Faith is an Action!!!

Hello Everyone!!!!> I am coming to you from the Austin Public Library downtown!!!! Yeah for> P-day my companion and I orchestrated this zone plus some trip to see the> capital! We took the tracks from close to where each one of us are downtown> and now we are a hoard of missionaries... going to see the Texas State> Captial. Which is bigger than the nations capital building as I have been> told SEVERAL times. (they would try to one up the country... I LOVE the> people...I'm still working on the state) But, I am really excited for the> day because Austin really is such a cool city and I am excited for all the> treasures it holds. But I feel totally rebellious because we are out> site seeing in a large group of missionaries like maybe 16 or more... we> don't wear are proselyting clothes or our NAME TAGS!!! I seriouly freaked> out last night when Sister Derenthal told me that we would be wearing normal> clothes and not be rockin the name tags or be contacting in austin, cause> its out of our area and we don't contact as missionaries when we are not> doing all those things. So I feel like a huge rebel right now and like I am> on a field trip with my 5th grade class to go see the capital building. Its> CRAZY.... and im the newbie... just a heads up I'll for sure be weird when I> get home. cause I already feel out of place and its my first transfer!!> But, I like it that way!> So Cami CONGRATULATIONS on the whole graduation thing!! I am sorry I can't> be there to cheer for you in an embarrassing manner, but know that I would> if I were there and that as much as I love you for the amazing example and> incredible woman you are , I'm so happy to be here. And don't worry Sean I> am trying my best to do the Rooney name proud because thats how we do and> thats who we are!!! And Kyle... I haven't heard from you no email no letter> no nothing! and that is not okay!!! Write me, or email or something. You can> even do it while your watching a movie and I know you get on facebook so you> have no excuses, I miss you bud and just want to know how you are! Mom and> Dad I know that your doing great. Every single day I am more and more> grateful for each and every one of you and the incredible example and the> incredible blessing you are to me. My joy is full every time I think about> how lucky I am to call you family, that I was SO blessed to be able to go> through this mortal existence with you.> So br. Campell wrote me and told me how Daddy said he hopes I don't come> back with a southern drawl and how he got called out by all the> southerners...haha... thats so funny cause some of the elders were just> teaching me how to do it. Its y'all for one person and all y'all for more> than one. and you don't say dog you say dawg. At a members house last night> they were making fun of Utah and pretty much everyone else, yes they still> call the easterner Yankees. I feel like I have gone back in time to the> civil war. Its like the United States and Texas here. they're kinda> seperate. Anyways the boy asked what other words would you say instead of> fixin? Like I'm fixin' ta leave. Anyways there is your Texas culture> lesson for the day. I love the ward and the people, they are so rad, so> real so loving. There are a few things that still make me cringe like when> they talk about Obama, mom would DIE and some can tend to be a little> racist. Which is really hard to see, but I couldn't imagine being anywhere> else in the world this is where I am supposed to be.> And I am even getting a little better at the whole bike thing. A little> more graceful... a little more in shape... I am not putting my helmet on> backwards as many times... but, the back of my tan skirt did end up> completely black one day and I'm still not quite sure how that happened. or> why I need 21 speeds. Like seriously 21? what could they all be for? But,> there is improvement and I just sing and laugh and I love every moment!!> As for the important things!! The work.. the people!!! Its going great! I> was a little thrown off when I got here becuase I don't know what I was> expecting but as a mission we have a goal of 100 baptisms a month. which> they have only made once in three years. So I was like, I feel like I can do> anything and baptize so many because this is the truth... this message will> bless everyone's life so why won't everyone get baptized. And I am realistic> I know that we wont as a companionship baptize 30 people a month (maybe we> will) but we have to have realistic goals. But, I kinda felt like I had all> this faith and I didn't want to be discouraged I didn't want to give it up> and so I talked to Sister Derenthal (who really is INCREDIBLE.. SO FUN)> about it and she told me that it is a good thing that we can set realisticly> high goals and although it may appear that we aren't going to attain our> goals of 5 baptisms in a month cause we only have 2 people coming to church> enough to be baptized this month. that's where we leave room for MIRACLES. I> loved that so much!! I get to keep my faith!!! I get to keep the hope that> with God all things are possible! And seriously miracles are happening. We> have a family, Shawn and Jessica who have two little girls miley and> michaela (3 and 4) who are AMAZING they are getting baptized on the 30th. I> love them SO much Jessica is 25 and Shawn 31 and they are so ready! they> have moved here from Arizona and taken the lessons for 4 years. and on> thursday they taught us the plan of Salvation. I love them with all my heart> and am so EXCITED for the blessing that making the baptismal covenant,> recieving the gift of the holy ghost and in a year (after she has her TWINS)> they will become an eternal family. And we have Patrick who is this 34 year> guy with long black hair and tatoos who has so much faith and confidence in> the Lord is astounding! and we just found Richard and Shannekqua and they> seem really open and ready for the gospel. We are really finding the Lord's> elect and teaching them the eternal truths of the gospel is one of the> GREATEST privledges and honors of my life. I am truly humbled that the Lord> has put his trust in me to share this gospel with all the world. And guess> what he has put his faith and trust in you! Be bold, it is the TRUTH I know> that it is what everyone is seeking. Some are more prepared than others, but> it will bring a satisfaction and completeness to ones life that can't be> purchased! Gosh I am so lucky to be here!!!> Can I please tell you all how incredible this gospel is?? And how the> scriptures are just over flowing with knowledge. It boggles my mind by how> little I realized that and how little I studied before this. I really missed> out. Something I just wanted to share was about faith. We were studying> faith and how it works and this may seem ridiculous but faith is an action.> This church is a church of action. So in order to increase our faith we> must act, right?? For example, if I am praying for the gift of tounges with> all that I have, and I have hope that heavenly father will bless me with it,> but I don't speak, how can it do that??? Or if I want to meet a new> investigator and I have all the hope in the world knowing that with God all> things are possible but I don't talk to anyone, if I don't act with faith on> that hope How am I supposed to meet that person? am I expecting him to come> knock on my door and ask to be baptized? This is how the Lord works!! You> must act. If you want something in your life? Like a greater love for> people or what have you, you must try and then the Lord will bless you! How> can you find that lost thing if your not looking right??? So that is my> challenge think about the things you are praying for and really ask> yourselves if you are doing your part to make it possible for the Lord to> bless you!!> K I gotta go explore now, everyone's waitng!!!> But, I love you all so mcuh!! thanks for the love and support. I got 7> letters and a package at zone conference!! YOur all great!! and such a> motivation!!> Love sister Rooney