What a week.

Hello!!>> Hello everybody!! Hope everything is going well in every one's life! I'm> just you know doing my missionary thang and it some how gets better every> single day. There is a girl in our ward who gave a homecoming talk this> week, she just got back from Chicago south. And it totally freaked me out.> I know I'm new and have like my whole mission ahead of me but it is FLYING> by! And I know I'll blink and I'll be in her shoes and for as much as I> love high heals I want the whole flat sister missionary shoes for longer> than I've got. But, I'll just keep living up every day I've got here! I'll> do my best. I completely love just being able to walk up and talk to> complete strangers and bear my testimony about how the gospel is true. That> we do in fact have a prophet on the earth and the book of Mormon is the> proof of it and that anyone who sincerely asks Heavenly Father in faith will> receive the life changing answer for themselves and they will never be the> same in the best way possible.> This weekend we had a ward service project. We planted trees. It was so> much fun. There were 33 trees to plant and we were doing it under the> direction of the city. It was absolutely incredible (not only cause i was> in normal clothes in public) but also because it was amazing to see all the> members of the church working together, doing hard labor to better the> community. There were little kids, pregnant women, grandparents, teenager> all working hard and having fun and bonding. The in charge said they have> never gotten so much work done in so little time. Usually other groups will> take off after all the trees are in the ground but we stayed and mulched and> drove stakes into the ground and helped tie down the trees and on top of> that we helped clean up. He was very impressed. As I reflected on that> service project I thought about how that is true Christianity in action. We> as members of the church, if we live the way that we know we are supposed to> live, then we are living the way that Heavenly Father wants us to live. We> are not here on this earth to take care of number one, whether that entails> ourselves or just our families. We build our character and the strength of> our families through the service we render to the community, in church, in> our neighborhood. And we are blessed and a happy people who live peaceably> one with another. And others see that. There is something different about> a home that has the spirit in it. We are the very fruits of the gospel.> The fruits of the prophet Joseph Smith, and long as we stand strong and stick> to our values we will have the strength of the Lord on our side.> Also, for the first time I talked to someone who completely threw me off.> We talked to this crazy man, who hit me from an angle I wasn't expecting. We> got talking and he talked about his masters degrees and blah blah blah, then> went on the say that he had been catholic since before he was born and been> educated by the "Jesuits, the ones who kill the muslims" He went on the say> how he knows life is all about to being a good person and taking care of> your neighbor that Jesus Christ metaphorically suffered for us, and> then some absolutely horrendous things about Muslims and how when he was in> the marines he would just kill them etc... I just started crying, I have> never come in contact with such evil. and I was thrown off for the rest of> the night. That is not the way the Lord would have us live. We should love> all men and I'll be honest loving that man is pretty hard... but that is the> teachings of Jesus Christ. Our lord and Savior who is the son of God who> came down here to be the perfect example, who loves all men and women,> black white, Jewish Muslim, etc and who suffered for our sins and sorrows> and trials and EVERYthing difficult that we would pass through and then died> on the cross by the very people He had just suffered for, His people and> gloriously rose again three days later and still lives to this day! That is> real I know it is and that is what I share with all. To come unto Christ> and Heavenly Father is joy and happiness now and forever.> Okay, to change notes real quick... This Sunday was quite a surprise for me.> I was just standing with Sis. Derenthal just passing our programs before> church. When I see this guy who kinda reminded me of Sam Gray, then as I> look I realize that Sam and Roxanne are walking up the stairs to the> church. I freaked out!! I started shaking I didn't know what to think or> do!! It was crazy and wonderful! So Sam and Roxanne just hung out with me> at church! No big deal! It was so fun! they showed me all their wedding> pictures and I got to ask all the question I wanted to about their lives.> And they are just so happy and wonderful! And they got to meet Shawn and> Jessica and April who is getting baptized this Saturday and the members> that I adore and Sis Derenthal who really has become one my best friends!> But I'll be honest it was SUPER WEIRD!! I was stuck in this limbo of my> real life and my mission life and to have them collide like that was crazy.> I realize why we serve away from our friends and families and only talk to> them through emails and letters. Because I became pretty selfish. I did> talk to April and the ward but, I only wanted to talk to Roxanne and Sam and> just be me, not missionary me. It was only momentary and really so much fun> I am glad they came! The ward thought they were investigators cause they> were sitting with the missionaries and they all went up and asked them who> they were. It was fun. we talked and laughed and were giddy and then> parted ways. And I reverted right back to missionary me no worries!> Oh I totally got bit by a spider or some crazy bug. Need I remind you I am> in Texas and not the amazon, but looking at my arm you might think other> wise. I have six bites on my arm one the size of a tennis ball. It looks> like I have a disease of some sort. Every one kind freaks out when they see> my arm and I get a little embarrassed but I'm seriously spoiled in this> ward. THey were all babying me. They gave me anti itch cream and benidryl> and everything. We eat with the members every night and probably have like 8> or more families that would feed us on the spot if we just showed up. I> really love them all so much!! Oh and momma sis Hyatt the family I talked> about last week. She called you like a month or more ago and I think she> left her number and I forgot to tell you she was from my ward. She said that> you guys probably thought she was some crazy person, but she just wanted to> call and talk to you about how to raise the perfect daughter. I'm kidding> Im not exactly sure why but it was her. She said the answering machine cut> her off though.> Thank you so much for the love and support you offer me, and thank you for> your faith in this work.> Love> Sister Rooney>> PS - Jay I pray that you will be like the sons of mosiah upon their return from> their missions that Alma 17:3 you may speak with the power and authority of> GOd in defending yourself!

Oh Hey!

Howdy,> SO first and most importantly I hope everything is good with all y'all!> Really though I pray for you and I know that Heavenly Father is taking extra> good care of you in my absence. ( that sounded kinda self-centered, like I> always took care of you or something, really you guys just took care of me> lets be honest) I know that everyone has there own personal trials little> or big that they are going through right now, my advice is to try and look> at it from an outsiders point of view. Satan is really good at making us> truly believe in the lies all around us. He is a sly one. He knows us each> so well that he knows what our weaknesses are and how to tempt us into> believing that his lies are really truths. One for example could be that we> are not of worth because of (fill in the blank) and he knows how to fill> in the blank with exactly what would make us feel that way, right? Cause> what gets me isn't necesarily going to get the next guy. He's a> little smarter than that. But, what is true? We are children of our> Heavenly Father! He is the greatest king of them all by like a bajillion. So> you are royalty. And yes there is in fact inequality in the world the Jones> will always have more than you, but the trick to happiness is to be> content and maybe even happy with what you've got. With all the blessings> you have been given. Br. Brough, yes Cami's trainers brother, Br. Brough> gave a talk on gratitude and that it is a saving principle. And I see why...> if you are a little more grateful for your family, wouldn't you love them a> little better, if you are a little more grateful for the scipture, might you> study them or read them a little more or more in depth, if you are a little> more grateful for the atonement of our dear savior Jesus Christ, would you use> it a little more, study about it, tell everyone you know about it??> SO I know I always add my thoughts from what I have been thinking about> and if they seem preachy, I'll cut it out sorry. This is not my intent, so> just let me know.> But, my week was really amazing. I am more grateful every single day for> the blessing it is to be a missionary for my Lord and Savior. Brushy Creek> is the best ward ever. All the members are so great. Seriously though, its> kinda a problem cause every family is so fun that its REALLY hard to leave.> But, don't worry about it we are working on it. They all have so many cool> things to offer to say. I just sit and soak it up. We are trying to focus> on strengthening our relationships within the ward, to then try to inspire> them to talk to their friends. So question for all of you, who are some> memorable missionaries you've had in your wards and why were they so> memorable, what made them different from all the missionaries of whom you> probably can't even remember their names?> Everyone is so amazing, but I think my favorite this week would be the> Hyatts. Sis. Hyatt is the Relief Society President and she is absolutlely> amazing. They have a son on a mission in Spain and he gets home in 2 weeks.> They're just a little excited. Its really funny though cause she's 45 and> just got pregnant! It was a complete surprise they have 4 kids the oldest> is like 9. But, I think they were my favorite becuase as we talked to them> yesterday just about different things their three other kids were just> sitting on top of each other and messing around and goofing off, chimming in> every once in a while but really wondering how their parents could talk for> so long and wondering when it was going to be over. It made me laugh so> hard, I called them out on it, just cause it was us. Me, Kyle, Sean and Cami> just messing around, getting in trouble and wondering how they could still> be talking. It was great!! Just another tender mercy in all the> plenitudes!!> And with sis. Derenthal, its great. I have kinda become her life coach. Yeah> mom, me the life coach, shocking huh? But, she is great and I am helping to> see how great she really is and it is so much fun and so rewarding I love> it!! and we just really laugh and have fun, get to know the ward and teach> all we can! The mission is the best, I highly suggest it for anyone> debating it!! Well thats all I think Ive rambled long enough!>> I love you and always remember to smile! Laugh through the hard times and> they really wont seem too hard!> Love> your sister Kimi Rooney

Focus on the Pearl.

Hey Y'all,> It really was so great to talk to you guys on Sunday. It is always wonderful> to remember the family I am apart of. I just make so much sense when in> connection to you, I apologized to my comp for laughing and yelling and just> being to loud... I really know that you were each sent here to help me get> through this life, with minimal bumps and bruises, and I am quite the klutz> so I know what a challenge that presents. You all motivate me to be a better> missionary and to work with everything I've got... so thanks!> Daddy, I really like the idea behind focusing on the pearl and not the> pretty box. Its a pretty incredible experience to be a missionary because> we are definately not of the world but, we are not really in the world> either. We are given this very unique opportunity to see the world and the> people in it, a little more like He does. To see the real meaning to life.> And it comes through the high mission standards that we are asked to keep.> We only listen to uplifting music, we don't watch movies or tv, we don't> surf the internet, we are early to rise early to bed with excercise in the> mix, we study personally and together, we set and achieve goals, we then go> out and serve people all day every day.and all of this helps us to focus on> the most important things in life. so that "we talk of Christ, we rejoice> in Christ, we preach of Chirst, and (we read what the prophets write that )> prophesy of Christ, and (and what they've written) according to their> prophecies, that our children (us and everyone around us) may know to what> source they may look for a remission of their sins." (2Nephi 25:26) And> when we do these things, we are filled with the love of God and don't have> the mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably (Mosiah 4:11-21) We> become true Christians we truly become more like our exemplar, Jesus> Christ. When we put off the natural man and yeild to the enticings of the> Holy Spirit, we become the saints that we profess to be. We cannot be like> the Pharisees in the times of old and focus on the rules. I am a good person> because I went to church or served my neighbor or etc. is not necesarily> true. Did you go to church because thats what you do, because people might> look at you funny if you didn't or did you go to church to edify and to be> edified by others and then did you really prepare to take the sacrament and> re-committ to live and be better both heart and soul? The Law of Moses was> fulfilled in Christ. We live the law of Christ. We do things to become> better people and Christ is why it is possible. That is the big picture. So> I'm not asking you my friends and family to give up television and suddenly> live missionary standards, you need to be in the world, but not of the> world. I would just ask you to look at the things you do, do and see why> your doing it. As you change those things, one thing at a time and give into> the enticings of the Spirit. Your desires will change and you will want to> continue changing because that is the deepest desires of our spirits. To> return to live with our heavenly father again.> Sorry I get so preachy. I promise that this comes from a good place. Its> because I love you so much! Oh and sister Derenthal isn't getting> transfered!!! WE are staying in Brushy Creek for another transfer. We> literally started leaping up and down for joy and doing a very appropriate> slightly goofy missionary victory dance!! We were positive that she was> getting transfered, so its really awesome that she is staying. We are just> going to rock this transfer. Be more obedient, more faithful, work harder,> and I know that so many miracles are going to happen. Our district leader,> this huge tongan elder, (who is absolutely ruthless when it comes to> dodgeball) was laughing at us cause he didn't know why we thought she was> getting transfered because he highly suggested we stay together cause we're> on fire. And so when the APs called they said that they had moved us apart> and that it made sense to do so, but the Lord wanted us together and to keep> up the good work!!! Our prayers were answered! So I'm really excited and> things are going great.> Well I love you all so much!! Keep smiling every day!! And if something> makes you sad, I give you full premission to think of how we'll be driving> down the road and just jump out scare someone half to death and then> testify to them about the church. Yeah that happens. I am officially a> Crazy person. So laugh at me and keep going. life is just great!!!> Your> Sister Kimi Rooney>> You can't pray a lie> -Huck Fin

Oh happy days!!!

Howdy!> I hope that every one of you is doing GREAT!!! And if you read that and> feel like you are not doing great then open up your scriptures and say a> prayer to your heavenly father, have a real conversation with Him, ask for> his help, tell Him whats going on, and I know that everything will turn> around cause that is what He wants for each and everyone of His children.> So I promise things will turn around and true happiness is just around the> corner, so just get up and walk around it okay!!> CONGRATULATIONS to the new Sam and Roxanne Gray!! I am so proud of you two> and so happy for y'all! You will do great things and will be such an> incredible eternal couple!> Sean welcome home, so did both you and Kyle get a job at the YMCA?? ANd Mom> your a stud and Dad, mom said that you got to have a bishops meeting with> Elder Oaks and you didn't even write me about it??? I know, I know your off> living a real life and probably one of the busiest people I have ever know!> Just make sure I get the details next week okay!> SOO Shawn and Jessica got BAPTIZED on Friday!! It was amazing!! Seriously!> SO perfect. So since they weren't going to wear the inmate jumpsuits they> both wore white pants and a button up shirt. But, Shawn forgot his button> up, and you could see his tatoos through his undershirt, so he had to run> home for that, and bishop forgot he was doing the baptizing so he had to run> home and get his stuff. And jessica's number one demand was that the water> be hot, but after the delay, it wasn't exactly hot. ANd the girls Mailee> and Mikaila (the real spelling) are used to us feeding them candy> throughout church, (yeah, I know bad habit, they equate church with candy,> BUT THEY LIKE IT) so to keep them occupied we were feeding them M&Ms the> whole time. ANd Jessica kinda thinks its ridiculous that every woman and> lots of men cry so much in the church and so some how she decided it would> be funny to fake cry while we sang When I am baptized! and I laughed through> the first verse. And so it was absolutely PERFECT! I wouldn't have had it> any other way. The spirit was so strong we had a testimony meeting while> they changed. I know this is all jumbled but it was just incredible! They> were confirmed on Sunday. and Shawn recieved the Aaronic Priesthood after> church!!! ANd they are so happy! Shawn called us and was asking about the> priesthood and they really are just blooming. I love them SOOO much! They> are like family and you know how I feel about family. They are a part of my> soul now. They have such a bright future. and I truly understand the> scipture if you bring but one soul unto me how great will be my joy.> Because even if I was only able to take part in this one baptism (and the> Lord does ALL the work, and Im on the sidelines) my joy would be complete!> and then how lucky am I, I have the majority of my mission ahead of me> still. Who knows what will happen! Alma 29:9-10 explains it perfectly> So pretty much I am just super happy all day every day! Like I keep waiting> and anticipating a lull, a time when I get bummed about something, but it> just doesn't come. Jessica said I am just goofy always beaming very excited> girl with a bow in my hair. So I guess that explains it.> One last thought: so there is an inactive brother in our ward who suffers> pretty badly from depression and we were able to have quite a long talk with> him, 6 years ago he and his wife divorced after a 25 year temple marriage> and they have 5 kids. He is still suffering from it. ANd he had some pretty> amazing insight that has changed my outlook and relationships with people.> He said that to Blame is poison. Even if the person is at fault. Even if> someone delibrately goes out of their way to kick you in the shin. It is> still up to you to get mad, sad, etc.. That is life. That is a product of> the great gift of free agency. Others freedom to choose may effect you, but> thats the way its supposed to be. how fun would life even be with no bumps> in the road, without the color and diversity of opinions? So instead of> blaming other people for the way that you feel, choose to be happy, choose> to grow, choose to come closer to the Lord. Becauuse with Him no man can> fall! so this changed the way I view my comp. Maybe she doesn't work as> hard, or isn't as perfect as I dreamed, but blaming her for my lack of work> ethic or obedience or what have you is just a cop out. Yeah its not pleasant> to realize that you are in fact are weak, that you have faults, but in> awknowledging that, turning everything on yourself, allows for real> improvement, real progression! Blaming others does absolutely nothing.> There is nothing whinning wont make worse (Elder Holland) It has changed my> attitude from blame to service well if things are this way how can I change> them? How can I serve or motivate my comp. And it has made all the> difference. DOn't get me wrong things are great, every day is great and we> have a blast, I still laugh all the time. We are good friends. And we work> hard and are obedient we can just do better is all!! So think about your> relationships with others and whether you are blaming others when you should> be looking inwardly and fixing yourself. Its hard, but so good. And don't> get down we aren't asked to be perfect. THe lord knows full well that we are> weak, but with Him we can be strong and through the atonement we can be> forgiven!! Isn't that so great!>> ANyways I love you all so much! Keep trudging! Life is meant to be> beautiful!> Love your very own> Sister Kimi Rooney>> "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one> persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress> depends upon the unreasonable man"> - George Bernard Shaw>> p.s. PHONE CALLS ALREADY??? I think about 3 pm my time is when I'll be> calling!! Wow!> p.s.s Lilian you are incredible! You are a rock. You really have been such> an example to me throughout my life. Thank you so much for your testimony!> Keep going. YOu can do it. John 14:11 (or something like that) The lord's> peace is all you need! Hold on strong to the gospel of Jesus Christ and all> will be well.> p.s.s you know that gospel song, "oh happy days" its in Sister ACt, any ways> thats our theme song right now!