had to be guided by workers. Even then we were lost. With a lot of stress and walking around, we finally found where to go. We made that flight and headed to Adelaide. Once we got off the flight we were greeted by the APs and they took us to the mission then.

   We just chilled and talked until dinner. Our mission president and his wife came and let me tell you, they are the coolest ever! It's such a blessing to have them. Then we went to dinner where I was reunited with one of my MTC comps Elder Masima! After we talked we had dinner at this super nice restaurant. I had wagyu steak. It was so good! It was so fun talking and catching up with everyone. After dinner we slept at the APs for the night. Then it was time to meet my trainer. I'm being trained by Elder Jian. We're in the Morialta area. It's right outside the city. Fun fact it's the area with the least success. Probably because it's mostly snobby rich people. So I'm starting in the deadest mission in the deadest area... Oh also most people have cars, not us. We get to bike. In 40⁰ C. Yayyyy And Australia shouldn't be known for spiders and snakes. It should be known for ants and birds. There are soooo many of them. It's annoying.

   The last missionaries didn't have people they were teaching, and no one is outside bc of how hot it is, so that leaves us with door knocking. People do not like us. The first day was doors slammed and one lady who tried to then blacked out. Too bad she locked her screen door. Nothing happened that day. That night we had dinner with the Robertsons. They're a family in the ward who feeds us every Thursday. Sister Robertson is the sweetest lady ever. 

   The next day we went out and did the same. Visited people who were supposed to be interested but said they told the last missionaries they're not. That's been happening a lot. So we door knocked and that went nowhere again. The next day I was at a low. I was feeling super homesick and didn't see the point if everyone just says no. But we went out anyway so see someone who was supposed to be interested. Fun fact they weren't. Then we went to see a member so we could just teach one lesson and ofc they have moved and the woman there didn't want to listen. While walking to the next place we were stopped. This guy walked up and asked us if we could come over next week. So we scheduled with him. Then we went to the next place and the guy invited us in. He may have been rolling a joint while we were teaching but hey, he wants us to come back. Then we stopped and talked to another lady on the way to the bus stop who said we could come by next week. What was a failing couple of days, turned into a great day. Once we got back and got our bikes, we went to more people who were suppose to be interested. Surprise, they weren't. 

   We planned after to go to a park to contact, which is hard bc no one is out bc of the heat. While going to the park I had the thought of going to the area we've been knocking. So I turned down that road and told my comp we're going to knock doors. The second door we knocked the guy was interested and we scheduled a time for the next week. We continued knocking for hours and met nice people. A lot offered us drinks and we shared a messaged. And when we were about to leave I had the thought to knock another street. So we did. We came to a house and the kids told their mom the FBI was at the door. The mom came and we talked to her and she offered to fill our bottles, and we scheduled a time with her next week.

   We celebrated with this Asian place. You put things in a bowl and they add vegetables and soup to cook it. It was super good. What started as bad ended super great. My prayers were definitely answered and there were so many miracles. I am so grateful for the love and support of everyone and our Heavenly Father. Yes the mission is hard, but it is so worth it! Everyone needs to go and serve! Don't do it for you, do it for our Heavenly Father and the people you'll bless. I love you all, and hope you have the best week. Keep in touch!

-Elder Kapp

The MTC Elders

The travel crew

Koala Crossing

A bird

New Comp

Adelaide Mission Arrival!

 

Last Day in New Zealand

 It's my last day in the MTC!!!

I can't even explain how excited I am to get out in the field. But, I'm going to miss this place a ton. Everyone here is seriously the best. It's been sad saying goodbye to some missionaries already. But they'll all do great and bless the lives of so many people. Being here, I have really come to know the Lord on a whole new level. It's been crazy that before I was worried about missing the things at home, or the activities I used to enjoy doing. But being here, I don't want to go back home at all. And it's only been 4 weeks! I had a lot of fears and worries coming into the MTC. But I haven't experienced a single one being here. It's been a true blessing for me.

This week wasn't super exciting. It has been raining literally the last six days. So we haven't been able to go outside. Last P-day we went to the mall and that was good. But that was probably the most exciting thing we've done. We have just been reviewing stuff basically. Since we're here an extra week than usual, it has been a chill week. Just talking a lot and hearing Brother Palanite's mission stories. I honestly loved hearing those stories. One of my comps has been sick this week. And he asked me to give him a blessing and it was such an amazing experience. I was so happy he asked.

With all of the fun things, there is definitely the spiritual stuff. I had the chance to give a talk on Sunday. And it was probably the best talk I have given ngl. It went super well and I was happy with it. We have had a lot of great devotionals and at our farewell devotional we had time to bare our testimonies. It was so nice to hear other's individual experiences here and their testimonies. It's literally mind blowing that I've just started my mission. I feel like I have had countless memories and experiences that I will take with me my whole life. And if this is just the start, I can't wait for the next 23 months. 

I have loved my district. The elders and sisters have made the time here so good and so fun. They are more than friends, they're family. They'll all do amazing things, and have taught me so much. Being in the Jacob district has been a true and major blessing. If I had any problems or anything wrong, they would be there. The people they will teach are so so lucky. They are all great missionaries.

As I wrap up my time here and this email I just wanted to share my testimony. I strongly believe that being at this MTC in New Zealand is something I needed. Being in a MTC so small and so far away from home has honestly made me so happy. I love that everyone here knows everyone, including the teachers. I know that being here, even though I've been so far away from home, I haven't been alone once. I have never felt the spirit so strong in my life. I know that our Heavenly Father loves each one of us individually, and knows what's best for us. I know he has been looking out after me, but also pushing me to my limits. He has helped me learn and grow. I know my life would be incomplete if I chose not to come out. I love him and the people he has put in my life. I know He is with me until the end. There isn't a doubt in my mind that this is the true church. I love you all and am so grateful for each of you. Thank you for all you've done for me. You've helped me get here. Talk to you in a week from the land down under. 

-Elder Kapp

The GOAT Brother Palanite;)

MTC cleanup

Last Pday

Comps

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone! 2023 We made it! Fun fact, New Zealand is the first country to go into the new year. It was so cool watching the hundred of fireworks go off over the city. We partied all night celebrating. It was for sure a time to remember!!!

This week was pretty good. Mostly just classes and reviewing the lessons and stuff. We've still been teaching "Michael". The fake investigator for practice. But those lessons have been super great. He wants to get married so he can be baptized. So we have been working towards that. Other than that we just have had normal classes. 

We've been having wars with other districts. They destroyed our room so we took off their door handle and locked them in theirs. Our teacher was so proud of us haha. Besides the war, we went to this park during exercise time. It was super pretty. It was nice to be able to walk around and have a break from the MTC. While we were there we went on this bridge that went over this pond that had eels. And there was this beam under the bridge so you know I had to hop on down and try to catch an eel. Happy to report, mission was a success!!! After that we walked around some more and met these super nice members who we talked to for a long time. It was good to finally find people that like us. Not us just being missionaries, but also being Americans. Worst combo here. Everyone hates us. We went to the mall last Tuesday and people were very open about their feelings towards us haha. But on the bright side, the mall was super cool. It's the largest mall I have ever been in, but pact with people. We're going again today, so I'm excited for that.

Everyday we get exercise time. We usually play basketball. But this week, Sister Spillman and I played to Tongans in volleyball. If you have seen a very large Tongan play volleyball, then you would know why I never play. But it was actually a ton of fun and we killed them. Maybe not killed but definitely won haha. After, the Tongans asked me to play with them every week. I've been accepted! haha It's been a blast playing that and then also learning rugby. 

Just one more week and I'm in Australia. I am beyond excited to go out and serve!!! This has been a life changing experience. I'm sad it only lasts two years. But I've been trying to make every second count. This MTC and people here have been such a blessing for me. With every set back, there are those who help with the push forward. No matter who you are, you will always have those bad days/weeks/months. But in 3 Nephi 15:9, we are told that through Jesus Christ, we are able to endure and make it to the end. We just need that faith and trust. If we have those two things, nothing will stop us. 

I love you all, and hope you all have the most amazing week! Thanks for the emails! Talk to you next week!

Da Elders

Park Photos

District