Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
Celebrating God’s love By Chaplain Richard Russell FEBRUARY 2023
Love makes life richer for LPM residents Life Enrichment Director Stacey Schimmel’s love of her work, and for the residents of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, can be seen in everything she does. Whether it’s the detailed planning of a holiday event, or a group craft project, Stacey does all she can to keep the residents at the core. “One of my favorite activities is doing craft projects, because this both challenges the resident to do something they aren’t used to, as well as being able to Stacey Schimmel put their own personality into whatever we are creating,” Stacey said. “Another favorite is trivia, because this usually brings up different memories, and this leads to discussion and hearing different stories from the residents about when they were growing up, or about their families.” Aside from working with her team to plan a variety of fun and engaging events and parties, Stacey said her role as Life Enrichment Director gives her the chance to create healthy and meaningful opportunities for residents. “We are continually developing and implementing different programs that promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being,” Stacey said.
This month we think of Love. We give cards, candy and other gifts to the ones we love. We want to show how we feel about them in a special way. But one of the most powerful ways we can show love is God’s way. In 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 in the Bible’s message we read about God’s love and the qualities of that love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others. It isn’t always me first, doesn’t fly off the handle. It doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, or revel when others grovel. It takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end. Love never dies. These are the qualities we should strive to develop in the love we share with others.
“When I first started we hosted a beer tasting with our independent living residents. I got all beers from local vendors, and watching the residents try them was so entertaining, to say the least. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet some of the residents that don’t participate in the dayto-day activities,” Stacey said. “The other moment was when we had a
Legend has it that a wealthy merchant traveling through the Mediterranean world looking for the distinguished Pharisee Paul, encountered Timothy, who arranged a visit. Paul was, at the time, a prisoner in Rome. Stepping inside the cell, the merchant was surprised to find a rather old man, physically frail, but whose sincerity and magnetism challenged the visitor. They talked for several hours. Finally, the
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Residents seem to particularly enjoy live music performances, as well as games such as Bingo and Scrabble, Stacey said. In her role, Stacey has been able to experience some special moments with the residents she serves - some moments that have been incredibly memorable.
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at LawrencePresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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