Wow! I've really fallen behind on this blog. I really do have a lot to post and will try to catch up.
I was asked to give a talk at the Relief Society Birthday Celebration last week. The sweet sister asked me to speak on the joys of visiting teaching and I couldn't tell her no even though the thought terrified me. I try to be a good visiting teacher but I'm probably pretty mediocre at best. Which I guess was a good reason to ask me to speak. I needed to strengthen my testimony of visiting teaching and this assignment really helped me to do just that. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from my talk:
“Visiting teaching is more than a visit or sharing a thought with a sister. It is how we connect with one another. We share hearts and souls and extend charity. Visiting teaching brings the love of the Lord to every home and to every sister. It is a sacred trust we have been given. Why do visiting teachers do visiting teaching? Mosiah describes it this way, “To bear one another’s burdens. . .to mourn with those that mourn; yea and comfort those that stand in need of comfort”. (Mosiah 18:8-9) LDS.ORG
I learned recently of loving service given to a mother when her children were very young. Frequently she would be up in the middle of the night tending to the needs of her little ones, as mothers do. Often her friend and neighbor across the street would come over the next day and say, ‘I saw your lights on in the middle of the night and know you were up with the children. I’m going to take them to my house for a couple of hours while you nap.’ Said this grateful mother: ‘I was so thankful for her welcome offer, it wasn’t until this had happened many times that I realized if she had seen my lights on in the middle of the night, she was up with one of her children as well and needed a nap as much as I did. She taught me a great lesson, and I’ve since tried to be as observant as she was in looking for opportunities to serve others.” Pres Monson
“Visiting teachers minister in behalf of the Savior. Our hands are his hands, our love in his love, and our service is his service. Good visiting teachers know the sisters they visit. They love them, serve them and help them learn the gospel by the Spirit. They focus on fortifying homes and lives. There is no greater privilege than to watch over and strengthen another person. It is truly the business of Salvation.” Julie Beck
I do have a testimony of the importance of Visiting Teaching. The Lord has given us stewardship over one of His children, and we are to watch over them---not just for that one 1/2 hour each month but always! He wants us to know of their needs and struggles, to pray for them and to come to love them. He wants us to serve them and help them draw nearer to Him. I pray that I can seek to give greater care to this important calling. And I know the Lord will guide me as I seek to do so--He is always there!
