Tag: Lutheran

Man in nursing home reacts to music; ministering to others

Aynaria 4 Comments

How a man in the nursing home reacts to hearing music, recently went viral on social media.

If you have a few moments, check out the above video. It’s a perfect example of how powerful music can be…Music is amazing, isn’t it?

I couldn’t help but smile when this man ‘came to life’ after hearing songs from his youth.

Over the past twenty years, I’ve been to nursing homes on numerous occasions. My first interactions were personal, since my grandfather, and later my grandmother was there. My grandfather was only there for about two years before he died. My grandmother lived for several more years.

They both  were fortunate… the majority of their children lived close by, and my father and his sister made sure they were visited daily; often by themselves. I’d usually visit on the weekends, since I was off of work.

Our family realized that interaction is important, and we kept visiting, even after my grandmother had Alzheimer, we kept visiting daily. Music was a part of the nursing home program where my grandmother resided, so I could see what an impact it had on some of the residents.

Music notes

Music Ministry

So yes, I have first hand experience to the reaction that some have when they hear music. Over the past three years, it’s been displayed when my eight-year old daughter ministers to the nursing home residents through her piano playing.

In many cases, the catatonic stare when she started playing, and many would become alert, several would start singing.

My daughters piano teacher attends the same Lutheran church as ourselves. She’s also the church’s traditional music director.

Mark 16:15

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Sometimes the ‘world’ we need to be engaging, isn’t too far from our homes…

A few times yearly, her student’s minister to those at the nursing home through song. I’m thrilled that she realizes the impact that songs can have on people and is willing to showcase our children’s talent, with a group of people that most overlook.

My Lutheran church has an amazing music ministry, and several times yearly they minister to those in nursing homes. It makes me proud to be part of a spiritual family that makes an effort to reach out to many; cross cultural ministries, homeless shelter, food pantry, and our music program, are just a few of the ways we minister to others.

Machine sewn quilts; Needle and thread Thursday

Aynaria 15 Comments

I’m thrilled to say that I’ve completed my crocheted Amineko, and I’ll be entering her in Finished Objects Friday…

Today I discovered a new blog hop titled, Needle and Thread Thursday, perfect since I also sew…

Quilts Global Missions Sunday 6

I’ve been actively sewing since I was about seven years old, I started making my own clothing/designs in elementary school, and had my designs featured in local fashion shows in my twenties…

For my first Needle and Thread post I thought I’d put the spotlight (again) on the wonderful ministry at our local church; The quilters group… These were some of the quilts at our Lutheran Church’s Global Mission Sunday, 136 quilts were dedicated to the Lutheran World Relief.

My Church’s quilting group makes each quilt

We all have a part in making each quilt. I mainly do the sewing, I’m fast, sew straight seams, so the quilts fly off the machine. Most of the other ladies take care of the piecing, I assist with that if there are no more quilts to sew. All the women are much older than me, but they made me feel welcome from the day I walked into the quilting group. They are part of my crafting family.

Quilts Global Missions Sunday 1

These days my sewing, that’s not volunteer based, mainly revolves around my lovely daughter. I enjoy making things for her!

Sharing with others…

One of the ways I celebrate life, is sharing my talents with others…not everyone is as fortunate and so I volunteer when I’m able. I had good role models, both of my parents were always willing to assist those in need. Which was hard at times, since they didn’t have too much when my brother and I were young…

Helping make quilts, crocheting bears for the Mother Bear Project, creating cards for Operation Write Home,and assisting my churches ministries; local homeless shelter and our church’s food pantry, are a few ways I can show strangers that someone does care about them.

What I’m reading…

Hello My Name is Amineko

This morning, I completed my first Amineko, my eight-year old daughter has already requested another one, so I’ll most likely start on it within a few weeks. I used a pattern to crochet Aminko, the pattern is located in the book Hello my name is Aminkeo: The Story of a Crafty Crochet Cat.

This book differs from many crochet books I have, in that it tells a story (through pictures of crocheted kitties) about a crocheted cat named, Amineko and his friends, and their escapades.

 

Happy Easter; doves

Aynaria 4 Comments

Dove 1 04 08 12

Say hello to this friendly dove, actually there was another one close by, but because of the branches — I couldn’t get them both in the picture. This pair has been here for a few years, and have set up their home near our home.

This morning, while walking Mr. Bentley — our Shih Tzu,  the doves made an appearance. They usually ‘come to say hello, if I’m outside. Today, they curiously watched me snapping photos of them. I’ve never done that before.

Funny, since I love taking pictures with my Nikon… but for some reason when they’re out, I don’t have my camera. So it made Easter more special. The doves are no longer afraid of us. They watch us while we walk close to them.  Only flying away, when bored, or have other things to do?

Happy Easter

I always enjoy the services at my Lutheran church, and it was made special today by the reenactment of the resurrection scene. Our church has an amazing drama ministry; professional group of folks doing sharing God’s message through acting.

Over the years, I’ve been to many plays and I can honestly say the drama ministry, at my Lutheran church, is just as good as any ‘regular acting group’.

 

Matthew 28

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Guards’ Report

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter, Jesus has risen.