What I thought would be my greatest SACRIFICE.......

Everybody has a story.
Every missionary has a story of why they went on a mission.

My story involves a lot of prayer and wrestling with God, as Enos in the Book of Mormon relates, and it involves lots of reasons not to serve. The Great and Scariest reason, the sacrifice serving would be. I would leave my home and family, friends, school, work and favorite hobbies or activities.
 
However with fear and unknowing I went forth and responded to the answer I received, that is to serve a mission.

Now about a year later I am out here and the Sacrifice is nothing!! Yes it is difficult and hard.

BUT I love it! I love it because this Sacrifice is nowhere near and nothing compared to the greatest sacrifice.

The Sacrifice of our Savior.

I have learned so much about His love and Greatness. I know He loves each of us and that He has paid the price. 

I am so grateful to be out here, Because what I thought would be my greatest SACRIFICE has become my greatest TREASURE.

{sister schramm}

seeing + light = SIGHT

Myself, along with the instagramer's, enjoy taking pictures. 

In fact I love pictures. I love that they tell a story or relate an experience so quickly that our minds perceive the basics almost instantaneously just from seeing it.

Besides just seeing the pictures there is something amazing about light. Light is was is possible for us to be able to see, what makes it possible for pictures. Without light we wouldn't have sight.

Life without sight I can't imagine. 

Because of that there is a story in the bible that really means a lot to me. It is the story of Jesus healing a man who was born blind. 

(video link)

I love the video of this experience. 

It really helps me to recognize that just because we see, doesn't mean that we have sight. Without recognizing the light also, we have nothing. I know that is true.

Seeing + Light = Sight

When we look to the light we have sight and understanding. 

Jesus is the light. When we rely on Him we See and understand. We know. 

John 8:12 ¶Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the ^alight of the world: he that followeth me shall not ^bwalk in ^cdarkness, but shall have the light of life.

I am so grateful for my Savior. :)

-Sister Schramm

 

White as snow.

My mom is a miracle worker when it comes to stains on clothes. 

She is amazing! We are a family of sports and outside activities!

(such as soccer, baseball and football)

We even get muddy on bike rides! 

No stain stops her!!

Except one....

SIN.

There is no detergent or secret remedy to remove the stain of sin.

The only one who has that power and ability is our Savior. 

Jesus Christ. 

I am so grateful for my Savior and that He is the one to make my sins clean. I love Him and know He has the ultimate cleansing power. 

 Isaiah 55:18 Come now, and let us ^areason together, saith the Lord: though your ^bsins be as scarlet, they shall be as ^cwhite as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

- Sister Schramm

Do you know where you are going?

My family went to New York City when I was 10 years old. We visited the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State building. We saw what was then Ground Zero and walked through Central Park. It was amazing and I loved it! We traveled to all these different places via the Subway.

The Subway was an experience of its self! There were train cars all hooked together some going that way the others going this way! Where they went I had no idea. You would have to step on and off really fast.
Here in the DC area they have the Metro and it works the same way. These trains can be confusing and hard to catch sometimes. It may even be confusing to figure out and know where you are supposed to be going.
Sometimes I even feel like life is the same way. I don't know which train to board and which direction to take.

However when I ask God which road to take He leads me. He helps me know where I should go and for that I am so thankful.

Proverbs 4:11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have ^aled thee in right paths.

Because of God I am so blessed and able to know where I am headed. I love Him and my Savior Jesus Christ so much! 

Much love,

Sister Schramm 

When you serve others, you are basically serving GOD!!!

As far as I can remember, the very first scripture I memorized was Mosiah 2:17. 

 17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn ^awisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the ^bservice of your ^cfellowbeings ye are only in the service of your God.

I loved this scripture then and still do! To think that how I treat others reflects on how I treat God is amazing to me. It makes me want to serve and be kind to others always.

I love service! Serving is the best way to grow love and respect for others! As a missionary I have had many opportunities to serve. I have moved people, cleaned homes, built barbecues, yard work and landscape. Basically a lot of things. :) But I love it. I love serving others. The best way to grow love for someone is service. 

The greatest example of someone serving constantly is Jesus Christ. He always served and this video proves it. Ye have done it unto me!

So I invite you so serve. Even if it is as small as a smile! Serve others and you are serving GOD!

Love,

Sister Schramm 

I didn't know what I was missing.

I love soccer. I grew up playing soccer.  I remember when I was a young girl and soccer season would start. I would get so excited, it was such a big deal to me. This was the case every year. Then one day I learned that there were teams that we competitive teams. These teams would play ALL YEAR ROUND.
I decided to tryout for a team. I did and I made it. This experience of soccer blessed my life so much! I gained new friends, learned new skills, experienced team work and grew a great confidence in myself I previously never had.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS MISSING.

Today I feel the same way, only the object I love has switched. Bringing closer other closer to Jesus Christ.
My mission has taught me so much! I love my Savior and helping others to feel His love and grow their love for Him as well. He lives and He loves us. He has blessed us with His restored gospel on the earth day. He wan't each of us to feel love and joy and receive blessings. Before I decided to serve..............
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS MISSING. A MISSION!

Missionary video! (Sorry there is only a link)

I know that these missionaries feel the same way. We all desire for others to come unto Christ.

Please if you are hurting, sad, struggling or having any problem access the Atonement. Even if your life is going really great! Access the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I promise He will be there for you! I know that He will help you through your struggles. I am so grateful for Him.

Until we access the atonement,

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE MISSING.

Love,
Sister Schramm

Pray

The best solution for anything is to pray! 

Have you prayed about it as much as you have talked about it?

Here's your invitation!

Pray!

Love, 

Sister Schramm

For the Beauty of the Earth.

I love Gods creations! I love going outside and feeling the wind or sun or rain. I love seeing beautiful colors of sunsets or leaves and flowers. I love hearing birds sing, holding baby animals and watching fish swim. I know that God had our Savior Jesus Christ create this Earth. I know that through the beauty of it we can feel closer to Him and know of His love.

1. For the beauty of the earth,

For the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies,

(Chorus)

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

2. For the beauty of each hour

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flow'r,

Sun and moon, and stars of light,

3. For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth, and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild

Thou Art the Christ

I am so grateful for my Savior. I know that in Him and through Him I am blessed each day. I can't even fathom what it must have been like to be in His presence. To live in the same time that He did and to learn from Him personally. To be a witness of His miracles or be healed by His hand. I am so grateful for Him. I know that He is the Christ the literal Son of God. I know He is near us and involved in our each and everyday life.

The other day I realized I had never seen Christ before. I have never actually physically seen Him but I know Him. I feel His love and I invite anyone to pray and ask to feel His love as well.

I love this video I feel the spirit when I watch it.

Get to know the Savior so that you too can say, "Thou Art The Christ."

Love,

Sister Schramm 

Dare to Stand Alone

I love the Prophet so much! This is one of his awesome talks that has given me the courage to stand up for what I believe and know!

Dare to Stand Alone

Also this video came from that talk.

As a missionary there have been many times that I have felt ALONE.
Though standing alone is hard or challenging, it solidifies what I believe and what I know is true! I am so grateful for this gospel and for my Savior Jesus Christ!

Although we may feel alone we never truly are. Our Savior is the only one to fully know what being alone feels like. He suffered for each of our sins. He completed the ultimate sacrifice for us. When we stand up or alone for what we believe, He is standing with us!

Dare to be a Mormon;

Dare to stand alone.

Dare to have a purpose firm;

Dare to make it known.

-President Monson

Your fellow stander! :) 

                                                                                        

Sister Schramm 

Mormon.org

Ok folks there is an amazing place that is just a click away!
This place is called Mormon.org!
It is so great and here are the reasons!

1. You get to learn about Mormons!! horray! (Even if you are a 'Mormon' check it out you might learn something new.)

2. Real people share their beliefs via Mormon.org and you can learn about some really cool people!

3. If you are a Mormon you can be a missionary!!!

4. It teaches us about Jesus Christ. (Enough Said)

5. Here is my page Sister Kaitlin Schramm

So go and check it out! If you are a Mormon go and MAKE A PROFILE!

Love as always,
Sister Schramm