October Visiting Teaching

Wow the time has flown by and I am finally getting back to coming up with a new idea for October Visiting teaching. I love October probalby because it is my own Birthday month but there are so many fun little things you could do for the sisters that you teach that have to do with Pumpkins, or other Fall and Harvest ideas. If you click on this link it will take you directly to the October message from LDS.org. The link is http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,2044-1-4478-1,00.html I like one specific quote that I will focus on this month and that is the following:
Margaret D. Nadauld, former Young Women general president: "Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. . . . We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith" ("The Joy of Womanhood," Liahona, Jan. 2001, 18; Ensign, Nov. 2000, 15).

Don't you just love this quote. I moved this past year and I cannot tell you how many people I have spoken to have asked me the question..."Do you work... What is your job?" Many times I have wondered if ones identity as a woman has to be categorized in what her lifes job was. Since I am an empty nester now , the next question after I have answered the first one is usually...."What do you do with all your time now?"

First things first, I have been a Homemaker and full time Mom and totally dedicated to my vocation. I feel so blessed to have a husband who placed so much value in my Mothering and teaching skills, that he worked enough for the both of us in earning an income that alowed me to be able to stay at home with our children. Both he and I had faith in what our church leaders have counceld and we both made being a full time Mom my lifes vocation. I honor and love my husband for that blessing. I also realize that not every woman can be a stay at home Mom, and the world needs all the talents of women.

When I was in my teens I received my Patriarchical blessing. My patriarchical blessing told me that I was blessed with many talents and many yet to be developed talents that will be used for service and in blessing the lives of others. Being a stay at home Mother has been the key to the fulfillment of these blessings, because there were so many talents that I learned along the way from being a stay at home Mom.

I learned how to develop a preschool coop , taught about 30 boys in Cubscouts more skills than just camping, learned how to be my kids biggest fan and greatest confidant. Was team mother for my boys and girls and all the other boys and girls on the teams. I taught my
children the love of music, how to play the piano and violin. I learned how to be a tutor with homework, an expert decorator for decorating on a dime, a quilter, a seamstress and expert costume maker. I developed my writing skills as I wrote and directed plays for my childrens classes, as well as for Road Shows, Visiting Teaching Seminars, and all kinds of other Ward programs. I learned how to use the computer because I needed to keep up with not only my children but technology. I've taught so many craft, cooking and creative classes that my children call me Martha Stewart and their tummies have been filled with delicous food and home made confections. I learned how to be a leader, and served my family at home and individuals in my community and church. I learned how to nurse sick children and deal with the unkind acts of individuals directed toward my handicapped child. My compassion and love helped me to be able to teach my own children to respect difference and diversity and to show kindness and compassion to everyone.

These kinds of learning experiences are developed by Mom's who stay at home to raise their children. It is my testimony that growt comes in the mind, and heart and soul of women who choose to make "Mommy" their favorite nickname. Families are blessed and paraphrasing what Sister Nadauld says, we need women who are tender, women who are kind and women who have faith. This isn't to say that there aren't challenges and difficulties that come with raising children and not all children will choose to follow the guidance and councel of their parents but I believe that the Lord has given only women a stewardship and this blessed calling.

The lesson gave a quote from Sister Julie Beck that says...."Female roles did not begin on earth, and they do not end here. A woman who treasures motherhood on earth will treasure motherhood in the world to come"

I hope that all women will understand and appreciate the divine role she will play as she becomes a mother to some of the choicest of Gods children here on this earth. Motherhood doesn't end here either it will be a blessing upon all righteous mothers in the life to come.

These are my thoughts I have had for this months Visiting teaching lesson. I would be interested to hear what your focus would be on as well. Feel free to post if you like.