Childrens Drama day

Today we went to a nursing home to perform a series of drama plays that the kids had been working on in their drama group.  Brad was the Grinch, Megan was Cindy Lou, and Jennifer played "fear" in a play.
They did an awesome job and had a great time.  The first part was for the "regular" residence-those who could come to the room and watch and not get lost coming to see the play.  Then we went into the "Alzheimer's Ward".  Well, let me just tell you it was quite a visit.  First we had a little lady tell us that no one asked her if we could come in there.  I reassured her we would only stay a minute and that we would clean up after ourselves.  She took that well and sat down.  Then an older man kept calling out during Brads part that he was just too loud.  I am not sure how much they understood our plays but they seemed to like them. 

When the plays were over we went around giving out cards and trying to talk to some of them.  Megan was offered a new home and a new car if she came to live with one resident.  I talked to one who did not know she was in Ga, but she could tell you where all her children were.  As I was enjoying talking to a sweet lady, the whole group left.  I looked up to see no one left but me and the "Alzheimer's patients."  They lock us in so I was locked in there with them.  Oh, how I almost lost it.  It took me just about a second to realize I am in a ward, locked in, with people who think they are not suppose to be there, and neither was I.  Was I going to be able to get out? Where did everyone go?  It was quite funny and as you can tell I made it out and home.:)

It got me to thinking though.  What would it be like to not remember anyone or anything?  Am I going to end up there one day and pray that my children come and visit me?  Of course I told my kiddos to NEVER put me in a place like that, just lock me up in the basement with praise and worship music, my cats and feed me every now and then and I will be fine!  ( I do realize that there may come a day that I might have to go to one and I do have sympathy for those who have to place their loved ones in a nursing home)  I just thought about how lonely life must be for some of them.  We are planning on going back and making regular visits. 

How much of life and blessings do we forget?  How much have I already forgotten about what the Lord has done in my life?  Does it really take a major "happening" for me to look to Him and remember His grace, His love, His mercy, His peace?  Oh, how I want to be more thankful, more able to remember, better at praising my Lord instead of asking "Why?"  Those residents are in a home that is not their own, in a place that is not always fun to be in, living with strangers.  Is that not us Christians?  Are we not "home", not always having fun and living with a bunch of strangers?  The question I ask myself , what am I doing with my time, my home, the people I come across everyday?  I want to be the little 'ol lady in the corner laughing at herself, singing praises to my Lord and having a ball!!! I need to be that lady now! 

I have to brag on the kids.  They are just soo awesome with the elderly and love them.  I watched as all three would go around and hug them and speak to them.  They came out of there talking about how much fun they had and that they wanted to go again soon and spread more cheer to the faces they saw. The Lord has done so much with my children and I see the love of Jesus in them and thank Him for it.  My prayer for them to see outside of themselves and learn to minister to others.