Love Notes #40 – Februaru / March 2006
Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,
As we approach Palm Sunday and then Easter Sunday, we would like to
encourage you to use this special time to focus the attention of the
residents on the Cross of Jesus Christ.
Our Easter Season Web Page has information and resources for both Palm
Sunday and Easter Sunday. The residents will certainly appreciate a
service with elements of the rich Christian Tradition in which they were
raised. Consider bringing in a large wooden cross and giving out fresh
palm items on Palm Sunday.
This is an appropriate time to consider using a Christian Hymn as the
basis of a short Easter Sermon. Check out our Special Web Page to help
you in this regard.
We have just updated this page with "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross".
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National Nursing Home Week will be celebrated this year on May14-20,
2006. This is a great time to start planning some activities during
this period. Please visit our special web page that has a link to the
official web site for this holiday. You will find many suggestions and
links to help celebrate this special time both with the residents and in
your community.
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We would like to highlightsome important resources for nursing home ministry:
"NURSING HOME MINISTRY Where
Hidden Treasures Are Found" - This is a complete and comprehensive training
guide for nursing home ministry by Bill Goodrich and Tom McCormick.
- Lyn & Bill Roche of Avon Park,
FL have a web site for their new devotional for caregivers called
"Sharing the Care".
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We have been reading a new book by Elizabeth Dole called "Hearts Touched
by Fire - My 500 Favorite Inspirational Quotations". We think there is
a lot of useful material here including our slogan -
"Those who bring Sunshine into the life of others cannot keep it from
themselves" - James M. Barrie.
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We have a special immediate prayer request. Larry is scheduled for knee
surgery this Thursday, March 2. Please prayfor a complete healing, but
also that God will use the last few months of painful mobility to encourage and
strengthen our concern for the elderly in nursing homes.
As you celebrate this Easter Season with your friends and families, we
want to wish you many blessings and God's Very Best for your lives.
Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 7:02 AM
Subject: [love_notes] "Love Notes" Newsletter #40 -A
Dear friends and ministry partners, we want to give your our heart felt thanks for your thoughts and prayers for Larry's recent surgery. The knee operation went well, and Larry said he could feel the waves of prayer that comforted him before, during, and after the surgery. His recovery is going well and it appears that it is healing quickly. We are now asking for additional prayers because we are selling our three story town home in favor of one with most facilities on one floor. We ask that you pray that our existing home will sell quickly and that our transition to our new home will be smooth.
We were on vacation in Florida last week and had the opportunity to visitwith Florida friends and to participate in our old nursing home ministry in Stuart, FL.
I really feel that the Lord has used this experience with my knee to touch my heart once again for the elderly in nursing homes. What a blessing it was to visit with our old friends at the home and to have theopportunity to share with them during the service andin prayerafterwards.
We will be forwarding our regular April Love Notes Newsletter in a few days.
May the Lord continue to bless all of you richly.
From: Larry Wasserman [mailto:
Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 8:02 AM
To:
Subject: [love_notes] "Love Notes" Newsletter #40 -A
Dear friends and ministry partners, we want to give your our heart felt thanks for your thoughts and prayers for Larry's recent surgery. The knee operation went well, and Larry said he could feel the waves of prayer that comforted him before, during, and after the surgery. His recovery is going well and it appears that it is healing quickly. We are now asking for additional prayers because we are selling our three story town home in favor of one with most facilities on one floor. We ask that you pray that our existing home will sell quickly and that our transition to our new home will be smooth.
We were on vacation in Florida last week and had the opportunity to visitwith Florida friends and to participate in our old nursing home ministry in Stuart, FL.
I really feel that the Lord has used this experience with my knee to touch my heart once again for the elderly in nursing homes. What a blessing it was to visit with our old friends at the home and to have theopportunity to share with them during the service andin prayerafterwards.
We will be forwarding our regular April Love Notes Newsletter in a few days.
Subject: [love_notes] "Love Notes" Newsletter #42 - June 2006
Dear Friends and Ministry Partners, we want to wish you all a nice Memorial Day Holiday Weekend. We have appreciated all your thoughts and prayers as we have been adjusting to our newstate and as Larry's knee is healing.
Memorial Day is celebrated this year on May 29. We would like to share some Online Resources that may be helpful in a Memorial Day Presentation.
At most facilities we have visited, there are usually a few residents who have served in the Armed Forces. Also, there are many of us who have lost friends and family in the active duty of serving our country. This is a great time to remember how we obtained the freedom to worship our Lord today and to pray for those brave souls who are still protecting that right. Bring small flags for the residents and tap into their huge reserve of prayer power.
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Father's Day is celebrated this year on June 18. We would like to share some Online Resources that may be helpful in a Father's Day Presentation.
At most facilities we have visited, we have not found there to be a large number of fathers. Because of this, we suggest that you review the Text Version of a Father's Love Letter and use all or part of it in your presentation. It is a love letter from your heavenly Father.
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This year we were again blessed to be interviewed on radio during National Nursing Home Week. George Carden of UNI News interviewed us over the phone. He then sends selected portions of the interview to a large number of Christian Radio Stations.
We were also interviewed by Richard and Leona BergstromonKCIS ChristianRadioin WashingtonStateon a program called "Amazing Grays."
It will aired on Saturday, May 27 at 12:15 PM Pacific Time. You can listen online at that time at:
We would really like to encourage you to utilize special occasions like National Nursing Week and National Grandparents Day to emphasize your ministry and toencourage other Christians to help meet the spiritual & emotional needs of elderly residents in Healthcare Facilities.
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Please enter both our May & June Monthly Drawings. We have very few entries to date and plan to include some extra resources for our "Love Notes" subscribers. You can enter on our main page at:
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Please continue to pray for us continue to "bloom where we have been planted." Also, we have a special prayer need of a family member. May the Lord continue to bless you and your families richly.
Love Notes #43 –July 2006
Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,
We hope and pray that as summer begins, all is well with your families and ministries.
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Father's Day is celebrated this year on June 18. We would like to share some Online Resourcesthat may be helpful in a Father's Day Presentation.
At most facilities we have visited, we have not found there to be a large number of fathers. Because of this, we suggest that you review the Text Version of a Father's Love Letter and use all or part of it in your presentation. It is a love letter from your heavenly Father.
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The Fourth of July is a great time to celebrate our country, our heritage, and our freedom. We would like to share someOnline Resourcesthat may be helpful in a presentation.
At most facilities we have visited, there are usually a few residents who have served in the Armed Forces. Bring small flags for the residents, play and sing lots of patriotic songs, and use their huge reserve of prayer power to pray for our nation. You may find some additional resources on our September 11 Tribute Page.
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We would like to encourage you to enter our June Drawing for ministry resources. To date we have had only 5 entries so you might want to go to our home page and enter now.
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We have several immediate prayer needs we would like to share:
1.)Sandy is having extensive oral surgery today from 10-1:30 . Please pray for its success and a quick recovery.
2.) I will be attending the Promise Keepers Conference in Raleigh on Friday and Saturday. Please pray that many men will meet Jesus Christ and that I will be open to receive what the Lord has in store for me.
3.) Please continue to pray for a family member who is struggling.
Thank you all for your prayers and support.
[love_notes] "Love Notes" Newsletter #44 - August 2006
Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,
Sandy and I are still getting oriented in our new state but have finally decided to join a nearby mission-minded church called Millbrook United Methodist. We certainly have felt and appreciated your prayers over the last year and a half. Larry will be attending a meeting of the Christian Fellowship of Care Center Ministries ( CFCCM ) from August 23-26 in North Carolina.More informationon this is found at:
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The Sunday following Labor Day has been designated National Grandparents Day. This year it is celebrated on September 10, 2006.We want to lift up and honor all grandparents, but especially those who are confined in Healthcare Facilities. They need our love, compassion, and time. Take time today to go out of your way to wish a dear elderly person a hearty "Happy Grandparents Day!". It may just make their day, and yours also! This Holiday is a great time to promote your nursing home ministry and to celebrate the wonderful grandparents at the facilities you visit.
Please visit our special National Grandparents Day Web Page.
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As we remember the Fifth Anniversary of the September 11 National Tragedy, we suggest you revisit our September 11th Tribute Pageand ourComfort and Peace from
God's Word Page for some resources. Tap into the prayer resources of our special residents to pray for our nation.
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We have received a special gift from Diane McMahan of a large number ofMusical Medicine cassette tapes called "Set Free". Theyhave Classic Christian Hymns with a soothing harp music background and have prayers interspersed with the songs. The words to the songs and narrated biblical prayer references are inside the cassette cover.
If you would like a copy, please request one on our contact page and we will send it as long as our supply lasts.
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We recently had an inquiry from someone wanting to start a stuffed animal ministry to the elderly. As a result of an internet search, we found this article that we thought you might find interesting.
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Please be sure to enterour August Drawing for Ministry Resources. You can do so on our main page at:
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Please continue to pray for us as we venture forth in our new surroundings. We appreciate all of you and are blessed by our association and by your thoughts and prayers.
We love Y'all!
"Love Notes" Newsletter #45 - September 2006
Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,
We are grateful to all of you for your support, prayers, and friendship. Larry attended a three day meeting in the hills of North Carolina with people from approximately 20 other nursing home ministries. The fellowship, prayer, encouragement, sharing, andlearning was awesome. Larry left with a new sense of purpose and mission for our North Carolina based ministry. We hope and pray our web site will reflect this over the coming months.
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We have added some materials to our web site that we would like to make you aware of:
1.) We have updated our Seniors Devotional Bible page with new sources and an additional sample devotional:
2.) We have added a page called News Clips which has some old and new information:
3.)We have updated our References Page and made it easier to locate:
4.) We have added some new Ministry Partners on the Partners page:
5.) You can now download a single PDF File for the book Nursing Home Ministry: A Manual thanks to Matt Goodwin of Disruption Ministries:
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Here are some links to resources we would like to make you aware of:
1.) "Adjustment of Aging" by Dr. Trudy Veerman from her "A Christian Counselor" Website:
2.)Resources for Seasonal / Holiday Services:
Annie's 2006 Holidays By Date Page
The Autumn Season at Barb's Entourage
Christian Alternatives to Halloween at Barb's Entourage
3.) The September 15 Devotional from Our Daily Bread (Larry's 62nd birthday) :
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Sandy & I attended the opening of a new Christian Movie last week called 'Unidentified". It has a strong evangelistic message and we would recommend you go see it.
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Make sure to visit our Home Page and sign up for the September Drawing for Resources.We are adding some additional resources from The Sonshine Society for those who subscribe to our Newsletter.
"Love Notes" Newsletter #46 - October 2006
Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,
We visited the mountains of NC last weekend and were reminded of the beauty and splendor that fall brings in our home state. Also, last Saturday we were blessed with a new granddaughter, Makenna, who came in at 7 lbs 11 oz. She was born with a collapsed lung which created a small hole during inflation. She will remain in intensive care for another 1 1/2 weeks. Please join us in praying fora quick and complete recovery.
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In our search for special occasion days in October we found these web sites, which may be of some use in planning your presentations.
National Recognition Days
Healthcare Recognition Dates
Also, the first week in October is National Letter Writing Week.
This would be a great time to write some personal letters to the residents at the facilities you visit. We have some printable cards on our web site that also could be used. You can locate them by Holiday on our Seasonal Page:
We were contacted by Michelle Salter, who has started a Card Ministry at her church in Mobile, AL . They would like to send cards to the confined elderly in nursing homes and requested our assistance. She is aware of privacy concerns and is currently sending letters to local facilities to first names only. You may contact her by email at .
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We are a participant in the Christian Fellowship of Care Center Ministries, CFCCM. You can find extensive informationthis group on their new web site at:
The new web site has a current list of participants and you might want to see if there is one in your area.
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We have updated our Favorite Printable Evangelistic/Training Resources page:
The "Today in the Word" Devotional is focused this month on the Book of Psalms. You may find the devotionals useful in your programs. Go to:
After clicking on "Today's Devotional", you can select the others by the day of the month.
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We have redone our Faithful Friends Ministry Brochure and you can find it at:
Please feel free to print some copies or contact us on the web site and we will send you some.
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Sandy & I attended the opening of a new Christian Movie last week called 'Facing The Giants". It has a strong Christian Message and was a real encouragement forus in facing our our giants on a daily basis. We really recommend that you go see this one!
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Make sure to visit our Home Page and sign up for theOctober Drawing for Resources.We are adding some additional resources from The Sonshine Society for those who subscribe to our Newsletter.
"Love Notes" Newsletter #47 - Merry Christmas 2006
Dear Friends & Ministry Partners,
Sandy & I hope that you and your families are experiencing many blessings during this Special Holiday Season. Sandy and I have had some medical problems and would covet your prayers.Sandy injured her right leg in a Thanksgiving accident and then fell down the stairs in our home and injured her left knee. Larry has a problem with his lower back, which caused pressure on the sciatic nerve, and as result had a fall which hurt the knee that was operated on last March. We are trying to maintain a good attitude and to be patient for God's total healing.
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Christmas is a time of giving and showing God's love to others. What a better time to focus on our needy friends in the nursing home environment. At this time of year they are experiencing both loneliness and depression. We have a Special Christmas Page that will help you in planning your visits around the Christmas period.