In the eye of a hurricane I was not, I'd call it more of an ear or maybe even a chin of a hurricane. That is to say, it was very mild and slightly disappointing where I was at. Earlier in the week we were told that as of Thursday there would be no more proselyting and the entire mission would be total lockdown. We're talking no leaving the apartment, filling the tub with water, having emergency bags packed, stocked on food, water, flashlights, batteries, the whole thing. Sister Phelps was so proactive, we stocked all of our emergency supplies and moved our mattresses into my bathroom. Heck, we even had our bicycle helmets in there 'just in case'.
Thursday was the "first day" that Matthew was expected in our area. It was just an average, grey, albeit blustery day outside. But we were sure the hurricane would really begin sweeping through our area later that night, so we holed up in our bathroom and said our prayers (which is normal for us because we're missionaries, but not the sleeping on the bathroom floor part).
In the morning, we cautiously pried the door open, half expecting our windows shattered and half the greenery in Florida in our living room. but nothing. What a disappointment. I was told category four, 140+ mph winds, nothing. we even still had power and running water.
Friday was windier and rainier, which made us feel a little better that we could have literally survived in our bedroom/bathroom shelter for a week.
However we did get to build a stellar blanket fort, which I would have preferred to survive in anyway. We set up the iPad and Bluetooth speaker and watched gospel library videos while dipping into our 'emergency essentials' (fruit by the foot and juice boxes). We even watched my fave Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. That's the third time I've watched it since I've been on my mission.
Side note: the movie is superb, but only the theatrical release I have discovered. I don't necessarily dislike the DVD release, but it is severely lacking in comparison. watch the theatrical release on lds.org next family home evening. 10/10 recommend.
Saturday was bright and sunshiny and clear skied. Driving through Lady Lake and The Villages you'd have never guessed that an actual hurricane passed through. We had hoped to find service opportunities, but aside from the occasional palm frond, everyone's yard was as pristine as ever. But we carried on and did some real, foot to pavement, good old fashioned door to door knocking. and it was amazing. We had so many positive experiences and some strong new potential investigators. Even the most brusk exchange was relatively pleasant; a woman who knew who we were and what we do and was not interested, but commended us for our hard work and sacrifice to leave home, and gave us advice on how best to teach people in the area.
On Tuesday before all the hurricane madness I had my very first round of exchanges! It was an absolutely remarkable experience. One of my sister training leaders, Sister Prows, came to teach in Belleview with me while Sister Phelps went with our other STL, Sister Quist, to Apopka for the day. Well, a little more than a day, 24 hours actually. It felt like a real and proper sleepover. I got to know and love Sister Prows and she taught me so much about spiritual sensitivity. Since starting my mission I'd been discouraged about having to feel the spirit to make decisions at the drop of a hat. I simply couldn't just suddenly feel the spirit like turning on and off a faucet. But with her help I was able to learn more about discerning what thoughts and feelings are impressions from the spirit. It was a marvelous day and I look forward to future exchanges ☺️
Sunday was the day I got to feel like a true blue missionary. while wearing bright yellow. Our ward had the opportunity of going down closer to the coast in Daytona where the hurricane really left its mark.
Early Sunday morning we met at the Deland stake center to receive a work order, instructions, a tee shirt and a brief sacrament service. Partaking of the sacrament while in my workout pants and Mormon helping hands shirt was unusual, but the spirit was astounding. The group sang one verse of I Am a Child of God a capella, and being in that darkened chapel with no power or air conditioning, with this group of people who had traveled from so far just to serve those in need was so humbling. Even both of the Florida Area Seventies were there.
It was truly an honor to don my missionary name tag and a pair of work gloves and labor in the sun for my fellow men. I kept thinking of Mosiah 2:17, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God".
I challenge you to look for ways to serve those around you, or someone far away, by praying for opportunities to serve. Serving others is serving your Father in Heaven, and it will help you, and others, grow closer to Him and our Savior.
Remember to floss your teeth and never cut the red wire,
-Sister Olivia Petty 🌪
 |
| a little frog I found while doing hurricane cleanup 10.9.16 |
 |
| Sister Phelps and I standing in front of a street in Daytona (that we had just helped finished cleaning; we forgot to take a before picture) that was struck during Hurricane Matthew 10.9.16 |
 |
| We (Sister Phelps) got featured in an article about the community service program we do. 10.5.16 |
 |
| Our hardcore blanket fort 10.6.16 |
No comments:
Post a Comment