Match Mission with Joy Alongside Your Family.
Welcome friends to Holy Hills, my name is April Cranford.
Today, let's explore the concept of creating moments of joy in mission alongside our families. A family member can be a spouse, child, cousin, or a furry companion.
There are countless ways to serve with your family in mission, and I know many of you are serving on a daily basis with your families, especially if you are a caregiver for a loved one with dementia.
If you are a caregiver, thank you. Thank you for stepping into this role for individuals who may have forgotten your name or ask you the same question multiply times during the day.
I encourage you to read the book, Creating Moments of Joy. This little orange book has revamped my visits with people, especially my visits with individuals diagnosed with dementia. Over the years, I have purchased and recommended this book more than any other book on my bookshelf.
The author Jolene Brackey went to school for interior design. After completing her degree, she worked in the design field for a few years but the career left her unfulfilled. She decided to change jobs. She loved older people which led her to accept a new position as the activities director of an Alzheimer's unit. Within this new position, she spent time with the age group she preferred and implemented elements of interior design. Her vision was to push aside frustration with the disease and create a moment of joy both for the resident and the resident's family.
In her book, Jolene shares inspirational quotes, simple drawings, and retells numerous stories from her fourteen years spent as an activities director. She weaves into each page how to enhance a space with paint or how to enhance a visit with story. Whenever I share a conversation with a person in their home, in a coffee shop, or in a memory care unit, my hope is to create a moment of joy within the visit.
Often hearing a person's story can shed new light in serving in mission with your family. I shared a mission conversation through zoom with Lisa Marcelina who resides in Trinidad and Tobago. Lisa lives with her husband and two children. She has a full time job and she is a caregiver to her mother who has dementia and her brother who is autistic. Lisa loves to write, however often writing takes a back seat due to caring for her family.
May you find encouragement in listening to Lisa's story from the Caribbean.
"We have to make sure to care for our vulnerable society, not just children, but the elderly and those with disabilities. We have to take care of them, that is something we are mandated to do by the Lord."
I hope Lisa’s words encouraged you today to care for the vulnerable in your family and community. There are many places that provide excellent memory care for our families such as Summit Square Retirement Communities. This is a beautiful place to call home.
I would like to leave you with a poem from this little orange book. View Lisa's scripture artwork alongside the poem.
"Let Go"
To "let go" does not mean to stop caring; it means I can't do it for someone else.
To "let go" is not to cut myself off; it's the realization that I can't control another.
To "let go" is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands.
To "let go" is not to try to change or blame another; it's to make the most of myself.
To "let go" is not to "care for," but to "care about."
To "let go" is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
To "let go is not to deny, but to accept.
To "let go" is not nag, scold, or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
To "let go is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.
To "let go" is to fear less and love more.
I encourage you to take a simple step in mission with your family and create a moment of joy this weekend.
Take care and see you soon,
April
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Resources
- Creating Moments of Joy; Along the Alzheimer's Journey, Jolene K. Brackey (2017, Purdue Univ. Press, IN)
The Picture Book of Hymns (2019, Mighty Oaks Books)
The picture books are designed for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's. The books include words and pictures that bring joy and peace.
Read Lisa Marcelina's Writings
- Visit Lisa's website and learn how Lisa is helping women find their identity in Christ.
Local Memory Care Facilities
Take care and blessings to your weekend,
April
Many thanks to McHale & Justina for the beautiful background music in the video. Listen to music by McHale & Justina on Spotify and YouTube. Follow them on socials, Instagram and Facebook. Click on their picture to visit their website.