The One with Poinciana

Week 21 (Jan 10th-16th) & Week 22 (Jan 17th-23rd)


Transfers got me. I was half expecting it, but it was still a surprise. I had the feeling I was going to get transferred, but I was hoping I wouldn't be, and I even hung up some lights to convince myself that I was staying. But then I got the call. For a minute there I honestly thought I'd stay in Belleview with Sister Carter for at least one more transfer; but new horizons await me in Poinciana.

That's right folks, I am now serving in the Pleasant Hill South Area in the Hunters Creek Zone in Kissimmee, Florida! My new companion is Sister Stevenson. She's from San Bernardino, California. I absolutely adore her; she has seen and loves a lot of the things I do, and we have the same sense of humor. She has been out on her mission one transfer less than me, so I'll be the senior companion (just like how Sister Carter and I started out). But get this: I'll still be driving. Sister Stevenson doesn't have a drivers license, so here's hoping that Poinciana doesn't have dirt roads.

Where I live is technically in Kissimmee, but a majority of my area is in a town called Poinciana. We live in a large duplex that is mostly empty and smells like faintly of cigarette smoke. This has probably been the hardest adjustment, seeing as I was spoiled rotten in my last lavish apartment. The Sisters moved into the duplex when they whitewashed (two new missionaries) the area three months ago when Sister Stevenson got here, and so there's not a lot of stuff in it. My last apartment had lots and lots of odds and ends from previous Sisters leaving things behind for 4+ years. Once I finally have all my things unpacked it will hopefully feel more homey.

Before I dive into Pleasant Hill, let me wrap up Belleview. Chloe finally has a date for baptism! I'm trying to figure out a member ride so that I can go, because if I don't I'm walking there. I have loved teaching Amy and her daughters so much and I can't wait to see Chloe enter the waters of baptism and make this sacred covenant with her Father in Heaven ☺️
Lillian is so ready to be baptized and she wants to be so much! But there is a delay that she's going to have to figure out that may take a while and she's devastated about it. She was waiting for her answer for so long and when she finally got it, she has another obstacle in her way. But she knows that this is an opportunity to exercise and strengthen her faith. I told her that as long she desires to be baptized and keeps striving toward it that it will happen, because it is what the Lord wants for her. I know that being baptized will mean so much more to her because of all she's done to finally get there.


Flash forward to Poinciana, here, now. The teaching pool is very large, but not very promising. Currently there are no progressing investigators and no serious candidate for baptism. We're going to fix that. It was just changed to a full car area which I am exceedingly grateful for. However I did ride my bicycle for 8 miles in blazing sun for hours anyway. I survived. There are so many more Spanish speakers here and it is so painful for me to not be able to speak it. For those of you who do not know I desperately wanted to go Spanish speaking on my mission. I still really hope that I'll get the opportunity.


There's lots to say and even more to do, so I must bid adieu.
Be good,

-Sister Olivia Petty🚲

My new companion, Sister Stevenson and I. 1.23.17

Sister Carter and I when we were taken out to the pier after lunch with some members 1.10.17

The One with the Temple Tour

Week 20 (Jan 3rd-9th)


On Saturday I saw my mission temple for the first time, and it was glorious. The temple tour with Lillian was a smashing success! I can't describe the elation I felt as I walked the grounds with her and witnessed the Spirit touch her heart.
The only setback was that it was very cold (yes, it does get cold in Florida apparently) and it was blustery with a horrid wind chill. Even though this meant it wasn't as pleasant or lengthy of a trip as we originally hoped, this didn't stop us from having a spiritual experience.

The very best part was a powerful moment when Lillian approached the front doors of the temple, the ones without a door knob, and placed her hand on the door and just stood there for a moment to take it all in. There were tears in each of our eyes, it was so beautiful. I will treasure that moment for a very long time. I am so honored Heavenly Father allowed me to be a part of it. Lillian has agreed to be baptized in February 😊

The rest of the week was fairly eventful as well, as Sister Carter and I hit the pavement and got to work. We've been focusing on expanding our teaching pool, so we're tapping into every resource we've got. I'm very, very excited about this cute older couple named Joyce & Jim, that Sister Phelps and I actually found tracting shortly after the hurricane. Due to scheduling conflicts they had fallen through the cracks. We were lucky enough to catch them at home and have a lovely visit with them the other night. They are so golden! They've even invited us over for dinner soon! I felt really good about them from the moment I met them, so I'm very excited to see where this goes.

Chloe's baptism date is unfortunately up in the air at the moment; but the good news is that it doesn't mean that it won't happen, she will still be baptized, it's just a matter of when. Scheduling is a pain. If she isn't baptized by the end of this week she will be by next week for sure.

Even though I'm having wonderful experiences sharing the gospel and growing my testimony doesn't mean I've been immune to the adversaries grasp. On Thursday night due to several unfortunate circumstances, I had a panic attack. I am fine and feeling much better now, but at the time I felt as though Satan was telling me that I wasn't good or strong enough to be on my mission, and that I was not a good missionary. This experience grew my testimony that the opposite is true; I am supposed to be here now doing the Lord's work, and Satan knows that. I feel a miracle is about to come forth that he was trying to prevent, and so now my resolve to endure has been strengthened. The Spirit along with my caring companion, Sister Carter, and a good nights rest helped me feel all better.

I know that this is truly the work of God, and that He watches over me and each one of His missionaries as we go about doing good and serving others, teaching them about the good news that Christ's church has been restored. I rejoice in this knowledge and the opportunity I have to share it daily! I invite you to be valiant in your testimony of Jesus, and in His gospel, and to use His Atonement to grow closer to Him and to our Father in Heaven. I can promise you that as you prayerfully do so you will have His blessings poured abundantly upon you and your countenance will brighten.


Keep on keeping on,

-Sister Olivia Petty🌬

Sister Carter, Lillian and I in front of the Orlando Florida Temple 1.7.17

Sister Carter & Sister Petty 1.7.17

Sister Carter and I at the Black Rock restaurant for lunch before the tour. We got to cook our own steaks right in front of us, it was insane. 1.7.17

The Other One with the Sugar Sand

Week 19 (Dec 27th-Jan 2nd)


Welcome to 2017! I hope it's a great year for each of you and that you rang it in more festively than I did. We did our best, but when you're a missionary with a 10:30pm bed time it's a little difficult to party. But we still found a way. Shout out to 99c party hats and martinelli's. Truthfully, I just didn't feel right not doing a countdown; so I set an alarm for 11:57 and got up and went to our breezeway just in time to count down from ten, pour myself a glass of apple cider and enjoy the fireworks.

Chloe is on date for baptism and progressing fast! She's so smart and she remembers everything she's taught. The only thing is that her attention span is approx 15min. So we have to keep things fast paced and entertaining. But she's come so far so fast and we're so excited.

Lillian feels strongly prompted that she needs to see the temple in Orlando and feel the spirit there. So you bet we set a date and got a ride set up real quick. She's our most promising and magnificent investigator, but she hasn't quite agreed to baptism yet. She recognizes Heavenly Father guiding her life often, in very specific ways. Like when she first felt prompted to call the Sister Missionaries back, or to go to Church for the first time. She just doesn't feel like she has received a strong answer about baptism yet, but she's continually praying about it and is seriously considering it. We think that she'll get her answer that she needs to be baptized when she sees the temple and is able to tour the grounds. The temple is so beautiful inside and out and it is immediately identifiable as a house of the Lord by the Spirit that emanates from it. Pray that she'll get her answer that baptism is her next step! She's so close.

Sister Carter and I continue to be plagued by car troubles. We got stuck. again. in sugar sand. ...again. We're both about ready to just ride our bikes everywhere because we are done with this nonsense. Either that or they need to give us a car with four wheel drive because this is getting ridiculous. We were searching for a less active in Umatilla, and the roads were tremendously bumpy and sandy. There was a lot of nervous laughter at first, but then we really started to get anxious and decided pretty quickly we should get back to the paved road and get outta dodge.

The moment we decided to get out of there, we turned down a road of sugar sand and dirt so high that there was no hope. We were stuck. We prayed. three kind Samaritans with four wheel drive and thick rope stopped and helped us out. We didn't get out unscathed this time, though. The front of the bumper is hanging on one side and is precariously close to dragging along the road when we drive. But it doesn't! Tender mercies, I suppose. We'll take it in Tuesday.

As part of our New Years Eve festivities Sister Carter and I got to enjoy a wonderful dinner at Olive Garden! My amazing Mother sent us some gift cards for Christmas so we could have a lovely evening out 😊 Our server was even a less active member for the next ward over! It was a splendid time. Thank you Mom! 💛


May all your New Years resolutions come true,

-Sister Olivia Petty 🚘

The damage 12.31.16

Sister Carter being caught of guard at Olive Garden 12.31.16

Happy New Year! 12.31.16

The One with No Snow

Week 18 (Dec 20th-26th)

"Elders & Sisters, we have been informed by the Florida Forest & Wildlife Preservation Council (or FFWPC)  that without snowfall this winter, the extinction of certain native animals and plants is imminent. Please include in your prayers and participate in fasting for snow this season to help protect all of God's Creatures great and small." is the text we received from our Zone Leaders on Tuesday. We were thoroughly confused. Wouldn't any species requiring snow living in Florida be long gone? Sister Carter and I just added it to our prayers even though we thought it was a joke because why not. Come to find out at our Christmas Zone Conference (which was lovely by the way) on Thursday that it was indeed a prank. figures.

But without snow missionaries are able to travel safely on their bicycles. Not like I have to worry about that because I am blessed with a full car area. However Sister Carter thought it'd be nice to bike to an appointment nearby so I got to ride my bicycle for the first time. It was unpleasant. I think I'll stick to our car for awhile (if we keep it off of precarious dirt roads, that is). If I do have to bike in my next area, I'm investing in a bigger seat.

Christmas was absolutely splendid and being able to have unlimited time to talk to my family was a blessing. I love and miss them so much, but I know that by giving this time to the Lord He will make it possible for me to be an instrument to bless other families. Everyone needs to know that they can be with their families forever! I am blessed to have mine, and I love them dearly.

Have a fantastic last week of the year and get your resolution list ready for 2017! It's gonna be a good one.

-Sister Olivia Petty ⛄️

Us with one of my very favorite members, Inge 12.25.16

Ready for Christmas 12.24.15