"Não abra até dia 22 de julho, 2012." (Do not open until July 22, 2012)
On Sunday I dug in my things and pulled out a pink envelope with these
words written on the front in familiar handwriting. I broke the "seal"
(a sticker from Aunt Sherri), and read a simple but powerful letter
from a newer missionary, written on December 4th, 2011.
The author was a slightly younger and much more "novinha" Sister
Petty, written to herself to open on her half birthday. The letter,
written in a funny mix of English and Portuguese, was full of the
energy of the first part of my mission, advice I was needing to hear
at this moment, and a couple of warnings. "Work hard, work with the
Spirit, and work for the Savior," I had written. "And don't freak out.
There's still plenty of time left."
The very last line made me laugh: "If you hadn't learned how to cook
beans yet, please learn SOON!" Okay okay, I'll get on that.
My family and friends know I'm a little distractable. And also that
I've loved animals practically since I was born. Now imagine me in a
little Bahian living room / kitchen, trying to teach a lesson, with a
tiny MONKEY running through the house as if it it owns the place. As
we taught, it jumped from the couch to the kitchen counter to the head
of the 11-year-old girl who was trying to cook. She impatiently
stalked to the other room, practically flung the little creature to
the bed, and ran back to the stove. In less than 10 seconds, the
persistent monkey was on her head again.
Good thing the lesson was short. When the mom of the house scolded the
monkey as if it was one of her children, even giving it a spank for
bad behavior, I almost laughed out loud.
I had a neat experience with contacts on Sunday night. We had hit the
mission goal of 100 contacts (we had 101), and it was about 8:50pm. We
are turning the corner to our "home" street when I said to my
companion, "Sister, já pensou que numero 102 seja nosso eleito?" She
agreed. About 10 steps later we passed a little house with a man
standing in front, leaning on his fence. We stopped and talked with
him, and when we asked if we could come back and leave a message
another day, he answered with conviction, "Com certeza -- eu aceito
vocês e sua mensagem, de coração!" And as we left -- "Apareçam!" We
will, com certeza.
100 is the mission mininum. But who knows what God will bless us with
when we look past goals and see souls?
Over and out.
Sister Petty
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
In Which I Don't Put a Title
This week I'm learning the words embrulhar, sovar, anil, berrar, and aposentar-se. (to wrap, to knead, indigo, to yell, and to retire).
BATISMO!! On Saturday, our dear Caio was baptized, following the example of the Savior Jesus Christ. He was baptized by his neighbor. His parents are also reading the Book of Mormon and going to church with him, and will soon follow their son's example. Or should I say, the Son's example. Yesterday, Caio was confirmed a member of the church. I am so so happy.
The mission is amazing. I am so happy to be here in Brazil, seeing peoples' lives change for the better.
So perhaps some of you are waiting anxiously to hear What I Have Learned About Men here on the mission. To be honest, I'm not sure what I was planning on saying last week about this. I think it was something about food -- before the mission, and at the beginning of the mission, I never ever liked to make food for men. I'm not sure why, I think it was something to do with the fact that they don't tend to gush gratitude. They just eat. But here on the mission, being constantly surrounded by men and boys in every district or zone meeting, every week, I'm somehow learned to like making food for these events. I've learned to glean happiness from the simple satisfaction of watching them eat and want more. I have a feeling this is an important thing for the future.
Just one more Thing I've Learned...and am still learning...is not to ask soul questions ("Elder, tell me about how you've changed throughout your mission") all the time. Maybe that was obvious to you all, but it was something for which Sister Petty became infamous on the first few months of the mission. ("Watch out, Elder, she's gonna start with the soul questions! Prepare yourself!") I've finally learned that this scares people. Especially young men, poor things.
I love the mission, and I am so grateful to be here. I love to be a sister, and to have a name tag. Sometimes I have nightmares about taking it off...QUE BOM that I won't ever leave! :-)
Stay strong, read your scriptures every day, and always go to church. If you are not a member of the church, or have never gone, you are more than invited.
Until next time.
Sister Petty
BATISMO!! On Saturday, our dear Caio was baptized, following the example of the Savior Jesus Christ. He was baptized by his neighbor. His parents are also reading the Book of Mormon and going to church with him, and will soon follow their son's example. Or should I say, the Son's example. Yesterday, Caio was confirmed a member of the church. I am so so happy.
The mission is amazing. I am so happy to be here in Brazil, seeing peoples' lives change for the better.
So perhaps some of you are waiting anxiously to hear What I Have Learned About Men here on the mission. To be honest, I'm not sure what I was planning on saying last week about this. I think it was something about food -- before the mission, and at the beginning of the mission, I never ever liked to make food for men. I'm not sure why, I think it was something to do with the fact that they don't tend to gush gratitude. They just eat. But here on the mission, being constantly surrounded by men and boys in every district or zone meeting, every week, I'm somehow learned to like making food for these events. I've learned to glean happiness from the simple satisfaction of watching them eat and want more. I have a feeling this is an important thing for the future.
Just one more Thing I've Learned...and am still learning...is not to ask soul questions ("Elder, tell me about how you've changed throughout your mission") all the time. Maybe that was obvious to you all, but it was something for which Sister Petty became infamous on the first few months of the mission. ("Watch out, Elder, she's gonna start with the soul questions! Prepare yourself!") I've finally learned that this scares people. Especially young men, poor things.
I love the mission, and I am so grateful to be here. I love to be a sister, and to have a name tag. Sometimes I have nightmares about taking it off...QUE BOM that I won't ever leave! :-)
Stay strong, read your scriptures every day, and always go to church. If you are not a member of the church, or have never gone, you are more than invited.
Until next time.
Sister Petty
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
In Which Elect People Work at Hospitals, I Laugh a Lot, and Reflect On What I've Learned about Men
Brazil is as alive as ever, and so am I! Even though I disappeared for awhile. Technical difficulties, sorry everyone.
This last week was different, because my companion got rather sick. We stayed at home a lot, which is hard for an antsy-to-work sister missionary, but we also learned a lot.
In the hospital waiting room, I had a neat experience. After about three hours of waiting, watching the crisply-dressed and busy nurses and attendents whisk by, one of them -- a young, pretty woman in her upper 20s -- approached me suddenly.
"Excuse me, I'm just curious, where are you from?" I told her I was American. But this wasn't really her interest. "And...what church do you represent?" Her voice and attitude were almost urgent. I explained quickly that I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her next simple question thrilled my heart: "Do you have some material of the Church that you could give?"
COM CERTEZA.
I whipped out two pamphlets, she ran off to attend to someone in the office, then returned, eager to hear more. I gave her the pamphlets, explaining briefly what they were about. When she heard a bit about the Plan of Salvation, she pressed me about what we believe about life after death -- and wanted details. I gave a rapid resumão (quick quick summary) of the spirit world, resurrection and judgment, and the three kingdoms of glory. She was satisfied...for now. She took the pamphlets and thanked me. "I'm just feeling a bit lost about religion right now," she explained.
She then had to go, another patient needed her. I got her name and phone number barely in time. She left me alone in the white and green hall, my heart happily thrumming in my chest. Eleitos existem! We are surrounded by people every day who are needing the Gospel. Even the people who maybe we hardly think of as people -- the mailman, the police, the hospital attendent, our never-at-home neighbor...some of these people are hungering for the truth of the restored Gospel. Some of them don't even realize this themselves. Some are actively searching. When you open your mouth and share a precious truth, or invite someone to church or to hear the missionaries, you could be the answer to someone's prayer. And your invite or testimony could change and save a generation of lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Random Brazilian Quote of the Week: "Temos que deixar a realidade ser realista." (We have to let reality be realistic.)
This week I cooked a lot and failed. Alas. But my comp and I laughed a lot at the little rocks that were supposed to be pão de quiejo, and the colorless, thickish blobs that were supposed to be sugar cookies. But that's okay. We ate a lot of them anyway.
No time to write about what I've learned about men. Tune in next time.
I love you all and am so so so grateful for those of you who have been faithful in writing. You raise me up.
MISSIONS ARE THE BESSSSSSSSST
Sister Petty
This last week was different, because my companion got rather sick. We stayed at home a lot, which is hard for an antsy-to-work sister missionary, but we also learned a lot.
In the hospital waiting room, I had a neat experience. After about three hours of waiting, watching the crisply-dressed and busy nurses and attendents whisk by, one of them -- a young, pretty woman in her upper 20s -- approached me suddenly.
"Excuse me, I'm just curious, where are you from?" I told her I was American. But this wasn't really her interest. "And...what church do you represent?" Her voice and attitude were almost urgent. I explained quickly that I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her next simple question thrilled my heart: "Do you have some material of the Church that you could give?"
COM CERTEZA.
I whipped out two pamphlets, she ran off to attend to someone in the office, then returned, eager to hear more. I gave her the pamphlets, explaining briefly what they were about. When she heard a bit about the Plan of Salvation, she pressed me about what we believe about life after death -- and wanted details. I gave a rapid resumão (quick quick summary) of the spirit world, resurrection and judgment, and the three kingdoms of glory. She was satisfied...for now. She took the pamphlets and thanked me. "I'm just feeling a bit lost about religion right now," she explained.
She then had to go, another patient needed her. I got her name and phone number barely in time. She left me alone in the white and green hall, my heart happily thrumming in my chest. Eleitos existem! We are surrounded by people every day who are needing the Gospel. Even the people who maybe we hardly think of as people -- the mailman, the police, the hospital attendent, our never-at-home neighbor...some of these people are hungering for the truth of the restored Gospel. Some of them don't even realize this themselves. Some are actively searching. When you open your mouth and share a precious truth, or invite someone to church or to hear the missionaries, you could be the answer to someone's prayer. And your invite or testimony could change and save a generation of lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Random Brazilian Quote of the Week: "Temos que deixar a realidade ser realista." (We have to let reality be realistic.)
This week I cooked a lot and failed. Alas. But my comp and I laughed a lot at the little rocks that were supposed to be pão de quiejo, and the colorless, thickish blobs that were supposed to be sugar cookies. But that's okay. We ate a lot of them anyway.
No time to write about what I've learned about men. Tune in next time.
I love you all and am so so so grateful for those of you who have been faithful in writing. You raise me up.
MISSIONS ARE THE BESSSSSSSSST
Sister Petty
Monday, July 9, 2012
The Wisdom of John
I don't remember if I wrote last week, folks. Que coisa. But if I didn't -- I was transferred!! I'm now in the little, humid, green, happy beach town of Abrantes, Bahia. I love it! I'm in a branch now, instead of a ward, but the branch is growing fast. They've already bought land for a chapel!
This first week with my new companion, Sister Siqueira, was incredible. Sister Siqueira is from São Paulo (ANOTHER Paulista! Que é isso? :-) and is one of the happiest, most positive, upbeat people I've ever met, and I already love her a lot. We will get along great.
This week we had seven investigators at church, including a complete family going for the first time. It was a miracle. I taught Gospel Principles last minute, and had a blast. I love teaching Gospel Principles!
A woman this week, when we invited her to be baptized, literally clapped her hands with joy and excitement. I almost teared up as I instantly though of Mosiah 18:10-11, which happens to be written on the back of my planner this transfer. These kinds of things really do happen!
I thought of a new way to look at that scripture in John 15 about love. We can read it like this (sorry, I don't remember it exactly in English): "No man hath greater love than this, than a man give his life TO his friends." As missionaries and members of the church, we have incredible joy in the Gospel of Christ. But are we keeping it all to ourself? This is not showing love, which is not keeping the commandments of God. If we love God, we will love others...and what better way to show our love for others than giving them the joy that we ourselves have?
Open your mouth. Invite that friend to church.
You just might see a miracle.
Sister Petty
This first week with my new companion, Sister Siqueira, was incredible. Sister Siqueira is from São Paulo (ANOTHER Paulista! Que é isso? :-) and is one of the happiest, most positive, upbeat people I've ever met, and I already love her a lot. We will get along great.
This week we had seven investigators at church, including a complete family going for the first time. It was a miracle. I taught Gospel Principles last minute, and had a blast. I love teaching Gospel Principles!
A woman this week, when we invited her to be baptized, literally clapped her hands with joy and excitement. I almost teared up as I instantly though of Mosiah 18:10-11, which happens to be written on the back of my planner this transfer. These kinds of things really do happen!
I thought of a new way to look at that scripture in John 15 about love. We can read it like this (sorry, I don't remember it exactly in English): "No man hath greater love than this, than a man give his life TO his friends." As missionaries and members of the church, we have incredible joy in the Gospel of Christ. But are we keeping it all to ourself? This is not showing love, which is not keeping the commandments of God. If we love God, we will love others...and what better way to show our love for others than giving them the joy that we ourselves have?
Open your mouth. Invite that friend to church.
You just might see a miracle.
Sister Petty
Goosebumps, Referrals, and Perfection--June 19
Hello my friends and family and fans!
(Just kidding about the fans.)
Brazil is wonderful. It's winter! Which, in Petrolina, means a little less than frying-an-egg-on-your-forehead temperature. In fact, the other morning I was studying at around 8am, and the wind blew in and CHILLED me. I got goosebumps all over...and had to go change into my PJ pants and a sweater! Que é isso, gente?? It was probably around 65 or 70 degrees. I laughed so hard at my trainer when this happened to her in Catú last "winter"...now my filhinha (little daughter) is laughing at me (except for her, 60 degrees is really cold and 80 is really hot. Oh man. Islanders.)
This may be my last week in Petrolina. I can't describe how much I love this stake, and how much I learned here. It will be extremely hard to leave...which is exactly why I need to. I am like a tree growing next to another tree. If you want to separate the roots that are already all entangled in the roots of the other tree, you'll need to do it SOON. If you want much longer, removing me could cause serious damage. Or death.
Sunday was stake conference. Chique de mais. Elder David G. Ferndandes, area authority, spoke. What was the topic? Completely missionary work.
"Where is the responsibility to find people, talk about the Gospel, and bring people to church? With the MEMBERS!" (we missionaries were all praying silently at this point for the members to pay attention)
And my favorite:
"Going on a mission is the right thing to do. You don't need to pray and ask, just GO!"
I know that missions are true. Missionaries are not perfect, members are not perfect, ward mission leaders and bishops are not perfect, and investigators are not perfect. But missions are perfect. Jesus Christ was and is perfect. And we can all become perfect as He is, as we strive to help others do the same.
Sister Petty
P.S. Read Jesus the Christ. Don't listen to people who say it's hard and thick and difficult. Just read it.
(Just kidding about the fans.)
Brazil is wonderful. It's winter! Which, in Petrolina, means a little less than frying-an-egg-on-your-forehead temperature. In fact, the other morning I was studying at around 8am, and the wind blew in and CHILLED me. I got goosebumps all over...and had to go change into my PJ pants and a sweater! Que é isso, gente?? It was probably around 65 or 70 degrees. I laughed so hard at my trainer when this happened to her in Catú last "winter"...now my filhinha (little daughter) is laughing at me (except for her, 60 degrees is really cold and 80 is really hot. Oh man. Islanders.)
This may be my last week in Petrolina. I can't describe how much I love this stake, and how much I learned here. It will be extremely hard to leave...which is exactly why I need to. I am like a tree growing next to another tree. If you want to separate the roots that are already all entangled in the roots of the other tree, you'll need to do it SOON. If you want much longer, removing me could cause serious damage. Or death.
Sunday was stake conference. Chique de mais. Elder David G. Ferndandes, area authority, spoke. What was the topic? Completely missionary work.
"Where is the responsibility to find people, talk about the Gospel, and bring people to church? With the MEMBERS!" (we missionaries were all praying silently at this point for the members to pay attention)
And my favorite:
"Going on a mission is the right thing to do. You don't need to pray and ask, just GO!"
I know that missions are true. Missionaries are not perfect, members are not perfect, ward mission leaders and bishops are not perfect, and investigators are not perfect. But missions are perfect. Jesus Christ was and is perfect. And we can all become perfect as He is, as we strive to help others do the same.
Sister Petty
P.S. Read Jesus the Christ. Don't listen to people who say it's hard and thick and difficult. Just read it.
Just Open Your Mouth--Jun 12
Hello dear friends.
As always...I don't really know what happened this week. It already
seems so long ago. Time, for a missionary, is a strange thing.
One notable, marvelous event: the dedication of the seventh temple in
Brasil, in Manaus! Folks, this is such a huge thing. These people had
to travel SO far to get to a temple, traveling by boat, plane, and who
knows what else. Now they have one right in Manaus! This last Sunday,
we didn't have sacrament meeting. We all traveled to the stake center
in the middle of the city to watch on the big screen. I'm grateful
that I have a current temple recommend -- they required it on entry.
"Seja bem vinda ao templo," my stake president said, just like they
say at the temple, and I felt a rush of excitement. I miss going to
the temple so much! And at this dedication I felt like I was there.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorom of the Twelve dedicated the
temple. He is a man called of God, I know this with certainty. I know
the priesthood is real, and each temple on earth has the power to seal
on earth and in heaven.
This may be my penultimate e-mail in Petrolina, my third area on the
mission. I love it here. I have made friendships that will last at
least a lifetime.
You can still write if you want. I still love letters. :-)
Thank you all for everything. Stay strong. And never be afraid to open
your mouth.
Sister Petty
As always...I don't really know what happened this week. It already
seems so long ago. Time, for a missionary, is a strange thing.
One notable, marvelous event: the dedication of the seventh temple in
Brasil, in Manaus! Folks, this is such a huge thing. These people had
to travel SO far to get to a temple, traveling by boat, plane, and who
knows what else. Now they have one right in Manaus! This last Sunday,
we didn't have sacrament meeting. We all traveled to the stake center
in the middle of the city to watch on the big screen. I'm grateful
that I have a current temple recommend -- they required it on entry.
"Seja bem vinda ao templo," my stake president said, just like they
say at the temple, and I felt a rush of excitement. I miss going to
the temple so much! And at this dedication I felt like I was there.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorom of the Twelve dedicated the
temple. He is a man called of God, I know this with certainty. I know
the priesthood is real, and each temple on earth has the power to seal
on earth and in heaven.
This may be my penultimate e-mail in Petrolina, my third area on the
mission. I love it here. I have made friendships that will last at
least a lifetime.
You can still write if you want. I still love letters. :-)
Thank you all for everything. Stay strong. And never be afraid to open
your mouth.
Sister Petty
Laughing is Good--Jun 5
Yesterday on the way to a zone meeting my companion and I and the two
other sisters sat on the back of the bus. All city buses are horribly
bumpy here, that's just a given (I honestly don't know if they have
shocks or not) but this bus was a disaster. On the first speed bump we
hit, I literally bounced several inches off my seat. After the second
similar bump, we all learned. I looked around at my companions, and
all of us were gripping the seat in front of us tightly. When each
speed bump came, we all half stood up to let our knees absorb the
thud--as if we were jumping a horse. It's been awhile since I've
laughed so much.
It's funny, the things that are funny on a mission.
This week, we only had one investigator at church. This in itself was
a disappointment. However, last night when we went to visit him, we
were blown over with how much he'd loved church and was prepared to
learn more. (this was the first time we'd actually sat down to teach
him. We'd been teaching his daughter beforehand.)
"I loved church, I'll go every week now, com certeza!"
"I feel that you two have a lot to teach me still."
"I loved the testimonies. Testimony is so important."
And the final thing he said, getting more serious. One of those
church-magazine-story moments:
"I notice things. I notice when people are sad, I notice when people
are happy. I can tell by looking in their eyes. But with you
missionaries, there's something different. There's something special
in your look, in your countenances. I want to have what I can see that
you have. Teach me how I can have this same joy."
I know that God truly prepares elect people. There are people here in
Petrolina just waiting to be found.
I love being a missionary!
Sister Petty
other sisters sat on the back of the bus. All city buses are horribly
bumpy here, that's just a given (I honestly don't know if they have
shocks or not) but this bus was a disaster. On the first speed bump we
hit, I literally bounced several inches off my seat. After the second
similar bump, we all learned. I looked around at my companions, and
all of us were gripping the seat in front of us tightly. When each
speed bump came, we all half stood up to let our knees absorb the
thud--as if we were jumping a horse. It's been awhile since I've
laughed so much.
It's funny, the things that are funny on a mission.
This week, we only had one investigator at church. This in itself was
a disappointment. However, last night when we went to visit him, we
were blown over with how much he'd loved church and was prepared to
learn more. (this was the first time we'd actually sat down to teach
him. We'd been teaching his daughter beforehand.)
"I loved church, I'll go every week now, com certeza!"
"I feel that you two have a lot to teach me still."
"I loved the testimonies. Testimony is so important."
And the final thing he said, getting more serious. One of those
church-magazine-story moments:
"I notice things. I notice when people are sad, I notice when people
are happy. I can tell by looking in their eyes. But with you
missionaries, there's something different. There's something special
in your look, in your countenances. I want to have what I can see that
you have. Teach me how I can have this same joy."
I know that God truly prepares elect people. There are people here in
Petrolina just waiting to be found.
I love being a missionary!
Sister Petty
Check In--May 31
I'm alive, I'm happy, and I'm seeing miracles every day.
The mission changes lives. Especially mine.
Sister Petty
The mission changes lives. Especially mine.
Sister Petty
Turning Point--May 22
Lunch yesterday: soft red meat cooked in a sweet curry sauce, delicately-flavored light beans, stewed cabbage cooked with garlic and other yummy spices, an egg-carrot-potato-otherstuff salad with a white onion cream sauce, and a beautiful garden salad of lettuce, spinach, another more bitter green leaf, tomato, and sweet mango slices.
All of that on plate, topped with a shower of farinha de mandioca.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
This week was powerful for me. We worked hard, we met lots of gypsies, we had few people at church, but we saw miracles.
One investigator slept with the Book of Mormon under her pillow, hoping for an answer from the Lord that the book is true. "I've never slept so solidly in my life," she told us afterward. "I feel a protection, a certain safety when that book is in my house."
I learned the hard way that I'm clinging to investigators way too long. I must learn to love them and leave them. This week we will knock doors, something I've never really done my whole mission, and we will have unforgettable experiences.
Wifes of leaders in the church: I salute you. You have perhaps the hardest task of anyone.
I still love letters. Sorry I'm being slow about writing. However, I WILL write. Your letters support me and lift me.
Love,
Sister Petty
All of that on plate, topped with a shower of farinha de mandioca.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
This week was powerful for me. We worked hard, we met lots of gypsies, we had few people at church, but we saw miracles.
One investigator slept with the Book of Mormon under her pillow, hoping for an answer from the Lord that the book is true. "I've never slept so solidly in my life," she told us afterward. "I feel a protection, a certain safety when that book is in my house."
I learned the hard way that I'm clinging to investigators way too long. I must learn to love them and leave them. This week we will knock doors, something I've never really done my whole mission, and we will have unforgettable experiences.
Wifes of leaders in the church: I salute you. You have perhaps the hardest task of anyone.
I still love letters. Sorry I'm being slow about writing. However, I WILL write. Your letters support me and lift me.
Love,
Sister Petty
The Real Warriors
(Sent the Tuesday after Mother's Day)
On Sunday was the long-awaited phone call.
Family...it was so great to talk to you!
I don't have a lot of time to write, but I just wanted to say a quick
blurb on something I felt strongly on Saturday night at a ward
fireside. As scrawled in the back of my planner:
Mothers are powerful. Whether or not they themselves realize it,
mothers are the real warriors behind a functioning civilization.
Mothers have the power to make or break the future generation. Women
need to recognize and feel this. If they don't, they will quickly lose
the energy and desire necessary to keep going.
How can I help? I feel such a desire to get on a rooftop, to shout to
the world in whatever way possible:
MOMS OF THE WORLD! You are vital to the functioning, happiness, and
future of society! Don't ever forget this!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love being a missionary. It is hard sometimes. But it is extremely
satisfying. I know it will be much harder to be a wife and
mother...but it will be even more satisfying. I am so grateful for the
mission, which is preparing me, molding me, forming me into the wife
and mother I want to be. The wife and mother my Heavenly Father wants
me to be.
Mothers of the world, I salute you.
Sister Petty, future mom
On Sunday was the long-awaited phone call.
Family...it was so great to talk to you!
I don't have a lot of time to write, but I just wanted to say a quick
blurb on something I felt strongly on Saturday night at a ward
fireside. As scrawled in the back of my planner:
Mothers are powerful. Whether or not they themselves realize it,
mothers are the real warriors behind a functioning civilization.
Mothers have the power to make or break the future generation. Women
need to recognize and feel this. If they don't, they will quickly lose
the energy and desire necessary to keep going.
How can I help? I feel such a desire to get on a rooftop, to shout to
the world in whatever way possible:
MOMS OF THE WORLD! You are vital to the functioning, happiness, and
future of society! Don't ever forget this!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love being a missionary. It is hard sometimes. But it is extremely
satisfying. I know it will be much harder to be a wife and
mother...but it will be even more satisfying. I am so grateful for the
mission, which is preparing me, molding me, forming me into the wife
and mother I want to be. The wife and mother my Heavenly Father wants
me to be.
Mothers of the world, I salute you.
Sister Petty, future mom
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