{ An early Valentine's }...

Friday night Casey and I had the chance to go on an early Valentines date.  It really was just supposed to be a normal date, but since our date's are few and far between, we decided to celebrate early.  We were already excited to have a night out, but changing the title to include "Valentines" made it even better.  I even pulled out the polish for my fingers and toes!  I wonder if my husband noticed that???  I forgot to tell him I went the extra mile. :)  Anyway, we had a ton of fun.  We went to my favorite restaurant and enjoyed a nice quiet dinner outside on the patio.  We took our time eating and then took our time heading over to catch a movie.  We held hands...lots. 

While I was preparing during the day for my kids to be left for 4 hours with out us, I kept thinking about dinner and a movie and holding hands.  I found myself laughing about it.  Who would have ever thought that a date consisting of dinner and a movie would be so exciting?  I was thinking back to my time in high school and how those kinds of dates were always our last options, when we couldn't come up with anything more creative.  Now they are my highlights!  Enjoying the quiet with my husband, talking about whatever we want to with out being interrupted or having to watch what we say.  And then heading off to a movie, where we get to sit next to each other and hold hands instead of having our very cute children sandwiched in the middle of us.  Honestly, what is better than that... besides leaving them with grandma for multiple days while vacationing and staying in a hotel?

Our date was possible because I have the very best visiting teacher in the world.  She puts me to shame!  She comes every month, with out a companion and doesn't just share the message with me, but always brings something with her.  Sometimes a treat, sometimes a gift, sometimes service.  This past month she brought me a homemade coupon for a date night.  She wanted to provide the service of spending time with my children for free.  She even brought dinner with her!  Seconds before Casey was heading out the door to grab pizza for the kids, she called and said she was grabbing pizza and bringing it with her.  She's a mind reader too!  I love and appreciate her so much.  I have the privilege of working with her in Young Women's too.  I watch the way she is and the things she does and I learn so much from her.  She is a true example to me in soooooo many ways.  A couple of months ago when she came to visit me, I told her how much I look up to her and want to be like her.  I asked how in the world she has time to do service for so many people?  (she has 5 kids)  She laughed at me and told me she only does service for me, after all,  she's my visiting teacher.  I told her that's not true at all.  I see all of the things she does. She's NEVER home!  She was modest about it and told me how strongly she felt about visiting teaching.  Heavenly Father put her in charge of me.  She is the only sister who has that calling.  No other sister is put in charge of Krysta Moes and makes sure she is completely looked out for.  I knew that, but I never really pondered it before.  I have been ever since I heard her say it that way.  It has changed the way I look at Visiting Teaching. 

I am so thankful for moving different places and meeting different people and all of the life lessons I learn from those around me.  I take things from everyone I meet and mold them into my own life.  I will always try to be a better Visiting Teacher now and look out for the things my sisters need in particular.  I am grateful for always being blessed with loving Visiting Teachers.  She isn't the only set of Visiting Teachers I have had who is missing their companion.  I have learned that even if I have a companion who isn't as committed, I still need to go.  After all, who else is called to look after my sisters?