The Epilogue: Month 1

Last week I hit my month mark since arriving home from my mission. In some ways, this month has gone how I imagined it being when I got home, and in other ways it’s surprised me. First and foremost: it is surreal. It didn’t feel like it was really happening until I was on the escalator staring at my family. The entire dinner at President Clark’s house and the departing devotional I don’t think any of us were believing what was going on.

It was a beautiful devotional though; the first all-Sister departing group during President Clark’s reign. There were definitely tears shed by everyone there. Us. The Clarks. Even the APs. The next morning we loaded up into the van at o-dark thirty and to our surprise President stood there on the curb and waved at us while we drove off. What?! For some reason we were expecting him to be there with us at the airport? We felt abandoned and things started to get real. When the Assistants unloaded us and our stuff on the curb and wished us luck, suddenly we were on our own.

We scrambled to check in ourselves and our baggage and thoroughly confused the attendant when he kept asking us which stuff was “Megan’s” and “Alyssa’s” because none of us knew each other by our first names at all. but if I’ve learned anything it’s that the Lord takes care of His missionaries; because there to be our proxy parents appeared a lovely member couple who were flying back to Utah after a business trip. They helped us weave through the proper lines and arrive at our gate safely and on time.

The flight went well, I got to sit next to the stellar Sister Powell and a gentleman who recognized who we were and introduced himself as a ‘Jack Mormon’. We got the chance to talk to him about his history as a member of the church and his family for a little bit. It was nice to still be a missionary. For the remainder of the flight I tried aggressively to avoid looking at the screen of the little boy in front of me watching Coco.

When we began our descent, we looked out the window and saw our beloved snow capped mountains erupting from the desert floor. Surveying the scene of post-winter nature death and decay, I leaned over to Sister Powell and whispered, “Do you remember it being this ugly?” to which she shook her head.

Anxiety and excitement began to swell within us; we were minutes away from being reunited with our families. When we hobbled off the plane we waited for each other. Then there we were. Myself, Sister Powell, Sister Staten, Sister Bullard, and Sister Anderson. We stood there frozen for a moment, in disbelief. Then we agreed unanimously and simultaneously that we needed to use the restroom. We stood in a lengthy line and waited for each other again. Then we migrated to the top of the escalator. The escalator. One by one we descended and cheers were heard by loved ones awaiting at the bottom. Then there were two. Sister Staten and I.

We started our missions together in the same MTC district 18 months before. And now here we were, standing at the end together. We looked at each other with tears in our eyes, both petrified of the new life awaiting us at the end of those moving stairs. We embraced and reassured each other that we could do this. We had returned with honor after valiantly serving our Lord and King in the Florida Orlando Mission and we could boldly face the world ahead. We linked arms and started at the top of the escalator together. However approximately two seconds later when our loved ones came into view Sister Staten broke into a sprint down the stairs to her family.

I looked around the lobby, searching for familiar faces, half scared that maybe my family got the times wrong and wouldn’t be there. But then a cheer was let out by voices I knew, and there they were. At first I couldn’t see my mom, but then realized she was there with a bouquet of balloons waiting for me at the end of the stairs. It was a great reunion, the kind missionaries dream of on hard days. I was home.

Since then life has been pretty usual. I had my homecoming that Sunday and then I was called to be an ordinance worker at the Timpanogos Temple! I work the Saturday first shift and I love it so so much. To all my missionary friends- I highly recommend working at the temple when you get home.

I’m living at home in Pleasant Grove with my parents and baby sister, and we are looking forward to my two other sisters returning from their missions next month! It’s gonna be bumpin at the Petty abode. I haven’t started school but I’m planning on UVU in the fall and pursuing Film/Cinemaphotography and Digital Media. I don’t have a job yet, I’ve resumed being my moms full-time caregiver for the time being. I still call myself Sister Petty in my head and sometimes I catch myself almost going to back when I’m driving with someone.

I’ve been on a couple of dates, nothing serious but more fun group stuff. I didn’t have anyone waiting for me and I haven’t dated anyone seriously in a looong time so I’m just taking things slow and soft pedaling it. I will say it is weird though that most my friends are married or engaged. I’m not going to my YSA and I’m staying in my homeward to help out around here; we’ll see how things go.

To all my missionary friends: Please keep me updated and in the loop and put me and my home email on your weeklies. I’ll be here at via.petty@gmail.com.
To everyone else: you can review all my mission newsletters that I sent home on my mission blog at sisteroliviapetty.blogspot.com. I’ll also be writing posts of my mission stories and memories there.


Keep on keeping on,

-(Sister) Olivia Petty

Home! 3.14.18

Reuniting with some Florida Orlando Sisters 4.14.18

The Last One

Week 81 (Mar 6th- 12th 2018)

When I was sunbeam, about 3-4 years old in Primary, we sang a song about missionaries. I remember thinking, “Wow. I wish I was a boy so that I could be an Elder and serve a mission”. Apparently I had said that out loud, because my teacher responded, “You can serve a mission! There are Sister Missionaries too!”

My heart swelled within my chest and it felt like I was overflowing with pure joy when I heard these words. Looking back, that may have been the first time I felt the Spirit in my life. I didn’t know that then, but I did know that I was going to be a missionary. I’m also a little concerned by how long it took me to figure out that Sisters served missions, considering that my mom served a mission and I knew that that was how she met my dad... Putting two and two together is hard when that’s how old you are.

Throughout the years I received repeated spiritual confirmations and specific promised blessings from Heavenly Father that I would serve a full time mission. There have been few things I have been as sure of in life as sure as I was that I would be a missionary.

I had a long and difficult journey to get on my mission; it included a litany of doctors, medication adjusting, pushed availability dates over two years. It was rough and it was a time that I was very humbled and had to rely on the Lord and develop patience and faith in His timing.

My time as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Florida Orlando Mission is truly a highlight of my life and has shaped my perspective, testimony and personal spirituality. Each experience an integral part of the work of art that the Lord has magnificently authored. Taking even one piece to highlight or share cannot describe, as the prophet historian Mormon says, “a hundredth part” of the masterpiece as a whole (3 Nephi 5:8).

Among the other departing missionaries, I had the profound blessing of going to the Lord’s house and partake of the spirit there. My departing temple trip was lovely, I was beaming the whole time. Although several of the other sisters became teary eyed and sentimental, I could not stop smiling. It was because I felt so overjoyed and blessed to be there. There I was, in the temple at the conclusion of my honorable 18 months of missionary service. Several years ago, that moment didn’t seem attainable; but I was there reveling in it.

As a missionary, it is my sacred charge and calling to invite others to come unto Christ and testify of Him. I am eternally grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. For His key role in Heaven before this life; and in the Earth, before, during and after it was made. I testify with a surety that He is the same that said, “Here Am I” and “I am that I am”. He is the first of our Fathers children and the only begotten in the flesh. Yes, even the Son of the Living God, which God is the loving Heavenly Father of each spirit.

Christ is the Messiah that was promised and prophesied of since before what the Bible calls “the beginning”. The Savior that would come and redeem us from this fallen world & this fallen state. Jesus Christ lived, died, and lived again and still lives for us. Not only died so we could overcome death, but literally took upon himself all sin, pain, sickness, guilt, misery, for us that we can turn to Him and find remission, forgiveness, and His perfect love.

This He did that we may be reconciled with God, to live again in His presence with our heavenly eternal family. These and other eternal truths and ordinances of Salvation were restored to the earth in its fullness by God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The evidence of this restoration is a record of ancient scripture discovered and translated by Joseph through the power of God. This record is the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I know this. I have learned this to be true for myself through study of the scriptures and mighty prayer and fasting. Heavenly Father answered my prayer and He will answer yours. To quote President Thomas S. Monson, “If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one.”

Thank you all for your support, love, and prayers throughout my mission and before. I know there were many times that they carried me. I look forward to reporting to you soon.


Hurrah for Israel,

-Sister Olivia Petty

Departing temple trip 3.9.18

Last Jeremiah’s 3.9.18

Final District pic: DeLand 3.7.18

LILLIAN CAME AND TOOK US TO LUNCH 3.6.18

A goodbye cake Sister Ellison ordered for me with my family nickname on it 3.12.18

Orlando Florida Temple 3.9.18

The One with the Beach & Lemonade Stand

Week 80 (Feb 27th- Mar 5th 2018)

Back when I was in Lake Crescent with Sister McCullough, we brainstormed different ideas of creative new ways to find people to teach. She thought of a classic summer staple with a twist: a free lemonade stand. We’d set up in a high foot traffic area and offer passers by some free lemonade as Christlike service and hand out pass along cards and let them know what we are about.

We had started collecting the various items required- a table, lemonade mix, a cooler, etc.- from several members of the ward. Before our plan could be executed, Sister McCullough was transferred and Sisters Evans & Hill came in. I told them our plan in the works, and they were game to give it a shot. We had a Saturday scheduled to do it. The Wednesday of that week I was emergency transferred to Buena Ventura with Hermana Klein. Sisters Evans & Hill proceeded with the free lemonade stand without me and when I received the photographs my heart hurt. I wished I could have been there.

A week ago, Sister Russell and I were brainstorming creative new ways to find people to teach. I brought the free lemonade stand back into the game. Round two. We planned the Saturday, we planned for the spanish elders to join us, we had the necessary supplies, we were ready to go.

It was a learning experience. We learned more about what can be better prepared when doing this sort of thing. Initially we were having no success. Despite the Elders dancing with our homemade poster boards. My fear beforehand/standing theory is that adorable small children are needed in order for any type of lemonade stand to work. Next time.

Finally, when we were about to pack up and cut our losses, a member pulled up and let us know that a park nearby was bumping with people and families. So we boogied on over and had much more success. We made a few contacts and planted a few seeds; we’re praying that Heavenly Father will consecrate the efforts we put forth in doing His work.

An actual miracle happened this week while at a member dinner. During our spiritual thought, there was a knock at the door. Missionaries aren’t used to being on the other side of the door. When we opened it it was our members across the street neighbor. She was very emotional and clutching several dollar bills in her hands and asked desperately if our members brother in law was around and willing to mow her lawn the next morning. He was out of town, but jumped right in and offered to help. She looked so relieved and thanked us profusely. She told us that her husband had just been hospitalized with a stroke and her landlord was coming the next day and she would be fined if the lawn wasn’t done. She offered up her money, and we declined and told her we would do it for free. Tears rolled down her cheeks and her voice caught in her throat as she thanked us again. We went the next morning and mowed her lawn and weeded and she was so grateful. Hopefully we will get to see her again soon and offer her a message of peace at this time.

It seemed like it wasn’t going to happen for a minute there, but lo and behold in the eleventh hour came the long awaited permission from President for our district to go to the beach. I had hoped to have the opportunity to go at least once on my mission and that hope was fulfilled. We were up before the sun so we could catch it rise above the ocean. Also because if missionaries are there at any other time there are a great number of other people at the beach; and because we want to uphold our image as hardworking servants of the Lord and not as frisbee playing shell collecting youths we go when the least amount of eyes are there. Plus when other people are there they are usually not fully clothed like us and we don’t need to see that when we are keeping our eyes single to the glory 😎

While beholding the beauty of the rolling waves and having sand embedded in every article of my clothing, I thought of the words to the hymn ‘Brightly Beams Our Fathers Mercy’:

Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.

This week as I embark on my last week of full time missionary service in the Florida Orlando Mission, I pray that I can find a one that I may rescue, I may save through our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is my hope that you can too

See you next week,

-Sister Olivia Petty🌊

THE BEACH 3.5.18

THE LONG AWAITED NAMETAG IN THE SAND PICTURE 3.5.18

Murals on the boardwalk 3.5.18

THE FREE LEMONADE STAND 3.3.18

Me and Chevy, the chug (chihuahua/pug mix) 2.28.18

The One with Karaoke

Week 79 (Feb 20th-26th 2018)

It was set up to be a great ward party, board games, dancing, karaoke, and snacks. Could it get any better? I submit to you, it could not. Sister Russell and I had been pretty pumped about it for a few weeks. We invited everyone we could, in person, in text, online, smoke signals, pigeons, you name it. Church activities are a perfect way to have Investigators introduced. It’s non threatening and casual, they get familiar with the church building and the members so that the invitation to come on Sunday for church isn’t so scary.

When we pulled into the parking lot at 7pm sharp, there was a scanty number of cars. Ruh-roh. Walk in the doors, the first two people we see: 2 of our Investigators. What? Long story shorter- the more people trickled in, and guess what? We had as many Investigators as we had Members there. We had 12 Investigators. TWELVE. WHAT?! And only twelve members?! It was amazing and somewhat of a disaster. But we managed, and everyone had a good time and we had a display of some pretty good pipes around here. Sister Russell and I even tried our hand and failed gloriously at belting You Are Loved by Josh Groban.

Sunday rolls around and guess how many Investigators came to church? Two. Two of them. I guess people would rather come to a party than church? Which makes no sense to me. Oh whale.

Deltona is doing well, and so are the sisters in it. Tomorrow is my departure interview with my mission president and I got my flight itinerary this week. We’re taking things one day at a time and it is well with my soul. This week, try to be an answer to someone else’s prayer.

-Sister Olivia Petty🎙

Frozen yogurt break 2.24.18

Comp Study massacre 2.24.18

Easter themed handiwork at service 2.20.18

Our girl Danielle 2.21.18

Our investigator Stacey at the karaoke night 2.23.18

The One with 3 General Authorities, 2 Zone Conferences & 1 Smartphone

Week 78 (Feb 13th-19th 2018)

During Sister Russell’s trainer follow-up meeting several weeks ago, a training on using Area Book was given. Area Book is the app we use for all our missionary necessities that I have talked (or, murmured) about before. I have very strong feelings about Area Book and most aspects about it, so during this training I spoke up and gave comments liberally. I was pretty passionate about it and the points I was making were valid. Especially on missionaries Referring teaching records when they should be reassigned and how uncontacted referrals show up in the system etc. President Clark especially enjoyed my comments and during interviews a week or two later asked me to give a training in Zone Conference about it and include Sister Russell.

Then last week we received a call from the Assistants. Apparently President liked my thoughts and insight specifically, so much so that we were invited to go to both Zone Conferences to give the training. I was pretty humbled and honored. Our mission is big enough that when ZC rolls around, the northern half and the southern half of the mission have it on different days. Usually the topics of the trainings given are decided ahead of time and missionaries from the half of the zone it will be in are chosen to give it. It’s uncommon for a specific missionary to be asked to give the training at both. So we felt pretty VIP.

I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to say during the training, but Sister Russell was nervous because of her inexperience with Area Book; she had basically no idea of what our training was actually about. I assured her that I would teach her and show her how she can contribute so that she wouldn’t be my silent shadow. So we thought that southern ZC was on Wednesday and northern was on Thursday, so on Monday night we decided we would spent time in companionship study on Tuesday preparing our training because I’m a dirty rotten procrastinator.

Well, around 8:30pm Monday night I had a sinking suspicion that the southern Zone Conference was actually tomorrow (Tuesday). Sister Russell dismissed it because we were sure we had been told it was Wednesday. I decided to ask someone and check. After several people not answering and increasing panic, the Assistants finally called us back to tell us that the southern Zone Conference was indeed the next day. Sister Russell starts silently freaking out in the background. I calmly asked how long our training was going to be, as I thought it was going to be maybe 10-15 minutes.

Turns out they were planning on spicing things up and having the missionaries break up into four large groups and rotating around trainings in different classrooms of the church, and that we would have 25-30 minutes each. Sister Russell turned as white as the fruit on the tree of life (1 Nephi 8:11) and collapsed to the floor.

We had a rapid fire planning session and prepared our training and had it (roughly) ready to go before bed. We rose supremely early the next morning so we could depart in a timely manner. We had a lengthy drive and we wanted to beat the notoriously bad traffic on I4. A trip that would take about 50 minutes in a perfect world without traffic ended up taking us 2.5 hours. We hit what I am positive was every accident and red light there was. It was nightmarish. Blessing was it wasn’t our ZC and we didn’t have to be there on time for car inspections. Thank goodness.

Our training ended up not being too shabby, and I loved it because I got to vent some of my Area Book frustrations to the public. I felt like a celebrity being in the Southern half of the mission again, it’s where I’ve served a vast majority of my mission and all my former companions still out in the mission and most previous district members were there. Everyone was so excited and surprised to see me, and I was as happy to see them. It was a great time. and the drive home only took an hour. woot woot!

Our own zone conference went well as well. A little more scrambled because I didn’t have as many people as I knew and loved pumping me up. So we gave our training a total of 8 times. Afterward we had the best post ZC lunch I’ve ever had. I know that’s an irrelevant detail, but it was divine. The ward members that put it together for us even brought flavoring syrup and cream so we could make our own little Italian sodas. It was adorable. Members are so good to missionaries, it gives my heart the warm tinglies.

Also the Florida Orlando Mission is definitely the promised land because we have been plucked out of obscurity and given smart phones! Alleluia! I am grateful I have lived to see this day in the mission. Many advances have happened in the FOM since my arrival nearly 18 months ago. It’s a great time to be a missionary.

Now I must apologize, I have failed to prioritize my time correctly and have given the most time and energy writing this newsletter about the more trivial and unimportant part of the week, leaving very little to devote to the significantly more important events that transpired this weekend. Hopefully this upcoming week will be uneventful and I can unfold what transpired with more detail in my next epistle.

This weekend I met and shook the hand of a living Apostle of the living Lord. I have learned so much and kindling to the fire of my faith and testimony was added. I feel strong inside. A sort of righteous power that comes only through the Spirit of God.

We had a visit from Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Jorg Klebingat of the Seventy, and Bishop Causse of the presiding bishopric of the church. It wasn’t a mission tour, it was just a day or two visit from them, but we were blessed as a mission to have a brief two hour meeting with them. And for the first time in President Clark mission history, the whole mission was gathered in one place for one meeting. It was glorious. What a blessing it was to see the whole of the Florida Orlando Mission together! The meeting was truly inspiring and unforgettable and a gift.

Next week I wish to discuss more about this meeting and the topics discussed, but they’re giving me the light so we have to move along.

This all gets better- Elder Klebingat presided at our stake conference the next day. If you remember, he came and visited our mission back in November and it was one of the more spiritually edifying days of my life. When he was here before, one of the commitments he left with us was to take two pages in our journals and on one make a list of ‘Things I will never do because of my mission’ and the other ‘Things I will always do because of my mission’. I did and it helped me immensely to feel like the blessings of what I have learned on my mission will extend beyond the end of it.

Before the meeting he was greeting and shaking hands with many of the people on the front pews. Sister Russell and I were blessed to be among those he greeted. When he saw us, he joked how we survived the meeting yesterday (Saturday). We told him that we loved the meeting and he said, “You should write that in your journal, it’s not everyday that you get to meet an Apostle.” I lit up and told him that I did and whipped out my study journal to show him a glimpse of my notes.

As I was flipping through the pages, I paused and showed him the notes I took when he was here in November. I turned the page and said, “Look! I did what you asked us to!” and presented the two pages of the lists of what I will and won’t do. He looked over it with quiet surprise and said, “Aw. Wow. That is wonderful” he made a move to pull his phone out but stopped and said, “I almost want to take a picture of it but it’s probably too personal,” and I quickly said,

“No, no, please! Please, you are welcome to photograph it.” He brought his phone out and took a few pictures of it and said how he just wants it to see how missionaries take his counsel or something (can’t quite remember, was in a state of shock) and he promised he wouldn’t post it online or anything. Honestly, I’d be honored if he did.


Until next time,
-Sister Olivia Petty📖

Sisters of the DeLand Zone post mission conference feat. Jeremiah’s 2.17.18

When a dinner cancelled we went to Olive Garden on the treat of Sister Russell’s mom 2.16.18

All of the missionaries I entered the mission field with on September 12 2016 2.17.18

MY MTC DISTRICT 39-B (FL) REUNITED ALL TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME 2.17.18

Me doing the thing 2.19.18

@ Local donut shop this morning 2.19.18

The One with a Burnt Christmas Tree

Week 77 (Feb 6th-12th 2018)

We were early to our dinner appointment so we decided to tract the next door neighbor. When we walked up to the door we noticed a security camera, and when I say noticed I mean one of our eyes were nearly poked out and blinded by it. It was one of those legit ones that they use outside of stores that look like ray guns. This is always a promising start for missionaries 🙃

After we knocked a woman opened the door and her Doberman is going nuts and is about to knock her over from behind and she said bruskly, “I have a dog, what do you want?!” I quickly gave my usual intro of who we are, but then the spirit put something in my mouth that spilled over the top of my other words, “Can we help you weed your yard?” and to our great surprise she said “Yes. Give me your card.” We were both stunned and my jaw dropped as she stepped outside and closed the door to talk to us.

“Who are you people? Why do you want to weed my yard? No one wants to weed my yard. How much do you charge?” When we told her what our deal is about serving others freely she raised her brows in skeptic disbelief. We got to know her a little better and she told us about her tough Miami history and long career in the medical field despite her refusal to deal with any “poop, puke or piss”. She had colorful language and great stories of her past neighbors being druggies and dealers before our members moved in about a month ago. I assured her that they would be the cleanest neighbors she would ever have.

Her name is Dee and she told us that we can remember it easily because she has double d’s. Being a missionary is great. When we asked if she knew anyone else that needed help she asked if we could go with her to her best friend Samantha’s house in the DeLand Sisters area to rake her lawn. We got permission and did so the next day with Sister Thompson and Sister Stratton. It went so beautifully.

Sam was in a car accident and broke her leg a few months ago and then tripped and rebroke it in two different places a few months later. Needless to say she had been down and out for the last little bit and needed help. And help we gave. She was in absolute disbelief and shock by our selfless service. Definitely touched and softened her heart; and Dee’s too. It’s amazing what kind simple service will do.

My very last exchange happened this week and it was with Sister Powell. No better way to finish it out. Sister Powell and I came to the field together so we are both in our last transfer and we’ve served around each other frequently throughout our missions and had served with a lot of the same people and companions and so it was super nice to talk to her. We also had a rad day contacting a ton of people.

One of our contacts was the sweetest young mom that the sisters met a few months ago. We went to her house to follow up and when she answered the door she said in a whisper, “my daughter is sleeping.” We were prepped to leave and reschedule, but then she still invited us in which was unusual and a nice change of pace. We looked around at the wear and tear of a two year old and noticed video cassette tapes and she said that she preferred to use those because it teaches her daughter patience since she can’t instantly skip from scene to scene or start over, but has to manually fast forward and rewind. We respected it and appreciated seeing a VCR in commission somewhere other than the church building.

Then we heard her daughter start to stir, so she left the room for a moment to tend to her. To our surprise when she returned she was holding and nursing her daughter. I mean, you go girl; it just caught us off guard. Then we finished the rest of our quiet conversation while actively striving to maintain eye contact. We made sure we had her number and set up another time to stop by. As we left, Sister Powell and I were grateful that we weren’t Elders.

Later when we were driving, Sister Powell and I saw the space x rocket launch (which apparently is a big deal) and swerved to pull over and watch. Front row florida seats. It was pretty neat, but would have been a lot cooler at night rather than midday. also if something blew up. But that’s just me.

On Saturday night Sister Russell and I had a new experience while visiting a less active recent convert. He was alone, and as sister missionaries we aren’t allowed to be inside the same home with a male unless a female adult is present. When we told him we’d have to meet outside he asked if we’d like to sit around a fire, and I misread it as sarcasm and replied “haha yeah we can sing songs and roast marshmallows too.” When he brought some chairs outside he also brought a bag of jumbo mallows and some matches.

Apparently he had his dried out Christmas tree in his fire pit and had been meaning to burn it along with some other miscellaneous things but didn’t really have the time or excuse to do it alone. He lamented not having a lighter, when I offered the one I carry with me in my bag. He raised his eyebrow and asked, “what are you doing with a lighter?” and I told him it was for a magic trick I’d have to show him another time.

We lit the tree and it went up really big really fast. I was amazed. Then we had a nice bonfire chat about how coming to church is good for anyone despite where they feel their worthiness is at while he burned random articles of furniture. Everyone should strive to do whatever they are able to come to church and partake of the sacrament worthily. It’s heavenly help and guidance that we need in order to overcome our trials, we don’t need to “fix ourselves” before receiving those blessings. Often we need it in order to progress in the first place.

-Sister Olivia Petty🔥

The One with actual Streptococcus Tonsillitis

Week 75 (Jan 23rd-29th 2018) & Week 76 (Jan 30th-Feb 5th 2018)

If your mission companions are supposed to prepare you for your spouse, I’m beginning to fear for the longevity of my future husband.

After making several dozen phone calls Sister Russell and I ended up in the waiting room of an after hours urgent care, outside of our Zone, with a two and a half hour wait. After weighing the options with the help of a very candid MA at the check in, we reluctantly accepted the grim fate of being out egregiously late after curfew and biding time in a den of lionous coughs and sniffles.

Sister Russell woke up Friday morning with a sore throat and inflamed tonsils. Being the diligent medical assistant, she took note and observed the symptoms and their severity throughout the day. By midday she was extremely fatigued and her tonsils were swollen and bleeding. We texted our medical senior missionary at the mission office and Sister Russell rested for a little bit to get up the strength for us to get through an upcoming lesson and dinner appointment. When we got the go ahead to go to an urgent care, we were about to go to dinner, so we decided we’d go after and make it just in time before it closed at 8pm.

Well our dinner was not as long according to our plan. We could have made it work but the members had given us a ride from their house to a restaurant to help us save miles, so by the time we finally got back to our car it was 7:50pm. We weren’t going to make it. So we looked up the nearest after hours urgent care 10 minutes away- right outside the boundary of our zone. The nearest in our zone was about a half hour away. Calls were made. Approvals were given. There we were.

When we sat down and decided to wait, Sister Russell was dissatisfied and contemplated for a moment. She then declared with power, “I. am. PEDIATRIC.” and looked up and called the children’s urgent care 2min away. No wait. So we hustled our bustles over there. Have I mentioned how exceedingly grateful I am for the sister Missionary age change and the fact that pediatrics goes up until 21?

I prefer pediatric clinics to normal adult ones now because we went from one playing 21 jump street in the waiting room to a Disney channel original starring zendaya. Not that I was watching either one anyway, I was just able to appreciate that fact.

Sister Russell said that in school, she was taught that when you do a strep swab, if the person does not gag or have tears in their eyes then you did not swab correctly and the result will be negative. The nurse definitely did not swab correctly. She basically caressed Sister Russell’s cheek with the swab like she was doing an ancestry .com genetic test or something. We feared the result would be incorrect because of it, but then several minutes later the doctor poked his head in and told us she had strep and he was prescribing antibiotics. We are convinced that it was the hand of God that the result came out positive with such an insufficient swab. Seriously a miracle.

A huge treat and an absolute delight was that I was able to see and spend time with my beloved former/return missionary companion SISTER SIERRA EVANS. She served here in Deltona twice. Her and her family rolled into town for a few days and they took Sister Russell and I out for ice cream and she came to our ward multi-cultural party which was an absolute blast made better. I am so blessed to have had time to be her companion, even if it was only for a few weeks. Those weeks were a downright riot and some of my most cherished mission memories.

The dawning of a new transfer and I’m staying! I’m so grateful to have another transfer- my last- here in Deltona with Sister Russell. I am so thankful for my life and my mission and the experiences therein that have strengthened me and my testimony and have in turn have been able to bless others. My parents have recently found old photographs of them on their missions and have been sending them to me and I LOVE IT. I love my little missionary family so much. I love my mission. I love the gospel.


Count your many blessings,
-Sister Olivia Petty🍧

The One with Pineapple Pruning

Week 74 (Jan 16th-22nd 2018)

One year ago this week I packed my bags and transferred out of my first area and away from my second companion, Sister Carter. This week I packed an overnight bag and went on an exchange to New Smyrna with my Sister Training Leader, Sister Carter(!). That’s right! Belleview Beauties back at it and reunited for one day only to hasten the work of the Lord!

It was such a blast to spend the day with Sister Carter and reminisce about our beloved Belleview and the hilarious people and experiences we had therein. What was really amazing was being able to see how much each of us have grown over the course of our missions. When Sister Carter and I were first put together I was just out of training with three months in the field under my belt and she had been out only one transfer longer than me, a total of 4.5 months. At the time, we felt totally inadequate and under-qualified to be together on our own without a more seasoned missionary to guide us.

Now Sister Carter is nearing the end of her mission, this next week will be her final in the field and her exchange with me was her last. After our companionship she has trained a new missionary herself and has been an STL for a few months now. I have since had 9 other companions and am currently training a new sister on my own. It’s surreal to realize that we are the seasoned seniors now.

When we contacted a woman while she was in her front yard, we were both silently impressed at the others progress in confidence, ease, and power in teaching simple truths of the restored gospel. It’s reassuring to recognize that I have changed for the better, and that I really am progressing as a missionary and as a daughter of God each day through my continued diligence and Christ’s grace.

Sister Carter and I started our day helping a member tend to their small garden of potted pineapples by weeding and pruning. While doing so, I remarked to her that I was reminded of the allegory of the olive tree in Jacob chapter 5, and compared it to our service as laborers in the Lords vineyard in Florida; with pineapples instead of olive trees. It seemed fitting.

Then we got to give service at a thrift store in their area by tagging and hanging donated clothes. The place was slammed because apparently a very wealthy gentleman had donated the entirety of his wardrobe in his mansion in preparation for his trip to Costa Rica. There were tens of boxes of men’s shirts and pants from expensive designers and brands such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, etc. Most of them still had the tags and had never been worn. It’s crazy how what a person donates to a thrift store can reveal so much about the kind of person they are.

While we were there we saw a couple of nude mannequins in the front window that were quite anatomically correct and made us somewhat uncomfortable; so we asked if we could dress them and we got the go ahead. So that was fun finding the gems in the store and mix and matching to create a chic look. When we were done they were styling and modest. A sign of a Sister Missionaries touch.

Then we got a real treat: we got permission to Skype Lillian! If you’ve been following my mission for a while, you’ll know that Lillian is a recent convert that Sister Carter and I taught and helped prepare to enter the waters of baptism a year ago next month. She’s had quite the journey and has the strongest faith. We video called her and read Moroni 10 and discussed gifts of the spirit! She just received her patriarchal blessing a few weeks ago (so proud of her!), and so she’s been wanting to learn more about that. What an angel.

Innocent left for Boston this week, we helped him prep to go. Sister Russell packed his bags while I helped him with his ticket and boarding pass. His original flight was cancelled, and so I helped him with a new one. Booking, cancelling, rebooking Innocents ticket squelched any desire in me to be a jet-setter. It’s so difficult to navigate; and it really shouldn’t be. I mean, we’ve been flying for 100+ years people. There has to be an easier way to do this.

On his last full day in Deltona he went out with our Elders for a few hours and had a blast. When we heard the stories both from his side and the elders we were dying of laughter. He was dressed up and wearing his suit, and apparently at one door they knocked the person asked if they were detectives/officers, to which Innocent responded, “We are officers of Jesus Christ.” The Elders said that at one point when they were driving in silence, they heard innocent say quietly in the backseat, “Fishers of men. We are... fishing”. He’s the perfect missionary.

This is the last week of the transfer; this last one has come and gone so fast. We’re loving Deltona and looking forward to sticking around here together. We get the call this Saturday with the actual transfer news, however it’s very unlikely that I will be sent anywhere else. I’m glad, Sister Russell and I are just getting started.

-Sister Olivia Petty🍍

The One with Manatees and Rocketships

Week 72 (Jan 2nd-8th) & Week 73 (Jan 9th-15th 2018)

Deltona’s misfortune is Bostons immense luck because we’re losing Innocent to the red sox. Sister Russell and my hearts are actually in pieces, so we don’t think about it for more than 30 seconds at a time otherwise we’ll weep endlessly.

Innocent is currently living/working at an assisted living group home and it’s a rough situation. The woman he is working for was an acquaintance from where he’s from in Uganda, but she’s really been exploiting him and his work since he doesn’t have a work visa yet. He works literally 21/7 (minus the three hours he gets off for church each week which he has to fight tooth and nail for) and is the only employee over 8 patients. She refuses to hire anyone else so she can save money, but she’s barely paying Innocent anyway. We calculated it out, and she’s only paying him roughly $1.50 an hour. It’s the definition of messed up.

Originally Innocents goal was to work there long enough to get his own apartment and continue working there while obtaining necessary visas; but he’s been working so hard non-stop he hasn’t had any time to work on his papers and his employer is resisting his leaving to go to church on Sundays- which is non negotiable to him. So Innocent has been fasting and praying about other options.

He has a colleague up in Boston who is willing to let Innocent stay with him while he works his legalities out, so he is leaving on Thursday. We’re saddened by this turn of events for selfish reasons, but we genuinely want what is best for him and right now that is getting out of dodge. Innocent didn’t want to leave his new home Ward either, feeling he was just planting his roots, so he is planning to come back to the area after he’s done in Boston in a month or two. Pray- really pray- that this works out because Sister Russell and I are about to be very lost with a lot more free time.

We already have his records set in his new ward and have contacted his new missionaries (that we are fighting to not break the 10th commandment over) and so he will be able to continue his new member lessons and prepare for the temple there. He was ordained a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood, so now he will be preparing to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood! He is so on fire and has the strongest testimony, we are so blessed to know him and we will be keeping in contact with him while he’s gone and hopefully having an occasional Skype lesson.

To console us, Heavenly Father has blessed us with bounteous tender mercies and super cool experiences. Throughout my mission, I have raved about Florida’s wildlife and wondrous variety of all creatures great and small, but these last two weeks were something else. Are you ready for one of the great creatures? Get this: Manatees. MANATEES.

We live approximately 7 miles away from Blue Springs State Park: Winter Home of the Manatee. So this last P-day guess what we did? WE SAW THE MANATEES. It was an absolutely beautiful park! This crystal clear river spring, with amazing trees everywhere, very peaceful and super quiet! This river was filled with all different kinds of fish, like hundreds of different fishies. There were an astounding variety of birds as well, and of course... the manatees. I have never seen anything like it. Fat blobs swimming in the water, chilling at the bottom, and occasionally surfacing for a second to take a big breath. It was enchanting.

Apparently Manatees have zero tolerance for cold, so they always have to be in water that is at least 70 degrees. Well according to a post card I bought at the gift shop, “Blue Spring pumps out 100 million gallons of 72 degree water each day.” So when it gets “cold” here in Florida (I’m from Utah so Florida’s definition of cold doesn’t phase me) literally hundreds of manatee flock to the blue spring for warmth and to socialize. The manatee count for the springs that day was 384. That’s right. 384.

And now for a small creature: baby goats. Also known as a kid, of which I got to hold one. We have a member couple that live in the middle of this forest and then when you finally reach their home you find a gate beyond which cattle, goats, geese and ducks roam freely around a quaint little pond adjacent to a huge gorgeous house. It was so whimsical we could barely stand it. When we drove in we basically had to nudge the cows with our car to get them to move, they were so zen hahaha. But when we saw their baby goats, we begged to hold one. And that we did. I truly felt like a representative of the Savior, who is our shepherd, and we are his sheep (or in this case, baby goats).

As if the wildlife in and of itself wasn’t enough of a selling point of the Florida Orlando Mission, we also have within our bounds NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. And even though it’s about 50 miles away from Deltona, that doesn’t mean that you can’t see the occasional shuttle launch in the skyline. The only problem is that since missionaries are so disconnected with the world, we never know when the launches are unless someone tells us. I’ve never been given a heads up to tilt my head up, so we were blessed by chance last week.

Sister Russell and I were driving home after a lesson in the evening when a bright burning light in the sky caught our attention. Perplexed, we stared at it unable to tell what it was. It appeared to be a ball of fire ascending? Was this the Second Coming? We just kept staring until Sister Russell finally said, “Wait aren’t their shuttle launches around he-“ then the light went out instantaneously; leaving us speechless.

We looked around the sky searching for the F.O. (flying object that we had identified), when a burst of purple lights illuminated the heavens and manifested in the likeness of the Milky Way. This galactic display had us in ecstatics and desperately calling our Elders and screaming at them to look at the sky. “Look at the sky? Why? What do you- HOLY CRAP!” and we all marveled together. It was cosmic in every sense.

As for the miracles of this week, we have 3 new investigators! All compliments to the Elders we share the ward with because they are bomb at giving us referrals. One of the new investigators, Lanie, is very interested in our message of peace. She has had some very hard things in her life and is seeking comfort. We felt the spirit so strong as we got to know her and listened to her testimony of faith and sense her desire for the clarity that the restored gospel can bring to her and her family. That lesson was a pass off with the Elders and afterward they were so sweet and said things like, “Dang, that was just a lesson for us on charity.” because they were so impressed by how much Lanie opened up to us.

Finally, a few words about our beloved Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. How dear he is to the Lord and to the saints that he stewarded over. I am and always will be grateful for him and his sweet and tender spirit and unfailing optimism. His influence on my testimony today is monumental and his teachings unforgettable.

We had the opportunity to be at the chapel to watch the funeral broadcast with several other missionaries. Unfortunately, WiFi in church buildings is infamously terrible and so we were only able to get bits and pieces between the crashing of several devices and buffering. At one point it ended up being quite humorous because instead of pausing to buffer, the stream would loop back a few seconds and replay about 3 times before proceeding. So we listened to the choir sing Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd for about 9 minutes and can tell you each of the Pallbearers and who dedicated the grave. By the time it got to the closing prayer, we decided to turn off the broadcast and kneel and pray on our own.

It was a tender experience as we all knelt while an Elder offered the prayer of thanks for our dear Prophet, I realized that each and every one of the mission calls and ministerial certificates of each missionary in that room had the signature of President Thomas S. Monson. It was by his divinely appointed authority that we were called to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ and His Gospel. To close, a quote from President Monson that has touched me in my life:

“As you serve, you will build rich eternal memories and friendships. I know of no field which produces a more bounteous harvest of happiness than the mission field.”

Count your blessings,
-Sister Olivia Petty🚀

The One with Innocent

Week 70 (Dec 19th-25th 2017) & Week 71 (Dec 26th- Jan 1st 2018)

Buckle in, this one is a doozy. The past two weeks were probably the most eventful of my mission; featuring my brand new trainee, Christmas, a trip to the emergency room, and a baptism. Are you excited yet? Good, let’s begin.

First of all, I was late to the trainer meeting. I was late to my birth, my high school graduation, my mission farewell, and I’ll probably be late to my wedding and my own funeral. President Clark was standing outside the door and said, “Not the best way to start off training...” but the good news is that I still got there before the trainees did. Blessed. I’ll get it together someday.

My 11th companion and first trainee is Sister Russell from Lindon, Utah! Turns out, we went to the same high school and she was a sophomore when I was a senior. We never knew each other, but she had heard of my younger sisters through mutual friends. She even listened to Jane’s radio show on KPGR every once in a while👌🏼 The Mormon world is a small world indeed. She was a medical assistant prior to her mission and loves working with children. According to our Sister Training Leaders we also sound exactly alike over the phone, so I guess that means we have solid comp unity.

Our first week was so insane and busy that for the first five days I didn’t even know we had a washer and a dryer in the apartment because I hadn’t had enough time/presence of mind to look in the hallway closet 😂 I had to call one of the sisters that served here previously and ask where they did their laundry before I found out.

It was the good kind of busy, though; the kind that missionaries dream of. We’ve been having lessons with someone who we are teaching every day. His name is Innocent. Innocent moved to America from Uganda two months ago and diligently requested a copy of the Book of Mormon online three times! For some reason the first two times there was a lapse of communication and the referral never went through to the missionaries until the third time when he wrote a lengthy message pleading for the Book of Mormon to be brought to him. He said he checked the mailbox everyday for weeks! When the sisters finally got the referral on December 13th, they went over to deliver it and he hugged it in his arms! In his words he said, “I was the happiest creature on the planet”.

Innocent progressed rapidly, in the first lesson he agreed to be baptized on January 20th, and during the second lesson the next day he said that wasn’t soon enough! So his date was moved up to the end of the month, two weeks after receiving the Book of Mormon and meeting the missionaries for the first time! By the time Sister Russell and I showed up on the 19th, he had already had the first three lessons and was eager to learn more.

He was converted before any missionary met him. The Spirit had touched his heart and confirmed the truth to him on its own. It would be borderline blasphemous for me or anyone else to take any sort of credit for his conversion, because it was a decision he made on his own before we even got there. If you look up ‘Elect’ in the guide to the scriptures, it perfectly describes Innocent. I have felt so honored and blessed to have met him, let alone teach him and be an instrument in the Lord’s hands to play the smallest part in his conversion and coming unto Christ. Sometimes we’d be sitting there in a lesson and he’d be talking and I’d think “Dang. We don’t have enough time in our schedule after this to just sit there and cry for 20 minutes” because I was just so grateful and overcome with the Spirit. We’ve basically just been keeping him from jumping in the font and you can look for him in general conference as a member of the Seventy within the next few years.

At the end of the day after one of our lessons with Innocent, Sister Russell and I thought of a scripture in 1 Nephi 1:7 that encapsulated how we felt perfectly:
“And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the Spirit and the things which he had seen.”

Yesterday Innocent was baptized and I am positive concourses of angels rejoiced. One of the missionaries, Elder Rockwood, who share the ward with us baptized him. Afterward I asked him if he was aware of the eternal significance of what he just did and he replied, “When I was standing there in the font with him I felt like John the Baptist. Like, I am not even worthy to loose the latchet of your shoes!”

Other people I’ve been beyond blessed to meet here are Melissa and George, a married couple of about 45 years that have met with missionaries before and are the best storytellers and most hilarious people I have ever met. We cried for over half the lesson each time just dying. They have three grandchildren that as teenagers met with missionaries and decided to be baptized all by themselves. They are so proud of them and are even encouraging them to serve missions! Melissa & George ADORE Mormons so much. They even have their grandsons Aaronic Priesthood Ordination certificate framed on their wall. They have been to church several times when they lived in Washington state. They even read the Book of Mormon regularly! They have a few hesitancies and conflicting beliefs, but otherwise are very open and kind. Melissa just had surgery and received a priesthood blessing right before it two weeks ago. There is definitely something missing that we haven’t figured out yet, but they are basically unbaptized members. So funny and so kind, and they have such strong faith in God. The first time we went over, they even had Christmas presents for us! Sister Russell and I felt so loved and so absolutely spoiled for walking into such a blessed area.

For the past few weeks Sister Russell has felt this weird pressure behind her eye that has been irritating her and causing all sorts of symptoms. This week she finally contacted our mission nurse and described her condition. After consulting with the region missionary medical doctor, they decided that Sister Russell should go to the emergency room. This made her very unhappy, as she sees the ER as an option only taken in an absolute emergency. But because we have faith that our leaders are inspired, we obeyed and headed toward the nearest hospital (after our regularly scheduled lesson with Innocent, of course 😉). They decided that the ER would run all the tests right then and there so we’d have immediate results and not have to go through a million appointments before getting a solid result. Basically, they wanted to make sure she didn't have a tumor.

After some blood work, an EKG, a chest x-ray and a CAT scan, my companion was suffering some pretty severe anxiety. So we called our Elders and they came and gave her a beautiful blessing of comfort and healing. After the blessing they asked if there was anything else they could do while we waited for the test results and I said that Sister Russell’s stomach was screaming at me and we were both starving, and so we asked them to run to the chick-fil-a on the corner and grab us dinner. Sister Russell busted out her bank card and tried to give it to Elder Rockwood, who refused saying, “You’re in a hospital bed, I can’t take your money!” Eventually Elder Westover took it because he knew if they didn’t Sister Russell would get mad hahaha bless their hearts. These Elders are so amazing and have restored my faith in Elders.

Then Sister Russell and I hung out eating waffle fries and watching Johnny Lingo while waiting for the test results. It was a good time. Finally we found out that the good news is that there is no tumor (hooray!) and they referred us to a neurologist, so we’ll see how that goes. The most probable culprit at this point is an ocular migraine. Sister Russell was a little peeved that going to the ER was unnecessary, but we have faith that we will be blessed for our obedience.

To wrap this saga up let me tell you about what I unwrapped on Christmas! Christmas was magical, I love Christmases on my mission because I know of a surety that there is no better way to celebrate the birth of our Savior than by teaching others of Him and His restored gospel. Christmas morning Sister Russell and I went on a beautiful bicycle ride and explored the bike trail next to our complex by the lake before going back and having pancakes and bacon. Bliss. It was so fun being with Sister Russell as she marveled excitedly at the beauty of the Florida nature that I have grown accustomed to. It felt like I was seeing it through new eyes.

My Family sent the sweetest care package full of much needed prezzies, including a flash drive to back up my iPad (bless) and our traditional chocolate orange. Of course none of this compared to being able to talk to them and see their faces and hear their voices! It was a joy catching up with them and laughing and simply having a wonderful Christmas time.

As cliche as it sounds, this last year is one I truly will never forget. It has been a precious gift from my loving Heavenly Father and Savior to me. I am eternally grateful for my year in Florida in the service of my Lord. and I dedicate this next year to His service as well, even after I take off the name tag; because I have changed as a person an have new understanding of what it is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. But the mission isn’t over yet, so hold on tight for another rip-roaring three months of adventures in the service of the Lord! Happy New Year!


Cheers!
-Sister Olivia Petty🎆

The One with Whitewash Training

Week 69 (Dec 12th- 18th 2017)

Six months has been and will be the longest I’ve served in one area during my mission. Winter Garden has been an absolute delight and is a place with a people that I will cherish eternally. It’s been so so good to me and the companions I’ve been blessed to serve with while here. Although I am heartbroken to leave my love, especially 1 week before Christmas, I’m just so grateful I’ve been able to be here for so long. I will miss this ward, and this Zone (9 months in Orlando South!).

So I’m leaving, where am I going? Are you sitting down? I am going to Deltona, and I will be training! Yes, this means I will be whitewashing the area. Yes, this is the first time I have trained. Yes, I will (very likely) spend the rest of my mission in Deltona in the DeLand Zone! This will fulfill two mission dreams of mine, to train and to go to the beach. Get ready for a cliche name tag in the sand photo! 📸

Tomorrow is a very big day wherein I will meet my trainee and depart to my new home. I will be following some rockstar sisters, including one of my favs; my almost trio companion Sister Smith. She is ending her mission and leaving her legacy to me; so very blessed. There are some really awesome people they are teaching and even one who is preparing for baptism! I’m so excited to meet everyone!

Although I am daunted by the task of raising up a new missionary, I feel humbled that Heavenly Father has trusted me with such a sacred duty. I hope and pray that my experiences will help me to give this Sister the start she needs. I’m blessed with the example of my angel trainer, Sister Phelps. With her example and the Spirit, I know that we will do the work the way we were called to. We are so blessed to be representatives of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and to have a portion of His perfect love for those we meet. She will love it.

There is a lot to do today, mostly packing, so there is not a lot of time to write. I’ll update on all when we meet again. Tune in next week for a special Christmas edition Sister Petty update!

-Sister Olivia Petty🎁

The One with a Mulch Party

Week 68 (Dec 5th- 11th 2017)

The dazzling topic of conversation this week is the weather. Florida has begun its annual “cold snap” where it has dropped to 50 degrees and will last approximately a week. I am absolutely loving it. You can definitely tell a local from a tourist as the residents are bundled up in coats and boots and the visitors flip flops and shorts. In Utah, this is basically swimsuit weather.

On Saturday it was the first genuinely chilly day, and it happened to be the day that our ward was tasked to get a work party together and mulch the church property. There were two huge mounds of mulch sitting in the parking lot, but with a few faithful members with tractors, wheelbarrows and various shoveling instruments, we were able to successfully spread the mulch across the church yard. I got to put the rake and work gloves that I invested in after Hurricane Irma to good use. Because my mind is such a jumble, for some reason I kept calling the event a mulch party. Due to the fact that the term “work party” and “mulch” were being used together frequently when planning it.

This is the final week of the transfer, so there is a high possibility I will be leaving my beloved Winter Garden a week before Christmas. However I know that wherever I’ll be is where the Lord needs me. Also, send mail to the mission office for now, I’ll let you know next week if anything changes.

There was a day this week that I felt like an absolute garbage missionary. I was lacking in my studies, motivation, energy and teaching. By the end of the day I felt as though I had accomplished nothing to hasten the work of the Lord and I was quite honestly ashamed of my efforts. That night I knelt in prayer and let my Father in Heaven know how I felt. I covenanted with Him that tomorrow would be better, that I would be better. and you know what? It was. and I was.

We started Thursday off with a zone service activity volunteering at an annual local event for children with autism in the nearby school districts. It was kind of like a fair with fun activities like face painting, pony rides, inflatables, etc. Sister Bullard and I were helping with the hay ride. It was a very enjoyable time for all present and we loved being able to help out. I even saw some members I knew from when I was serving in Lake Crescent! Not only that but I recognized and a former investigator I saw! I approached her and said Hi and her name and said that I had met with her once or twice several months ago (we’re talking like, April. I’ve been serving in this Zone/Stake for a long time) and she was like, “Oh yes! I thought you looked familiar! Wow, you have a really good memory!” and that was really neat. I told the Elders now serving in the area that maybe it was a sign to check up on her and see if maybe now she is ready to learn more.

After that service we had a busy day and really good study sessions. That night we had dinner with a favorite member family (I have a lot of those here, I just adore everyone) the Wagstaffs. We love going over there because most of the time it’s beautiful good old fashioned family chaos. It feels much more homey than when we go somewhere for dinner and everyone is proper and the good china is brought out for the missionaries. Don’t get me wrong, I am very grateful either way no matter what, but we feel more at home when things are just a tad crazy.

After dinner we dropped by to deliver a bible to a woman named Deborah who ordered it for free off of Mormon.org forever ago. It had always been phone tag and she was never home when we tried to drop by. We decided to just go over and give it another shot and she was home with her family and we were finally able to meet her! We taught her about the Restoration and she was interested. She drank it all in and her whole family listened in as well. She then referred her niece to us, who happened to be moving to Georgia, so we got her number and address and sent it to the missionaries there. Then a former investigator showed up who happens to be related to Deborah! Her name is Consuela and I’ve been trying to meet this woman ever since I got here. She met with the elders in the past, but was never home whenever we have stopped by. When we realized who she was, I was so excited I went up and hugged her. She said she had a hectic schedule, but that she’d be willing to meet with us again.

At the end we got to pray with the entire family! We all held hands while I offered the prayer and several family members audibly added occasional “amen”s throughout it. This is a southern norm, and it means things went well. They loved having us there and tears were shed and both Deborah and Consuela set times we could come back.

After that, our apartment complex put on a Christmas party for all the residents! We got to meet with so many people that live nearby and make some friends. What a magnificent opportunity. And I got to pet a corgi puppy. Ugh. It was perfect. There was even a woman there who said that she saw me earlier in the day at the fair during the hay ride! Small world! Or is it?

To end the night off we stopped by another woman who isn’t quite an investigator yet, but we have done a lot of service for who we hadn’t seen in a while. She was so glad to see us and she said that she had lost our number and feared she’d never see us again! It was great to assure her that Heavenly Father was watching after her and wouldn’t leave her alone... and to program our number into her phone.

When we got home I was amazed at how well the day went, and I offered a prayer of gratitude. The Lord heard my prayer and consecrated my efforts. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who is mindful of us and for His perfect Son who extends mercy there for us always.

Account with the Lord and tell him how you feel, and make a plan with Him. You’ll be surprised what you can accomplish with Heavens help.


Fear sin and nothing else,
-Sister Olivia Petty💩