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