VISITING TEACHING: {VT for short}
It's simple and it's elegant.(I mentioned VT in a past church chat.)
Here's how it works: 2 women are assigned as a team to visit another woman within the congregation, meeting with her once a month preferably IN her home. But a phone call works in a pinch (for those months where it cycles thru faster than you can say *'oh my heck' -as is often the case for me!)Yes, there's a spiritual side; a worldwide monthly message is provided for a discussion starter. But equally important is the social side of these visits and the welfare of that 'sister'. Is she well? Does she seem to need any help? Is there something the visiting teachers can do for this woman? -Help out with childcare, -notice that she's in the middle of repainting her living room and offer to come over for a painting night, -find out that a grandparent is ill and they may need some help in the near future should they have to leave for a funeral...
An example:
*I got special permission to use this image from the comedic geniuses over at 9th Ward Cartoons.com, wow THANKS so much!~My VT sisters came to my house last week. They mainly just chatted and our kids played together for half an hour. Looks like playgroup? Maybe. But at the end they asked if I needed anything, and of course I answered that I didn't. But they also knew my husband was going to be out of town all the next week. (From that earlier chatting part.) And one asked if she could help out while he was away?
Which reminded me -oh yeah- the next Tuesday night, I was going to need some help with my little boy, while I attended the oldest's band concert. He'd be no fun to take along with out the hubby to help? "Sure!" She said, bring him over.
Simple, huh?
Even better. When we get to KNOW each other more than scheduling playdates, we know when things are coming up in each other's lives. Through Relief Society and the VT program - if you are having a baby? We KNOW how to mobilize! Expect anywhere from 3-8 meals delivered to your family, after the stork delivers your baby.
Same goes for sickness and even tragedy.
First Wave—your two VT sisters likely will show up or call. "What can we do?"
Second Wave—They'll report back to the Relief Society Presidency—"Carissa is sick and on bedrest for the next two weeks." She's going to need help getting her kids home from school. Who lives nearby and can help with that? Oh and since we're good at it, let's start taking meals over a couple times a week—we'll start by taking the first week, help line up the second week?"
Third Wave—From there the network is managed from the leadership end.
The beauty here {and if you've ever had the chance to serve then you already understand} is that YOU are the one who feels served, blessed even.
A friend in New Jersey was surprised once at my willingness to help when her kids were sick. She wanted to know how to pay me back? I smiled and said, simply help out your neighbor the next time you see a need, don't wait to be asked. Oh? She wondered—'Like, pay it forward?'
YUP. Exactly. Except lately I think we've been calling it Mom it Forward!
*{NOTE: I was outed as a Mormon the other day on Twitter when I used the phrase: 'oh my heck'.. who knew that was such a clear calling card?}
