Once Around the Sun

Hey fam! I only have one word to describe this week... stellar. Lots of cool and great things happening and I'm just so darn blessed!! First big event. I made it a whole year! It's weird to think that a whole year ago, I made one of the craziest and best decisions ever. But, more on this later!

Some cool events of the week, I got to take a mini trip back to my old area, Utrecht, for caroling! It was fun to go back and see it again. And of course to sing some good Christmas Carols. This whole caroling thing makes me laugh. We get the WEIRDEST looks from some people haha!!! But I have fun doing it and the people that do stop to watch makes it all worth it.

We also had our temple conference on Thursday! AND I got to do the work for one of my Dutch ancestors so that was SUPER cool!! I can think of no better way to celebrate being a year on my mission than by going to the temple. I feel very blessed to have a temple in our mission so that we can go and feel the special Spirit there. My comp hadn't been in over a year, so it was cool to go with her. The senior missionaries made us a cute special Christmas lunch and it was just a holly jolly time! 

On Friday we had a special choir performance in Gouda for a cool Christmas light thing they do there. It was super fun to be able to accompany the choir and feel of the special spirit of singing about our Savior, Jesus Christ. A lot of the missionaries participated and boy do we have some talented singers in our mission!!! Twas quite a swell time.

So this last week I was super grateful to take some time and reflect on the last year of my life. I remember getting dropped of in Provo thinking, "What am I doing?!" The first couple of weeks in the MTC, I was ready to walk down the street to my friend's apartment (she was living by BYU) and having her take me home. But through lots of tears (from laughing and crying) I find myself here in the Netherlands. I am SO grateful that Heavenly Father gave me the strength and courage to continue through all the rough downs. But I think through all the things I have learned, for there have been many, I think I've come to a greater knowledge of my Savior. Being on a mission is hard. But everyday, I feel Him lift me when I'm down and push me when I think I can't go anymore. He is the reason for the season and He is the reason for this work. I love you all so much and hope you have a stellar week!!

Love,

Zuster Kapp

Pics: My return to Utrecht, my MTC pals after a year, matching at the temple, and the cool effect of a red light on red hair.