I love the visiting teaching program! How else are you forced to socialize with complete strangers, searching out their homes in new and unchartered territories, months, even weeks after you've moved there? And make great friends while you are at it? Well, I love it! And it has given me plenty of ambition to clean my house (in preparation for visitors) in the past.
I have recently been assigned a new companion and a few ladies in our new ward. My new companion admitted that she had not actually met all of the ladies on our route because she was afraid of rejection from less active members. So I told we'd have to fix that. It was a very brave moment, because I have been rejected in many past callings. But my mom loves being visited by her visiting and home teachers even though she usually doesn't attend church. So, don't be afraid of rejection! There are some members out there that just need a little friendship and wouldn't mind you coming over at all, even if they don't think that attending church is all that important. You never know, you could be the friend that brings them back. Plus, you might meet one of your closest friends. Who knows.
So, I made cookies. Michelle got some google directions. And we headed out. We had a very nice first visit. Six kids swarming around us and plenty of friendly chatter. The next house we tried to go to didn't work out.
As you can see, we've gotten some snow. We also have a lot of hills, and my car couldn't take the combination. After backing down the icy hill twice and watching a cop car fail to make it up, we decided we'd try again later. The next lady we attempted to visit was dead. Her son appreciated the cookies, though. (She was older and apparently she passed away last December. And poor Michelle had been fearing her this whole time with no need at all. Another reason to work on that visiting teaching!) Our last sister wasn't home. But she had a beautiful house and a very yappy dog.
Can't wait for next month!
5 comments:
Wow! That's pretty bad that the lady had been dead for a year! I've had some great experience with less active sisters too. I think that as long as you start out trying to just be their friend and not pressure them that they will welcome you. It's important that they don't feel judged! Way to go Beth!
I was reading this at work and laughed so loud that the kids in ISS thought I was nuts.. It's very sad that she is dead, but it just way you wrote it made me laugh, because it just seemed so over the top... HA HA... I am very proud of your commitment to your sisters though, I am going to call my partner tonight and brave the -23 degree weather to go visit my sisters... My partner is old and walks with a cane so I'll probably go solo, it's hard for her to walk up steps in normal weather... Thanks for your inspiration!
First--good for you for going! It really doesn't take a whole lot of effort, but the payoff is worth it!
Second--That has got to be the best VT story ever! Sad that the nice lady wasn't there to visit. But I'm sure you'll have a chance to laugh about it with her in the next life!
hahahaha. I'm still laughing at the fact that one of the ladies on your route is dead. I mean, well, you know what I mean. It's not funny that she passed away, but it's funny that she's been on a list to be visited for a year.
Have you seen that cheesy LDS movie called Home Teachers? Well maybe they could make a sequel called Visiting Teachers. They could write the screen play with your experiences. ;-)
I have a great appreciation for the VT program. Every route that I've ever had has connected me with women that have blessed me and inspired me in various ways. I know that the RS presidency prayerfully arranges those routes. So I bet that you'll receive many blessings by visiting those particular ladies.
My ladies don't come to church so much, but they're great. I didn't ever have an issue with going to someone less active...I just didn't want to bust out with a lesson for them. Then I had a companion who didn't think we should go if we weren't going to bring in a lesson. So that was her job after I made the appts. It's great when you can play of the strengths of both of you. And I like the lessons now where you can just pick whatever quote fits your sister best. Then it's short and sweet and your discussion can go farther if you want it to.
Post a Comment