Hola Todos! How´s life? I hope you´re all doing well!

This week has been an emotional rollercoaster. Everyday is the same, but my emotions differ from day to day. Most the time I´m happy, but sometimes I still get super home sick. That is something I´m kinda struggling with right now, so just know that every single one of you is being missed and are very important to me!!

Being a missionary is the most surreal but exciting experience. I always think to myself, "Wow, I can´t believe I am an actual representative of Christ. When people look or think of me, they link my name with His." It makes me happy to think that when people will see me on the street they´ll automatically think about Jesus Christ. I am so blessed beyond belief.

Some things I learned this week:

1. Elder Cox loves to sing. Literally. It never stops.

2. Mexico stinks really bad

3. Hermana Jensen is one of the funniest people I know

4. I really miss memes

5. Hermana Austad is the best companion!

6. Spanish is hard

7. Birds like to use me as a bathroom

8. Mexico has these tiny little black and yellow bugs that are everywhere!

9. We like kickball

10. I can make chips out of toasted tortillas and salt. Yum

Some more questions my mom gave me to answer this week:

1- What has been your best experience so far in the CCM?

I have had tons of experiences in the MTC that are amazing. I love the spirit that I can feel here. I guess one of the cool things I have experienced is being able to feel the spirit wherever I go! It's incredible.

2- I bet your Spanish is 10 times better in only one week.  Is that true?  How is it going learning Spanish?

My spanish is definitely getting better! I can understand other missionaries and our teachers, but I cannot understand the ones who are already fluent. I soooo wish I could!

3-  Are you tired? 

Yep. No rest for the righteous!

4- Tell us about Hermanas Lopez and Jensen.  Where are they from?  (I loved the quotes you shared! Ha Ha!)

Hermana Lopez and Hermana Jensen are both from Oregon. They both went to BYUI at the same time as me, and we found out that we know some of the same people!!! It's a small world in the church, that's for sure! They are super funny and probably one of the best things about the CCM. I have so many funny quotes from both of them because they are hilarious!!

5- What gospel principle have you learned the most about this week? How will your teachings and testimony of that principle help someone in the DR?

I learned about being a stalwart missionary, really being the best you can to just study and follow the rules with exactness. One of my favorite experiences was when we read the story of the 2000 stripling warriors because I felt so close to those young men going into battle. I could relate because I am literally going into a spiritual battle once I leave the CCM. Hermana Austad and I both love the picture of the girl putting on armor because that's exactly what we feel like when we put on our tags each morning.

6- Is there anything you forgot to bring with you or wished that you had brought?  

Ummm not really. Maybe just a fan cuz it can get super hot during the day. Besides that I basically have everything I need!

Some fun quotes from the funny sisters...

Hermana Jensen: Their bromance inspires me.

Also hermana Jensen: *Tries to remember all the ninja turtles* Michaelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo.... Sistine Chapel?

I hope these pictures kind of explain my time here so far!! Enjoy them even though the quality isn't that great haha!

Have a great week and don't forget to remember Christ in some way. He loves you and wants to help you!!! I know this gospel is true and the Lord truly is my Light.

Love you all!!

Love, Hermana Mangum

Week #1 Adios!

Set apart as a full-time missionary Monday, April 15, 2019 by my Dad

Saying goodbye to the best family in the world!

Goodbye Ben!

Future Companera? 

A man from Philadelphia took our picture and sent it to our parents!

Easter Sunday with Hermana Austad

This photo was on the package website- surprise to our Moms!

Hola, my neighbors to the North!! Mexico is WEIRD. But it's also super charming. My favorite thing about it is at night when we come back to our casa we can hear mariachi music playing in the city. It's so amazing!! I love hispanic music lol! Also, this week happens to be Semana Santo, where they celebrate all the religious people. It's hilarious because my companion, Hermana Austad, and I counted just about how many fireworks we heard throughout the day and it was over 20 times!! In the middle of the day!! We'll just be sitting in class or studying and randomly we think we're getting bombed, but then we remember that it's just fireworks.

My mom sent me some questions she wanted me to answer so here we go!

1. The food is meh. My favorite thing is how they have cereal at any time of the day!! Some of the juices they have here are super gross. Some taste like cough syrup lol! But it's alright cuz I'm surviving,

2. We do get to go outside at the CCM. Sometimes we get to study out there and it's BEAUTIFUL. It's perfect weather here and there's absolutely no humidity. The other sisters that room with us, Hermanas Jensen and Lopez, and my companion, have been sunburned. I'm the only one who hasn't yet!!

3. My classes are kind of fun cuz our teachers make us play games to learn spanish lol. When we don't get to play games or go outside it's super hard for me to concentrate and sit still because we just sit for hours on end.

4. I happened to fly out with 2 kids I went to high school with! Elders Justin Thomas and Bridger Spendlove for all  you Binghamians out there. There's also an elder in my district who graduated from bingham the year before me. Small world!

5. I think my greatest strength that will help me be a missionary is my ability to feel God's love for others. Here at the CCM, I have felt it ever since we drove through the gate. It really is a special place, and I feel more close to God than I ever have before.

6. Hermana Austad is so amazing!! I love her so much. She is an incredible example to me and I strive to be like her every day. Also, boys, she's beautiful so make sure to look her up when she gets home haha!

7. I really hope I'll get to sing with Hermana Austad in the CCM. I've been thinking about trying out for the devotional performances with her.

8. Easter here isn't really any different than any other day in the CCM, but I've been studying Christ's resurrection in the 4 gospels and WOW. The atonement and the sacrifices Christ made for us truly are eternal and sacred.

I've decided to write down funny quotes that anyone says and it's amazing!! A couple of them being...

Hermana Jensen: "I look like a mom from 2004 that's just trying to take her kids to soccer!" (No offense moms, we love you!!)

Hermana Lopez: "That alarm could wake someone up from a coma!!

Backround info for that last one: Hermana Lopez has this alarm clock that plays super loud classical piano music when it goes off. The first day we used it it scared us all out of bed XD

I really hope you all will take the time to read about Christ's resurrection today and find graditude for Him. God gave His Son that we might be, so we might as well thank Him for it!! I have a personal testimony that Jesus Christ died for you and I on the cross and gave 1000 drops of blood for my sins. He loves us, and I know He wouldn't have sacrificed Himself for us if He didn't love us. Look for His hand in your life and I promise you will see it. 

I will try to send pictures on Thursday!! Love you all and thanks for supporting me!!

Love, Hermana Mangum :)