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

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

 



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.)