Parsons Presbyterian Manor
JULY 2022
Editor’s Note: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we regularly feature a column from a PMMA® chaplain in our newsletter. This month’s column comes from Greg Schmidt, chaplain at Newton Presbyterian Manor®
Chaplain’s Corner By Greg Schmidt
Resident’s fascination with flight sustained an eight-decade hobby
July is here… and so is the heat! And what’s the best way to “beat the heat?” Look Greg Schmidt for a vacation spot that offers a cooler climate, right?! When I was a kid—and into my young adulthood—my favorite getaway trip was to church camp in the Rockies. Over the years, I progressed from camper to camp counselor to camp director, and in the latter position, I introduced the Mennonite Brethren church camp world to Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting Co.! That added a few “ice cold” stories to all the others!
New Parsons Presbyterian Manor resident John Eli built model aircraft for more than 80 years. He kept three of his favorites when he and his wife Jean moved to the community: from left, a P38 bomber, a World War II naval bomber, and a British torpedo bomber.
John Eli built model planes until the age of 89. “He started building model airplanes when he was 8 years old, and his dad told him he was wasting his money,” said his wife Jean Eli. “He’s been building them ever since.” World War II formed part of the backdrop to John’s childhood. He was
Building planes – continued on page 4
But what happens when you cannot “escape the heat” of life’s daily battles? How does one find ways to rest or relax in place? You may not like my answer. I believe every one of us desperately needs to allow our hearts and minds to find comfort by taking us away in our thoughts to a place where
Escape the heat – continued on page 3
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A few things you probably didn’t know about Independence Day It’s almost July 4th and before you gobble down a hotdog and take in some fireworks, we thought we would share some little-known Independence Day facts that you can use to amaze your family and friends. First, the Declaration of Independence was not signed on July 4, 1776. Shocking, right? Actually, July 4 was the day that Congress approved the first draft of the Declaration of Independence, which was written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. It wasn’t until August 2, 1776 that the document was actually signed.
did you know he was actually the first of the 56 delegates to sign the document? And how was the first anniversary of Independence Day celebrated? The Virginia Gazette described the celebration in Philadelphia this way: “The evening was closed with the ringing of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated. Everything was conducted with the greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and gladness was universal.”
Here are a few more little-known facts thanks to Almanac.com.
• Congress officially declared July 4th a federal holiday in 1870, but it wasn’t until 1938 until federal employees could take the day off.
• On the back of the Declaration of Independence, the words “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776” is written upside down.
• Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson— signers of the Declaration of Independence who later went on to become president—died on its 50th anniversary.
Next, we all know about John Hancock’s famous, well … John Hancock. But
• According to the weather diary of Thomas Jefferson, the weather on July 4, 1776 was cloudy and 76 degrees. u
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2022
is published monthly for residents and friends of Parsons Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: nnash@pmma.org Maegen Pegues, executive director Natae Nash, marketing counselor
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Escape the heat – continued from page 1 we’ve experienced the love, grace, forgiveness and peace from God and (Christian) friends that have always been there for us. It is never good to stay forever pinned down to our inevitable problems. We must be able to escape. Mental respite is a must! I’m simply suggesting we ask God to let our minds take us to places we otherwise cannot go. I accomplish that by beginning where Jesus did—in prayer. When we ask God to help us recall those places, people, and moments when we perceived life as less troubled, less complicated, less corrupted by pain or disease or situations that caused us fear or panic, we discover peace. Our prayer should then shift to a state of productive meditation, staying in that personal place and allowing God to “heal” my body, spirit, and soul to the degree that my burden or worry is temporarily suspended. Just as our physical body needs at least four hours of deep sleep before it can even begin to be restored and reenergized, our hearts and souls need sustained rest as well. A break from being bombarded by the challenges of everyday life, especially when those challenges include dealing with death and dying realities.
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God.” The Psalmist is figuratively describing an internal need—a “thirsting after”—the One he believes will replenish his innermost needs. He doesn’t imagine a sip; he wants to drink deep. To do that will take time. It doesn’t happen on the fly or instantaneously. Why would he make that request? Because life is pinning him down. He’s needy. He’s stressed out. Because the pursuit of those people and situations that set out to do harm or destroy him are bearing down on him. Because sustained rest is the only thing that will restore his life and vision. The image of a deer so at peace with her surroundings that she can stop and without fear, lower her head to the stream to take a long, needed drink, in complete peace, is inspirational to the Psalmist. So, he sets in place in a cave and meditates on what it would be like
if he too, like the deer, could drink deep from the cool, refreshing resources of all that God has to offer. We desperately need rest, especially when we’re facing “life and death.” Why? So that we have the resources and strength to fight life’s battles. Each of our Manors and communities, as well as our Heart & Soul Hospices are about finding rest for our patients and their families. And we get that needed rest when we choose to live and enjoy every moment God gives us rather than giving in to the pain, frustration, and discouragement that disease and discomfort naturally bring. So, right where you are, ask God to allow your heart and mind to travel to your vacation spot, your resting place. Not only do you need it, you also deserve it! And unlike making a booking with Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting Co., it won’t cost you a thing! u
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Building planes – continued from page 1 fascinated by airplanes and wanted to be a pilot. Instead, he channeled that interest into a lifelong passion, building hundreds of model planes of different sizes. His hobby made him happy, he said.
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though he was stationed in Germany. After earning his Master of Education, John taught at Missouri Southern for 10 years. He went on to create a bachelor’s degree completion program at Westmar University in Iowa.
Before the Elis moved to Parsons Presbyterian Manor in April, John sold or donated all but three of the models in his collection. He gave some 50 small models to the Coffeyville Aviation Heritage Museum, and a collector bought the rest.
John shifted gears when became a sales engineer for John Deere, but that wasn’t entirely new territory for him.
Although John never piloted a plane, he had a varied and fascinating career. He served in the military during the Korean War,
He also enjoyed skeet shooting, hunting and fishing. He and Jean were active in the church, and John
COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2022
“He’s always been involved in something to do with motors,” including car racing when he was younger, Jean said.
helped build the Methodist church in Alma, Kansas, where they lived for more than 40 years. “John has a brilliant mind, and he still does,” Jean said. “He’s always been interested in everything.” She and John have been married for 65 years — one of the other constants in his life. The hobby kept him out of trouble, he said, so it may have contributed to the longevity of Elis’ relationship. “(Model airplanes) have given me a life of enjoyment,” John said. “And they kept me from drinking and doing things I shouldn’t have been doing.” Jean says that’s exactly right. u