Home/Visiting Teaching Success

[mordorbund]

A number of threads are opened periodically lamenting the lack of quality home/visiting teachers (or even just a lack of them at all). I find this quite unfortunate, as the program has blessed me in my life. So I'm opening this thread to provide a place for the more positive stories and sentiments that are sometimes lost in the other threads.

 

For myself, I grew up with a home teacher regularly coming to my home. In my youth, my ht was such a part of my family's life that I wanted him to baptize me (my father tried to convince me that it was his right to do so - as a compromise he baptized and the ht confirmed me). As I got older and reached an age where I started finding my parents to be a little loony in their worldview, it was grounding to have a home teacher who taught the same things. Home teachers were often invited to family events like birthdays and holiday grilling.

 

I have a family that I home teach who use me as an opportunity to have an extra family home evening, if you will. I'll teach a short lesson and the father then takes the time to testify to his children and personalize the message further.

 

I benefit from home teaching because, sad to say, I'm one of those people who have to be commanded in this thing. I wouldn't look to make friends if I wasn't "assigned" (to) one. I'm glad the Lord is merciful enough to give me a duty to grow.

 

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How has home and visiting teaching blessed you? What do you get out of the program?

[Guest]

Just last Sunday, I saw my HT at choir practice and I yelled across the room to him - You have to visit me this week, anytime, anyday (he travels out of town weekly for his job).  And he yelled back, okay, pick me up from the airport on Friday at 11PM.  And I yelled back - sounds perfect!

 

That was super exciting because... due to his job, we haven't had a visit in years...

 

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Okay, that really didn't happen.  I was just imagining how cool that would be if that did happen when I saw him at choir practice last Sunday.    It is really very difficult for him to do his HT.  And his companion is inactive.

Edited January 21, 2015 by anatess

[pkstpaul]

I was in Ward Council when the funeral of a young member of our ward was being planned. When discussing arrangements for the chairs being setup, the bishop waved it off saying "Bob's the hometeacher, I'm not going to worry about that." It was an inspirational moment for me as I came to understand the HT role in lightening the burden of the bishop. I never looked at HT the same after that.

[sxfritz]

I love it when asked to do something specific. I've replaced water heaters, cut down trees, brought food, painted, landscaped, given blessings, etc. I love when families I no longer home teach still ask me for help or advice. I think I gained my testimony of HT when I felt wanted. 

 

I think OP wanted experiences of how we've been touched by our HT. I've had many many years with no HT. I never minded. Then I get a good HT that comes every month and keeps his visits short. He still shows he cares by asking the right questions. Right now, we have some health issues in my family. I love that my HT and wife's VT have being going the extra for us lately. At first, I didn't want food brought over, but to tell you the truth, it helps. I cook just fine and my energy level is just fine, but to not have to be concerned about something small is big. 

Edited January 21, 2015 by sxfritz

[Guest]

I've made some of my closest friends through visiting teaching. 

 

We haven't always had consistent visits from home and visiting teachers, but we've always had someone to call when we need help, whether it was our current or former teachers, or both.

 

I think we get so hung up on how often people are coming and how much we enjoy their visits. My humble opinion is that the purpose should really be whether we're forming links between families in our wards, and whether our home and visiting teaching is strengthening the bonds of our ward families. No, I haven't seen my home teachers in a couple of months. But I can call them when we need priesthood blessings, or recommendations on HVAC companies, or to see if they could spare some cough medicine (just did that one this week). 

 

We have a pretty good circle of people we can call on in our ward, and hopefully of people who know they can call on us. Most of those have been connected to us through home or visiting teaching at one time or another.

[Palerider]

Called on a less active Sister and I had the missionaries with me. We knocked on door and she opend it up and said.....come on in. I asked if she was sure she knew who we are....she replied yes..we went inside and visited. Her husband not a member was a over the road truck driver.

Long story short.....6 months later husband was taught the discussions and was baptized and they both are active today.

[mirkwood]

I love being a home teacher.  I go every month and make a point to be active in their lives beyond the official visit.  A couple months ago I texted my families and thanked them for letting me be their home teachers.  Such a blessing in my life to be a HT, I hope I am a blessing in their lives.

[Palerider]

Just found out lastnight about a sister in the other Ward that meets in our building who is now in our ward. Her family had to put her in a Nursing Home. I am going to request to be her Hometeacher.

[Roseslipper]

I had the opportunity to become really good friends with some of the people and family s that I have vt. One of the family s and I became like family. Even though we move away we still keep in touch. I also had the opportunity to become best friends with one of my vt companion we miss each other so much but keep in touch. I now have two powerful sisters that I by their both strong in the church I'd love to get closer to them but there to busy for visits which doesn't make me a happy camper. I could of learned so much from them all I could do is text them. I stopped reporting my vt. I now feel it's better to vt the less active @ least your work ing on trying to bring them back to the fold..

[Palerider]

I did not go in to much detail about the sister recently put into a Nursing Home. Several years ago her husband when he was alive served as my Executive Secretary and later as our Ward Clerk. They were both great people and they were like having another set of Parents around. They were that loving. I knew she wasn't long for living in her home by herself. A few months ago as I drove past her home early one morning I noticed she had fallen in her yard. I turned around and went back and helped her. I picked her up and helped her back into her home. I called her Bishop and let him know what happened. It took her about 20-30 minutes before she remembered who I was.

[Guest MormonGator]

I'm lucky because the people I am home teaching are wonderful! I love going to their homes. I can feel the love and spirit there. 

I always tease them and say "Sorry guys, you drew the short straw and are stuck with me!" 

Edited January 27, 2015 by MormonGator

[Guest]

So... my kid has a friend who he brought to church a year ago and has been active in the church for that long - can't get baptized because his mom won't allow it.  But, this kid comes to church early to help put down chairs (because he can't prepare sacrament) and goes to choir practice and attends YM activities and firesides and dances.  He's not officially a member but he got added to the HT route... how cool is that?

Edited January 26, 2015 by anatess

[Palerider]

So... my kid has a friend who he brought to church a year ago and has been active in the church for that long - can't get baptized because his mom won't allow it.  But, this kid comes to church early to help put down chairs (because he can't prepare sacrament) and goes to choir practice and attends YM activities and firesides and dances.  He's not officially a member but he got added to the HT route... how cool is that?

I think that's awesome....thanks for sharing that