This visiting teaching idea comes from Elder Richard G. Scott’s talk in the last General Conference, entitled, “He Lives! All Glory to His Name!” I was very touched by Elder Scott’s testimony of Jesus Christ. It made me want to work harder to know my Savior, and to understand the resurrection and atonement.
Elder Scott said, “…as you remember the Resurrection and the price paid and the gift given through the Atonement, ponder what the scriptures teach of those sacred events. Your personal witness of their reality will be strengthened. They must be more than principles you memorize. They must be woven into the very fiber of your being as a powerful bulwark against the rising tide of abomination that infects our world. ”
With that quote in mind, I made a paper woven heart basket. The words on the woven strips refer to this quote:
“I energetically encourage you to establish a personal study plan to better understand and appreciate the incomparable, eternal, infinite consequences of Jesus Christ’s perfect fulfillment of His divinely appointed calling as our Savior and Redeemer. Profound personal pondering of the scriptures accompanied by searching, heartfelt prayer will fortify your understanding of and appreciation for His priceless Atonement. Another powerful way to learn of Jesus Christ and His Atonement is through consistent temple attendance.”
I believe as we do those things: profound personal scripture study, searching heartfelt prayer, and consistent temple attendance, the principles learned regarding the atonement will become woven into our hearts and minds.
To get started with your woven basket, download the printable file here in English and here in Spanish. Print on white and/or colored paper.
Fold the paper in half, where indicated.
Cut the folded paper, through both layers, on the dotted lines.
Weave the basket by going through and around the strips of paper. Shown here – going through.
After going through one more time, scoot the first woven strip up to the top and begin on the second strip, this time going around first. Continue until all three strips are woven, and voila!
You have a woven heart basket that you can add a ribbon handle to, fill with goodies, or give as is. You could also print out one more quote from Elder Scott’s talk to place inside. I love this one:
“Your understanding of the Atonement and the insight it provides for your life will greatly enhance your productive use of all of the knowledge, experience, and skills you acquire in mortal life. …There is an imperative need for each of us to strengthen our understanding of the significance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ so that it will become an unshakable foundation upon which to build our lives. As the world becomes more devoid of foundational standards and as honor, virtue, and purity are increasingly cast aside in the pursuit of appetite, our understanding of and faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ will provide strength and capacity needed for a successful life. It will also bring confidence in times of trial and peace in moments of turmoil.
NOTE: I updated the printable file, so it looks a little different than the photos. I had the top quotes in the wrong order.
You can download this post in Spanish here.
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [29 Apr 02:00pm GMT]. Thanks, Maria
At the beginning of the year I set a goal to become a better visiting teacher. Since I found your blog in January I have been using your ideas. I feel like this has helped me become a better visiting teacher because I am planning ahead and putting more thought into my lessons. The ladies I visit teach are also really impressed. Thanks for taking the time to share your ideas with strangers. I have also shared your blog with lots of people who have also used your ideas:)
Thanks
Lisa
I love your ideas, Thanks for all your hard work you put into your projects! My woven heart turned out great!
Tami
I just found your site- LOVE the ideas- very cute. Thank you for sharing!
I made your pinwheels last month and plan to make the baskets for May. Thanks so much for your creativity and generosity! PS-I have one suggestion. Could you make the LARGE PRINT version for my demographic – grandmothers who VT other grandmas. Ha ha! 🙂
I LOVE this idea! Thank you for sharing all of your fabulous ideas!
Fabulous..I plan to use your idea and add some silk ribbon to the basket!
Thanks for the nice comments! I love hearing how sisters are enjoying these ideas. Linda – I will keep in mind the large print version. I do tend towards the tiny in my fonts. 🙂
You make me look like a genius! My sisters are totally convinced I made these without help, even though I always admit you were the real genius. I even have a sister who was inactive for many years and is new to being a visiting teacher. I make an extra for her to give to her sister. You are the tops!
mdgeorgeson – that is fantastic!
You are amazing. Love the ideas. I love to use all of your ideas.
I just made the basket and love it! My VT will be so surprised! Thanks so much for the ideas and for sharing your creativity!
I found your website in April and loved making the pinwheels. I just finished my heart baskets and they are adorable! I honestly can't wait to see what you come up with next month. I love making the crafts as much as my "sisters" love getting them. Thank you!!!
What a great blog! I'll have to share with my friends/family/followers! Thanks for all your wonderful ideas.
Thank you so much for your great ideas! I love that they aren't just cute, they are a great way to "teach" the message. We have sisters that are not interested in a message of any kind so your ideas are ideal. I can drop them off or stay for a visit and have something fun to leave with them that will be uplifting. keep it coming.
Thanks everyone. You are welcome!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing your creative and beautiful projects. I am not very crafty or creative but I sure can print, fold an cut paper:-P LOL..seriously though you make this so easy and it looks like I slaved over it. And I always tell people I get it from your blog!!!!!
Thanks Mibi and Lee. You made me smile big time!
You are one talented and inspired lady…Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful idea with us. My ladies love to see what new creation your going to come up with each month. Thanks again, you inspire me :o)
I have been using your ideas since the first of this year when I found your blog! They are so creative and really bring home the monthly message. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas!!!
Thank you so much for the ideas. I have used a couple of them. The heart basket helped since all of my crafty stuff is packed, getting ready for our move. My ladies thought it was great! I am passing on the "Versatile Blogger" award. You can pick it up here:
http://4growingboys.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-first-blog-award.html
Yay! Thanks for the award. So fun!
i love your ideas and am so grateful that i have somewhere to go to get ideas for my Visiting Teaching. i have a "card route" and i have found that doing something besides just dropping a card in the mail is appreciated by my ladies. i drop these on their porches and i have heard from several of them that they love the ideas. Thank you again!
There was an article in the Church News back in January from Sister Beck… I don't remember the exact words, but it was something to the effect of visiting teaching is often a thankless job. Our efforts go unnoticed by many, but not by the Lord. Visiting Teaching is a way of getting points in heaven. I, too, visit teach sisters that are inactive. Your handout ideas are ways to touch these sisters hearts with a message that I doubt goes in the garbage like a photocopied message probably would. I am sure that your work on this blog goes unnoticed, but boy, you are getting A LOT of points in heaven! Thanks for making my visiting teaching (especially those that are inactive) so much better and effective.