Be not deceived.

Sister Savage and I were leaving the home of a friend we had just visited when I saw a rather large bush.

It had taken over most of the flower bed where it had been planted and it was growing rather very strong. I thought that this plant must be really healthy and good to be growing so well and the home owner must really be glad to have a successful plant in their yard.

However as I looked closer at the plant I noticed something.

There were thorns and spikes on the steams of this plants.

I looked even closer and noticed

that even the leaves had spikes!!

What kind of a plant is this!? If you fell in it or lost something with inside it you wouldn't be able to retreive it or get out of the bush without getting scratched and poked!

Feeling deceived by this flower bed ruler I took thought on the experience as we went to our next person to visit.

Later on I found these scripture reference in Matthew 24 that relate to this situation.

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive‍ you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive‍ many.

 

11 And many false prophets‍ shall rise, and shall deceive many.

 

 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs‍ and wonders; insomuch that, if it were‍ possible, they shall deceive‍ the very elect.

 

As a missionary I have seen this so much! Many false realities are all around us. Whether they are poeple, media or entertainment they very well have the ability to deceive us and sadly they do. We spend so much time worrying about them. Following them and giving time to things that honestly don't have truth. They rob of time, effort and strength and if we allow them can bring us to our destruction.

 

Therefore I want to share that though there may be deceiving things out there we are so blessed to have truth and reality through Jesus Christ. He is the way to be not deceived.

 

 

Helman 5:12 says:

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock‍ of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm‍ shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

I know that in order to be not deceived is to strenghten your foundation on Christ day by day.

Through prayer, scripture study and going to church we see and hear truth and reality. He speaks to us through these tools. He does not lie as Ether 3:12 teaches us.

 12 And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst‍ not lie.

Follow Christ. Remember Him. He will lead you. He will not deceive you! Do not fall for the decieving things in this world.

My invitation to you.......... RELY ON CHRIST!

Love,
Sister Schramm

In the midst of the HEAT.

Recently I have been hearing the phrases, "How are you guys still working in this weather?", "What do you think of this HEAT?", "Your not on bikes are you? This weather is so hot."

Our answer always is something along the lines of this, "Yes it is hot but we just keeping talking of Christ. We do it everyday all day! We live it and we love it!"

Whether in the rain, snow, wind or the midst of the Heat we continually teach and preach of Christ. We stand up for Him and work to always keep His commandments. For we KNOW that through Him and by Him all things are made possible. It is His love, grace and gospel that allow us to conquer all and live forever.

Through out all of history there have been followers of Christ that have take on more rain, snow, winds and even heat then us sister missionaries in Virginia!

Three of these individuals are talked about in the book of Daniel in the Bible.

They are named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

The heat they took was WAY more then the 95 degrees me and Sister Savage are dealing with.

Their story is found in Daniel chapter 3. But here is a little run down.

The king builds this gold god to worship. Then he tells everyone to worship it or else they will be thrown into a firey furnace.

These three men did not follow the kings command because they knew the true and living God and kept His commandments.

The king is rent when he finds this out and threatens them.

Their simple answer is found in verse 17 

                              If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

 

Because of their obedience and trust in God. The king has the servants heat the fire 7 times hotter then normal. He was really raged!

 

Then he has the strongest men bound them and throw them in the fire. The men who throw them in the fire all die because of the heat, however Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego are not burned and standing next to them is a 4th person who has the appearance of the Son of God.

 

The king and the individuals there are all changed and know that the God of these three men truly delivered them from the heat of the furnace.

 

Just like in those times Christ delivered His servant from the midst of the heat, He can and will.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve. It can be hot, cold, rain or shine He is there with me. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and I am eternally grateful for that knowledge! He loves us and want us to be happy. He knows the heat, if not already here, will come and as we follow Him, He will be there to relieve and support us.

Have a great hot day and thank Christ for all He has done for you!

Love,
Sister Schramm

 

 



Let your light shine!!

There are 3 things I distinctly remember from my first night here in Virginia.

1. I was so tired and so sick I went to bed before any of the other
missionaries.
2. When I walked outside of the airport, the humidity hit me and I
felt as wet as if I just got out of the shower and.......

3.Fireflies!!!

As the sun started to set lower and lower in the sky us missionaries went outside to gathered our luggage, I looked across the driveway to the backyard and saw a firefly!

I ran out on to the grass despite the other missionaries urgent one
word fearful warning, 'Ticks!!' (Which really are a problem here.)
I stopped where I had last seen the firefly. A few feet away the
firefly lit up again along with another and another. They were all
over. I caught one and took it back to the other missionaries only to
find them looking at fireflies near them.

I watched the yellow lighted bugs fly here and there all around and I
LOVED THEM!


From that point on I was drawn to them! Every night I would look out
the car window while driving and look for them. When walking or
talking to someone outside I would smile to see one, out of the corner
of my eye, light up and glow!

Sadly after a month or more the weather began to change and with it
went the fireflies.

Well nearly a year later and after some anticipation I was blessed to
see a firefly again on the first night of June.

I have wondered why I am drawn and attracted to these little bugs so
much and have come to the conclusion,

They let their light shine!

Jesus taught,

"14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

(Matthew 5:14-16)

(Watch the video of this scripture click here! At 1:30 minutes is where this verse is read!)


These little bugs were created by the most high GOD and they testify
and bare witness of Him every night! It is apart of their life and a
part of their existence.
It is natural for them because it is what they do and how they live.

They follow the Saviors teaching perfectly.

I am so grateful for even the example of a bug. A bug that shines its
light no matter if its enemies are against it. No matter what.

We are SO MUCH more to God then these bugs! We are HIS literal spirit
children and we should follow His son by letting our light shine!

Wether it is by smiling to someone or going out of your way to serve
someone. Standing up for something you believe in though others may
ridicule or tease you. Help others and most importantly FOLLOW JESUS
CHRIST!

I hope that we state just as He did in 2 Ne 10:14
"....I will be a light unto them forever......"

I invite all of you to find a way to let your light shine brighter.
Remember Christ and that through Him and His light all is possible!

Live and let LIGHT! :)
Sister Schramm

(My first time seeing the DC Temple.)