For the Love of First Responders ❤️

As most of you have figured out by now before becoming a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I went through the Fire Fighting Academy and to EMT school. Which I gotta say I absolutely fell in love with both! It's funny because all my life I want to be a police officer like my dad! I have fallen in love with the stories my dad has told me about his adventures. I saw what a difference my dad was making in people's lives and I wanted to do the same. Except I eventually decided that I would go a different route. Even though my dad was 101% supportive with whatever I decided, he told me he didn't want it to, "kill my light." Which I thought was so fair and I took that seriously in my decision. I still wanted to help people and loved emergency medicine so I decided to be an EMT, best of both worlds!! Absolutely loved it!! During class, however, they kept talking about how they were taking fire academy applicants and that forwhatever reason peaked my interest. I thought about it and for whatever reason couldn't stop thinking about it. I just had a feeling. 

Despite all odds and guidance from my parents, I just applied. Who would have ever thought I would get accepted!? I was an 18 year old girl still in high school!! Yet. I did. I got accepted and through blood, sweat, and tears I graduated. 

While going through the academy, putting out car fires, interior fires, dragging people out of buildings, crawling through cement tube's, and running stairs till we dropped it was the funnest thing I have ever done. Going through the academy taught me, grit, endurance, humility, comradery, exactness, brotherhood, mental toughness, Mind over Matter, and so much more. I made friendships with my classmates and instructors that have meant the world to me and that I still have. 

Now I know what you're asking yourself, "What does this have to do with Jesus?" Honestly... what doesn't it have to do with Him. Through being in the fire academy and working as an EMT in Salt Lake City I saw Jesus Christ in every single moment with every single patient. At times where people were at there lowest, Jesus Christ was there with them and never left their side. At times when during the academy when I thought I could not go any further, he sent earthly angels to help me. While working I spent most of my time in the back of the ambo with the patient as my partner drove. I was amazed at how many people, not of my faith, asked me to pray with them. We prayed every single time and God heard our prayers. He sent His son Jesus Christ to bare our burdens and give us strength and those patients felt that. 

Granted I only went through the academy and was an EMT only for a couple months but my testimony of Jesus Christ and His plan for us was strengthed and grew so much as I think back to my experiences. The aspect of my testimony that was strengthened the most was the power of prayer. I have to admit I haven't had the strongest testimony of this gospel before my mission but the one thing I did know to be true with all my heart was prayer. I am so so nervous about absolutely everything so before every call, whether it was a car accident, cardiac arrest, or transporting the elderly I always prayed. I prayed that I would have a clear mind, remember my training, and get the job done. Every single time God heard my plea and answered my prayer. 

We had one call that occurred at about 3 am that we were supposed to go to the airport to transport a patient to the U of U. On the way there we stumbled upon a auto vs. pedestrian accident where the two patients were unconscious and one was supposed dead. At this moment, I honestly didn't have time to pray but God heard the prayer that I always carried in my heart. God strengthed me to help in the way I knew how and to help me keep a clear mind in the process. 

A while back I got special permission to listen to a First Responder Devotional and it was so amazing!! It was definitely eye opening and it strengthed my testimony, my love for my Savior and those men and women who sacrifice their lives for others. 

One of my favorite parts was when the speaker quoted a line from a General Conference talk called, "Wounded" by Elder Neal L. Anderson, who said,

"Even with your own painful wounds, you will instinctively reach out to others, trusting in the Savior’s promise: “Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” The wounded who nurse the wounds of others are God’s angels on earth." 

This spoke to me because first responders and honestly all of God's children all have their own wounds. We are all survivors of our own silent battles yet we keep fighting and helping others. These are the valient men and women that act as God's earthly angels here on earth. 

Among the thousands of first responders that walk the earth is the greatest of them all... Jesus Christ. During that devotional I was able to watch, I discovered that before we even get our turnouts on, before the lights go on, before we even get the call, Jesus Christ is there already. The speaker told the room full of firefighters, cops, and dispatchers, "You aren't the first responders.... He is." When we said this absolute Chills. Christ is already with us in our hardest, scariest moments before the earthly angels even get the call. I feel like having that knowledge is so important and powerful. 

I know that Jesus Christ is the greatest first responder. I know that because of his sacrifice he knows exactly what we are going through. He knows exactly how to comfort, help, and strengthen us in our times of need. A friend shared Psalms 23:4 with me in one of my greatest times of need. It's says, 

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

I know that when I am walking through mine and sometime others personal valleys of death, I am not alone. Jesus Christ, the ultimate first responder knows exactly how to comfort and strengthen me. I am so grateful for Him and the knowledge that I have! I am undoubtedly grateful for the courageous men and women who protect our freedom, homes and families.

🖤❤️🖤

"And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."                   -3 Nephi 12:9

🖤💙🖤

How have you seen Christ comfort you? 

Who is your ultimate first responder??

Love,

Sister Pickett 

P. S. If your wanting more, go check out this awesome video I shot with one of my best friends. Watch as we discuss this very topic and how we can come to see the Savior more as our Ultimate First Responder ❤️

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0GJCaZ2jKiYJwHrRyC7fhV3RDS57t4Arq4KvqpjRBZvCx5ABUuH241rToFdUEXYpXl&id=100067965401037&mibextid=ZbWKwL

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You. Guys. All my life I have heard about how amazing "Butter Chicken" is and that its a must try. You know chicken is my favorite thing in the entire world and want to try all the different ways to eat it. I feel like that's the great thing about chicken is that you have have it so many different ways and its so freaking amazing. Except, back to Butter Chicken, even missionaries here always talk about it but I have never had it!! It's been my dream to try it and y'all know I have many dreams. 

Well it finally came true!! On Monday we went over to our Bishop's house and they served it! It was delicious!! I loved it because it reminded me of curry, which I loveeee! It was smoothe, creamy, buttery, and had great flavor.  They served it with rice and pitta bread which made it 10× better! The pita bread really added another layer and texture to the dish, definitely NOT OPTIONAL!! 

Butter Chicken is now one of my favorite dishes and I am so so excited to try the recipe again! I know I have been out of the loop for awhile but I wonder if there are different kinds of Butter Chicken. Just like this one was like yellow curry, are there different flavors? Definitely something to look up and try!! Totally let me know!! 

What's your favorite way to have Chicken??