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As requested, I am posting this report on our VT Convention that we had in August.  It was very impressive and brought across the point of the gift of time that we give to the sisters when we do our visiting teaching.

 -Today we had a very inspirational Visiting Teaching Conference in our ward. The priesthood had been asked to substitute for the women in Primary and Young Women's so all of the women in the ward were able to attend.

Our R.S. room was crowded and it was good to meet some of the women that we never see.  (Our ward boundaries have recently been redrawn.)

When we entered the room, the first things that were noticed were five big clocks on the wall, like those in airports, showing various times around the world.  On the front table and on top of the piano were antique clocks including many old mantel clocks and  a porcelain clock.  The flowers added to the effect.

Opening Song:  "As Sisters In Zion"
Opening Prayer:

Short talk by R.S. President about time.  She read many quotes and cliches about time; some funny, some profound.  A quote from Ben Franklin "If thou love life do not squander time for time is the stuff that life is made of."

What do  we do with our time?

More quotes about time.  Can't buy it.  Everyone in the world has the same amount of time.

A young mother was asked to tell of someone who helped them by giving their time.  She had been out of her parents home for about three years and was preparing to get married.  She needed to go back to her parents home to packup the things that remained in her room.  It was a hard time for her. She had to decide what to keep, what to throw away.  Her mother spent that time with her to listen to her concerns about the changes happening her in life.  She will always remember that time that her mother was there for her.

Others were asked to share their experiences with people who had shared the gift of time.  There were a few who contributed.

R.S. President quoted from Emma Smith about the beginning of R.S.  "We are going to do some thing extraordinary......"

"Feelings of Forever" from Saturdays Warrior was sung as a solo.  Very moving.

Another sister was asked to share her views on "The eternal benefits of spending time with people."  She said that she was known as the late (her name).

She emphasized that there is no way to actually know the far reaching effect of time spent with others.  She said that since she has recently spent time with her grandchildren it has really been emphasized in her life.

There are eternal and well as the now benefits in Visiting Teaching.  She has made a good friend of a less active sister who lives near her.  She said that being her visiting teacher fills a need of her own because she can help this elderly woman whereas she was too far away from her own mother to give her this same kind of care.

There has been an on going award given out in this ward called the Rose Ellen Award for those who go above and beyond the call of duty as visiting teachers.  This is not a percentage award, but for outstanding service. Rose Ellen was given a special award today for the many years that she has served as Visiting Teaching Coordinator.  A short proclamation was read and she was given a cloth angel doll.

Each sister was given a small white lace-trimmed handkerchief with a little ribbon rose on it.  Attached to the kerchief were slips of paper "Rose Ellen Award" August 30, 1998 and "Take a Little Bit of Time"  to be: Thoughtful, Interested & Make memories for Eternity.........

Closed with the statement, "Now we turn the "Time" over to you for your use wisely as a Visiting Teacher."

Then a solo "A Little bit of Time"  I think that was the title.

Closing prayer and then cheese cake was served to all there.

Very impressive.

Now I could use some ideas for our next Visiting Teaching Conference.

Thanks.

Sharon