4th of July in Chatsworth

The 4th of July was Elder Halford's last day as a missionary. (He had his interview with president on Saturday and then he hung out in the mission home until today.) We celebrated with some fireworks (2 firecrackers, no rockets that I had hidden, forgotten about again from New Year's). We also took pictures with mustaches on. The other white Elder is Elder Faganello from Canada. I think he's been in a couple of pictures. The one from Uganda is Elder Okurut. Lots of fun.  Pretty sweet experience. So Elder Halford has left and I will miss him. I learned a lot of things from him and I will remember him my whole mission.

I am staying in Chatsworth this transfer. Hopefully it's my last. I will be recieving Elder Willombe who is from Zambia. I'm super excited, I've had companions from 3 different countries, and now 4! I'm really looking forward to it. He'll be here tomorrow.  For the weekend, I've been bunking with the Zone Leaders so that's been nice.  They aren't as lazy as Elder Halford and I were.

Yes, I've gained a few pounds.  It really sucks! Elder Halford and I motivated each other to not work out. For example, we come into the boarding at night, plan, and then he just goes to bed or something. I don't want to do anything alone. (Or in the morning I value that hot shower and lazy time). So I'm very happy with the suit I purchased (the blue one) because it has that extra material in the back for people like me. I think sometime in the near future I will use it...

Love you guys, Love the Lord

Elder Preator

Hiking in Chatsworth

Our baptismal candidate, Thobani couldn't get baptized this last Sunday because he's 16 and his mom isn't giving him permission. Pretty sad day, and he was really the only thing going on in Chatsworth, so we might have to do some finding!

This week wasn't too exciting, its getting closer to Elder Halford's last day, in fact this is his last week, so we have been getting fed more and more. I might explode!

Yesterday we went on a hike and it took all day, which is why I'm emailing on Tuesday. Spectacular sights and a sweet waterfall. Pictures included.

Love Elder Preator

Elders Bryan, Halford, Faganello, and me.

Me, Elder Kelsey, Halford, and Merile.

What is Bafana Bafana?

We have a baptism next week! Thobani is finally getting baptized. Its been about 4 months that we've been teaching him, and it's pushed out to next week so his parents could come. We've taught him ALOT and he is really prepared. His uncle that he is staying with, is even getting interested, so hopefully soon he can also follow. The work here is going well, hope you guys are doing good too!!

We also celebrate Fathers Day here in South Africa. Not me of course. Not yet.

Elder Halford doesn't go home until the beginning of July, so h'es got a few more weeks.

I can't believe I'm missing grandma and grandpa's 50th, maybe I'll have to send something really cool home. 

In response to your comment about the movie Ant Man coming out, my companion says it is a terrible idea, and I must agree. How are they going to make that cool at all? I mean Iron Man is sweet Hulk is sweet Thor is sweet, Ant man? Not cool!

Love you guys!  Here are some pictures from last week's bafana bafana game.

Elder Preator

P.S. For those of you who are unenlightened or haven't had the chance to google the subject, here's the skinny on 'bafana bafana'.

"South Africa's national football team, known as Bafana Bafana ("The Boys"), has a relatively short international history. That's because the first team to represent all South Africans only played its first match in 1992 – two years before the country's first democratic elections."

Let's Play the Piano!

Last week was pretty unexciting. We did have a great Sunday though! One of the babas in this less active family came to church! He's not a member but his wife and children are, so it was really exciting to see him there, and we invited him to come next week. Thobani's baptismal date is set as July 5 and it will be Elder Halford's last Sunday in South Africa. Other than that, nothing exciting really.

Elder Halford wearing a scarf with a puppy inside. Yeah!

We found a lizard and I befriended it.

So Zone Conference is tomorrow, and Elder Stanley G Ellis is coming. Of course I've been enrolled into playing the piano for Zone Conference. I'm playing the hymns, a solo, and am accompanying the senior couples in a musical number. Tonight (Monday night, our day off) we are going to the Mission Home for a family home evening with the senior couples and mission president and wife, and Elder Ellis and his wife. Its just them and my companion and I so I can play for them. Wonderful. Wish me luck guys. I'm going off of limited practice.

Here's a Testimony Bingo that John sent me. Use it wisely.

Remaining in Chatsworth...

This week we had Stake Conference, and there was a member of the Seventy here. He was one of the ones from South Africa, but I don't remember his name. Next week, Tuesday, we're having a Zone Conference, and one of the Area Representatives is coming. I think it's Hamilton but I'm not sure. They're having me play a piano piece, surprise, and we haven't even gotten together to practice it. These senior couples are killing me. 

With Brother Moon as the new Stake President there, I guess my return interview won't be too awkward since I already know him, so thats cool. 

It turns out that I'm staying here in Chatsworth this transfer, 'killing' Elder Halford. I'll probably stay in Chatsworth for at least 3 more months because I will have to get my next companion familiar with the area.

This transfer we will be baptizing Thobani. Hopefully his family will accept the lessons and everything.

On Friday, we went and explored some old ruins on the beach. We took markers and we drew things on the rocks. Pretty fun day!

Ok love you guys.

Elder Preator