Newsletter: January, 2008
PRAISE THE LORD FOR
REMEMBRANCES/LESSONS FROM A NURSING HOME!
Yogi Berra, the Hall of Fame catcher with the New York Yankees in the 1950’s and 1960’s, was known for his colorful misuse of words. Once when he had a feeling that he had already done something before he said, “That’s déjà vu all over again.” Of course, “déjà vu” is a phrase of French origin which means “a feeling that someone has heard or seen something before.” Yogi Berra, what a character, and what a catcher!
Recently I experienced “déjà vu all over again” while visiting several elderly relatives in nursing homes. My mother, who died in 1994, suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease for over 13 years. The first six years, my Dad took care of her. Following his death, my wife, my sister, and I provided her care. For three and one-half years, she lived in our home, and then spent the last three and one-half years of her life in a nursing home. My recent visits to nursing homes brought back many memories, and reminded me of many things we learned while she was there. Some of these are:
· The joy of bringing a little bit of cheer to some very lonely people.
· The appreciation shown for the smallest kindness given to them.
· The effect of a smile, a kind word, and a touch on the shoulder or hand.
· The brightened spirits whenever a child would come around.
· The happiness brought by some candy, a biscuit, or any small gift.
· The importance of preachers and singers holding services for people who had gone to church all their lives, but now needed church to come to them.
· Rooms with pictures of family all over the walls, but where no one ever visits.
· Many Christian people, and a few hard hearts who, with only a short time remaining, would still not accept Christ.
· How a wheelchair ride down the hall, or better yet, outdoors was enjoyed.
· How music always seemed to lift spirits.
· Mrs. Vinings, 100 years old, who looked out for the other residents as if she was their mother. And she was old enough to be the mother of most of them!
· Mother’s roommate, a sweet Christian lady named Adana Daniel.
I also remember:
· The importance of building a personal relationship with the staff.
· The dedication of staff for whom their work is almost a calling from God. The love, patience, and care they give to the residents.
· The lack of love, patience, and care given by staff who are there because they need a job, and had no idea how difficult and trying this one would be.
· The importance of being in and out of the home at various times of the day and night, on different days of the week, just to “keep an eye on things”.
· The place in my heart that I still have for those who gave such good care to my mother.
I hope these remembrances and “musings” on life in a nursing home will help someone who is having to deal with a loved one being in a home. There can be some sweet times associated with it. Just don’t consider that your responsibility for your loved one has ended. You are still the primary one who loves them, and must care for them!
Praise The Lord for Remembrances and Lessons Learned in a Nursing Home!
What’s New with
WDCY, WDPC, & WNEA
Sign On Time: 7:45 a.m.
Sign Off Time: 6:00 p.m.
A New Year, Our 16th Year of Broadcasting The Gospel Of Jesus Christ — 2008 holds the promise of being an exciting year for this ministry. It is possible, though not probable, that by the end of the year we could be covering the entire city of Atlanta! Much work has to be done before this can happen, but we are pleased with the way things are falling into place, one by one.
A Search For Land To Build A New Tower Site — We are presently searching for land to build a new tower site for the larger operation in Douglasville. We need roughly ten acres in a rectangular shape. The dimensions needed are 700 feet north/south and 600 feet east/west. This land does not have to have road frontage, or be “prime” property. Low lying land in a flood plain on the “backside of nowhere might even work! Please pray with us about this. If you or someone you know has some land for sale within a five We need roughly ten acres in a rectangular shape. mile radius of Douglasville, please let us know.
Bible Reading Recognition And Gifts — We would like to recognize the people who have read through the Bible with us this year, and give you a small gift. Please call us at 770-920-1520 if you read through the Bible, and used our morning Bible Reading at 8:00 A. M. as a part of your program, whether following along in your Bible or listening in your car. Also, we encourage you to read through the Bible with us in 2008. We read at 8:00 A. M. seven days a week.
Web Site Contest For January — During the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks of January, we will post answers on our web site to questions mentioned several times each day on the radio. We invite you to e-mail us directly from the web site, fax us at 770-920-4600, or call us at 770-920-1520 each week with the correct answer. At the end of the month, we will draw from among those who have answered the most questions correctly. The winner will receive three videos; Legacy Five’s DVD “Live in Music City”, the Crabb Family’s DVD “Live At Brooklyn Tabernacle”, and Greater Vision’s VHS video “Live AT NQC”. You may access our web site at www.wordchristianbroadcasting.com. Each week’s announcement will direct you where to go on our web site to find the answer.
Weather Information On Our Web Site — Very soon you will be able to obtain current weather information off our web site.
What’s New with the
Christian Supply Outlet
Additional Bible Covers — We now have a wider selection of Bible Covers in stock, with more of a feminine emphasis.
Pilgrim’s Progress On DVD — John Bunyan’s classic book on DVD distributed by Bob Jones. We have also restocked other DVD’s.
KJV Valentine’s Cards — Don’t forget! February 14 will be here very soon!
Power Bible CD — Includes the KJV Bible, Strong’s Concordance, Matthew Henry and other commentaries, dictionaries, and other Bible Study tools. Can be loaded onto the hard drive of your computer. $17.20.
“KJV Key Word Hebrew-Greek Bible” And “Reese’s Chronological Bible”—Add’l Weapons for our spiritual armory!
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