Pickett, Taylor PT

EDUARDO GOT BAPTIZED THIS PAST SATURDAY! This guy kills me, de risa. I have never taught anyone so chill to do and give up anything in order to be baptized. According to the color code test, he would be a solid white with a splash of yellow. We talked to him a couple of weeks ago while he was standing in line to buy bread (as good Chileans do #oncetime), and he seemed so elect in the conversation that I asked him if he was a member of the church pranking us to be interested. After the fifth time of him saying, "No soy miembro," I only kind of believed him. Since then, he has come to church every Sunday, participates in church activities, and loves praying. Though the baptism of Eduardo is a high, this week I had a legit LIFE CHANGING lesson with Juan Vergara and Hermana Pamela. 1 Samuel 16:7 Look not on his countenance... for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. My companion has taught me the importance...

Hello hello! It was a grand week here in Peñalolen with FIRE STUDIES. Through our personal conversion unto Christ, our nature becomes more pure, priorities change, and we are more in-tune with what invites or offends the Spirit. Naturally, our way of life changes in a higher, holier way. People around you, who have not changed, might ask, "What happened to the old you?" They might not feel comfortable around the "new you" (2 Corinthians 5:17) and even make fun of or tease you for your new standards and way of thinking. Though at times we can feel lonely in the process of striving towards Christ with our whole "heart, might, mind, and strength" (D&C 4:2), "we do not lower our standards to fit in" (Sister Becky Craven) yet instead, as disciples of Jesus Christ, we look for ways to elevate others, "lifting them to a higher, holier place where they too can reap greater blessings" through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We do this when our h...

SERGIO and KRISHNA GOT BAPTIZED THIS WEEK. They are SUCH A MIRACLE because when I was trying to not be #bummed about leaving my other area (Ñuñoa) after being there for only one transfer, I prayed SO HARD and fasted that we could see the same miracles we were seeing in Ñuñoa in my current area. Since then, I have been studying a lot about desire. The scriptures repeatedly remind us that "God granteth unto men according to their desire" (Alma 29:4), and he "that asketh receiveth." I wanted to accept the invitation of the Savior when He says, "Prove me now herewith"; in other words, "test me on the promise I am making you" (Malachi 3:10) and experiment upon the word. My desire was to find someone within the first three days in my new area that would accept the gospel and be baptized. I know from the DEEPEST MOST PROFOUND part of my heart that "each of God's children deserves the opportunity to hear and accept the healing, redeeming message...

YOU GUYS! Good week. Not-so-quick highlights: Intercambio with Hermana Vasquez (Shout-out to Dave and Jackie) Having a 15-hour conversation with Hermana Vasquez Walking in the Chilean streets once again with Hermana Vasquez Laughing with/at Hermana Vasquez Planning my life out in detail with Hermana Vasquez's feedback/thoughts Absolutely EXHAUSTED on Friday We hiked to the top of our area, and it took an hour of straight climbing, BUT, we got to see all of Santiago lit up, and it was gorgeous I thought I was going to vomit all day yesterday because I ate so much Peruvian food at lunch #iamnotexaggerating #TMI Vero #elect #memberreference wants to get baptized ASAP Eduardo wants to get baptized, and he hung out with Hermana Patricia (a lady in our ward) for 5 hours after our lesson Consejo de líderes!!!!! I love our mission #elite Packed house in church this week with friends that LOVE CHURCH Austin running into my besties (Critter, Sammy Anne, Kell Bell, and cousin Carol) in the Wi...

The Church of Jesus Christ is a LIVING CHURCH. This week, we had the opportunity to listen to messages from our church leaders who are called by God, and WOW, it is such a testimony that God, like times of old, still communicates with His earthly servants to guide us back to His presence both spiritually now and physically in the future. I loved our living prophet's invitation at the end of the conference, which was to "think celestial" and "put Jesus Christ first." For over 365 days, I have had the privilege to SOLELY focus on "thinking celestial" and "putting Christ first." Looking back a year ago, seeing how much I have grown is EVIDENCE of a Savior who saves us from lack of perspective, mediocrity, insecurity, and a purposeless life. Thanks to "thinking celestial" and "putting Christ first," I can wholeheartedly say that "my JOY is full, yea, my heart is brim with JOY, and I will rejoice in my God" forever (A...