We live in a blessed dispensation after the Restoration with modern day revelation! General Conference blew me away. I rejoice that God, our Father in Heaven, has reached out to us, His children, today. What a miracle it is to be on earth at this time, the fullness of times. What a sacred charge is ours, to make these things known to our brothers and sisters, that they may also know and partake of these blessings! Wow.
The messages prepared for us were so fantastic! One of my favorites was from Elder Dallin H. Oaks in the Saturday morning session. I just imagine the world being like a volleyball court (bear with me), righteousness and the Gospel on one side and the adversary and things of the world on the other. It's like the ball was sailing over the net when BOOM! Elder Oaks spikes the ball with such brute force that flames come from the ball and it is driven into the ground like a meteor.
Now someone told me that they tend not to enjoy Elder Oaks' talks as much as they are usually blunt and pretty straightforward. Before my mission, I may have felt the same way. But as a missionary, we meet and talk to so many people that are so confused and blinded by the craftiness of men that they need someone to boldly tell them how it is plain and simple. That's why I love Elder Oaks talks. What a powerhouse.
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Elder Robert D. Hales shortly after the Sunday morning session. My companion and I had just left the chapel and were alone in the mothers lounge (it has soft comfy chairs and is like a secret hangout in churches, don't tell anybody) when she saw the post announcing his death. We immediately got on our knees and offered a prayer of gratitude for him and the service he rendered to the Lord and to bless his family at this time. We are so grateful that Elder Neil L. Anderson was able to share a final conference message from him at the conclusion of this session of conference. It was a powerful ending note on one of the many recurring themes I noticed this conference on our reaction, attitude and choices during times of trial and adversity. Choose faith.
Another theme I noticed being emphasized (especially during women's session and throughout) was our worth to God, and how we should value and be kind to ourselves as His children. This made me think of an experience I had recently where I got to share 2 Nephi 26:33, where we learn that all are alike unto God. This led me to an important realization that I shared with Sister Bullard. "I have as much worth in the eyes of God as Beyoncé."
Thank you for sticking with me through that, missionaries just really love to geek out over conference, the scriptures, doctrine, etc. Now for your regularly scheduled weekly newsletter, live from Orlando, Florida.
As announced last week I am staying in Winter Garden for another 6 weeks! (My address is still 1240 Winter Garden Vineland Rd #F-3, Winter Garden, FL 34787. This transfer will end on November 7th, so maybe hold off on mail/send to mission office a week before that). I also received a brand new companion, Sister Bullard! She's from West Jordan, Utah (although she did spend the first 4 years of her life in Jacksonville, Florida which is neat) and she's been in the field for approximately a year. Until now she has only served in YSA wards, so this is her first family ward! She's blessed it's Winter Garden. I gotta say, whadda ward.
We had the Sarmento's invite Brandon & Josette over for the Sunday morning of conference! There were also two other member families there that they got to meet and get to know! It ended up being really hectic with a lot of little kids having a great time and their spastic dog; so I don't think they were able to actually catch most of the session 😕 but we're still glad that they came and got to know more Ward members and hopefully become more comfortable with them and in their homes. We'd love to try to set up a family home evening to invite them to soon!
We had a lunch appointment with Gladys this week that two of our members came to! She made us arepas and it was grand. Unfortunately, things got a little too crazy for us to be able to share our planned lesson; Gladys has a room that she maintains and keeps up for airbnb (a service people can use to arrange to stay in local people's guest rooms for cheaper than a hotel room) and her new tenant 'checked in' during lunch. It was so funny, Gladys went to get the door and show her tenant in and in walks this 90+ man and he says "five girls! Oh, I'm in trouble!"
Apparently he and his wife (married for 67 YEARS!) were visiting from a little further upstate and his wife slipped in a restaurant and broke her pelvis! She was staying in a rehab facility nearby so he is renting the room while she recovers. After Gladys showed him his room, she asked him if he would like to join us for our dessert of apple pie and ice cream, and he responded, "Is the pope catholic?!" 😂
For us I think the preferred version would be, "Is the Prophet mormon?!"
Read your scriptures everyday,
-Sister Olivia Petty 📺
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