Today at the VA was one of the most exciting that I have attended. To see the veterans (and the workers) participate was even more exciting.
We had a total of 35 from our church enjoying the day. What a great blessing it was to see everyone joining in and thanking the veterans for their service.
The Praise Team always does such a wonderful job and everyone appreciates what they do each and every time we go. No matter who participates, the Praise Team goes along with them (this shows how much talent they all have).
A big "Thank You" to everyone who donated items so we could fill the 62 gift bags! When Mrs. Swain and I went back after everyone left, the men were trying on their gloves, exchanging T-shirts and sweatshirts and making comments about how nice our church was to remember them and give them such nice gifts.
Thanks again to everyone for making this such a great day!!!!!
Wilma Waits
We had a great time visiting the VA. The music was great and we had several of the veterans that sang a special!
It was neat to see them clapping along, singing and smiling. They were very grateful for the gifts that we brought and it was obvious they had been looking forward to us coming because we had a terrific turn out! Even a lot of the staff came in to hang out with us. Thank you to all of Faith Fellowship that came to show their appreciation and love for the veterans! It truly was a great time had by all!
Carol Chaney
I always love going to the VA Hospital. Its funny how we go there to share with them and usually leave having our hearts ministered to.
Yesterday, after some serious conversation over who had the coolest wheelchair, (Kimmie won) one of the guys served Kimmie Ballard (Kimmie is a little girl in a wheelchair that attends our church) cookies and drinks and even gave her a blanket from his room.
Caitlyn Chaney’s new puppy didn't seem to mind being loved on by the guys and our band was so awesome that some of the residents and the employees joined in with singing and dancing. It's always a good time and I know the guys really enjoy our visits and some laughter.
Patty Evans
I always forget how much the vets enjoy us being there. They sing along and clap and they love having us there with them. It was great to see the workers were having fun as well. They were singing along and dancing and i think they had as much fun as the vets had.
Abe Chaney
We hurried to get to the V.A. to spend some time with people I do not know, singing some 70's rock & roll music with some Christian & Christmas music mixed in.
Convalescent / nursing / hospital settings are not comforting to me, but today listening to & singing with the music, watching the people who served me before I was born by keeping America free from communism and terrorism, looking at magazines from 1973, and remembering these people sacrificed their time, health, their lives for me & my family, thank God & them they did what they did for someone they did not have to
Fred Bittlinger
Fred Bittlinger
If I had to pick one word to describe today, it would be: joy. I am almost speechless. Our visit to the VA hospital today was one of the most joyful experiences I have ever been a part of. The singing, dancing, and love that was in that room was indescribable.
To give back to the men and women who have given so much for us is humbling. To see the happiness in the eyes of the vets, and everyone else in that room was so awesome. I am so proud of our Church, and so grateful to Wilma for getting us involved with the VA Hospital. It may not always be what we want to do on a Sunday afternoon, but to give people an hour or two of our time when they have risked EVERYTHING for us, is not so much to ask. I am proud of our Church for what we came together to do today, and I am blessed to be part of such a great family.
Tiffany N. Bedel
I was blessed today...
To see my church support the often forgotten...
And little Johnny bustin' a move...
Where else are you gonna get that kind of show!
Jeremy Gibbs
It was wonderful to see how excited the patients were to see all of the kids dancing to the music. It was especially funny when the Veterans wanted to sing too! I met a man named Howard who we need to pray for he misses his youngest daughter tremendously. He said she doesn't visit him and he seemed very hurt by that. He told me to never forget my Dad, I told him I wouldn't. He said Hayden was very cute and he thanked us for the gift and said Merry Christmas. It was great to see how much fun they had. We had fun too, the girls love passing out the gifts. VA trip was great!!
Lorie Bittlinger
We went with the church yesterday as it felt more of what we should do at Christmas.
The girls picked this activity and wanted to spread some kindness to the vets.
I was amazed at the concern shown to Kimmie as many asked her about her wheelchair.
One of the vets, Mr.Maines, kept giving her refreshments and gifted her with a horse Wheelchair blanket he had made. We all enjoyed watching them sing and laugh. Several of the vets enjoyed the puppy and the babies. What we got to do yesterday was good for the vets and all the kids. We really need to work harder in our society to teach children how to share their time with others.
Vicki Ballard
Wow! I'm not sure that I can truly put into words what this event meant to everyone...if you attended you certainly experience the true meaning of Christmas. What a blessing I personally received!
The love and gratitude of these veterans and the staff of the hospital was quite apparent. You could truly feel the love of the Lord at work yesterday.
The kids had such fun and what joy they brought to not only the vets but our church group as well...singing and dancing!! I am so glad that I was able to be a small part of this great celebration!
Hopefully, this is a ministry that will remain a tradition for the Faith Fellowship Church family for years to come!
Regina Denny
