Pickett, Taylor PT

Fasting is so SO HARD but SO GOOD.  Our prophet, Russell M. Nelson has taught us that, “fasting helps your spirit to develop dominance over your physical appetites. Fasting also increases your access to heavens health as it intensifies your prayers.” This week we fasted as a companionship and I cannot deny the power of fasting. IT WORKS!!!!! After our fast, my companion I laughed at the fact that we didn't talk for 24 hours haha (fasting is not our strength) (#hangry), however, we did it because fasting is a way we can unlock power from heaven... only when it is coupled with faith.  Ether 12:12 (Book of Mormon) For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith  This scripture helped me during my fast because MINUTES (no lie) after we started, everything started to go wrong and I was like "WHAT?? I am sacrificing by fasting. Things are supposed to go right?!”  For a lot of my l...

This week, I have been happy but tired, which made me reflect on the exhaustion I felt during my training when I first arrived in Chile. Between living it up and having a sleep schedule like my BYU freshman year in the CCM for four weeks and taking a red-eye flight to Santiago, I arrived at the mission field with very little energy. For the first 3-4 weeks, I would fall asleep in almost every lesson, church meeting, lunch with members, and during my studies. It was terrible. I remember praying so hard for more energy during the day, but I felt like I did not see the results of my prayers. I quickly realized I needed to do my part so that God could bless me with the energy I needed. First, I began to exercise harder in the morning. Second, I began to eat healthier and eat less sugar. Third, I began to drink a lot of water, and I continued making changes; however, I was only seeing small results. It wasn't until I was studying the scriptures that I found the answer I was looking for....

I LOVE THE MISSION with my whole heart. Another incredibly amazing week filled with miracles, a lot of laughing, spiritual lessons, and so much love!!!  I have been praying SO hard to find and teach more families. I am so grateful for the knowledge that my family is eternal, and I want other families to have that same hope as well.  I created a plan on paper about how I would fulfill my part and then prayed with faith that God would help me on His end. Three weeks later, we are teaching purely families, and OH MY GOODNESS, it is so beautiful. Some of the most powerful lessons I have had have been teaching these families this week is about the Restoration of the church of Jesus Christ and God's perfect eternal plans for families. I am so grateful to be able to serve God and His children.  2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Though I still have a long while left on my miss...

I am so happy!!!! Between general conference (where we get to hear from all of the leaders of our church), my companion, the friends we are teaching in our area, and my inspiring studies in the scriptures, I would say I am thriving. THERE WERE SO MANY INCREDIBLE messages from general conference, but one of my favorites was the focus on the power of covenants (promises we make with God). We literally have access to Godly power, and we often don't learn how to access it. If we apply the doctrine of Christ in our lives (Faith, Repentance, Baptism/Sacrament, Gift of the Holy Ghost, and persevering to the end), we are blessed with higher power, love, guidance, and happiness.  I have felt the difference on my mission. When I keep my covenants (promises to God) more like a checklist of all the things I have to do, I become the barrier between myself and God's blessings. However, when I truly apply Christ's doctrine, specifically His atonement, into my life, EVERYTHING CHANGES for ...