News & Views from Campus: February 2 – February 8, 2020
Keep Your Fork!!
Jody Harris, Admissions, Writes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things “in order,” she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
“There’s one more thing,” she said excitedly.
“What’s that?” came the Pastor’s reply.
“This is very important,” the young woman continued. “I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.”
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
“That surprises you, doesn’t it?” the young woman asked.
“Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,” said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. “My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, “Keep your fork.” It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming….like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!”
“So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder….”What’s with the fork?” Then I want you to tell them: “Keep your fork….the best is yet to come.”
The Pastor’s eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven then he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman’s casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, “What’s with the fork?” And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Just remember…..keep your fork!
The BEST is yet to come!
Activity Calendar
(PLEASE NOTE DEVOTIONS HAS CHANGED BACK TO 9:00 AM)
Sunday, February 2
9:00 am: Worship Service: Chaplain Josh Vahle, Chapel
2:00 pm: Table Games, Social Room
Monday, February 3
9:00 am: Devotions: Chaplain Josh Vahle, Chapel
9:30 am: Towel Folding, Social Room
11:30 am: Exercise, Social Room
1:30 pm: Rosary, Chapel
6:30 pm: Valentine’s Bingo with LifePoint Church, Social Room
Tuesday, February 4
9:00 am: Devotions, Rev Henry Pratt, Chapel
9:30 am: Odin & Ranger visit, Social Room
9:30 am: Coffee Hour, Bartley Room
11:30 am: Exercise, Social Room
1:30 pm: One Country Gent, Social Room
2:45 pm: Bingo, Town Hall
6:30 pm: Bowling Dice, Social Room
Wednesday, February 5
9:00 am: County Market, Shopping**
9:00 am: Devotions: Rev Jason Sommerfeldt, Chapel
9:30am: Towel Folding, Social Room
11:00 am: Meet & Greet with PPS, Social Room
11:30 am: Exercise, Social Room
1:00 pm: Pony Tail Canasta, Knapheide Room
1:30 pm: Dominoes, Bartley Room
Thursday, February 6
9:00 am: Devotions: Chaplain Josh Vahle, Chapel
9:30 am: Coffee Hour, Bartley Room
10:00 am: Catholic Mass, Chapel
10:30 am: Mystery Meal, Outing
11:30 am: Exercise, Social Room
2:00 pm: True Location of Noah’s Ark, Social Room
Friday, February 7
9:00 am: Devotions: Pastor Joshua Hall, Chapel
9:30 am: Towel Folding, Social Room
10:30 am: Mystery Meal, Outing
11:30 am: Exercise, Social Room
2:45 pm: Bingo, Social Room
Saturday, February 8
10:00 am: David Damm, Social Room
11:30 am: Exercise, Social Room
** Please sign-up for this activity at the Front Desk All activities are subject to change. Games and cards are available for use anytime in the Bartley Room.
Weekly Inspiration
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, “I used everything you gave me.”
Prayer Request & Scripture
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK Psalm 16:1-8
Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge. I say to The LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from You”…The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply…The LORD is my Chosen Portion and my Cup…I have set The LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
THIS WEEK PRAY FOR:
Residents: Stevenson Manor
Staff: NURSING STAFF RNs, LPNs, CNAs, non-certified aides, universal workers
Good Samaritan Home of Quincy
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