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