Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me. Matt: 25:40
Rosewood Care Center Sunny Hill Nursing Home
The story was told of a woman who was tired of struggling with life and all its problems. As soon as one problem was solved, another one would come, life was hard and she didn’t know where to turn and how she was going to make it and she wanted to give up. She was tired of all the fighting and struggling. Not knowing where to turn, she went to her mom and shared all her burdens with mom.
After her mother listened to her problems, she took her to the kitchen and filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil and in the first pot of water, she placed a bunch of carrots, in the second she placed eggs and in the last pot she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.
After twenty minutes, she turned off the burners and placed the carrots and the eggs in a bowl, and ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup. She then turned to her daughter and asked, “Tell me what you see”. “Carrots, eggs and coffee” was her reply. Her mother brought her closer and asks her to feel the carrots, when she did; she noted that they were very soft. After pulling the shell off the egg, she observed that it was hard. Finally, the mom asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma and asked “What does all this mean, mom”?
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity; boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting, however after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile, its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique; however, after they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water and released fragrance and flavor. Which one do you relate to when problems arise, the carrot that becomes weak, the egg that hardens or the coffee bean that get better and change the situation around you? May we all be like the Coffee bean.
The Nursing Home services went well this month, although you can always tell when the football season has started as many of the residents will choose football over a church service, especially the men. One of our regular attendees at Lakewood was watching the game when I went to his room to let him know we were there and he told me he was not coming today, that he wanted to watch football, however, he really does enjoy the praise and worship service and during the service, he would come down to see what we were doing and then go back and watch football. It was pretty comical, he wanted so badly to see the game and attend the service. He finally chose to attend the last 10 minutes of the service.
Betty and I visited the Nursing home during the week and to our amazement, we saw John Larson, the 96 year old who just lost his wife after 75 years of marriage, walking around and around the outside of the Nursing home and no
one was with him and he wasn’t even using a cane. He said it was a nice day to do some exercise and walking just made him feel better. He is amazing.
We had a great crowd at Rosewood this month. Lots of good music. Karl sang a solo, Sandy sang a beautiful song, Sam played the violin and Vicki and Bernie sang Amazing Grace. It was a great service.
Senior Star went well and the attendance is increasing there. The memory care home has about 15 residents now and the assisted Living will be opening in January. We are looking forward to starting services there.
The activity director was confused this month at Sunny Hill and apologized over and over for making a mistake. I couldn’t figure out why the crowd was smaller than usual until one of the residents told us we were on the calendar for the following week. We always go on the 4th Sunday and that is normally the last Sunday of the month, however, November had five Sunday’s this month and he had put us on the resident calendars that we were coming on the fifth Sunday as that was the last Sunday of the month. We still had around 25 or 30 residents attend and it was a good service. Even if we only have 2 or 3, and Jesus is there with us, it is worth it all.
It was nice to have a Sunday off this month. We love the ministry and we work hard at it and that 5th Sunday always gives us a much needed break, however, after being off for a week, I am always anxious to get back. It is a wonderful ministry and it reminds me of the scripture verse in Matthew 10:39 that says, “He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it”. When I completely lose my life in this ministry, helping and serving others, it is then that I truly find all the Blessings that God has in store for us. He wants to bless us, but we have to completely lose our self, and serve Him in order to enjoy all the Blessings He wants to give us.
We did not have a service at Heritage Woods this month due to a scheduling problem at the home. Another church was scheduled on the date that we were to come and we agreed to wait until December until they resolved the scheduling problem. I understand the residents were not happy as they were really looking forward to our coming. All plans right now are to have services in December.
We will be giving out gifts during each service at each home in December. The sweaters are ready, “THANKS” to all the ladies who did the sewing, you did a beautiful job. A special “THANKS” to Angie and Karen Hanson who so graciously monogrammed our name “SonShine Ministries” on all the sweaters. I know it took a lot of time and energy and it is so very much appreciated. They look great. It is so neat to see how God provides our every need and sends people our way with a servant’s heart to do these kinds of things. I have never had to beg or plead for workers; everyone just volunteers and does a great job. Last year Margie Valade monogrammed all the sweaters and gave all her time and energy. We have never had to ask for money, God just continues to provide over and above our needs and He continues to multiply our talents with good music and it is a Blessing.
We also have blankets and non-skid socks as gifts. We will be giving “bibs” along with a bottle of lotion at Senior Star to the memory care residents. The activity director said they were in desperate need of bibs so we ordered 30 bibs and they can also be given to residents at other homes who are completely down and helpless. We do have some of them that come to the services. The family members bring them and that would be a great gift for them.
December will be a fun month, as well as a busy one so come and join us. We can use your help singing Christmas carols, distributing gifts or assisting with the residents...
PLEASE NOTE: All contributions to our ministry should be made payable to “Sonshine Outreach Ministries”. You can mail your gift to SonShine Outreach Ministries, c/o Joyce Mancke, 509 Rhonda Dr., Lockport, IL. 6044l. Your gifts are tax deductible and you will receive an end of the year statement.
Our schedule for December is as follows:
Lakewood Nursing Home, Plainfield –Dec. 6th @ 2:30 p.m.
Senior Star @ Weber Rd (Saturday) Dec 12th @ 10:00 am.
Salem Village, Joliet – Dec. 13th @ 2:30 p.m.
Rosewood Rehab Center, Joliet – Dec.20th @ 2:30 p.m.
Heritage Woods, Bolingbrook, - (Saturday) Dec 26th @ 9:30 a.m.
Sunny Hill, Joliet –Dec. 27th @ 2:30 p.m.
Paradise Park, New Lenox –Dec. 27th @ 2:00 p.m.
Everyone is welcome. Come join us, we need your talents. You will make a difference and God will bless you for it.
Respectfully submitted by Joyce Mancke
Everyone is welcome. Come join us, we need your talents. You will make a difference and God will bless you for it.
Respectfully submitted by Joyce Mancke
Email: jmancke@sbcglobal.net
Telephone: 815-351-7659
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