How was your summer? Mine was eventful…on June 1, we welcomed a new baby to our family. Sarah Grace joined her big brother Noah around 7:50 p.m. that evening. Our life hasn’t been the same since! I had the joy and privilege of staying home all summer, enjoying my new baby and my budding kindergartener. Now that summer is over, Sarah is rolling over and sleeping all night, Noah is going to school all day and taking piano lessons, and I’m settling back into my work routine. Our summer was great. Really great. I enjoyed being home. But now that I’m back to work I remember all the reasons I really love being at Messiah Village. Last week, every employee was invited to attend the State of the Village program. We watched a beautiful video (while munching popcorn!) and heard Dr. Lesher’s updates. As I watched the screen full of highlights from the past year, I got a little teary-eyed. Messiah Village is full of life and full of joy! There’s never a dull moment here. We are home to gardeners, painters, singers, volleyball players, Pathways instructors, volunteers, spelling bee champions, grandpas, clock “doctors,” pie bakers, quilters, cello students, and world travelers. I enjoyed my time away but it’s really good to be back.

Do you think the thought in the title came as we were walking through a friend’s garden or as we worked in our own garden? No, it came as my husband was putting a new roll of paper towels up in the kitchen.

Surprise! That roll of paper towels had some flower sketches and several garden thoughts which I will share with you.

The first thought is “You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt.” Yes, that is true in a flower or vegetable garden. Sometimes when something is troubling our mind going out for garden exercise can ease our thoughts and it may be our time for prayer.

“Gardening is a way of showing you believe in tomorrow,”

“Friends are flowers in a life’s garden,”

and “The flowers of all tomorrows are the seeds of today” are other thoughts given on the paper towels.

It also says “No two gardens are the same” and that “No two days are the same in one garden.” A stroll by the flowers and vegetables reminds us of the truth in these sentences.

Here we are at the end of the gardening season and many are pleased with the vegetables they have shared with family, friends and neighbors. Others are glad that they can still watch the fall flowers blooming. And some are already planning what will grow in their garden next summer.

No two gardens are the same; no two lives are the same; but the love and blessings of God are the flowers of all tomorrows.

Today, Messiah Village is announcing a historic milestone to residents, staff, and the community at large.  The largest capital campaign in our history, Connections, has been completed and has exceeded its original $3.5 million goal by nearly $200,000.  The current total is $3,694, 481.

This campaign has been significant in three specific ways:

• First – it is the largest campaign we have ever undertaken at Messiah Village. Never before have we raised this much money for a capital project.
• Second – we experienced unprecedented staff participation.  Our employees contributed $143,150 and will have the Northside Entrance elevator named in your honor.
• Finally, as you may recall, we received the largest gift in our history: $880,000 from the Norman T. Asper estate in January.

Each of these items is significant, but when you combine all three, it’s an amazing testimony to God’s providence and the hard work of many people.

A family member of a Special Care resident said, “the new addition will light up people’s lives, increase resident comfort, and provide much more happiness.” The Special Care renovations, along with the Chapel and new entrance project, are greatly needed and joyfully anticipated. We look forward to watching the progress with you!

Another interesting note — the portable peace garden has been temporarily relocated until the renovations are complete next year. The plantings are being cared for by staff and volunteers at Maintenance West. This garden was a gift from an anonymous donor who wanted to create a special place for people to gather, reflect, and pray. It was designed to be portable so that we could enjoy it before the construction. Once the project is completed, it will be moved back to its permanent home in front of the Chapel.

Have a great week and thank you for supporting Messiah Village!

A few weeks ago we hosted our very first Still Kickin’ Chili Cook-Off. We had a special visit from the Singing Chili Pepper. This is a photo of the Chili Pepper and the winning team from the Fireside Grille. Can you caption this photo?

Be sure to check out our Chili Cook-Off album on Facebook. You might even find a few pictures of  my co-workers and me singing along with the chili pepper.

My neighbor just told me that she was starting to research retirement communities. I don’t envy her. From my experience at Messiah Village and in seeing other communities, I am struck by how much they all look alike. Most have lovely grounds, friendly staff and spacious rooms. How does a person see the difference? I think the key lies in looking behind the trimmings.

I heard a story about something that happened here at the Village a few weeks ago. It is my new answer to, “What makes Messiah Village special?” I was in a meeting with some people on our nursing staff and we were sharing highlights from our departments. A nurse manager told the following story. There was a resident on her unit who was very ill. Her husband came to see her every day, and the staff got to know him. He, too, had some serious medical issues. Over time, various staff members noticed that he was losing weight and looking tired. They asked him if there was anything he was really hungry for. “Oh,” he said, “I could really eat some baked macaroni and cheese.”

The staff called the Fireside Grille (our in-house restaurant) and learned that they made this dish. They collected money to pay for a meal and coordinated the logistics of placing the order and having it delivered to the nursing neighborhood. When they called the restaurant to place the order, they learned that the team at the restaurant wanted to donate the meal. The next time the man came in to visit his wife, he was greeted with his favorite dish. What a blessing that must’ve been for that man, to have someone see his need and want to help.

The next time someone asks me about Messiah Village, this will be my lead story. The pamphlets with the activities and apartment sizes will come later.