HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!

Hey everyone!!> From the sounds of things everything is going well, which makes me happy but> doesn't surprise. Of course everything is going well the Lord promised me> that He'd bless my family while I served Him and He keeps His promises!!> Dad I am impressed with your effort in the backyard. I think it'll be done> before I get home! THats great! Kyle I hope finishing up your> sophomore year goes well. Good luck with finals and everything. Study hard> cause whether or not you believe it right now, it does matter. I am a> little jealous that your working at the YMCA and get to be in your bathing> suits all the time. But, not all that much. I e-mailed from the library and> there are three little boys like 8 years old sitting next to me playing war> craft and it makes me laugh and remember when Cami would play it at about> the same age.> Anyways everything here truly couldn't be ANY more MAGICAL and wonderful.> Mom's right I do live in this nice little dream world of sunshine (with> humidity) and wildflowers (which are starting to die because of the intense> sunshine) and I love it!! Patrick was baptized on saturday by Brother Rebstock> who has only been a memeber for about a year and a half. So it was his> first time baptizing which made it even more special. It was amazing. We> decided to spare Patrick and the ward members of our singing this time> around. And afterwards we went over to the Turley's and had homemade pizza> and ice cream and Zoo (his daughter came and loved it) It actually reminded> me of all the little girls a little cause these little girls invited us to> their talent show outside invitations and all. It was cute. But, most> importantly the more I have gotten know Patrick the more I understand a> little more of the love of God and how God truly loves all his children. He> is VERY mindful more than any of us can truly comprehend of our> circumstances. If we are humble he will guide us to Him and to true> happiness, which is what I am experiencing now.> I am so grateful to be in this INCREDIBLE area. President Cutler talks> about how the Lord is preparing us to be the fututre leaders of His church.> His plan is so much greater than what we see. I know that I was meant to> serve here with Sister Derenthal and yes in this middle class predominately> white area in the middle of suburbia speaking english, yes mom even speaking> english because that is honestly where I came from. I see my family and my> friends in this demographic. And I see the challenges that people face, and> the lack of faith that can come to even return missionaries. Because that> kind of missionary work can only happen in South America or something like> that. I can see first hand the benefits of home teaching and visiting> teaching, in a way that Im not sure I would have been able to really see as> my future (I'm also planning to live in other countries too, but you get> it!)> Sister Derenthal and I have made a goal to read the Book of Mormon in this> transfer and its been so amazing to get a little bit more of the big> picture. To watch the people come unto Christ and then fall and then repent> and fall and to see the excuses and the hardened hearts. I guess to see the> hand of the Lord in all things as well as the hand of Satan. Examples to> follow and warnings of what can happen when you let your guard down. Its> pretty funny, but yesterday I got pretty heated after I had read 3 Nephi> 3 of Giddianhi's epistle to Lachoneus. I was ticked that such an evil man> would say such blatant lies and be so evil. Sister DErenthal was laughing> at me. But, I guess what I love most from what I read that even when people> are evil and wicked the Lord sends prophets to them and begs them to> repent and come unto God. His hand is ALWAYS stretched out! Repentance is> the greatest blessing we have. We haven't been asked to be perfect, only to> progress. To keep trying.> As I have been here and served with Sister DErenthal I have truly been able> to understand that concept more than any other. We are WEAK!!! we are not> perfect, YET the Lord works through us because our hearts are in the right> place. Isn't that incredible. Also that the Lord needs me to be me. He> needs me to progress and be better, but to use my words from my heart as He> gives them to me to help others. We have had absolute miracles happen> especially with many less-active members. And even if they have been> inactive since they were 13 they still have certain values and truths and> voids they can't get away from. You want to know why? BECAUSE ITS> TRUE!!!! You can't get away from it because you can feel it. ITS TRUE.> Less- Actives who don't accept home teachers or visiting teacher or any> contact with the church have been asking us to come back and accepting> invitations to read the book of mormon and to let God back into their> lives. Is there anything better. And I know its because they can feel that> we are doing it out of love. We are not here to judge or guilt trip only to> let them know that their Father in Heaven loves them and that true happiness> is in the gospel. Gosh I know its amazing!!> I am thankful for you guys. Especially for my family. I am thankful for> the sincerity and Christ-like love you have for me. Our families aren't> perfect (but I think ours is as close as it gets) but that whats so> beautiful about it God uses us to bless and build our family (immediate,> extended, ward, stake) even through our weakness'. It doesn't mean we> shouldn't continue to work a little harder. But, we don't need to get down> about it because man are we blessed! I know I could have only made it> through my life up until this point because of the incredible examples of my> parents who taught me through their actions about love for everyone, devtion> to the lord and diligence. THANK YOU!!!!> Love> Your sister ROoney>> GOd loves you exactly the way you are, but let Him turn you into the person> you have the potencial to come!!>> P.s. just in case you think I'm boring my district leader said the other> night. "wow I didn't know that sister had fun." Sister DErenthal really> wanted to be laying in a hammock at the beach one night. SO I delivered. We> made a two story hammock. Pretty ingenious and one night we couldn't sleep,> when in my former life I may have gotten up and gone running or done> something crazy, I made her put her bed on the ground, which she fought me,> but it was just for fun and now she likes it so much that they are still on> the ground and our box springs are up against the wall. And we probably> talk in funny accents all the time. And when we are walking down the street> even though she's completely embarrassed of me I make her sing hymns and> primary songs even when people stare at us. And the best is that she's kind> of anal about being perfectly organized. She doens't understand the> concept of a junk drawer cause "everthing has a spot." So I just mess with> her sometimes and will leave things just a little out of place. Like open> her drawer and have a shirt hanging out while she goes to the bathroom or> something. She can't handle it. But, I tell her I am preparing her for> motherhood when she wont be able to have everything perfect cause her kids> will just mess it up!! She is really one of my best friends. The elders> think we're crazy... which we are, but we're changing the sister missionary> stigma fo "boring and lazy" cause we break that mold in every way!!> We're just following presidents counsil. Work hard, be obedient and HAVE> FUN!!!! SOmething I think every one should partake in!!