Onward and Upward

I am truly humbled by the amazing blessing that I continually recieve. I> know without a doubt that Heavenly Father really is taking care of things at> home, yes, better than I could and I don't deserve it, but I am so grateful.> I am grateful for the love and support and strength that I continue to> recieve from everyone and I couldn't be anymore proud of any of you! Thank> you thank you thank you, for your righteous examples and the testimonies> that you share with me. The church is in fact the truth. And any person> with an open heart and with real intent can and will recieve the same> witness.> Old Settlers is absolutely taking off. Ben, Sandra and Phillip, if> baptismal interviews all go well, will be baptized this Saturday!! Please> pray for them. I love them more than anything in the world. Its> interesting to look back on the first time we talked to them, which was our> 3rd day in the area. They were so nice and so open and it has continued> that way up until this point. Even, Robert, whom we call Grandpa Bush said> he's going to start coming to chuch (BIG DEAL cause he's always said he> wouldn't come) because he's out numbered. All his family goes, so he might> as well. And its been wonderful, because we have been able to start really> utilizing the members. They are all incredible, and they really make all the> difference in the world. Stella is also doing so great. She has 3 chinese> Books of Mormon, and at church this sunday she took 30 article of faith> cards cause she is going to go to China for two weeks at the end of the> month and she is going to give them to all her friends. We had an> incredible lesson with her where we went through Alma 22 and said you are> King Lamoni's father and we are Aaron. She is practically a member, she is> even going to the 5 hour enrichment activity this thursday. She just thinks> that she has to not have a doubt in her mind and that she has to know> everything, before she can get baptized. Her faith is strong, she is> wonderful and she'll be baptized soon.> I continue to be blown away because we find new amazing people every> single day. I know that there are many in our land, whether its in texas,> california, china, south america, yes even Utah that are being prepared by> angels at this time (alma 13:24) and these prepared people are kept from the> truth because KNOW NOT WHERE TO FIND IT. But, the Lord isn't hiding them> from us. If we are searching them out, taking the opportunities presented> to us, the Lord will place them in our paths (most especially members paths)> because he knows that he can trust us. He knows that we will be the example> of Christ-like living. I know that if we will, but open our mouth and just> show our love for all around, that they will be attracted to it, they will> desire the same happiness for themselves. And yes we do love and respect> everyone for their beliefs, but BECAUSE we love and respect them we share> our joy with them. At that point they choose for themselves. So don't let> those moments pass you by. If there is someone you feel like you should> call, mormon or not, do it. The Lord answers prayers through other people.> The spirit is prompting you because those people need your love and your> testimony. Who could be offended by that. No one.> The members really do take such good care of us. This week I got a flat> and so we left our bikes at a members home. and we were going to go see> bishop that night. when he found out, he who had went to a youth temple trip> then on his way from working on their land, went and picked up our bikes,> fixed them, picked us up, we met with us, gave us fresh fruit from their> farm and then gave us a ride home. and thats just one thing, so many> different families take care of us just that well. We don't deserve it. Even> our investigators, love and take care of us and worry about us. They are> all too good too us. ( maybe we put off this damsel in distress vibe, I> don't know where it comes from cause we don't complain, but if we don't let> them give us a ride even down the street they get mad cause they want to> take care of us)> I have decided that I don't have to worry about becoming this incredible> missionary, hear me out okay... because the Lord has given me and you all> the tools we need to reach our potencial selves. If we live the gospel> principles set out for us. We don't have to worry every moment that we are> as good as we should be, because we WILL get there. We WILL become the> person and end up where we want to end up if we keep doing the small and> simple things. Yes if we look at how far we have to travel to get there its> overwhelming. But, for example Rachel is graduating this week> (CONGRATULATIONS by the way!!!!) if when she was in Kindergarten thought> about all the homework assignments, projects, test, etc.. that she was going> to have to do in order to arrive where she is today. she would have given up> on the spot. It was a long and arduous journey, but look at her she's made> it! So stop worrying so much. Do little things every day. Every week and> you'll by virtue of the promise that the Lord has made to us, you will> prosper in the land. And it is by obedience that all blessings are> predicated. Think about it. Heavenly father's whole work in to help us to> be happy, he sees the bigger picture, he wants to bless us more than> anything in the world. But, if you are sinning and not repenting then He> has to instead help you understand what true happiness is, through a> humbling experience. He would rather just shower you with blessing,> but He's working towards your immortality and eternal life here. Progression> is the point. He has told us if you do these things you'll progress and> you'll be blessed and happy, but sometimes we get on our high horse and> think for some crazy reason that we know better the the ALL KNOWING. THats> just silly of us. But, we learn. And all of us have the mercy and comfort of> the atonement of our Savior while we continue to make mistakes and learn and> grow. So remember He is anxious to bless us, and anytime we do something> good we are in fact blessed!! So just in submiting your will to His, you> are awknowledging that He understands your happiness better than you do, and> YOU WILL BE HAPPY!! Isn't it just so simple and wonderful! I love it! So> keep going!! YOu've got it!! He loves you, His son loves you, they> are rooting for you success and so am I!> Have a great week!> Love> Your Sister Kimi Michelle Rooney