August 2008 VT Message

If you would like a jump start on your August 2008 message, go to http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,2044-1-4459-1,00.html The lesson is on: Each Sister Is a Beloved Daughter of Heavenly Parents and Has a Divine Destiny
Julie B. Beck's quote will lead you to a link that she speaks about Patriarical Blessings. It is a very good read and helps us to understand that they are individual and are unique blessings for us if we will live ou lives faithfully while on this earth. Her talk would be a great one to print off and give to your sisters and talk about their own Patriarchical blessings.
Another really good reference is found in the quote by James E.Faust, and you will be directed to his talk on What It Means to Be a Daughter of God . An excerpt from his talk says.. "We are beloved spirit daughters of God.” To be a daughter of God means that you are the offspring of Deity, literal descendants of a Divine Father, inheriting godly attributes and potential". This talk is also a wonderful one that could be used for discussion at the Visiting Teaching appointment.
My thoughts after reading the lesson and the accompaning talks, was that we need to make sure that our sisters know and feel just how loved they are by their Heavenly Father. They also need to know that they are genuinely loved by their visiting teachers. Perhaps in our visits, we could point out some of their wonderful qualities that makes them unique and special. A fun handout might be a mirror, and suggest that each time they look into the mirror that they will remember that the reflection they see, is the the image of a beloved daughter of God. Print off the tag that is included on this post, cut it out and tie it with a ribbon to the handle of the mirror. This will make a creative and thoughtful gift for your Visiting Teaching sisters. You can enlarge the handout by clicking on it to view. If you would like to print this and cannot get it to fit on the page, email me and I will email it directly to you. katie1956gauger@mindspring.com