Sister, a moment of your time;
I want to thank you
For caring for my child as your own,
For sharing my secret grief,
For waiting with me
In the last long hour of light.

Your hands fed me in illness
Your words brought comfort in pain
Your knowing erased my doubts
Your gifts came as welcome rain.

You pass off my thanks,
“It was nothing,” you say,
“Anyone would have done as much.”

Yet your deeds are a bond between us
As lasting as sacred spoken vows,
Welding us into a flowing golden chain
With Emma, Eliza and the rest, then and now,
That encircles and warms all of our struggling hearts.

by Judith Curtis( copyright 2004)

Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, VT-Poems & Stories

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I have received so many emails from people looking for the Little Red Hen skit. I searched my email archives and I found a copy, here it is.

Here is the skit that we had for the Visiting Teaching Conference.

Each character was holding the animal they played. The animals were from
Diane Hooks clip art. They were very cute! Then they were enlarged quite
a bit and the centers were cut out so each character held them up in
front of their face so their face showed through the opening. Each
animal was also laminated for durability. Hope that all makes since!

Each character came to the front of the room when it was their turn to
participate. On the Relief Society table was the book, a large basket
with a green plant, and several very cute darling chickens that people
had. “Little Red Hens’ New Call”

NARRATOR: (was dressed in work overalls, wearing a straw hat, holding a
piece of wheat between fingers, red bandana around her neck freckles on
her checks. She comes walking into the Relief Society Room picks up the
book “Little Red Hens’ New call, opens the book and the following part
is inside the book and she reads the following….)

Once upon a time in a barnyard not too far from here, lived a little red
hen. She served as the ward homemaking leader. (This was way before
this, family, home…no I mean Home Family and Personal Enrichment
leader stuff!) Anyway back to the story. The Little Red Hen tried to
hold a mini class on wheat gardening and bread making. You all remember
what a disaster that was. She ended up doing everything all by herself
!! Well she has just received a new call as the Relief Society
President. Today she has decided to reorganize visiting teaching. Oh
look who’s here, Sister Little Herself.

LITTLE RED HEN:

BOK, BOK, BO, BOK! Who will help me do this visiting teaching?

DUCK: (WALKING FAST)

Quack, Quack! Not I said Sister Duck, My goodness with 8 ducklings to
take care of, I have swim team, quaking lessons and waddling classes for
all 8 of them. I have one ugly duckling and I’m working on his self
esteem. I’m exhausted all the time. Oh and please don’t send Sister Cow
to visit me, I’m afraid she’ll step on one of my children.

LITTLE RED HEN:

Who will help me do this visiting teaching??

COW:

MOOOOOOOO! Not I said Sister Cow. I”Ve been visiting Sister Duck but
with all those ducklings running around everywhere and all that
quacking, my nerves just can’t take it. I don’t want to visit her.

LITTLE RED HEN:

Who will help me do this visiting teaching??

PIG:

OINK, OINK , OINK! Not I said Sister Pig. I’ve been visiting Sister Goat
and she’s always in the dumps. She’s depressed about everything, it’s
not fun to visit her.

LITTLE RED HEN:

Then who will help me do this visiting teaching??

GOAT:

BLAAAAA! Oh not I said Sister Goat. Sister Sheep is my companion. She
takes no initiative to make appointments or give the lesson, she just
follows me around, I need someone with more enthusiasm.

SHEEP:

BAAAAAA! Not I either Little Red Hen. I don’t really think visiting
teaching is that important and besides Sister Sheep so sooooo bossy!

LITTLE RED HEN:

WHO WILL HELP ME DO THIS VISITING TEACHING?????

DOG:

ROOF, ROOF! Not I said Sister Dog. I visit Sister Cat, her immaculate
home intimidates me, why she’s always cleaning, I’m afraid I’ll leave a
paw print somewhere.

CAT:

MEOWWWWWW! Oh not I said Sister Cat. I don’t even want visiting
teachers, especially Sister Dog, she scares me.

LITTLE RED HEN: (Farmer Rich was played by the Bishop, dressed in
overalls, straw hat, holding a piece of wheat between his fingers , and
scriptures, when called he comes slowly walking into the Relief Society
room)

Farmer Rich farmer Rich!!! Whatever shall I do. I just know I can’t do
all this visiting teaching by myself!! ( STARTS TO CRY.)

FARMER RICH:

Now, now Sister Little. Let me talk to the Sisters: Sisters as your
barnyard leader I want to remind you about the time Sister Little asked
you to help her make bread. Remember how you all had some “IMPORTANT”
reason why you couldn’t help her. You all missed out on the blessing of
her delicious baking. Remember how you felt as you watched Sister Little
and her chicks eat all of that warm yummy wheat bread. Why this is the
very same thing, you will all miss out on the blessings of visiting
teaching and you will miss having made some wonderful new friends.

COW:

You’re right Farmer Rich. Perhaps I could watch Sister Ducks’ ducklings
at the pond and give her an hour to herself.

DUCK:

How thoughtful of you Sister Cow. That would be wonderful, I could
really use the break.

PIG:

Maybe all Sister Goat needs is friend. Someone to listen to her.

GOAT:

Perhaps I was a bit hasty, don’t change Sister Sheep and I yet.

SHEEP:

I’m sure we can work this out. After all I’m sure there is a lot I can
learn from Sister Goat.

GOAT:

I’ll make the appointments one month and you give the lesson and then
the next month you make the appointments and I’ll give the lesson.

DOG:

This is the first time I’ve heard that I scare Sister Cat. All this time
I thought she didn’t like me.

CAT:

Maybe I misjudged Sister Dog.

LITTLE RED HEN:

Oh thank you dear sisters! I know if we all work together we can watch
over each other and not one of our Sisters will be without a friend and
someone to help and love her.

FARMER RICH:

By the way Sister Little. I suggest you leave immediately, I hear
they’re serving chicken soup for lunch.

LITTLE RED HEN:

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEE I’m outta here!!!!!

Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, VT-Leader Resources, VT-Poems & Stories

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RELIEF SOCIETY NOW
© 1998, Dave Conway. All Rights Reserved.
Songs of the Heart

(Sisters can hold up large letters that spell “Relief Society Now” as lyrics are sung)

R your mornings boring?
E venings got you down?
L evate your feelings
I solate those frowns.
E ven when it’s darkest
F fect a winning style.

S cape the blahs that haunt you and
O pen up and smile!
C that lonely sister?
I dentify her needs.
E ach time you give service your
T edium will flee.
Y not call a shut in?

N circle her with love.
O nly through your giving will you
W pleasure; Find a real treasure:
The measure of a sister in your Father’s eyes above.

No, it’s not just church on Sundays
That magnifies your vows.
Each new act of charity’s RELIEF SOCIETY NOW.
Caring for your sister: RELIEF SOCIETY NOW.
Sharing of your talents: RELIEF SOCIETY NOW.
Being a good neighbor: RELIEF SOCIETY NOW.
Acting like the Savior: RELIEF SOCIETY NOW.

Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, VT-Poems & Stories

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On Top of Old Smokey
Words © 1991, BJ Harvey

The time has gone quickly
This month is near done
I’m feeling real guilty
For visits there’s none.

I must make appointments
And call those dear folks,
Make time with the active
Tell the other ones jokes…

My companion is limping
And I’ve got the flu,
There’s no babysitter
What am I to do?

My skis are broken
The car just won’t go!
My bicycle won’t work
In this much snow…

I call my first family
To chain up their dog,
And turn on their porch light
In case there is fog!

Warn the next family
We’re coming in,
So we can’t see if
They’re living in sin!

Call still another
With 24 kids,
Keep the smiles beaming
As they all bang pot lids!

Feel so discouraged
With those frowns and sighs,
Try to talk faster to
Clock-watchers, good-byes.
And when it is over
And we’ve listened a lot,
Borne testimonies
Given lessons or not –
We’ve seen all our dear sisters
And lightened their souls,
And shown them we care too
And helped with their goals.
So don’t let the time fly
Without going out
Visiting Teaching
Is what it’s about.

Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, VT-Poems & Stories

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Called to Serve Soup
(tune: Called to Serve)

Here’s our motto - Strive to serve each other,
Sound the Call and to your aid we’ll troop
Like the mailman rain and snow won’t stop us
Faithful with our pot of Soup, soup, soup, soup

Service - render service, if it’s flu or gout or croup
Service - render service, if you’re hurt and you can’t stoop
Service - render service , if your spirits tend to droop
We can fix it here - sweet sister dear
With our Pot of Soup

Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, VT-Poems & Stories

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COUNT YOUR WRINKLES

Hello-Welcome, everyone-You’re looking great;
You don’t look a minute over 98.
What have you to show for all the sweat and tears?
And the smiles and laughter of these many years?

CHORUS:
[Count your wrinkles; name them one by one;
Counting Wrinkles can be lots of fun.
Don’t you pity-People who have none?
Count your many wrinkles, see what time has done.]

Count from top to bottom or from left to right.
Counting wrinkles one by one could take all night.
If you’re in a hurry; here’s what you can do;
Count them all on one side and then multiply by two.

(CHORUS)
Some might say that naming wrinkles is insane;
Fred and Sue and Benjamin and Mary Jane.
Each and every wrinkle is a special friend;
They will all be with you to your journey’s end.

(CHORUS)

Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, VT-Poems & Stories

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THE TWELVE DAYS OF DECEMBER (RS)
(tune: “Twelve Days of Christmas”)

On the first day of Christmas my parents said to me…

1 Get up and go to sem-i-nary.

2 Eat all your veggies

3 Turn down the music

4 Don’t tease the boys

5 Go clean your room

6 Hold down the noise

7 No dating ’til you’re 30

8 Remember who you are!

9 Listen to the Bishop

10 Don’t forget your homework

11 Take your little brother

12 You can’t wear that skirt!

Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, VT-Poems & Stories

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THE TWELVE DAYS OF DECEMBER (RS)
(tune: “Twelve Days of Christmas”)

Twelve sisters line up and each sings a line in turn with all singing together:
“Never miss Relief Society. That’s that!”

On the first day of December my family said to me:
“Never miss Relief Society, ” that’s that!

On the second day of December my family said to me: “Give me a hug”
On the third day of December my family said to me: “Find my shoes,”
On the fourth day of December my family said to me: “Mail the Christmas cards.”

On the fifth day of December my family said to me: “Where is my doll?”
On the sixth day of December my family said to me: “Let’s go out shopping.”

On the seventh day of December my family said to me: “Bake us some cookies.”

On the eighth day of December my family said to me: “Sew me some doll clothes.”

On the ninth day of December my family said to me: “Loan me some money.”
On the tenth day of December my family said to me: “Wrap up the presents.”

On the eleventh day of December my family said to me: “Let’s trim the tree.”

On the twelfth day of December my family said to me: “Drive me to the party.”

“AND NEVER MISS RELIEF SOCIETY! THAT’S THAT!”

Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, VT-Poems & Stories

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THREE MONTHS OF VISITING TEACHING
(tune: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” - First and second groups alternate the first six verses. Both groups sing the last verse.)

FIRST GROUP
v.1
My husband is sick with pneumonia.
My children have measles, you see.
The dog’s throwing up in the kitchen.
Oh please send my teachers to me!
Please send, please send,
Oh please send my teachers to me,
OH PLEASE!
Send them, send them,
Oh please send my teachers to me.

v.3
This broken leg’s getting so pesty,
I can’t do my work, you can see.
I’d call up somebody to help me,
But my telephone’s lost in debris.
Please send, please send,
Oh please send my teachers to me,
OH PLEASE!
Send them, send them,
Oh please send my teachers to me.

v.5
My husband is not here - he’s working.
My kids are at school all the day.
So here I sit all sad and lonely,
And that is when you’ll hear me pray:
Please send, please send,
Oh please send my teachers to me,
OH PLEASE!
Send them, send them,
Oh please send my teachers to me.

SECOND GROUP
v.2
Oh sister I’m sorry to hear this.
If only my time were just mine.
But look how the sun it is shining,
I have to hang clothes on the line.
Sorry, sorry,
I’m sorry we can’t come today, today.
Sorry, sorry,
I’m sorry we can’t come today.

v.4
Oh mercy, you have quite a problem,
But I really don’t know what to do.
I fear that I have an appointment,
And my hairdresser, she needs me too.
Sorry, sorry,
I’m sorry we can’t come today, today.
Sorry, sorry,
I’m sorry we can’t come today.

v.6
Dear sister, we know how you’re feeling.
Our sympathy, we’ll give you some.
Our hearts are just filled to o’erflowing,
But that doesn’t mean we will come.
Sorry, sorry,
I’m sorry we can’t come today, today.
Sorry, sorry,
I’m sorry we can’t come today.

BOTH GROUPS
v.7
Whenever you sisters have problems,
And turn with those problems to you;
Be ready and willing and able
To do all you can possibly do!

Say: Gladly, gladly, YES!
Gladly we WILL come today, today.
Say: Gladly, gladly, YES!
Gladly we WILL come today.

Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, VT-Poems & Stories

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MUST BE SANTA CLAUS

Leader: Who thinks Visiting Teaching’s great?
Group: We thing Visiting Teaching’s great.
Leader: Who goes early, but never late?
Group: We go early, but never late.
All: Never late, teaching’s great.
We’re your sisters, we’re your sisters,
We’re your sisters, we love you!

Leader: Who does visits willingly?
Group: We do our visits willingly.
Leader: Who serves sisters faithfully?
Group: We serve our sisters faithfully.
All: Faithfully, willingly,
Never late, teaching’s great.
We’re your sisters, we’re your sisters,
We’re your sisters, we love you!

Leader: Who reads the monthly lesson through?
Group: We read the monthly lesson through.
Leader: Who takes love and a small treat too?
Group: We take our love and a small treat too.
All: Small treat too, lesson through,
Faithfully, willingly,
Never late, teaching’s great.
We’re your sisters, we’re your sisters,
We’re your sisters, we love you!

Leader: Who remembers to go with prayer?
Group: We remember to go with prayer.
Leader: Who asks the Spirit to guide us there?
Group: We ask the Spirit to guide us there?
All: Guide us there, go with prayer,
Small treat too, lesson through,
Faithfully, willingly,
Never late, teaching’s great.
We’re your sisters, we’re your sisters,
We’re your sisters, we love you!

Leader: Who knows our partners are very dear?
Group: We know our partners are very dear.
Leader: Who goes each month of every year?
Group: We go each month of every year.
All: Every year, partners dear,
Guide us there, go with prayer,
Small treat too, lesson through,
Faithfully, willingly,
Never late, teaching’s great.
We’re your sisters, we’re your sisters,
We’re your sisters, we love you!

Leader: Who knows by this call they’re blessed?
Group: We know by this call we’re blessed.
Leader: Who always strives to do their best?
Group: We always strive to do our best.
All: Do their best, call they’re blessed,
Every year, partners dear,
Guide us there, go with prayer,
Small treat too, lesson through,
Faithfully, willingly,
Never late, teaching’s great.
We’re your sisters, we’re your sisters,
We’re your sisters, we love you!

Leader: Who brings sisters the Savior’s love?
Group: We bring our sisters the Savior’s love.
Leader: Who brings His spirit from above?
Group: We bring His spirit from above.
All: From above, Savior’s love,
Do their best, call they’re blessed,
Every year, partners dear,
Guide us there, go with prayer,
Small treat too, lesson through,
Faithfully, willingly,
Never late, teaching’s great.
We’re your sisters, we’re your sisters,
We’re your sisters, we love you!

Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, VT-Poems & Stories

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