Merry Christmas Daniel!!!!!

Haha, the title was a play on the "Frosty the Snowman" famous line... get it? ......No? Well FINE!!!!!

So as Daniel surely knows by now, hoping that he has read my personal email to him, i wrote him a poem impromptu for his birthday. I would love to include it now:

I am here in Africa, you're in a different part,
But i feel close to you, my bro, as this poem starts.
Back at home, you were young, i was quite young too,
But now you grew at least 3 feet, don't argue cuz it's true.
As for me, well, to speak truth, I'm not the tallest guy,
And as for growing taller, time for that has flown on by.
You are growing stronger, getting muscles of a man,
Flexing much and working out, and probably getting tan!
I am also getting bigger, losing all my fat,
"No carbs at night", says my dear comp, "and protein's where it's at."
I don't know why i threw that in, about proteins and all,
remember this is impromptu, (just trying not to fall)
Back to the point, of growing still, you're growing ever cool,
Perhaps the way i'm proudest, is your growth that's spiritual.
You read the scriptures, say your prayers, you go to Church each week,
Relationship with Father above, is what we need to seek.
You're kind and good, you know your standards. never let them down,
And when it is a choice, dear Danny, always smile, don't frown.
You have a gift, and not just one, you brought from pre-mortal life,
Developed there, you knew that they would help thru trial and strife.
Now go and do, as Nephi did, what Father and Brother expect,
Help the one, show love and care, and ne'er the one neglect!
Stop to say hi, give smiles and waves, and serve your fellow men,
For in the end, the way God works, it comes back to you again!
You are amazing, you have style, you are brave and sweet,
Can't wait to see your further growth, when in 7 months we meet.
I am here in Africa, you're in a different part,
But best friend Daniel, my dear brother, you are always in my heart.

I want everyone reading this email to know that Daniel is a wonderful son of God and has the most sincere and impressive testimony i've heard from a 10 year old (soon to be 11 year old). He ROCKS! And i ask everybody reading this to give him birthday kisses and birthday pinches and spankings and floggings and waterboardings and whippings and beatings and whoa..... wait sorry, not all that. Just kisses and pinches. Love you Daniel, Happy Birthday buddy :) I'll be around for the next one, don't worry :)

This Sunday we finally got to watch Conference. Awesome possums. Loved Conference and the direction given in it. There's still alot to analyze, but did anybody else feel like Elder Packer's talk might be his last? He seemed... kinda final-speechy, a bit. His talk was beautiful though, really enjoyed it. During the Sunday sessions, there were lots of monkeys outside. That's what i get for being in Kenya i guess. There were some climbing on the bars on the windows outside of the Church. They are small ones though, like a bit bigger than lemurs, some smaller than lemurs. Hahaha, i think i told Mom, but i saw one adolescent monkey bothering his mother, and the mother up and slapped that child so hard in the face!! The kid ran into a tree and was just looking at the mother until she walked off, and he followed her hahahaha!!!!!! Little baby monkeys were clinging to the belly of the mother as they climbed all around. The babies are so cute. They hang on for dear life until they are old enough to climb themselves. And the mothers are protective of their babies unto death. Africa... :)

Also, so we don't forget, PLEASE get me Bishop Lander's email PLEASE!!!!! Or even just tell him to email me if ya can. I need to talk to that guy. By the way, is he still bald? He should grow a bufont... a bulbous bufont...

This week was great. We had a zone fast for the purpose of gaining more investigators who are prepared to receive and act on the message of the Restoration. Well, as for me and my companion, we have received at least 2 or 3 people who are greatly prepared and full of questions and ready to learn. One, Sylvia, came with all sorts of questions about the Book of Mormon, wondering why she was so concerned with this Book. We taught her as best as we could by the Spirit. She is reading the Book now and wanting to meet again. Another, Kennedy, comes from Uganda. He came to Conference and was amazed at it all. He is eager to meet again and explore the feelings he felt :) I am confident they will be baptized. Melen and Catherine, the two women baptized last week, were confirmed this week. Ordinances complete! But no ordinance is complete without paperwork. Remember how Jesus gave Peter power to bind and seal on Earth and in Heaven? Well, when we do an ordinance by the Holy Priesthood, it is sealed and recorded in Heaven. But in order for that to happen on Earth, paperwork must be recorded. The angels and workers of the millennium will refer to that to double-check who needs what!

So basically life is good over here. I lost a bit of weight when i had that diarrhea so i am gaining it back but staying lean and working out with Elder Gideon. We're going running tomorrow morning, and at night i'm eating eggs, eggs, and more eggs. PROTEIN BABY!!!!!

Oh, and by the way, I GOT MY PACKAGE!!!!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!! GREAT PACKAGE GUYS!!!!!!!!! Thank you times infinity and beyond!!!!!!!!! GREAT stuff in there. The jump rope - holy cow! That'll last me til judgment day!!!! And those drink mix things - BRILLIANT IDEA!!! Please include in EVERY package many!!!! Wow.... i just paused in my excitement and looked back at that last sentence... that was wretched english, wasn't it? Anyway, that Holland book?!?! Grandma spent $50 on that book?!?!?! Holy mackerel Granny Phanny Franny Fanny!!!!! That thing is beautiful, and will keep me busy for some time, i think. Really, thanks so much guys :)

Bottom line of this email is this: Happy Birthday Daniel, i love you with all my heart and know that you will stick with Benny and Jessie as your great examples, with your Brother, Friend, and Savior Jesus Christ as your ultimate example. To everyone, I just can add that Jesus Christ is indeed our dear friend. He always longs to be closer, we only need to open up a little. He wants us to know His Atonement, but knows how important and deep it is, and therefore will not reveal it all at once. It will come in the Father's good time, and in His way. I have prayed since my mission started that i would know the Atonement better. Since the start of my mission, i have learned that i cannot comprehend what He felt. But i still wanted to know what it means to me. Well, after Conference ended, i reflected on how much they mentioned the Atonement, and i realized something. That the Atonement of Jesus Christ saves us, and shows that He loves us. It means that He was humble, submissive, peaceful, patient, and perfect in all ways. It means that I can be forgiven and be better. It means that daily life is hopeful and my future is bright and i need not worry about anything, so long as i love Him and keep His commandments. One can say these words (i have before!), but now i feel them. I testify of these things, and that they are true, in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, Amen!

With love forever, Elder Schneider

Gobstoppers (Don't ask me, that's what Conrad put in the subject line)

So uh... i have absolutely no time, gotta get to FHE tonight and be with peeps!

So basically, as for the school thingy, i am thinking it may happen. I am good friends with one of the Assistants, Elder Haynes, and he said i should just go. I am getting that message from alot of people. I have a feeling that fulfilling the commandment to get school and start my life will bring blessings to us all. As well, things will be better off i think.

So besides that, you all sound great, and that's good news to me! The presidential loser, Raila Odinga, took the winner, Uhuru Kenyatta, to court because he thought he cheated. So depending on the outcome, we may go inside again :P We'll see.

I HEARD ELTON JOHN IN A BUS THIS WEEK!!!! :D

Love you all, talk to you very soon. Thanks for all your love and support. Your prayers are helping. I am steadily becoming what i want to be and i think what Heavenly Father wants me to be. I'll upload lots of pics next week :)

By the way, transfer news is the end of this week, might stay might leave. Also, President has me and some other music missionaries touring different branches in the mission to do a musical sacrament meeting. Going about 30 minutes outside Nairobi to a place called Athi River this week!!

Love you all forever!!! Long live the Lord's kingdom!!!!

Love, Conrad

Letter from President Broadbent

March 12, 2012

To:  Parents, Families, Branch, Stake and Mission Presidents of Missionaries serving in the Kenya Nairobi Mission:

We are grateful and happy to share with you that the Kenya presidential election was peaceful.  There were very few disturbances throughout the country.  All missionaries were safe throughout the week and spent the time studying, building relationships with each other and preparing for the time when they would again be able to resume missionary work.  
Missionaries are returning to their areas this week.  Transportation is now available; the roads are safe and traffic is moving well.  All areas where they serve have been declared safe.  We will continue to monitor all areas.   Food and water storage will continue to be readily available and missionaries know what to do if there is a need to ‘stay in the flats’ once again.
Thank you for your support, your faith and your prayers.  We have received a great blessing of peace and safety.  The Lord’s work continues to go forward with greater zeal and purpose.
Best regards,

President Steven H. Broadbent
Kenya Nairobi Mission

"I Survived Kenyan Elections 2013"

For sure i need a shirt that says that.

Well as the caption implies, i survived! And i don't think i have ever done more reading in my entire life! I read over 10 New Era magazines, The Spencer W. Kimball book, and probably over 30 or 40 hours in the scriptures. And as boring as it was at times, i have learned and grown much actually. Haha! Kinda surprised me what i learned and did. I also learned the basics of Afrikaans (Elder Gideon's mother tongue, it's like Dutch and they speak it in Capetown and parts of S.A.), learned some ball-handling soccer skills, and ate lots of food and worked out twice a day. Overall... i hope i never have to be stuck inside like that EVER AGAIN!!!!! MAN!!!!!!!!!!!

One thing i learned was about the future. Sometimes we really stress it, myself included. School, career, marriage, health, etc. But God can make all things possible! He DOES answer prayers, and we must believe that He does! But this time inside i have come to a knowledge of a few very important things. One is that prayer. Another is that if we rely on the Lord, what can daunt us? He is in complete control, and the future is bright when we rely on Him. Also, this church and every point of it is absolutely true. I read some Jehovah's Witness magazines with an open heart. They teach some truth, as all church's, even Islam, do. We should not frown on other churches. Why frown on those who are trying to make it back to Heaven, but don't know the way? But when one learns our doctrine and applies it, it is simply true. This is His kingdom, and we must uphold it.

Lastly is what President Packer advised me in one of the New Era's. A testimony is to be found in the bearing of it! If you don't know that Christ lives and is the Savior, bear testimony and the Holy Ghost will confirm! I love how President Packer said, "Bear testimony of things that you hope are true." AWESOME!!!! Please, eternal family, bear testimony often. Judge slowly. Love sincerely. Be and live healthy. Obey the commandments, including to pray often. I love you all with an undying, eternal love. See you soon enough :)

Love forever, Conrad (Elder Schneider)

From Mission President re: Elections

From: Steve and Julie BROADBENT [mailto:sbroad007@msn.com]
Sent: 27 February 2013 11:46 AM
To: Kenya Nairobi Mission; Steve and Julie BROADBENT
Subject:

To:  Parents, Families and Branch Presidents of Missionaries serving in the Kenya Nairobi Mission

As you may know, Kenya is preparing for a general presidential election on March 4, 2013.  In order to ensure the safety of missionaries serving in Kenya, we have implemented an Emergency Action Plan which will begin on Friday, March 1.

Missionaries serving in areas that potentially may have political disturbances will be moving to safe areas.  Those serving in Mombasa will transfer to Chyulu area for the election week and will be teaming up with missionaries serving there to continue missionary work.  Missionaries serving in Kisumu/Busia,  Naivasha and Nakuru will transport to Nairobi and stay with missionaries in safe flats on Friday or Saturday, March 1st and 2nd .  Missionaries serving in outlying areas in Kitale and Eldoret will stay with other missionaries in town and close to each other beginning March 1 or 2.  After arriving in their assigned areas, all missionaries will be staying inside for 4-6 days beginning Sunday after church or before if needed.  Preparations have been made for extra food and water for each missionary.  During these 4-6 days, we will all have the opportunity to study the gospel in depth.

Because the election is on a Monday, missionaries will be unable to use internet to send emails for that week.  Instead, we will be sending out updates to you from the mission office as the election process progresses.   We will also notify you when missionaries will be returning to their areas.  We expect this to be about 5 days after the election.

We have worked with Church Security in Salt Lake City, Africa Southeast Area Security, local embassies and others to prepare for this election time in Kenya.    Certainly the safety of each missionary is paramount and we have taken all necessary precautions.  We also know the Lord is guiding His work in this part of His vineyard and that it will continue to go forward with the blessing of vibrant and powerful missionaries.

We invite you to join with us in prayer and fasting on March 3, Fast Sunday, for a peaceful and positive results of the Kenya election and the safety of all members and missionaries.

We are grateful for the wonderful service of your missionary in the Kenya Nairobi Mission, called by a prophet through the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Sincerely,

President Steven H. Broadbent
Kenya Nairobi Mission

"Emotional Roller Coaster of an Email"

As the title implies,this email should make you happy, sad, comforted, anxious, and a plethora of other emotions!

Let's start with "HAPPY": Bryson and Jack were baptized! On Friday, they were both interviewed and passed with flying testimonies! Saturday was their sister's wedding, which we were invited to and we went. Our main objective there was to find and talk to the husband of sister Jepkemei (Bryson's mom). The husband, as i think i told you, is a Catholic man, and fairly hostile towards the church and the members. In the past (according to Sister Jepkemei) he has barely even talked to members. VERY hostile, curt, and rude. Well, Elder Gideon and i found him and went up to speak to him, and he spit in my face! Ok just kidding. We had a GREAT conversation with him. Talked with him for like over ten minutes and built the relationship. The next day at church, sister Jepkemei and Bryson were amazed at how long he talked to us. Good things are in store, and the Spirit of the Lord is working in the stubborn man's heart :)  So Sunday Bryson was baptized by his uncle Steve, and Jack asked me to baptize him :) powerful baptisms!!!!!! I almost cried. I don't cry much over here. I realized that when i feel the Spirit, unless it is super strong i generally don't cry. Crying in the past has been because it has been coupled with emotion. I may cry more at home, don't know! But yes, you will see pictures soon enough. I uploaded tons of pictures of zone conference as well already.
Other good news is that Elder Gideon and I are having an AWESOME time together. We are eating very very healthy and working out and looking good. I daresay we are the best looking and most humble companionship on the face of the Earth. We are SO GOOD LOOKING, and humble. Humble is our name, and ridiculously good looking is our game. Boy... so hot/humble... hahaha ok but really, we are having a great time together. He really understands how to teach and move by the Spirit, which my past companions have struggled with. I am loving teaching with him, and we are both learning alot together. He is even teaching me Afrikaans, the popular language of Capetown. It is like Dutch. I am catching it pretty easily because it is close to German. "Uns het daar geloop" - we walked there. OH YEAH!
As for now, that is the close of the "happy portion"

The following contains news that may shock you... Viewer discretion is advised.

"SAD": Elder Arineitwe has gone home early. I do not know the details, but from what i heard it is not good. He left without informing anybody, and is back home in Uganda. He is very impulsive, and is now regretting his decision. However, he is not allowed to return out again. That decision will be one he regrets for all his life. It goes to show that anybody can be torn down if they don't keep their guard up. There were little things that he was being disobedient to, and it kinda escalated i guess, and now he's home. So... my mission-posterity has been cut off.

Blech... ok well now is the comforting/anxiety section of this issue of "Mess Up Your Emotions" weekly.

"COMFORT/ANXIOUS": Elections are this coming Monday. One week from today, actually. In preparation for said elections, we have built up food storage in each apartment, plenty for a few weeks. We also have clean water storage and bathing water storage. We also have plenty in our first aid kit. As for missionaries staying in our apartment, we will have probably one more companionship, but i am not sure yet. We find out arrangements tomorrow. As for getting along, don't even worry. Not only are we grown men, we are the Lord's servants. Elder Gideon and I are unified and we understand how to lead. I have been placed in charge of overseeing the preparation of the zone, and everybody is ready.
Sunday after church (March 3rd), we are ordered to return straight home and stay in. from there, we will be inside from Sunday up to atleast Wednesday. No emails next week, and if there is violence continuing, we will be in longer. While we are in, we have been counseled to follow missionary schedule still. We sill study, clean the flat, work out, and occasionally play some games. Other than that... well this weekend Elder Gideon and I are going to this awesome mall near our home and we are going to stock up on some delicious goodies, so naturally, being males, one major pastime will be consumption of delicious goodies from America :) :)
We have emergency evacuation plans if need be. We have been given special code thingies to know exactly what we need to do. The preparation is at it's maximum, and I will be fine.
I REPEAT - I WILL BE OK. Please know that things will be just fine. I am confident in this thing because my patriarchal blessing speaks of things i need to accomplish after my mission. I am being faithful, therefore the prophecies in my patriarchal blessing must be fulfilled. I will be safe and smart. Mom, you also mentioned how if you had it your way, you would have an army of angels to guard me. Read D&C 84:88 and know that I literally am guarded by angels of God. I testify of this solemn reality. Read D&C 38:7 and all of D&C 31. You all need to know that I am well-guarded. I understand how you can be anxious. I would be lying if i said that i am not anxious. I am, but i am not afraid. Fear is in opposition to faith, and i have faith in what i have been told. I don't know with a sure knowledge, but i know the scriptures are true - ancient, modern, and personal patriarchal scripture. I will be safe and things will be back to normal soon :)
So i hope that answers all yous questions about that. If you have any more, keep them because the next time i talk to you will be after elections anyway haha!

Uh.... so..... the next section i am just going to label "miscellaneous" because i don't know how you will feel when you read it.

"MISCELLANEOUS": Sorry about all your sicknesses! If it makes you feel better, i don't know if i've ever been healthier! Other than all the dormant malaria running thick through my veins and coursing through my entire system, waiting to erupt, i am super healthy! I have a testimony of the healing power of the Priesthood though. I have seen more than one person be healed in a day of malaria due to a Priesthood blessing. As members, sometimes we don't realize how powerful faith is. Kenyans have alot of faith. It is misguided to false prophets quite often, but they have faith so much. All of us, myself included, should evaluate how deep and quality our faith is. Do we really have faith that we can be healed? Or are we doubting deep in our hearts?
Another question - have you all been going to the temple? Please keep going. That is such an immense blessing and i miss it and the peace and Spirit and revelation that is so rich in there. It wouldn't hurt to put my name and Elder Gideon's name in at the temple. President Broadbent is sending all our names in to the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. They are fully aware of our challenges and dangers and they will be petitioning the Lord for our safety. Amazing, huh?

That's basically all the news. The Spirit is strong with us, not to credit of our own except that we are trying to fulfill His will and be obedient. I testify of the undeniable truth of this Kingdom we are a part of. The world is immersed in sin, but we don't have to partake. We are in the world, not of the world. I testify that God lives, and His Beloved Son live, and They love us and bless us every hour. Keep His commandments, serve each other, and never assume that somebody knows that you love or appreciate them. Speak up, and never be afraid to help the missionaries there in IF. They NEED and WANT referrals of people they can teach. Help them out please. If it was me, you would want me to be helped, right? I love you all eternally. Things will be ok, and my 15 month mark is around the corner.

Love you forever,
Conrad

Kenya Elections

Dear Brother Schneider:  Thank you for your input.  We will be updating all families of all missionaries throughout the Kenya election process.  You will receive an email from the mission office next week prior to the March 4 election...you will receive another email  when all missionaries will be able to resume their work.  Church security in South Africa and SLC are working with us for precautionary measures.   Elder Schneider and all missionaries will be safe in their assigned flats because they are prepared well.    Please  continue to pray for peace in Kenya as we know that this is a great country and we love the people. The Lord's blessings are being received daily as His work moves forward in the KNM.


Elder Schneider is an outstanding missionary.



Best regards.



President Steven H. Broadbent
Nairobi Kenya Mission
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints