The Faith too Not
A couple weeks ago we had a lesson with a man named David. It was so amazing!! It was definitely one of the most spiritual lessons I have ever had while on my mission.
As we were planning the lesson Sister Higham suggested we read about when Mosiah talks about how Jesus Christ doesn't take away your burdens but he lightens them. I said that that would be amazing because David has had a really hard life. Typically we try to leave an Invitation to Act after every lesson. We honestly couldn't think of an invitation to leave with him though!
A member drove us over and I was so excited!! I honestly thought we had a great lesson planned. We knocked on the door and David answered but said "Oh now isn't really a good time." Are you kidding?? I had no idea what to say, I was so disappointed. Apparently I wasn't leaving without a fight because I asked what was going on and he said just the usual things. I asked how our invite went last week went about praying to know if us coming was an answer to his prayers. He said he did but got no answer. I said "well did you actually pray for that?" and he said "no."
I asked what he prayed for and he said he prayed for a better life. I said "well, would it be ok if we shared a scripture that we think will help?" He said sure. We shared Mosiah 24:14-15, that says,
"14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."
We told David that sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers how we think, or hope for, but he does always answer them. We talked about how God won't magically give you a better life but he'll give you the means you can get it. I am such a strong believer of that. God doesn't want to just provide you with the Snickerdoodles, he wants to give you the ingredients to make them. If God just gave us everything, where would the learning come in? The growth? We had a really amazing ward member tell me this week, "when you are stretched, you are strengthed." God wants to strengthen us!
As we were talking I all of a sudden got a powerful prompting to share my story of Faith. I was a little nervous because I have never really shared that story before. I told him alittle bit about the background about my chronic illness. I told him that it got to the point that I was going to die. I told him that everyday my family was praying that I would be healed and that God would take away my burdens.
I told him that one day I had a really spiritual experience where God told me that he knew I had the faith to be healed but did I have the faith not to be?
Right when I said that David verbally cried out and grabbed his chest like the Spirit just punched him in the heart. I agreed with him. I told him that God didn't answer my prayers my way. I told him that I now have an ostomy bag and live my life every day with it. God didn't take away my illness nor did he answer my prayer how I wanted but God didn't forget about me. I learned and grew so much BECAUSE God didn't take away my burden. I learned to be more empathetic, I learned to Own and Kill my battles, I learned mental fortitude and that your attitude is everything. I told him that I know in the moment your battles are hard, that they seem like everything and that you are drowning but you are not.
My companion is really struggling with adjusting to missionary life. We were talking the other day and she said that she prays everyday that God will make her happy. She said that she knows he can... right when she said that it made me think of David. I told her "God knows you do... but do you have the faith not to be happy?" We all hear these amazing stories of faith and unbelievable healing miracles. Which are amazing stories but that doesn't happen everytime to everyone. Sometimes you just have to have the faith not to be.....
Just because your not now, doesn't mean not ever. God never forgets and God will give you strength everyday to overcome trials. In Mosiah 24:13, God says,
"And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage." For all those people who keep their faith and wax strong in the Lord, he promises that they will be delivered. God will never give us more trials and afflictions then we can bare.
Just like with Jesus Christ, God will send Heavenly angels to help bare you up ❤️
My favorite story of this is of Joseph Smith when he was incarnated in Liber Jail. Joseph was pleading with the Lord asking why he had abandoned him. The Lord said to him, “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; “And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. “Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands” (D&C 121:7–9) That scripture of reason brings me so much comfort in my trails. God is always with us and so are our friends and family. You are supposed to go through trials but never alone. We aren't supposed to go through hard things alone. If you are struggling give it to God then reach out to someone you love.
God wants to help us, he just wants us to ask!! Don't know who to tell? Message me!!
We are often asked the Golden Question.. Why does God let bad things happen to good people? We don’t always know why the Lord allows our challenges, or why He doesn’t take them away when we pray sincerely and often. But we can be assured that He is in control and “that all these things shall give [us] experience, and shall be for [our] good” (D&C 122:7).
Keep going, God loves you ❤️
How have you seen God's hand throughout your trials?
Love,
Sister Pickett
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Hot Honey Snickerdoodles
Are y'all ready for the very first Sister Pickett Original (kinda) cookie recipe?!?! So you guys know a couple posts ago I talked about Mike's Hot Honey and how you can put it on anything?? Well I decided to put it to the test and made cookies!! SUPER BOLD but SUPER GOOD! I even brought them to a party! The cookies were obviously alittle spicy but the cool cream cheese frosting on top was an amazing addition that brought that balance to the dish!
I got an amazing snickerdoodle recipe off Facebook and added my own little touches of course! Here is the snickerdoodle recipe, which I added about 1/3 cup Mike's Hot Honey to the dough + plus some dried chili flakes for an extra kick!
The best cream cheese recipe!!
If your needing something alittle different definitely try these out. Several people came up to me after the party and complimented them. They even asked for the recipe! I definitely recommend!!
What would you put Mike's Hot Honey on?
Definitely let me know if you try it out!!
What is Mike's Hot Honey?? Go read my other blog to find out!!!
http://foodfuelingfaith.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-importance-of-church-sweet-heat.html
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