It always comes back to visiting teaching.....

I think that the Relief Society President feels the same way about keeping up on the visiting teaching changes as the rest of the sister's feel about getting their visiting teaching done--it never ends.  Every month it is time to start over.  Every time I feel like I am getting it all sorted out, companions and those they are going to, then someone moves in and someone moves out and someone else just isn't getting it done and soemone else is being neglected that really needs constant care.  So, my goal is to just accept that it will be a constant effort for me, and not be discouraged by that--to see it as a watchcare making certain that the best companioships are formed and that sisters are being given opportunity to bless where they best can.  As for the other side (as a visiting teacher), I am doing what I can to not look at each month's visits as being DONE, but that whether we get in a visit, a phone call, a card, that most of all, my sisters are in my thoughts and prayers.

 I feel that the only way we can truly become the visiting teachers we need to be is by praying for them.  It is so easy to excuse it with being shy, or that we are so different from each other, or even to have little judgmental issues about each other, but in reality, when we begin to pray for the opportunity to know and love those we serve, we are blessed to do so.  The Lord will give us the ability to serve them, to know them, and to love them.  BUT, are we doing this?  I really, really feel that we have some great and amazing visiting teachers in our ward, BUT, I also feel that we have some who are either missing the point, or well, just missing the point.  What else could it be?  We are all members of the same church, we all know the basic doctrines, and the responsilbility that we have as members to care for each other.  We are given that responsibility more specifically in our visiting teaching assignments.  In all honesty, it has personally taken me years of effort to gain a testimony of visiting teaching, and as I face the challenges it brings  in this calling, I see even more it's importance and divine institution.  Oh, if only we could all have a testimony of it--how much more would we care for each other, serve each other, know each other.  I think that guile would flee from our hearts and charity would fill the space it left. 

We truly need to reevaluate our lives--we need to come back to the heart of the gopel, the mission of the church and of our Savior, and we need to strive to serve those whom we have been called to serve.  PLEASE, don't avoid those who call to get your reports, either you did it or you did not, the Lord know that already, but it sure helps us know who is being reached and who is not.  It helps us know where concerns are and where there might need extra attention.   PLEASE don't avoid your companions--what a friendship could be developed here if we would just try!!  Look past their faults, love them, pray for them, and the sisters you visit.  Try to find out something new about them each time you get together.  PLEASE don't avoid those you are called to serve, you never know how much they might need you.  These assignments come as the result of much prayer and effort to know and understand what the Lord would have happen.  If you see a struggle, look at it and ask why the Lord might want you to serve in this situation.  And, then if it seems to be too much, I want to help, I want the best for each of you and I can only accomplish that through faithful visiting teachers, who strive to love and serve those in place of our Savior. 

Thank you to all who serve so dependably, to those who try even when it is hard or 'scary' or time-consuming.  Thank you for those who are so willing to accept changes, even when they are not easy.  I have been there.  I understand all to well the worries, the fears of going with someone or to someone, or the challenge of life and time to get it done.  BUT, I testify to you that this will bless your life if you will put your best effort into--start simple, start to add your sisters, and even your companion to your daily prayers, and see if after a month they aren't on your mind enough that you will start wanting to help them, wanting to find the time to go, and if the Lord doesn't open up opportunities to do so.  And, open yourself up to those who come visit you--be willing to do the same for them, to know them and let them become your friends--withholding judgment, overcoming awkwardness to truly know each other.

So, that is all I ask--I don't want to see numbers, I rarely pay attention to what it says on that monthly report, instead I review the names of who has not been visited and in how long.  At the bottom left corner of the blog there is a little blurb about our membership in relief society and what it really can mean to us, #3 says this,  “If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.” (HC, 4:605.) Oh, if only we could live up to our privileges--believe me, I face this challenge daily, and don't feel I often meet it, but on those few times when I feel I have been really close to the Lord, really on top of my duties here on this earth--the feeling, the blessings are undescribable. 

Please, please, pray for those you are called to visit teach--start simple, and we'll grow from there.

Sister Perkins

Humanitarian Helpers....

For those of you who are interested in services projects in your spare time, or who might want to work on an occasional humanitarian project, I am adding this blog to our list of blogs on the right side (as soon as I can get it to work) so that you can check it out and find great ideas that you can work on and who to get them to, etc.!  I am REALLY impressed with the awesome ideas and the organization of this site.  THe woman who started it was called over her ward's humanitarian effort and she has really gone above and beyond with it.  I found out about it in the church news and thought it was worth looking into.  So, the link is below and you can check it out there and hopefully in the future by clicking on it under our link to other blogs!

http://humanitarianhelpers.blogspot.com/

ALSO, At this time, Deserest Industries is in need of quilts, mainly King, Queen, and Twin size for the upcoming Christmas season and would appreciate any donations you could make bby a deadline of DECEMBER 3, 2010!  So, if you are quilting or have some around, that may be a good project to work on--or to get involved with in your families during the holiday coming up!

Activity on Hold....

We were planning to hold a "Service Auction" on Wednesday the 13th, due to my mother-in-law's passing and viewing being held that evening, we have decided to put that off until next week or later, depending on a few building scheduling challenges.

 

I also wanted to say: Thank you all for your love, prayers and support for our family at this time.  And the food, if nothing else, we would definitely come out of this well fed.  You are all wonderful--ESPECIALLY my counselors and secretary.  Thank you.

Sister Perkins

WARD PARTY UPDATE!

Because of the weather this week we will be having the ward party at the cultural hall instead of Sheep Summit!!  Still at 6:00 pm on the Thursday the 7th.  First half of the alphabet brings a salad besides potato or green and the 2nd half a dessert!!  Hope te see you there!!