Mixin' it up

What is one of the first things that happens when we have a family or two over to visit?  Typically, the kids gather together and begin to play, the ladies venture to the kitchen and the guys hang out in the living room or out on the patio.  At church, I witness something similar...groups form: pockets of women here, smatterings of men there, and kids chasing each other wherever there is floor space.  Often people gravitate towards others of their gender and age group.  And that isn't necessarily a bad thing (at least not all the time), but it is fun to mix it up sometimes.  Last night afforded such an opportunity.

One of the ministries of our church is to visit elderly people in a nearby Assisted Living Residence.  Our family has not been as involved in this as we would like to be due to schedule conflicts, but occasionally we are able to participate and it is always a joyful time.  Last night was particularly fun as we gathered together with gifts and music and the word of our God with the aim of blessing the residents and helping them enjoy the Christmas season.  Young and old, male and female, all laughing and singing and visiting together...all rejoicing that Jesus came to save us.

 

I took this before all the seats were filled, 

but the room ended up packed 

with young people sitting on the floor 

and some of us standing in the back.

I LOVED that so many of the residents came to join the party.

Interacting after the service:

 Mmmmm...yummy cookies and punch

Little ones who brought many smiles
with their antics through the evening:

Aunt Sharon even got a massage out of the deal :-)

My kiddos and I drove around town for awhile after we left, looking at lights and chatting together about the evening with our elderly friends.  God gave us all a delightful evening.  I hope our elderly friends had as good of a time as we did.  Thank you, Father.