Create!

It's Motivational Monday, and I've chosen a 2-minute video featuring President Uchtdorf. Positive and affirming, this is a great way to start out the week. What does a video about creating have in common with Visiting Teaching? According to President Uchtdorf, "Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter..."



With your innate and unique talent, "you will make the world a better place". One important way is through Visiting Teaching. I love the words that were highlighted in it: "Improve. Beautify. Extend. Smile. Cultivate. Develop. Create." That's Visiting Teaching!

If you're interested, you can read President Uchtdorf's complete talk here.

Enjoy your visit!


Susan

Freebie Fridays

If I've figured out how to upload it, you should be able to access my printable for the February Visiting Teaching Message here. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture. But trust me, it looked incredible. (Which might be a slight exaggeration but since no one can see it, no one can disagree.) AND it was easy. (No exaggeration!) Click, wait for it...

If anyone here has never made a heart from a paper strip, please raise your hand. That's exactly what I thought. I see no hands raised. But here are some instructions in case I missed someone...

Print out the printable. Colored paper looks great but isn't necessary.

Cut it along the solid lines. You'll end up with 6 strips. (If I had a fancy scalloped-edge scissor, I'd think about using it to cut out a narrower contrasting strip of paper. I'd glue the contrast strip to the center of the wider strip. On the unprinted side, of course!)

Fold each strip in half cross-wise, printed side inside.

Curl the top edges in to make a heart. Glue or staple ends of the unprinted sides together.

Tie the heart to whatever you want with curling ribbon, twine, etc. I tied mine to a clear goodie bag holding an angel food cupcake. (Yes. The very reason I added "Errand of angels" to the quote.) I should have had a photo, but cupcakes and my house do not intersect for long. I also thought about suggesting a Divinity recipe, but it gets a little temperamental if the weather is humid. That can happen from time to time here in Feb. It would not be pretty. Consider that idea at your own risk.

Or you can punch a hole in the top of a print out of this month's Visiting Teaching message and tie the heart to the message. Easy does it!

Enjoy your visit!


Susan

On-a-Whim Wednesdays

To post, or not to post...that's what "On-a-Whim Wednesdays" are all about. It's Wednesday, my least-favorite day of the week, and I'm not anxious to pile anything else onto that. (Growing up, Wednesday night was always chili night.) Maybe Wednesdays now have the potential to become my favorite day of the week? Definitely worth a try.

from mishmash mom

Now that I don't have to post, here's today's offering--a free printable from Kathy's blog, Mishmash Mom. This printable can accompany this month's message, or any Visiting Teaching message about love or service. (So I'll post it every month. Kidding!) One re-purposing idea is to re-size it to fit the front of a planner or calendar you've printed up or bought for a dollar. Great for the end of the year--maybe I'll post it again after all! (Still kidding.)

You'll have to add your own heart embellishments that you see at the bottom of the print. Even though you are on a VT blog, I have to quickly add that if you choose to make one for yourself, you might add a long, narrow photo of your family along the bottom instead. In black and white or sepia, of course.

For the printable download page with 8.5 x 11" and 5 x 7" options, click here.

Enjoy your visit!


Susan

Motivational Monday

Mondays at VT Inspiration are dedicated to motivational thoughts on Visiting Teaching and service.

Today's inspiration is Flecks of Gold from Mormon Messages. It runs just 3 minutes, 16 seconds, if all goes well. (Yes, today's blog stops here. I don't want to push my luck. I'm a bit dazed, amazed that it looks like the coding actually worked! )



Enjoy your visit!


Susan

Simple Pleasures

Rebecca Cooper's Simple As That blog is a visual pleasure. "Simple" is one of the best words found in the English language, and when something simple is combined with a great appearance, it's all over for me--simply irresistible.

Take, for instance, Rebecca's recent free printable. Maybe you thought "Valentine's Day", when you saw it, but wouldn't it make a great card front or mini-poster for a new mother? Or how about re-purposing it as anniversary print or card for one of your sisters? Maybe one of your sisters (or one of her daughters) has just become engaged? Besides being so versatile, this design is also offered in five different color choices.

Rebecca's printable is free once you've signed up as a follower on her blog, Simple As That.

Sign up for and download Rebecca's free "valentine" printable here.

Enjoy your visit!


Susan

New on the Block...

Welcome!

Please excuse any confusion--I'm just moving in and not sure how I want to arrange everything yet. I am sure, though, that I hope to eventually become one of your favorite stops for links to VT printables, quotes, and inspiration every month.

The most important links I'll share each month are for the Visiting Teaching Message from The Ensign. I'll also post some of the mega-link pages of VT handouts and seasonal ideas:

• February's pdf message is found here, Guardians of the Hearth.

• An html version (faster-loading) is here, Guardians of the Hearth.
  

• The sugardoodle link for February VT handouts is here. On this link, any site listed with an asterisk is a commercial site, featuring materials that are not free.

• A year of holiday-themed VT ideas from sugardoodle.net is here.

• And of course, the mother lode of Visiting Teaching ideas, Visiting Teaching.net, is here.

I love, love, love graphics and design, but VT handouts are admittedly the least important part of any visit. I've asked myself many times why I would consider devoting time to a blog featuring one of the least important parts of Visiting Teaching.

I know a few women who feel they have no time or creativity, but still want to do fun or beautiful things for their sisters. By sharing what I've discovered on the internet or created myself, I hope others will benefit, too, and that this creative energy will enliven your life as well as bless the sisters you visit.

Will I find a way to keep the most important links from ending up at the very bottom of the page? Can I add a background? Will I ever figure out how to post my own designs? For these exciting developments and even more important--for Visiting Teaching inspiration--keep tuning in here!

Enjoy your visit!


Susan