The Sisterhood of the Traveling VT Journal #1

A couple of Sundays ago, I finally introduce "The Sisterhood of the Traveling VT Journal" in Relief Society that I've mentioned here on the blog months ago.  Anyway, this is a fun way to be inspired to do visiting teaching.  The plan is for this journal to circulate to the sisters in our ward.  Hence, on Sunday a sister will have the opportunity to take the journal home and during the week will write an entry regarding her thoughts, experiences, testimonies, or such about visiting teaching.   It will then be returned to me by Saturday of that week.  The entry will then be transcribed and posted here on our blog for all to enjoy.  Thereupon, the following Sunday the journal will be passed to another sister and the cycle repeats ... the journal traveling from one sister to the next.  Cool, eh?

I am taking volunteers so please contact me to be put on the schedule, otherwise don't be surprise if I give you a call.  :)

For our first week, our very own R.S. Secretary, my predecessor, has graciously volunteered to be the first to write an entry.  The following is her inspiring words.  ~Thank you Kris! 

"9/21/11: 
I have not always had a testimony of visiting teaching, but since becoming a part of the R.S. Presidency, and being a former V.T. Coordinator, I have formed one.  I have seen how such a relatively simple idea and small calling, can be so profoundly effective in helping to "watch over the flock".

The Bishop, R.S. President and every other leader of all the other auxiliaries, not only have the busy job of taking care of their own families, but also have the stewardship over the "ward family".  This is a huge and sometimes, I'm sure, overwhelming and thankless responsibility.  Finding the time to visit and personally get to know all of those individuals is an enormous task.  That is where Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching come in.

As we take the opportunity monthly, to faithfully visit those sisters to which we have been assigned, we can be the eyes and ears of the R.S. President.  Think about it ... if each and every sister is assigned a V.T. and every sister is contacted each month, then the R.S. President can be assured that needs are being met.  As we meet and personally get to know and love our sisters, the best we can, we are helping to create a strong organization.  The R.S. Pres. can have up to 300 sisters to keep track of.  As V.T.s we only have 2-3.  By faithfully doing our V.T-ing each month, each and every sister is being taken care of.  We are following our Savior's example to "Love one another" and "Feed His sheep".  What an inspired program!

Kris H.

VT Moment: September 2011

For this month's VT Moment that was addressed in Relief Society (9/11/11), I brought to attention the easily misunderstood definition of charity.  According to our Bible Dictionary, charity is defined:  "The highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection; the pure love of Christ.  It is never used to denote alms or deeds or benevolence, although it may be a prompting motive."  The latter statement especially struck me because I was one of many that would quickly define charity as alms or deeds.  Yet, as the Bible Dictionary stated, those actions are actually prompting motive to the true meaning of charity ... the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love.. the pure love of Christ.  So how does this tie in with visiting teaching?  Well, as visiting teachers we have been entrusted to help look after the sisters assigned to us.  In order to be most effective in this calling, having the true attribute of charity would be essential.  In this matter we are best to serve the sisters under our stewardship.

Also at this time, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling VT Journal" was announced and put into motion.  Kris H. was kind enough to volunteer to write the first entry.  See upcoming post for details on this fun project.

We also had a wonderful treat that Sunday.  It was ward conference and we were privileged to have the Stake Relief Society Presidency give the R.S. lesson.  And wouldn't you know it, it was about visiting teaching!!  I was thrilled beyond description!  The lesson was absolutely exquisite!  I wish every sister was at attendance.  Unfortunately, I don't recall in detail what was said (I have a memory of a thousand elephants) or eloquent enough to sum it up but here are the four points that they discussed that may give you an idea of the powerful words that followed them:

1. Come to know and love your sister.
2. Minister through regular contact.
3. Learn of needs and offer appropriate assistance.
4. Whatever you feel to say _??_, be sincere.  (??, haha, I can't read my own notes!)

To close this post, I want to share a video that I had wanted to show that day but failed to do so.  Unfortunately, I'm having trouble with the direct link to the video but go to this link, This is Visiting Teaching , .. the video I want to share is the first video on the list, titled "Visiting teaching is ...".  Enjoy!

We Remember

Our city did a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony this evening and it was simply beautiful!!  If you missed it, check our local TV channel.

New VT Supervisors

Yeay, two new visiting teaching supervisors were sustained by the congregation today!!  Please welcome Sisters Erika N. and Paulua M. to our VT team.  Erika will oversee District #1 and Paulua over District #3.  This is effective immediately so feel free to contact them to report your vt activities.  :)

Visiting Teaching Message: September 2011

This month's message is "Strengthening Families by Increasing Spirituality".  Go HERE to read the message or pick up a handout from Relief Society on Sunday.

VisitingTeaching.net has a postcard that you can print out to give to your sisters.  Find it HERE.

Okay, new month new resolutions.  Get those appointments early so you won't find yourself dropping by a treat to your sisters at the very last day of the month.  ;)

Be sure to contact your VT Supervisor to report your August activities if you haven't done so already.

Have a great September!!