Ark Valley News - The View from Sunflower Gardens

The View from Sunflower Gardens
By Marilyn Bentley
Last Updated: March 30, 2017

We like to sing the old hymns

Did you know there are old hymns having been written between 1719 and 1879? All give glory to God. They stand the test of time.

On the wings of music, these hymns give us a chance to pray through melody.

Many new hymns meet these same tests and are accepted by both congregations and theologians.

As we study scripture, we find two things about singing: Singing should come from the heart and singing should come from the head.

A favorite is "Jacob's Ladder." A recent new hymn is Gaither's "He Touched me." We like to sing "In the Garden."

Amazing Grace," by John Newman, is an old but good popular hymn.

The Hebrews could not sing the Lord's songs in a strange land, as they were too sad.

We sing when we are sad or glad. Sometimes we sing favorite songs at funerals. "They are tributes to God." — J.H. Peck

The folks at Sunflower enjoy different church homes.

We like the Mennonite hymn sing-alongs when a group comes on a Sunday from Sedgwick.

We like our Monday coffee chat time, Tuesday Bible study, game nights, potluck dinners, music concerts by Nancy, van trips, jigsaw puzzles, Friday hymn sing-alongs and walks down our halls.

Some folks here like to putter in all our flowerbeds. Thanks to our gardeners and bird feeders.

We like the "E-Z-2 Forget" band of veterans as musicians.

As weather warms up, we have more activities and variety in places to go.

Some like lunch and lecture at the V.C. Senior Center.

March programs on TV show a variety of talent.

"There isn't time there, there isn't time, for all the things I'd like to do. With all the mountaintops to climb and all the woods to wander through." — Anonymous

Shopping at malls, folks here have found decorations and puzzles that show a holiday or show sunflowers.

We have had a real variety of outside temperatures in March. Some folks walk around our north building in all temperatures.

We note the work on our Emporia street to give us a nice wide sidewalk. Thanks to the city and builders.

We thank Jason for our daily mail and Martin for keeping electrical usage and plumbing working in all apartments.

We thank all our volunteers!

We are glad for many interesting Kansas bridges.

There are Kansas byways to explore, lakes to find fish, unique museums in all parts of Kansas. The far southeast corner of Kansas has part of Route 66. There are campgrounds in all part of Kansas and many interesting bed and breakfast homes to enjoy in our travel.

We are glad for interstate highways when we are on long trips to see our scattered family. Be glad for road signs.

Kansas has good ranches for cattle raising, many big elevators for many acres of harvested Kansas wheat, oats, corn and alfalfa and milo.

"Be kind, anyway." — Mother Teresa