The End is Near

You're probably wondering why that's the name of my group email today. My time at the MTC is nearing it's end! I am going to be a real missionary in T minus 3 days! It's blowing my mind. Where did the time go? I am feeling so much better this week, and since this is my last email from the Mexico MTC, I'm gonna make it a good one! I have my flight plans now! I leave from the CCM at 2 a.m. on Monday morning so I can fly to Panama City. From there, I have a layover for only about 45 minutes till I fly to Santiago. Yikes. Please pray for me XD Tomorrow Elder Holland is coming! I mentioned that last week but I am so pumped to be able to play the piano for an apostle of the Lord!!! We might even get to shake his hand...!! My funny quote this week is actually a story that has reoccurred many times these past few weeks. My companion, Hermana Austad, is the sweetest person. She has the greatest habit of after the alarm goes off in the morning, she just sits up and starts to pray. So this morning, Hermana Lopez got up to use the bathroom at around 1:30 a.m. and Hermana Austad must have heard her moving around in the room because she sat up and started to pray. Hermana Lopez came out of the bathroom and saw her praying, so she went up to her, literally a foot away from her face, and said, "Are you praying?" Hermana Austad, sassily: "Yes, what time is it?" Hermana Lopez: "1:30 in the morning! Go back to bed!" Hermana Lopez, going back to her bed: "Girl, you have problems." Hermana Austad proceeded to wake up another time after this around 5:30 and start praying again. So that's hilarious! I think it literally happens once a night, if not more XD Time for a spiritual thought! This week I was studying in 1 Nephi 17. This is the story of when Nephi is commanded to build a ship. Reading this story before, the things that stood out to me this time are more profound. In verse 21, Laman and Lemuel were lamenting about how they missed their things at home and how they could have been happy if they had them in the wilderness. It really hit me hard to read that, because being a missionary, it's easy to get caught up in reminiscing about home and all the things you could have if you weren't a missionary. I realized that when I read it that I need to just make the best of the time I have here. Even though a year and a half seems long, in the long run, it's only a tiny amount of time! If I use my time wisely and work as hard as I can through the midst of trials and problems, I will be happy because I am trusting in the Lord. And with Him I know I can do all things! The same principle applies to you all. Throughout your life, it is easy to get caught up in saying "Oh I wish I had this or that! I need this now in order to be happy." That will never suffice because we will always be wanting more than what we have. Just make the best of this life! Have fun, work hard, and do your best to trust in the Lord and you will be blessed beyond capacity! I know that if you will do your best to be content and happy through your current trials and tribulations, you will obtain that happiness. God will give you the strength to go on and do your best. I know without a doubt that this church is true and if we work dilligently now, we will be blessed later. We can obtain exhaltation and everlasting life if we press forward with steadfastness in Christ. This gospel is amazing and I hope you all know it too! Thanks for all the support! Les extraño! Love, Hermana Mangum Also I don't know if I have mentioned this, but we made friends with some of the Hatian elders and Hermanas. One of these pics is us with them! DSC00167.JPG DSC00197.JPG DSC00210.JPG