"When there is no peril in the fight, there is no glory in the triumph"

Hello from the warm lands of California. (It's in the 60's here!)

This last week was very different.

Monday was my last P-Day with Elder Phillips. We had fun and were able to do things with our zone and the Escondido zone.

Tuesday I said goodbye to Elder Phillips and hello to my new companion, Elder Wilde. The transition is hard, but it gets better after a certain point. Elder Wilde is a younger missionary. He has been out 3 transfers now. He was serving in La Costa, Del Mar. So this is very different to him. He never encountered homeless people, drunk people, or people yelling at him. On the second day we were walking towards our apartment and a car drove by and swore at us. I asked him, "You get that much in Del Mar?" He said, "No, that is probably one of the first times I've ever been cussed at." I said, "Elder Wilde, you're not in Kansas anymore."

Wednesday we went to the Zone Welcome. There were only 4 new missionaries in our zone. Altogether it was really good. I was in charge of the "get to know you" game. I made it really entertaining. We then split off into our districts. We made a decision as a district that we were going to be the hardest working district in the mission. (Not that it could be measured or anything. We're just going to work hard)

Thursday we went to the New Missionary Meeting because Elder Wilde is a new Trainer. All the missionaries were brand new except Elder Gull. We sat by each other and 'enjoyed' the meeting for the second time.

Friday we got to work. We have been visiting less actives, potentials, and formers like crazy. We fill our planner up and we don't have enough time to finish half of it. We met with 3 less actives and made plans to come back, taught 1 former investigator, Ron, and had a miracle...

 

My first week in the mission this random kid showed up to sacrament. He was wearing a hoodie and shorts. His name was Kevin and he shared how he went to Utah the week before and was amazed by all the beautiful Utah Mormon girls... He is 22, lives at home, and has a 3 year old baby, but he isn't married and isn't with the mother anymore.  But we never saw him again. This last week we were meeting with the Skousans. They are awesome. Bro Skousan told us that a member of the ward drove Kevin home and he told us what road he lived on. On Friday we decided we were going to try to find Kevin. We went on his road and I just prayed. We knocked on a door and an older Hispanic lady opened the door. We asked for Kevin and she looked at us funny. We told her we were missionaries then turned around and said, "KEVIN!" Kevin came to the door! We talked with him for 45 minutes and he said he would come to church on Sunday with his little brother.

Saturday met few less actives.

Sunday, we had meetings and were waiting for Kevin before sacrament. Sacrament started and he didn't show up. The first speaker was about half way done when we saw him sitting in the hallway on a couch wearing a t-shirt and shorts. He said he went running and forgot, but then didn't want to be rude so he came. He ended up staying all 3 hours! We plan on teaching him this week.

Moral of the story... Heavenly Father wants us to show faith. We had worked hard for 6 weeks with little results. If we had given up, we wouldn't have found Kevin. We are finding a lot of success and it is all due to our previous and constant hard work. I am excited to see where it goes with Kevin and all of our other potential investigators. All the hard work has made the success that much more amazing. My dad shared the quote, "When there is no peril in the fight, there is no glory in the triumph." I have seen that truth this last week.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Erik Kapp 

Transfers.....

Transfers are this week. We got the news on where we are going and.....

Elder Kapp....................................... 

Is going............................................. 

To......................................................

... be staying in San Marcos, Twin Oaks Valley 😊

Elder Phillips on the other hand is going to Del Mar to be a zone leader. My new companion is going to be Elder Wilde. (NOT PHILLIPS!) He is pretty young to the mission. I think this is his 3rd or 4th transfer. The only thing I have been told about him is, "Elder Wilde? He looks like he is 12!" But we are going to work our tails off to bring some life into our area. He sounded like a cool kid when he called the other day. On Tuesday I am going to be with the zone leaders, Elder Richards and Elder Glover, which is going to be a blast. Those two have taught me that you can be obedient and work hard and still have fun. 

Elder Phillips told me he submitted to President Kendrick that I could train, so I am a little less stressed out knowing I'm not training.  

We set new goals for this next quarter. As a mission, we are...

1) Baptizing 101 people

2) Every MISSIONARY (not area) will baptize.

So we have a lot to do. This week I set the goal of 6 new investigators based on the solid potential investigators, former investigators, and referrals we have. I have decided I have a lot of faith or if I am just out of my mind haha. But I know that won't just fall into our lap. We will be working like crazy this next week in order to get stuff done. We still don't have any investigators... YET!

I decided I need to start being happier. I have been so stressed and down on myself. I need to make my work fun. It is hard to see the positive when you have been working for 6 weeks and have only taught 2 lessons, but who am I to measure my success? I was reading in D&C 122. If you think your life is too hard and you need a break, read it. Then realize you are blessed. Joseph Smith is basically saying, "I am going through all of this and it is just getting worse. Can you give me a break?" and Heavenly Father says, "Well, Jesus Christ endured all the pain you are going through and more. 'Art thou greater than He?' " It helped a lot.

So many of you might have heard, but it rained here. A LOT. There was also a tornado warning, so we had to go inside on Wednesday. I got soaked!!! We had to borrow the sisters' hair dryer because both of our shoes were still soaked. It is too bad because there is nobody to talk to in the rain. Californians are weird when it comes to rain. Like, earthquakes? No big deal. But as soon as moisture starts falling from the sky?! HOLY COW! It's like the world is ending! They drive SOOOO SLOW! It is really funny. The other bad thing is the ground is super dry, so when it rains the dirt and weeds plug up the storm drains and it floods roads and sidewalks... Where we walk... But it could be worst! I actually have enjoyed it.

Last night we went over to Al's so Elder Phillips and Sister Larsen could say goodbye. It was so much fun! I have never laughed so hard in my life. Ron was there. Ron is in his 30's I think. He has some mental disability, but he lives by himself.  He is the funniest. He walks into church with a bag of chips, a big gulp, shorts and flip flops. He is super honest and he basically roasted me all night. I will see if I can send a picture.

So I am excited to be staying in TOV. This ward is the best. We are going to make something happen.

I am super grateful for all the support. Really, every email means a lot. I try to email everyone back. If I am missing any one's email just have them send me a quick one so I can add them! I love you all and appreciate everything! 

Elder Kapp

                                                                      Drying our shoes

It rained

                                                                   This is Ron

Square One

Hey everyone,

So this last week went very different than we hoped.. This was probably one of the most frustrating weeks of the mission (I know I haven't had a ton but still). Last email I said how, after lots of patience and hard work, we had picked up some new investigators. We lost 'em. We got dropped and Akilah moved to San Diego, which was really not fun because we taught her and she said she would be baptized. So some lucky missionary in the San Diego mission just got a golden referral for an investigator that has already committed to baptism.. We called Derek last Monday to set up a return appointment and he said he didn't want to be taught anymore and how it was time for him to start teaching...

The whole week was just hard. We lost our investigators, our potentials we were excited about weren't really interested, and we received A LOT of rejection. We were cussed at. Doors were closed on our faces. People went out of their way (literally walked up the street) just to "bash" with us. And we were just not finding people to talk to. It was hard. It is sad that their are people in the world who think it is sickening and unacceptable to have a Mormon missionary say hi to their child or offer them service.

So this week has been a bit slow. We got a couple of potentials, but nothing solid. we are working so hard and trying to find new investigators!!!  I have never worked so hard in my life. Last night I walked in and went straight to planning by myself because Elder Phillips had to get numbers as a District Leader. I finished and just face planted on my bed. I woke up the next morning with my shoes on, still tied, still wearing my proselyting clothes. Elder Phillips said, "Yeah, I was on the phone with the zone leaders and started talking to you. Then I realized you fell asleep in 3 seconds." I am exhausted ever day. But, I LOVE IT.

However, the week had SEVERAL incredible moments. We were able to contact one of our potential investigators. They are a young couple, David and Amie. Amie was sick, so we couldn't teach her, but I pray I will be able to email more about them as we teach them. We got a lot done on the ward list. We found out about lots of members who had moved or weren't interested. We set multiple return appointments with less actives.

We were taken to lunch last Monday by a member in another ward in our area. He was rewarding us for contacting so many people. We went to a barbeque. Like a fancy one. Where I got a $30.00 meal AND he gave us all presents. I got a small bag and candies. This guy, Victor, is in his late 20's maybe early 30's and he is LOADED $$$. He was wearing a watch that cost $37,000! It had diamonds all over. I will send a picture. He starts businesses and was baptized a year ago. He bought watches and suits for the Elders that went shopping with him after lunch... I wish I went shopping with him after lunch... 

On New Years we went to the Birch's. They gave us root beer floats and we got some referrals and made plans to visit them. (I promise we don't just go for the root beer floats...)

So transfers are next week. They did away with transfer meetings which everyone hates. But I will get a call this Saturday figuring out if I am going or staying in TOV. We will see! Pray I stay!

This church is true! It has been very hard, but I love it here. I enjoy every day. My companion and I get along really well and are always laughing. I know we haven't found much success this week, but Heavenly Father is just keeping me humble ;) . I know as we keep working hard and doing everything we can we will find the people Heavenly Father has prepared for us.

I love you all and hope you enjoyed your New Years!

Elder Kapp

                                      "Greenies" at the Christmas party with the AP's (elves)

                                                                             (left to right)

                     Elder Nanny, me, Mills, Phillips, Gull, and Gantner (he's the one from Switzerland)

Mini Missionary, Brother Carr

This is just a picture of our area. I want to hike that "mountain" (hill) one day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS... Last week....

Congrats to my brother Dax Hansen who will be reporting to the MTC this Wednesday. I'm so proud of you. You are ready. There is work to be done. You are joining a team of elite soldiers fighting for truth and sharing life. You are more than qualified to be standing in the front lines. You will do amazing things. I love you, buddy!

Also Congrats to Stauney who arrived in Ohio. You will do amazing things!

So this last week was Christmas. That was quite the experience. It's been CRAZY but I will do my best to sum it up for you.

We have been working hard. I mean, we started from the bottom, now we are here... We started with no investigators. No clue what we were doing. And, really, not much hope. Right now we have 2 investigators, a part member family, and several less actives we are teaching. As a zone we contacted over 2,500 people this last week. Even on Christmas and Christmas Eve we contacted our goal. Some days we are contacting over 50 people. 

Not only are we contacting, but we are asking for referrals from EVERYONE. As a result, we have a list of over 20 people that said they might be interested in us teaching them. We are going to get a hold of all of them and try to set up teaching appointments. Moral of the story is hard work pays off. We are trying to work as hard as we can every day. 

So cool story. On Saturday we were going to less actives' houses and Elder Phillips stopped to figure out where to go next. I saw this guy up and across the street working on his car and I felt like I should talk to him. So I met him, he asked a lot of bible questions and I had to tell him, "You know what? I know there are answers but I don't know what they are. But I will figure them out for you." He told us he was meeting with some Jehovah's Witness sisters later that day, but he wanted to set up an appointment. We told him it was alright because we had plans to go teaching with the sister missionaries in our ward that night so we would give him a call. Turns out he was talking about our sister missionaries (who were teaching in our area?.... not cool) and 20 minutes later I was there knocking on his door to teach him. What are the odds I contact the guy we were supposed to teach. Because of that, he already had a small trust and relationship and we are planning on teaching him very soon. 

We have a mini missionary!! Basically he is a high school student from Murrieta who comes and serves with us for a few days. He is a cool guy. I will talk about how it goes with him next week

We taught in Sunday School this week. A talk EVERYONE needs to go read is "What is the Blueprint of Christ's Church?" by Tad R. Callister. I promise that it will strengthen any one's testimony of our church by reading it. Alright? Alright.

It was great to talk to my family and close friends. I love you guys!! 

There are some things on my blog that are not included in the general email, so check it out.

LOVE YOU!

Elder Kapp

Week Before Christmas

Alrighty kids. I have survived another week in California.... It's been awesome!

On Monday we got to have our zone activity, which was white elephant. That was fun. It is funny how as a missionary you don't go for the toys. I had a choice between nerf guns and a package with pens and office supplies. I got the office supplies.

Tuesday was zone training. Because I am new the zone leaders made me conduct. We learned how to be better missionaries and what not and it was a solid training.

Wednesday was just another typical day as a missionary. No cool stories.

Thursday we did exchanges. I went with Elder Glover. He is a zone leader and we went to his ward. That was an experience... We were looking for this potential investigator, Glenn, in the apartment complex and walked up to his apartment and his door was wide open. So we walked in and started talking to him. This guy was something else. Glenn as black as they come and he was super fun to talk to. He informed us (very openly) that he had some addictions and temptations... We tried to teach him the restoration, but he wouldn't even open the pamphlet. He was like, "Man. I'm filthy. I'm so filthy. I'm not worthy to open your book." I was just thinking, "Glenn. Buddy. It's a restoration pamphlet. Not the gold plates." Elder Glover took the lead in teaching a short restoration lesson and I was able to share my testimony and explain the Book of Mormon to him in a way he could understand. He expressed his appreciation for what I said for like 5 minutes. I'm not sure if it was because I really did that great of a job or if it was because he was drunk, but it was cool. Oh, and he said he would be baptized!

Anyways, before we left Glenn says, "Brothers, can we pray?" Of course, we are like, "Yeah of course Glenn. We can pray!" Then he jumps up and says, "Jesus says we gotta stand." This is the point where I started thinking WHAT??? WHAT'S HAPPENING?! So we stood in a circle holding hands and Elder Glover gave a great prayer. As he said amen, Glenn just starts going. He prays and says how he is going to give up all the stuff he's doing wrong. He says amen and says, "Sorry brother... Just had to add that in."

On Friday, We met Nolan Smith. He just got back from somewhere in the marines. He grew up LDS but hasn't gone to church for over 7 years. He was driving past the church at night and saw the doors were open and felt personally responsible to close them. He ended up talking to the guy cleaning the church for hours and got our number. We met him and he told us he had some traumatic experience and now is suffering with severe PTSD. We were able to talk to him about returning to church and gave him a blessing. He is leaving to Colorado soon. But it was a neat experience. Also on Friday we went by the Birch's. They are members in our ward and they are the greatest. They are ward missionaries and every time we go by their house they give us referrals and root beer floats. They also gave us a GPS.

Saturday we were able to meet our new investigator, Akilah. She is a young mother. She was referred to us by the Carlsbad Sisters. She was supposed to come to church on Sunday, but didn't. But we are teaching her this week! We also have a few other part member families and potential investigators.

I am getting along great with my companion. I am super happy and am having a great time. I have embraced the fact that I am a new missionary and am trying to enjoy the process of figuring out what I am doing.

Church is true. Being a missionary is awesome. Love you all!

🎄MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!🎄

Elder Kapp

                                                           ROOT BEER FLOATS

Week 2 in Cali

First thing, WELCOME HOME ELDER JAKE KAPP!!! Proud of you, Jake. You are a role model and a super hero to me. I love you and, even though you wish you could have stayed longer, you did the best you possibly could and Sweden was blessed.

Alright, so I have survived 2 weeks... I am doing SO much better. I was really struggling the first week and a bit the second week, but I am starting to do better. We are moved into our apartment and working, which is GREAT! The apartment is super nice and we have a washer and dryer and Walmart across the street. No complaints!

We are done organizing the ward list, area book, and ward map!!! HALLELUJAH! We still haven't taught any lessons and we have no investigators yet, but we have a ton of potential. We have a few part member families, less actives, and potential investigators we are trying to contact. The ward here is incredible. They are missionaries without the badge. The ward missionaries are the best. I am so grateful. They are constantly in touch and everyone shares the gospel. Hoping for a lot of success here!!

Thank you everyone for the support and uplifting emails and letters. It helped a lot. 

Elder Phillips and I  have done a lot better working out differences. We had a good talk, and we haven't had a single problem since.

Thursday was the last day I was really homesick. I was really sad I couldn't be there to pick my best friend up from the airport, but I got over it. 

So those of you who think it is all sunshine and daisies here, think again. It rained a few days. HARD. (Like for 10 minutes, off and on). But it also hailed and we were on bikes and it wasn't fun. We got caught in the rain last night and I was soaked. It was fun though. 

I am getting getting a lot better at contacting. Really, I am able to go up to any stranger and talk to them now, I just need to get more comfortable with it now. It will take time, but I am enjoying the process.

The big point I wanted to share is my gratitude for our loving Father in Heaven. I hit my lowest pretty hard when I got out here and without prayer and the blessings of the spirit I probably would be considering going home. But He is there!!! He answers prayers. As we give all we have to Him, He blesses us. I have received so much comfort and peace during my times of need over the last week (much is result of prayers from home, so thank you!) and I can't wait to share this knowledge of Him with the people of San Marcos California.

This is the work of our Lord and Savior. He lives. He reigns. I am grateful to be a part of it. 

I LOVE YOU ALL! thank you for the support! Have a good Christmas! 

(trying to get pictures soon)

Elder Kapp

                                          We saw this tree from literally over a mile away.

This house beats the one in Clinton by a lot.

MTC Week 2 - California Week 1

Hey everyone! So I completed the MTC. It was an incredible experience. I loved it. I miss my MTC district and hope they are all doing well.

I am now serving in the Carlsbad, California Mission, specifically in San Marcos and Escondido. It is different!! The missionaries often joke and call it Escon-ghetto... Most of the people we contact are Mexican. At least 1 out of 4 will say they don't speak any English. It is hard! I am serving with Elder Phillips, but not the same Elder Phillips from the MTC. He is very smart and obedient, but we don't have much in common.  The entire mission goes out and runs every morning for 30 minutes at 6:30. I like it.

Right now we don't have an apartment. We are living in the small upstairs with the Zone Leaders outside of their apartment. Elder Phillips and I are "White Washing", which means we are a new companionship in another area. In other words, neither of us knows a thing about the area. We have spent most of the last week contacting outside of our area and organizing our area book and ward list. We have taught 0 lessons. We have 0 investigators. We have 0 potential baptisms. So on the bright side, we have lots to improve on! We are ward sharing with sister missionaries. Today we move into our apartment. It's nice. I am excited for that. Right now we are going to member meals and having them drop us off in our area and then we walk home. Which isn't nice because it's an hour walk and it's dark and scary.

So I was contacting this young kid, maybe like 14 years old. He was just chillin' and we asked him if he would watch the new "A Savior is Born" video for Christmas. He pulled out his phone and we were watching it when one of his buddies comes by on a bike, stops, they exchange money and a container of baby formula. Then I realized... HOLY CRAP I JUST SAW A DRUG DEAL!!! So yeah. I witnessed a drug deal on like my third day.

So we went back to the apartment and were sitting upstairs of the apartment when I heard the door open and close. I was like, "Dude, someone is in the house." Phillips was like don't worry about it. Then we heard tapping and stuff so we thought it was the zone leaders messing with us. We went down and called them, but they weren't back yet. So I locked the door and went back. About 10 minutes later, Elder Richards and Elder Glover came up and were talking with us. They made fun of us for calling and said, "Oh yeah! Thanks for checking on us..." When all the sudden the front door SLAMMED!!... (Holy crap. Someone is/was in the house....)

So like men, we grab some lacrosse sticks, tip toe down the stairs (Elder Richards was pushing me saying, "Kapp go! You're new blood"). Glover checked the kitchen and was walking into the bedroom when all the sudden a man ran out screaming!!!! Elder Glover cocked back and swung and..... IT WAS THE ASSISTANTS TO THE PRESIDENT!!!! They came to check, saw the door was unlocked, and so decided to mess with us. Needless to say I was super freaked out the rest of the night.

We contact lots of Mexican people. We talk to EVERYONE. Yesterday I talked with a drunk for a while. He told me he thought "Elder Kapp was a fancy name" and that he wished he could give me a ride back on a magic carpet... Kids, don't do drugs. Really..

The ward is awesome. Very supportive of the missionaries. Most days We eat with members. But because we don't have an apartment, my comp told me not to buy too much food. I wish I didn't listen to him. All I bought was granola bars and top ramen and soup. I am out of food. I just ate my last bar and have 2 packs of ramen... Ahhh...

Oh, and it's "cold". It feels like it. I have already gone soft!!! It is like 50 degrees and I am freezing!!! We are pretty far from the ocean.

I like being in the ghetto area, but there are some nice homes!! I mean, Del mar is much fancier. (Del Mar ward is the #1 highest paying tithe ward in the entire world. Carlsbad isn't far behind.) Elders who serve in Del Mar talk about all the Lamborghinis and Maserati's they see there.

I am praying super hard for success. We have a Potential Investigator we are stopping by to teach today!!!! Hopefully that goes well.

I don't know if I can upload pictures at the library, but I will try. I love you all! Church is true!

Elder Kapp

                                                                  Living in ZL's attic

                                                              (The ZL's are hilarious)

                                              Elder Phillips(Comp), Glover, Me, Richards.

                                                               California

                                           This was taken at 3:30 in the morning.

                                                                        Leaving to Cali.

                                                                                 MTC