The simple life

SO everything sounds like its going great back at home. Although I will be> honest and this may sound crazy, but I totally miss working in the back yard> for hours on end with the family. Especially if Grandpa came down to help I> am sure its starting to look incredible. I would love for you to send> pictures of how its going. Happy birthday to Sean!!! I lvoe you bud and I'm> sending a hand writen letter your way very shortly!> So sorry this is coming to you at a later hour than normal. But, this> morning we went up to this big property of a member of our ward who is> getting ready to their 25 acre plot of land. Even though they have the> skeleton sort of a barn and just a young little orchard, it was an> amazing experience to just walk through the brush and sit and ponder on the> simplicities of life. Something I thought a lot about while I was in> Paraguay. And how true happiness comes back to the gospel of Jesus Christ.> It really is just that easy AND that complex. Some times I feel like Naman> who was commanded to wash in the river Jordan to be healed from leprosy and> he almost didn't do it because it wasn't grand enough. I think I might> stand and fight if asked to do so, but before it seemed sometimes that> reading my scriptures and praying just was so easy that I didn't understand> the miracle of it. Lets be honest with ourselves we waste SO much time on> SO many other things, but we can't take 30 minutes out of our day to sit and> ponder the scriptures and how they are applicable to our lives and then> think about all the blessings we have and truly show our gratitude to the> Lord for all that we have been given. I think that its so easy to do that> we just don't understand or appreciate its value. Like home teaching and> visiting teaching (aka being a real friend to a member of our ward family)> not that hard to do. It can strengthen the ward and is just so easy to> procranstinate. Its absolutely INSANE how satan has made these incredibly> important things just seem slightly insignificant to the worldly eye. He is> good at what he does, sadly enough.>> Anyways it was great. I am SO happy! I really don't know that there is> quite a full and complete joy as the joy in seeing men and women take that> VERY scary and life altering step towards God and covenant that although> they haven't lived their lives a certain way previously that they trust Him> enough to do it His way for the rest of their lives through the beautiful> ordinance of baptism and recieving the holy ghost. These people I have the> absolute privledge of coming in contact with have truly enlarged my soul.> They have become a part of me in a way that I can't quite put into words.> Patrick the man of miracles had plenty more this week. He worked every other> Sunday and he doesn't have a car. BOth of which have been obstacles for him> coming to church. (the car was much less of an obstacle) But, when he> finally recieved his witness that it was what the Lord wanted for him he> still had to work the next three Sundays because he had said he'd cover for> his friend because he wasn't planning on getting baptized anytime soon (the> Lord obviously, like in most cases, had other plans!) So this past week the> Lord heard the prayers of the many people praying for Patrick and his> company wants to change his hours so that he doesn't work any Sundays> EVER!!! And if that wasn't enough he got a car this last thursday. So his> baptism was orginally planned for the 12th (a great day and I think Sean> would agree) but it was going to have to be pushed back cause he had to come> to church one more time, but he was still going to have to cover for his> friend. And so we told the PEC having seen Patrick on Saturday that it was> pushed back. But as we were sitting in church next to Jessica, she points> over and says hey look, and another miracle, PATRICK IS SITTING THERE!!! So> last minute somebody called and covered for him and he was going to stay> home but he realized why he got it covered so he drove over in his car that> he now had and was able to come to church. Making his baptism this coming> weekend! The 12th of June. I think one of the greatest feelings in the> world was sitting next to Shawn and Jessica, have Patrick come sit by us and> then April come in and sit by us. And to know that it was ALL THE LORD. I> continue to be the most spoiled daughter of God ever!!> There is no joy like missionary work. ANd guess what y'all can get in on it> too! every member a missionary!!> The ward is great. Our entire dinner calender was filled in one sunday.> I am more blessed than I can put into words and I know that this is all the> Lord and very little of what I have done!> Well have a spectacular week! I love you all. THanks grandpa for taking care> of the family and great grandma thanks for your email. YOur a doll!> Love> Your sister Kimi Rooney!