A Heart full of Gratitude

My dearest Family and Friends> I am just sitting here in the library, full of emotion. Full of the> absolute gratitude that I have in my heart for all my many blessings. I can> not adequately express in words the peace and joy I feel with knowing that> my family is doing wonderfully. I have lately contemplated much on the> great blessing of being a member of my beautiful family. Which each day I> am more and more grateful for the personalities and strengths and love that> each one of you has. I would not be the same without you. Today I know that> Heavenly Father is taking extra special care of you. I see so much here. I> see the suffering and the sadness of wrong decisions and how it lasts for> generations, yet because of you mom and dad and your examples and sacrifice> and dedication to our family and to the Lord, we have been sheltered. We> have been able to grow up emotionally physically and spiritually fed. And we> are who we are today because of you. I don't know how you have done it, but> I hope and pray that I can live up to half of who you are and what you> represent to me. Thank you.> This week has been another beautiful week in missionary work. My dear> companion is one of those who has really suffered in her life. Her parents> divorced by the time she was 5 and her dad was excommunicated, and only a> few years ago was rebaptized. Her mother was ill with cancer for most of> her high school years and then passed away after her freshman year of> college. Most of her siblings are not active and she, the youngest is the> first since her father to serve a mission. We are really learning from one> another how to do this work in this area. And I am grateful for such an> opportunity. There are families all around that have similar circumstances,> so many in this ward come alone to church because their spouses are less> active. Many have never left the San Antonio area. And to see their> strength and dedicated service to the Lord is humbling. I love these> people, so much. There is a beautiful recent convert who suffered from a> stroke and could barely speak when the sisters found her. They taught her to> speak and to read. She had not known Jesus Christ and now we sit there as> she struggles through verses with the biggest smile and greatest sense of> gratitude and joy. She does everything in the name of Jesus, she even> answers her phone that way. It has made me think about my life a lot. For> all I have taken for granted. For the silly things that I let bother me,> when all I should be doing night and day is praising my God for the life> that I have.> How incredible was it to see the family from Abundancia in the General> Relief Society broadcast. Their story is one of millions of dedicated> saints of God. I am sure that we saw their family when we visited, if not> met them personally. It made the story all the more precious and personal.> Emilee Rivera was baptized yesterday, she is nine. She is so sharp and so> intune and she was jumping for joy about being baptized. She adequately> understood how precious that day was for her. When she would be recieving> the gift of the holy ghost. I believe we as members can sometimes take for> granted this precious knowledge that we have. We have it all. We have a> knowledge of our lord and Savior and through the restored church of Jesus> Christ have full-access to His atonement. The fullness of the gospel is> back. And we are the chosen and blessed people who are here to prepare for> the day of His coming. What an honor, what a privledge, what a> responsibility. I can not wait for the day that I can thank my Savior in> person for all that He has done for me and everyone I love. For these people> who suffer more than I ever could handle. What peace I have that they can> find comfort and peace and calm through the storms of their lives. I know> that anyone who will turn to Him and repent can have the blessings of> eternity. How glorious is His plan.> I love you all so much. I am thankful for your examples and your service and> your patience with me. Have a wonderful week.>> Love your Sister Rooney