Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Never to Old for a Childrens Book



Like President Monson, we loved visiting our older, widowed sisters. They were always so friendly and welcoming. Most of these sisters lived in nursing homes. They were left and forgotten by many – only a few still cared for them and remembered who they were.

Here we were an appointment had fallen through and we pulled out the map. We saw a very lonely yellow dot and had this overwhelming feeling that we needed to visit that person. I don’t think we understood exactly what the nurse said to us but we soon realized that what she was saying was this sister wasn’t going to remember us or are visit. This sister wouldn’t look at us or even talk with us. Why were we supposed to be here? The Lord had a plan or at least we hopped he did.

We had a German children’s book that we sometimes used at lesson so there we were reading this book to her. Before we left she looked up and smiled, but that was all we got. The next time we came we brought another children’s book with us. As we arrived the nurse was so happy to see us, she said that this sister had asked for us earlier in the week so she was glad we had come. As we went to her table there was a bunch of women gathered around her (all very old) they also wanted to hear the story. So we read the story to everyone and they loved it. We continued our every other week – reading books, singing primary songs and old German folk songs. We helped with meals and sometimes just sitting and listening.

I’m not sure what this group of older women got from us but I do know that both learned a lot. We learned that no matter how old or forgotten we may feel that the Lord loves each one of us. He is aware of our needs and he will send those to use that can help comfort and bless our lives.

mit freundlichen Grüßen
Jenessa Jensen

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