Until I See You Again

Thank you to MJA, staff member, for writing today's blog.

What would you do if your father was very ill and lived very far away? What if you hadn’t seen your father for several years? What would you do if you thought that perhaps you had only one more chance to see him again before he passed into Glory?

You would move Heaven and Earth to be with your father, wouldn’t you?

But what if you are a resident at Shepherds with no means to travel without the assistance of others? Now what?

Fortunately and by the merciful grace of God, Michael, one of Shepherds’ residents, had the answer to this
question before he even knew to ask it. Michael recently had the opportunity to travel to his home 15 hours away by car and see his family. His father was in the hospital, seriously ill, and not expected to live very much longer. His mother, brother, and sister-in-law were there to greet him with loving and open arms when he arrived. What a beautiful reunion that must have been.

As soon as they could, the family made their way to the hospital so that Michael could see his father. Throughout the weekend visit, the bond between father and son, and between son and brother grew stronger. They were able to pray together as a family, attend church services together, read the Bible together, and just enjoy one another’s company once again. The parents were able to see how well Michael was doing and be assured that he is being well taken care of at Shepherds and enjoying his home there.

As the weekend drew to a close and it was time to go, Michael’s mother brought out a portrait that she had painted of Michael’s father, telling Michael that she wanted him to have this so he can remember his father.

Upon returning to Shepherds after this long weekend trip, Shepherds received a phone call from Michael’s mother, sharing what a blessing it had been for the family to see their son. It meant so much to them to see how well he looked and to witness the bonding between him and his brother. However, the best news that the mother shared with Shepherds was that the father had made a complete turnaround since this visit. His health had taken a turn for the better as well. He is now in a rehab facility and will soon transfer to a nursing home.

Amazing! The power of love, of a father for his son, and of a merciful Heavenly Father for His dear children.

This beautiful painting now hangs in Michael’s work area. He has a chair nearby where he can sit and see his father’s face looking down on him. Such a tender and touching remembrance of a very special father, and a very special visit.

“Until I see you again, Dad. I love you. Your son, Michael”

Some Day I Will See You Again

Thank you to mja, Shepherds staff, for writing today's blog.

I John 3:16-21

I have had a very busy day today. I have many tasks yet to complete before the end of the workday. The phone has been ringing (it seems all day long), crisis after crisis seems to come my way. So much to do, so little time. How do I keep a smile on my face and a pleasant attitude in my voice when it seems that I just can't get everything done? I am racing against the clock, trying to accomplish as much as I can. But . . . you are standing at my office door, waiting for me to see you, with an eager look on your face and a piece of paper in your hand.

If I just keep on working and pretend not to notice you, perhaps you will just go on your way. After all, this is important work that I need to finish. Maybe I could just say, "I'm sorry, I can't talk now. I'm very busy." Or, "Come back tomorrow, and I'll see you then." Or, maybe just wave and say hi and go back to my work.

But no, I cannot do any of these. This is your home. This is where you've spent most of your adult life. I work here, but I work in your home. You are my friend. How can I turn you away? You are the reason I am here.

I put aside all of my work and come to see the piece of paper in your hand. A letter from your sister. Mama is very sick - will you pray for my mother? Will you read this letter for me? What does she say? Will Mama be OK? I'm worried about Mama. Will mama die?

As I take the time to listen to you and pray with you about your dear mother, I think what it will be like for us some day in eternity. You will have a mind and body that is perfect in every way. I will look for you when I get to Heaven - will you look for me? Will you remember the times I was too busy to stop and talk to you? Will you ask me, "Why did you treat me like that? Why didn't you treat me like one of your friends? Why didn't you have time for me?" Or will I hear you say, "Thank you for treating me with respect and love. Thank you for looking past my disability and into my heart. Thank you for loving me as your friend, just as I am."

Dear Lord, help me to love others as you love them. Help me to see past the outside and into the heart. Help me to love as I want to be loved - with respect, with genuine caring and with a listening heart.

To learn more about Shepherds, visit www.shepherdsministries.org.

Sean to the Rescue!

Thank you to Amy DeBurgh, Director of Volunteers and Guest Services, for writing today's blog.

Sean Krause is a graduate of Shepherds College and is a participant in the Shepherds Ministries Catalyst program.  I spoke with his mom recently, and she relayed an amazing story to me about him.  

Sean’s mom, Leona, and his dad, David, recently gave in to Sean’s long-time request to get an iPhone. Shortly after this purchase, he was sent back to his home and his job at Shepherds, with little or no instruction on how to use it.  He had already picked up bits and pieces of information about an iPhone, from people around him who have one.  One of Sean’s responsibilities for Shepherds Ministries is to travel on the Gospel Team with Al Pick, our Midwest field representative, visiting churches and sharing with them the Gospel using many Scripture verses.  While on the road, Sean learned how to use the Map app on his iPhone.  This would be very useful, as it turns out, to save his dad in a dangerous health emergency.

While visiting his parents over Thanksgiving, Sean decided to go play some touch football with some guys from church.  He and his dad were on their way to the game when it became evident that something wasn’t right.  After they had been gone about half an hour, Sean’s mom received a phone call from him.  “Dad pulled over, mom.  Dad, talk to my mom!”  Sean’s father was unresponsive.  He is diabetic and his blood sugar had bottomed out.  When his mom asked Sean where they were, he looked around and told her the location.  She was unsure about that information.  Sean had been learning more about using his phone, and he was able to send their location to her phone from his.  Sean and his dad indeed were where he said they were.  She sped to the location and called 911.  Sean’s awareness of his surroundings and his growing independence and confidence in using technology served to keep his father from possibly slipping into a coma.  His father made a quick recovery and was able to drive everyone home from the hospital that day.  He had taken measures to regulate his blood sugar, but it didn’t take effect as soon as he had hoped.

Sean’s mom and dad praise God for Shepherds College and the Catalyst program.  They can’t say enough about the amazing ways they see Sean growing in confidence, ability and independence.  Leona said, “Every time he comes home to visit, he knows more and does more for himself.  I never should have doubted him.”

Ukuleles and Heaven

Thank you to Amy DeBurgh, Director of Volunteers and Guest Services, for writing today's blog.

Cindy and her husband came all the way from Washington State in their camper to volunteer for three weeks here at Shepherds this year.  Chuck is a kind man and a very hard worker.  He served our maintenance department every day they were here.   

Cindy is a character; a sweet woman with a spicy sense of humor and a joyful servant’s heart big enough for all of us.  We became fast friends. 

 

It was supposed to be considered early spring, but it was definitely still winter.  Snow was barely starting to melt and the temperature was hovering in the mid to high forties.  We really needed a little Hawaii brought to us. Cindy was happy to accommodate with a warm heart and a ukulele.  Actually, she brought nine ukuleles, donated to Shepherds by the generous people of her church in Ferndale, Washington.

This donation enabled Cindy to teach lessons to interested Shepherds College students a couple evenings a week while she was here.  The dancing tones of ten ukuleles could be heard, for better or for worse, through the halls of Shepherds College as students rose to the challenge of learning this Polynesian art of thrumming. Every class began with an “Aloha.”  This greeting made it quickly to the corridors where it was well-spent on passers-by and especially loudly when Chuck or Cindy were seen on campus anywhere.

She also took her “Uke,” as she calls it, to Day Services and strummed while they sang loud praises to the creative God who invented music, ukuleles and every wildly joyful mouth in that room. On one such occasion, one of our residents who was known to be non-verbal drew close enough for Cindy to hear him humming.  Since Chuck and Cindy’s visit, this man has moved on to a much warmer place.  Sadly, he passed away last week.  We will miss him.  He, however, might be singing full-throated songs of praise or strumming a “Uke” with brand new hands for all we know.  No matter what, we can be sure his joy is complete.

Cindy probably didn’t know what impact her unique talent would have on the joy of Shepherds Ministries.  From what she told me, the impact Shepherds had on her was equally surprising.

You may have never thought of the ukulele as a way to make friends or connect people or to worship God. Similarly, you might see your unique gift or talent as being of very little use.  If you have thought that God could never find a way to bless anyone else with your abilities, prove yourself wrong.  Step up and volunteer. Who would have thought that the ukulele could bring some warmth to Wisconsin and, as it played, foreshadow the songs of heaven.

Nothing Like Music

Thank you to Amy DeBurgh, Director of Volunteers and Guest Services, for writing today's blog.

Almost nothing can grab our attention like music.  Quietly contemplative choir songs, sung with feeling, remind us that God is a God of peace.  Rousing band music echoes the Psalmists call to shout for joy to the Lord. When youthful innervation gives way to a communication of the soul’s best longings after God, all those in the audience are moved.  Even if they can’t explain why.  We don’t have to explain it, just identify with it; allow it to draw us into worship of the God who created music, rhythm and verse.  

I was surprised at the level to which two high school groups were able to do this.  The Jazz band of Elkhart Christian Academy, from Elkhart, Indiana came and blessed clients, residents and staff with their talents.  The gospel of the saving work of Jesus Christ was clearly explained by the band director.  We enjoyed forty minutes of upbeat music.  Everyone sang along to “Amazing Grace” and a new version of “Jesus Loves Me.” 

The high school choir from Calvary Baptist School of Menomonee Falls delivered a lovely concert.  If I had heard them without knowing they were a high school choir, I wouldn’t have believed it.  The attitudes of the students were as appealing as their musical abilities. They reached out in friendship to many of us. 

We are very blessed to have such talented, Christ-centered groups come and share their gifts of music and love of Jesus with us.  We all look forward to having them back.