Dear sisters, When I was 13 I was preparing to be confirmed a member of my local Lutheran church. I was excited because I really wanted to belong to the Savior's church. It was so important to me. When I was confirmed I felt so empty inside because it did not meet my expectations. I don't really know what my expectations were I just knew something was missing! When the missionaries came and taught me the gospel and I was baptized I knew that this was the Lord's church. I felt that I had found what I was looking for since I was 13. I have met alot of members and became great friends with many of them. I also do not know many of the people in my ward. I know who they are but for all kinds of various reasons I don't know them. My main problem is that I think that they might not like me. That is not fair to them because they have never treated me like that. I have been working very hard to overcome those feelings and little by little they are going away. I know that many sisters feel the same way. But then I think to myself how do I feel when I see a sister or member who has been inactive come back. I am overjoyed especially if it has been someone that I have gotten to know well. They feel uncomfortable. Like they could never measure up to the others in the ward. The rest of us are overjoyed! I always remember that it doesn't matter when we get on the straight and narrow path, just that we get on. We are all different and we progress at different rates. It doesn't matter. Heavenly Father knows our hearts and loves us, and is cheering us all along the way. We are his children and we belong to his family! We just need to get to know each other better. Like I said, our circumstances are very different. And we probably judge ourselves harder than others would. So when I feel that I don't belong I usually stop to think if it is me that feels that way or someone who makes me feel that way. It is usually me. Visiting teaching is the best way to get to know the sisters in the ward. I made many friends through visiting teaching. And I also got to know alot about other sisters in the ward that helps me to understand them better. I know that visiting teaching is inspired by God. It is the best way that we can all help each other and ourselves feel that we belong. What a wonderful plan! Diane