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!