Alterra-Sept. 7, 2003-My car's battery was dead this morning, the devil already trying to discouraging me but I didn't let him. My friend Teresa from church picked me up and off to the nursing home we went!

Shasta and her two children came to help and later on our back up singers sis. Betty and Sis. Joan came to help us out! Praise the Lord for these faithful ladies! Sister Shasta brought her baby girl and the residents just love babies. Eleanor is a resident who in the past always looked without hope and very depressed. One day I spent some extra time with her after the service to speak with her. I told her she looked nice and tried to encourage her. Ever since I said that she has been to every service and is looking more cheerful and better. Folks, that's all it takes, a word of encouragement, a cheerful smile, a warm hug and look what it did! Praise the Lord!

Please pray for Alice Gilkerson. She is a nursing home resident up in Paris, Illinois. I first heard about Alice through my dear friend Sharon Lacheney in South Carolina. She gave me Alice's address and I have been sending her our newsletters for a few months now. I called her today to meet her over the phone. She was very pleasant and a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. Please pray for her health and especially for the nursing home she is living in. Pray for the staff also. Alice is a sweet lady, she is 92 yrs young.

After church on Sunday, I went to Cedar Hills to give Ms. Cooney some yarn that I had boxed up for a long time. Ms. Cooney makes spiritual coasters, picture frames, etc. out of yarn and plastic canvas. She was delighted that I brought the yarn to her. Rachel and her friend went with me and Ms. Cooney was thrilled to see Rachel.

Cedar Hills-Sept 9, 2003-We had a nice service. We sang the whole 45 minutes. There was no devotional, just singing. Of course we recognized the birthdays and Teresa read more poems from Melda's book. She loves it when we read them. Debbie was back in the service today. I was out of breath singing that long, I had to take a break, then I got my second wind.

Life Care Center-Sept 11, 2003-We had a nice service today. We were informed by one of the staff that Mr. Watkins couldn't make services because he didn't sleep well the night before but to be sure to stop by to see him on the way out. Teresa and I did just that, David had a doctor appt. to go to. We went in Mr. Watkins room and he was asleep, I hated to wake him but I know he would want to see us since we only go every other week. I called his name and he didn't wake, I then touched him and he jumped. He showed us the sign we did not see, "Don't touch me when you wake me." He explained the reason was because of the war and they had to sleep in the jungle and somebody woke him once by touching him and he hit them in the face! Glad I didn't get hit. Mr. Watkins is a wonderful man to sit and listen to. He tells his stories and at 100 yrs old he still has a clear mind. He is such a blessing!

I forgot to mention my Uncle Carl who is in the V.A. nursing home...I paid him a visit and am going to go once a month to see him as he is in Lake City. It was good to see him and he enjoyed the visit and he is doing well.

Cedar Hills-Sept 16, 2003-This service was good today. The ladies from our church came to minister with us.

Mrs. Cooney finished making my coasters with spiritual words on them. They are really nice and pretty, if anyone is interested in purchasing a set of 5 coasters in their on little box let me know. If you can not go with us to the nursing home then maybe you would like to send cards of encouragement.