Tripanionship to Transfers

Hey ya'll!

So, here we are. Transfers have come again, and things have gotten kinda crazy around here, but at the same time, things are so freaking awesome! Over the last week, I've been in this freaking awesome Tripanionship with Elder M--, and Elder G--.

We've been working our butts off over here over our three areas. But it's been good, and we've gotten a lot done.
I love these two!

But yeah, now, it's transfer time. And now, the big news: I'm getting transferred! I'm heading to the Spokane YSA! With Elder M--!

Me and Elder M-- are bros, and I'm so pumped to hit the streets and give folks some Jesus with him. So pumped!

Oh, and I'm gonna be going to the temple tomorrow with an awesome friend who's going through for the first time!

So pumped! :D

Aside from that, there really isn't much to write home about.
.....

I'm healthy, I'm happy, and I'm working hard...
.....

Uh, anything else I need to say...?

Tell you what, you guys send questions, and I'll answer them! Send 'em all my way folks!

I love you all, and I can't wait to hear from you!
-Keppy

Working hard, and living the ghetto dream.

Hey everybody!

Things have been great this week! We've been riding the bus all around the glorious land of downtown Spokane. Fun times, fun times.

We have TONS of people to see, and they all need a TON of help. Law of Chastity and Word of Wisdom are the two main things we teach to these days, but it's all good. We've gotten good at teaching both, so we're okay there.

I think that might be the wrong way...

Ah! What the heck can you say about a mission? It's like, the coolest, hardest, funnest, most frustrating, most rewarding thing ever. There is so much stuff I've learned out here, that is REALLY going to help my future.

I've been doing some deep personal studies in the mornings, and I've been finding again and again: This Church is fetching true folks. And with every day that passes, I've come to a greater knowledge of that fact. Every question has an answer, as long as you are willing to put forth the effort, and swallow your pride, you will get the answers to your questions.

I've also been working out in the mornings before studies, and, you'd never guess, it's working. It's actually kinda scaring me. I was 145 pounds and SKINNY in the MTC, and now, I'm fit, and 170 pounds... It's weird.

I love it!

Elder E--!

Now, as for my companion: He is a boss! He is also from Arizona, and he is a convert to the Church. It's been great to talk to him about stuff, and he's been great to work with. He's also brand new to the mission, so it's fun to be able to help him understand stuff as we go along.

You know guys, I really do wish I could find more to talk about, but then I run out of time!

Oh well.

I love you guys anyway, and I want you to know that God is awesome! He has helped (and is currently helping me) in so many ways here in the mission. It's crazy!

If you lack a personal relationship with the man upstairs, get one!

Our Heavenly Dad is ready and willing to help, guide, and cheer you up! Just turn to him. :)

Love you!
-Keppy

Short because that's life. :/

Hey all! Almost no time at all due to some elders needing a ride, so I'll make it sweet. This place is good! Ghetto, and VERY city, but there is a LOT of work to do, and that's the way I like it!

This Church is true guys. I swear on my life. And that's why I'm here.

Oh, and I got another baptism! G-- is SO LEGIT! She is 100% converted, and she has been great to work with!

Oh, and my companion, Elder E--, is awesome! I love this dude! He's also from Arizona (Tuscon), and it's good to talk about the old desert.

Keep it up! 

Love ya'll!
-Keppy

So this week we ha- CHRISTMAS!!! :D

Holy heck, Christmas is coming! Caroling, parties, gifts, Christmas lessons, I love it all!

*Pant* *Pant*

Mkay.

This week was AWESOME! My companion and I worked our BUTTS off, and we've really started to see the results! We've all been having a blast with six of us living in one apartment, but now the Dalten Gardens Elders have to go back to their old house. :( Oh well, it was super fun while it lasted.

Elder S likes it! 

Speaking of fun, we had an interesting experience with our phone this week. You see, the phone I had when I first got here had been broken for quite a while, and the mission office finally decided to send us a new phone. Problem is... Well, look at the picture if you have any questions. My new companion Elder S-- likes it a lot though.

Oh well, life goes on, even if it is with a phone pinker than even my moms phone... ;)

Elder Keppner's hand holding his new PINK phone

Life has been great here! Thanksgiving week was slow because if people are even home, they are in the middle of a family reunion, and don't want to talk to a couple of kids off the street about Jesus. Thanksgiving dinner was good though. We had a quiet short dinner at a members home, and then went back out. So, really, it was about the same as every other day.

But now, CHRISTMAS is coming! Christmas is a missionaries dream! Everyone wants to talk about Jesus! We have plans to go caroling every night in different parts of our area, and share short Christmas messages with them.

Well, not a lot left to report, but I wanted all of you to know that I love and miss ya, and I hope to hear from you soon!

Love,
-Elder Brennan Keppner

CRAZY CRAP!!!

My new area!

Hey, ya'll!

This last week has been CRAZY! So, I got emergency transferred away from Chewelah! :'(

There was a group of missionaries that made some dumb decisions down in Hayden, Idaho, and so Monday night, I got a call from President M--.

"Hello, is this Elder Keppner?" He asked. I said yes.

He then said "Elder Keppner, you are being transferred to Hayden 2nd, and you will be training. You will be leaving tomorrow morning at 9:00am."

I sat there dumbfounded for a second. "President, did we do something wrong in Chewelah?"

"No." He replied. "You've done everything right. I'm sending you there because I know that you can fix the problem. You are the solution, not the problem. Training is a privilege. I'm putting my trust in you."

After the call, I packed, made some calls to the AWESOME members here in Chewelah, and took off. I'll be honest, when I first got the call, I was TICKED. I couldn't believe that after tons of hard work, two new on-dates, and a whole ton of new investigators, I was getting transferred away, for something I DIDN'T DO. I raged well into the night, and I finally just hit my knees, prayed for strength. I'll admit, I cried a bit.

Elder W--, at the Halloween party! :D (Also from AZ and an old friend.)

The next day, I rode down to Hayden 2nd with Elder W--! Elder W-- is heading to the good ol' CDA, but we were heading the same way, so we rode together. When I got there, it turns out, I'm sharing an apartment with three other Elders! We are two separate companionships, but when we all turn in for the night and get done with planning and such, it's GAME NIGHT!!! We play board games, tell stories, and talk about our day. It's AWESOME! We all get along SUPER well, and we have a blast.

Halloween costumes for Teancum and Friends

Now, my new companion. His name is Elder G--, and he is SO FETCHING AWESOME! He is green, but he really wants to work. His last companion who got ET'd didn't like to work, and Elder G-- wanted nothing more than to hit the streets and talk to people. So that's what we did! Last week, we really worked hard. Oh! Did I mention that I'm now on a bike?!? Yup! Full time! And in the middle of our area, there is a HUGE fetching hill. And while it sucks to go up the darn thing, going down at crazy speeds is SUPER fun.

Ugh. The one downside is that I'm now in the city. To be honest, I'm having to swallow some of my pride, and go out and work. There is a real difference between the city, and the country. Personally, I really prefer the country. I've lived in the city my whole life, and now that I'm back in it, I feel trapped. Everyone has WAY more money than they need, and they all seem to be competing to appear the best looking, richest, and or most popular. I can't stand it now. To those of you at home, I'll be sure to visit all you folks in the city, but I'm heading out into the boonies.

All of that aside, I'm working hard, teaching lots, and having a BLAST while I do it!

Have an awesome day, ya'll!
-Elder Brennan Keppner


PS: So, us four guys in the apartment kinda started a band. It's stupid, but it's SO FETCHING FUN! We're called "Teancum and Friends". We only have one song done, but we're writing more. We are also making a music video to send to our families soon, so, keep an eye out for it ya'll! It'll knock your socks off!

New Area, New Companion, New Opportunities!

Elder Keppner's in the house tonight! Read it.

Hey ya'll!

I'm sorry I missed the last couple of emails. Things have been CRAZY around here! But now they've cooled down a bit, so, that's good. :)

Goodbye to Elder W--. :'(

Now, my biggest announcement is... I've been transferred! :D I was SUPER sad to leave Elder W--, and I'm gonna miss Priest River like CRAZY, but I'm glad that my new companion, Elder F-- is a stud! We get along super well, and man, are we getting stuff done! We upped the numbers like crazy, and now we have an on-date, and five new Investigators! We're working our butts off, and it really is paying off.

Me and my man Elder F--! :D

Man, I love mission life.

There are challenges for sure, but God helps out a LOT. No matter what happens, I know that it will always work out in the end. I've just gotta be patient, and it'll all be worth it. I am of course, looking forward to returning to my loved ones in about 15 months, but I'm for sure, THIS is where I need to be. Ah! I have so little time left to serve the Lord! So little time left to learn, grow, and bring others closer to our Savior Jesus Christ!

My mission is awesome! And I'm just happy to be able to be here, and I'm looking forward to more missionary awesomeness!

o.O Camels... In northern Washington...?

This church is so true. People may not be perfect, but that's why we belong to this Church, and why we turn to our Savior Jesus Christ, BECAUSE we're not perfect, we try to learn from our mistakes, grow from our experiences, and become more like the people God wants us to be.

Goodbye to the Wild Bison! (My old District. :'( )

I can't say it enough, and I won't ever be able to express it fully, but this Church is truly Christ's Church. That's why I'm here. I'm not here because of what people have told me to do, or because it sounded like fun. I'm here because I felt God touch my life through the Holy Spirit, and EVERY time I ask, I get the same answer. THIS IS THE TRUTH.

I know that, and I've bet my life on it.

I love you, and I'm excited for when I can be with you again!

Keep the faith!
-Elder Brennan Keppner

P.S.- This is the Mom. Elder Keppner did forget to let us know that he was transferred to Chewelah Washington. He would still LOVE to receive letters from family and friends, but he's in a tiny town, and would prefer that his letters be sent to the mission home. They get them to him swiftly (It only takes ONE extra day!), so just go ahead and send them to this address: 

Elder Brennan Keppner
820 S. Pines Rd. Suite #101
Spokane Valley, WA 99206

Rocking the new area

I always thought it would be bigger...?

This week has been amazing! I don't have much time to put it all down, but the work is truly pressing on here in Priest River! As to our progress here, it's been great! Elder W--- has a bad leg, and has been sick for the last bit, but we still go forth in faith each day! Elder W---, in spite of all of this, has been cheerful, and willing to learn! He is a great trainee, and I love working with him!

We recently were at dinner with a ward member, and we were determined to get an investigator that day.

Before we left dinner, we talked to the waitress, and asked if she would be interested in talking to missionaries. She said yes, and now, she's our newest investigator!

So many little miracles have been happening every day, and I can't believe how much we are being blessed for our efforts.

My testimony has grown so much these last two weeks. I've been learning to study more in-depth, and my knowledge of the Gospel has increased dramatically. I LOVE studying the Lord's words, and I truly love learning!

Jesus is the Christ, this is his true Church, and I will teach, and preach, and defend that to the very end.

Love you all,
-Elder Keppner

Just Elder W--- and Me!

Me and my new companion, Elder W---! Isn't he a BEAST?!?

Elder W--- is a STUD!

I was sad to leave St. Maries, and a piece of my heart will always be there. I miss those wonderful people more than I can put to words, and you can bet your fanny, I AM GOING BACK!!! :D

C-- teaching me and Elder H-- on my last day.

Me crushing Elder H-- at Chess...

These are two of the greatest men I have ever met: Brother S--, and C--. I love them both dearly, and I look forward to when I'll get to see them again! :D

Me and C-- were trying REALLY hard not to break down in front of the camera. I think we sort of pulled it off, but it's easier for him, because he can just hide behind that fantabulous beard. :'(

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy my time here in Priest River, with my new companion, ELDER W---!!!

Ah! Where do I start with this guy?!? All I can say is that HE IS A BOSS!!! We get along VERY well, and the work presses forward! I love the people, and I'm so excited to be here!

Some artwork by Elder W---...

It's a bit weird being a trainer, mostly because I feel like I just got here, but, I guess the Lord knew I was ready. :)

I've learned so much, and I keep learning more each day! My testimony, and my conversion continue to grow, and bare fruit. I love this Gospel, and I know with all my heart, might, mind and strength that THIS IS THE TRUE CHURCH OF GOD. I know that, and I will defend that to my last breath.

Anyway, that's all I've really got this week. I love and miss you all!

Enjoy the pictures! :D

I lose a friend, and gain a new one...

Elder M---'s "Goodbye face"

Hey ya'll!

Things have been CRAZY this week!

It started with me and Elder M--- setting some lofty goals, and we were doing a good job of reaching them, when suddenly, on Tuesday at 8:30pm me and Elder M--- got a call. We were sitting in our car with our recent convert S---. We had just got back into town, and into cell phone service. We saw that we had two voicemails. As we listened to the first one, we kinda sat there in disbelief.

Elder M--- packing, and telling the families in the ward that he's leaving.

"Elder M---, this is the Assistants to the President. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, you are being transferred to Spokane Valley, and you will be serving with Elder F--- (my MTC companion). You will leave tomorrow morning at 11:00am at the Stake Center (an hour and a half away from St. Maries)."

We sat there for a minute stunned. Transfers had just happened LAST WEEK, and we had made plans for the new transfer together. We then listened to it again, and then listened to the second one.

"Hey Elder Keppner, this is Elder H---. I've been assigned to serve with you in St. Maries, and I'm looking forward to getting to know you, and our new area."

Elder H--- ! :D

It turns out, that emergency transfers erupted all over the mission, and only two zones weren't effected. So, we dropped S--- off at home, packed Elder M---'s bags, and headed out the next morning. He left on the Transfer Bus, and my new companion Elder H--- got off. It was so fast and crazy, I was in shock for a couple of days. I didn't know the area that well, and suddenly, I had to try and tell Elder H--- where everyone and everything was, and how to get there. But, Elder H--- has been really kind and patient, and we've already figured things out. Elder H--- is an awesome Elder from Orem Utah, and he actually is good friends with Elder H---! (My MTC companion!) He's quiet, and he is really rooted in the Gospel. I'm so excited to work with him!

We also have a new investigator! Her name is R---, she's eighteen, and on Saturday we invited her to Church. She said that she might come, and so we didn't think she'd show up. But low and behold, she came to Church the next day! She enjoyed Church, and after that we had a Church Tour with her. Afterwards, we taught the Restoration, and she said that she was interested in being baptized into the Church. We are being a bit cautious (we don't want her to get converted to US, so we're trying to make sure that she really is joining for the right reasons), but a lot of the Ward Members know who she is, and so she is getting a lot of support from our awesome ward.

S--- and M--- have stopped smoking, and drinking coffee this last week completely, and now M--- is working towards baptism! We are so excited for them!

Here in St. Maries, it went from 12-22 degrees to 50-59 degrees, and it's raining like crazy! St. Maries is starting to flood, and the rain isn't supposed to stop for another couple of weeks! So, things are getting pretty exciting around here, as we watch the river and lake start to overflow... :/

Anyway, I love and miss you all, and I'm so happy to be here on my mission!

-Elder Keppner

I'm in the Mission field!

Elder Keppner with his trainer, Elder M.

Hey everyone!

Well, it's official; I'm in the mission field!

I'm sorry I haven't written in so long, but my P-days will be on Monday from now on.

The last few days in the MTC were crazy! We had meeting after meeting, and we had spiritual experience after spiritual experience. I got to go through the Provo Temple with the other missionaries in my district (which was amazing by the way), and we had a lot of lessons with investigators.

So you know that investigator A--- I mentioned before? Well, it turns out he is the Ambassador from Haiti. He was in Salt Lake and kept hearing about the "Mormons" so he went to find out what they believe. He showed up at Church headquarters and asked them what they believe, so Church headquarters sent him to the MTC to find out from the training missionaries there.

Right before we left, the other two missionaries who had been teaching him got him to commit to baptism! It was amazing, and all of us were pumped. (Pumped is a word used by missionaries A LOT, so, you can expect me to use it from here on )

Anyway, we got up at 4:00am on Monday morning and took a bus to the airport. We waited around for a bit and called home, and then we all flew together to Spokane. After meeting with President Mullen (He's awesome by the way) and going through some training, we were sent to different homes to sleep for the night.

On Tuesday, we got our new companions, and were assigned to our new areas. Being separated from my district was almost harder than leaving home. I'm really going to miss all of them, and I hope I can serve in the same district as them somewhere down the road.

SO! The big news!

My new area is: St. Maries Idaho!

Look it up on Google maps! It's a small hick town, and it's in some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen.

My first day's impression was this:

-80% of the people here are over 60.

-80% of the younger people have some form of mental disability

-100% of the people that aren't LDS smoke like a chimney

But at the end of that first day, I was feeling like this was the place I was meant to serve.

Oh! My companion! His name is Elder M_, and he is an AWESOME trainer. He also has nearly photographic memory, which helps when you're trying to find the houses 50 miles away from town which are still in our ward boundaries.

After the first day though, a really grew to love this area. I love the people here. Most everyone is so humble, and EVERYONE knows who the missionaries are, and when there's a new one. We've taught a LOT of lessons to investigators, but most of our work is helping inactive members back onto the path.

You see, there are 250 people in our ward, but less than 60 show up to church on a regular basis.

Oh! I've got my first baptism on February 8th! His name is Shane, and he is AWESOME! When I asked him to be baptized, it came so natural and easy, I was worried that maybe I had done something wrong. When he said yes, me and Elder M___ calmly finished the lesson, and then we did and interesting dance once we were outside.

I LOVE missionary work. I feel like I was born to do this, and I've never been so completely happy in my life. This is God's work, and I'm so blessed to be a part of it.

Love you all,

-KEP


Stories:

So, cool story #1. Elder Lohan (He refuses to tell us if he's related to Lindsey Lohan) was going to play Ron in Harry Potter! No joke! He is from England, and he made auditioned to be Ron back when he was eleven. He made the part, but then something happened out of the blue that made it so he couldn't take the part. He told us about how it had been one of God's mercies that he didn't make the part, because if he had, he never would have joined the Church, and he never would have been able to serve a mission. Talk about cool!

Cool story number two. In the MTC, we were assigned to clean the Bathrooms in one of the buildings. The brother in charge split us into two groups and called us Team Rocket and Team Squirtle Squad (ask Lliam, he'll be able to explain it all). Anyway, I was in Team Rocket, along with Elder F___ and Elder H___. While scrubbing, me and Elder H___ recited the Team Rocket theme over and over and over again, and then we would passionately break out into the Pokemon theme song. So, awesome times.

Arriving in Washington

President and Sister Mullen greeting Elder Keppner

13 January 2014

Dear Brother and Sister Keppner,

I was pleased to welcome your son, Elder Keppner to the Washington Spokane Mission this week. I’m happy to report that he arrived safely. I had the privilege of meeting and associating with him the day of his arrival and note that it is evident that he comes with a great desire to serve Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Elder Keppner understands the role of the Holy Ghost in accomplishing the work here in the Washington Spokane Mission and has committed to live worthy of that power.

Some of the newly-arrived missionaries!
(Elder K. is standing there with his MTC comp, Elder F___.)

Group Greenie shot

Elder Keppner with his trainer, Elder M___

After prayerful consideration, I have called Elder M___ to serve as Elder Keppner’s companion in the Coeur d’ Alene area. It is our objective to call only the best missionaries to serve as trainers and I believe that your son is in excellent training hands. We expect that your missionary will serve in this area for the next 6 to 12 weeks as he begins his mission.

I have enclosed photographs of your missionary and assure you that Sister Mullen and I will love Elder Keppner. Our great desire is that his time here will further establish him on the path of righteousness, as well as bless the many people he will serve.

The mission has a website where you can see what is happening in the mission. Go to: washingtonspokanemission.wordpress.com

Thank you so much for sharing Elder Keppner with us.

Sincerely,
Donald E. Mullen, President
WASHINGTON SPOKANE MISSION

The mom here: If anyone wishes to write letters or send packages to Elder Keppner, I know he would LOVE it!!! Please send me an email at libermama at gmail dot com, and I will send you his direct address. 

We are so excited to hear that he is in the Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho area! My sister was married there, and my brother-in-law's family still live in the area, I believe.