Receiving a Blessing, Visiting Teachers...by Rockstarr

I came to the church five years ago and attempt to turn my life around, and leave the adult industry-- a life that nearly killed me. My journey began in Utah when I thought I had hit rock bottom.  I reached Utah knowing I would die if I didn't leave the sex trade.  As with all leaps of faith, God intervened and  he put exactly who I needed in my life every step of the way.  I stayed in Utah for five years and experienced the depth of what it means to be “Mormon”.  At the end of 5 years in Utah, I knew who I was. I was a Mormon. The gospel spoke more to me than anything ever has. I was the morphed caterpillar. I was strong.  But, it was also time for me to leave Utah.

I moved to a small town in Texas. I’m not what you would describe as an “orthodox” Mormon.  For this reason, I wasn’t received well in my new ward. But God opened a window because the second counselor in the Relief Society president was a feminist.  I grew stronger.  I grew to be better as a person. I learned that there are as many ways to be a “Mormon” as there are Mormons. 

Then God asked me to give back. I created Rockstarr Ministries to reach out to women caught in the sex trade.  I knew I could reach people still struggling in the sex trade, and show them how to get out. God provides the right people at the right time and I was trying to get Rockstarr Ministries off the ground.  Enter Mo-Fem visiting teaching. My visiting teachers are amazing. From the first week these women jumped right in there to fight the cause with me. They never left my side. Everything I posted on Facebook about Rockstarr Ministries, they were right there.  Negative or doubtful comments that were directed at me, they defended my cause. They were my absolute champions.

Taking the side of a former sex worker who starts an outreach program to other sex workers is one thing, but giving out condoms and gift bags to street prostitutes is quite another.

One day, I meekly asked, “Hey, does anybody wanna go pass out condoms with me?"

Enter Visiting Teacher one and Visiting Teacher two.
Not only did I get a yes, but I got an amazing "I'll do the city of Portland," and " I'll do Orange County!"

I thought, “Are you kidding?”

They weren't.

Not only were these women going to support me through this event, but they stood right next to me in the trenches! Our first outreach event turned out to be a whopping 13 cities nationwide. It was weeks of group discussions, questions, phone calls, and logistics.  It was time consuming, but every step of the way, every beat of the drum, my visiting teachers, Sister L and Sister A, have been there.

Because of my visiting teachers, the slippery slope of uncertainty turned into a stepping stone of hope. And if that’s not awesome enough, there have been Christmas cards, the silly Facebook posts (some with cats!)  some just words of love and encouragement. With every act of kindness, service and love, I grow.

We all do.

My Visiting Teachers have been a blessing. 

Who I am now, is not who I was six years ago; because God puts the right people, at the right time, in the right place in your life.

I have a testimony of this. I hope that others will step up, and join us in Mo-Fem visiting teaching.  We all deserve to serve, and to be served.

And maybe, just maybe, like me, your Visiting Teachers will help you succeed, be happy,  and do more good for the world.