Visiting Teaching Message: November 2012

(Image source and download this issue HERE)

"Because the November Liahona and Ensign contain a report of the October general conference, there is not a specifically designated First Presidency Message or Visiting Teaching Message for November. Home and visiting teachers are encouraged to prayerfully select their message from the addresses given during general conference.

Visit the general conference website to read, watch, or listen to conference addresses." (LDS.org)

Treat Ideas: Making It Personal

Sorry this is late.  This was last month's treat enhancement but it might spark an idea for something you may do for this month or another time.  :)

Last month's message concerned about getting to know those we visit teach.  This can happen with consistent contacts with the sisters entrusted to us.  It so happen that one of the sisters that Florita and I visit teach likes Nicholas Sparks so when I came across this book, well, I thought of her.  Then with the title of the book, I came up with a play on words ..."You will always find a SAFE HAVEN in Christ ... and in your Visiting Teachers!". 

Happy Get-to-Know-Your-Sisters and make it personal to watch over them!! :)

Ensign: October 2012 Issue

Download PDF format from HERE.

 

Happy Reading!!

Visiting Teaching Message: October 2012

Honoring Our Covenants

Visiting teaching is an expression of our discipleship and a way to honor our covenants as we serve and strengthen one another. A covenant is a sacred and enduring promise between God and His children. “When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us,” said Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “His law is written in our hearts. He is our God and we are His people.”

As visiting teachers we can strengthen those we visit in their efforts to keep their sacred covenants. By doing so, we help them prepare for the blessings of eternal life. “Every sister in this Church who has made covenants with the Lord has a divine mandate to help save souls, to lead the women of the world, to strengthen the homes of Zion, and to build the kingdom of God,” said Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

As we make and keep sacred covenants, we become instruments in the hands of God. We will be able to articulate our beliefs and strengthen each other’s faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

From the Scriptures

1 Nephi 14:14; Mosiah 5:5–7; 18:8–13; Doctrine and Covenants 42:78; 84:106

From Our History

The temple is “a place of thanksgiving for all saints,” the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1833. It is “a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices; that they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry, in theory, in principle, and in doctrine, in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth” (D&C 97:13–14).

Relief Society sisters in Nauvoo, Illinois, in the early 1840s helped each other prepare for temple ordinances. In the ordinances of the higher priesthood that Latter-day Saints received in the Nauvoo Temple, “the power of godliness [was] manifest” (D&C 84:20). “As the Saints kept their covenants, this power strengthened and sustained them through their trials in the days and years ahead.”

In the Church today, faithful women and men all over the world serve in the temple and continue to find strength in the blessings that can be received only through temple covenants.

*Source*

Updated Assignments

Hello Dear Sisters,

Just a heads up that there have been changes to the visiting teaching assignments so be sure to check with your VT Supervisor.  The current list is also on this site's "Pages" section under "Assignments".

Thank you for your support and once again, Happy Visiting Teaching!!

Ensign: September 2012 Issue

Click HERE to direct you to the PDF format of this month's issue and start reading!  Or go HERE to download it. 

Happy reading!!

 

Visiting Teaching Message: September 2012

Special Needs and Service Rendered

“The needs of others are ever present,” said President Thomas S. Monson, “and each of us can do something to help someone. … Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives.”

As visiting teachers we can sincerely come to know and love each sister we visit. Service to those we visit will flow naturally out of our love for them (see John 13:34–35).

How can we know the spiritual and temporal needs of our sisters so we can render service when it is needed? As visiting teachers, we are entitled to receive inspiration when we pray about those we visit.

Maintaining regular contact with our sisters is also important. Personal visits, telephone calls, a note of encouragement, e-mails, sitting with her, a sincere compliment, reaching out to her at church, helping her in time of illness or need, and other acts of service all help us watch over and strengthen each other.

Visiting teachers are asked to report the well-being of sisters, any special needs they have, and the service rendered to them. These kinds of reports and our service to our sisters help us demonstrate our discipleship.


From the Scriptures

John 10:14–16; 3 Nephi 17:7, 9; Moroni 6:3–4


From Our History

Serving one another has always been at the heart of visiting teaching. Through ongoing service we bring kindness and friendship that go beyond monthly visits. It is our caring that counts.

“My desire is to plead with our sisters to stop worrying about a phone call or a quarterly or monthly visit,” said Mary Ellen Smoot, the 13th Relief Society general president. She asked us to “concentrate instead on nurturing tender souls.”

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) taught, “It is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom.” Yet he recognized that not all service need be heroic. “So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving … help with mundane tasks,” he said, “but what glorious consequences can flow … from small but deliberate deeds!”

*Source*

Treat Ideas: Summer

What a heat wave we've been having lately! Thank goodness for A/C!!  Anyway, here's something I did for my ladies this month.  I placed this play on words (used OTTER POPS) and hydrating items in a bag.  Simple and versatile too.  You can get creative.  Make it as fancy as you like.  Use your imagination. :)

"Ya OTTER know that I'm thinking of you! 

Stay cool in this heat and enjoy these POPS."

Bottle of water not pictured ..I forgot! :)

Another idea mentioned before is to fill a pitcher full of lemons and provide instructions to make lemonade. Make that as fancy as you like too. 

Maybe do a beach themed idea treat ..beach towel, flip-flops, sun screen, peach ring candy, etc.

Think summer, hydration, fun, etc.

Hope this was helpful or inspired your creativity!!

The Sisterhood of the Traveling VT Journal #5-10

Thoughts from the sisters of our ward regarding visiting teaching.

It's about time, huh?!  Sorry that this has been MIA for so long.  Anyway, get ready to be inspired!  Enjoy.

#5 Not dated:
"Visiting teaching is both a joy and a challenge, just like anything that is worthwhile in life.  I try not to think about Visiting Teaching as a task to check off the list, but as a chance to personally connect with my sister.  It's so easy for me to get caught in the hurried tasks and minutia of everyday life.  Visiting teaching is a great opportunity to stop and remember that our relationships with others; the way we love, care for, & serve each other is what truly matters.

If I can somehow help my sisters feel the Spirit, whether by a lesson, a simple visit, or just listening, then I consider that a success.  We all will be edified if we seek to serve & love as our Savior taught us to do."

Summer L.

#6 Not dated:
"I believe visiting teaching is an amazing way to strengthen sisters.  I know I learn new things every time I teach am taught.  It's so fun to bounce ideas off of one another & get new insights & ideas on everything from improving personal scripture study to getting your babies to sleep through the night.  As a whole, we've got a lot of wisdom & experience to share.  I truly enjoy this privilege of sharing, teaching & helping.  The hardest part for me is always setting up the appointment.  I think there are parts of it that are hard for all of us.  Here again is a wonderful opportunity to grow.  Rumor has it that "Visiting Teaching Rocks in R..5th" and I'm going to have to agree with that ... wholeheartedly."

Meg T.

#7 Not dated: "Visiting teaching is such a wonderfully inspired amazing program.  If someone wanted to know who LDS people were, what we stood for and believed and how we were unique, they needn't look any further.  Lately 3 people have specifically asked me about the v.t. program and how it works and have desired to be a part of such a sisterhood.  That's what it is to me --it's the culture of divine caretaking.

I will always be grateful to wonderful sisters in our ward who have helped me through various medical/pregnancy related issues and truly championed what it means to be a visiting teacher.  I've been so touched by both those over me, and by those I get to visit.  What on one level may initially feel like an obligation, ?, becomes a wonderful opportunity & blessing in my life." 

I stand grateful, Stephanie F.

#8 Dated 1/16/12:
"Visiting teaching has never meant more to me than when I moved here, into this ward.  This was the first time in my life I had moved away from my family.  I needed a new family here, and visiting teaching was the perfect way to make that happen.  It gave me the opportunity to get to know not only those I visit, but also my companion and those who visit me, on a smaller more personal level.  You get to go into someone's home and feel their needs.  Visiting teaching helped me settle into my new home here.  It helped me feel welcome, and gain some life-long friends.  It's not always an easy task to accomplish, but with honest prayer and thought, it is accomplished.  I know I always leave with a calm, happy, and peaceful feeling, knowing I learned something great."

Mindee C.

#9 Not dated:
"When I first learned about VT-ing I thought that it was kind of weird (I was a freshman in college in my BYU student ward ..convert), but then they visited me and brought treats everytime, so I decided to give it a chance.  It's been 10 years since then and man has my testimony grown.  I have learned how necessary VT-ing is, especially when you're staying in tune with the Spirit and are praying for the women you VT.  There's been months where I've been too busy and stressed out but I've really tried to make time to VT.  It's always those months that I get the most out of VT-ing, either through the lesson, from the women I get to see and visit with, or just from being blessed for doing my calling and serving.

There was one month in college where I was given a new girl to VT.  I called her but she insisted it wasn't necessary to visit her because she was moving in a few days.  I felt that it was very necessary, so I prepared a lesson and went over anyway.  She was very nice and it went well.  Didn't think about it much after that, not until a few months later when I saw her at an activity where she was back to visit old friends.  She came up to me and thanked me up and down for that one visit.  As tears developed in her eyes she shared a huge family problem she'd been having at that time and she expressed how the lesson I gave helped her and answered all questions she had been worrying about.  Heavenly Father inspres us to call, visit, and share the right lessons, stories, insight and advice at the perfect times.  We need each other, and Heavenly Father needs us to be his instruments to help each other in times of need.  This our calling and our way of doing His work."

Love, Brittany B.

#10 Dated 4/3/12:
"Visiting teaching always seemed like something I would do when I become a grown-up.  I knew my Mom did it but I never saw her vt because she did it while all her kiddos were at school.  So when it came time for me to be a part of it, I felt a bit overwhelmed.  Could I be a friend to two women in my ward?  Of course.  In fact, I was excited about the prospect of new friendship.  I was just worried that I wouldn't know how to help them if they needed it.  Would they think I didn't care about them if I didn't visit one month?  Plus, who had time to visit teach with all the other demands on time?  All these things made me feel like vt was difficult and frustrating.  However, I was assigned an amazing companion right off the bat.  She made treats, scheduled appointmens, and made sure I took part in the lesson.  Eventually, I realized why she was so good at being a visiting teacher:  she taught her friends.  She wasn't just fulfillng her duty, she really loved our girls.  It is so easy to keep in touch, to make treats, and to help those who you consider your friends.

I know that visiting teaching is inspired of God.  It is a way for his daughters to bond, to help one another.  I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who makes sure his children are looked after.

I know this Church is true.  Jesus Christ suffered for my sins and yours.  There is nothing he cannot mend.  Broken hearts.  Loneliness.  The pain of sin.  He can help anyone.  And I can help too.  I can be a friend and maybe even the answer to a prayer through visiting teaching."

Love, Katie B.

Visiting Teaching Message: August 2012

This month's visiting teaching message is titled, "Taking Action in Time of Need".  Here's the message taken from lds.org.  ~Happy Visiting Teaching!! :)

Taking Action in Time of Need
As visiting teachers, one of our purposes is to help strengthen families and homes. The sisters we visit should be able to say, “If I have problems, I know my visiting teachers will help without waiting to be asked.” In order to serve, we have a responsibility to be conscious of the needs of the sisters we visit. When we seek inspiration, we will know how to respond to the spiritual and temporal needs of each sister we are assigned to visit. Then, using our time, skills, talents, prayers of faith, and spiritual and emotional support, we can help give compassionate service during times of illness, death, and other special circumstances.

Through the help of reports from visiting teachers, the Relief Society presidency identifies those who have special needs because of physical or emotional illness, emergencies, births, deaths, disability, loneliness, or other challenges. The Relief Society president then reports her findings to the bishop. Under his direction, she coordinates assistance.

As visiting teachers we can have “great reason … to rejoice” because of “the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work” (Alma 26:1, 3).

From the Scriptures Matthew 22:37–40; Luke 10:29–37; Alma 26:1–4; Doctrine and Covenants 82:18–19

From Our History
In the early years of the Church, membership was small and centralized. Members could respond quickly when someone was in need. Today our membership is over 14 million and is spread throughout the world. Visiting teaching is part of the Lord’s plan to provide help for all His children.

“The only system which could provide succor and comfort across a church so large in a world so varied would be through individual servants near the people in need,” said President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency.

“… Every bishop and every branch president has a Relief Society president to depend upon,” he continued. “She has visiting teachers, who know the trials and the needs of every sister. She can, through them, know the hearts of individuals and families. She can meet needs and help the bishop in his call to nurture individuals and families.”

For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

Visiting Teaching Message: July 2012

This month's visiting teaching message is titled "Demonstrating Our Discipleship through Love and Service".  Here's the full message taken from LDS.ORG:

Demonstrating Our Discipleship through Love and Service

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Throughout His mortal life, Jesus Christ showed His love for others by ministering to them. He said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). He set the example and wants us to “succor those that stand in need of [our] succor” (Mosiah 4:16). He calls His disciples to work with Him in His ministry, giving them the opportunity to serve others and become more like Him.¹

Our service as visiting teachers will closely resemble the ministry of our Savior when we show our love for those we visit teach by doing the following:

• Remember their names and the names of their family members and become acquainted with them.
• Love them without judging them.
• Watch over them and strengthen their faith “one by one,” as the Savior did (3 Nephi 11:15).
• Establish sincere friendships with them and visit them in their homes and elsewhere.
• Care about each sister. Remember birthdays, graduations, weddings, baptisms, or other times that are meaningful to her.
• Reach out to new and less-active members.
• Reach out to the lonely or those in need of comfort.

From the Scriptures

3 Nephi 11; Moroni 6:4; Doctrine and Covenants 20:47

From Our History

“The New Testament includes accounts of women, named and unnamed, who exercised faith in Jesus Christ. … These women became exemplary disciples. … [They] journeyed with Jesus and His Twelve Apostles. They gave of their substance to assist in His ministry. After His death and Resurrection, [they] continued to be faithful disciples.”³

Paul wrote of a woman named Phebe, who was “a servant of the church” (Romans 16:1). He asked the people to “assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many” (Romans 16:2). “The kind of service rendered by Phebe and other great women of the New Testament continues today with members of the Relief Society—leaders, visiting teachers, mothers, and others—who act as succorers, or helpers, of many.”⁴

What Can I Do?

1. 1.How am I increasing my ability to nurture others?
2. 2.What am I doing to ensure that the sisters I watch over know that I love them?

Visiting Teaching Message: June 2012

This month's visiting teaching message talks about our sacred duty as visiting teachers.  Go HERE for details.

Yikes, it's in print!  The First Presidency is reminding us again of the importance of our calling. 

I predict a 100% visits this month, right ladies? :D

Happy Visiting Teaching!!!

**Image courtesy of visitingteaching.net

Visiting Teaching Message: May 2012

Apologies that this is late.

May's issues of the Ensign and Liahona consist of April's report of General Conference, so there is no particular Visiting Teaching message for this month.  We have been asked to prayerfully consider selecting one of the talks from conference as a message.

Here are the links to the  LIST or  PDF format to watch, read, listen, or download the conference addresses.

Visiting Teaching Message: April 2012

(source)

You guessed it!  This month's visiting teaching message is titled:  Love, Watch Over, and Strengthen. 

Here's an excerpt:

"Like the Savior, visiting teachers minister one by one (see 3 Nephi 11:15). We know we are successful in our ministering as visiting teachers when our sisters can say: (1) my visiting teacher helps me grow spiritually; (2) I know my visiting teacher cares deeply about me and my family; and (3) if I have problems, I know my visiting teacher will take action without waiting to be asked."

Find it in full HERE.

Enjoy General Conference today and as always, Happy Visiting Teaching!! :)

Visiting Teaching Message: March 2012

(source: lds.org)

"Our Heavenly Father needs us to follow a higher path and demonstrate our discipleship by sincerely caring for His children." The Relief Society General Presidency

"Understanding the Power of Ministering" is the title for March's visiting teaching message.  Go HERE for the full message.

Happy Ministering!!  :)

Treat Ideas

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Once in awhile I try to be creative.  Here's the treats I made for each of my kids' teachers (apple-n-dip) and classmates (brownies; cupcakes--not pictured).  It took some preparations but it was fun!  I'll have to do this kind of stuff more often ..not too often ..I've got a pile of dishes to wash now.   :)

Pinterest.com inspired

In jar: caramel-cream cheese mix topped with caramel & toffee bits

(I'm giving one of these to the sisters I visit teach too!)

Jinky's Accidental Fudge-Strawberry Marble Brownies

It doesn't look pinkish in this picture but it has a slight hue of pink

To make:

Prepare brownie mix in 9x13 pan as box instructions

Drizzle about 1/4C of strawberry prepared cake mix on top of brownie batter

With plastic knife, zig-zig swirl batter for marble effect

Bake, cool, and cut in small squares

Enjoy! :)

Visiting Teaching Message: February 2012

This month's Visiting Teaching Message is titled, "Guardians of the Hearth"

Here's an excerpt:
“You are the guardians of the hearth,” said President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) as he introduced “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” in the general Relief Society meeting in 1995. “You are the bearers of the children. You are they who nurture them and establish within them the habits of their lives. No other work reaches so close to divinity as does the nurturing of the sons and daughters of God.

Find the complete message HERE.

Would you like some ideas of some crafty enhancers?  You're out of luck 'cause my crafting skills suck but I'm pretty good at finding others online who are, so go HERE.  There you will find 10 creative ideas to help you present this month's message.  Pretty nifty!!

As always, Happy Visiting Teaching!  We have an extra day this month ..it's leap year.  Make the most of the special day!! :)

**Hmm, if your a sister from our ward who's knowledgeable at creating such crafty enhancers. Contact Jinky and we'll put you to work here!

Assignment update, Return of Reporting Form, & New VT Supervisor

Hi Sisters,

Just wanted to let you know that there have been some changes in the assignments so take a look at the list (see sidebar under Pages section, Assignments).  This is effective in February so take the time now to say your regards to companionship or sisters you visit taught.  There are still a few move-ins that yet need to be assessed so more changes are to come.  Don't get nervous, if we utilize our assignment with the Spirit all will be well. :)  Anyway, an official visiting teaching assignment slip will be provided to you by your VT Supervisor, please be sure to flag her down for it.  Any concerns please let her know and if it's more sensitive then contact Bonnie or Jinky.

By request the return of the Reporting Form is back!  Go to the sidebar Pages section to find it.  There you are welcome to report your visiting teaching activities.  Note however that this report may not be consistently checked daily so immediate concerns should be brought directly to Bonnie or Jinky's attention through their personal email or phone.

Last but certainly not least, we welcome Sister Shirley H. to our VT Team!  We are excited to have her and know that she will be a great addition.  Shirley has been called as a Visiting Teaching Supervisor.  Shirley at the moment does not have a district so she will be assisting where there is a need in the team.  Be sure to say your regards when you see her. :)

Thank you for all you do.  --Happy visiting teaching!!

P.S.  Wow, January is almost over!  That means it's time to start reporting your activities to your supervisor. ;)

Visiting Teaching Message: January 2012

(Henry B. Eyring; lds.org photo)

This month's message is titled, "Watchcare and Ministering through Visiting Teaching", and can be found HERE ..."For Relief Society sisters, visiting teaching can be charity in action, an important way to exercise our faith in the Savior."

Happy New Year!! 

Let's make it a watchcare and ministering year!!!