Whoo hoo! I can't believe it's been two years.
May 29, 2012
May 29, 2012
Elder James Richard Mallow Mangum comes home TONIGHT!!! He arrives at the SLC Airport at 12:06 am (yes, that's midnight between the 29th and 30th). If anyone's interested in coming, he arrives in Salt Lake City at Terminal 2, Gate C12 at 12:06 am tonight, Delta flight 1835.
Whoo hoo! I can't believe it's been two years.
Whoo hoo! I can't believe it's been two years.
May 28, 2012
This is the last email you'll receive from me as a missionary. Two years done; a lifetime of learning done in those two years. You will be surprised how much I've changed. There's no possible way for me to share all that I've learned. I'll try to sum it up in one sentence:
We are who we make ourselves to be.
I want you ponder on that and I'll talk to you about it when I get home.
Just remember, I get home at 12:06am on May 30th!! So please don't forget.
I'll see you all soon.
Love you.
-Elder Ricky-dude
I'm coming home.......
We are who we make ourselves to be.
I want you ponder on that and I'll talk to you about it when I get home.
Just remember, I get home at 12:06am on May 30th!! So please don't forget.
I'll see you all soon.
Love you.
-Elder Ricky-dude
I'm coming home.......
May 28, 2012
Oh, and I forgot!
I forgot in my last email that I left out Tiny (Dustin, Mariah's husband... for those of you who don't know who I'm talking about).
Tiny - I've learn how to proper hold my breath when a foul odor comes near me. I've learn how to be a great dad and to be fun with kids. I've learned how to be funny and have fun with what you're doing.
Sorry to forget you Tiny.
Love ya,
-Elder Ricky-dude
-- P.S. The Church is true!
P.P.S. FROG - Fully Rely On God
I forgot in my last email that I left out Tiny (Dustin, Mariah's husband... for those of you who don't know who I'm talking about).
Tiny - I've learn how to proper hold my breath when a foul odor comes near me. I've learn how to be a great dad and to be fun with kids. I've learned how to be funny and have fun with what you're doing.
Sorry to forget you Tiny.
Love ya,
-Elder Ricky-dude
-- P.S. The Church is true!
P.P.S. FROG - Fully Rely On God
May 21, 2012
May 21, 2012
So, this morning I was reading my Patriarchal Blessing and was looking for things that I need to focus on when I get back home and the biggest thing that stuck out to me was that it talked about being a leader. Then I looked back at my life and looked to see what leadership skills I've learned so far. I started with my family................ and got nothin'. I'm just kidding!! ;D I actually wrote down quite a bit and I wanted to share that with you. It's not just leadership skills though, it's the major things I've learned from my family. I'm going to have a list for my leaders too but right now I just have family written down. So here we go:
Dad - From my dad I learned the important skill of keeping the lawnmower straight when cutting the grass so that it doesn't look crappy, and many other handy-man skills such as there is no such thing as a left-handed screwdriver, and making sure which end of the staplegun the staples come out of so that you don't shoot your finger............ I've also learned to be firm but loving and to work hard and not sit down on the job...... unless you get your boys to take over the yard work and then go take a nap when you said you needed their help, which ends up making one of them pretty upset to the point where he goes in and scares you half to death by getting three inches from your face and yelling "WHY ARE YOU SLEEPING!?!?!?", which in turn leads you to almost killing him....... But there are a lot of things I've learned from my dad that to write them down would take a while. :D
Mom - From my mom I've learned to how to bear through and stay true to the faith, to always pay my tithing because of the blessings we experienced because of that, and to never try and catch a baseball with your face even to protect your favorite roses....... hee hee......... I've also learned to teach people correct principles and let them govern themselves. I've also learned how to cook, sew, paint porcelain houses, and use a gold paint pen to decorate, even when sleep walking........ hee hee....... ;D
Jake - From my brother Jake I've learned that there's a time to be serious and a time to be goofy.......... maybe not how to differentiate the two but there are those two times somewhere in every activity. I also learn to teach things straight up and clear even if it might be uncomfortable for you because by doing that it leads to people clearly understanding the importance of things. And I've also learned how to have fun with every situation. :D
Buck - I've learned it's good to be goofy. I've learned that music is one of the best ways to make friends and help others feel loved. I've also learned that being yourself is a very important skill and talent to have because when you're yourself, you learn more about who God wants you to be. And that Craig's List is a great place to find a cheap piano....... :D
Mariah - I learned at a very young age not to make her mad. When you grow up as the only girl, right inbetween four brothers who are insane, you become pretty tough. From Mariah I've also learned to let others know you love them, even if you don't actually say the words, "I love you", you make sure to let them know through actions.
Luke - PATIENCE!!!! That's the biggest thing I've learned from him, and that your best friend can be your biggest antagonist, too. ;D Almost no companion of mine has been as difficult as he was and I wasn't with him 24/7. So I'm doing pretty well out here.... hee hee :D I've learned what a true friend, a best friend, is from him. It's someone who is there for you even if you don't get a long and who's got your back even if you are 2000 miles away.
Skyler, Zac-E, Brianne, and Alysa (I would include Makayla but I haven't met her yet) - I have learned from first hand experience the epitomy of insanity and chaos. I've learned great skills that a father needs, such as changing diapers, helping sick kids, cleaning up after them, and resisting the urge to strangle them. Also I've learned how to be "calm in the midst of a tempest" basically, which has really come in handy with some people out here.
So, there are many things you learn from your family, so always being looking for those things. These are things I've learned from my earthly family. Imagine what you can learn if you open yourself up to your heavenly family..... The possiblity for growth and learning are endless when you look at it that way.
I love you all and hope and pray you're doing well.
I'll see you next week.
-Elder Ricky-dude
P.S. I got a southern cookbook from the Carpenters so be prepared for some good southern cooking!!! :D
P.P.S. The Church is true!
P.P.P.S. FROG - Fully Rely On God
Dad - From my dad I learned the important skill of keeping the lawnmower straight when cutting the grass so that it doesn't look crappy, and many other handy-man skills such as there is no such thing as a left-handed screwdriver, and making sure which end of the staplegun the staples come out of so that you don't shoot your finger............ I've also learned to be firm but loving and to work hard and not sit down on the job...... unless you get your boys to take over the yard work and then go take a nap when you said you needed their help, which ends up making one of them pretty upset to the point where he goes in and scares you half to death by getting three inches from your face and yelling "WHY ARE YOU SLEEPING!?!?!?", which in turn leads you to almost killing him....... But there are a lot of things I've learned from my dad that to write them down would take a while. :D
Mom - From my mom I've learned to how to bear through and stay true to the faith, to always pay my tithing because of the blessings we experienced because of that, and to never try and catch a baseball with your face even to protect your favorite roses....... hee hee......... I've also learned to teach people correct principles and let them govern themselves. I've also learned how to cook, sew, paint porcelain houses, and use a gold paint pen to decorate, even when sleep walking........ hee hee....... ;D
Jake - From my brother Jake I've learned that there's a time to be serious and a time to be goofy.......... maybe not how to differentiate the two but there are those two times somewhere in every activity. I also learn to teach things straight up and clear even if it might be uncomfortable for you because by doing that it leads to people clearly understanding the importance of things. And I've also learned how to have fun with every situation. :D
Buck - I've learned it's good to be goofy. I've learned that music is one of the best ways to make friends and help others feel loved. I've also learned that being yourself is a very important skill and talent to have because when you're yourself, you learn more about who God wants you to be. And that Craig's List is a great place to find a cheap piano....... :D
Mariah - I learned at a very young age not to make her mad. When you grow up as the only girl, right inbetween four brothers who are insane, you become pretty tough. From Mariah I've also learned to let others know you love them, even if you don't actually say the words, "I love you", you make sure to let them know through actions.
Luke - PATIENCE!!!! That's the biggest thing I've learned from him, and that your best friend can be your biggest antagonist, too. ;D Almost no companion of mine has been as difficult as he was and I wasn't with him 24/7. So I'm doing pretty well out here.... hee hee :D I've learned what a true friend, a best friend, is from him. It's someone who is there for you even if you don't get a long and who's got your back even if you are 2000 miles away.
Skyler, Zac-E, Brianne, and Alysa (I would include Makayla but I haven't met her yet) - I have learned from first hand experience the epitomy of insanity and chaos. I've learned great skills that a father needs, such as changing diapers, helping sick kids, cleaning up after them, and resisting the urge to strangle them. Also I've learned how to be "calm in the midst of a tempest" basically, which has really come in handy with some people out here.
So, there are many things you learn from your family, so always being looking for those things. These are things I've learned from my earthly family. Imagine what you can learn if you open yourself up to your heavenly family..... The possiblity for growth and learning are endless when you look at it that way.
I love you all and hope and pray you're doing well.
I'll see you next week.
-Elder Ricky-dude
P.S. I got a southern cookbook from the Carpenters so be prepared for some good southern cooking!!! :D
P.P.S. The Church is true!
P.P.P.S. FROG - Fully Rely On God
May 14, 2012
May 14, 2012
So.... Two weeks and counting...... but I'm going to finish strong.
I am working hard out here and trying my hardest to stay focused. As a companionship we're doing all we can to try and stay focused and avoid all distractions. We're doing pretty well at it.
So, I had this question this morning that I asked my companions and I wanted to ask you about it too.
Do prayers expire? I was just wondering if it's like a contractual agreement or something that has a termination date. I've always wondered that. What do you think?
I personally think they don't expire, AS LONG AS you're worthy to receive the blessings from it. I was reading in 3 Nephi chapter 19 where Jesus Christ himself kneels down and prays to the Father for the Nephites. I had prayed to find an answer to a certain situation and I then jumped into the Book of Mormon and started reading. Christ's prayer in verses 18-22 really stuck out to me and I had the thought about if prayers expire or not.
But there is one thing I know better than anything else: No matter what, God hears, answers, and remembers our prayers. I know that is true. And I can't deny that Heavenly Father lives and loves us and that Christ lives and loves us as well. They are both there waiting to help us. We just need to let them.
I love you all and I'll see ya in two weeks.
-Elder Ricky-dude
(P.S. family, I actually don't have as much stuff as I thought so I'll be okay with my suitcases. :D Just FYI)
Also, this is the Gregory family in the picture. He's the ward mission leader and we had dinner there yesterday. They're AWESOME!!!
-- P.S. The Church is true!
P.P.S. FROG - Fully Rely On God
I am working hard out here and trying my hardest to stay focused. As a companionship we're doing all we can to try and stay focused and avoid all distractions. We're doing pretty well at it.
So, I had this question this morning that I asked my companions and I wanted to ask you about it too.
Do prayers expire? I was just wondering if it's like a contractual agreement or something that has a termination date. I've always wondered that. What do you think?
I personally think they don't expire, AS LONG AS you're worthy to receive the blessings from it. I was reading in 3 Nephi chapter 19 where Jesus Christ himself kneels down and prays to the Father for the Nephites. I had prayed to find an answer to a certain situation and I then jumped into the Book of Mormon and started reading. Christ's prayer in verses 18-22 really stuck out to me and I had the thought about if prayers expire or not.
But there is one thing I know better than anything else: No matter what, God hears, answers, and remembers our prayers. I know that is true. And I can't deny that Heavenly Father lives and loves us and that Christ lives and loves us as well. They are both there waiting to help us. We just need to let them.
I love you all and I'll see ya in two weeks.
-Elder Ricky-dude
(P.S. family, I actually don't have as much stuff as I thought so I'll be okay with my suitcases. :D Just FYI)
Also, this is the Gregory family in the picture. He's the ward mission leader and we had dinner there yesterday. They're AWESOME!!!
-- P.S. The Church is true!
P.P.S. FROG - Fully Rely On God
May 7, 2012
May 7, 2012
So, three weeks to go and I'm finishing strong!
Okay, so you know how crazy it is to wake up and realize that in three weeks I'll be home? It's pretty crazy!
But you know what? I really don't care because I'm finishing strong. I have a goal to find someone who will be ready to be baptized before I go home. I'm going to work hard and find someone who is ready to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ and follow Him. I have never felt so much determination flowing through me in my entire life. I know that if I work hard that the Lord will bless me and I'll be able to do what He wants me to.
This is all I care about right now. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because I declare, like Paul did to the Romans (Rom 1:16): "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." And the Virginian! I really don't care that I met an Apostle on Saturday. Yes, I know what a great privilege that was and I know how rare an experience that is. Right now I'm focused on teaching and baptizing. No, I'm focused on HELPING and baptizing. If you want someone to know how much you love them, don't preach to them, help them. That's what Christ did and that's what I'm going to do.
I know that I am not finished as a missionary, nor will I ever be finished as a missionary because I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and I have chosen to carry His name upon me and I will hold that name until the end of my life and beyond. I am His and I will follow His will. I know that and I will continue to strengthen the foundation of faith that I have built for myself out here. There is absolutely no substitute for what I've gained out here. No amount of theological training, philosophical training, and degrees in Greek and Hebrew will ever compare to what I've learned out here. And to try and share all I've learned in an email or all at once is like trying to fit Lake Powell into a swimming pool. It's not going to happen. Just like the gospel, you cannot learn it all at once.
Can you tell I'm a little excited right now? :D Well, you're right. There is nothing else in my life that brings me as much joy as this gospel does. And do you know what is the hardest thing for a missionary is? Realizing how much better someone's life could be if they would just accept the Gospel, and then having that person continuously turning away from everything you offer. That's the hardest thing I've had to deal with. Not the schedule, not the getting yelled at, not the trials beyond all belief. It's the realization that someone has rejected the greatest blessing God can give them.
I know that God is waiting for all who will turn to Him and ask for His help. His arms are extended towards everyone. EVERYONE has the chance to come back to Him. Don't turn it down. The only way to get out of the mud is to grab the nearest SOLID hold and pull yourself up. That is what Christ is. He is the Rock that we can grab and hold on to so that we can lift ourselves and be lifted out of the world.
The question is: will you grab it and hold on for dear life?
I testify that God is there and that he loves us more than we know. There are no words to describe His love for us. He wants us to come back to Him. Just turn, and grab the Rock. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.
-Elder Ricky-dude
--
P.S. The Church is true!
P.P.S. FROG - Fully Rely On God
Okay, so you know how crazy it is to wake up and realize that in three weeks I'll be home? It's pretty crazy!
But you know what? I really don't care because I'm finishing strong. I have a goal to find someone who will be ready to be baptized before I go home. I'm going to work hard and find someone who is ready to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ and follow Him. I have never felt so much determination flowing through me in my entire life. I know that if I work hard that the Lord will bless me and I'll be able to do what He wants me to.
This is all I care about right now. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because I declare, like Paul did to the Romans (Rom 1:16): "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." And the Virginian! I really don't care that I met an Apostle on Saturday. Yes, I know what a great privilege that was and I know how rare an experience that is. Right now I'm focused on teaching and baptizing. No, I'm focused on HELPING and baptizing. If you want someone to know how much you love them, don't preach to them, help them. That's what Christ did and that's what I'm going to do.
I know that I am not finished as a missionary, nor will I ever be finished as a missionary because I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and I have chosen to carry His name upon me and I will hold that name until the end of my life and beyond. I am His and I will follow His will. I know that and I will continue to strengthen the foundation of faith that I have built for myself out here. There is absolutely no substitute for what I've gained out here. No amount of theological training, philosophical training, and degrees in Greek and Hebrew will ever compare to what I've learned out here. And to try and share all I've learned in an email or all at once is like trying to fit Lake Powell into a swimming pool. It's not going to happen. Just like the gospel, you cannot learn it all at once.
Can you tell I'm a little excited right now? :D Well, you're right. There is nothing else in my life that brings me as much joy as this gospel does. And do you know what is the hardest thing for a missionary is? Realizing how much better someone's life could be if they would just accept the Gospel, and then having that person continuously turning away from everything you offer. That's the hardest thing I've had to deal with. Not the schedule, not the getting yelled at, not the trials beyond all belief. It's the realization that someone has rejected the greatest blessing God can give them.
I know that God is waiting for all who will turn to Him and ask for His help. His arms are extended towards everyone. EVERYONE has the chance to come back to Him. Don't turn it down. The only way to get out of the mud is to grab the nearest SOLID hold and pull yourself up. That is what Christ is. He is the Rock that we can grab and hold on to so that we can lift ourselves and be lifted out of the world.
The question is: will you grab it and hold on for dear life?
I testify that God is there and that he loves us more than we know. There are no words to describe His love for us. He wants us to come back to Him. Just turn, and grab the Rock. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.
-Elder Ricky-dude
--
P.S. The Church is true!
P.P.S. FROG - Fully Rely On God
April 30, 2012
April 30, 2012
Oh my goodness, you won't believe this.
So, there is this elder I'm living with who's name is Elder Spencer Canova. When I heard his last name I was like, wait, I have Canova's in my ancestry, hmmm..... So I asked him who his dad is while I was looking at pictures of his family, and he told me it was Paul Canova. That was kind of familiar, but not by much. Then I asked who his grandfather is and he said George Canova. That triggered something in my brain because I knew that GG has a brother named George. So I thought about it for a bit and the next day I asked him who his great-grandfather was............... Thomas Raymond Canova!!!!! I'm living with my second cousin right now!!!!!
He remembers the family reunions down in Parowan and Aunt Vi, Grandma-Aunt Hazel, and all those people! He even speaks Goose Latin!!! It's just so amazing I don't know how to describe it! Elder Canova is from Holladay, UT area and I just can't believe I'm living with my second cousin right now. How awesome is that?
Anyway, another strange thing happened this past week......... My trunky papers came. I have my flight itenerary and I know exactly what time I'll be getting home. 12:05am on May 30th. I have about a three hour layover in Atlanta, GA. So I'm going to be tired when I get home. But until then, be expecting packages of my stuff in the mail. I think I'm going to send one big box of stuff I can't fit (which is probably not going to be that much, but it could end up being a lot.
Okay, spiritual thought for the week.
God lives. He loves us and wants the best for us. The question is: Are we letting Him into our lives to he can give us what's best for us? If you don't feel you are letting Him in, there's one place you should start:
Read the Book of Mormon.
If you do that I promise you that your life will become dramatically more meaningful and peaceful. I promise you that by the authority that's been given to me to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I know that God lives and Jesus Christ is that. I love you all and leave that with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Ricky-dude --
P.S. The Church is true!
P.P.S. FROG - Fully Rely On God
So, there is this elder I'm living with who's name is Elder Spencer Canova. When I heard his last name I was like, wait, I have Canova's in my ancestry, hmmm..... So I asked him who his dad is while I was looking at pictures of his family, and he told me it was Paul Canova. That was kind of familiar, but not by much. Then I asked who his grandfather is and he said George Canova. That triggered something in my brain because I knew that GG has a brother named George. So I thought about it for a bit and the next day I asked him who his great-grandfather was............... Thomas Raymond Canova!!!!! I'm living with my second cousin right now!!!!!
He remembers the family reunions down in Parowan and Aunt Vi, Grandma-Aunt Hazel, and all those people! He even speaks Goose Latin!!! It's just so amazing I don't know how to describe it! Elder Canova is from Holladay, UT area and I just can't believe I'm living with my second cousin right now. How awesome is that?
Anyway, another strange thing happened this past week......... My trunky papers came. I have my flight itenerary and I know exactly what time I'll be getting home. 12:05am on May 30th. I have about a three hour layover in Atlanta, GA. So I'm going to be tired when I get home. But until then, be expecting packages of my stuff in the mail. I think I'm going to send one big box of stuff I can't fit (which is probably not going to be that much, but it could end up being a lot.
Okay, spiritual thought for the week.
God lives. He loves us and wants the best for us. The question is: Are we letting Him into our lives to he can give us what's best for us? If you don't feel you are letting Him in, there's one place you should start:
Read the Book of Mormon.
If you do that I promise you that your life will become dramatically more meaningful and peaceful. I promise you that by the authority that's been given to me to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I know that God lives and Jesus Christ is that. I love you all and leave that with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Ricky-dude --
P.S. The Church is true!
P.P.S. FROG - Fully Rely On God
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