A Time to Serve

Today, our home school co-op helped serve Christmas dinner to the residents and their guests at the nursing home were we regularly volunteer. One of the ladies in our group has a special place in her heart for this ministry so visits are scheduled monthly. Sometimes we play BINGO, sometimes we do crafts, one time they did manicures...but today it was a special day for a special dinner.

They even let us use some of their aprons. My daughter Leah, the one in the middle, loves to serve at the nursing home. She's a little shy around strangers, but something about this just tugs at her heart. One month, we couldn't attend and she was very disappointed until she found out she could go with another family that was going. That's dedication!

It's a chance for our kids to serve with their friends, so serving is a little more fun. Also, I'm sure great memories are being made that will last forever...and they don't even think of it as work!

We've met so many sweet people...mostly ladies...who always ask us to come back and sometimes even not to forget them. Some of the kids from our group have had the chance to hear some amazing life stories...one I overheard who was a teacher in the mountains at a very young age, reminiscing about walking along the creekbed to get to the school where she taught. And sometimes there are surprises...

like when Santa shows up! But most of all, it's a time when some people who are often forgotten are given some love and attention from members of a younger generation that don't even yet understand the fullness of these lives that have been lived.

These kids may not quite understand what a ministry they're providing...but one look into the weather-beaten, deeply furrowed face of a resident beaming with delight and you know it's huge to them!