Thankful to be a Missionary!

Happy Thanksgiving!!,> May I please tell you how marvelous it is to be a missionary. There> is nothing I would rather be doing or no where I would rather be. Its> funny, Sister Snow and I were talking about what we thought a mission would> be. No on tells you about the crazy people you'd meet or maybe those days> that you go and don't really talk to anyone. Or maybe those days that you> run into anti-mormon after anti-mormon. But, I am truly grateful for it> ALL! The entire experience. The opportunity I have to represent my Lord> and my Savior to tell them the GOOD NEWS!! It is so wonderful! God still> loves us as much today as ever. We have more scripture and a true and> living prophet on the earth. It astounding to me that some how with each> and ever day, my love for my Savior, for His gospel and His plan grows. My> love for my family and friends deepen and I am more grateful for the truly> blessed life the Lord has given me. Its been a really interesting> experience as I study Jesus the Christ and read through the book of mormon> over and over again as I study preach my gospel, it "enlightens my> understanding and begins to be delicious to me" in a way that I could never> have thought possible. And just lately I'm studying and analyzing my> patriarchal blessing. And its a TREASURE TROVE! Do y'all understand how> incredible those are. I have study material and detailed direction for the> rest of my life. I really encourage you to study yours. Look at the> promises. The things the Lord would have you do. The warnings. Its> amazing. We are God's children. I am a child of God. He loves me. He> knows me. He understands me! (thank goodness someone does, cause I sure> don't) He guides me. He has a plan for me personally. And I know the same> is true for each of you.> I forget who I talk about. But, Tracy (male) and Carmen Dawson are> incredible. They are unstoppable and unshakable. They are getting baptized> on Dec 4!! I have never witnessed so plainly the teachings and> understanding that comes from the spirit alone. They know things that we> never taught them. No one, no anti- or good intentioned member who has said> the wrong things (and there are MANY of both) has made them blink for a> second. Tracy and Carmen have never gone to church together. They have> never even really talked about these things together. And last night for> the very first time Tracy prayed. He prayed out loud and in front of> Carmen. I don't think there is anything so sweet in all the world. And my> goodness, to see the way that Carmen just sparkles!!! She just shines!! To> see Tracy progress the way he has. She has been waiting for this for more> than 25 years. And Tracy last night was just testifying of the truth. Of> the Book of Mormon. Of the prophets of everything. Nothing so incredible> as their faith. And the unity that would come. As I have been studying> Jesus the Christ I realize how blinded and hardened the pharisees and the> Sadducee's are, they often would say that Christ did the miracles through> the power of the devil. The anti- force in this community is strong. They> say we are a cult and blah blah blah. But, Satan doesn't strengthen homes> and families, Satan doesn't teach a man to pray. If we only look at the> fruits, we can know for a surety that this is indeed the truth! I'm> thankful for the adversity. There will always be opposition. But, the> Lord's work's will NOT be frustrated. There is wheat among the tares. Those> who recognize the truth are few. But THEY EXIST and they are waiting.> We found a family this week, who a month ago called who knows who to> have representatives come by from the Church. It got lost in translation,> but the spirit knew. So we knocked on her door. We met with her the next> day and invited her to be baptized. She said "that would be excellent."> That many people have tried to pressure her to be baptized in other> churches, but of course she had to politely decline because it wasn't the> truth. Ten years ago her (Lisa Zepeta) and her husband (Daniel) were so fed> up they were just going to write their own religion. But, it came to them> that the truth was out there they just hadn't found it yet. She has been> searching all her life and she knows this is it!> This is REAL. There is indeed truth restored. and how lucky am I to> declare it! I love you all and I thank you for your love and support. Have> an incredibly delicious thanksgiving!! I know I will. Don't worry Steve> DeBord is coming to the house we are having dinner at. So I'll just be> having thanksgiving with family pretty much! Words can't describe my> gratitude. I am spoiled I know it!>> Love,> Your Sister Rooney

Fall...

Well Hello Everyone,> I hope everything is wonderful with everyone. Things here in Encino Park> couldn't be any better, EXCEPT its getting cold. I have brought out the> sweaters, scarves and tights. They tell me it doesn't last very long....> thank goodness. I really have a strong testimony, that I would have died> anywhere else. Missionary work, is an outside kind of work. Not a curl up> in a blanket, drink hot chocolate and look at the cold from the inside kind> of work. So yet another testimony that Heavenly Father knows us> personally.> Tuesday I had dinner with Br. DeBord. He made a feast!! Gumbalaya,> chili, blue corn bread, potatoes and green beans, with a honeydue with> prickley pear smoothie. I had a very little bit of each and it was all> incredible. He is quite the cook. And the whole time I was boggled that I> was actually eating dinner at his house. Like we'd always joked about.> Prophecy fulfilled. He is really the nicest man. I see Roxanne in him;> and I finally saw Sandy at church too. And word traveled fast. I think> within less than two days, EVERYONE in multiple wards, knew that I was> Roxanne's roommate. And it kinda throws me off every time somebody> mentions it because it was like it happened in my past life and so its not what my> mind immediately jumps to, so it takes me a few seconds to make the> connection to Roxanne, Roxanne.> As far as everything else goes, it couldn't be more beautiful. I love love> love Sister Snow. We get along SO well. We are so much a like, which seems> to be a little dangerous. You see we have both had companions who were on> top of remembering things, and checking the phone and not loosing things> etc... So Heavenly Father is making us both step up and improve. He's> really good at that. We just laugh at ourselves all the time and try to set> goals to get better. But, at the same time we both love to work hard, love> the people, and love obedience. So its working out, we've just got to get used> to the logistical stuff. Like putting the keys in the same place every> time. Every day I am more astounded by her strength and dedication. Because> her opposition arises from those closest to her. Yeah maybe our family is> working on things, but her family sends an email every once in a while,> telling her that she is ruining peoples lives and that they are so> disappointed in her and that she has destroyed their family. But, she knows> the truth. She knows this is the best thing we could ever be doing. It is> the best thing anyone could ever do.> Jonathan Gadbilou got baptized that Sunday in Windcrest and I couldn't be> more overjoyed. Here Tracy and Carmin are doing great. We had dinner> all together at a members house and it went WONDERFULLY. They want a quad> and nothing is going to stop them from getting baptized. They recognize the> truth and they have the courage to follow it. There is no greater joy, than> seeing the lives of those you love change and come in accordance with the> plan of our heavenly father. To see the fire to learn everything they> possible can be ignited is powerful indeed.> I have such a testimony of the Lord's timing. It is essential to recognize> it. Because whether someone is less active, not a member or struggling> with something else or another... it all comes down to timing. I have not> been called to convince anyone that this is the truth. It is the truth. It> stands alone. I am not going to convince anyone that the Book of Mormon is> the word of God and that Joseph Smith in reality spoke to Heavenly Father> and Jesus Christ and was called to be a prophet, anymore than I can convince> them that Jesus is our Savior. When someone isn't ready they harden their> hearts to the spirit and cast it off as a thing of naught (2 Nephi> 33:1-2) . But, when it is the Lords time, they readily accept and are> taught by the Holy Ghost the truth of all things and then THEY ACT on it.> We can all help to find those people. To help prepare them. This is not the> responsibility of a full-time missionary alone. The softening most often> occurs through good friends and neighbors. So be that, reach out to> people. At baptism, we promised to take Christ's name upon us. To do as he> would do.> Well, I love you!!! I hope all is wonderful! If its not... pray and give it> to Heavenly Father and be grateful for the opportunity to learn. Every> person that doesn't want to talk to us, is just another answer to our> prayers, because we pray to find those who are ready, and so they don't> know, but when they say I have a church or I am not interested or> etc... they are following the spirit cause what they are really saying is> ..." I am not yet ready at this time to accept the message of the restored> gospel, but if you give me time I'll get there, but if you keep going you'll> find my neighbor who is." It is such a blessing. And it isn't just positive> thinking, its the truth. Heavenly Father answers all our prayers, we just> need to look for our answers.> Love,> Your Hermana/ Sister> Rooney

Stand and Fight

Howdy,> So things are just blissful here in Encino Park. Sister Snow and I> still cannot believe that we are lucky enough to be serving together!! We> just mesh. There is no other way to put it. We look at the work the same.> We think about everything the same. We realize that this time is the> greatest blessing ever and it probably wont last long. We have set really> great goals. We have been working hard and having fun all the time. We are> just going to step up our game even more. We're going to study in our free> time and take advantage of this time we have together as best we can.> But, poor sister snow got a stomach virus thing. We had to stay in on> Tuesday and she tried to push through it on Wednesday and we went out, then> we went to urgent care on Thursday. And she was healed by Friday! It was> a miracle. And we were both SUPER antsy. I never want to have to stay in> again. It was miserable. Just staying in all day instead of seeing people> and talking to people and doing the work, made us stir crazy. But, it was an> incredible week none the less. Because even though we weren't able to work,> the lord was. He's alot better at this than we are anyways.> So I must tell you about Tracy (husband) and Carmin (wife) Dawson.> They have two kids David (22) and Nina (18). And Tracy and Carmin are> WONDERFUL!! I was reading in Jesus The Christ about his parables. I read> about the parable of the sower and how the seed was good, but it depended on> whether or not the ground was good or prepared as to whether or not the seed> took root and flourished. What we do is talk to people with all types of> ground. And it is our job to discern the type of ground the people> have. Everyone can have good ground with more preparation, and different> experiences with us can help prepare their ground, from falling by the way> side, to stony places, to the weed-encumbered field, and then the clean rich> mold receptive and fertile grounds. Tracy and Carmin are the fertile> ground. Tracy was in the military for a long time and Carmin is from> Germany. They have both gone to many many different churches, and they saw> alot of the hypocrisy. Last Sunday at church we had an amazing restoration> lesson and Carmin was a little quiet. We talked to her and she said, well I> guess I know now. and she was quiet cause the spirit had testified that she> would have to start living the word of wisdom. None of this from us. They> honestly just soak EVERYTHING up. They have downloaded the mormon channel> app onto their I-phone and they've been listening to talks and the> scriptures. They took home a gospel principles book yesterday and have> already read through most of it. They are incredible. I love them and I am> so grateful for their amazing example of true faith. please pray for> them!! and pray for their son David. He's come across a LOT of anti. He> told his parents that we are fanatics and are trying to brain wash them.> So we always joke about it. And they called him out and told him that he> didn't know any real facts. They're great they have been prepared. being a> missionary is the best thing in the world. Because its true. Other wise we> would totally just be fanatics trying to brain wash people. But, thankfully> we don't have to because they can pray and the spirit teaches the truth and> we just get to be lucky bi-standards.>> I love you all!! Hope everything is great!!! I have realized more than ever> that the adversary is real, there are alot of big non-denominational church> that spread alot of anti in this area, so we just step up our game. The> truth will prevail and God's ways will never be frustrated! So stand and> fight!! There is no greater cause!>> Love YA> your> Sister Kimi michelle Rooney

Welcome to Encino Park

Hey, Hey, Hey> So, I am fairly certain that this past week has been the longest/best/> craziest of my life. Due to events in the area, having more to do with its> sketchiness and a sketchy investigator (more details after the mission but> this is also why last week was kinda tough and the email was so short) I was> transferred. It was a wonderful 6 weeks in Windcrest. I really came to LOVE> the ward and our investigators and Sister Collins so much. So I was> transferred and they put Elders into Windcrest, which I feel really good> about because since Windcrest was split back in May their Elders Quorum has> been struggling and as much as they loved us and we loved them, they needed> Elders. So, the Lord's will has been accomplished. We left the new elders> with alot of work to do and a few baptisms, so they can't complain too> much.> So now I am in Encino Park, which is North San Antonio, the temple is> right outside of our area. Sister Snow is my beautiful companion. We were> both SHOCKED. We are both still in a state of shock that I am here. But, I> am exactly where I need to be and doing exactly what doing. The wonderful> Sister Snow is from Tewila (I know I butchered the spelling) Utah. She was> born and raised there as a Roman Catholic. And 3 years ago in December she> was baptized and has since been ostracized from her family. They are all> very anti mormon. But, she is a rock. And I love her dearly. She is a> powerful missionary. And we have been best friends since the start. And> the ward is AMAZING. Honestly they are a text-book perfect ward. So many> strong and active and loving and missionary minded families, with a> wonderful ward mission leader and wonderful ward missionaries. Bishop Long> is an incredibly inspired man and is excited about missionary work.> So pretty much I've got the best case scenario right now and I my mind is> boggled. Like I am here to just work hard and we have all the support of a> functioning ward right off the bat. And every few hours Sister Snow just> look at each other and ask if this could possibly be real. We are so> excited and so is everyone else.> So are you ready for the real kicker.... it starts a few years ago when I> met my dear friend Roxanne DeBord, who is from San Antonio. Then> progresses to when I was waiting for my call and we would always joke that I> was going to go to San Antonio and her dad would cook me dinner. So, what a> surprise it was for me to actually be called to San Antonio. Roxanne> started crying and said that I was going to go help her dad. And what comes> next, but I am now in a incredible ward, with an incredible companion who is> a convert to the church, home of Steve DeBord. I don't really know what I> am supposed to do, but I do know that I could have gone anywhere in the> entire world on my mission, but here I am in the Encino Park ward. We have> wonderful investigators and are seeing alot of miracles. And I feel like> I'm on borrowed time because it feels like a fluke that I get to be serving> with Sister Snow and because I was supposed to stay in Windcrest. But, God> knows that this is exactly what was supposed to happen and I cannot wait to> see whats coming next.> I love love love being a missionary. Everyday I thank my father in> heaven for the privilege of being a missionary. That I am able to represent> my dear Savior and invite all to come closer to Him. I don't have any set> quotas, no matter what happens as long as I am doing to will of the Lord> that's all I care about. I know He knows whats up. I know He has a plan> for us, and that his hand is in EVERYTHING. The Lord doesn't care> about time, He is all about timing. And His timing is miraculous. I love> this work. The gospel is more perfect and simple everyday.> Thanks for your love and support. Keep smiling. Christ suffered for> everything, so that we could.> Love,> Sister Rooney>> P.S. We live with members. The Thomas family and of course they all know> Roxanne, and Roxanne's mom meets in the same building as we do, I haven't> seen her yet, but I was looking for her.>> New Address:> Sister/Hermana Rooney> Care of: Thomas Family> 21122 Pacific Grove> San Antonio, TX 78259