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How
lucky you are that the Lord has chosen you to be the shepherd
for those few sisters and care for them as His hands upon this
earth. You are not just a sister responsible for visiting another
sister. See how the Lord trusts you.
President
Spencer W. Kimball reminded us, "The Lord does notice us,
and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person
that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve
each other." ("President Kimball Speaks Out on Service
to Others," New Era, Mar. 1981, p.47).
You are
the Lord's appointed helper, given stewardship over one of His
special children, and He depends on you to keep watch over her
daily, not just for a half hour a month. He wants you to know
her and love her, be aware of her needs and interests, pray
for her, serve her, and help her to draw nearer to Him. See
how the Lord needs you.
In addressing
the stewardship of home and visiting teachers, President Gordon
B. Hinckley counsels us that we have "an inescapable responsibility
to go into the homes of the people and teach them to live the
gospel principles more faithfully, to see that there is no iniquity
or backbiting or evil speaking, to build faith, to see that
the families are getting along temporally. That is a very serious
responsibility; it really is. But it is not a heavy burden-it
just takes a little more faith. It is worthy of our very best
effort." ("Instruments of the Lord", Ensign,
Mar. 1997, 27-28).
Wow! How
do you fit all that in? Just the way you did before, but with
a greater feeling of empowerment by our Heavenly Father and
responsibility to report back to Him, regularly, through your
prayers.
Simply by
the fact that you are reading this article you show that you
are a woman of faith. We, as LDS women, are women of faith and
women of selfless service; as we have been instructed by our
Savior. "The works which ye have seen me do that shall
ye also do" (3 Nephi 27:21). The Lord asks us to serve
one another and He pours out his blessing upon us as we serve
faithfully.
We send
out our young men and women to serve missions for the Lord so
that they might bring the gospel into the lives of those they
teach. Then we observe as they receive great blessings from
the Lord: love of the Gospel, dedication to Him, gratitude for
the blessings of service, strengthening of their testimonies,
humility, inspiration, understanding of human nature, appreciation
for human frailty and suffering, and the joy in sacrifice.
You can
receive these same blessings as you serve your sisters.
"The
teacher's duty is to watch over the church always, and be
with and strengthen them' (D&C 20:53). This is the mandate
of the Lord. I hope that home teachers and visiting teachers
will experience two things: first, the challenge of the responsibility
that is in their great calling, and second, the sweetness
of results from their work, particularly with those among
us who are less active. I hope that these teachers will get
on their knees and pray for direction, and then go to work
to bring these wandering prodigals back into the fold of the
Church. If home and visiting teachers respond to this challenge,
I honestly believe that they will taste the sweet and wonderful
feeling which comes of being an instrument in the hands of
the Lord in leading someone back into activity in His church
and kingdom."
President
Gordon B. Hinckley
"Instruments of the Lord," Ensign, Mar. 1997, 27-28
Admittedly, there are times when visiting teaching is hard.
Perhaps you are very busy, or overburdened yourself, or depressed.
Taking that half hour for a visit, or a phone call, or a short
note will lift your spirits and renew your energy. Guaranteed.
See it as an opportunity to be rejuvenated and blessed.
Perhaps
you are rebuffed by a sister: she refuses to see you, is absent
when you arrive, cancels your appointment. She still needs to
feel cared for and valued. Think how great will be your joy
when at last she accepts your overture. See it as a challenge,
not an obstacle.
Sometimes
the needs of our sisters are great and may seem more than we
can manage. Remember the wise counsel of our Relief Society
General President, Elaine L. Jack, "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). Our charge
is not to take on her troubles or solve her problems. Helping
hands, a warm embrace, an understanding ear, moments of sharing,
and judgment free trust are the gifts we have to offer.
"Visiting
teaching gives us an opportunity to learn how to follow the
Savior. As we extend love and unselfish service, we become
instruments of the Lord, helping in times of physical, emotional,
and spiritual need to touch hearts and change lives. Visiting
teaching is the very essence of the gospel and gives us the
opportunity to practice the principles found in Mosiah 18:8-9:
'willing to bear one another's burdens, … willing to
mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand
in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all
times, … that [we] may have eternal life.' "
President
Barbara Winder
Relief Society general president 1984-1990
As we change
our perspective to understand our crucial role as visiting teachers,
we will receive joy and blessings in our lives. We will feel
stronger, more confident, and more at peace with ourselves.
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Suggestions
to Strengthen your Visiting Teaching:
1.
Recognize your important role in the lives of those you teach.
2. Make
your appointments early in the month. Schedules fill up fast.
You will feel more in control and those you visit will realize
that they are important to you.
3. Pray
for those you visit. As you think of them often you will be
inspired with insight to meet their needs. The Lord will help
you as you report to Him.
4. Pray
with your companion before you visit. There is strength in your
companionship and praying together will also help you to draw
closer to one another.
5. Learn
personal information about each of your sisters. Knowing her
will allow you to better meet her needs. Take the initiative
to offer help, don't wait to be asked. Let her know that it
helps you to serve her.
6. Listen
with sincerity. Let your sisters go beyond the small talk and
speak about the reality of their lives. Remember to keep confidences.
7. Share
a prepared doctrinal message. Bringing souls unto Christ is
our ultimate mission. Share your testimony and the truths of
which you teach. Share examples from your own life and allow
your sisters to share their own experiences. Always follow the
promptings of the spirit as you teach.
8. Don't
give up on the tough ones. Start calling early in the month.
Keep calling, keep smiling, keep trying. At the end of the month,
if your efforts have seemed fruitless, at least you will know
that you tried your best.
9. Love
unconditionally. Notice the good things about the sisters you
teach and allow yourself to love them and practice charity toward
them.
Fun things to do
with your sisters:
1.
Go for a walk in the park or neighborhood.
2. Give her a foot massage.
3. Be the taxi for a day for her children.
4. Have a luncheon at your house with all your sisters.
5. Take a day trip to a museum.
6. Bring her breakfast early on Saturday morning.
7. Mow her lawn just before she returns from vacation.
8. Watch a chick flick together with lots of chocolate.
9. Take her out for ice cream.
10. Do a service project together.
11. Find out when she cleans her house and pitch in to help.
12. Schedule your visit on laundry day and help her fold.
13. Do her mending.
14. Kidnap her children for a day.
15. Share your talent. Teach her something you are good at.
16. Make a VT magnet for her with all your contact information.
17. Send a card for no reason at all.
18. Send a thank you note for allowing you to serve and visit
her.
19. Go with her to one of her children's events to help cheer.
20. Get on the web and research a topic she needs information
about.
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