Commun ty Matters Rolla Presbyterian Manor
October 2017
Reasons to let God be your guide By Allen Teal, chaplain Rolla Presbyterian Manor Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit. (Matthew 15:14, NIV) The image conjured up by this verse is sad. Someone who claims to know the way is leading someone who doesn’t. Eventually, both of them wind up in a place that they do not want to be—“they fall into a pit.” If you are going to follow a guide, it is important that the guide is competent. 1. We cannot go anywhere that God has not already been. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:2, NIV). GIVING, continued on page 2
Swee Swanson displays a beautifully plated meal before it is served.
Hooray for roasted duck
Residents’ recipes make Presbyterian Manor menu When people move to a senior living community, sometimes they worry: will I still get to enjoy my favorite meals? Thanks to our dining services team, the answer is yes! For a couple of years, residents at Rolla Presbyterian Manor have been invited to submit recipes they would like to see on our dining room menus. For the spring and summer menu cycle, the No. 1 favorite was a taco lasagna recipe, submitted by a health care resident, followed by an independent living resident’s version of shrimp Creole. Carmen Payne, director of dining services, said another resident recipe for “trees and raisins” – a broccoli salad – got so many requests that it’s now offered on menus throughout the year. Serving up and sharing favorite dishes adds to the sense of community, Carmen said, especially because residents spend more time in the dining MENU, continued on page 2
Then, these are prepared and served room than anywhere else – an hour by the 18-member dining services or more per meal, three times a day. staff. Over the course of an average day, there are three cooks in the “We find our residents have their kitchen – one for breakfast and own tastes, so we try to include lunch, one for lunch and dinner, and them in how we do things,” Carmen one baker. Two or three people staff said. “I know they’re very proud each dining room. when they see the food come out The staff tries to watch for trends from their recipes and people are among popular dishes, then offer ordering it. They have ownership.” those items more. “I think that Carmen and her staff use the Presbyterian Manor puts more resident-submitted dishes to effort into their meals,” Carmen supplement the menus they said. “Our organization gives them a receive from Health Technologies, little more choice and freedom.” which provides dining and Residents have been asked to give nutrition services for health care communities. MENU, continued from page 1
the dining staff ideas for a meat or entrée and two side dishes. Once a year, Carmen also asks residents for their input on which menu items to keep or discard. Some of the replies are surprising. Carmen said one resident wrote “roasted duck” on his survey, half joking. The dining staff surprised him right back. “It blew my budget, but we did it. For one meal, we had roasted duck, and he was just awestruck,” she said. “That’s where you show that you listen and you care.”
GIVING, continued from page 1
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Rolla Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org Ann Caudill, executive director Joelle Freeland, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Joelle Freeland at lfreeland@pmma.org. Telephone: 573-364-7336 Fax: 573-364-7336 Address: 1200 Homelife Plaza, Rolla, MO 65401-2595 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. RollaPresbyterianManor.org
We’ve all heard directions that begin with, “you can’t get there from here.” While it is an old joke, it is never encouraging to hear. We need to be directed by someone who has personal experience along the route. It helps if they can warn us about the pitfalls and hazards. God always knows the way and the problems that we may face. In John 14, Jesus told his disciples, “I am the way…” No one ever gets lost by following the Lord. 2. We will never face anything that God has not overcome. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15, NIV). Life can seem like climbing a mountain. We get by one problem just in time to face another one.
2
Community Matters October 2017
Difficult times seem to only emphasize our weaknesses. We need a guide to help us triumphantly face the tough times. The Lord has been there. Author Barry Finlay said it this way, “Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.” 3. God only leads us down right paths. The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. (Psalm 37:23, New Living Translation (NLT)). If you will let them, there always seems to be someone who will steer you down the wrong road. “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” (Proverbs 14:12, NLT). The Lord knows the way that will take us where we need to go. He will never mislead or deceive those who follow him. Follow God, and you will never wind up in the pit. Like us on Facebook
There goes the sun On Aug. 21, our residents and staff members were focused on the heavens to witness the solar eclipse that crisscrossed the United States. With our proper eclipseviewing eyewear, we safely enjoyed the historic event under clear skies. Rolla was just outside the path of totality, with the moon obscuring 99.8 percent of the sun about 1:15 p.m.
Above: Dining Services Director Carmen Payne watches with Jennie Dicks. Left: Director of Health Services Jennifer Shaw.
Above: Photos of the eclipse with solar glasses – and without – during the time of partial totality.
Chaplain Allen Teal helps Richard McCauley get the best view of the eclipse. Like us on Facebook
Paul and Mary Stigall are joined by their daughter and granddaughter for the viewing. Rolla Presbyterian Manor
3
Rolla Presbyterian Manor 1200 Homelife Plaza Rolla, MO 65401-2595 Return Service Requested
Tell your holiday stories We will feature Christmas in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you have a story about Christmas, whether a favorite tradition or a memorable holiday celebration, or if you just want to tell the world what you love about living in your senior living community, we want to share the story. Contact Joelle Freeland, marketing director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
4
Community Matters October 2017
Sign up to receive our newsletter by email. Visit RollaPresbyterianManor.org and enter your email address in the subscription box on the right. It’s that easy! Like us on Facebook