Visiting Teaching

I have been asked to bear my testimony about Visiting Teaching this Sunday (October 2016) and this is somewhat of what I will say.

·      My early experiences with VT

I felt the power of what VT can do when I was first married. The monthly messages were good reminders and would uplift my thoughts, but the true love and concern and service rendered is what made the biggest impact on me. I was pregnant with my first baby and was very nauseous the first trimester. The only thing I could muster to eat for weeks was cheerios. Cheerios for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I think Josh was getting sick of cereal when my VT came over with dinner one Sunday night unexpectedly. The soup was divine and blessed me so much more than just filling my belly. That little act of service meant so much more to me! It lightened my heart and brightened my day for weeks and months! I felt loved, a burden was lifted for a moment and I felt valued. That gave me so much strength to keep going and I've never forgotten it.

·      My Favorite Quote on Visiting Teaching that inspires me.

 
“Much of the essential Relief Society work we do doesn’t happen in meetings. Because we follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, we value this sacred assignment to love, know, serve, understand, teach, and minister in His behalf [through visiting teaching]. This is one duty we have in the Church where we are certain to have the help of the Lord if we ask for it. This is one responsibility that is certain to increase our faith and personal righteousness and strengthen our own homes and families as we become partners with the Lord. A sister in this Church has no other responsibility outside of her family that has the potential to do as much good as does visiting teaching.”
Julie B Beck “Relief Society, A sacred work” October 2009

*Anything worth doing doesn’t come easy.  Don’t give up!!!  A few years ago I was assigned to be visiting teaching partners with a good friend, Crystal.  We had three ladies to visit who worked, etc.  So, trying to get 5 ladies schedules to coordinate was hard.  But, it was REALLY hard this time with Crystal.  RIDICULOUSLY hard.  I seriously thought we were going to ruin our friendship over it.  It was CRAZY how much opposition there was just to get our visiting teaching done.  (At the time I didn't realize she felt the same way I did.)  I was so sad that we were having such a hard time and didn't want this to ruin our friendship but I was also determined to still do our VT!  It was crazy.  So... one day I decided I would take her a loaf of bread.  I wanted her to know that I was trying to work things out and I knew she was super stressed.  So I randomly dropped by some bread one day to be nice.   We were able to hang out and talk and after that VT wasn’t a problem.

*It seems stressful and hard to go but once I do, I never regret it. I strongly believe what we give will always come back to us in one way or another. Everything about the gospel is a win-win for all involved. The blessings are amazing. 

*As I go VT I feel strengthened as I return to my home and family. Taking time to think of others and look outside myself helps put my life in better perspective and helps me see the blessings I have in my life and I feel renewed.

*VT is very inspiring and makes me want to serve more and more. My faith is strengthened and I'm the happiest I've ever been when I go VT with heart and soul. I feel Gods love for others and it's the best feeling ever!

*VT helps me foster relationships I otherwise wouldn't have. I learn so much from those I visit. I am so glad to know Lona Newell, Jo Smathers, Heather Shumway and Lisette Spencer. They are amazing women and their goodness rubs off on me every time I visit with them.

·       I like to share what I am learning about.  I have made scripture journals for the ladies I visit teach, Easter packets, General Conference Packets, etc. 

·       VT truly is an inspired program that helps us begin to walk with the Savior. It is an act of faith and love. It is a privilege and a joy to walk with Him and as we do and are filled with the Holy Ghost, we will receive his divine nature into our being and feel true joy, there is nothing better than that.

My 1st Real Conversation About My Church

4/24/16
A year ago a Mom of a girl Viann who is friends with my 4 yr old daughter Makelle invited us to their annual family Easter Egg Hunt at their home and farm on the outskirts of Casper.  It was lots of fun and I felt drawn to this family.  Our daughters are great friends and we have had playdates and little chats with the mom passing by at preschool often.

On Friday, April 22, 2016 we were talking and April Hegge asked what my plans were for the weekend.  I mentioned I had nothing pressing that I had to do so she invited me to go to coffee.  My face must of turned bright red!  She quickly added, "or tea."  I was still embarrassed and didn't know what to say because I don't drink tea either!  But I said "Sure!" because I had heard that coffee places also offer hot chocolate so I knew I could order that instead.  She told me to meet her at a coffee shop that I had no idea where it was so I rushed to the parking lot so I could follow her in the car.

We got to the coffee shop and ordered our drinks.  She ordered tea and I ordered my hot chocolate with cool whip.  Tyson was with me and played with his Thomas the Train as we talked about our kids and their activities and the plans we had for summer.  Then Tyson kept saying "Church.  Church."  So I explained how Tyson loves going to church.  She asked what church I went to and I answered, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."  She wasn't familiar with the name and asked, it isn't catholic... what is it?  And I answered, "Some know it as Mormons."  She understood and explained that she grew up Baptist but now she claims she has faith but not religion.  She asked a lot of questions that I have never had to answer before and I was nervous and shaking.  I explained wards and how we meet at different times, what time our church was and how many churches were in town.  She asked if we had one minister that taught at each one and I explained the Bishopric and how we all teach and minister to each other.  She asked about how we progress in the church so I explained baptism, receiving the priesthood and going to the temple to be married and take out further covenants.  What was very surprising was that she didn't even know what a temple was.  I showed her a picture of the Billings MT Temple from my phone.  We talked about going on missions and how we are service oriented.  I told her how I serve in the primary as the music leader.  I invited her to come to church and she said she might come.  :)  The one question she asked that I am sad I was not prepared to answer was, "I don't know the difference between the different churches.  I am sure you know more about that."  And my reply was, "Not really.  I have never been to another church before."  What kind of answer is that!?  I am kicking myself over that and hope and pray I will have another opportunity to speak with her and better answer that question.

We moved on to other topics and then went our way.

When I got home I couldn't stop thinking about our conversation.  I called my husband and told him about it.  He gave me the great idea to invite her to church on Mother's Day.  I continued to think about her and realized we have the Fort Collins Temple being built and the open house will begin this summer.  I got the chills as I thought of it and that I should invite April to come with us to the Open House.

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to speak with her and that she was open to asking questions.  I wish I had been more prepared and will be able to better answer questions about the church next time.  She has a wonderful family that would be picture perfect mormons.  We shall see.

7/28/16
April and I have had several playdates at the Wolf Creek Park and playdates with Viann and Makelle.  We haven't talked about the church again until a couple weeks ago.  She had dropped off Makelle's swimsuit that she had left at her house.  When April was leaving I said, "Hey, do you remember me telling you about the Temple that is being build?" and she chimed in, "Ya, the one in Fort Collins?"  I said, "Yes!  Well, it is almost done now, do you want to go to it?" or something like that.  She put her head down and shook it while saying, "No."  I was surprised and said she wasn't more open to considering the idea.  I replied, "Really?!" with surprise in my voice, trying to muster up any convincing I could do.  I continued, "This is a really rare opportunity to come and walk through a temple!  Usually they don't let just anyone come in but before it is dedicated they open it up to everyone to be able to come and see."  She acted a little more interested and said she'd think about it.  A couple days later I gave her an official Temple Open House invitation.
Then a week or two later I texted her out of the blue.  I said something to the effect of inviting her again to the temple.  I said that I wanted her to come more than to just see a beautiful building that is the closest thing to earth, but to come and see what is at the heart of my beliefs, why we do what we do and to see for herself and determine if it adds to and enriches what she already believes in and hopes for.  She responded and said Thank you.