We started the day with breakfast and preparing a short program for the Retirement Village that we would be visiting after lunch. The kids were in charge of the planning, there was a little guidance from us, but actually not much. They decided to introduce themselves, pray a prayer, sing a song, do a skit about gifts, Alisha-sing a song, do a skit about Iowa, and sing a song and pray a prayer. The kids did a Wal-Mart run and Elayne and Charlie fixed lunch….we had a taco bar.
We cleaned up lunch and headed to Westminster, MD to Carroll Village. The place is huge. It is a retirement village where people can have their own homes, live in assisted living, or have complete nursing facilities. There are even little restaurants where people can go for meals. The chapel is amazing. It is fully wired for cameras, sound, and tech needs.
Back to the program….We were reminded again to be Slinkies, because even best laid plans don’t always work the way that you intend. The program that we were to do, was bumped for birthday bingo….nothing interferes with birthday bingo. So…we visited Shepherd’s Way, the Alzheimer’s unit. The people were very friendly and seemed happy to listen to our singing. We adapted our program, and Alisha played her guitar for them while the rest of us helped pass out snacks and juice. Gifts were appearing all over the place and those with the gifts of caring and compassion sat down and began conversations with people. We all smiled as we watched Kayla call everyone sweetie and we all enjoyed her gentle spirit. Kyle tried the “sweetie” approach with very different results, but we all applauded his efforts.
We ended our time at Carroll Village with singing Happy Birthday to all of the July birthday people. The kids were especially struck with a women who was going to be 100 years old in October. She is still very active and walks the halls and visits her friends every day. She also attends worship services on Sunday morning and the Inspiration time each Tuesday….except when it is Birthday Bingo Day!
We headed back to the church through the beautiful Maryland hills and arrived back in time to take showers and eat a supper that Calvary gave us. We all enjoyed Maryland fried chicken with all the fixin’s….yumm! Thank you Calvary!
We joined Calvary for their Tuesday night Worship service. It was a lot of fun because their youth band played with their adult band and one of the members preached. Pastor Dave was invited to preside over communion. After worship we were all treated to ice cream and a time to connect with old friends and make new ones.
The kids started a game of corn, corn, soybeans…..I had never heard of it either, but since we are from Iowa….it was like duck, duck, goose, only corn, corn, soybeans….go figure. When they had enough of that, they had a game of hide and go seek. It was starting to get out of control, so I suggested that they play sardines….they did and played until it was time for devos and announcements. Tonight we had roses and thorns and talked about where we saw the face of God.
Then to bed we all went…..
We cleaned up lunch and headed to Westminster, MD to Carroll Village. The place is huge. It is a retirement village where people can have their own homes, live in assisted living, or have complete nursing facilities. There are even little restaurants where people can go for meals. The chapel is amazing. It is fully wired for cameras, sound, and tech needs.
Back to the program….We were reminded again to be Slinkies, because even best laid plans don’t always work the way that you intend. The program that we were to do, was bumped for birthday bingo….nothing interferes with birthday bingo. So…we visited Shepherd’s Way, the Alzheimer’s unit. The people were very friendly and seemed happy to listen to our singing. We adapted our program, and Alisha played her guitar for them while the rest of us helped pass out snacks and juice. Gifts were appearing all over the place and those with the gifts of caring and compassion sat down and began conversations with people. We all smiled as we watched Kayla call everyone sweetie and we all enjoyed her gentle spirit. Kyle tried the “sweetie” approach with very different results, but we all applauded his efforts.
We ended our time at Carroll Village with singing Happy Birthday to all of the July birthday people. The kids were especially struck with a women who was going to be 100 years old in October. She is still very active and walks the halls and visits her friends every day. She also attends worship services on Sunday morning and the Inspiration time each Tuesday….except when it is Birthday Bingo Day!
We headed back to the church through the beautiful Maryland hills and arrived back in time to take showers and eat a supper that Calvary gave us. We all enjoyed Maryland fried chicken with all the fixin’s….yumm! Thank you Calvary!
We joined Calvary for their Tuesday night Worship service. It was a lot of fun because their youth band played with their adult band and one of the members preached. Pastor Dave was invited to preside over communion. After worship we were all treated to ice cream and a time to connect with old friends and make new ones.
The kids started a game of corn, corn, soybeans…..I had never heard of it either, but since we are from Iowa….it was like duck, duck, goose, only corn, corn, soybeans….go figure. When they had enough of that, they had a game of hide and go seek. It was starting to get out of control, so I suggested that they play sardines….they did and played until it was time for devos and announcements. Tonight we had roses and thorns and talked about where we saw the face of God.
Then to bed we all went…..
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