UKRAINE!!! and Merry Christmas!!!

So, I don't normally add anything to Kimi's letters, but this week I want to let everyone know that Sean received his mission call and will be going to the Ukraine Donetsk mission. He goes to the Mission Training Center in Provo on Apr 6 and will be learning Russian and possibly Ukrainian.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to all of you

Happy Chirstmas to all,> Seanie I am so proud of you!!! I cannot stop smiling I am so happy!!> Things here in Texas couldn't be any better or happier. Tracy and Carmen> showed up to church on Sunday with their own quads embossed with their names> on it. They are full-fledged members now and nothing can stop them.> Also, on Friday we were knocking, (we do a lot of knocking,even in the gated> communities which makes up 3/4ths of our area, silly gates and guards will> not and cannot stop the truth) And at 6:30 we talked to this man Jesse and> invited to the Christmas party at 7. And HE SHOWED UP, him and his baby> (also Jesse). The party was made up of a lot of group games and it was> pretty much mass mayhem, and the members are so wonderful and they were> talking to him about when they were baptized and about different church> stuff, which of course having talked to us only for 5 minutes or so, was a> little confusing for him. But, we taught him the restoration in the> craziness and the spirit was strong. We got word on sunday that he stayed> and did a church tour with a brother in the ward and they ended the night> with a word of prayer. Miracles NEVER cease. I love being a missionary.> We have also been working with all the people in the Bulverde ward. And> they are incredible. They just tell us that they will steal us through> finding people for us to teach! And they are coming through. So we are> busier than ever, but it is the way we missionaries like it best. We went> caroling last night with another set of elders. It was just like the good> ol' times, minus the beat boxing and they don't really jazz it up, but I do,> don't worry.> But, what has really been on my mind, during this time has been the> Savior. I have been reading the New Testament. I my love for the Savior> deepens. It is through Him that we truly have Joy in the world, because He> was born on that silent and holy night, as the herald angels we have heard> on high sang their praises on the midnight clear with wondering awe, far> far away on the Judea's plains and the star shown brightly in the little> town of Bethlehem, as the baby Jesus, our Lord and our King slept away in a> manger.> All song tittle's aside... at this time my heart is full of gratitude and> peace, for my savior. For his sacrifice and love. For the name I bear on my> name tag each and every day. My purpose is to invite others to come unto> Him. I love Him. And I praise His name,> ...Russell M. Nelson had an article in the Dec 1989 Ensign and here are a> few quotes from it. Here goes:>> Why Bethlehem? Is there symbolic significance in the meaning of the name> Bethlehem, which in Hebrew means "house of bread"? The great provider> declared Himself to be the "bread of life." (John 6:48) How appropriate it> was that He, the "bread of life," was to come from the "house of bread.">> Why among the animals? He, whom John declared to be the "Lamb of God" (John> 1:29), was born during the season of Passover amongst the animals, as were> other lams ewing prepared for Paschal sacrifice.>> At the birth of Him who is called "good shepherd" (John 10:14), shepherds> were the first to receive the announcement of His holy birth (Luke 2:8-16).>> At the birth of Hm who once identified Himself as the "bright and morning> star" (Rev 22:16), a new star appeared in the heavens (Matt 2:2, 3 Ne1:21)> "At the arrival of Him who is called 'the light of the world' (John 8:12),> darkness was banished as a sign of His holy birth (3 Ne 1:15, 19). He was> born the Son of God and the son of a virgin mother, as foretold by Isaiah> (Isaiah 7:14) and other prophets. (1 Ne 11:13-21, Alma 7:9-10)">> A very merry and joyous Christmas to you all from Texas!>> Love> Your Sister/Hermana Rooney

My ghost is loud...

Hola indeed!,> Well my week has defiantly been eventful. Turns out we are having some> changes after all. Three areas had to close this transfer because more> missionaries left then came in ( translation: we need more elders and> sisters in the field) So the Elders in the area bordering ours got doubled> out and we took over for them. So we have our area and are kinda being> doubled in to Bulverde, everything, but proselyting. The problem is their> church building is 30 minutes away and our church starts at 9 and theirs at> 10. And they are so wonderful... but we are only part-time missionaries for> them. (I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT EVEN MEANS) They were so wonderful over> there and so excited to have sisters, but we had to tell them that we are> only sorta their missionaries. It was actually really hard for me because I> only know how to give everything I've got to a ward. And we aren't really> going to be given an opportunity to really get to know them and love them.> So by far the hardest assignment yet, but we're going to be figuring it all> out. Its all in the Lords hands so it'll be okay.> We're teaching alot of really great people and there are and will be a lot> of baptisms in the coming months. Nina Dawson committed to January 15 if> she gets an answer, maybe I taught her and invited her and she accepted all> during sacrament meeting. She is leaving on Wednesday for Germany for 3> weeks, cause that's where all of Carmen's family is. So we really weren't> going to have time to do much before she left and the spirit told me to.> And I always do what he tells me to.> Speaking of, it was so beautiful. On Sunday in gospel principles we were> talking about Eternal Families, and the teacher asked the Dawson's what> changes if any they've seen since they joined the church. And Nina said> that her parents are nicer and they love each other more and that they hang> out more than she's ever seen and they are just happier and her dad is> outgoing now. And Carmen almost in tears said that Tracy has become the man> she's always dreamed of. That he's so helpful and loving and supportive and> stepped up to his role of patriarch of the family. And then Tracy said "well> I can't help it my ghost is loud." He said that he gets prompting all the> time to get up and help Carmen etc. He said he now feels empathetic towards> his family and not that he wouldn't before, he just didn't think about it> before. Tracy received the priesthood on Sunday. We couldn't be there> because we had to go to the other ward. But, we heard that as always his> smile was ear to ear. And that both Carmen and Nina were beaming.> Nina, is at a place where she is deciding between the worldly future or> the LDS future. She understands that it is a huge decision. I shared> Mosiah 2:41 with her and as I was talking to her it hit me so much deeper.> We all have those options. Whether in the church or without. We can choose> the worlds path or the Lords'. Especially during this Christmas season. A> college kid can choose the path of partying and the whole "eat, drink and be> merry for tomorrow we die" mentality. Or the eternal perspective. We can> choose temporary pleasure or lasting joy. I have seen with my own eyes and> felt in my own heart the change that is brought about through choosing the> Lord's way. It strengthens families, heals wounds, turns the dark to> light. Where faith is, doubt and fear cannot be. Because of the gospel, I> know who I am and who you are. We are children of a Loving Heavenly> Father. He is perfect. He is perfectly loving. He only wants our good and> our happiness. He wants to and has given us all the answers we seek and the> strength that we so desperately need. I pray that everyone of us can be as> in tune as a new convert that we can all say "well I can't help it, my ghost> is loud." I pray that during this Holiday season we can all focus on what> is most important. That we can all turn our thoughts to the Savior, the one> who is truly emphatic. That we can all look for opportunities to serve, to> laugh and to love!>> I love you all. I can't put into words how much I love you all. Happy> holidays! Till next week!>> Love,> Your Sister Rooney