December 29, 2014

Greetings,
For this week's newsletter click on;
www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/12-29-2014.html

   The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?
Ecclesiastes 6:11

          Monday December 22 nd ~

     Started off this week in Brookhaven, Mississippi where I was able to sing at the "Golden Living" nursing home.

          Tuesday December 23 rd ~

     Drove to Collins, Mississippi and ministered at the "Arrington Living Center" which is attached to the hospital.

     Parked for the night a few more miles down the road at the "Salem Heights Baptist" church. Some massive storms came through including a tornado.

          Wednesday December 24 th ~

     Troy (one of the leaders at the church) invited me to lead some songs at the "Mission Cross" in town where they contribute an annual Christmas Eve Rib-eye Roast dinner. Yum!

          Thursday December 25 th ~

     Folks at the "Mission Cross" had asked me to come to their noon Christmas Day meal and gave me the honor of sharing in song and message. Again, an awesome feast of Turkey, Ham & Dressing.

          Friday December 26 th ~

     Joined a group of men from the Gideon ministry for a prayer breakfast here at Salem Heights. Then drove to Waynesboro, Mississippi where I was able to minister in two facilities. First at the "Southern Living" ALF, then over to the "Brookwood Villa" personal care home.

     Continuing east I crossed into Alabama to the town of Brewton in time for a "Celebration Recovery" meeting led by a pastor friend of mine (Tommy).

          Saturday December 27 th ~

     A day of rest.

          Sunday December 28 th ~

     Attended the "Dogwood Hills" AG church here in Brewton where I was able to share a Special.

     Lunch with Tommy. Then an evening prayer service at the church.

    
And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!

December 22, 2014

Greetings,
For this week's newsletter click on;
www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/12-22-2014.html

   Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.
Psalm 117:1, 2

          Monday December 15 th ~

     Started off this week near Bismark, Arkansas. As I headed south I pulled into a Resort State Park where I was able to access the internet from the lobby of their Lodge. Unfortunately Yahoo was having problems with their web-hosting program which kept me from publishing the newsletter on the website. However, I was able to send out the Update emails as usual. Then drove on south to the Louisiana border.

          Tuesday December 16 th ~

     Crossed into Louisiana to the town of Bastrop where I was able to minister at the "Sterling Rehab Hospital".

     Got a shower at the First Baptist church and parked overnight at the city rv park.

          Wednesday December 17 th ~

     Sang at the "Cherry" nursing home here in Bastrop.

          Thursday December 18 th ~

     Shared at "The Arbor" assisted living facility here in Bastrop. Then got over to the library where I was finally able to publish the website after a couple of email exchanges with Yahoo technical support. Had to uninstall two programs then download newer versions.

          Friday December 19 th ~

     Sang at the "Lagniappe Healthcare" nursing home here in Bastrop which pretty much covers most of the facilities in this small town.

          Saturday December 20 th ~

     Drove southeast into Mississippi. Passed a herd of Buffalo. Not something one expects to see in eastern Louisiana.

          Sunday December 21 st ~

     It's my Birthday! Made it to fifty-nine.

          Attended the Lucien Baptist Church where I was given the honor of contributing a couple of songs during their Christmas service. Followed Carol & Cindy (Pastors) to a Cracker Barrel where they treated me to lunch. They then put me up in a nice motel for the night and even filled the gas tank on the way there. Awesome!

    
And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!

December 15, 2014

Greetings,
For this week's newsletter click on;
Yahoo is having a problem with their webhosting. May take another day before the website update is published.
www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/12-15-2014.html

   A psalm. For giving grateful praise. Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Psalm 100:1, 2

          Monday December 8 th ~

     Parked at the Methodist church in Idabel, Oklahoma where I was able to publish the newsletter early, accessing their wifi. Then enjoyed a breakfast with my friend David (the pastor).

     Headed north to the next town to do laundry, then on to a State Park for the night.

          Tuesday December 9 th ~

     I've been feeling like a Bug is trying to give me a chest cold. Been load'n up on vitamins and taking aspirin.

          Wednesday December 10 th ~

     Seems like I have to go through this kind of thing once or twice a year which means I can't go into nursing homes until it passes.
     Crossed the border a bit further east to a cheap campground.

          Thursday December 11 th ~

     On east to another cheap campground.

     In this part of Arkansas there are some Army Corp of Engineer campgrounds with winter rates of $6 a night with electric hookups and shower houses.

          Friday December 12 th ~

     Rained most all day. Stayed put. Did a little writing.

          Saturday December 13 th ~

     Feeling much better today.

          Sunday December 14 th ~

     Attended the "Bower Church of Christ" in Bismark, Arkansas where the Elders were excited that I'd shown up on this particular Sunday. Seems their piano player was on vacation, so they invited me to bring the guitar in and lead the song service. I was also given the opportunity to share testimony and my one-minute sermon.

    
And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!

December 8, 2014

Greetings,
For this week's newsletter click on;
www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/12-8-2014.html

   In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"
Matthew 3:1-3

          Monday December 1 st ~

     Headed out early on this very foggy morning. Stopped at the laundry mat here in Hallettsville, Texas before leaving town. When I'd finished that chore it was still foggy so I stopped at a motel in town and got permission to publish the newsletter from their wifi in the lobby.

     By the time I finished, the fog had burned off, but a windy cold front arrived tossing the van around some. Made for a white knuckled drive.

          Tuesday December 2 nd ~

     Ministered at the "St. Joseph Manor" in Caldwell, Texas. The activity director was very complementary afterwards explaining that the previous day had been (in her words), "A monster."

          Wednesday December 3 rd ~

     In Crockett, Texas I was able to sing at the "Enchanted" assisted living facility for a few folks.

          Thursday December 4 th ~

     Continuing north I stopped in Jacksonville, Texas and ministered at the "Senior Care" nursing home.

          Friday December 5 th ~

     Drove further north to Gilmer, Texas where I sang at the "Wesley House" facility. While roaming the halls strumming up business, I was able to enter the memory care section and sing for seven residents and three staff members. Then back to the main dinning area where a rather large group had gathered. We had a wonderful time, with many folks singing along and making request for their favorite gospel songs.

          Saturday December 6 th ~

     Sang at an old nursing home in Daingerfield, Texas for a small group of residents, then crossed into Oklahoma where I hooked up with David who I met last year while ministering in one of the nursing homes here in Idabel. He promptly provided a motel for the night. In the eight months since I was given this vehicle, this is the first night I haven't slept in it.

          Sunday December 7 th ~

     Attended worship services at the Methodist church in Idabel, Oklahoma where I was given the honor of sharing in song and testimony. Joined David (Pastor) along with a large group from the church for lunch, then parked at the church for the night.

    
And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!

December 1, 2014

Greetings,
For this week's newsletter click on;
www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/12-1-2014.html

   Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home."
Mark 6:4

          Monday November 24 th ~

     After publishing the newsletter I got over to Brother George's house here in Austin, Texas where we found a place to put the back-up guitar in the van.

     About a year before my mother passed away, she gave me my dad's guitar. He'd passed the year before that. At the time it needed some major restoration. So I left it with George, a very talented meticulous craftsman. He did a fantastic repair job and kept it safe for me the past few years.

     Living in the minivans, I only had room for one guitar and the Martin was the more appropriate tool for the ministry. But now with this large camper van I can enjoy this inheritance. For those who know about such things, this is a Vintage Classic 1969 Gibson Hummingbird.

          Tuesday November 25 th ~

     Ministered at the "Southpark Meadows" nursing home in Austin. While roaming the corridors strumming the guitar I spotted some double glass doors near the end of one hallway with a lady on the other side shaking the whole structure, apparently wanting out. I went on into this small Alzheimer's Unit and sang a bit for the five residents before returning to the main dinning room to sing for a large group of about thirty.

          Wednesday November 26 th ~

     Drove to my cousins country home near Round Top, Texas where I'd been invited to share the Thanksgiving holiday time.

          Thursday November 27 th ~

     Thanksgiving Day! Food and fun.

          Friday November 28 th ~

     Drove to Schulenburg, Texas and sang at the nursing home, first in the main lobby for a rather large group of folks, then into the Alzheimer's Unit for ten residents and three staff members.

          Saturday November 29 th ~

     On to some cousin's house in Yoakum, Texas for a sweet day of eating and visiting.

          Sunday November 30 th ~

     Attended services at a little country church outside of Victoria, Texas where I got to say hi to some kinfolk. Then to an evening service in Hallettsville, Texas where some more cousins live.

    
And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!