{If you haven't seen this, you're missing out.}
I had my visiting teaching interview this morning at the church, and as I sat there facing the member of the Relief Society Presidency I felt totally guilt-free and able to discuss my thoughts about visiting teaching and the needs of the sisters I visit. It was a great feeling! I was asked about the women I visit by name and was able to give detailed answers about how they're really doing and what I think they need right now. It made me wonder what my visiting teachers are going to say when they're asked about me (they haven't come for 4 months).
I truly believe we are all instruments in the Lord's hands each day as we serve our families, neighbors and friends, but we have been specifically called to serve certain women when we have agreed to be visiting teachers so we should take that responsibility seriously.
I haven't always felt this way, and really struggled with visiting teaching as a newlywed because I felt like I didn't relate to the other women and because I saw it as a way of being assigned a friend. My views were totally immature and naive, and way off base. I just hadn't caught the vision and wasn't looking at it from the Lord's perspective. I'm grateful now that I had that experience, and even more thankful that I don't feel that way anymore.
Here are some great quotes from Elaine L. Jack
“Through visiting teaching we act as mothers, sisters, helpers, companions and friends, one to another”
(Church News, 4 Sept. 1993, 6).
“In visiting teaching we reach out to each other. Hands often speak as voices can’t. A warm embrace conveys volumes. A laugh together unites us. A moment of sharing refreshes our souls. We cannot always lift the burden of one who is troubled, but we can lift her so she can bear it well”
(Church News, 7 Mar. 1992, 5).
Here is a link to a BYU Women's Conference Sharing Station about overcoming roadblocks to visiting teaching.
Do your visiting teachers come?
Has a visiting teacher ever changed your life?**
28 comments:
That video is so great, isn't it? It's sad, but I've had some visits like that. But, I've also had some great VT too!
I think VT is a great way for sisters in the church to fellowship one another and to step in when necessary to lift the burdens of those we teach. This is also allows the Relief Society President to be able to fulfill her calling when she has all of the VT looking after their sisters.
I think you do a great job as a VT!!
Hey Jill great thoughts...I want a basket--those are soo cool. So thoughtful. I still haven't watched Conference...for being out of state--wedding...I was waiting for the ensign...maybe I will go on line one night at a time....VT sometimes to me feels so hard to accomplish with a partner...I would not have a problem whatsoever going by myself...that is the only thing I don't like about it...trying to set up appointments. I was w/o for many many months/years it seems sometimes...
I still haven't caught the vision of visiting teaching. Logically, I understand the reasons behind it. However, I have never seen the benefit of it personally. I really struggle with this. I don't like to go and I don't like them to come. That is sad isn't it?
Great post on visiting teaching. In the past I've had a great testimony of visiting teaching and had no problem doing it.
I have had a hard time with visiting teaching lately since we adopted our two youngest kids. My youngest three are all within 15 months of each other in age. It was so difficult to take them and invade other people. But now they are in preschool and I am able to get it done. We set a permanent appointment with our people for the first Tuesday of every month and I can get two of the ladies done during preschool. For our third appointment we go to Fred Meyer after preschool and put our kids in the daycare and visit teach in the deli. It's not ideal but we're getting it done.
Thanks for the link to the byu womens conference site. That was some great reading.
Those videos are so hilarious. Good for you going to your interview. We tried to have them a few months ago and no one would sign up and hardly anyone came, it was a pathetic display of the state of VT in our ward! I am sure the sisters you visit feel really loved and you never know what influence your visits might have. Funny to think that you used to avoid your VT's years ago. Britney was my VT companion, so I really have a testimony of the connections you can make. What if I hadn't done my VT? I wouldn't have made a best friend whom I love dearly.
That video is a crack up!
I agree that VT's are so important. For a while my VT's were older ladies in the ward and I felt a little awkward...however, I learned to love them and am so happy I got to know two GREAT ladies I would not have otherwise ever even met (I am in primary so don't meet a lot of the older ladies). I have had the same partner for 4 years and we have become such good friends....it is just a blessing on so many levels!
Lindsay, I hope you come back and read this comment - i wish i could run over to your house and just hug you for being so honest about VT. i used to be so where you are. i seemed for years to have the VT'ers that brought their kids or sat and talked to each other and it was hard for me.
it was not until i found a way to take my personality and vT'ing and put the two together to find a way me to do it, did i then totally appreciate and love it.
what if you were to offer to do your VT families Christmas card photos this year - take a talent that you have and share it with them. you have an amazing eye and by sharing this with them it may peel back some layers of the both of you to really know and understand what each other needs.
i often felt like i was imposing on others and that they didn't really want me there. so i took my love of giving and making little items and gift baskets as a way to get me in the door. i felt more comfortable going there if i had something, not because i thought they expected it but because it made me feel more comfortable. that distraction then helped me find my nitch with VT.
I have been in my new ward for 11 months and just got people to VT - and it the past this would have felt like a blessing to not have that to worry about, but this year i have felt something missing and now am so happy to have that back.
i hope that will happen for you someday too. VT does not come naturally for everyone, it didn't for me. I had to learn to love it and it was totally worth it.
Thanks Jill - great post!
Great message today. It has been along time since I have seen visiting teachers come. This is the first time that 2 months in a row I have had visiting teachers come. I love to visit teach. I like being a chance to get to know other sisters, and serve them.
Such a great post & such good comments. I loved the video! My girls & I sat laughing watching it after church!
I have had my ups and downs with VT. It is truly the Lord's way and I know it is important to do.
I always do it- but I like claudia think it would be 1000 times easier without a companion. I have been known to ask for a route without a companion when they were in a bind. But, right now I have a terrific companion & we haven't missed once all year.
Thanks for the uplift & reminder Jill- I know I have said it before but after singing all afternoon in primary I really love these posts.
patsy
Thanks for the uplifting info. I try to do my VT, but I have some trouble seeing one of my ladies. Some of it may be that she lives in a different town, it's only 15 minutes away, but for some reason I can find excuses not to go or get to busy, so this post has helped me out and I am going to get on it- right away! Thanks!!
Yup, I'm a believer!
Great thoughts on visiting teaching. It is hard for me to get it done sometimes lately..I too often end up going with no partner..which I know I should work harder to avoid. But I always love it when I'm there.
Whitney's birthday party looked fantastic!
I just did a whole bunch of visiting teaching interviews. It gets depressing hearing all of the excuses sometimes. Especially when I have come up with the same ones myself. You are a great example in this area. Thank you!
**How do you feel about visiting teaching? its fun-i always email mine to tell them when a good time to come is-i know my schedule and it beats the back and forth calling eachother issues--
Do your visiting teachers come?yep-they came today!
Has a visiting teacher ever changed your life? not so much--
That video is a crack up. So funny someone took the time to make that.
I have mixed feelings about VT. I like visiting my sisters. I have a great companion (Lisa). But, I never mind if my own VTs don't come. It just seems like one more thing. I don't think my VT has been to my house in at least a year. Last month she called me on the 30th at 11:45 to see if she could come over at 12:30. It was so cliche, that it killed me. They can't all be life-changing relationships, I suppose. But, I did meet Emily for the first time when she was my Visiting Teacher, so I think I've been blessed more than I could ask for in a life time of visiting teachers to have that friendship in my life.
After 40+ years of VT, I know that it is an inspired program in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have developed many friendships and had many fun as well as spiritual experiences because of it. It hasn't always been easy, nor have I always been very committed, but I have always known it is important.
35 years ago, our stake president asked all of the sisters to wear dresses when they went visiting teaching. It was the time when women started wearing pants more often than dresses. Many sisters complained, and he was asked why he thought this was important. He just said, "If you can't follow this one small request, how do you know you will do what is asked of you when something more is expected?" I think being committed
is one of the biggest challenges we have in these latter days.
I have had the same visiting teaching companion for 7 years now, and we have cried with other sisters, shared their joys, helped them pack their belongings and move, and shared meals and treats, and comforted them in time of loss of loved ones. We're here on this earth to help each other obtain salvation. We need each other, and no one can do it alone.
I have a testimony of visiting teaching. Putting that testimony into action is sometimes challenging, but worth it. With my rock star visiting teachers I have right now, it's not the cookies or the message that make me feel loved. When they say 'Can we help you in any way, we are here for you' I know they really mean it, and I feel comforted knowing I have someone to turn to should I ever need to.
VT.. well love that video.. it is very true.. sad but true...
I totally enjoy being a vt'er.. I know it is an inspired program..
It is not easy.. I have 3 less active ladies who will not call me back, or answer their phone when I call.. so that gets old... I use to go just taking them a little something along with a copy of the message.. but then they started not letting me in.. well, one I have been her vt'er for over a year, and have actually only seen her 1 time... anyway. .I could go on and on.. It can be a tough calling.. and as far as being visited.. I tend to get the gals who talk with each other.. I am going to check out that link.. hope to find something helpful!
I hadn't seen that clip before - it's hilarious.
I need some inspiration and tips on VT. I dont NOT like it, but I dont feel a specific inspiration a lot of time.. I have a sister that is new to me that needs some real help in a companionship way... help!
Even though I don't visit teach or whatever, I can tell you that two changed my attitude towards the church a few years ago. It was right after Mya was born and two just started coming around- dropping messages and little things off. I was SO not interested at first, then one day they caught me home and I let them in and didn't feel like they were preaching to me, just getting to know me. I told them from the start that I wasn't interested in coming to meetings, but they still came every month- how hard that must have been! Back then I had such a bad attitude towards the church in general, but these two totally changed that just by being my friend, sharing their message, and making time for me. Now I only wish I could thank them...I may not believe what they did, but I am grateful that the bitter feelings I had are gone and it opened my heart to new friends and experiences.
I have strong (positive) feelings about Visiting Teaching -- as far as doing it. I truly believe it's one of the most important callings in the church and not one to be taken lightly. Great post!
I finally had a chance to come back and watch the video. It is worth giving our best effort.
I love visiting teaching, for some reason, it's the home teaching that I don't look forward to...
I've seen that video--love it. I think I too have been guilty of a few of those. Like you, I have gotten better over the years. Ironically, I was a better VT when I was first married than I am now. I still am in contact with my very first partner. Crazy huh? I haven't seen her in nearly 10 years.
I think you are an awesome VT. Anyone would be extremely lucky to have you as a teacher!
My speakers still don't work so I didn't watch the video... I will have to come back.
You are a good example of VTing to me. I don't struggle with the ladies I visit, I think I really know them but I am not a humble servant in all areas of VTing. You already know the rest of the story.
It is worthy of our very best efforts, but man I have yet to get a testimony of VT. It's not that I don't like the woman I VT...honestly, I don't know why I feel this way. I guess it's just one more thing to put on my list and it shouldn't feel that way, but it does. I also have the hardest time taking my kids. I stressed about what they're up to that I'm not apart of the conversation. I have often thought of asking them to take me off the vt list, but I know I should do it so I press on hoping I will get a testimony of it.
When I first read your questions, I thought, "well, I believe in visiting teaching, but no, a visiting teacher hasn't changed my life". Now I'm wondering. I've made friendships with women I don't think I ever would have in any other way. I've learned to appreciate people I thought I had nothing in common with. I've been inspired to be a better person by their words and examples. So I guess they have changed my life!
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