LAST Message from Elder Keppner

And it came to pass, in the twenty and fourth month of my mission, nigh two years since the time that I did depart from the land of my fathers, I did wax old, and I began to ponder continually on the course of my days.

I here make an end of my record, and do offer it up unto all who will hear me:

Folks, it's been real.

This mission has changed me. I'm not the same kid that shuffled awkwardly into the MTC.
The mission is the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I'm really not looking forward to leaving it. I've had more joy, pain, and awesomeness in two years than I have the eighteen years prior to that.

I LOVE THIS WORK!

There really is a God, this really is His church, and I really am His missionary. :)

To one and all, I wish I could let you know that you don't have to worry about it. THERE IS A GOD. You don't have to fake it, you don't have to deny it. You can know. I did.

No matter how were raised, inside or outside the church, we all reach a point in our lives where we have to make a choice. 

Will we:

1-Deny that there is a God

2-Pretend that we believe, and spend the rest of our lives faking it

3-Really find out that God exists

To those who deny it, may I suggest that it's because you haven't asked the right questions. If you want to know if there is a God, you've got to be ready to put it all on the table. You'll need to fully accept that there might be a God, and there might not be. When you have fully opened yourself up, ask God if He exists. Then, observe the world around you for some time (possibly days). I swear, you will start to see things just "work out" all around you. It will BLOW YOUR MIND. Things will arrange in perfect order, to bring you your answer. It could be the words of someone you talk to, a few words you read, a growing internal clarity, or perhaps (in a few rare cases) a divine revelation directly from heaven. Whatever form the answer comes, I promise that it will come, and it will come every time you ask.

I've discovered that there are so many poor folks who have been faking it for years. Trying to cover up the fact that they do not know by saying all of the right things, at all of the right times. They continue to try and not worry about it, while continuing to attend church, read scriptures, and do everything that a "good Christian" should. They stay active on the grounds that "the church has a great family program", "it makes me a better person", or perhaps "the doctrine makes a lot of sense". There are so many who are plagued with this hellish life, and I wish that I could just tell everyone: "It doesn't have to be like this!"

There IS a God. He really does exist. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK. He will answer. I promise. It works. And it works every time. :)

I know that God lives, I know that this church is God's Church, I know that we can get answers to prayer, and I know that this life is not the end.

God bless all of you.
Love ya bye, love ya bye!
-Keppy

SHORT.

Hey ya'll!

I'm totally out of time, but I thought I'd write what little I can.

I'm alive for sure, working my butt off as usual, and things are good here. :) We are getting along great, our areas are as ghetto as ever, and we're having a blast while doing it!

We are putting special focus on working with members this week, and we are planning on working our butts off.

love you all!
-Keppy

Baptisms and Mini-Missions

Hey everyone!

Another amazing week has passed here in the good ol' Waspo, and I can't help but just sit back and smile at all of it. We had everything from Baptisms to Surprise Birthday parties, and everything awesome in between.

Brother H-- and us Full Timers

We started off by getting a legit mini-missionary, named Brother H--. He's from the Riverside ward, and he is a BOSS! We had SO MUCH fun with him, and had a lot of awesome lessons too! While he was here, he got to be part of our surprise party that we threw for our good friend Ch-- in the Singles Ward. It was planned out by her sister K--, and we got to be in on it. SUPER FUN! We prepped all of the birthday stuffs, and when she got home, BOOM! We jumped out and scared the crap out of her. In a good way though! We all had cake, laughed, sang songs, and had a grand old time!

Ch-- and K-- at the party! :D

Brother H-- stuck with us for three days, and Saturday, he got to participate in our weekly service project for the local homeless shelter. That is always an awesome experience, and he said it was one of the best things he'd ever done.

Waiting to Surprise Ch--!

As we had to let him go, we were pretty darn depressed after he left, but then, we had once again, an amazing experience! K--, after months of prepping, and a million and one miracles, was finally able to enter the waters of baptism.

Elder M--, K-- and me. :)

This has been an incredible journey for her, and it has been an honor to be part of her growth and dedication to Christ. 

Baptism selfie!

I had the honor of baptizing her, and Elder M-- got to confirm her the next day.

Bathroom selfie with the gang! :D

I still can't get over how strong the Spirit was, and I can't ever thank God enough for letting me be a part of this journey.

Ah!

I love my mission. :D Everyone, keep your head up! God is real. He loves us, and He's always gonna help us, no matter what.

I love ya all! Keep it up! :D
-Keppy

Week One With The Youngsters

Hey ya'll!

So, one week down.

YSA work is so weird! Like, we have stewardship of all of Spokane, which is a big difference from being in tiny Moran Prairie. It's good though. The ward members that I've met so far have been AWESOME, and there is a LOT of work to do. I love it though!

Under the freeway- "SKETCH!"
(Anyone know what this means? I need a missionary translator...)

The week started off crazy. P-day, we went under the freeway for an adventure... Super sketch...
On Tuesday, we dropped Elder G- off in Spokane Valley, which was SUPER SAD! I love that guy.

Saying goodbye to Elder G.

Right after that, we rushed to the temple to make it to M-'s endowment session with the M--s.
It was amazing! So flipping happy for her! (She has been called on a mission to Japan!)

M- and us at the Temple

Guys, the temple truly is the most amazing place on the planet. Even our tiny Spokane temple. ;)

After that, it was appointments, lessons, service and just flat out missionary life.

I love it!

At work.

At night.

Not a whole lot else to report... I have a bunch of pictures for ya'll though! :D (The photos in this post.)


This work is amazing! I love every second of it, and I thank God for the opportunity to be here.
God is good! And so is working for him.

Love ya'll!

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

Transfer Calls and Miracles

Hey ya'll!

This week was, well, amazing.

We went about and taught tons of good peeps of course, and we had a blast while we did it as per usual. But God blessed us with a real miracle this week.

We were teaching a young woman named K--. She is a single mom, and her son is just turning 3. Her Grandma, Mom, and sister are all recent converts, but there was a lot keeping her from getting baptized. She has had such a hard life, and it's amazing that she has made it through so much.
She had some big Word of Wisdom things she was dealing with, and a LOT of it. Her friends did it too, and it was just a nasty trap for her. We had mentioned baptism in the past, and she said that when she wants to head in that direction, she'll let us know. But until then, back off.

So we did.

We taught, and shared Spiritual messages, and bore testimony, but we never pressured her. (I'm not a fan of the whole "pressure people into baptism" crap. :-p)

Then, this week, we showed up there for the last lesson of the day, taught a message, and bore our testimonies. She listened, and then she started crying softly. She told us that she wanted desperately wanted to be free, and come closer to God. It was beautiful.

When we got home that night, she texted us, and said that she wanted to be baptized. She went on to tell us that she had quit EVERYTHING. She was clean of everything. After years of craziness, she told us that she wanted to have a better life for her and her son. She said that she knew that the church was true, and that she wanted to be part of it. 

Elder E-- and I just kinda stared at each other in shock. It was so surprising, but folks, I can't tell you how good it felt.

The next morning, she texted us and gave us the date: June 13th.

We are SO PUMPED!!!

She has been through so much, and now, she is coming to the light, and fighting hard to get there.
The war is still on, and withdrawals are fetching BAD, but she worked a system worked out with us. Whenever things are getting crazy hard, she calls us, and we talk things out. It's been good. She is six days and counting sober now, from EVERYTHING! We're so proud of her!

Now, for transfer calls........................................................................................

WE'RE BOTH STAYING!!!

Elder E-- feeling under the weather

Elder M-- is staying too which is sick, but Elder K-- is leaving, which SUCKS! Oh, and my old companion Elder F-- finished his mission today, which also SUCKS! I'm gonna miss him so bad! 

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHANGE! WHY?!?

I guess it could be worse, but still, transfers are NOT my favorite.

Anyway, I love you guys! Keep the faith, stay true to who you are, and come to Christ.

Love you all!
-Keppy

Last O th' Transfer

Ohhhh shunk.

This is the last week of the transfer already. Well shoot...

Well, I hope I stay and that I get to keep Elder E--, but I always hope for that, so, I guess whatevs. I hate change.

Elder M-- (Right) and Elder E-- (Left)

But this week rocked. We worked our butts off, and had a grand old time. I think I'm starting to see how this mission thing is supposed to pan out.

Oh, and I gave my first District Meeting since being here in the ghetto. All of the companionships in my District are Sisters, so it's been a bit different than I'm used to. But it was really good.

They said they liked my training though, so I guess that we'll have to see.

It was super fun! I trained on the three top things I've found we need to be as a missionary:

-Obedient

-Hard Working

-Real

So, that's my rant for the week.

I love and miss all of you!

This mission thing is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I love this stuff folks. I'm just ticked that transfers are coming up.

Love ya all!
-Keppy

General Conference and Headcolds

Spring in Washington!

Hey everybody!

This week was ALL OVER THE PLACE. The week started normal enough, but then... I got a cold from Elder E--. Since then, it's been an interesting trip.

The weather was beautiful though! It has warmed up quite a bit, all the leaves are coming in, the animals are up and about, and the flowers are in bloom.

We taught a lot earlier in the week, and then when Thursday rolled around, it got slower. Thursday is weekly planning which needs to take up hours of our day, Friday was a Zone meeting which also ate up a bunch of our hours, and Saturday and Sunday were General Conference days.

Dat Conference, though! For anyone who missed it, you gotta go back and watch all of the sessions! I loved all of the talks, and it really felt like each one spoke to me personally.

Oh, and Elder E-- is a convert, so this was the first time he's seen all of the sessions of General Conference. At the suggestion of President Mullen, he went with a question he wanted answered about marriage, and holy moly did he get an answer. Almost every talk hit on his question, and he and I laughed every time it came up.

"I'm never going to come with a question again." He told me afterwards.

Saturday was super fun though! We met up at a members house, and watched the Conference, had breakfast, lunch, and played some games between sessions. It was super fun! :D

But, we got sick which made everything a LOT harder. I had a moment after conference was done that I really just wanted to stay in and do nothing because of how crappy I felt. I sat there for a minute debating which, I would do. But then, a nagging little something reminded me: "You don't have a lot of time bro."

I grabbed my stuff and hit the streets. It was crappy, but I didn't regret a second of it.

And then, we woke up this morning to help a pastor move, aaaaaand, it was snowing.
o.O

Spring in Washington?

God is so good guys. He always helps us in the way we need it most. We have some investigators with unique needs right now that are severe, and it has been weighing on me heavily recently. I don't have the right to give details, but it's been HUGE stuff that has eternal consequences. The crazy part is that everyone turns to us missionaries, and expects us to know the solution.

"You're the Elders! What should I do?" is a common phrase, and it's terrifying. What always ends up happening, is me and my companion pray, squirm a bit, and then tell them to the best of our ability what will help them. And the crazy part: if we really answer through the Spirit, it always works.

Guys, I can't stress enough that we're dumb 20 year old kids. But neither can I truthfully say anything less, than that God works through us to do what no mortal could ever hope to achieve; no matter how strong or wise they may be.

This Church is true guys. And this mission is the best thing that's ever happened to me.

Love you all!
-Keppy

Short. Again... Sorry

Me and Nightwing

Hey everyone!

Once again, I'm out of time, but I wanted to let you all know that things are going SUPER well here! We've been teaching a LOT of lessons, and having some great success.

We also found two kittens alone and dirty, so, we took them home, named them Nightwing and Shade, and got some formula for them. We then called up a bunch of people in our ward, but none of them wanted to keep them, so, I got in contact with Sister J-- from Chewelah. And she, her son I-- and her daughter H-- came down and claimed them. It was great to see them again, and it was good to know that they were able to get a good home. Just another day in the mish.

I'm really gaining a testimony of hard work. It is SO REWARDING!

Me and Elder E-- are getting along great, and I really like hanging with this kid.

There has been a lot of trials too though. But you know, even as I watch people slip away, it has only strengthened my testimony that I'm doing the right thing. I'm here to help people come home, and be fortified safely through Christ.

It's amazing!

I get to go forth and seek the lost, the broken, and the hurting, and do my best to help where I can, and point them to the one man who can save them.

I love this. I really do. I never want to stop.

Love you all!
-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

Training Meeting Pictures

President Mullen teaching

Elder Keppner's mom here:

I love the Washington Spokane mission's Facebook page. They post lots of wonderful pictures of all their trainings and meetings, so i scan them for any sign of Elder Keppner. it makes me so happy! :-)


So while I don't have captions for these photos, I love seeing our Elder and some of his former companions there learning and growing!

Sister Mullen, mission mom

Find Elder Keppner!

His trainer is on the far left

I see Elder M--, his last District Leader, in the bottom left.

Former companion, Elder W--, is second from the left.

On the bottom right sits E.K.'s friend from the MTC, Elder H--.

There's his last companion, Elder S--, on the left back row.

Our Elder Keppner at Zone Conference

Transfers Suck

Yeah, there's not a whole lot to say this week other than: Transfers suck.

I'm still freaking out and trying to think of what I'm supposed to do now. I'm kind of a mess right now, so forgive me if the email is short.

As for details, I'm moving to be the District Leader in Moran Prairie; the ghetto of Spokane. Elder S-- will be heading to Pullman 2nd. Yup. What this means: They shut Hayden 2nd down.

I can't tell you how freaked out I am by it.

The work here has been great. We've been teaching like crazy, loving the people here, and being obedient, and yet, "in the end, it doesn't even matter".

I love this place, and the people in it. Investigators, members, and Elders in the Zone.

AGH!

Anyway, I need to go pack.

I love you Hayden 2nd, and I love all of you amazing folks in it.

For all ya'll... I've got some pictures here too.

Splits with L--

Something I ate this week.

Bye,
-Keppy