The One with My 21st Birthday

Week 11 (Nov 1st- Nov 7th)


Talking to strangers is one of those things that they told you not to do in elementary school, but now it's something I do every day. Sometimes I forget that that's what I'm supposed to be doing, like for a brief moment on Saturday. I was helping Sister Phelps back out of a parking spot at a seedy gas station in Ocklawaha, when a young man called out to me from inside his parked car, and asked where we were from. For half a second I almost said "California and Utah" but luckily I was able to figure out what he meant before I actually spoke. "We're from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!" He nodded and I almost got into the car, thinking that was the end of the conversation. almost.
I approached him and gave him a pass a long card with our information and said we had church tomorrow at 10am.
"If I come to church will I get to marry someone as pretty as you?" He asked.
"Probably." I responded, shrugging.
 He didn't come to church, but I got his name and number. Which in retrospect probably threw him off and explains his question.

But the good news: Not only did Amy and her daughters make it to church on Sunday, but so did Lillian! Two investigators! Two! For all three hours! It was a big deal and many thank you prayers were said.

I had a birthday. We shouted hooray. I'm one year older and wiser, too. It was a happy birthday to me. Thanks for all the well wishes, and a special thank you to those who participated in my birthday challenge and bore their testimony to others!
Sister Phelps was very kind to me throughout the day and humored me as we had an impromptu birthday photoshoot. It was a grand old time, with cake, party hats and the like. I was very blessed with a very happy birthday. And I'm so glad that I was able to spend it here in Florida as a missionary.

I apologize for the brevity this week, you know how it is.
Remember to drink 8 cups of water a day,

-Sister Olivia Petty 🎉

Sister Phelps and with a crane in the background 11.1.16

Birthday celebrations 11.4.16