Quote used on doorknob hanger by Pres. Thomas S. Monson:

A study of the scriptures will help our testimonies and the testimonies of our family members.

Since this month is motivating and encouraging us to read the scriptures more and suggests we become sister scriptorians, I also added the phrase, “Just doin’ a bit o’ readin.’” Sounds kind of Irish too!

Download VT Printable Sheet:
Download this month’s Shamrock Door Hanger for Visiting Teachers by clicking either the link or image below.

Instructions:
1. Print on thick white cardstock.
2. Cut out around the shamrock and stem. Outside of the black.
3. Cut out circle in center in order to fit around a door knob.

Optional: Mount on another piece of cardstock to make it thicker. Laminate it to make it last longer.

BTW My printer still doesn’t have any color ink in it, so I haven’t printed it at my local print shop yet and that’s why I couldn’t provide any “live” pictures. But if you make some, print it and post it on our Facebook Page! Become a fan! upload a pic.

View all Treat Tuesdays or View all Gift Ideas

Visiting Teaching Gifts & Kits!

Cute St. Patrick’s Day graphics from LetteringDelights.com

Print Text from LDS.org | English PDF, Spanish PDF, Portuguese PDF | Listen to MP3

Teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.

“When I was a new bride, … I was invited to a lunch for all of the Relief Society sisters in my ward who had read either the Book of Mormon or a short Church history book. I had become casual in my scripture reading, so I qualified to attend the luncheon by reading the short book because it was easier and took less time. As I was eating my lunch, I had a powerful feeling that though the history book was a good one, I should have read the Book of Mormon. The Holy Ghost was prompting me to change my scripture reading habits. That very day I began to read the Book of Mormon, and I have never stopped. … Because I started reading the scriptures daily, I have learned about my Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and what I need to do to be like Them. …

“… Every woman can be a gospel doctrine instructor in her home, and every sister in the Church needs gospel knowledge as a leader and teacher. If you have not already developed the habit of daily scripture study, start now and keep studying in order to be prepared for your responsibilities in this life and in the eternities.”

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

“A study of the scriptures will help our testimonies and the testimonies of our family members. Our children today are growing up surrounded by voices urging them to abandon that which is right and to pursue, instead, the pleasures of the world. Unless they have a firm foundation in the gospel of Jesus Christ, a testimony of the truth, and a determination to live righteously, they are susceptible to these influences. It is our responsibility to fortify and protect them.”

President Thomas S. Monson.

“We want our sisters to be scholars of the scriptures. … You need an acquaintanceship with his eternal truths for your own well being, and for the purposes of teaching your own children and all others who come within your influence.”

“We want our homes to be blessed with sister scriptorians—whether you are single or married, young or old, widowed or living in a family. … Become scholars of the scriptures—not to put others down, but to lift them up!”4

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985).

Helps for Visiting Teaching

During your visit, answer questions and share insights using the scriptures. Bear testimony of how scripture study has strengthened your faith. Ask the sister you visit to share how her study of the scriptures has strengthened her home and family.

Personal Preparation

*John 5:39
*2 Timothy 3:14–17
*2 Nephi 9:50–51; 31:20; 32:3–5
*D&C 138:1–11

Photo illustration by Matthew Reier

This article is found on LDS.org and posted here simply as a quick and easy reference.

This week’s Treat is from Rebecca Stoker from JustBeccuz.etsy.com. She created a Scripture Scholar Crossword for us which goes perfectly with March’s Visiting Teaching message titled, “Strengthening Faith in God the Father & Jesus Christ through Personal Scripture Study.” It’s really quite fun! Questions like… Who is Hezekiah’s Mother? Who has been born of goodly parents? What’s the name of King Noah’s Priest who believed Abinadi? If you can’t get them right off (I couldn’t, I have a short term memory), Becca provided a scripture reference next to it so you’ll know exactly where to find the answer (bless her heart!). She makes all kinds of fun things but especially Kits for Visiting Teachers. She’s even got the one this month She hand makes cards for all ages, gift tags, holiday decor, home decor, banners and more.

Check her store, become her fan on Facebook page and bookmark her blog.

Download this Scripture Scholar Crossword Puzzle and print it off for the sisters you Visit Teach & even one for yourself. Click here or the image below to download the PDF.

View all Treat Tuesdays or View all Gift Ideas

Free March Visiting Teaching Kit! - Scripture Scrolls! - must visit Becca’s JustBeccuz site before March 1st, 2010. Click on the image!

This kit demonstrates the need to become scripture scholars and includes:

• The Entire message printed on aged parchment paper with burnt edges, golden Torah Rollers & a twine seal.
• A delicious Crock Pot Minestrone Soup recipe
• Colorful Bookmark with my favorite portion of the message.
• A Certificate invitation to become a Scholar of the Scriptures (to be signed from the Visiting Teachers).
• Paper gift bag with a “Scripture Scholar” ribbon/paper seal.

If you’re not the winner of the free Visiting Teaching Scrolls, it’s okay, luckily she is selling them too.

Visiting Teaching Gifts by Pioneer Party Gift & Copy

These are darling Visiting Teaching Kits and go perfectly with this month’s holiday, St. Patrick’s Day. Includes the message + symphony bar (chocolate!) + booklet. Has the quote to “Join a Worldwide Symphony of Sisters Studying Scriptures.” Soooo clever! Get yours today, these gals make a ton of these because of the high demand and therefore you can order as many as you want, they will just keep making more for you to order.

So along those lines, I found this darling “Avoid Debt Purse” gift idea with coins on a fun Visiting Teaching blog called See Me VT. Maybe you’ve heard of it and have already made one. I just found it last night and had to share in detail what a fun idea this was. I made one of them myself just today and it’s even easier than I thought it would be. I of course can not take the credit for designing this template, but Kristin did so, round of applause to her. Her site SeeMeVT AKA VisitingTeachingBlog.blogspot.com I’m so glad she loves Visiting Teaching so much that she too, has started a blog to post her fun ideas and printables which she makes for the sisters she Visit Teaches. Thanks for such a great idea Kristin, I sure hope it’s okay that I posted your idea on here, I know the sisters here, needed this exact idea. Now, I have a fun purse to “save my money” in.

She used the following quote on the inside flap of the purse along with the 5 points for the chocolate coin covers.

“First, pay your tithing. …
“Second, spend less than you earn. …
“Third, learn to save. …
“Fourth, honor your financial obligations. …
“Fifth, teach your children to follow your example.”
“To pay our debts now and to avoid future debt require us to exercise faith in the Savior—not just to do better but to be better. It takes great faith to utter those simple words, ‘We can’t afford it.’ It takes faith to trust that life will be better as we sacrifice our wants in order to meet our own and others’ needs.”
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Illustrated Instructions: by me cause I just took pics of when I made it.

BTW: I used ribbon instead of the strap on the template Kristin provided, because I need to get rid of some ribbon in my stash. I just stapled it on! I also used a button on the front flap, but I am sure you can use whatever you have on hand which will make it cute. i.e. stickers, brads, etc.

Detailed Instructions and more importantly, the free template, can be found on Kristin’s cute “See Me VT” Visiting Teaching Blog here. (the link to the template is just below the 3rd picture in the first sentence on her site.)

View all Gift Ideas

February Visiting Teaching Kits! by HandpickedDaisy.

Jennifer must be seriously out of breathe trying to keep up with the huge demand she’s gotten with her addorable Visiting Teaching kits. Honestly, I don’t know how she can come up with such cute ideas and then duplicate them so many times. She makes each one of them by hand hre in the USA! She’s awesome! Anyways, she’s currently out-of-stock with the Valentine’s themed ones, but I had to show you just how cute these were so that you can see for yourself and so you could visit her site and bookmark it so you can be the first to get March’s kit, because you know it’s gonna be a great one.

February Home Teaching Kits by Pioneer Party

They not only think up ideas to help us Visiting Teachers with Visiting Teaching but they also help us by making Home teaching Gifts. Truly, a one stop shop! It goes with this month’s message of course and have a tag with the quote, “Is your Testimony solid as a ROCK?” so cute! Get your Hubby a Home Teaching kit so he will be ready to go when his families call him back to confirm the date. BTW their shipping is only $1.75, what a steal!

Today’s Treat is, you guessed it, a Menu Calendar! Just as I promised. You can use Velcro dots or Magnets. I am so in love with this new Menu Calendar, it’s perfect for me. I designed it using several LetteringDelights’ digital graphic products. Super cute!!!! I sure hope you gals like it too. Now I will have to plan my meals.

In this month’s Visiting Teaching message Julie B Beck said, “I asked several bishops what self-reliance skills the sisters in their wards needed most, and they said budgeting. Women need to understand the implications of buying on credit and not living within a budget. The second skill bishops listed was cooking.” I chose to focus on the 2nd skill for this printable! Here’s the quote from this month’s Visiting Teaching Message which I included on the calendar, to remind us why we’re doing this, everyday.

“Meals prepared and eaten at home generally cost less, are healthier, and contribute to stronger family relationships.” Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

Here’s the finished Calendar with the menu tiles and sample 4×6 recipe.

Download VT Printable Sheet:
Download this week’s Menu Calendar/Planner & Menu Tiles for Visiting Teachers by clicking either the links to the left or images below. The menu tiles have really basic and generic meal names. So you can either use them and make your meals the way you usually like them or just make your own tiles. I just figured I’d give you a head start. Some good ones include: Leftovers, chicken & rice, indian meal, latin meal, pizza, BBQ, raviolis, etc…

Picture Instructions: (click on the pictures to enlarge them)

Instructions:

1. Print Calendar in color on white cardstock.
2. Print Menu Tiles in Black and White on white cardstock.
3. Optional: Trim all 4 sides of white edges off the calendar.
4. Laminate the calendar.
5. Add a 4.5″x6.5″ piece of clear plastic or possibly cut an album page which can fit a 4×6 picture.
6. Adhere your plastic strip onto the “4×6 recipe here” area so that your 4×6 recipes can slide in and out easily from the slot. (Change recipe cards often when you are doing each recipe.) There are tiles which include the 6 recipes which I provided here.)
7. Add Velcro dots or little Magnetic strips to the calendar in the middle of the “weekly brown squares.” I used the hard velcro dots on the calendar.
8. Trim the Menu Tiles on the gray dotted lines so you end up with little menu squares.
9. Add the soft velcro dots to the backs of the little menu tile squares.
10. Add Magnet Strips to the back of the Calendar. (I added 2, one towards the top part and one towards the bottom.)
11. Ready to gift or keep for yourself. It’s actually easier to make more than 1 at a time just so you can get it done all at once.
12. Start using your calendar ASAP!

BTW I really hope this makes sense. Comment if you have any questions.

View all Treat Tuesdays or View all Gift Ideas

Digital Scrapbook Graphics used from LetteringDelights.com. Seriously the cutest digital products ever and perfect for this menu calendar/planner. I just love all of their stuff. I could design using their stuff all day long. Already made Valentine’s Day treat topper downloads here.

February Visiting Teaching Kit by Pioneer Party Gift & Copy - If you’ve ever gone to Pioneer Party you’ll see just how creative Emily and her gals are. There’s not just Visiting Teaching gifts, there’s gifts for all sorts of occasions and even just to let the sisters know you’re thinking of them on “off” days. I wish I worked there! This month’s kit is a brown paper bag  gift with a cool word collage printed on photo paper which your sisters can tack up onto their mirror or fridge, to keep them thinking of the message all month long. It’s of course Red, Pink and White to match this month’s holiday but also includes the complete message as well as a quote from Pres. Hinckley which my husband loves to quote.

Click here for their VT gifts and here to see all the other creative gifts they have. BTW you have to see their blog too, they have an idea for each 12 days until Valentine’s Day.

(NOTE! Just added PDFs on 02-05-2010 at 5:45MST Thanks to Linda (not me) who has been checking everyday for the Spanish version of the Liahona.)

Print Text from LDS.org | English PDF, Spanish PDF, Portuguese PDF | Listen to MP3

Teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.

Managing Resources

“‘Provident living’ … implies the [conserving] of our resources, the wise planning of financial matters, full provision for personal health, and adequate preparation for education and career development, giving appropriate attention to home production and storage as well as the development of emotional resiliency. … If we live wisely and providently, we will be as safe as in the palm of His hand.”1 President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985).

“What skills do we need to help us become self-reliant? … In the early days of the Church, Brigham Young pled with the sisters to learn to prevent illness in families, establish home industries, and learn accounting and bookkeeping and other practical skills. Those principles still apply today. Education continues to be vitally important. …

“I asked several bishops what self-reliance skills the sisters in their wards needed most, and they said budgeting. Women need to understand the implications of buying on credit and not living within a budget. The second skill bishops listed was cooking. Meals prepared and eaten at home generally cost less, are healthier, and contribute to stronger family relationships.”2 Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

Avoiding Debt

“May I suggest five key steps to financial freedom. …

“First, pay your tithing. …

“Second, spend less than you earn. …

“Third, learn to save. …

“Fourth, honor your financial obligations. …

“Fifth, teach your children to follow your example.”3

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

“When we go into debt, we give away some of our precious, priceless agency and place ourselves in self-imposed servitude. We obligate our time, energy, and means to repay what we have borrowed—resources that could have been used to help ourselves, our families, and others. …

“To pay our debts now and to avoid future debt require us to exercise faith in the Savior—not just to do better but to be better. It takes great faith to utter those simple words, ‘We can’t afford it.’ It takes faith to trust that life will be better as we sacrifice our wants in order to meet our own and others’ needs.”4

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Helps for Visiting Teachers

Counsel with your companion about how to sensitively adapt this message to each sister’s circumstances. What self-reliance skills can you share with her?

Personal Preparation

• Malachi 3:10
• Matthew 6:19–21
• Luke 12:15
• D&C 38:30; 88:119

See All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances (item no. 04007)

Photograph by Matthew Reier

This article is found on LDS.org and posted here simply as a quick and easy reference.

Did you know that you can share any quote, message or “principle you that will bless the sisters you Visit” Teach? With so many different; personalities, trials, talents, circumstances, ages, likes, preferences, careers, etc… There is not one sister who is exactly the same temporally, emotionally or spiritually. You don’t have to stick to the monthly message. Each sister may need a different message at a different time or month in her life. The leaders of The Church select these specific topics and messages which they feel will help all of us become more like our Savior and they help to keep us focused and organized on 1 theme or topic. And of course they will, there is always room for improvement when we’re not perfect. However, some sisters may need a bit more help in other areas too. We know our sisters best, or so we should, and Heavenly Father has entrusted them to us so that we can be His instrument in helping our sisters reach their full potential. So sky’s the limit, let the spirit guide you in selecting a quote, message or principle which you “feel” will help her become the woman Heavenly Father would want her to become. You’re her Visiting Teacher, you should know her best!

Just 1 example: I shared the First Presidency message with one of my sisters and she appreciated it. I also knew her Home Teachers hadn’t been assigned yet, so that was perfect.

Have you ever shared a different message? Have your ever wanted to share a different message but couldn’t? (It says we can, just before every message.)

Today’s Treat is 6 Crock Pot / Slow Cooker Recipes which include a Grocery Shopping list! I’ve made and tasted some of them and the other ones just look good so I’ll be making them this week. This printable is simple yet goes a long way to help with meal planning. Julie B Beck stated..

“‘Self-reliance means using all of our blessings from Heavenly Father to care for ourselves and our families and to find solutions for our own problems.”

My # 1 Problem, keeping me from caring for my family: Dinner! I seriously don’t like cooking, I’m no good at it and never have time for it. But I have a small family and my husband works hard for us so we can buy groceries, so I NEED to make dinner using those groceries otherwise eating out is going to cost the whole family a lot more and we don’t have that kind of cash.

Recipes included are:

No Time to Cook Chicken (4 servings) 4 0,0 0

Slow Cooker Pizza (6 servings) 6 0,0 0

Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes with Ham (8 servings) 8 0,0 0

Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu (6 servings) 6 0,0 0

Anna’s Amazing Easy Pleasy Meatballs over Buttered Noodles (24 servings) 24 0,0 0

Egg Noodle Lasagna (12 servings)

I’ve tried to do menus in the past but they never work for me so I am trying it again this year. I downloaded them from AllRecipes.com so they aren’t designed to be fancy or cute, just practical. I really want to make this a talent because I know cooking has got to be one of those things that can be learned and therefore I want to learn it and eventually I can consider it a talent, depending on how well I can do it, right? Right now cooking is just an essential duty or chore for me, so we’ll be working on it.

AllRecipes.com (free service) really makes it easy, you pick out the meals you want for your menu and add them to your grocery list, go shopping, then prepare your meals. For those who are total chefs, this may not be awesome for you, or you probably have your own monthly menu planned out already. So this won’t help you, but maybe the sisters you Visit Teach need this. I picked Slow Cooker/Crock Pot Meals because I love mine and refuse to cook any other way because I am convinced it is faster than the standard cooking. There are 6 meals, 1 for each day of the week except Sunday of course because you will have a lot of left overs, I promise!

Download VT Printable Sheet:
Download this week’s 6 Crock Pot Recipes for Visiting Teachers by clicking either the link or image below.

Instructions: (7 pages total)

1. Print in color or black and white.
2. Staple all of the pages together and gift like that. OR
3. Cut pages 2-7 to along the dotted lines, fold and glue together to make the 4×6 recipe cards. Then cut page 1 along dotted lines and give it to your sisters in an envelope.

View all Treat Tuesdays or View all Gift Ideas

Let me know if you try any of these recipes or give these out, I’d like to know what you think. I was thinking for next month to create a menu planner which you can laminate and put little velcro dots on but didn’t know how you all felt about menu planning and things. To me it’s part of the whole self reliance thing and doing things to help your family and yourself to be organized too.

The quote that really stood out to me and the one I included on the sheet for motivation, was the one from Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“As we live providently and increase our gifts and talents, we become more self-reliant. Self-reliance is taking responsibility for our own spiritual and temporal welfare and for those whom Heavenly Father has entrusted to our care. Only when we are self-reliant can we truly emulate the Savior in serving and blessing others.

“Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior, and that goal is enhanced by our unselfish service to others. Our ability to serve is increased or diminished by the level of our self-reliance.”

I just love how he really broke it down for me and therefore I took that list he gave and made it into this Self-Reliant Goals Worksheet.

I also think that his last sentence is soooooo true. If I’ve woken up early, gotten ready (to my shoes!), studied my scriptures, prayed, and prep our family’s dinner; then I feel like my day is open to play with my son, serve others, go visiting teaching, take a walk, or whatever. If I don’t do those basic things then my day is crazy, I feel like I’m playing catch-up and people will knock on my door while I’m still in my PJs, (I refuse to answer the door like that) therefore can’t help or serve or just listen if a friend needs to chat. As you can see those are some of my daily goals, they don’t get done everyday like I wish, but that’s what I strive for.

I designed the little people on the sheet to make it more fun for me and to help me remember what I am supposed to be doing.

There are 4 Sections and 1 Bad Habits section. Fill out each with the goals you want to achieve, add the date you decided to start and then check the box on how often you want to accomplish it. i.e. daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. The bad habits, are things you want to quit, obviously, and therefore just check the box of how often you’re trying to quit this bad habit. i.e. Biting nails, needs to stop everyday, not just once a month. LOL

I hope this helps you and the sisters you Visit Teach.

Download VT Printable Sheet:
Download this week’s Goal’s PDF worksheet for Visiting Teachers by clicking either the link or image below.

Instructions: (1-up)

1. Print in black & white on cardstock or regular paper.
2. Optional: Print this worksheet on the back of the 2010 VT Calendar and then laminate it, because your sisters could still write in their goals using a dry erase marker.

View all Gift Ideas

Snowflake Vinyl Decals Kit by Hand Picked Daisy - Jennifer had a bunch on her site for sale at the start of Jan, ran out just a couple days after the 1st and because of the high demand, she’s of course restocked and has 24 right now! So order yours now to get it in time to Visit your sisters this month. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to give your sisters 3 fun vinyl glittery snowflakes!

Your Hubby’s Home Teaching Kit by Pioneer Party Gift & Copy - Seriously these people at Pioneer Party know what I need to be more helpful and supportive to my dear Hubby. He work’s so hard for the family! They’ve done the work and leg work for you and it’s really well priced! Includes: The 3 colors (red, yellow, and green) are tied in with the tag that is on the outside; the words STOP, CAUTION, and GO have a quote or question to coincide. What a great idea!

Today’s Treat is from Megan Curtis from Florida. She’s designed an 8.5″x11″ Courage Poster and a smaller 8″x8″ handout using the Warrior Princess silhouette I designed when I made the Armed with Prayer cards for her lesson on the last Sunday before the New Year. She’s amazingly talented!

“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9)

This is the 2010 Annual Theme for the Young Women. One file is a poster of the 2010 theme. Although I’m not a mother of a young woman, but I am sure many of you, as do I, still consider one’s self a young woman and therefore consider this printable totally applicable to our lives as well. It’s totally cute and way modern too, I love how Megan made it look like there were glitter sparkles. I love what she did with my Princess! Thanks for your hard work Megan and I’m sure your Young Women Lesson on Sunday was a success!

Wait a minute… YW doesn’t = VT? Well, sure it does! In this month’s Visiting Teaching Message it clearly states,

“Teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.”

So the “or” is key. if you think your sisters are way ahead of the game or possibly they already heard the message or better yet they’ve got a young woman in the family, use this printable and share your experiences. After all it does take courage to make righteous decisions and goals which would allow us to become self reliant. Anyways, just pray about what message your sisters need to be reminded of.

Download VT Printable Sheet:
Download this week’s Courage JPG or PDF files for Visiting Teachers and Young Women by clicking either images below.

JPGs:

PDFs:

Instructions: (1-up)

1. Print in Color on thick white cardstock.
2. Cut out either 8.5″x11″ for Poster or 8″x8″ for handout.
3. Laminate & add magnet to the back if desired.

View all Treat Tuesdays or View all Gift Ideas

January 2010 Visiting Teaching Kits if my ideas don’t fit you just right, don’t worry there are always options.

Snowflake Vinyl Decals Kit by Hand Picked Daisy - Jennifer goes above and beyond with her handmade kits. You can’t even order regular Vinyl snowflakes for less than what she is selling her full kit for and you even get the message, goals sheet and a recipe too. Your sisters will certainly feel loved when receiving these gifts.

M&Ms (Manage Money) Kit by Pioneer Party Gift & Copy - I think this is so clever. M&Ms = Manage Money… whoever thought of that one should come up with my Treat Tuesday Tag ideas. Emily was that you? Seriously so perfect and at a great price too!