Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) - Chris Rice

"Rejoice"

An unusual type of post for me.  This one is not really personal but I wanted to write about an amazing group of folks in my church who fill an important role in our community....encouraging and ministering to those in assisted-living and nursing homes.  This group is our senior adult choir named "Rejoice".  I work with them because my boss is their director.  Joe takes them out on a small bus once a month.  They put in a full day doing this important ministry.  I hope when I'm 70 or 92 years old that I can be that active and energetic!  Yes, our oldest member is 92 and he's pretty amazing!  Our folks are healthy and happy and sharp and they enjoy visiting with their peers in these homes.

Our minister of music enjoys a discussion with a resident

Favorite bus driver, David!

The 25 choir members sing 10 great hymns of the faith during their program and Joe ties each hymn together with the presentation of the gospel of Jesus.  He talks about our sin, our redemption through Christ, our abundant life here on earth and then the wonderful prospect of heaven.  The residents usually sing along (they have song packets that the choir brings to give out) and enjoy reciting scripture with the choir.  A gospel message is given, an invitation is presented to ask Jesus into their lives and hearts, a closing prayer, and then the choir members visit with the residents and give them a gift.

One of my favorites!

"Rejoice" is made very welcome in all the places they've visited in the county, not only by the residents but by their caregivers also.  It is a way to share Jesus' love to those who very rarely get to church and to those who have few other visitors.  Sometimes the minds are not clear in those who are listening (such as in the "memory" unit we visited the other day) but God works miracles...we never know when He will give a moment of clarity to hear His Word.
I admire and appreciate these sweet folks.  I loved getting to see them work their magic this past week and see what a needed ministry this is in our community.

Our choir members love to sing the hymns.

They never know what age "piano" they will find at some of the homes.

One perk of the day is going to lunch! They like home-cooking places AND the Varsity!

Which one is 92 years old? The one on the left! He's amazing.

Getting ready to present their program.

Listening to Joe as he presents the story of Jesus

A resident holds a cross that one of our choir members made for her

Leading the choir

Terrific and Terrible

The "Terrific Twos" have begun! 

My daughter warned me this week that this was happening.  The CHANGE has occurred.  And I'm not talking about the one that should be happening to me at age 53 which, by the way, has not.  I have mixed emotions about that but this is not the time nor place to go into that subject.

 Sweet Maddie is still very much an even-tempered girl.  Well, except when it's time to get out of the PJs and go shopping.  She has new princess PJs and loves them.  She cried dramatically when I tried to change her clothes.  Her hair stuck up everywhere and we just put shoes on her and let it ride.  She looked like an urchin.  But she was a HAPPY urchin. 

Off we went to Babies 'R Us and into the buggy she goes.  It was time for her "gofish" (goldfish) snack and apple juice.  Then two little suckers in the diaper bag.  I gave her one and turned my head and she had the other also. One in each hand.  She licked on them and then threw one to Landon.  We got it in time.  Landon is not ready for suckers. 

Then it was time for "mypeepee". Did I mention she's already potty-trained?   Off she went with "Ganmommy".  The bathroom has one of those little child seats that you can strap a child in while the adult is using the bathroom.  Maddie hopped up on that and strapped herself in.  She's always been good with buckles and belts. No problem!  We're finished up and she didn't want to leave the little seat.  "My seat"! She yelled several times.  She got a little louder each time as I tried to distract her.  We went back into the store as she yelled.  Then she saw the cribs all set up on display. "My nightnight" became the new yell! This time add tears and dramatic faces and motions. As we moved further up the aisle the cry changed several times as she saw new things that were hers. "MY shoes", "My dress", "My socks", "My backpack"!   We got our shopping done quickly and headed to the car.  (By the way, Landon, the 6 month old, was an angel during the entire trip.) 

Down the road to Lifeway where I had to pick up a bunch of VBS shirts for work.  A video was playing with an unsuspecting little girl watching peacefully.  Maddie grabbed a chair, brought it over and shoved it up against the little girl's chair.  Ready to watch with her new "friend" who looked a little alarmed.  Okay, chore done and back to the car.  Down the road we went into 5 o'clock traffic.  Landon was crying now, needed his pacifier.  Maddie gave it to him then took it away.  She wanted the blue paci for him not the white.  We got that settled.  She stuck her bare foot close to his face.  She loudly sang "Everyday", a song she's learned from my choir CD.  She unzipped her new backpack and put it over her head.  We had an entertaining drive home.

What a stinker! But I'm looking forward to this new phase...it will be a challenge for the whole family.  I can't believe that little redhead will be 2 next week.  I'm so thankful for her. She is pure JOY.

Sweet girl!