Field Trip Friday: The Passavent Retirement Center

Since late last Fall we'd been discussing the desire to start serving somewhere with a small group of our homeschool friends. For me at least, the desire was initially borne out of selfishness... I wanted to teach my kids the importance of being dedicated to serving in our community, because that's what I'm supposed to do as a mother, right? My friend Melissa arranged for us to start going monthly to a local retirement home, just to spend a little time with the residents there and try to brighten their days.

We've been going for several months now and not surprisingly, it has turned out to be a source of joy not only for the residents, but for us as well.  There are certainly inherent challenges. Keeping the boys quiet and well-behaved for the duration of the visit leaves me pretty exhausted. But the sweet elderly women we've met are so grateful just to see young children and sit and talk for a few minutes that it almost breaks your heart.

It's also so gratifying for us to see our older children beginning to understand that they can have an impact on other people's lives by giving up their time to do something meaningful for someone else. Chloe, Megan, Ryan, and Andy have made us so proud with their willingness to introduce themselves, dance and sing and pass out snacks, and engage politely with these sweet old ladies.

I took a few pictures of our first visit, and unfortunately, my camera battery died before we got inside! These are a few memories of our group that day, playing joyfully and getting a little silly before we went in to meet our new friends.

Chloe and Ryan, never missing an opportunity to dissolve into kindergarten hysterics.

Chloe and Megan, who have become sweet friends this year.

The whole gang. Unbelievably, I think every one of the kids is actually looking in the basic direction of the camera and smiling. A keeper for sure.

"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

1 John 3:18