The One with The June Monsoon

Week 41 (May 29th-June 5th)


Little April showers showed up late, and it was more of a June monsoon. There have been plenty of rainy days in Florida, finally. A lot of the residents were growing quite concerned, and I'm pretty sure most of them have not seen brown/yellow dead grass before. All the retention ponds were down three feet and apparently in other areas of the state there were scattered wildfires. I feel guilty that I had been enjoying the lack of moisture thus far, as it means the humidity has been very mild. In Utah, we get severe heat in the summers, but it is dry as a bone. But when it's hot and humid, it sucks the life force out of me. At least the rain is lovely and not too warm.

When I first came to Florida in September the summer was winding down, but I did experience a few of the summer storms. When it rains it is warm outside. That is nothing I had ever experienced before. Where I'm from if it's dark and grey and gloomy it's nice and chilly outside. Here it's like an oven in the ocean. I'm glad it hasn't got to that point yet.

The small talk about the weather has a purpose, because pouring rain doesn't stop the work of the Lord. Even when you are on foot. At least this time my shoes didn't foam over with dish soap! We actually thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as we trekked in the rain from house to house. I preferred it to biking on a regular sunny day.

Yes, we are still on bikes. Which is a surprise to all of us considering both Sister Evans and I had previously and separately talked to President Clark in interviews and told him we need to be in a full car area. For me due to my being prone to episodes of heat exhaustion, and for Sister Evans due to her being hit by a car while on her bicycle back in December. Yes, she was hit by a car. It's an actual miracle her ankle didn't break because she has faith sufficient to be healed. It's an amazing story. I'll have to tell you sometime. Anyway, her injury has been acting up when she bicycles and her ankle swells quite badly.

In fact, we were biking the other day in scalding heat with a humidity percentage in the 90's (hooray for rain) and she was not doing well. We were on our way to drop by a Members home and then we asked if she needed to take a break and sit down. She very plainly told us in a firm voice, "We need to get to that members house and I need a Priesthood blessing." Sister Hill and I quickly accepted that and we hustled over. When we got there, the Brother called another Priesthood holder to come over to assist in giving a blessing for the healing of the sick and afflicted. It was powerful for me to see such strong faith displayed in my companion as well as the power of the Priesthood. I am so grateful that those members were home and willing and worthy to act.

More on the work and the (unfortunately) few people we are teaching next week, be a good person and don't cut people off in traffic,

-Sister Olivia Petty☔️

After service on the temple grounds 5.30.17

Sister Hill when we finally cut open the giant lemon 6.2.17

Me Sister Hill and Sister Evans prior to singing in the rain 6.2.17

The eensy weensy frog 6.2.17

Come along, Pond. 6.3.17

Blue his house with a blue little window and a blue corvette and everything he sees is blue 6.3.17

Pineapple! 6.3.17

Sister Evans and I in the rain 6.3.17