Pablo, Fitted Sheets, Devotionals and Firesides - July 16, 2014

ONE MONTH MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday…

After emailing you guys last week, Hermana Tolman and I went to lunch. You aren’t allowed to leave the “comedor” with food, so Hermana Tolman decided to try to sneak some out. She wrapped our stash in a pound of napkins and booked it to the door. She got stopped and they asked what she had in the napkins. My companion... the chicken breast smuggler! haha!

We got to be hosts and hostesses for the new missionaries that came. It was the first time that I have felt like the older, experienced missionary since I have gotten here! 160 came! When we first got here, there were around 400 missionaries and now there is already over 1000! CRAY! I am yet to find anyone going to my mission though.

Thursday... 

This day marked the date of my first time ever playing 4 square! I was getting a little too into it though and the elders started to make fun of me!

Class was so fun! I love Isaac! #bestmaestro! We were talking about why it is so important to invite investigators to come to church. It really got to me. I think it was because in Hannah’s email she talked all about the struggles of getting investigators to come to church and how hard she works at it. It made me so proud to be her sister!!! It also made me feel like a real missionary because I could see the application so well!

Friday...

Our lesson with Guillermo went super duper well. I think it was our BEST one yet, Let me clarify... my Spanish did not improve. In fact, I think it may have sounded worse. But, it just felt different. The spirit was so strong! When Hermana Tolman and I walked out of the classroom we just looked at each other, gave each other the biggest smile and had the best high five. I was able to fell the spirit so strong! I cant even imagine what it will be like out in the field! If I am able to feel this much LOVE for an investigator who ends up teaching me 2 seconds later, I cant even imagine how much my love will grow when I am with the people in maryland! 

Saturday...

We taught REAL investigators! Fernanda and Ipsen! I LOVE THEM!!! I think we get to teach them again next Saturday! At the beginning of the CCM I wrote out word for word what I was going to say. In the middle of our time here I was just making bullet points. Now, I am still making lesson plans, but, I am able to veer off the course and address their concerns rather than just teach a lesson! It was a great way to start off teh day. 

Now let me tell you about Pablo...

Hermana Tolmans and I were in the classroom studying. We were sitting at our desks when we heard a hugh THUD. Another bird hit the window!!! IT was a horrific sight! This bird was twitching and writhing all contorted on the grass. Pablo... POOR PABLO!!! When I was sitting by his side, I heard him taking deep and painful breaths, things were cracking inside of him. I was with him for a few minutes and thought he was getting better, but things took a turn for the worse. All of the sudden Pablo thrust himself in the air, flailed about and gave up the ghost. I grabbed a stick and poked him for a while just to make sure. When the elders got back to the class I recalled the traumatizing even. We decided that is was the least we could do to hold a proper funeral. They lifted him up with some sticks, his head hung limp and our district trudged our way over to a nearby construction sight while singing “God be with you til we meet again”. We laid him in the dirt, covered him up with a giant lump of grass, built a cross and laid him to rest. I was asked to say a few words since I was with him in his dying moments.

Sunday...

The devotional was great! It was a talk given by Elder Bednar about being a Preach my Gospel Missionary. My favorite part was this... he talked about the Holy Ghost guiding you as to what to say. He even read the scripture that is on my plaque. But, he said something I had never thought of. We must 1st open our mouths, then they will be filled. We cant just sit there waiting for the spirit to tell us what to say! You receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Monday...

Not much... another bird died. Our district is CURSED! 

Tuesday...

Hermana Powell and I have decided to learn how to do a pull up and our armpits got sore! so... I don’t think we have been doing it right! haha! 

Service was the bomb dot com today! We went to the laundromat place and folded fitted sheets. The workers here are angels from on high! Did I tell you about Rosa who took a selfie with us (I am sending picture)! hahaha! Well, this guy was so nice and showed us the most AMAZING way to fold fitted sheets! I always use to roll them up in a ball, but no NO NO! I cant wait to show you this impressive skill in 17 months! 

The devotional was great as always! I loved this devotional for a different reason than the others though. It was not really the message that got to me, it was the light of Christ shining from this man. Mom, you have always said that 99% of people are good and I truly believe that! Just in a short amount of time I have been out, I have meet the most amazing and influential examples! All of these workers, teachers and presidency have changed my life! I cant wait to meet all of these amazing people in Baltimore!!! 

Random info... 

1. I don’t think I have told you about our roommates Hermana Lewis and Call. Hermana Lewis is MY FAVORITE!!! We really hit it off! WE only get to see each other an hour before bed, but, it is always so fun! She had been dating this guy for three years and they are going to get married after their missions. She said I can be a bridesmaid! haha! Hermana Call performs in the shower, she does not sing, she performs! She reminds us at least once a day that her dad doesn’t like her wearing makeup because she is  a natural beauty. AND... her feet stink! haha

2. No one in my district know what NAE NAE ing is!!!! 

3. ONE MONTH!!! whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!*Shawn and Gus voice* The time is flying by! 13 days and I will be flying to Baltimore! I am SO excited!!! I am also SO nervous! It is hard to see yourself improve because, at least for me, it has been so gradual. I am torn because I want to be as prepared as I can so that I can be worthy to represent The Lord, but I also want to get going! I am also so grateful that I am reading all about ALma, Ammon aND the sons of Mosiah in my scripture study. I don’t think there are more perfect examples of diligent, dedicated, loving, worthy missionaries. I know that they were not perfect people, but, through Christ’s strength, they had the ability to do his work, his way! 

I think about you guys all the time! I love bragging about you and showing pictures! Everyone know my dad is a professional cook and movie critic. My whole district know that my little bro is a lady killer, a future Picasso and a ping pong CHAMP! Everyone know my big sister is my BEST friend, drop dead gorgeous and the BEST example and missionary! My whole district know that there is no one I love more that my Mom. The best preschool art maestra around! I was showing them my flip book and everyone of them commented on how beautiful you are! Every single one!!! 

I am sending pics of my watch that I use to give myself a set time to think about you and me crying when I missed Mom :) It required eating chocolate in bed!

Talk to ya next week!!! 

Hermana Mangum Jr.