Visiting Teaching - More Than A Plate of Cookies

In 1997, I became active again in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Though I knew through many powerful manifestations that this was what I should be doing, it was scary. My husband was rekindling his activation in his church to pit against my revival. We had just had our first child. Of course, the issue of which religion our son would be raised with was at the forefront of our home.

I only knew three sisters in my ward, two dear neighbors and the Relief Society president. However, one day my quiet phone rang. The sister on the other end introduced herself as my visiting teacher. We small talked a bit. She asked if she and her partner could visit me. She also asked if they could share a lesson from the Ensign magazine. She informed me the lesson was on the Holy Ghost.

My husband had already told me that he did not want any of my people coming into our home. Especially no religion taught. I mentioned this point to my visiting teacher and that I would need to check with my husband about their visit.

In discussing this proposed visit with him I told him how I needed to know more women. I had recently quit my job. So, I was at home everyday, all day, alone with our baby. He consented to the visit with the condition that he needed to be in attendance. I told him about the lesson my visiting teacher had mentioned. This was quite a discussion, but we agreed that both of our religions had the Holy Ghost in common. We compromised with the decision that the sisters could visit once with a lesson.

I called the sister back and we set up a time for their visit. I informed her that my husband would be joining us. How intimidating for these sisters but, sure enough they came.

My husband and I greeted my visiting teachers as they entered our home. After they had settled in on the couch they gave me a popcorn cut-out labeled “Just Popping in to say Hello!” Their names and phone numbers were included. They asked to offer a prayer, we chatted a bit and then they gave the lesson. They stayed probably 20 minutes.

My husband never really said much during the visit. In fact, he sat sternly with his arms folded. After the two sisters left, he quickly announced he didn’t feel he needed to be there again when they came to our home.

I had felt the spirit so strongly with these sisters. I could see how unfamiliar my husband was with the spirit and how uncomfortable it made him. He had shifted and squirmed. I was excited because he felt the spirit.

I was grateful to these sisters for calling. I placed their popcorn cut-out on the fridge. It made me feel good when I saw it. They were my friends. They came regularly. They cared. They shared that they prayed for me. They were casual. They were always there and had a lesson prepared. They would even bring cookies occasionally.

My son had a few medical problems as a baby. He had severe reflux and occasionally his wind pipe would collapse. When both of these things happened at the same time I would have to clear his throat and stimulate his breathing. He would turn blue and it was awfully scary. One day was particularly difficult. I had to get my son breathing a number of times; I was a worried, nervous wreck. My pediatrician kept telling me that his wind pipe was getting stronger, and there was nothing to do but keep with what we were doing. My husband was working a massive amount of hours and we weren’t getting along too well. My family was far away. I felt so alone.

Then, I received a phone call from one of my visiting teachers. She told me that she just felt like she needed to call and wanted to know if everything was alright. Was there anything she could do for me? She had already done it. She showed me she cared. It wasn’t a fleeting thought that she didn’t act on. She prayed for me because she really cared. She called because she really cared. Have I been touched by the Saviors hands? Have I felt his love? You bet! Instruments in the hands of God! Visiting teaching is the Lord’s work.

Time passed, we moved and we grew stronger. One fall day, it gave me great pleasure to call one of these sisters and tell her that my family had just been sealed in the temple. I was able to thank her for their genuine love and service to my family. What a difference these sisters made for all eternity.