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🚲
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| My new companion, Sister Stevenson and I. 1.23.17 |
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| Sister Carter and I when we were taken out to the pier after lunch with some members 1.10.17 |
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