The Epilogue: Month 1

Last week I hit my month mark since arriving home from my mission. In some ways, this month has gone how I imagined it being when I got home, and in other ways it’s surprised me. First and foremost: it is surreal. It didn’t feel like it was really happening until I was on the escalator staring at my family. The entire dinner at President Clark’s house and the departing devotional I don’t think any of us were believing what was going on.

It was a beautiful devotional though; the first all-Sister departing group during President Clark’s reign. There were definitely tears shed by everyone there. Us. The Clarks. Even the APs. The next morning we loaded up into the van at o-dark thirty and to our surprise President stood there on the curb and waved at us while we drove off. What?! For some reason we were expecting him to be there with us at the airport? We felt abandoned and things started to get real. When the Assistants unloaded us and our stuff on the curb and wished us luck, suddenly we were on our own.

We scrambled to check in ourselves and our baggage and thoroughly confused the attendant when he kept asking us which stuff was “Megan’s” and “Alyssa’s” because none of us knew each other by our first names at all. but if I’ve learned anything it’s that the Lord takes care of His missionaries; because there to be our proxy parents appeared a lovely member couple who were flying back to Utah after a business trip. They helped us weave through the proper lines and arrive at our gate safely and on time.

The flight went well, I got to sit next to the stellar Sister Powell and a gentleman who recognized who we were and introduced himself as a ‘Jack Mormon’. We got the chance to talk to him about his history as a member of the church and his family for a little bit. It was nice to still be a missionary. For the remainder of the flight I tried aggressively to avoid looking at the screen of the little boy in front of me watching Coco.

When we began our descent, we looked out the window and saw our beloved snow capped mountains erupting from the desert floor. Surveying the scene of post-winter nature death and decay, I leaned over to Sister Powell and whispered, “Do you remember it being this ugly?” to which she shook her head.

Anxiety and excitement began to swell within us; we were minutes away from being reunited with our families. When we hobbled off the plane we waited for each other. Then there we were. Myself, Sister Powell, Sister Staten, Sister Bullard, and Sister Anderson. We stood there frozen for a moment, in disbelief. Then we agreed unanimously and simultaneously that we needed to use the restroom. We stood in a lengthy line and waited for each other again. Then we migrated to the top of the escalator. The escalator. One by one we descended and cheers were heard by loved ones awaiting at the bottom. Then there were two. Sister Staten and I.

We started our missions together in the same MTC district 18 months before. And now here we were, standing at the end together. We looked at each other with tears in our eyes, both petrified of the new life awaiting us at the end of those moving stairs. We embraced and reassured each other that we could do this. We had returned with honor after valiantly serving our Lord and King in the Florida Orlando Mission and we could boldly face the world ahead. We linked arms and started at the top of the escalator together. However approximately two seconds later when our loved ones came into view Sister Staten broke into a sprint down the stairs to her family.

I looked around the lobby, searching for familiar faces, half scared that maybe my family got the times wrong and wouldn’t be there. But then a cheer was let out by voices I knew, and there they were. At first I couldn’t see my mom, but then realized she was there with a bouquet of balloons waiting for me at the end of the stairs. It was a great reunion, the kind missionaries dream of on hard days. I was home.

Since then life has been pretty usual. I had my homecoming that Sunday and then I was called to be an ordinance worker at the Timpanogos Temple! I work the Saturday first shift and I love it so so much. To all my missionary friends- I highly recommend working at the temple when you get home.

I’m living at home in Pleasant Grove with my parents and baby sister, and we are looking forward to my two other sisters returning from their missions next month! It’s gonna be bumpin at the Petty abode. I haven’t started school but I’m planning on UVU in the fall and pursuing Film/Cinemaphotography and Digital Media. I don’t have a job yet, I’ve resumed being my moms full-time caregiver for the time being. I still call myself Sister Petty in my head and sometimes I catch myself almost going to back when I’m driving with someone.

I’ve been on a couple of dates, nothing serious but more fun group stuff. I didn’t have anyone waiting for me and I haven’t dated anyone seriously in a looong time so I’m just taking things slow and soft pedaling it. I will say it is weird though that most my friends are married or engaged. I’m not going to my YSA and I’m staying in my homeward to help out around here; we’ll see how things go.

To all my missionary friends: Please keep me updated and in the loop and put me and my home email on your weeklies. I’ll be here at via.petty@gmail.com.
To everyone else: you can review all my mission newsletters that I sent home on my mission blog at sisteroliviapetty.blogspot.com. I’ll also be writing posts of my mission stories and memories there.


Keep on keeping on,

-(Sister) Olivia Petty

Home! 3.14.18

Reuniting with some Florida Orlando Sisters 4.14.18

The Last One

Week 81 (Mar 6th- 12th 2018)

When I was sunbeam, about 3-4 years old in Primary, we sang a song about missionaries. I remember thinking, “Wow. I wish I was a boy so that I could be an Elder and serve a mission”. Apparently I had said that out loud, because my teacher responded, “You can serve a mission! There are Sister Missionaries too!”

My heart swelled within my chest and it felt like I was overflowing with pure joy when I heard these words. Looking back, that may have been the first time I felt the Spirit in my life. I didn’t know that then, but I did know that I was going to be a missionary. I’m also a little concerned by how long it took me to figure out that Sisters served missions, considering that my mom served a mission and I knew that that was how she met my dad... Putting two and two together is hard when that’s how old you are.

Throughout the years I received repeated spiritual confirmations and specific promised blessings from Heavenly Father that I would serve a full time mission. There have been few things I have been as sure of in life as sure as I was that I would be a missionary.

I had a long and difficult journey to get on my mission; it included a litany of doctors, medication adjusting, pushed availability dates over two years. It was rough and it was a time that I was very humbled and had to rely on the Lord and develop patience and faith in His timing.

My time as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Florida Orlando Mission is truly a highlight of my life and has shaped my perspective, testimony and personal spirituality. Each experience an integral part of the work of art that the Lord has magnificently authored. Taking even one piece to highlight or share cannot describe, as the prophet historian Mormon says, “a hundredth part” of the masterpiece as a whole (3 Nephi 5:8).

Among the other departing missionaries, I had the profound blessing of going to the Lord’s house and partake of the spirit there. My departing temple trip was lovely, I was beaming the whole time. Although several of the other sisters became teary eyed and sentimental, I could not stop smiling. It was because I felt so overjoyed and blessed to be there. There I was, in the temple at the conclusion of my honorable 18 months of missionary service. Several years ago, that moment didn’t seem attainable; but I was there reveling in it.

As a missionary, it is my sacred charge and calling to invite others to come unto Christ and testify of Him. I am eternally grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. For His key role in Heaven before this life; and in the Earth, before, during and after it was made. I testify with a surety that He is the same that said, “Here Am I” and “I am that I am”. He is the first of our Fathers children and the only begotten in the flesh. Yes, even the Son of the Living God, which God is the loving Heavenly Father of each spirit.

Christ is the Messiah that was promised and prophesied of since before what the Bible calls “the beginning”. The Savior that would come and redeem us from this fallen world & this fallen state. Jesus Christ lived, died, and lived again and still lives for us. Not only died so we could overcome death, but literally took upon himself all sin, pain, sickness, guilt, misery, for us that we can turn to Him and find remission, forgiveness, and His perfect love.

This He did that we may be reconciled with God, to live again in His presence with our heavenly eternal family. These and other eternal truths and ordinances of Salvation were restored to the earth in its fullness by God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The evidence of this restoration is a record of ancient scripture discovered and translated by Joseph through the power of God. This record is the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I know this. I have learned this to be true for myself through study of the scriptures and mighty prayer and fasting. Heavenly Father answered my prayer and He will answer yours. To quote President Thomas S. Monson, “If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one.”

Thank you all for your support, love, and prayers throughout my mission and before. I know there were many times that they carried me. I look forward to reporting to you soon.


Hurrah for Israel,

-Sister Olivia Petty

Departing temple trip 3.9.18

Last Jeremiah’s 3.9.18

Final District pic: DeLand 3.7.18

LILLIAN CAME AND TOOK US TO LUNCH 3.6.18

A goodbye cake Sister Ellison ordered for me with my family nickname on it 3.12.18

Orlando Florida Temple 3.9.18

The One with the Beach & Lemonade Stand

Week 80 (Feb 27th- Mar 5th 2018)

Back when I was in Lake Crescent with Sister McCullough, we brainstormed different ideas of creative new ways to find people to teach. She thought of a classic summer staple with a twist: a free lemonade stand. We’d set up in a high foot traffic area and offer passers by some free lemonade as Christlike service and hand out pass along cards and let them know what we are about.

We had started collecting the various items required- a table, lemonade mix, a cooler, etc.- from several members of the ward. Before our plan could be executed, Sister McCullough was transferred and Sisters Evans & Hill came in. I told them our plan in the works, and they were game to give it a shot. We had a Saturday scheduled to do it. The Wednesday of that week I was emergency transferred to Buena Ventura with Hermana Klein. Sisters Evans & Hill proceeded with the free lemonade stand without me and when I received the photographs my heart hurt. I wished I could have been there.

A week ago, Sister Russell and I were brainstorming creative new ways to find people to teach. I brought the free lemonade stand back into the game. Round two. We planned the Saturday, we planned for the spanish elders to join us, we had the necessary supplies, we were ready to go.

It was a learning experience. We learned more about what can be better prepared when doing this sort of thing. Initially we were having no success. Despite the Elders dancing with our homemade poster boards. My fear beforehand/standing theory is that adorable small children are needed in order for any type of lemonade stand to work. Next time.

Finally, when we were about to pack up and cut our losses, a member pulled up and let us know that a park nearby was bumping with people and families. So we boogied on over and had much more success. We made a few contacts and planted a few seeds; we’re praying that Heavenly Father will consecrate the efforts we put forth in doing His work.

An actual miracle happened this week while at a member dinner. During our spiritual thought, there was a knock at the door. Missionaries aren’t used to being on the other side of the door. When we opened it it was our members across the street neighbor. She was very emotional and clutching several dollar bills in her hands and asked desperately if our members brother in law was around and willing to mow her lawn the next morning. He was out of town, but jumped right in and offered to help. She looked so relieved and thanked us profusely. She told us that her husband had just been hospitalized with a stroke and her landlord was coming the next day and she would be fined if the lawn wasn’t done. She offered up her money, and we declined and told her we would do it for free. Tears rolled down her cheeks and her voice caught in her throat as she thanked us again. We went the next morning and mowed her lawn and weeded and she was so grateful. Hopefully we will get to see her again soon and offer her a message of peace at this time.

It seemed like it wasn’t going to happen for a minute there, but lo and behold in the eleventh hour came the long awaited permission from President for our district to go to the beach. I had hoped to have the opportunity to go at least once on my mission and that hope was fulfilled. We were up before the sun so we could catch it rise above the ocean. Also because if missionaries are there at any other time there are a great number of other people at the beach; and because we want to uphold our image as hardworking servants of the Lord and not as frisbee playing shell collecting youths we go when the least amount of eyes are there. Plus when other people are there they are usually not fully clothed like us and we don’t need to see that when we are keeping our eyes single to the glory 😎

While beholding the beauty of the rolling waves and having sand embedded in every article of my clothing, I thought of the words to the hymn ‘Brightly Beams Our Fathers Mercy’:

Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.

This week as I embark on my last week of full time missionary service in the Florida Orlando Mission, I pray that I can find a one that I may rescue, I may save through our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is my hope that you can too

See you next week,

-Sister Olivia Petty🌊

THE BEACH 3.5.18

THE LONG AWAITED NAMETAG IN THE SAND PICTURE 3.5.18

Murals on the boardwalk 3.5.18

THE FREE LEMONADE STAND 3.3.18

Me and Chevy, the chug (chihuahua/pug mix) 2.28.18

The One with Karaoke

Week 79 (Feb 20th-26th 2018)

It was set up to be a great ward party, board games, dancing, karaoke, and snacks. Could it get any better? I submit to you, it could not. Sister Russell and I had been pretty pumped about it for a few weeks. We invited everyone we could, in person, in text, online, smoke signals, pigeons, you name it. Church activities are a perfect way to have Investigators introduced. It’s non threatening and casual, they get familiar with the church building and the members so that the invitation to come on Sunday for church isn’t so scary.

When we pulled into the parking lot at 7pm sharp, there was a scanty number of cars. Ruh-roh. Walk in the doors, the first two people we see: 2 of our Investigators. What? Long story shorter- the more people trickled in, and guess what? We had as many Investigators as we had Members there. We had 12 Investigators. TWELVE. WHAT?! And only twelve members?! It was amazing and somewhat of a disaster. But we managed, and everyone had a good time and we had a display of some pretty good pipes around here. Sister Russell and I even tried our hand and failed gloriously at belting You Are Loved by Josh Groban.

Sunday rolls around and guess how many Investigators came to church? Two. Two of them. I guess people would rather come to a party than church? Which makes no sense to me. Oh whale.

Deltona is doing well, and so are the sisters in it. Tomorrow is my departure interview with my mission president and I got my flight itinerary this week. We’re taking things one day at a time and it is well with my soul. This week, try to be an answer to someone else’s prayer.

-Sister Olivia Petty🎙

Frozen yogurt break 2.24.18

Comp Study massacre 2.24.18

Easter themed handiwork at service 2.20.18

Our girl Danielle 2.21.18

Our investigator Stacey at the karaoke night 2.23.18

The One with 3 General Authorities, 2 Zone Conferences & 1 Smartphone

Week 78 (Feb 13th-19th 2018)

During Sister Russell’s trainer follow-up meeting several weeks ago, a training on using Area Book was given. Area Book is the app we use for all our missionary necessities that I have talked (or, murmured) about before. I have very strong feelings about Area Book and most aspects about it, so during this training I spoke up and gave comments liberally. I was pretty passionate about it and the points I was making were valid. Especially on missionaries Referring teaching records when they should be reassigned and how uncontacted referrals show up in the system etc. President Clark especially enjoyed my comments and during interviews a week or two later asked me to give a training in Zone Conference about it and include Sister Russell.

Then last week we received a call from the Assistants. Apparently President liked my thoughts and insight specifically, so much so that we were invited to go to both Zone Conferences to give the training. I was pretty humbled and honored. Our mission is big enough that when ZC rolls around, the northern half and the southern half of the mission have it on different days. Usually the topics of the trainings given are decided ahead of time and missionaries from the half of the zone it will be in are chosen to give it. It’s uncommon for a specific missionary to be asked to give the training at both. So we felt pretty VIP.

I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to say during the training, but Sister Russell was nervous because of her inexperience with Area Book; she had basically no idea of what our training was actually about. I assured her that I would teach her and show her how she can contribute so that she wouldn’t be my silent shadow. So we thought that southern ZC was on Wednesday and northern was on Thursday, so on Monday night we decided we would spent time in companionship study on Tuesday preparing our training because I’m a dirty rotten procrastinator.

Well, around 8:30pm Monday night I had a sinking suspicion that the southern Zone Conference was actually tomorrow (Tuesday). Sister Russell dismissed it because we were sure we had been told it was Wednesday. I decided to ask someone and check. After several people not answering and increasing panic, the Assistants finally called us back to tell us that the southern Zone Conference was indeed the next day. Sister Russell starts silently freaking out in the background. I calmly asked how long our training was going to be, as I thought it was going to be maybe 10-15 minutes.

Turns out they were planning on spicing things up and having the missionaries break up into four large groups and rotating around trainings in different classrooms of the church, and that we would have 25-30 minutes each. Sister Russell turned as white as the fruit on the tree of life (1 Nephi 8:11) and collapsed to the floor.

We had a rapid fire planning session and prepared our training and had it (roughly) ready to go before bed. We rose supremely early the next morning so we could depart in a timely manner. We had a lengthy drive and we wanted to beat the notoriously bad traffic on I4. A trip that would take about 50 minutes in a perfect world without traffic ended up taking us 2.5 hours. We hit what I am positive was every accident and red light there was. It was nightmarish. Blessing was it wasn’t our ZC and we didn’t have to be there on time for car inspections. Thank goodness.

Our training ended up not being too shabby, and I loved it because I got to vent some of my Area Book frustrations to the public. I felt like a celebrity being in the Southern half of the mission again, it’s where I’ve served a vast majority of my mission and all my former companions still out in the mission and most previous district members were there. Everyone was so excited and surprised to see me, and I was as happy to see them. It was a great time. and the drive home only took an hour. woot woot!

Our own zone conference went well as well. A little more scrambled because I didn’t have as many people as I knew and loved pumping me up. So we gave our training a total of 8 times. Afterward we had the best post ZC lunch I’ve ever had. I know that’s an irrelevant detail, but it was divine. The ward members that put it together for us even brought flavoring syrup and cream so we could make our own little Italian sodas. It was adorable. Members are so good to missionaries, it gives my heart the warm tinglies.

Also the Florida Orlando Mission is definitely the promised land because we have been plucked out of obscurity and given smart phones! Alleluia! I am grateful I have lived to see this day in the mission. Many advances have happened in the FOM since my arrival nearly 18 months ago. It’s a great time to be a missionary.

Now I must apologize, I have failed to prioritize my time correctly and have given the most time and energy writing this newsletter about the more trivial and unimportant part of the week, leaving very little to devote to the significantly more important events that transpired this weekend. Hopefully this upcoming week will be uneventful and I can unfold what transpired with more detail in my next epistle.

This weekend I met and shook the hand of a living Apostle of the living Lord. I have learned so much and kindling to the fire of my faith and testimony was added. I feel strong inside. A sort of righteous power that comes only through the Spirit of God.

We had a visit from Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Jorg Klebingat of the Seventy, and Bishop Causse of the presiding bishopric of the church. It wasn’t a mission tour, it was just a day or two visit from them, but we were blessed as a mission to have a brief two hour meeting with them. And for the first time in President Clark mission history, the whole mission was gathered in one place for one meeting. It was glorious. What a blessing it was to see the whole of the Florida Orlando Mission together! The meeting was truly inspiring and unforgettable and a gift.

Next week I wish to discuss more about this meeting and the topics discussed, but they’re giving me the light so we have to move along.

This all gets better- Elder Klebingat presided at our stake conference the next day. If you remember, he came and visited our mission back in November and it was one of the more spiritually edifying days of my life. When he was here before, one of the commitments he left with us was to take two pages in our journals and on one make a list of ‘Things I will never do because of my mission’ and the other ‘Things I will always do because of my mission’. I did and it helped me immensely to feel like the blessings of what I have learned on my mission will extend beyond the end of it.

Before the meeting he was greeting and shaking hands with many of the people on the front pews. Sister Russell and I were blessed to be among those he greeted. When he saw us, he joked how we survived the meeting yesterday (Saturday). We told him that we loved the meeting and he said, “You should write that in your journal, it’s not everyday that you get to meet an Apostle.” I lit up and told him that I did and whipped out my study journal to show him a glimpse of my notes.

As I was flipping through the pages, I paused and showed him the notes I took when he was here in November. I turned the page and said, “Look! I did what you asked us to!” and presented the two pages of the lists of what I will and won’t do. He looked over it with quiet surprise and said, “Aw. Wow. That is wonderful” he made a move to pull his phone out but stopped and said, “I almost want to take a picture of it but it’s probably too personal,” and I quickly said,

“No, no, please! Please, you are welcome to photograph it.” He brought his phone out and took a few pictures of it and said how he just wants it to see how missionaries take his counsel or something (can’t quite remember, was in a state of shock) and he promised he wouldn’t post it online or anything. Honestly, I’d be honored if he did.


Until next time,
-Sister Olivia Petty📖

Sisters of the DeLand Zone post mission conference feat. Jeremiah’s 2.17.18

When a dinner cancelled we went to Olive Garden on the treat of Sister Russell’s mom 2.16.18

All of the missionaries I entered the mission field with on September 12 2016 2.17.18

MY MTC DISTRICT 39-B (FL) REUNITED ALL TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME 2.17.18

Me doing the thing 2.19.18

@ Local donut shop this morning 2.19.18

The One with a Burnt Christmas Tree

Week 77 (Feb 6th-12th 2018)

We were early to our dinner appointment so we decided to tract the next door neighbor. When we walked up to the door we noticed a security camera, and when I say noticed I mean one of our eyes were nearly poked out and blinded by it. It was one of those legit ones that they use outside of stores that look like ray guns. This is always a promising start for missionaries 🙃

After we knocked a woman opened the door and her Doberman is going nuts and is about to knock her over from behind and she said bruskly, “I have a dog, what do you want?!” I quickly gave my usual intro of who we are, but then the spirit put something in my mouth that spilled over the top of my other words, “Can we help you weed your yard?” and to our great surprise she said “Yes. Give me your card.” We were both stunned and my jaw dropped as she stepped outside and closed the door to talk to us.

“Who are you people? Why do you want to weed my yard? No one wants to weed my yard. How much do you charge?” When we told her what our deal is about serving others freely she raised her brows in skeptic disbelief. We got to know her a little better and she told us about her tough Miami history and long career in the medical field despite her refusal to deal with any “poop, puke or piss”. She had colorful language and great stories of her past neighbors being druggies and dealers before our members moved in about a month ago. I assured her that they would be the cleanest neighbors she would ever have.

Her name is Dee and she told us that we can remember it easily because she has double d’s. Being a missionary is great. When we asked if she knew anyone else that needed help she asked if we could go with her to her best friend Samantha’s house in the DeLand Sisters area to rake her lawn. We got permission and did so the next day with Sister Thompson and Sister Stratton. It went so beautifully.

Sam was in a car accident and broke her leg a few months ago and then tripped and rebroke it in two different places a few months later. Needless to say she had been down and out for the last little bit and needed help. And help we gave. She was in absolute disbelief and shock by our selfless service. Definitely touched and softened her heart; and Dee’s too. It’s amazing what kind simple service will do.

My very last exchange happened this week and it was with Sister Powell. No better way to finish it out. Sister Powell and I came to the field together so we are both in our last transfer and we’ve served around each other frequently throughout our missions and had served with a lot of the same people and companions and so it was super nice to talk to her. We also had a rad day contacting a ton of people.

One of our contacts was the sweetest young mom that the sisters met a few months ago. We went to her house to follow up and when she answered the door she said in a whisper, “my daughter is sleeping.” We were prepped to leave and reschedule, but then she still invited us in which was unusual and a nice change of pace. We looked around at the wear and tear of a two year old and noticed video cassette tapes and she said that she preferred to use those because it teaches her daughter patience since she can’t instantly skip from scene to scene or start over, but has to manually fast forward and rewind. We respected it and appreciated seeing a VCR in commission somewhere other than the church building.

Then we heard her daughter start to stir, so she left the room for a moment to tend to her. To our surprise when she returned she was holding and nursing her daughter. I mean, you go girl; it just caught us off guard. Then we finished the rest of our quiet conversation while actively striving to maintain eye contact. We made sure we had her number and set up another time to stop by. As we left, Sister Powell and I were grateful that we weren’t Elders.

Later when we were driving, Sister Powell and I saw the space x rocket launch (which apparently is a big deal) and swerved to pull over and watch. Front row florida seats. It was pretty neat, but would have been a lot cooler at night rather than midday. also if something blew up. But that’s just me.

On Saturday night Sister Russell and I had a new experience while visiting a less active recent convert. He was alone, and as sister missionaries we aren’t allowed to be inside the same home with a male unless a female adult is present. When we told him we’d have to meet outside he asked if we’d like to sit around a fire, and I misread it as sarcasm and replied “haha yeah we can sing songs and roast marshmallows too.” When he brought some chairs outside he also brought a bag of jumbo mallows and some matches.

Apparently he had his dried out Christmas tree in his fire pit and had been meaning to burn it along with some other miscellaneous things but didn’t really have the time or excuse to do it alone. He lamented not having a lighter, when I offered the one I carry with me in my bag. He raised his eyebrow and asked, “what are you doing with a lighter?” and I told him it was for a magic trick I’d have to show him another time.

We lit the tree and it went up really big really fast. I was amazed. Then we had a nice bonfire chat about how coming to church is good for anyone despite where they feel their worthiness is at while he burned random articles of furniture. Everyone should strive to do whatever they are able to come to church and partake of the sacrament worthily. It’s heavenly help and guidance that we need in order to overcome our trials, we don’t need to “fix ourselves” before receiving those blessings. Often we need it in order to progress in the first place.

-Sister Olivia Petty🔥

The One with actual Streptococcus Tonsillitis

Week 75 (Jan 23rd-29th 2018) & Week 76 (Jan 30th-Feb 5th 2018)

If your mission companions are supposed to prepare you for your spouse, I’m beginning to fear for the longevity of my future husband.

After making several dozen phone calls Sister Russell and I ended up in the waiting room of an after hours urgent care, outside of our Zone, with a two and a half hour wait. After weighing the options with the help of a very candid MA at the check in, we reluctantly accepted the grim fate of being out egregiously late after curfew and biding time in a den of lionous coughs and sniffles.

Sister Russell woke up Friday morning with a sore throat and inflamed tonsils. Being the diligent medical assistant, she took note and observed the symptoms and their severity throughout the day. By midday she was extremely fatigued and her tonsils were swollen and bleeding. We texted our medical senior missionary at the mission office and Sister Russell rested for a little bit to get up the strength for us to get through an upcoming lesson and dinner appointment. When we got the go ahead to go to an urgent care, we were about to go to dinner, so we decided we’d go after and make it just in time before it closed at 8pm.

Well our dinner was not as long according to our plan. We could have made it work but the members had given us a ride from their house to a restaurant to help us save miles, so by the time we finally got back to our car it was 7:50pm. We weren’t going to make it. So we looked up the nearest after hours urgent care 10 minutes away- right outside the boundary of our zone. The nearest in our zone was about a half hour away. Calls were made. Approvals were given. There we were.

When we sat down and decided to wait, Sister Russell was dissatisfied and contemplated for a moment. She then declared with power, “I. am. PEDIATRIC.” and looked up and called the children’s urgent care 2min away. No wait. So we hustled our bustles over there. Have I mentioned how exceedingly grateful I am for the sister Missionary age change and the fact that pediatrics goes up until 21?

I prefer pediatric clinics to normal adult ones now because we went from one playing 21 jump street in the waiting room to a Disney channel original starring zendaya. Not that I was watching either one anyway, I was just able to appreciate that fact.

Sister Russell said that in school, she was taught that when you do a strep swab, if the person does not gag or have tears in their eyes then you did not swab correctly and the result will be negative. The nurse definitely did not swab correctly. She basically caressed Sister Russell’s cheek with the swab like she was doing an ancestry .com genetic test or something. We feared the result would be incorrect because of it, but then several minutes later the doctor poked his head in and told us she had strep and he was prescribing antibiotics. We are convinced that it was the hand of God that the result came out positive with such an insufficient swab. Seriously a miracle.

A huge treat and an absolute delight was that I was able to see and spend time with my beloved former/return missionary companion SISTER SIERRA EVANS. She served here in Deltona twice. Her and her family rolled into town for a few days and they took Sister Russell and I out for ice cream and she came to our ward multi-cultural party which was an absolute blast made better. I am so blessed to have had time to be her companion, even if it was only for a few weeks. Those weeks were a downright riot and some of my most cherished mission memories.

The dawning of a new transfer and I’m staying! I’m so grateful to have another transfer- my last- here in Deltona with Sister Russell. I am so thankful for my life and my mission and the experiences therein that have strengthened me and my testimony and have in turn have been able to bless others. My parents have recently found old photographs of them on their missions and have been sending them to me and I LOVE IT. I love my little missionary family so much. I love my mission. I love the gospel.


Count your many blessings,
-Sister Olivia Petty🍧