Torrey Pines YSA Week 16 - Hugging Homeless Men in Public Bathrooms... *See Email for Story*

Hey Everyone!

This last week was a little bit slow. We had a lesson with James this last week and he said he would let us know if or when he wants to meet with us again... So that was a bummer! We dropped Raul because we haven't been able to get a hold of him. We still have lots of potentials that we are trying by. We are having fun of course. This ward is hard not to enjoy. The members are some of the best in the world. 

So here is the story to go with the title.... 

We were in Encinitas and Elder George informed me that he desired to use the restroom. So we pulled into a parking lot by the bus/train station to use the public bathroom there. We were about to walk into the bathroom when a homeless man is like, "Ahhh brethren! Are you going to share the good word with us? You going to share a message with us?!" I replied saying, "We would love to! After we go to the bathroom..." (Understand we get stopped by homeless people ALL THE TIME and we aren't supposed to teach them) So we go in the bathroom and I am in the stall when I hear the homeless guy come in and start talking scriptures with Elder George, who is standing at the urinal. I kind of just laughed and then came out to wash my hands. Elder George slipped into the stall I came out and the guy's focus went to me. He was talking about his faith and I was just nodding and listening and then he said, "What's your name?!" extending his hand to shake it. I had just gooped up my hand full of soap and said, "I'm Elder Kapp. What's your name? Sorry my hand has soap all over it." "... You think I'm scared of soap?!" So we shook hands anyways. I continued washing my hands and he started telling me how much he loved us. He started to get a little emotional and said, "It just... It makes me almost want to cry...." Then he just came to me with his arms out and started hugging me. So I hugged him back but he just hugged me tighter... Then Elder George walked out of the stall... The look on his face... PRICELESS! Finally the guy let go and walked out and Elder George was just laughing.

So yeah. Don't hug homeless men in public bathrooms... Wouldn't recommend it...

Have a good week everyone! I love you!

Elder Erik Kapp

                                                              Cool sunset

                                                      Elder George (the man himself)

Torrey Pines YSA week 15 - Gettin it done

Hey Everyone,

This last week has been a real success! We have been so blessed by the other missionaries in our zone. We have received over 20 referrals from them in the last 2 weeks! We are working really hard to meet all them and try to figure out which ones are ready to hear the gospel.

We got a referral from the Olivenhain Elders telling us we had a lesson the next day. We showed up to that lesson and set a return appointment for this Thursday! His name is James and we are super excited! He has a bunch of friends on missions and is curious to learn more! We are super excited.

We are sad Sister Alvari isn't with us anymore, but Sister Larsen got transferred in! I shared a ward with her in TOV when I was a greenie so I am super excited! 

I am very grateful for all the support I have received from home. I might not always be able to respond and say thank you, but I hope you know how much all the prayers, letters, and packages mean. 

Church is true! Jesus loves you! 

Elder Erik Kapp

                                                          Strange street name

                             Me, Elder Bundy (he got transferred last week) and Elder Hadfield

Torrey Pines YSA Week 14 - New Transfer with some success

Hey, this week I got to keep the email short!

I got my new companion Elder George! He is a hard worker and we are getting stuff done! We picked up a new investigator our second day here. His name is Raul! I actually should text him right now to confirm our lesson tonight... But we met him on the streets and taught a short Restoration. Hopefully we will see him at FHE tonight! We have been really blessed by the other missionaries in the stake. We are getting tons of referrals. We have like 15. We are stopping by them all and working with them.

We got a referral for a family from a member in Elder George's last ward. We went by and taught them and they were golden! We passed them off the the Cardiff elders and they will be teaching them soon! It was a great experience to teach a lesson again!!! It's been a while! It helped me appreciate how much I love doing this work. 

 We haven't really gotten to talk to our mission president since that initial meet, but the mission seems to be doing well! We are optimistic about this next week. 

I will have to send pictures next week because we didn't really have time to take any this last week! 

Love you!

Elder Erik Kapp

Torrey Pines YSA Week 13 - Transfers and New President

Hey everyone! 

So transfers happened today... I am staying here in Torrey Pines YSA. Elder Spencer is going up to Temecula. I am now serving with Elder George. 

This last week was kind of crazy. We are getting lots of referrals of people to teach, but we haven't officially picked any up as referrals yet. But good things are coming our way!

This last week we got to meet our new mission president. His name is President Thomas. He is awesome! I am very excited to serve with him. As he was speaking to us I had a strong feeling that confirmed that he is the president I was called to serve with. There may be a lot of changes coming, but I am excited to see what will happen. He seems very different from President Kendrick, but I think I will like him a lot. I am excited for interviews to get to know him more.

Our entire bishopric is out of town right now which is crazy. The second counselor in the Elders Quorum conducted sacrament on Sunday. That was really weird. We got to kind of enjoy the 4th yesterday. We had dinner with Nick Lombardo, who is one of our favorite members. We stopped by another family for Elder Spencer to say goodbye to. Unfortunately we had to leave and be in by 8:00, so we didn't see any fireworks. Instead Elder Spencer packed to be transferred. But they sounded cool!

Not much else to update on. I love you all and hope you have a good week! 

Elder Erik Kapp