April 24, 2017
My Maine Squeeze

Maine.... I love you! 

We're teaching quite a few families here in Augusta.  The people are so humble and receptive to the Gospel.  This week I had Missionary Leadership Council in Bedford, New Hampshire so we left Monday night --it's a 4 hour drive, and we stayed the night at the mission home.  We had a meeting with all the Zone Leaders, District Leaders and STLs for the day and then drove back to Augusta.  We also had District Meeting and Zone Counsel when we returned and then had splits with the Sisters in Topsham on Friday. We also volunteered at the hospital this week!

My new companion is Sister Lewis, and she is a HOOT!  She reminds me of Ashlee and Abbie.

Volunteering at the hospital

How GREAT is the calling of a Missionary! OUR PURPOSE is to invite others TO COME UNTO CHRIST by helping them receive the RESTORED GOSPEL through FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST and HIS ATONEMENT, REPENTANCE,  BAPTISM, and receiving the gift of THE HOLY GHOST. 

We get to watch the Atonement work in others' lives. It is such a privilege. How can you not get excited about that!? ( and on top of it we don't have to worry about dating, jobs, rent, etc. Its the best;) ) IT just makes me want to go out and work even harder.

I love the people I serve with,
I love my area,
and I love my Savior.

I hope you all have a good week!

Love,

Sister Scherzinger

My Brudda

4/15/2017
My Brudda

Dear Bradley Scott Scherzinger,

Happy, Happy Birthday!  What a special birthday this is as you get to receive The Priesthood!  What an amazing opportunity.

I wanted to do something special for you, so I made you this tie to wear for your ordination.  I can't be there with you right now, but my heart is with you (see backside of tie).  I hope you like it!

I have a strong testimony of The Priesthood.  Brad-- you will get to pass the Sacrament, and by so doing, become a tool in God's hands.  You will help others renew the promises they made at baptism.  Always take pride in your calling as a priesthood holder.  Be an example; serve others. Elder Eyring said, "So if you feel a little overwhelmed, take that as a good sign.  It indicates that you can sense the magnitude of the trust God has placed in you.  It means that you have some small understanding of what the priesthood really is." I know that as you do, you'll grow closer to your Heavenly Father and will be an even better missionary to your friends.  

Elder Eyring continued, "The ordination to the priesthood is an invitation from the Lord to walk with Him. And what does it mean to walk with the Lord? It means to do what He does, to serve the way He serves.  He sacrificed His own comforts to bless those in need, so that's what we try to do. He seemed to take particular notice of people who were overlooked and even shunned by society, so we should try to do that too."

I think it's cool that you are being ordained on Easter Sunday, a day we celebrate when Jesus used the priesthood power to break the bands of death and rise from the tomb.  Enjoy your special day and know I'll be thinking of you!

I love you so much,

Sister Scherzinger

Don't Blink

April 10, 2017
Don't Blink

Where have the last 7 months gone?  I have been so fortunate to serve in Concord and to have been loved by the great people here. Tomorrow are transfers and I will be moving to Farmingdale, Maine  (just outside of Augusta)and working as a Sister Training Leader.  I am excited for this new adventure!

Sister Magoon and I were asked to teach Seminary last week and as a surprise, for my birthday, Sister Anderson made cake and we ate it at 6:00am with the seminary students!  My TWENTIES are already looking up!

 

I celebrated my 20th birthday at an Interfaith Easter Devotional celebrating Christ's Resurrection!  The flowers in the picture are arrangements that Sister Magoon and I made for some of the displays. 

There were speakers from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Andover NH Baptist Church, and NH Manchester Mission President Blair.  There was also a choir from the local Congregational Church providing music, and a presentation of the LDS Easter Video.

Easter is this week!!  I hope and pray you will center this week on Christ.  Take some time to click on the links below and watch the videos as you prepare for this special day.

Faith

Compassion

Prayer

Repentance

Forgiveness

God's Word

Hope

Gratitude

Prince of Peace

Click link above

I have a strong testimony of my brother, Jesus Christ.  He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick and blind.  He came to the earth as the Son of God, and left as the Conqueror of All Sin.  He is the One that bears our burdens, loves our quirks, and keeps me going!  He lives!  He is the First and the Last, The Great I AM, and we get to celebrate that he rose from the dead so we can too.

I love you all so much!  Happy Easter!!

Sister Scherzinger

Prince of Peace

April 3, 2017
Prince of Peace

General Conference highlights.... Amazing notes from @ValentinesJames !!  Talk about talent.

Have you seen the new Easter Video?

Click here to View

There are eight other videos that will be released next week to prepare for Easter Sunday. I will share those next week.

We Never Walk Alone

March 29, 2017
We Never Walk Alone

I'm still studying the power of prayer.  President Monson said, "There will be times when you walk a path strewn with thorns and marked by struggle.  There may be times when you feel detached -- even isolated -- from the Giver of every good gift.  You worry that you walk alone.  Fear replaces faith. When you find yourself in such circumstances, I plead with you to remember prayer."

I love the words of President Benson concerning prayer:

"All through my life the counsel to depend on prayer has been prized above almost any other advice I have ...received.  It has become an integral party of me --an anchor, a constant source of strength, and the basis of my knowledge of things divine."

I know not by what methods rare,
But this I know, God answers prayer.
I know that He has given His Word,
Which tells me prayer is always heard.
And will be answered, soon or late, 
And so I pray and calmly wait.
I know not if the blessing sought
Will come in just the way I thought;
But leave my prayers with Him alone,
Whose will is wiser than my own,
Assured that He will grant my questy,
Or send some answer far more blest.

(author unknown)

President Monson continued, "As we seek Heavenly Father through fervent, sincere prayer and earnest, dedicated scripture study, our testimonies will become deeply rooted.  We will know of god's love for us.  We will understand that we do not ever walk alone."

The work is rolling forth and I love the people of Concord! Sister Magoon and I were able to visit the Boston Temple this week. What a beautiful reminder of Heavenly Father's love for us and that we never walk alone!

Love,
Sister Scherzinger

Walking By Faith

March 22, 2017
Walking By Faith


This week we have Women's Conference and in preparation I wanted to study prayer.  The Church of Jesus Christ was re-established on the earth through one simple heart felt prayer.  Prayer has the power to change lives.  Prayer strengthen us and gives us courage.

While studying, I read a story told by Gordon B. Hinckley where he recalls a story of a woman in São Paulo, Brazil. She worked while going to school to provide for her family. I use her own words in telling this story. She says:

“The university in which I studied had a regulation that prohibited the students that were in debt from taking tests. For this reason, when I received my salary I would first separate the money for tithing and offerings, and the remainder was allotted for the payment of the school and other expenses.

“I remember a time when I … faced serious financial difficulties. It was a Thursday when I received my salary. When I figured the monthly budget, I noticed that there wouldn’t be enough to pay [both] my tithing and my university. I would have to choose between them. The bimonthly tests would start the following week, and if I didn’t take them I could lose the school year. I felt great agony. … My heart ached. I had a painful decision before me, and I didn’t know what to decide. I pondered between the two choices: to pay tithing or to risk the possibility of not obtaining the necessary credits to be approved in school.

“This feeling consumed my soul and remained with me up to Saturday. It was then that I remembered that when I was baptized I had agreed to live the law of tithing. I had taken upon myself an obligation, not with the missionaries, but with my Heavenly Father. At that moment, the anguish started to disappear, giving place to a pleasant sensation of tranquility and determination. …

“That night when I prayed, I asked the Lord to forgive me for my indecision. On Sunday, before the beginning of sacrament meeting, I contacted the bishop, and with great pleasure I paid my tithing and offerings. That was a special day. I felt happy and peaceful within myself and with Heavenly Father.
“The next day I was in my office; I tried to find a way to be able to take the tests that would begin on Wednesday. The more I thought, the further I felt from a solution. At that time I worked in an attorney’s office, and my employer was the most strict and austere person I had ever met.

“The working period was ending when my employer approached and gave the last orders of the day. When he had done so, with his briefcase in his hand he bid farewell. … Suddenly, he halted, and looking at me he asked, ‘How is your college?’ I was surprised, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The only thing I could answer with a trembling voice was, ‘Everything is all right!’ He looked thoughtfully at me and bid farewell again. …
“Suddenly the secretary entered the room, saying that I was a very fortunate person! When I asked her why, she simply answered: ‘The employer has just said that from today on the company is going to pay fully for your college and your books. Before you leave, stop at my desk and inform me of the costs so that tomorrow I can give you the check.’

“After she left, crying and feeling very humble, I knelt exactly where I was and thanked the Lord for His generosity. I … said to Heavenly Father that He didn’t have to bless me so much. I only needed the cost of one month’s installment, and the tithing I had paid on Sunday was very small compared to the amount I was receiving! During that prayer the words recorded in Malachi came to my mind: ‘Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it’ (Mal. 3:10). Up to that moment I had never felt the magnitude of the promise contained in that scripture and that this commandment was truly a witness of the love that God, our Heavenly Father, gives to His children here on earth.”

President Hinckley continued, "As each man or woman walks the way of life there comes dark seasons of doubt, of discouragement, of disillusionment.  In such circumstances, a few see ahead by the light of faith, but many stumble along in the darkness and even become lost." (Gordon B. Hinckley)  

Notice he doesn't say there "may" or "might" or "could be" seasons of doubt. He says "there comes", meaning it is sure....seasons of doubt will happen to each of us.  I think if we understand that mortality is meant to be a test, and there are times that we are going to waiver, we won't be so surprised when trials come.  Prayer keeps us tethered to Heaven during tests in mortality and provide the light in the darkness.  "For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will --yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man" ( D&C 76:5-10)

I pray I can keep this perspective as I face challenges!  I love you all!

Sister Scherzinger