Good times and bad, ups and downs were to be had the past two weeks in Poinciana. Still we carry on. Nevertheless, thank you for any & all prayers on our behalf, because we did have some very inspired progress.
It was late on a Tuesday night and Sister Stevenson and I had just finished teaching a less active member; and we had about 20 minutes to spare before it was time to head home. While we were trying to decide what should be done I had a seemingly obvious idea to pray about it. After we closed we both felt that we should knock on the third floor of the apartment building (there was no fourth floor, otherwise I'm sure it would have been that). Behind the first door we knocked was Julie, young mother who just moved in two months ago. We had an awesome conversation and talked a little bit about the restoration and prayed with her and her two little sons. Afterward we were both just elated. Neither of us have ever really felt strongly or specifically led by the Spirit like that on our missions thus far, and for both of us to at the same time and have the same answer was so amazing. We felt so good that on our way home we stopped by Don Pepe's for the best horchata there is to treat ourselves.
Last week we had exchanges and I got to try my hand at leading out the area with Sister Reid! A lot of our appointments fell through but we were able to finally meet with one of our most solid investigators, Agnes. She's also a young mother of two tweens and she hails from Puerto Rico (as do a majority of the people around here) and has the cutest accent and the most dazzling green eyes. Unfortunately, it was my first time meeting her and so here she was expecting to see Sister Stevenson and Sister Lamborn, and out of the car come two blondes and she was a little confused at first; but it ended up working out great. We had an awesome lesson and she agreed to be baptized once she knows it's true. We're overjoyed for her! She's so funny, before we left she said, "You guys are bringing me to the light side, you're like master jedi and I'm like your paddowan."
We also had Zone Conference last week and it was a good time. It was a little unusual at first now that I'm in a different cluster of zones, there were a lot of new faces. However there were a few familiar ones as well! I got to see Sister Phelps AND Sister Padgett! I was so so happy to see them both. Sister Phelps is still a stellar sister training leader in Olympia and Sister Padgett is training! That blows my mind; I can't really imagine training at this point of my mission, but if anyone can do it Sister Padgett can.
Remember when I said one of my very favorite things about Florida is the little lizards? Well I finally managed to catch one! It only took me 5 months. Those guys are speedy. One was stuck between my window and the mesh screen, so we helped get him out. I only got to hold him in my hands for a few seconds once we got outside, but it was so worth it.
Sister Stevenson and I have been learning and growing a lot the last two weeks and unfortunately that is rarely comfortable, but most always a blessing. I have small realizations everyday of reasons why I had to wait two years before I was ready to serve my mission, and why I am here now. The first being the people, missionary, member, or non member, a lot of which I would never have had the opportunity to meet and serve around if I had gone on my mission when I originally intended. I've been reminded of 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. As President Utchdorf said: "Consider the experience of Paul, who pleaded with the Lord multiple times for relief from a personal trial--what he called “a thorn in the flesh.” But that was not God’s will. Eventually, Paul realized that his trial was a blessing, and he thanked God for not answering his prayers the way he had hoped."
I know that God hears each and every one of our prayers, and that He cherishes our words to Him and that He takes our pleas into His heart. I also know that Heavenly Father knows more than I do; everything, in fact. So I have learned time and time again to put my trust in Him and in His plan for me and those around me, because He truly knows best and He will not forget me. He will never forget us.
I also know that I am doing the Lord's work and that this message Sister Stevenson and I bring to all those around us is true: Christ is our Savior and He lives! And His gospel that He established while He was here has been restored and is on the earth today! How amazing is that?
Keep on keeping on,
-Sister Olivia Petty 🦎
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| Sister Stevenson, Sister Angelo, and Sister Lamborn looking studious as they write their emails home 2.13.17 |
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| Me with the lizard 2.13.17 |
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Sister Phelps and I, Sister Padgett and I at Zone Conference! 1.31.17
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