I believe I mentioned before
that we had been asked to conduct Bible Study at one of the Retirement centers
where we assist with Bingo. I told the activities director at the center that I
would like to observe what others did who conducted a Bible Study just to get a
general Idea of what it would take to keep the audience awake and interested. (
I later found out that for some of the residents, keeping them wide awake is
not likely to happen in this life.) So
two weeks ago, Sister Anderson and I went to observe how someone from another
Church conducts Bible Study. We arrived and the person from the other Church
had cancelled, so several staff members conducted the Bible Study. I was
concerned about the music because I have no music skills and they use a
protestant songbook. They sang several songs and it turned out that they sang
several songs we knew. It helped that Sister Anderson suggested several songs
that were in our hymnal. It was a good thing, because that group needed all the
help they could get. My singing skills leave a lot to be desired; unfortunately
I learned on that day that any skills I have will not likely improve with
dementia or Alzheimer’s. Everyone was attempting to sing the same song, but
everyone was singing the lyrics at their own pace. It was interesting and a bit
entertaining and brought a smile to my face. The staff person then read a story
she found that I thought included a little bit of scripture with a lot of the
philosophies of men. Such is the world we live in.
A week later, which was this
past week, Sister Anderson and I conducted the “Bible Study”. We designed the
program similar to what our home ward in Boise does when we provide a service
for the Heritage Retirement Center. We borrowed their protestant hymnal and
found about 20 hymns that we knew from our hymnal. About half of them were
Christmas Songs so we only had about 10 to choose from. I downloaded several
hymns on my laptop and thought I could play the music with the lyrics and the
group could just sing along. Earlier in the week, we had asked the Young Elders
if they wanted to come and sing for this program, but hadn’t really discussed
any details. I had not heard back from them, so I just assumed they had forgot
about it and would not be coming.
We pulled into the
retirement center and I see the Elders, who are in a threesome currently. Since
I did not think they were coming, we had not prepared the Activities Director
for this. So I sent Sister Anderson in to explain to the Activities Director that
we have three Elders coming to help with the music. She is okay with that and
so when the Elders come in, I hand them a hymnal and ask them to decide what
they could do for a musical number. There were approximately 15 residents in
attendance, but not all fully awake. Those
that were awake were in various stages of consciousness, but similar to what we
had observed the week before.
We sing the opening song and
I play the music with lyrics, but it didn’t seem to help. They still each sang
at their own pace. Sister Anderson led the music and we got through it. It
probably sounded better than the week before because we could hear the Elders
in the back. Sister Anderson and I had prepared to give our remarks on prayer.
I spoke first and I thought I was talking pretty loud, not screaming but almost
yelling, when one of the residents in attendance says, “Could you talk a little
louder!” This caused another person in
attendance, who was visiting her aunt, to put on a big grin. We each got through our comments and then the
Elders sang “Lead Kindly Light” which is a song I really like, and they
actually sounded good. I thought their song really added to the spirit that was
felt there. I shared another story on prayer and we closed with a song.
The day prior in District
Meeting, I had mentioned to the young Elders and Sisters in attendance that
Sister Anderson and I had found 15 new investigators. I didn’t initially
explain that we were just doing the preparatory work for those who would be
teaching these same people in the Spirit World. Nor did I explain that any
baptisms that might come out of this would likely be proxy baptisms. (The young
missionaries got a chuckle out of that.) I actually thought the program went
well and the person visiting her aunt was very appreciative of the program,
thanked us for coming, and asked about our missionary service. Even though the
residents have challenges with hearing and dementia, they still each have their
unique personalities. They are delightful and thanked us for coming. One of the
ladies at the other retirement home we visit continually tells me that she
thinks I am a good man and winks at me. At my age, you take compliments whenever
you can get them. Actually, I think she winks at Sister Anderson as well so it
is probably okay.
