"Why I Believe"

Hi Friends!! 

Over the weekend our ward had the amazing opportunity to go to Stake Conference! That's where several different congregations in our area meet together and we are able to hear from more leaders of our church. It only happens twice a year so everyone always looks forward to it! We had two sessions, one on Saturday night and then another on Sunday morning. 

Sister Higham and I were able to attend the one of Saturday night. It was so great! They had many different people talk about how they came to believe in the church and Jesus Christ. The theme for the conference was "Why I Believe." Everyone got up and told their conversation story on why they Believe in Jesus Christ. It was so touching to hear everyone's own personal conversion stories.

It did, however, make me kind of reflect on, why do I believe? 

Before I share my personal testimony on how I came to believe I wanted to share something a member in our ward told us recently about the topic. 

After dinner one night, we asked if everyone would mind baring their testimonies on Why they Believe. Our member shared with us a very pure and simple testimony. He then explained to us that he isn't a huge fan of sharing his testimony because they are so personal and people tend to compare testimonies. I totally agree with that statement, people, including myself tend to compare our testimonies and experiences with other people. We shouldn't though!! Each one of us has a perfect testimony and gained that knowledge through experiences meant exactly for US. God gave us all unique and individual experiences to help grow and shape our testimonies. So when people bare their testimonies, absorb them, learn from them, and share them but but don't compare them to your own.

I feel as though I need to take my own advice because as I was listening to everyone else's Why I Believe's, it made me ponder on my own. Except I quickly brushed that those thoughts away and dozens of little experiences I have had throughout my life came to mind. My reason for believing is actually many experiences I have had thoughout my life. I could go on and on but I would love to share only a few. 

1. 

I have mentioned before but awhile ago I found out that I had a Chronic Illness. It was a long long road to diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and recovery. I honestly have a hard time talking about it because nobody gets it. Nobody understands what I went through, it was hard on me and especially my family. It affected them in ways I never knew until recently. I Believe because God healed me from my illness. It wasn't in the way I wanted but it was in the way that he needed me too. People have asked me why I never blamed God or was mad at him. Why? Because God is the only reason I am standing here today at 100%. God sent me parents who would have taken my place on that hospital bed if they could. God sent me a sister who had to be the rock at home while my parents were with me. God sent me Aunt's who never forgot about me and who I have grown so close to because of it. God sent me my Dad who showed me that attitude is everything. God sent angles to me every single day and I will forever be grateful for that. 

That's why I Believe. 

2. 

I never ever wanted to serve a mission but here I am. I know that this is what God wants to be doing. I know that through all of the many tender mercy miracles, people, and experiences he has sent my way. I feel like on the Spirit knowledge side of things, I believe because of a experience I had in the MTC about 9 months ago. I didn't have a strong testimony of the church before coming out on a mission and that scared me. I knew I couldn't tell people something was true if I didn't even believe it. So I had a little come to Jesus moment one study time and God answered my prayers 10 fold. I came to know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God and that The Book of Mormon was true. I remember feeling the Spirit so much that once time was up I didn't want to stop! I remember reading 2 Nephi 27:2 and my mouth physically dropping open. Joseph Smith truly was forordained to be a prophet. I remember reading about David Whitmer and the Spirit hitting me like a train. This truly is God's work! I believe because He told me it was. I believe because I feel it. 

3. 
My third reason I Believe is because of the temple. I absolutely have grown to love the temple so much on my mission. I feel so much joy, peace, and calmness in the temple. It's the one place where I don't have a name tag on, there I am just Lily. I am so grateful for the temple for so many reasons but especially that I am able to be sealed to my family. I seriously have no idea where I would be without them. I don't know how I got so lucky! This last week I had the opportunity to go to the temple. I was sad as I was going in because this was kind of a last mintue trip so I didn't have a question or anything to ponder while there. Except as I was walking in I thought of my family. My parents have been out of town and service so I have missed them. I decided that this trip I am going to think of them. I decided that while in the temple this was going to be the closest I have been to them in a long time. I had never thought it like that before because I have always said this is the closest you'll ever feel to GOD.

In the temple we are able to do work for people who have already passed away. You can either bring a name with you or the temple workers will provide a name for you. I usually bring my own name but ran out of time today. So I went into the room to get my name...GUESS WHAT IT WAS. The women's first name I got was my mom's middle name. I seriously broke down in tears right there. To me that meant the absolute world. Right there I knew that God loved me and was aware of me. God knew exactly why I went into the temple that day, to feel close to my parents. I Believe because God knows and believes in me. 

I believe in that because I believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ made all of this possible and I am forever in his debt. In Mormon 7:5, we read, “Know ye that ye must … believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain … , and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up.” Jesus Christ truly is the Son of God and because of him we will have eternal life. I believe because this church and Jesus Christ haven't taught me what it's like to love, grow, and serve others. My mission and my belief in Jesus Christ has saved my life. I am so grateful for my knowledge! 

I would love to invite you all to ponder and pray about why do you believe? Or maybe not believe! You don't have to write an essay and share it with the world like I did but just think about it. Don't stress if you don't have huge or any reasons just quite yet. We asked several people today in the Safeway parking lot Why they Believe. Some of them purely just said, "Why Not?" That is a perfect answer too... why not. 

Why do you believe?

Message me or comment down below!!

❤️,

Sister Pickett 

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This recipe is especially for my mom....

Oh my goodness!! I have waited an ENTIRE WEEK to get this recipe to share with you all!! Seriously one of my favorites so far!! On Monday I had an Almond Texas Sheet Cake. 

Yep you heard that right!! Almond. You have heard of Chocolate but let me introduce you to it's lesser known but maybe even better cousin, ALMOND. I don't know why but this cake has my heart and it took me home. Right when I took a bite it brought me back to the Ogden Raptors Stadium in Utah. Took me to my mom and I eating Almond Divinity icecream as we watched a baseball game on a cool summer night. 

This light, moist and airy cake was absolutely amazing and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Almond! My only recommendation would be to add almonds to the top to get that crunch and plus it's exactly like the crunch in the icecream.

It might be weird but I feel like God shows me his love through food. This cake was a reminder that God hasn't forgotten about me. A little tender mercy to remind me of home ❤️

Almond or Chocolate??