The Parable of the Sower

This Sunday, I am giving a lesson from President Eyrings April 2016 General Conference talk titled, "Where Two or Three are Gathered. The talk is mostly about what we learn at General Conference, but in the talk, is the story of The Parable of the Sower.  I prepared a cute handout to go with it, of a seed packet.  I plan to print and cut out these packets and put some different seeds into each to use as my lesson handout.  On the back side of the packet are directions we are given from this Parable on how to grow the seed, and also a scripture from Matthew that explains the application in our own lives.

This would be a good handout in doing a Visiting Teaching Conference too, because we can adapt this Parable to mean being vigilant in our preparations  and in doing our Visiting Teaching, and what we put into our efforts, will depend on how fruitful or successful we are as Visiting Teachers.  We can bring forth good fruit, even a hundredfold, or our seeds of effort could fall by the way side or into stony places that didn't take root.  I think you can see what I mean and how to apply the story.

Here are two of the same seed packet templates, with the exception that one has the scoring and folding lines on it and one does not.  I prefer to not have the folding lines, but others may want or need them to prepare the packets.  Just score with a scorer, or toothpic or pen that is out of ink, and that makes it easier to fold.  Then fold and use a glue stick or glue runner to seal the bottom and side edge of the packet.  NEXT:  Add your seeds to the packet.  NEXT: Seal the packet with glue stick or glue tape runner, with it being inside of the back side, so that the directions will show and be readable on the back.  If you really want to get fancy, you can tie a piece of twine, or narrow ribbon around the packet with a bow, and there you have a cute handout.

As always, to print, just click on the image below to enlarge it, and save to your computer and print from that file on your computer.

Enjoy!
Katie G

Links to Pictures, Video's, Talks, and more

Extraordinary Visiting Teachers is a Facebook group, for LDS Women.  It is all about sisterhood, sharing of ideas, questions, tips, etc., much like this blog is.  Most likely I would imagine if you are a follower or visitor of this blog, you would love Extraordinary Visiting Teachers.  The reason I mention it is that today, a woman wrote in needing ideas about a special meeting for all women in her ward, that her Bishop has scheduled for Mothers Day.  This kind Bishop is having all the Men in the ward, take over the classes and organizations that their wives teach, so the women have a day off teaching and a meeting devoted to them on Mothers day.  That is really a wonderful gift for the women in that ward.  Anyway, I thought about what lessons could be taught to the women, to uplift, help them enjoy their Mothers Day, or just inspire them.  I decided to make a list of pictures, Videos, Talks, and more, about Women.  I found a really great list, and decided that you would enjoy it too. So, without further ado, here it is for you to enjoy.  By the way it isn't a comprehensive list, but just one that I created in 3 hours time.  I'd love to hear about other things you find on LDS.org that you could share with the group.  Let me know and I will update this list.  Enjoy!  Katie

Err on the side of compassion



A well-seasoned Bishop was in a quandary on an issue he had with regard to members in his ward.  He met with his Stake President and asked this question.  How do I know if what we have done is enough, too much, or on the other end of the spectrum, too little? Just how much service is enough? 

The very wise and humble Stake President looked into the Bishops eyes, and said, “Bishop, I would err on the side of compassion.”  That was all the council he gave, and actually that was more than enough.

There are times in our lives as Visiting Teachers when we too wonder how much is enough, with regard to the service we give as sisters.  Have we gone overboard, and worn ourselves out, wondering if you can keep up the standard you have set for yourself?  Have we looked away and thought that someone else will pick up our slack, because we simply can’t do it with everything we have going on in our own busy lives? Maybe are we more concerned that we have not done enough, and should be doing more, or at least doing something?

Everyone at one time of another, goes through this self-evaluation process , monitoring our own progression in all aspects of our life.  It is a good thing and helps us to remember why God sent us on this earth, in this imperfect state. We are working out our own salvation, and with each little step forward, we become that much closer to Him. A word of caution would be that we need not be so hard on ourselves, if we aren’t there yet or are struggling just to keep afloat some days.  Sometimes life and responsibilities are just plain too hard, but, the key to remember is that if we are moving forward, not backwards, that is exactly where Heavenly Father wants us to be.

With all the commitments we make in life, how can we commit ourselves to do Visiting Teaching?  How can we know if we are doing what we need to, as a Visiting Teacher?  Getting back to the quote from the Stake President I mentioned earlier …. When a question arises like… It’s the end of the month, and I haven’t done my Visiting Teaching and I don’t have any time to squeeze it in… should I just not go?  Think of the quote: “Err on the side of compassion,” and I believe that you will know exactly what to do, how to do it, and end up feeling good about your solution.  When we do, we don’t have to go back and look at ourselves, feel guilty, feel bad for not doing anything or more, because we did what we could compassionately.  We did what the Savior would have done and did when he was on the earth.  Jesus always erred on the side of compassion, throughout His entire ministry. I am pretty sure when He was busy helping someone in one town, and about doing His Fathers work, it wasn’t always convenient for Him.  Jesus had people stopping him in the streets, needing his help and what did he do?  Jesus Christ erred on the side of compassion.  I would bet he didn’t think about how inconvenient it was to walk many more miles in sandaled feet, on dusty unpaved roads to heal the sick, feed the 5,000 or cleanse the lepers.  Jesus simply erred on the side of compassion.

In the March 1997 Ensign,  there is an article or story under the heading, “Feeding His Sheep.” The story is called “Reaching out with love. ” Beginning with the 8^th paragraph, it tells about how after a woman’s family had moved to England, tragedy struck.  The author tells about the drowning accident of her own 11 month old son. She was grief stricken beyond description and was in a state of shock. The story proceeds, with phone calls and visits from her Visiting Teacher, Joan Davis.  

Every day Joan would ride her bike up a hill to a payphone booth, because she didn’t have a phone of her own, and call this woman.  If her voice sounded despondent, Joan would ride her bike another 5 hilly miles to her home and spend her day cooking, cleaning, and tending the children of the grief stricken woman.  These visits went on for months. It wasn’t until months later, that this woman realized the sacrifice that Joan Davis had made for her, and in spite of Joan’s own personal heartaches and sacrifices, she reached out with love for her. What a wonderful example of erring on the side of compassion!

The second great commandment that God gave to all of us is to love our neighbor, and who is our neighbor?  It is my prayer that we can do so, in the best way that we can for all those who are in need of our service.  I firmly believe that what we do for others, the Lord is mindful of, and accepts our service, how much or how little we can give, with gratitude and love.  May we be mindful of erring on the side of compassion as we serve those we Visit teach.  Enjoy!  Katie Gauger

Image links:https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/bishop-interview-258665?lang=enghttps://www.lds.org/media-library/images/young-adult-women-laundry-baby-669380?lang=eng Video: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/1998-05-01-the-good-samaritan?lang=eng

Err on the side of Compassion

Erring on the side of Compassion

2/17/2016

(Katie Gauger)

A well-seasoned Bishop was in a quandary on an issue he had with regard to members in his ward.  He met with his Stake President and asked this question.  How do I know if what we have done is enough, too much, or on the other end of the spectrum, too little? Just how much service is enough? 

The very wise and humble Stake President looked into the Bishops eyes, and said, “Bishop, I would err on the side of compassion.”  That was all the council he gave, and actually that was more than enough.

There are times in our lives as Visiting Teachers when we too wonder how much is enough, with regard to the service we give as sisters.  Have we gone overboard, and worn ourselves out, wondering if you can keep up the standard you have set for yourself?  Have we looked away and thought that someone else will pick up our slack, because we simply can’t do it with everything we have going on in our own busy lives? Maybe are we more concerned that we have not done enough, and should be doing more, or at least doing something?

Everyone at one time of another, goes through this self-evaluation process , monitoring our own progression in all aspects of our life.  It is a good thing and helps us to remember why God sent us on this earth, in this imperfect state. We are working out our own salvation, and with each little step forward, we become that much closer to Him. A word of caution would be that we need not be so hard on ourselves, if we aren’t there yet or are struggling just to keep afloat some days.  Sometimes life and responsibilities are just plain too hard, but, the key to remember is that if we are moving forward, not backwards, that is exactly where Heavenly Father wants us to be.

With all the commitments we make in life, how can we commit ourselves to do Visiting Teaching?  How can we know if we are doing what we need to, as a Visiting Teacher?  Getting back to the quote from the Stake President I mentioned earlier …. When a question arises like… It’s the end of the month, and I haven’t done my Visiting Teaching and I don’t have any time to squeeze it in… should I just not go?  Think of the quote: “Err on the side of compassion,” and I believe that you will know exactly what to do, how to do it, and end up feeling good about your solution.  When we do, we don’t have to go back and look at ourselves, feel guilty, feel bad for not doing anything or more, because we did what we could compassionately.  We did what the Savior would have done and did when he was on the earth.  Jesus always erred on the side of compassion, throughout His entire ministry. I am pretty sure when He was busy helping someone in one town, and about doing His Fathers work, it wasn’t always convenient for Him.  Jesus had people stopping him in the streets, needing his help and what did he do?  Jesus Christ erred on the side of compassion.  I would bet he didn’t think about how inconvenient it was to walk many more miles in sandaled feet, on dusty unpaved roads to heal the sick, feed the 5,000 or cleanse the lepers.  Jesus simply erred on the side of compassion.

In the March 1997 Ensign,  there is an article or story under the heading, “Feeding His Sheep.” The story is called “Reaching out with love. ” Beginning with the 8^th paragraph, it tells about how after a woman’s family had moved to England, tragedy struck.  The author tells about the drowning accident of her own 11 month old son. She was grief stricken beyond description and was in a state of shock. The story proceeds, with phone calls and visits from her Visiting Teacher, Joan Davis.  

Every day Joan would ride her bike up a hill to a payphone booth, because she didn’t have a phone of her own, and call this woman.  If her voice sounded despondent, Joan would ride her bike another 5 hilly miles to her home and spend her day cooking, cleaning, and tending the children of the grief stricken woman.  These visits went on for months. It wasn’t until months later, that this woman realized the sacrifice that Joan Davis had made for her, and in spite of Joan’s own personal heartaches and sacrifices, she reached out with love for her. What a wonderful example of erring on the side of compassion!

The second great commandment that God gave to all of us is to love our neighbor, and it is my prayer that we can do so, in the best way that we can for all those who are in need of our service.  I firmly believe that what we do for others, the Lord is mindful of, and accepts our service, how much or how little we can give, with gratitude and love.  May we be mindful of erring on the side of compassion as we serve those we Visit teach.

Happy Valentines Day!!!

I just couldn't let this day go by without posting a Valentine.  This can be printed out and given to your sisters that you Visit teach.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!  Enjoy! Katie G

Visiting Teaching Handout for February 2016

I made up a cute printable for you to use as a conversation starter to take with you Visiting Teaching this month. These cute "RETRO CARDS" are quotes taken from the lesson, and are good ways to start a conversation about the quote.

This months message is titled, "Marriage is Ordained of God." Here is the link to the Visiting Teaching message page on LDS.org https://www.lds.org/liahona/2016/02/marriage-is-ordained-of-god?lang=eng

Of course you know that much of this lesson comes from the Proclamation of the family which can be found here: https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation?lang=eng&_r=1  I also have one that can be found here:
http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/2010/09/visiting-teaching-message-suggests-that.html


Since it is a great month to celebrate Love, and Valentines day is only next week, you might want to take your sisters a Valentine.  I have some you are welcome to share at the following links:

http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/2011/02/very-cute-valentine-ideas.html


   
http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/search/label/Valentine


To use these cute valentines, just click on the image to enlarge, and save to your computer and print from there.  I only ask that you don't take credit for what I have made to share, and that you let others know about my great Visiting Teaching resources, which are:

http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com
http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/extraordinaryvisitingteachers/


Enjoy!!! Happy Visiting Teaching, and Valentines Day..... HUGS!  Katie G

Visiting Teaching Tips, Handouts and Ideas: Visiting Teaching: Making a Difference by Small and Simple Means Beyond Statistics

Visiting Teaching Tips, Handouts and Ideas: Visiting Teaching: Making a Difference by Small and Simple Means Beyond Statistics

It is a Happy New year for Visiting teaching!

It is most definitely is a Happy New Year for Visiting teaching!  The world is at our feet, and it is all determined by our attitude about just how happy we will make this New year will be for ourselves, as well as those we visit teach. It's up to us, its all about choice, and most importantly, it's all about loving and serving others.  The scriptures tell us what God thinks about loving and serving others when we read in Matthew 22:37-39:  "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all the heart, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  The second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."  If we ask ourselves who are neighbors are, and the answer is "EVERYONE".

https://www.lds.org /media-library/images/visiting-teaching-901054?lang=eng

Visiting teaching is a very important part of the Gospel, because when we do it with all of our hearts, we are showing God that we not only love Him but we obey His commandments of loving our neighbors.https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/visiting-teaching-901054?lang=eng

Quoting from the Extraordinary Visiting Teachers Facebook group, one woman (Tia Fowles)said this:  

"Visiting Teaching fills a variety of needs, including fellow shipping, building friendships, increasing faith and personal testimony and watch care over one another.  I think one of the most important things Visiting teaching can do is let each person know they are remembered, cared for and wanted.  I often get the requests that people want to have good visiting teachers.  I rarely have "good" visiting teachers, that is, visiting teachers who consistently reach out to me.  I have done my best to BE a good visiting teacher so that at least someone out there can say that they have good ones. I am ot perfect, far from it, in fact but I hope the sisters I am assigned to know that I think about, pray for, and genuinely enjoy getting to know them."

President Monson said:
"We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort our kindness.... We are the Lords hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. (2nd great commandment) He is dependent upon each of us."

And Julie B. Beck said, "Visiting teaching is an expression of our discipleship and a significant way to honor our covenants.  This element of our discipleship should closely resemble the ministry of our Savior."  As committed disciples of the Savior, we are improving in our ability to do the things He would do if He where here." Tia Fowles

Can Visiting Teachers actually make a difference in peoples lives?  Yes, yes they most definately and most certainly can.  Sister Rochelle Miller shares her experience in this way:

"I joined the church at age 19.  But at age 21, I found myself back to my old ways and friends.  I remember one day seeing two women coming to my door dressed in dresses and I immediately knew they must be from the church.  They knocked and I hid!!!  I remember hearing them finally leave and at that moment my heart was touched and I began to cry as the spirit entered my heart and my home and a feeling came to me so strongly that I needed to return to church.  I did and went on a mission, was married in the temple and my mother joined the church when I returned from my mission.  I have been active ever since that day.  (25 years) Those two RS sisters took the time to search me out, and even though I never answered the door or spoke to them or even today know who they were, the spirit spoke to me and to this day they do not know their visit to only a knock on my door, changed my whole life."

Sister Miller goes on to say, "Never give up because you can't get in a door or get a phone call answered or returned.  We can touch lives just by doing our duty of trying every month."

Sisters, you simply never know how or if your visit will touch the life of a sister, and in Sister Miller's example, her life was changed forever because two unknown, loving sisters were obedient, following the second great Commandment, and following their own promptings to visit her.  Sister Miller said that those Visiting teachers must have walked away thinking, "If we could just get in to see her, then maybe we could invite her back or help her,"  but the Spirit of the Lord can go through the walls and touch hearts, simply by your visit.

Yes, It can be a very Happy New Year, both for you and for your sisters.  It is up to you, but I know that by loving your sisters as the Lord has commanded, He will help and bless you in your righteous desires, and those things you do for others come back into your own!

HAPPY NEW YEAR--- Now go out and do your Visiting Teaching!