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Here's my latest column for LSA'S Voices, comes out soon:

Maybe it’s the time of year, but I am thankful for so much. I see opportunity, growth, and love in spite of our national economy and malaise, punitive regulations, broken hot water heaters, and bills to pay.

The people we serve and the people who serve them remain the focus of my attention. That’s our mission statement in action! There are so many good stories out there about all the good things going on across LSA. Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks took nine residents to the beach. They rolled wheelchairs through the sand so everyone could dip their toes in the water. They fished. They ate like royalty. That is abundant living!

Lutheran Home – Hickory staff volunteered at a school to help underprivileged children and their families. When I dropped in unexpectedly at Lutheran Home – Albemarle late at night on Nov. 7, I found a quiet home and overheard a nursing assistant quietly and lovingly talking to a resident. There are 1,100 people living and being served by LSA. There are also 1,100 LSA employees loving, working, growing together to care for those we serve. That’s abundant living!

LSA has become a center for innovation and education. They go together. Our New Pathways model enhances person-centered care, quality of life, clinical care, and staff empowerment. Those big words are transformed into: spa bathing, new and renovated buildings, buffet dining, electronic medical records, almost no blare of overhead paging, a focus on rehabilitation, and on and on. All that happens by educating our staff on why, then how. We spend a great deal of time on education, as it should be.

The LSA mission would not be possible without the support of our stakeholders, and those who came before us. Dr. J.L. Norris was the first Executive Director of this ministry, a visionary leader. LSA President Robert Beard led LSA through growth in size and breadth. Administrator Isaac Kuhn was “Mr. Lutheran Home.” Director of Nursing Donna Stepanian saw long-term care change from the old folks home to a medically complex, computerized, yet much more resident-friendly HOME. Certified Nursing Assistant Miriam Mathabane has seen change, direct care workers and those they serve are the center of our universe.

We would not exist without our other stakeholders: volunteer Board members who lead, community volunteers who serve, donors, family members, friends…. With all of us together, we strive to fulfill our mission to express God’s love in Christ to those we serve. And we are able to face our obstacles and look to new opportunities in our mission to grow, partner with Lutheran Family Services of the Carolinas, develop home and community based services, serve, serve, and serve.