Several years ago I was assigned to visit teach a lady who was struggling with an eating disorder. I was young and didn’t realize at the time how much this illness affected her life. I knew she was ill, but I didn’t know how ill she truly was.

As I had opportunities to visit with this sweet lady, I came to learn what a kind and caring person she was. She offered to give my family an extra bed she had, for my first daughter who at the time was transitioning from a crib to a bed.

I also recall one particular Sunday when she was not able to attend church because she was so ill. She gave her tithing to me and asked me to give it to our Bishop. She was a very faithful lady, who was battling with a difficult illness.

I think the greatest blessing I gained from being her visiting teacher however, came as I took the opportunity to visit her in the hospital. I was busy and I could have easily put off that visit. But fortunately I didn’t. I had a wonderful visit with her at the hospital. As I walked from the hospital that afternoon following our visit, I did not realize that would be the last visit I had with her. Shortly after she was released from the hospital she passed away at her home.

I’ve reflected often on that visit. How grateful I am for the promptings of the Holy Spirit that I received to pay a visit to this sweet lady in the hospital, and how thankful I am that I listened and obeyed.

I had the blessing to be assigned as this good lady’s visiting teacher. However, I feel like I was the one that was taught.

Thank you for the reminder of the great impact that visiting teaching can have on our lives.