Our Busy Little World
Apr. 16, 2008 - Mission Work Suited To Toddlers
Years ago I had this strange feeling that God had either called me to work on the mission field, or to stay in the states and marry a cop. Weird, I know, but it turned out to be true. He has called me to serve Him right here, loving my husband and teaching my girls. I love the work He's given me - even on the days when it doesn't feel lovely. But it certainly hasn't erased my desire to serve others, particularly those of other cultures. I suppose that's one way He led us to adopt Naomi, for which we're forever thankful! I also love to read books for the girls of stories from around the world, so they don't grow up thinking our little spot on the planet is the only one. But it's hard to figure out what this service can look like when I'm at home all day with the girls. Lately I've felt that we are lacking in teaching our girls to serve others. The girls do plenty of service around here, of course - chores to help mommy, holding a bottle for baby instead of playing, etc. But I was longing to allow them to use their gifts to bless others outside our family circle as well.These things must start in the home, but we desire for our family to be the aroma of Christ to others, too! Yet each time I hear about a ministry I think "how could a family with five toddlers do that?" Then God showed me something, through little snippets here and there, which reminded me of something my wonderful mom was faithful to teach me and my sisters to do- in fact it comprises my very first memory at around three years old. My mom used to take us to nursing homes to visit neighbors, relatives, and even people we didn't know who needed love. I realized at once how perfect this could be for our family right now - a ministry that toddlers really are just right for. There are so many lonely older people languishing in "homes" where they don't see the smile of a baby, hear the laugh of a toddler, and yes, even listen to the incessant (yet endearing) chatter of a five year old. There is a whole, rich culture of people that our society largely would forget, who should be the honored elders of our land. And our church does regular visits to a nursing home in our town. Why I didn't think of this before, I don't know, but I'm so excited to try to become a part of those visits or find another time our family can do this! We were talking about it at dinner tonight, and while I did dishes the girls all started drawing and coloring little presents to take to some "grandmas and grandpas" they don't know yet, but who might enjoy some cheerful little visitors. God has blessed us with the chance to care for orphans - both by visiting and by adopting, and I am so thankful He's shown us a way we can bless our older neighbors, too! Hopefully soon I'll have some stories to post, but for now I was just excited that God gave us an idea of something our family can do here and now. He is so good to answer the prayers of our heart, stateside or abroad!
PS. Ok, I'm bummed because I just found out we definitely can't do the visits when our church does - the schedule just won't work! So it may be a little while before I have some stories to post, as I'll have to make some calls and figure this all out. But I still wanted to post this now, as I really think it can be a great way for us to minister to others alongside our little ones. I'd love to hear any of your stories about blessing others as a family!
Comments
Apr. 16, 2008 - What a Wonderful thing!
Posted by katzz75
Wow, that would be a wonderful thing for your family to do together and minister to others, especially those who are considered honored elders in our community.
But I do have to warn you, that if your kids have never been in a nursing home before, you need to make sure they understand what they will be seeing. I personally grew up being taken in to nursing homes as a kid because my grandma was an RN in one.
But when I tried starting to take my kids to one, they didn't like it very much, my oldest tollerated it, but my two younger ones said it scared them to see these old people. They said " it scared me". I felt so bad because I think it is a wonderful thing to minster to older folks with younger kids, but I also don't want to scare my kids. So we only go now to see thier great grandma and just keep it at that.
Good luck with it, hope to hear about it soon.
Apr. 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by TwaddleMeNot
Thank you, Kathy, for the advice - you're so right! The girls usually do really well with things that might scare other kids (maybe it comes with having a police daddy), but they do much better when things are explained first! We'll definitely have some sit down time before we do this!
Melissa
Apr. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
That is a wonderful way to teach your children to serve others. Our children enjoy giving cookies to people in the community. Once a month they decide who they will give cookies too and then they make and deliver them to that person. In the past they have given them to the mailman, elderly neighbors, the firemen and mommies who have just had babies. My youngest daughters dance studio takes the girls to dance in nursing homes 4 times a year. The "granparents" really love to see the little ones dancing.
Blessings,
Dawn
Apr. 20, 2008 - Great idea
Posted by JamieLee
I have thought of doing something similar, but oddly enough, some of the nursing homes near here have lots of rules about bringing little kids. I admit I haven't done enough checking into it, though, and I need to do that. I look forward to hearing how it goes with you!
Apr. 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by TwaddleMeNot
What a great idea, Dawn! I'm so bad at thinking of creative things like this - I told my girls the idea and they loved it! Perhaps soon, we'll have to work this one in . . . .
Apr. 22, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
We just started visiting a local nursing home. We go the first Friday of every month. My grandparents were in a nursing home when my kids were smaller, so they appeared very comfortable with the "Grammas" and "Grampas" we visited. It's been over a year since we visited one so I was wondering how they'd react. They did great!
We have an arrangement with the activities director so that when we come they bring residents to a room where we have some games to play with them. Some participate, some just observe.
My daughter had a blast and has asked why we only go once a month! (Talk about conviction... why do we only go once a month?) Well, we do go caroling there at Christmas time, and we brought a bunch of Valentines in February....
I recommend reading the book *Now One Foot, Now the Other* by Tomie dePaola before you go. My kids love it and it talks about a young boy (Mr. dePaola himself) dealing with his grandfather's recovery from a stroke. While it doesn't take place in a nursing home, it is about a relationship between a young boy and his grandfather who is dealing with issues you'd come across in a nursing home. I love introducing new things through good books.
I hope it all works out for you!
Amy Lu
http://somecallthemsticks.typepad.com
