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.)

Get up for WE STAND!

Growing up I watched the movie Bambi.

 

I loved it! It was about a baby deer who learns to live in the forrest to eventually become like his fatehr the prince of the forrest.

Well Bambi's journey is nowhere near easy. From what I recall in one scence he is being chased by dogs who try to catch him. Just as he makes it away from the dogs he gets shot!

He doesn't die but is wounded and falls to the ground.

It is this point, this moment that I want to pinpoint and share what I have learned.

Bambi has fallen. I would say that most everyone of us on this earth has, is or will fall and be laying on the ground at one point or another just like Bambi.

The gound is rocky and cold. Its dull and defeating. It is the emeny to achievement. However the ground is a nessisary because it causes us to define who we are or who we are becoming. It is what we do when we are on the ground that truly counts. What we do is simple.



WE STAND

 

 

As Bambi was on the ground, his father the very Prince of the forrest came to his aid. I can so clearly hear his exact voice and words that he spoke. "GET UP"

 

 

Though Bambi was tired, injured and probably very unsure if he would make it, he did. He stood and followed his father to safety.

 

After he went on and became the new prince of the forrest just as his father had been.

 



Recently a great sister missionary shared this poem with me.

 

"THE RACE"

Dee Groberg

“Quit! Give up! You’re beaten!” they shout at me, and plead.
“There’s just too much against you now, this time you can’t succeed.”

And as I start to hang my head in front of failure’s face,
My downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
And hope refills my weakened will, as I recall that scene,
For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.

They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race.
Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
And fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son,
And each boy hoped to show his dad, that he would be the one.

The whistle blew, and off they went, young hearts and hopes afire,
To win and be the hero there was each young boy’s desire.
And one boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd,
Was running near the head, and thought, “My dad will be so proud!”

But as he fell, his dad stood up, and showed his anxious face,
Which to the boy so clearly said, “Get up and win the race.”
He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit, that’s all,
And ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.

So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
His mind went faster than his legs; he slipped and fell again!
He wished then he had quit before with only one disgrace.
“I’m hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn’t try to race.”

 

But in the laughing crowd he searched, and found his father’s face,
that steady look that said again, “Get up and win the race!”
So up he jumped to try again, ten yards behind the last,
“If I’m to gain those yards,” he thought, “I’ve got to move real fast.”

Exceeding everything he had he gained back eight or ten,
But trying so to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.
Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye.
“There is no sense in running more. Three strikes, I’m out, why try?”

The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had fled away.
So far behind, so error prone, a loser all the way.
“I’ve lost, so what’s the use,” he thought, “I’ll live with my disgrace.”
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he’d have to face.

“Get up!” an echo sounded low, “Get up, and take your place.
You were not meant for failure here, get up and win the race.”
“With borrowed will get up,” it said, “You have not lost at all.
For winning is no more than this: to rise each time you fall.”

So up he rose to run once more, and with a new commit,
He resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been,
Still he gave it all he had, and ran as though to win.

Three times he’d fallen stumbling, three times he’d rose again,
Too far behind to hope to win he still ran to the end.
They cheered the winning runner, as he crossed the line first place.
Head high and proud and happy, no falling, no disgrace.

But when the fallen youngster crossed the finish line last place,
The crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last, with head bowed low, unproud,
You would have thought he won the race to listen to the crowd.

 

And to his dad, he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.”
“To me you won!” his father said, “You rose each time you fell.”

And when things seem dark and hard, and difficult to face,
The memory of that little boy helps me to win my race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all,
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.

“Quit! Give up! You’re beaten!” they still shout in my face.
But another voice within me says: “GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!”

Our Father who is in Heaven wants us to get up and win the race. For Him it is never over and there is not a first place winner. To Him what matters is that we get up each time we fall.

The Lord Jesus Christ reveals this very idea in a revelation from the Doctrine and Covenants

Section 117:13 says: ....when he falls he shall rise again, for his sacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase, saith the Lord.

I know that our Heavenly Father always allows a way for us to get up. He is there standing next to us lovingly but urgently telling us to get up and STAND. He wants us to succeed. He wants us to one day live with Him and be like He is. He wants each of us to enjoy the life of being 'The Prince(ss) of the forrest'.

So whether you feel your are about to fall, on the ground now, recently have stood up or running to the end. Know that Heavenly Father loves you and will help you make it. He will be there cheering you on each time you stand!

Love,
Sister Schramm

 

 

 

The most high and holy calling!

Besides God, our Heavenly Father, there is one person who has blessed and loved me my entire life!

That person would be my Mom.

I love her and I am so grateful for her. What is interesting though is how I have learned how important mothers are as I have come to know the gospel of Jesus Christ more.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we believe motherhood to be a high and holy calling!

The oppurtunity to teach about Jesus Christ and His magnifcient atonement is presented everyday as mother!
Heavenly Father's plan was for the gospel to be taught in the famiy and the person who is most interactive with the family is MOM!

I love this video about mothers!

#itwasmom

I am grateful for mothers and know that God has given us mothers to learn and to grow.

Wether an actual mother or not each of us woman have motherly instincts that God purposefully gave us.

I love the faith of the mothers of the stripling warriors in the Book of Mormon. Their example has blessed more then just their sons who faugth but millions in the world today.

 

Alma 56:47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the ^aliberty of their ^bfathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their ^cmothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their ^amothers, saying: We ^bdo not doubt our mothers knew it.

I know that God has given us mothers to help us learn and grow!

I invite you to not only thank your mom this week for what she has done for you but think of a way you can show motherly love to another person. That same love that Jesus Christ has for us. The love that is refered to as charity.

Love,

Sister Schramm

Thanks Mom!

The parable of the confused eyelash

I had just finished washing my face before bed when I noticed a rather long eyelash about to poke my eye. It was flipped up side down with the curve facing down rather then toward the sky likes its fellow eyelashes.

Thinking it was loose and preparing to fall, I pulled at it. Sure enough this eyelash was still rooted to my eyelid along with the others. It belonged there but seemed confused as to where its individual spot was.

I attempted to roll it back into place, but it wouldn't stay.
I tried again, however with no success the eyelash flipped returning into its irregular position.
I knew if this eyelash wouldn't be adjusted then my eye would get poked and irritated.

Then I determined something new.
Gently, I brushed the eyelash.
It started to move back.
Slowly and steady I combed all of the eyelashes uniting them.

With one final sweep of my finger and blink of my eye, the lash was back into place.

I thought on this experience for a moment and though simple and rather somewhat silly, I considered how often we are like the confused eyelash!

Within the world we live there is so much we may not understand. Who are we, why are we here and what is our purpose of existence?

Not understanding these things does indeed lead us to forget our place and sometimes even turn upside down.

Whether we choose 'to flip' in order to stand out or whether we are lost and turn over regardless, one truth always stays the same.

 

We are all connected to a loving Heavenly Father and He has a plan and purpose for each of us, His children.

 

 

He cares about us and wants us to fulfill our purpose the best we can.

He loves us so much that even when we do rotate upside down, He created a way for us to once again regain our original state.

He sent His loving Son, Jesus Christ, to help us out. Jesus Christ gently and kindly urges us to do whats right. He teaches us to love and support one another on our way back.
He guides us all the way to the end and beyond. He helps us stay out of trouble or cause pain. He loves us so much we can't even fathom or comprehend it.

We may not be eyelashes flipped upside down but some of us may be confused as to why we are here. I know that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father have the solution and the first step to gain it is to pray.

I am grateful for a loving master who leads, guides and walks beside. He is constantly helping me find the way. Regularly teaching me what I must do to live Him again someday.

-Sister Schramm

He is on our team!

As I reflect on the Holy day yesterday that we refer to as Easter and think of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I consider how truly important it is for us to have a relationship with Him!

Oh it is so important! But what makes it so important is the role that He plays in that relationship!

 

The way that I describe or consider it is that Jesus Christ is on our team. :)

I often would confuse Him as a coach, who though loved me and wanted me to do my best, pushed and urged me insistently that I sometimes felt what was being asked was too difficult to bare. Or even seem possible to complete.

 

But what I have learned is, He is not the coach.

 

He is the team captain!

 

He is in the game with us. He cheers us and warns us. He leads us and protects us. He takes the blame for the loss and gives the glory elsewhere for the win.

He runs every sprint along side of us, He fixes every wrong play and when we miss the goal He says shoot again.

 

Even if at the time we don't make the team or our unable to play from an injury, He supports us while we watch. He is our friend and our advocate.

 

 

I love the Savior so much. He takes everything we have and makes it even better. He brings what we don't have and completes what is missing.

He loves us so much and I know that He lives.
 

If you have or haven't I invite you to do as Moroni directs and to"come unto Christ"  because I know that, that is the only way to truly live.

Moroni 10:32

Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

 

 

 



Love Sister Schramm