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