Pickett, Taylor PT

Holaaaaa!!! So crazy it's been another six weeks since the last transfer. The days go by so fast, and in a week it feels like we have completed a month's worth of work. Last night we got the news that I will stay in Gerónimo de Alderete but with a new companion... HERMANA GONZAGA de Ecuador!!! I'm so stoked.  I have so many things I want to share about my studies this week. However, the biggest miracle of all was the baptism of our friend Vicente!!!  We found Vicente one night walking on the street. We asked him if he wanted to learn more about the restored church of Jesus Christ. As he explained that he didn't believe in God and was about to refuse our request, I quickly asked for his phone number, hoping he would give it to us. HE DID GIVE US HIS NUMBER! (we at first thought it was a fake number, and he thought we were hippies) We taught him little by little about the existence of a loving Heavenly Father and His plan for Vicente. From the beginning, Hermana Herrera a...

I have had a couple of rough days this month; however, these past two weeks have been purely INCREDIBLE. I have seen SO MANY ANSWERS TO PRAYERS and have felt extra blessed to be a missionary!!  After months of reciting Doctrine and Covenants 4 every day, this week I realized the power of the last verse, which says, 7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.  In other words, if we pray, ask, act, and endure with patience, God will provide us with answers and blessings "according to the heed and diligence which [we] give unto him" (Alma 12:9) because "if [we] will pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth [us] nothing, for God receiveth none such" (Moroni 7:9).  The "working hard" piece of the mission has never been a struggle for me; however, learning how to put in the work while relying on the Lord has been a slow process. Recently I have focused 100x more on truly relying on prayer to execute the work...

My pobrecita companion has been sick for a while and this last tuesday we went to the hospital to figure out what the problem was.  I decided that even though I am starting off my week not the way I wanted and not working in my area, I WILL STILL TALK TO EVERYONE!!! I can't think of a better/more needed place to share God's love than in a hospital. I prayed that those who need to be seen and heard could be put in our path. God blessed me with MANY opportunities to have beautiful conversations about Him and His love for us. While waiting for my companion to get her tests done, I started to talk to a woman who's grand-daughter (8 months old and is just the chunkiest little bean) has leg problems and will most likely not be able to walk. I asked her about her religious beliefs and she bore such beautiful testimony of God's plan and the power of families. She gave me such hope that in any trial, there is always light and growth. Alma 36:3 Whosever shall put their trust in G...

An INCREDIBLE, MIRACLE-FILLED week!!! I don't know where to begin or how to express my happiness and gratitude for the work of the Lord.  Basically, I didn't have a lot of time to work in my area this week between many long (yet inspiring) meetings and intercambios in other areas. I was worried in the beginning of the week that we weren't going to keep the momentum we have worked so hard to build due to all of the extra things we had to do this week.  I BEGGED in prayer that we would be able to find new friends, help our friends progress, and get them to church. We put in ALL the work we could and God heard our prayers.  I could go on and on about all the small details and specific blessings we saw this week, but what it comes down to is this IS THE WORK OF THE LORD. When we have righteous desires, pray with faith, act, and watch for miracles, He will provide exactly what we need and when we need it.  Spiritual Thought:  One of the specific blessings I saw this ...