Written by my mom, a woman who continues to dream amazingly big dreams, a woman who presses forward to make those dreams become reality as she impacts the world around her.
I stepped inside the door of Silver Hills, and there she was, sitting by the window as if she were waiting for someone, anyone to notice her. Alice is always sitting near the door, as if she is hoping that some day, someone will come in that door just to see her! I can't help but wonder does anyone ever visit, does anyone really care? Or is Alice like so many seniors who one day was dropped off and forgotten?
I have written about Alice before... I remember the first time we met her, how she appeared to be a hard woman, maybe carrying a few battle scars of a difficult life, a woman of few words, kind of private, not wanting to share with us too much about her past. It's been a few years since our first encounter, and Alice has softened a little; she even smiles at the mention of chocolate.
Yesterday was different... When I said "Hello, Alice," she threw her arms up to hug me and flashed her biggest smile! She actually talked with us, and when we asked if she would be joining us for the service, she nodded yes and smiled! I can only remember one other time when she attended a service. That day I shall never forget; it was October 21, 2012. I am convinced on that day, a new name was written down in Heaven. It was Alice. My heart was filled with joy that day when I heard her repeat the sinner's prayer! Yesterday, I asked if she had a need that the grandkids and I could pray with her about. She smiled and said, "Well, yes, I do." and told us the need. I watched as Jaedyn, Paityn, and Josiah gathered around her, putting their little hands on her, and as we prayed, my heart rejoiced to see even our youngest team members join us in doing Kingdom Business! When we finished praying, Alice said, "You know you can pray for yourself, but it means so much more when others pray for you." As we said our goodbyes, she smiled and said, "God bless you!"
You ask why I do what I do? It's people like Alice that change an ordinary Sunday into an extraordinary story on Monday! I am convinced that in Heaven I will hear the rest of the stories! That my friends is.. Why I do what I do! It's Kingdom Business!
JACSTONE
7/21/2014
Yesterday was different... When I said "Hello, Alice," she threw her arms up to hug me and flashed her biggest smile! She actually talked with us, and when we asked if she would be joining us for the service, she nodded yes and smiled! I can only remember one other time when she attended a service. That day I shall never forget; it was October 21, 2012. I am convinced on that day, a new name was written down in Heaven. It was Alice. My heart was filled with joy that day when I heard her repeat the sinner's prayer! Yesterday, I asked if she had a need that the grandkids and I could pray with her about. She smiled and said, "Well, yes, I do." and told us the need. I watched as Jaedyn, Paityn, and Josiah gathered around her, putting their little hands on her, and as we prayed, my heart rejoiced to see even our youngest team members join us in doing Kingdom Business! When we finished praying, Alice said, "You know you can pray for yourself, but it means so much more when others pray for you." As we said our goodbyes, she smiled and said, "God bless you!"
You ask why I do what I do? It's people like Alice that change an ordinary Sunday into an extraordinary story on Monday! I am convinced that in Heaven I will hear the rest of the stories! That my friends is.. Why I do what I do! It's Kingdom Business!
JACSTONE
7/21/2014
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