One of the things that I love about our ward is that within our boundaries lies a small little rest home. And because of this – we get lots of opportunities to visit with, teach, and serve the elderly people there. Ever since I was a little I have just had a fondness for old people. And I loved going and volunteering at a rest home in my teenage years where my older sister worked. It just really made me happy and I loved brightening the lives of those at the facility and thinking of new fun things to do with them.
So when we got a call this year from Sister Johnson in our ward who was in charge of the Rest Home’s Christmas program wanting us to participate, we were excited for the opportunity to help! And what better day to do some service than on Christmas Eve. It really brought the spirit of Christmas into our home.
Our part in the program was to sing two songs. Frosty the Snowman and Silent Night. Then we also were able to join with all the other families in our ward together at the end singing “We wish you a Merry Christmas.” Most other families sang songs as well or did a musical instrument or number. It really was a very nice program.
Afterwards though, I thought a lot about my Papa who this year passed away. I thought about how often he was unable to attend programs like the one we just did and how often times he was stuck in his room just not feeling well enough to come out, and I thought about how much it meant to him to have us come and visit him. And so I stopped one of the nurses and asked her if perhaps there were others in the rest home who were bed ridden or unable to attend that might like a visit and she guided us to a few rooms of people who could use some cheer. I can’t tell you how wonderful that experience was for us alland how much all of us enjoyed brightening the lives of others.
It truly is in service that we feel the greatest joy, and since then Branson has been praying for those old people at the rest home after he learned some of their stories and that some of them are completely alone and don’t have families to come visit them anymore. He really has such a tender heart and we are hoping to go back and visit the rest home more often so that we can help those sweet people not be so lonely. But what a wonderful experience it was for us. We all loved the opportunity to serve the wonderful people at the rest home.
Getting ready to sing as a family at the rest home
Sharon Johnson up front conducting with Cathy Eliason at the piano. The residents are sitting in the first few rows with ward members participating in the program on the back rows. Those who participated included Bishop Bradley’s family, Kiniston family, Adrianne Brackner, Draper family (Melissa and Charles & their kids) and a violin solo by Rylee Beckstead.
Sure was a wonderful way to start out our Christmas Eve. Love this family and their love of service!