I began my day singing at 10:00 A.M. at Sevier County Health Care Center. Most of the people were unresponsive until I started singing. Of course, I sang the hymns. They sang along to everything from "Precious Memories" to "Old-Time Religion". One of our friends who now lives there, Imogene, worked as a teacher in Sunday School with my grandmother at Valley Grove Baptist. She reminded me that she has known me all of my life from times I spent with my grandparents growing up in this area, active in church.
It is truly a great facet of ministry, seeing God touch hearts in nursing homes. People smiled, feeling God's love, and I saw many wipe away the tears when I sang their favorite hymn. God has not forgotten these people. What a blessing to see them clapping along and enjoying the music, as if they were right at home.
I sang at 2:30 at Ft. Sanders Sevier County Nursing Home. We saw our friend, AnnaBell, who just turned 101! (My mother goes to visit her often.) She told all of the residents there that she remembered me singing in church when I was 4 years old, even recalling the color of my dress when I sang at Valley Grove Baptist as a little girl.
(AnnaBell is on the front row wearing red pants.)
I took requests and sang "Old Rugged Cross". It was so sweet to hear them all singing "I'll Fly Away With Me", "Jesus Paid It All", and "Old-Time Religion."
An assitant came up and sang harmony with me and gave me a hug saying, "God sent you here to encourage me today." I told her that He loves it when we sing the hymns, and He encourages me, too, through the praise music.
I ended with "Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross". It was good to see my friend, Judy, whom I met when I sang there last. We have kept in touch as friends, and I am hoping to sing at her church in 2010.
I began my day singing at 10:00 A.M. at Sevier County Health Care Center. Most of the people were unresponsive until I started singing. Of course, I sang the hymns. They sang along to everything from "Precious Memories" to "Old-Time Religion". One of our friends who now lives there, Imogene, worked as a teacher in Sunday School with my grandmother at Valley Grove Baptist. She reminded me that she has known me all of my life from times I spent with my grandparents growing up in this area, active in church.
It is truly a great facet of ministry, seeing God touch hearts in nursing homes. People smiled, feeling God's love, and I saw many wipe away the tears when I sang their favorite hymn. God has not forgotten these people. What a blessing to see them clapping along and enjoying the music, as if they were right at home.
I sang at 2:30 at Ft. Sanders Sevier County Nursing Home. We saw our friend, AnnaBell, who just turned 101! (My mother goes to visit her often.) She told all of the residents there that she remembered me singing in church when I was 4 years old, even recalling the color of my dress when I sang at Valley Grove Baptist as a little girl. 
(AnnaBell is on the front row wearing red pants.)
I took requests and sang "Old Rugged Cross". It was so sweet to hear them all singing "I'll Fly Away With Me", "Jesus Paid It All", and "Old-Time Religion."
An assitant came up and sang harmony with me and gave me a hug saying, "God sent you here to encourage me today." I told her that He loves it when we sing the hymns, and He encourages me, too, through the praise music. 
I ended with "Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross". It was good to see my friend, Judy, whom I met when I sang there last. We have kept in touch as friends, and I am hoping to sing at her church in 2010. 
