Possums Are Good at Faking Death

 Hello everyone! 

   This week was the most stellar for me!!! It was filled with miracles, exchanges and lots more. So, let's get to it!!! 

   To start off, miracles. So, this week we had the feeling to knock this certain street and were able to find loads of new friends. We had follow up appointments with some and they went amazing. Hashtag miracle number one. Miracle number two, we were knocking the same street and while at a door someone drove up and called to us and told us he lived there but was leaving and wanted to come back and tell us he wanted to visit with us. So, we left our number at the door and he's been texting us. Someone who's actually interested in meeting us. Hashtag miracle. 

   Next exchanges, so this week I was able to go on exchanges with the Zls. I went to the city with Elder Johnston. And let me say, what an amazing time. We walked to the church office which is on the 7th floor in an office complex. It's a super long walk and on the way we just did street contacting. We talked to some super cool people. And the whole time Elder Johnston would just ask me what way or who to talk to. I was like dude idk I've never been here. But he said go by the spirit so that's what we did. And we ended up in a park and I had such a strong feeling to talk to this guy on a bench. So we went over and he wasn't interested at all. But then I noticed there was thus other bench a couple feet away. So my thought was I just missed my shot by a bench. So we went and talked to the guys on the other bench. And man were they interested. They didn't want us to leave. They kept asking questions and loved the Book or Mormon we gave them. We got their number to set up a follow up appointment. So that was such a good experience. So later we were doing fb finding and someone called us out of the blue on it that we just added. So we answered (usually wouldn't) and ended up teaching him. He's super cool. And it was such a surprise haha. Then to end the day we had a teaching appointment with two of their friends. That lessons went amazing. The spirit was so strong. They received everything amazingly. And on that note, we ended our exchange.

   Now just random stuff that happened throughout the week. We had our ward talent show. That was super fun, we had some friends come and met some new ones there. It was also a blast of a time. Pday for today we went hiking to these waterfalls. We were wearing like shorts and stuff. It took a couple of hours and on top of that, it was pouring. Literally the whole time. And it was freezing. But we still had a blast, just drenched and will all have colds and die. Oh also on that hike we saw a tiny snake and ofc I tried to pick it up. (Not a good idea in Australia). It wasn't being very nice so we let it go. Then we hiked back. Got subway, showered, changed, and just chilled and played spikeball. 

   Then the rest of the week was filled with lessons, member visits, and other stuff haha. So yeah, that's my week. It was probably the best week of my mission so far. Knock on wood please. Well I love you all! Sorry I'm literally the worst at responding to emails. I might do better, I'll certainly try. Jkjk I'll do better. Thanks for all of your love and support! Talk to ya in a week and by then I'll know about transfers. I really want to stay! Ok love ya, bye.

-Elder Kapp

A possum that's really good at playing dead. Like really good. Like it's been a couple of days. He deserves a medal.

Hike

More Hike

View from hike

District council with the man himself

Man I gotta pee

 Hey everyone! Don't really know how to start these to be honest. How about an interesting fact... Australia had a war with Emus a long time ago and the people lost. That is 100% true, no need to fact check me. Also with my heading, didn't know what to put and someone told me to make it how I'm feeling right now.. This week was so amazing!!! I'm going to do the email by each day so we'll see how that goes.

   So to start off is Monday. This is our pday. We had a lot of cleaning we needed to get done and lots of shopping. But we weren't able to go shopping because everywhere was closed because it was a holiday celebrating horse racing. They let us go shopping the next day so it all worked out. Monday was also our zone pday. So we had a flippen long bus ride to the chapel but it was such a blast I didn't even care. We played tons of volleyball which is always a blast. And then we played cricket. Man am I the greatest cricket bowler in all of Australia. And I hit dingers. It was actually loads of fun. So yeah that's my pday.

   Tuesday: We started the day with shopping. Which is good because we ran out of some important things. And then we made this list our ward asked for that had all the ward members, when they were visited, and how it went. It took me and my comp forever to do. But we got it all done in one day so we wouldn't have to do it again. After we finished we went out and did some door knocking. I honestly love door knocking. We did that and contacting the rest of the day. Then that night, I made a cheesecake. It actually turned out pretty good.

   Wednesday: We started the day with district council in the morning. Those are always a party. I love my district. After the meeting we all went out and got some fire sushi for lunch. It wasn't from the crazy experience place this time. After lunch we went and visited my favorite old member Brother Phipps. We only visit him once a transfer because he lives so far and up the steepest hill I've ever been on. But the meeting with him was great and we're helping him with yard work next week(he's driving us). After seeing him we went to the Adelaide lookout. Let me say, not worth the bikeride. After seeing brother Phipps we did more contacting and did less active member visits.

   Thursday: Thursday was it. We had a lesson with our friend Aiden. It went amazing and he said he wants to be baptized! So flippen hyped for that. Then we did finding the rest of the day and visited more nonmembers and that went amazing. A group wanted to come to church so yay. Then we had a dinner appointment with the Robertsons. While she was cooking her son and I played BeyBlades. That brought back memories. Dinner was amazing and we taught her foreign exchange student living with her. He has come to church with us the last month and it's been super well. Today was awesome.

   Friday: We started today with doing service for people who the last missionaries dropped. The service went amazing and the couple are super cool. We're doing more service for them this week and hopefully get a lesson planned. Then we contacted one less active who really wants the priesthood. So we're working with him with that and he's super down for lessons. Then we visited some more friends and knocked doors until basketball night. Basketball night is when we have our friends come and play with the missionaries from the stake and it's a blast. 

   Saturday: Today was just filled with teaching appointments all over our area. So tons of biking. That's always fun. One of our appointments was with a friend who is seriously the chillest most nicest guy I have ever met. We talked for an hour with him and it was just so good. But sadly he's moving and he doesn't know where yet. So it might have been the last time we saw him. Later in the day we had a dinner with a young couple. It was honesty a party. I love those dinners because you can just joke around and be yourself and it'd always a just a super chill time.

   Sunday: We had church and meetings to start. Then we had lunch with a Brazilian family in our ward. It was super baller. Then we went and visited some of our friends and door knocked up to our dinner appointment. For dinner we had a Korean BBQ with pork and wagyu and other stuff. It was amazing. This is the same family where we had the Vietnamese feast. So that was super awesome.

   So yeah that's my week. Sorry I'm sending this email so late. Kind of got busy and forgot. Oops. Also sorry for everyone I haven't responded to. I promise I read your emails and I love them all. My advice this week for y'all is to not use the phrase "have to" as much. Saying that just puts a negative spin on things. You get to do things. Even if it's hard there is a benefit. You might not see it now but think about the long run. Our life on earth is temporary so fill it with things that'll help us for the life after. I love you all and hope you have an amazing week. 

Hey it's me

Sunset

View of Adelaide

Beyblades

Miracle week

 Hi everyone!!! 

   Dang this week went by fast. It was actually a pretty stellar week. To start the week on Tuesday, we were door knocking and we found three houses in a row where we were able to schedule follow up appointments. Oh and then one across the street. That was miracle number one for us. On Wednesday we tried to teach one of our friends English class but they couldn't make it. I was bummed about that because I've always wanted to teach it. Then on Thursday we were able to teach one of our friends and they came to church again yesterday! He's super awesome and we can't wait to see where the gospel takes him.

   The big day Friday. The whole day was miracle number two. We got news of someone would be joining us for the whole day because they were flying out the next day because they're visa came... it was Elder Masima!!! I missed my MTC comps tons and being comps with him again for the day was such a party. Also that day we taught English class!!! There was us three and the sisters teaching our friend. It was so much fun. After then we did finding and just goofed around the whole time. But don't worry we actually had some of our most messages shared since being out. And then later that night we went to this really nice burger place and celebrated. It was a much needed day. The work has been slow and having a day of so much fun and success really helped things look brighter.

   On to miracle number three. This miracle is about a friend we've had but couldn't get in contact with. She lives at the top of a literal mountain, so it stinks when we'd go there and she'd have an excuse to not talk. Finally I had enough and decided we were getting in that door. So we biked and biked and biked but finally got there. I knocked and she tried giving us an excuse and I used my ever so charming personality to get in the door for a five minute talk. That five minutes went to two hours! We tried leaving but she'd keep going and going. It was honestly good and we're seeing her again this next week. 

   During the weekend we were able to attend some baptisms and those are always amazing. We were able to meet new people. It's true when we're told that Heavenly Father will put people in our path because we found someone else who's going to come to English class! This week went really good for us. First time for everything. (Y'all better be knocking on some wood for us) To end, I want to leave you with a super powerful scripture. It's John 11:35. This isn't a joke even though it might seem like one haha. Study the chapter and read that verse. It hits hard ngl.

   Well I love you all! I hope you all have an amazing week and are enjoying the cold. It got down to 20 Celsius here so I had to wear a sweater;). Talk to you all later!

   -Elder Kapp

Weird tower thing

The old gang

Mission Fam

Send-off dinner

Subject;) ha got em

  Happy Monday everyone! How have you all been? We had a super good week this last week. Starting with spiritual stuff, this last week we were able to meet a lot of people. And with that, we have a bunch coming to church this next week. One of the members in our ward has a foreign exchange student living with her and we've been giving him lessons and he's been loving it! It was a super great week with lessons and meeting new people!

   Now the stuff we did this week. We had two times where we did service for members in our ward. The first was at Sister Robertson's. She had us shampoo her carpet in her whole house.(With a little car shampoo thing) So that took a while, but after she showed us how to make dumplings. And we made a bunch and had lunch and they were amazing. And we had a dumpling eating contest which led to a rough bike ride home. Then the next day we helped a family in our ward clean out a room that they're renovating and move a bunch of stuff. I honestly had a blast both times. We also had our mission tour with Elder Meurs. It was basically a zone conference with 100 missionaries. I got to meet up with some old friends and we had amazing talks. It was such an amazing time. Plus the food was amazing so that was a bonus haha. 

   Then on Friday we had basketball night. It was a chance to bring friends to meet people from the ward or other missionaries. It was honestly a blast. We had a blast playing basketball, even though they made missionaries wear church clothes. Some of our friends have pretty sick shoes ngl. Overall it was a great and a fun time! Sadly this week Sister O'Halloran finished her mission. I guess it's not sad because she did her whole time and it's happy she's home. So she's gone, Sister Mataiti has a really messed up ankle, and Elder Jian is blind for two weeks because his glasses broke. So what's going to happen to me?!😬

   So yeah that's my week. Sorry I stink at responding to emails and writing. Hope you all have an amazing week. Remember the church is true and the books are blue. "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." Love ya!

-Elder Kapp

Gang back together

Cooking dumplings

Nature

Transfer numero 2

 Hey y'all!!! How have you all been? This week had ups and downs and was just all over. The downs for the week were we had almost every single appointment fall through!!! Oh man was it frustrating. But there was good still. With the appointments we did have they went good. And we were also able to meet some new awesome people so that's been great.

   This last week was transfers. And there was a new missionary who was with us for a couple of days waiting to go to his area. Honestly it was a party with him. It's funny that he came on the two hottest days of the year. It was a blast being in a trio though. Praying that he and I can be comps sometime in the future. 

   We had an amazing miracle this week. A couple weeks ago we were door knocking and met this guy who told us to come back another day. But every time we went back he was either too busy or not home. After 5 attempts that didn't go anywhere we decided to put him on hold. On Sunday we had a dinner appointment with members in our ward. We were stopped waiting for traffic when a car pulled up. It took me a second to realize that it was the guy we were trying to teach. He told us he was free then and to come to his house. So immediately we texted our dinner appointment telling them we'd be late and biked to his house. He invited us in and we were able to have a lesson with him and his wife. The lesson went as perfect as it could. They were so receptive and open to what we had to say. We were able to talk with them for 30 minutes and scheduled another appointment. It's crazy that two days earlier we went to their house and had no success and were about to drop them. It was such a blessing for us.

   Random highlights this week: We didn't die biking in 42⁰ Celsius. Elder Keller and I make the perfect shopping cart racing team. And our district is having a painting day today so that should be fun.

  Gosh I need to do more so my emails are longer haha. Well I hope you all have the most fantastic week! Love you all! Church is true and the books are blue!!!

Transfers

Basketball

Spider

Near Death (Not really)

 Hello fam bam,

   What's goin on at home? Anything cool or exciting? This week was pretty baller. Except I almost died!!! Ok not really, but here's what happened. We were door knocking and I was walking up the stairs and there was a snake. Not just any snake but a ticked off one. It definitely didn't end with it chasing me down the stairs and me running very dramatically, terrified for my life, with the guy who lived there watching from the front window. Yeah... definitely didn't happen. Oh also, we've been seeing some big as heck spiders. Like have the wildlife been juicing? Idk but it was a crazy week for animals. Also saw more koalas so that's pretty cool.

   This week we had some amazing teaching appointments. It's good seeing our friends progress. We've also been trying to do more Facebook finding and with many, many requests, I got accepted to the Indians in Adelaide Facebook group. Those are some rad peeps who love talking about holy stuff. (Hope no one is reading into this email too seriously) Honestly, we've been finding some super cool people who want to learn more about the gospel and it's been super cool. I'm excited to see where it takes them!

   I don't remember if I talked about it but we had zone p-day last Monday and that was a blast. Played lots of volleyball and other games. It was good having a chill day with a bunch of missionaries. Then on Wednesday my comp and I literally went mountain biking to get to these families to visit. It had stairs and jumps and was just a blast. Such a fun way to go visit people haha. That same day we went to the temple and let me tell you, it's amazing. If you haven't gone since they redid stuff, you need to go. "Wink" "wink" It's honestly my favorite time going to the temple. It's so so peaceful and relaxing and the spirit is unmatchable there. 

   On Saturday we were able to see a baptism in our zone. It was super amazing and such an incredible experience. I love seeing new friends be baptized. Then after my comp and I went to Sushi Train. It's an expensive sushi place where the sushi just comes around on this moving thing in a circle. You just take what you want and depending on the color of plate, is what the price is. And then we had the genius idea to have a eating contest. Note: DO NOT have an eating contest at an expensive sushi restaurant or else you'll blow $50.00 on sushi. It was so so amazing though and you know I won haha. Then on Sunday we had transfer calls. And I'm... going no where!!! Only two people are leaving our zone. It'll be good.

   This week I invite y'all to read my favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon, Ether 12. It has one of my very favorite words throughout it. The word is faith. This word is crucial for our religion because it's how we get by. Without faith we wouldn't be part of anything or hope for anything. I love this chapter of the BOM. 

   Well I hope you all as always have just the most stupendous week! Love you all!!!

Sushi

Some old native house

Just some nature

Happy Single Awareness Week

  Hello my most amazing family and friends!!! I hope you all had just the most fantastic week. Mine was actually pretty great for the most part. To start off, last P-day was a blast as usual. And today we're having a zone P-day so that'll be a blast. And ofc I was asked to make cookies... with fingers crossed (For their sake). We also get to go to the temple again this Wednesday!!! So so stoked about that. It'll be great and I can't wait haha.

   I'll start with the spiritual stuff this week. This week my comp and I were blessed to find 10 new friends!!! It was an amazing miracle for us. Will they all use their agency to continue the lessons... probably not. But we've had a follow up lesson with a couple already so that makes me super happy. While door knocking two crazy things happened. First, we were at a door and I got pooped on by a bird. Multiple times. Second we knocked a door and no one came so we went to the next one, well the person from the last door came out. So my comp went to talk to him, and then the second door opened. Who was there you might ask? A Chinese speaking man who knows no English. And my mandarin speaking comp is deep in a lesson with someone else. So I used the phrases I knew and tried my best. And once I said the words Jesus Christ, he was out. "Darn" Haha it was a fun experience to say the least.

   I can't tell you how much I love old people. They're either the nicest or meanest and it's my favorite either way. One way you get a long conversation and make new friends. And the other, you get yelled at and can just say whatever back and it'll tick them off. So you just smile and they get even more mad. It makes my day haha. Oh I also love dogs! Everyone here has them. My comp hates them but when I see one that's where we go. Because even if the people say no, at least I got to play with a dog.

   Ok fun things this week, I got to watch cricket so that was umm "fun". Super weird sport haha. Oh we moved flats. Ours was bigger and they had to put four sisters in it, so they moved us to this super nice one. So we're super stoked about that. And we have great chats with one of our old neighbors who was in the Olympics. Super rad. Also this week, I finally got to try kangaroo. It was actually super good. It just tasted like steak haha. We also finished the service this week!!! It's so nice to finally be done cleaning out that garage. 

   "The knowledge of the truth does not make us better than other people, but it teaches us what we must do to return to God’s presence."- Elder Denelson Silva in his talk Courage to Proclaim the Truth. It is an amazing talk that you all should go read. People are quick to judge people based on their religion. But religion doesn't define who we are. It's something we hold on to for guidance, hope and even joy. But if someone doesn't have that, it doesn't mean that they're any less than someone who is religious. 

   I love you all, have a fantastic week!!! Hope all the single people enjoy the holidays. :)

Elders

Baking

Cool lizard carved in a tree