Sapulpa

This morning I met a woman who just had a stroke in November. It happened just a few days after her daughters wedding. She is divorced and now finds herself all alone in a nursing home. We cried together, laughed together, and then prayed together. There are people like this, with similar circumstances, all throughout the country. We are making a difference in eastern Oklahoma. Thank you friends and partners for allowing me to be a part of these peoples lives.

Together, we continue to: Strengthen The Saved - Save The Lost

Muskogee

Wow, what fun. We had a great group this morning. Only 3 days to Christmas and we were ready to sing Christmas carols. Then, we looked at the Christmas story in Luke and saw that when Mary's situation seemed impossible she said, "Be it unto me according to your Word." When our situations seem impossible we can say the same thing. Be it unto me Lord according to your Word. With God nothing is impossible.

Claremore

This morning was the major Christmas party for the residents. I was asked to play my Christmas music and mingle. So I did. There were several residents who did not have family to join them, so I focused on them. Then, I found Santa Claus. I have some Good News, Santa Loves Jesus!

Tulsa

I am so thankful that I don't have to rely on my strength and power to see change in peoples lives. If I simple trust God and His power to get a thing done it will happen. This morning we gathered to praise the Lord. The more we sang, the more I could see God moving in the residents. I simple shared John 3:16. "God gave His Son." That act of love changed everything. Christmas is a time to remember how much God really loves us. Now, I'm on the road to Stillwater.

Okmulgee

This morning I had a woman grab my arms and not let go. She said, "I've got you now. Please, don't go!" There are residents in nursing homes that have no one to come see them. During the holidays it is much more noticeable because those who can come do. There are others who have no one. I make it a point to hold everyone's hands, give them a hug, and wish them a Merry Christmas. Jesus is the reason for this Christmas Season. Jesus is also the reason for this ministry. We are going into all the world sharing the good news of Jesus. We continue to travel: Strengthening The Saved - Saving The Lost.

(Oh, the woman that grabbed me? We held each other for a while. She was very lonely. It's the love of God shed abroad by the Holy Ghost.)

Muskogee

There are times when we think to ourselves, "That's impossible!" Many residents, in nursing homes, find themselves in "impossible" situations. You might find yourself in what seems to be an impossible situation. Today, we looked at an impossible situation that Mary and Joseph found themselves in. They found that what was impossible with man was possible with God. The good news is - nothing has changed. With God all things are possible. That was something worth shouting about. Jesus is the reason for the season and with Him nothing is impossible.

Wilburton

Wilburton has a special place in my heart. It is a small community nestled in mountains to the north and oil country to the south. They are very precious people with not a lot of resources. This morning we sang Christmas carols and then looked at John 3:16. Life can be complicated in a nursing home. It's difficult to describe all of the situations people are going through in just one facility. I had one person after another sharing things they are believing for. If you know someone in a nursing home please take the time to visit them. It will bless them and you.

I had a very special surprise. A friend of mine (Ben) who is a missionary to China came to the service. He and his family is in the states for Christmas. He was a blessing to the residents and to me, thanks Ben.

Tulsa

It is certainly true that the Christmas season can be stressful, even for nursing home residents. Many times, during the holidays, residents remember days gone by. Relationships that are no more, loneliness, and sickness can be amplified. I want to be the best relationship they could ever have - hug them, hear their stories, laugh with them, cry with them, pray with them.
As I walked through the facility this morning I could tell the staff had more than enough to do. I was on my own. I gathered as many as I could and we had the greatest time ever. Family is what it's all about. The family of God. We are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As I began to play some of the Christmas carols. A few residents began to cry. I could tell they were remembering times past. It was time to build some new and lasting relationships. By the end of the service hugs were in store and they were asking when I would be back. These are my friends. This is my family, stretched all throughout eastern Oklahoma.

Wagoner

It is always a blessing to minister in situations where people are lonely. Nursing homes are one of those places. As we started to sing Christmas carols several residents came in. Then, we looked at a very familiar verse, John 3:16. It's so good to know that when we believe in Jesus we will never parish but have everlasting life. That's what Christmas is all about. Jesus came, born as a baby, that we might have everlasting life. As I was leaving I spoke with a woman I had not seen before. She was younger so I asked her why she was there. "Polio", she said. I asked her if I could pray. She began to shake. We are believing for complete and total healing. God is so good! Now it's time to head to Sallisaw.

Stigler

This morning we gathered around the tree and sang Christmas carols. I sang, "Mary Did You Know" and then we looked at John 3:16. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son. That's the Christmas story in a nut shell. God gave His Son so we would have the right to say, "Yes" to Him. When I said that a woman, right in front of me, raised her hand and said, "I want to say Yes." The rest is history. Another resident coming into the family of God. Praise The Lord!

Muskogee

We are continuing on the theme, "Jesus Is The Reason For The Season." It is also the reason we decorate. We are decorating for a birthday party. When our kids were small we would always have a birthday cake for desert after the Christmas meal. We would lite candles on the cake and let our kids blow then out. Then, it was time for cake and ice cream.
This morning we gathered to sing some of the favorite Christmas carols. It is truly beginning to look a lot like Christmas. There are decorations everywhere in the nursing homes. There are many residents who no longer have family or friends who come to visit. We are filling that gap by being their family. Many hugs and smiles were in store as we shared the Good News that Jesus is Lord.

Warner

There is a young man here who is probably in his teens. I don't know that he has ever lived anywhere but a care facility. He is strapped to a geri chair for his own protection. As we sang Christmas carols he began to smile and swing his arms with excitement. Over time I held his hand and we shared the glory of the moment together. The Glory of God, the Power of God, the Goodness of God works in our lives no matter what our situation or circumstance. Jesus is truly the reason for the season.

Tahlequah

There are times when I realize I am overwhelmed with compassion. (Back when I was in high school I remember recognizing compassion for the first time. I would know friends who had some form of need and I had a drive to help.) This morning, and all through the Christmas season, I see: loneliness, sickness, emotional needs, the desire to be valued, etc. I asked the group this morning to wave to YOU, my supporters. They love you and are so grateful WE (you and me) have the opportunity to continue to come and minister. We sang Christmas carols and talked about the real reason for the season - His name is Jesus. I just wanted to stay and hug them all but now I'm off to Stilwell.

Glenpool

As we sang some of the Christmas carols this morning, eyes were closed and you could tell the residents were reminiscing of times past. There were both smiles and tears. We looked at John 3:16 and saw that God loved us so much He was willing to send His son (Jesus) to save us from our sins. That is what Christmas is all about. That is why Jesus was born. As Christians we are family and we hugged a bunch before I left. Merry Christmas everybody!

Eufaula

Many times our church family becomes closer to us than our natural family. I find that to be even more so in nursing homes. There are some residents who have family and friends around. But, the majority of residents do not. That is where the church should come in. We are family and we should act like family. Today we came together and sang Christmas carols. We sangs the songs we remembered with the artists we remembered. Many of them remembered sitting around the radio when that was all there was. With every song we celebrated the birth of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. He is Lord!

Muskogee

This morning was a great start to the Christmas season. The room was full when I got there and they were eager to start the service. We sang several of the Christmas carols we all love and know. Then, we looked at John 3:16 with an emphasis on the birth of Jesus. He is the reason for the season. This is a perfect time of the year to talk about Jesus. He is the reason for the season!