Miraculous Blunders

Hello hello,
> Very sad to hear about Aunt Susan. Please send my love to grandpa and to
> grandma phylis. I found out this week as well that a less active sister
> Midy Duryea, that we had been visiting weekly passed away. It was bizarre.
> She was only 26, but had been an alcoholic and her liver failed her. Its at
> these times that I reflect on the plan of salvation. I am sad for those who
> get left behind, but I am happy for those who have passed. Even Mindy. She
> is in a better place and has great opportunities to serve and love the way
> she wanted to here.
> On a different and happier note. My new companion is Sister McKenzie,
> from none other than Buena Park California! She is an English sister, so
> she went into the MTC on Dec 29. We think that y'all might know each
> other. Her parents names are Doug and Heather Mckenzie. (her mom's maiden
> name is priest) She knows the Georgiana family and the Rocks. they were in
> placentia 1 as a younger couple. So, maybe you knew them. Regardless, its
> crazy. I am sure we know more of the same people. And she also came with
> an added twist. They started a pilot program, developed by Elder Holland.
> Just three districts in the MTC, from the TSAM, columbus ohio mission and
> the san diego mission. Following the 8 new lessons that came out in
> July. So, by virtue of me being her trainer, I am now apart of this pilot
> program. I guess there will be a guy who is coming here from the MTC, to
> follow us around and see how we study and plan etc. (yeah no pressure) And
> she is the only sister who came, so we've been assured special attention.
> President didn't inform me of any of this. But, there is a meeting I have
> to go to on Wednesday, so we think I'll find out then. So, I'll let you
> know more next week. PRAY FOR ME.
> So,this week has been a mixture of emotions and craziness, saying goodbye
> to Sister Snow was hard and sad. But, she is now serving in Brushy Creek, my
> first area, so that is fun. And you know me, I have made it extra special
> and fun for poor Sister Mckenzie. So her first full day with me, we were
> picked up for an appointment with Br. Debord and half way through it, I
> realized that I didn't grab the keys. (that had previously been Sister
> Snow's jurisdiction as the designated driver) So of course we have another
> appointment immediately afterwards and we are locked out and can't drive so
> Sister Munson (wonderful RM/ ward missionary) comes with us to our lunch
> appointment. Turns out to be inspired and the things we talked about were
> serious answers to her prayers. And then we go home and we are still locked
> out. So instead of weekly planning which we had planned to do we laugh and
> then go find a neighborhood close by to knock. (this whole time I'm way
> impressed cause sister McKenzie seems to be a pretty good sport about my
> craziness). Along our way we see a the Young Men's president who is waiting
> to pick up his kids from school. And he asks if we are going to go see the
> Hansens' that live in that neighborhood (which I didn't know about) so we
> said," we are now." So we knock the neighborhood and visit with Sister
> Hansen who is less active mostly cause she struggles with depression and her
> husband is active. We give her a good pep talk as guided by the spirit. We
> really felt like that is what needed to happen in that time. We get home
> and sister Thomas is there and we continue on our day. THEN Sunday, sister
> hansen is at church! I haven't seen her the whole time I've been here.
> After church Sister Hansen comes up to us and gives us a big hug and says
> that it was exactly what she's needed. Her countenance had changed and
> everything.
> So that is a pretty good example of how missionary work, works for me. I
> do silly things, like forget the keys and heavenly father still turns it
> into a miracle. He is definitely all powerful and all knowing. I love Him.
> I am so grateful for Him. Like it says in Mosiah 4:9 I am not quite sure
> how He does it, but I know He helps me. And Sister McKenzie has continued
> to be a good sport. I told her I am sorry and that I am not quite sure what
> president was thinking, especially with this pilot program thing. But, as
> long as I have God to be with me, everything will be okay. Sister McKenzie,
> struggled in the MTC, but since she's been here she has learned that
> missionary work is a lot of fun and laughter and miracles and happiness all
> jumbled up in one perfect mess.
> I LOVE hearing about all the work that is going on at home. Keep up the
> good work guys! Have an incredible week!
>
> Love.
> Your
> Sister Rooney
>
> "We each have moments of spiritual power, moments of inspiration and
> revelation. We must sink them deep into the chambers of our souls. As we do,
> we prepare our spiritual home storage for moments of personal difficulty."
> --Neil L. Andersen, "You Know Enough", Ensign, Nov 2008, 13–14

For the Love of the Lord

President David O. McKay taught that "...the privilege to work is a gift;
> the power to work is a blessing; and the love of work is success."
> Howdy my dearest Family and Friends,
> First of all daddy, I am so sorry you were sick!! It's probably because
> you go at 160% plus some at all times and although your young at heart,
> your body is going to start rebelling and demanding more rest. The
> scriptures say that it is not requisite that a man run faster than he has
> strength (Mosiah 4:27) So listen to your doctor and maybe slow down just a
> little bit.
> So there was a young man, who gave his farewell this Sunday and it made
> me reflect on my own and the things that I have learned since that point.
> And I got a touch emotional, thinking about what the Lord has and continues
> to do with me, I have learned SO MUCH. And I love these people SO MUCH. I
> would not trade what I have experienced thus far or the next 6 months for
> anything in the entire world. He talked about his interview with his stake
> president, who questioned him as to why he wanted to serve a mission. He
> said, cause... for my family, for the people. cause its true etc. And
> President Foot challenged him that by the end of his mission to be there
> because of his love for the Lord. And as I reflected on that, with such
> pure intentions, nothing can reach you. With the Savior as the your rock and
> your reason even the hardest of times are nothing. I just finished Jesus
> the Christ and I believe it has left me in even greater awe and wonder, with
> even greater gratitude for the plan of salvation. And the perfection of the
> Savior. Every question he asked, every action he took was out of love and
> devotion to His Father, and His perfect love for each one of us. I feel
> like I have been able to see glimpses of the love He has for each one of His
> children, of the love He has for me. I know this is His work and the days
> are never long enough when your in the service of that most perfect being.
> No effort can recompense His life and infinite and eternal sacrifice, but I
> continue to strive to give Him my all and as I have, I have physically and
> spiritually felt of His strength in every aspect of my life. There are not
> words in the English or Spanish language that can describe the protection I
> feel and the determination I have been given. I love this work.
> This week may be the busiest yet of my mission. Things have picked up
> because we have appointments with all the people that asked us to come back
> after the holiday. Four people we've been teaching are getting baptized.
> Wednesday Brandy and Jasmine Ryan, (mother and daughter) will be baptized by
> Kevin Ryan, who grew up in the church but has been less active for most of
> his adult years. We all fasted together yesterday and it is incredible to
> see the excitement and the unity there family has felt. Both Brandy and
> Jasmine absolutely know that these things are true and have felt the
> blessings from living a life centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ and
> having a determination to keep the commandments. (the greater event will be
> the sealing of the family in one year!) Then Saturday morning DeShawn who
> is a 9 year-old little boy who has just been adopted along with 3 of his
> younger siblings by the incredible wheeler family. DeShawn grew up in the
> most difficult of circumstances being taken away by CPS at a very young age
> and has been the protector of his younger siblings. He would have his 3
> year old sister sleep in his bed, to protect her from what was going on in
> the orphanage. He lights up when he feels the spirit and is really excited
> to have the gift to be with him at all times. ( there is SO MUCH we take
> for granted when born into good situations). Finally on Saturday night, Nina
> Dawson has been away in Germany for 3 weeks (which is FOREVER in missionary
> time) and came back positive that she wanted to be baptized. She was the
> happiness that comes from living the gospel and is happily trading it in for
> the enticements of the world. She will be baptized by her dear father,
> Tracy who has now been a member for 6 weeks.
> Watching the Dawson family learn and grow has been so exciting. They
> are on fire. And they just cannot learn fast enough. They have helped us
> teach Nina. And invited other friends over to meet us and given away copies
> of the book of mormon. Even their son David has been warming up a little
> bit with the help of his girlfriend. We think it'll be a package deal.
> Carmen doesn't want to go to the temple with out him, so please pray for
> David's heart to continue to soften.
> When we aren't at baptisms the rest of our time will be spent in
> appointments with new investigators. I know all will go well. And I love
> this work because I love the Lord. And one more person who makes the sacred
> covenant of baptism, one more person that can fully feel of His joy!
> Have an incredible week because you love the Lord!! He's happy when your
> happy!
>
> Love
> Your Sister Rooney