Talk vs. Pray

Most everyone has someone that they tell anything and everything too.
Whether a best friend, a parent, a sibling, significant other, whomever it may be there is someone that we trust and tell.

Currently the person I tell the most things to is my companion, Sister Savage.

 

I talk to her about exciting and cool things like fireworks on Indepentance Day, crazy things like random forrest animals running on peoples lawn (such as deer and foxes), sabotage rainstorms that drench and also awkward situations like twins cats staring at us from on a porch.

 



Regardless of what it is we talk about we want to tell someone about these things that happen in our lives. We desire for them to listen and feel what we felt too.

As a missionary I have talked to lots of people! Some speak english, some spanish and some speak languages I have never even heard before. Though I speak to so many people there is one individual I love to speak to the most, that is Heavenly Father.

Before my mission I found this quote that I love!

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

 

 

 

To be honest this quote hit me like a brick wall! I thought. "Wow, do I pray about things as much as I talk about them?"

 

 

Consider that question yourself. Do you pray about it as much as you talk about it?

 

In the Book of Mormon a prophet refered to as the Brother of Jared talks with the Lord. The Lord informs him that He is disappointed he didn't remember to call on Him. 

Ether 2:14 And it came to pass at the end of four years that the Lord came again unto the brother of Jared, and stood in a cloud and talked with him. And for the space of three hours did the Lord talk with the brother of Jared, and chastened him because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord.

He wants us to talk with Him. He wants us to tell Him about the things in our lives.
I know that He listens and that He loves us. He promises in 2 Ne 32:9

 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.

I know that prayer changes lives and blesses us! Talk with Heavenly Father. I invite you to talk with Him about something you don't usually tell Him. Have a great day and don't for get to pray! ;)

-Sister Scharmm

Focus

I have the cutest dogs! Scotty and Ella. They are Yorkies and they love to play fetch.


One thing that they are really good at is focusing on whatever it is they want. When I played with them, at home before my mission, I would hold their toy up above their heads and they would watch it so intently until they decided the time was right to jump. When I would offer them a treat they relentlessly watched me until I gave them what they desired. Whenever a different dog or unusual subject was outside our house they would watch it from the window. Constantly focused and ready for whatever happened next.

 

Their focus amazes me!

 

Focusing has never been a strong point for me.

When I was younger and learning how to read, I really struggled. I had such a difficult time focusing and staying on task. One day my mom came home with a little rock with the word FOCUS engraved into it. She told me that this rock would be a reminder to stay focused on my school work and anything else.


I loved that rock and held onto it tight hoping that the rock really would help me.

After many years I have learned to Focus more and more but I am not perfect at it.
Even now as a missionary I am still working on it. :)

 

It is a constant effort on my part to focus, but I am getting there. Besides focusing on things in general it is most important to focus on things spiritually. I recently thought of an acronym for the word FOCUS that I have decided to implement in my life.

                                                                      Forever

                                                                      Obeserving

                                                                      Christ's

                                                                      Ultimate

                                                                      Sacrifice

 

 

As I have grown more and more as a child of God and especially as a missionary I  have come to realize how important it is to have Christ at the center of our lives on a daily basis. Because of Him and His sacrifice I am able to become my best self. I can change and grow in ways that wouldn't normally or easily occur.

Alma 7:11-12 teaches:

 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

I  have been blessed by Jesus Christ's sacrifice everyday. I have prayed and felt His love and support. I know that He lives and that He loves us. I have never seen His face but I have felt His presence. I know that when we Spiritually 'FOCUS' we receive blessings and new understanding and insight! I love my Savior and I love His Church too! I "FOCUS" through prayer, scripture study and going to church. I also serve others and try my best to represent Him. When I do these things I remeber all that He has done for me. How do you 'FOCUS'?

Yours Truly,

Sister Schramm