Saturday, August 21, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Chaplain Jeanne
Some wonderful visits today. It is wonderful to meet a Christian at the end of life. The family was present as I talked with a patient possibly near death. She had such a faith in God and wanted prayer for his will at this time. I felt such a love and connection with her at this time. I prayed and she seemed so at peace; I hated to leave in a sense- there was such a connection it seemed between us. May God bless her soul at this time and take her home to be with him. May he use this time and following to reveal his love to the family.
Met a man who was a former Chaplin. Actually, it was not too long ago that he was fired from his job, and is now having difficulty understanding “why”. I asked him if he forgave them. Now remember, this man is a Chaplin and he knows the thing to say and do as well. I am not sure if he really has forgiven them. I shared with him rather straight forward how God works. His wife seemed to be on the same page as myself. He wants to go back and volunteer for them. I do not know if they will want him back after firing him especially not knowing the reason. He is getting older, and may need to take this time to retire and let go. Hopefully, he will allow God to work with him in this valley as well as he is with him on the mountain.
There was a lady who was in depression - at least this is what she shared. Her husband was cheating on her with a prostitute; her grandson is going to prison for drugs; her son was trying to get between their marriage and was picked up for drugs. She feels everything is going against her. Her appliances were not working right at home. I used reflective listening with her, and had prayer. Poor lady, she is not attending church so has no church support which is not good. She does have a sister who brought her to the hospital which is some support. Hopefully, she will find peace of mind. She told me four times in the same visit how much she liked my hair, and that her daughter likes dark hair.
One lady wanted me to sit down and seemed to want to talk. She shared how she had searched different religions and found it interesting. She was once a Baptist and now attended a Church of Christ. I did share the importance of a relationship with God and that it is not a church or religion. She was a very nice person who felt a need to talk.
One man sat up in his bed on his upper half - the remaining was cut off. He was reluctant to talk but I encouraged a conversation. He willingly shared about different stomach surgeries – he had one himself and did not know if he had made the right decision. He has trouble eating and can only eat small portions, and not able to take pills all at once or up they come. He gave me some advice as to what medication he felt was best for GERD – which I seem to have some problems with. He said Nexium is what I should get, or either the generic brand if my insurance would not pay or it was too expensive for me. He has problems with GERD as well. After a lengthy conversation, I offered a Scripture card of which he had no interest. I felt how important it is to just listen to them, and not try to bring up spiritual matters all the time – it just may not be the right moment.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Chaplain Jeanne
Such a busy day at the hospital. Met a guest who has made 1,000 (:-O yes, that is correct) sweaters for needy kids. God impressed it on her heart to do this. She shared her story. As she was approaching middle age, she did not know what she was going to do with the rest of her life. God told her to make sweaters. She asked how many, 100? God said "no". Then she asked, 200? God said, 1,000. She has made 1,000 sweaters for these kids donating to various organization including the Indian children. She needs 3 yarns balls to make one sweater. She is presently making caps and mittens for these needy children. All the knit has been donated in order for her to do this. She has not had to purchase any herself; God has provided. If you want to donate any knit for caps and mittens, call the Hope United Methodist Church at (937)434-7095 in Centerville, Ohio. She would really appreciate it :D. She showed me something that she was working on as she sat at the beside of her husband.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Chaplain Jeanne
Patient was discouraged and said she asked for me yesterday and no one called for a chaplain. I quoted a favorite scripture passage that has been helpful to me and prayed with her. I shared with her some of the lyrics to the song "God Will Take Care of You". Some of the old hymns have such meaning to us still today. I love new songs, but to leave out the old is missing some really good stuff.
Chaplain Jeanne
I have a friend who decided not to have a liver transplant; he is not in good health at this time, but is trusting God for healing. I met a patient who made me think of him today. This patient was 72 tears old, and having a lung transplant. Hmmm..I thought.
One patient told me he was a pastor - retired at this time. He pastured a Lutheran Church in Wisconsin. I asked his wife how she enjoyed being a pastor’s wife. She said she never taught Sunday school, but did love helping with VBS, and the ministry activities for women. I asked the pastor how he enjoyed being a pastor, He said it had it ups and downs, and is like a love and hate relationship in a marriage. I told him I have ups and downs but bubble back up as I love ministry, and believe that God put that in me. He said that was a good way to put it.
I felt really bad, as I had a call from the staff for a patient who wanted to see me, but when I arrived he was asleep. The family had arrived and there was real curiosity about his call for a chaplain. I went to the nursing station to see what he wanted and they said he was uncomfortable, and when asked if he wanted a Chaplin, he said he did. I felt bad, but referred him on the Chaplain for the next day. I never want to miss a spiritual need- ever!
One lady who was obese, maybe about 500 pounds, is having a surgery upcoming soon. She was very excited about it. This will bring a change in her life. They are taking out most of her stomach and she will lose lots of weight. It does concern me these about surgeries and after effects can be the most serious at times it seems when things can go wrong - even on the simplest surgery. I think prayer is best for all surgeries and to never underestimate prayer during this time. Her family was worried, but she wanted to be there for her family. She has not been able to walk in a long time; I guess due to her weight.
Another patient had lost her fiancée when she was pregnant. She went into the room and he had suffered a heart attack. She was young - so sad. She wanted to share this with the Chaplain. She also shared about another person whom she had lost as well. She had been sick and was concerned about her spiritual condition and was told it was ok as long as she read her bible. She is seeking a good church to attend and has enjoyed what she learned of Catholic prayers even though she is not a Catholic. When I asked if I could pray, she asked me, “What prayer”. I do not pray prayers that are from memory but from my heart and head. .
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