This I have learned

So this week is a big week for me.

(I seriously take a deep breathe before I can even admit it to myself.)

I am returning home from the mission I have served in Virginia for the last year and a half.

There are bitter sweet feelings attached to this situation yet whether excited or sad I want to share 25 of the many things I have learned or I have gained a greater knowledge of! (Not in any particular order.)

1. God loves us so much and wants us to return to Him, live fully and progress!
2. Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. He loves and knows each of us. He is always there for us.

3. Prayer is answered. Maybe differently then we think, however it is answered.
4. People are important. Every single person is an important soul on the same journey of life.
5. Driving in Virginia can often be scary and crazy.
6. Reading The Book of Mormon + Bible = Happiness and answers!

7. There are people from almost every country in Northern Virginia!

8. The Holy Ghost does indeed lead and guide. 

9. It is easy to make new friends you just need to open your mouth.

10. There is a living Prophet on the Earth today. 

(Check out his Facebook page) 

11. Missionaries are always tired!

12. Temples are holy house of The Lord that allow us to learn and grow. 

13. This life is to prepare to meet God. (Alma 34:32)

14. Male cardinals are BRIGHT red and females are brown with and bright beak.

15. Rain freezes.

16. Companions always = FRIEND! 

New Years with Sister Harris!

Check out her blog!

17. Talking about Jesus Christ with others always makes you happy.

18. Repentance is amazing and allows us to change essentially become our best self! 

19. The Fall of Adam and Eve was a good thing apart of Gods plan that allowed us to come to earth.

20. Christmas as a missionary is the best Christmas' ever. 

21. You use your time most wisely when you plan it out.

22. Familysearch.org is such a great way to learn more about your family history! 

23. How to study! #Scripturestudy #intheword #HowGodspeakstome 

24. The Atonement applies to everything in life!

25. I now know who I am and I better understand Gods plan! I am so grateful for Him and all that He has done for me. 

I have learned so much and I am so grateful! I know that missionaries truly represent Jesus Christ and that taking the lessons from them will changes lives. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I know you can be a missionary in even the smallest ways. I love this gospel changes lives, it changed mine! I invite you to let it change yours! 

Sister Schramm

DC SOUTH! 

How He speaks to me.

A couple nights ago my companion Sister Jorgensen and I were walking on the streets talking to new friends we would come in contact with. As we walked I turned to her and said, "Sister Jorgensen we have both been on our missions for a little over a year and I feel as though I have now finally gotten the hang of things. I know how to .........." I went on and on about things I have learned and how I have become more confident in being a missionary. Then I ended by saying, "....it just makes me sad that by the time you understand all of this and figure it out your time left on the mission is really short." We both went on to discuss this fact. 

The next preparation day came and I was reading my emails from home. I read a message from my dad and immediately said, " Sister Jorgensen you have to hear this!" I then read part of the email to her. My dad wrote about when he was on his mission at the point I am at now. He share how he had had some of the exact same feelings and thoughts that I was speaking about with Sister Jorgensen a couple nights previous. He then finished by sharing his thoughts on that amount of time he had had left on his mission and what he did to make it the best. He referred to it as a BONUS from Heavenly Father. 

After reading that to her I turned to Sister Jorgensen and she said to me. "I have goose bumps! Wow we just talked about that!" I responded with, "I know! Right!" 

I have thought about that experience and how I am so grateful for it. Not only that but I know that through means like my father, The Lord speaks to me. 

As I have been on my mission I have learned a lot about the voice of The Lord and how He speaks to us. A lot of people desire the voice of The Lord to come down loud like the experience of Moses and the burning bush. Some wish to actually see Him like Thomas after Christs resurrection. Though these experiences most certainly occurred and could still occur, The Lord uses different ways to speak to us individually. 

One of my favorite scriptures in The Book of Mormon is 2 Nephi 31:3 

 ....for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.

I knew that The Lord was very much aware of my conversation with Sister Jorgensen. He used a different means to let me know that as well. I know that He knows us each personally. He cares for us and wants to help us. He speaks to us daily yet often we don't listen. Look for the ways that they Lord speaks to you. He will speak to you. I know that to be true. 

-Sister Schramm

For an awesome video on How The Lord speaks to us click HERE

I'll be ready for that [to]day.

Recently a young friend of mine introduced me to a new favorite song. It is about Noah, the prophet from The Bible, and his building of the ark.

Here are the lyrics 

Noah was a prophet, a man who did not fear.

When he taught repentance, the people would not hear.

So the Lord told him to build a boat

That could hold a ton and stay afloat.

Then Noah started building and said within his heart:

“I will build an ark before it starts to rain.

I will follow the Lord and do all things in His name.

I’ll prepare ev’ry needful thing. I will walk in righteous ways.

When the rain starts to fall on me, I’ll be ready for that day.”

I can be like Noah. Yes, I can be prepared.

I can build my ark, and I’ll find safe shelter there.

I can do the things I know are right.

I can learn and pray with all my might.

And then when storm clouds come, I’ll be safe within my ark.

I will build my ark before it starts to rain.

I will follow the prophet, for he speaks in God’s name.

I’ll prepare ev’ry needful thing. I will walk in righteous ways.

When the rain starts to fall on me, I’ll be ready for that day.

Copyright © 2004 by Marianne P. Wilcock. Music

I love this song! It put into perspective Noah's story and experience. I have better understood what he went through and what he needed to be prepared for. I know that it is important to be prepared. 

Often in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the phrase 'emergency preparedness' will come up. That is because we like to be ready. We have food, clothes and toiletries set aside in case of an emergency, we work to develop skills in first aid or survival in the outdoors, we also have game plans within our families for if there were a fire where we would meet. These things we call emergency preparedness and as it is obvious we enjoy being prepared. 

(Doing service at local shelter and came across this)

However though we are prepared for emergencies, how prepared are we for everyday life?

As missionaries we teach about the purpose of our life on Earth. Part of our purpose on Earth is to prepare to return to live with God. (Alma 34: 32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.)

What should we do to be prepared on a daily basis to live as God would have us live?

I have come to find the answer is 3 different things. 

1. Prayer

2. Scripture study 

3. Church attendance 

These three things keep our faith strong and remind us of Gods purpose for each of His children. We then are blessed and are ready for TODAY rather then just that day. Just as we wait for the day that Christ will come to the Earth again someday at the same time we can be prepared by having Him in our hearts each day. 

I am grateful for Noah's example and I am grateful for opportunities to be prepared! It is never a bad idea to check your emergency preparedness and your everyday preparedness. If you don't feel prepared then make that a new goal! 

My Favorite Promise!

In this world there are millions of empty promises. Diets that swear by their weight loss programs, cars with attractive exteriors and umpteen miles to the gallon, marriages committing their lives to each other then when a "hurricane” is in sight they abandon ship. 

With the majority of these promises falling through the world we live in holds no true assurance. To anyone this can be discouraging or unpleasant. However thankfully the world in which we live and the world we aim to live in with God are dramatically different. 

God keeps promises.

 "For he will fulfil all his promises which he shall make unto you, for he has fulfilled his promises which he has made unto our fathers." Alma 37:17

His validity is complete and assurance the most reliable. He is our father and He loves us, therefore He has stated multiple promises that are fulfilled when we put forth effort and keep our part. One of the many promises I love to claim the blessings from is found in His holy scripture, The Book of Mormon another Testament of Jesus Christ. 

First I testify that this record of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas is true. I have come to know that for myself. This holy writ has brought knowledge, peace and understanding into my life as I study from the pages. I have come to better recognize the character of Christ and feel The Spirit. Countless of answers to prayers have jumped off the page at me. God has used the words to show me of my individual worth to Him and of His everlasting love towards me. I know anyone who sincerely reads can and will have similar feelings in regards to this testament. 

With my stance said, imagine for a moment an object of great worth which you wish, want and desire to acquire. Then imagine being told by the owner of this object the way which He obtained it. Not only told you but He has given you a map of how to arrive at that point and claim this object as your own. Even a GSP that updates automatically every minute, has no frustrating detours, annoying recalculations and even warns of destructive traffic that is or may lie ahead you on your determined route.  

As alluded The Book of Mormon is and does act as a GSP for me and for many others. Whether seeking family unity, forgiveness of sins, love for others or even the greatest blessing of all eternal life, The Book of Mormon promises a sound course in which to obtain it.  How does a book offer such a thing? The answer is given in the introduction. "The Book of Mormon [is] the most correct of any book on Earth and a man [will] get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." 

That is a pretty stiff statement though it is backed up by the words of an ancient prophet named Moroni. His famous promise is given in the last chapter, chapter 10, verses 3-5. 

 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

The Book of Mormon was written for our day. As I give copies to friends I meet, I ALWAYS tell them I want to give them a gift. I refer to this scripture as a gift because to me it is.  

God knew the gift of another testament of His Son would be the perfect thing to open up the last dispensation of time before the coming of Christ. I take advantage of this promise all the time. I learn truth regularly and I feel of Christs love. My invitation is to read and try for yourself. See how your life can be changed and improved! 
I know it will be!

Your friend!
Sister Schramm

baptism?

Two travelers walking along a path one day
came to a fork and wondered which way.

Both paths leading to a different location,
but which one would be the right destination?

Scratching their heads, speculating which trail they dare.
They decided to kneel down and offer a prayer.

Simple but fervent their words were sincere,
as they spoke out their questions for God to hear.

"Which way to go? And what path is best?
 which should we trust to lead to your rest?

Is the right one correct or be the left one right?
Lead us please God, for you've optimum sight.


As a missionary I have met travelers similar to these many times. They are often stuck at the fork in the road, screwed and confused with which direction to go. They way for them to go is through Jesus
Christ.

As the scriptures teach in Alma 38:9

 9 And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness.

And Helaman 5:9

9 O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through theatoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.

There is on other way then through the Savoir Jesus Christ, and He has named that way as  BAPTISM.

Baptism is what we participate in order to truly follow the Savior Jesus Christ who is the Son of God.

I am so blessed because I have the opportunity to invite everyone and anyone who hasn't been baptized by the proper priesthood authority to be baptized.

I have seen countless lives changed as they have met us at that fork, chosen to be baptized and had their lives altered completely for better. Better in the sense that they have felt peace, happiness, joy, comfort, gained understand and come to better understand their relationship with God and His plan for them.

I am grateful also for the cleansing power that Baptism provides! It wipes away any and every sin. Alma 7

14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

 15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.

I have been changed and made clean through baptism and then going to church after and taking the sacrament. My invitation to you is to be baptized if you have not and experience for yourself the blessing it is to be clean. If you have been baptized then go to church and take the sacrament and let it be an experience that will change your life! 

Put Christ first! 

Love,

Sister Schramm 

Footprints

There is a famous poem that I have enjoyed reading as I have seen it in many Christian homes.

It is called, Foot prints in the Sand. By Mary Stevenson.

Essentially this poem talks about how Christ is always with us step by step, trial by trial and that He carries us when we are unable to go any further.

That His footprints mirror ours; following us, ready to catch, lift and encourage.

I agree that Christ is there, ready and waiting to help us and save us. However, recently a scripture I found has cause me to consider these foot prints differently.

1 Peter 2:21
".... Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps."

As I face trial in my life and think of the hard things that I have gone through I so quickly forget that I am not the only one who has suffered and struggled.

Christ was agonized with affliction much much greater then any I would even imagine to be burdened with. He fought for me through the darkest night and willingly gave His life for mine to exist. What then should I be willing to do for Him?

Follow His footsteps 

Following Christs footprints and steps is often difficult. It however is so rewarding!

 I am a witness to this fact. I have seen people who before were lost and confused. People uncertain of what direction to go 

 begin to follow Christs footprints and their paths are directed! 

They start to develop attributes which the Savior has, qualities and characteristics such as greater faith in Christ, hope, charity and love, virtue, knowledge, patience, humility, diligence and obedience. 

I am grateful for Christ who I know will always catch me and help me and so blessed to be able to follow Him and His paths. I have become a new and better person as I have worked to follow His steps. 

I am so grateful for My Savior. Follow His footprints and your life will be changed! 

Love,

Sister Schramm 

God is good. ALL THE TIME!

There is a statement that me and my companion Sister Smith use pretty regularly.
This phrase is,

GOD IS GOOD.


We say this on a daily basis! For example, whenever something we enjoy happens, like when we meet someone who needed us in that moment we met them or when we find a close parking spot or even when our favorite hymn is the one chosen to sing at a meeting. We often say God is good. Many individuals may have the same thought toward God in moments such as these.

However the thought has popped into my mind what do I say when things don't turn out how I would like?

I must admit there have been times when things haven't gone my way and I forget to remember that God is good.

I think it is safe to say that most everyone has done this before. However this past weekend I made a friend at the Nationals baseball game that shared with Sister Smith and I her thoughts on the statement God is good.

Her name is Barbrea. She is an usher that points you to your seat. Sister Smith and I were headed to our seats and said Hi to her. As we started up the stairs she said to us, "God is good!" Our answer was 'Yes He IS!'

She shook her head at our answer and said, "Now Sisters let me teach you something about when someone says God is good!" She then went on to tell us that after someone says that phrase you agree but also add, "ALL THE TIME. He isn't good some of the time or most of the time, but all the time!"

We loved this because it is so true! Now thanks to my new friend I will think that every single time I hear that phrase.

It is said perfectly in Psalms 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

Those, like Barbrea, who have a clean heart recognize the goodness of God so easily. It is my hope and desire that everyone can recognize Gods greatness!

So today check your heart and look for something that shows that God is good and them remember that he is good all the time!

Love,
Sister Schramm