This is a week Alright.

So Elder Shamanga from Zambia is my new Companion. He's pretty legit and Is super chill. He doesn't know the area at all nor can he drive so I'm leading until he gets all this down. he's 7 months on mission and Loved his last area.

So this week I nearly ripped my hair out. First, one of our people that's being baptized this Sunday was robbed at gunpoint..... We rushed over and gave a priesthood blessing. She's fine, just super shaken up about it. Please, I don't want to give the name but please pray for her.

Next, it was appointment after appointment. It was super busy going here and there and driving all over with Elder Shamanga not knowing anyone I did all the talking and yo I feel like I'm incharge of the two branches... Something isn't right if that's the case.

Anyhow, it was quite a busy week this week. I think I just added 5 years to how I look.... But still looking good in a sweater, that's a fact.

So I also stated wearing my retainer again and I will tell you if you haven't worn a retainer in 9 months and you start again.... just don't. It hurt so bad I wanted to cry. If I actually cried myself to sleep, you'll never know. But please: Listen to your Elders.

You can stop laughing now.

Anyhow, so more about the week. We met a dis-fellowship woman named Debra who has a very broken british accent. I say that because most people here speak with a African accent that i can't describe and she does not. that's because she used to travel a lot and was raised by Africans people. It's very weird but none the less she was funny and wants us to come back so she can bake for us. YES!!!!!!!

The longer I'm here in South Africa the more I wish America was like here. people are nice, food is good. Pap exists. It's just so different yet I love it so much. I've learned to love the people and I've learned the Gospel so well.

My advise to you is if at first there's something that seems so difficult, take a look at how much you have to do. Seems like a lot, right? Now take a look back at how far you've come. You have come pretty far in life, right? Now ask yourself:

Am I going to throw away all that I've done because this is too hard?

If the answer is yes, I feel sorry for you. If that answer is no, then just Endure a little more. You'll make it. That's a Schnepf Promise.

-Elder Schnepf

Once Upon A Time, My Trainer Is Leaving...

...and yeah, transfers are tomorrow. Elder Eki will not be my companion come tomorrow morning. He's done his job as my trainer, it's time for Elder Shamanga to come see how he did. I'll miss Elder Eki's Spaghetti, but for the most part I think it's just time to become a non-greeny Elder. I'll see him again, he goes home next year July.

And I currently am a tad/lot sick. Turns out I get sick every time it becomes winter, no matter what part of the world I am in. That being said, I'm a-ok to go out and teach. Don't worry, I'm a trooper.

So no pictures this week because the cord I use is in elder Eki's suitcase... Time to by one for myself. 

So speaking of pictures, I was in the most Ghetto hospital I have ever seen. I won't say it's name, but I will say if I need medical care..... well Heaven is a nice place. Me and Elder Eki were there to go visit a member who was admitted. He has had a sickness for over 2 months now and this second hospital trip finally pushed everything out of his system. We visited him and had an Amazing lesson on Priesthood. Then I shaved his beard. apparently I have become a barber now because I know how to cut my hair, so says elder Eki.... and I do a pretty good job if I say so myself... (And with that statement it looks like I'm ready to get a sjambok of the Spirit).

Speaking of that word, so You can go look up what a Sjambok is, but just know apparently children here fear that word/action.... and I know say that Elder Holland has the Priesthood Key to sjambok.

Other than that, it was a nice week. Elder Eki gave his farewell talk to one of the branches, we ate at the Dladla's, visited everyone and took pictures with them. It was a nice Sunday.

It seems that the longer I'm here the more I forget about thingsat home until monday. I guess that's a good thing. I love receiving emails, but I guess I just like hearing from everyone more.

Anyhow, Tuesday I'll have a new companion, so I'll tell you all about him next week.

Elder Candland: Congratulations. I can't wait to hear more from you. (Shout out to him).

Hambe kahle

or

Stay well

-Elder Parker T Schnepf

SO a Miracle Happened.

This week's email from Elder Schnepf! Today is his 100th day of being on his mission!! He's also getting really good and sending pictures!!

First, I want to welcome my MTC district group to this email. Whether you guys like it or not, I finally added you to my weekly update to the world.

So on Saturday I was watching conference with Elder Reid in Etwatwa because we were on exchanges. I'll tell you, Conference blew me away. But during it, Sister Bale had asked me and Elder Reid to bless her 4 yr old son, Moses, before she took him to the health clinic. He had a huge lump on his abdomen and he wasn't feeling well at all. So Elder Reid anointed and I blessed, then she hurried off to take him to the health clinic. Later that day we visited the family and she was praising us. By the time she had gotten to the clinic, Moses was fine. He had no lump, and was running around like the crazy 4 year old he was. It was the first miracle I was apart of this mission.

Earlier during the week I went on exchanges with the Zone leader Named Elder Nicotra from Italy. He played with my camera, so I'm emailing his pictures home. Always remember to delete your pictures before you give the camera back, kids... anyway He's 28 believe it or not and goes home on tuesday... His time here is up. He can't wait to get back to his nast- i mean, *delightful* Italian cheese (It sounds disgusting...). Reason I mention him at all is because he is a powerful missionary and we had a blast on Tuesday-Wednesday from watching and laughing at the district to eating at the King of Kings place: Burger King. Seriously, way better than in America.

We gave lessons to alot of members that day, and they all loved him becasue he's a spicy Italian with a personality to match. He's awesome.

Tomorrow Elder Eki is going to be making a Lasagna that he always talks about, so I'll email on it next week.

Taxi's still suck. I trimmed my bangs again. I look Dang Good in a sweater. Nothing new really.

If you are struggling with money and you are paying your tithing, pay a generous fast offering. Seriously, if I, a missionary, can eat like a king by paying that, you can do so much better with it.

New report next week.

-Elder Schnepf

My Companion Busted The Toilet Seat In Half.

We got more pictures this week!

So the title says it all. I woke up one morning, went to do some business, the second I put weight on it it cracked clean in half.... Then he blamed me for using a cracked toilet seat... I'm 60kg's and he's over a 100 kg's.... It was broken and he put it back together.... Yep.

Besides that, I got to replace a toilet seat. It was a pain. Took an hour to pry the old one off, clean the living daylight out of the toilet, then put the new one on. Yeah.....

On another note, my address for letters is:

Private Bag X4

Ansfrere
1711

South Africa

Wesley Castro, Shout out to you for reminding me to put it here.

Shout Out to my buddy, Elder Thwaits for getting Called to Tennessee! Yeah, I have connections. I hear stuff. Don't be surprised.

Anyhow, I brought the wrong card with me for pictures, so you can have the one where I show off how I look when i cut my hair. Did it on Saturday morning. I used scissors on my bangs, but clippers on the rest. My mamma taught me well if I do say so myself.

So fast and Testimony meeting is now my Favourite meeting. It's like I get up to talk and words just come out. I haven't written a talk ever since, I just trust that I've read enough and a General Conference talk comes out. Speaking of which, I'll see that next week so wait for my comments on it.

Let Brother Sanders know as well that this Cambria Soldier is proudly wearing his shirt every Monday.

Africa is incredible though. The township people are nice, Suburbs are a nightmare for a missionary, and drivers are almost as scary as a new york Cab driver... Almost.

For the area, Etwatwa, we have three people on date for baptism on May 1st, long after transfers. We'll see what happens then.

anyhow, so here's a few pictures because I finally found a way to send them quickly.

This feels like home now, and I can't wait to get back to it.

-Elder Schnepf