Sounding Like Christmas

This afternoon the Senior Happy Club gathered for a potluck meal...

... and heard Christmas Carols sung by the 

Show Choir from St. Columbkille Catholic School.

It was so good, the singers were even rewarded with treats!

Vistors to the Happy Club

Today some pharmacists and other employees visited the Happy Club. They explained the importance of the shots needed to prevent pneumonia. They also explained what is needed to prevent shingles. They also let everyone know about the benefits for seniors at Walgreens the first Tuesday of each month.

Singing and Reading for the Happy Club

Today the First Grade students from St. Columbkille Catholic School did some reading and singing for the Happy Club.













The Happy Club thanked the students with gifts of candy and pencils (for those who hadn't given up candy for Lent.)

Convert from Islam

After lunch yesterday, Dr. Mark Christian spoke to the Happy Club about growing up a Muslim in Egypt (his birth name was Mohamed), how he left Islam and how he ended up a Christian in Omaha.

Although Muslims are not required to fast during Ramadan until they reach puberty, at the age of 5 Mark decided to fast. When his father discovered this, he lavished attention on Mark who had always felt ignored by his father before. Mark became the constant companion and confidante of his father, a doctor, soldier and devout Imam, as well as an adviser for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

For the next 16 years, Mark grew in his Sunni Muslim faith as a firm believer. As he grew as a young adult he began to have serious questions about his faith. He wanted the answers so he could defend his faith. Due to his family connections, he was able to ask these questions of some of the top Islamic leaders. He was told, "Don't ask questions."

Feeling a lack of foundation for the faith, Mark left Islam. For about 5 years, as he was in medical school, he tried to be an atheist or an agnostic. He said, "To look at DNA and not believe in God is crazy, but I was crazy."

It was in 2003 that Mark wanted to become a Christian. He would go to churches as and ask, "Can you tell me about Jesus and give me a Bible?" But due to the Islamic rules against conversion and the possible backlash, no one would help.

Mark said, "I didn't convert to Christianity because I wanted to drink a beer, but because I wanted to go to heaven." Although he did joke that "bacon changed my life."

In 2005, Mark and his wife flew to Chicago then came to Omaha because "no one in Egypt knows about Omaha." He considers it a miracle that both he and his wife converted as it is very rare for a Sunni Muslim to convert in the first place, and unheard of for a couple to convert. He was baptized at St. Cecilla's Cathedral in Omaha.

For seven years Mark and his family hid in Omaha, but he is hiding no longer. He is part of the Global Faith Institute. While he was initially angry, he has come to realize that "Muslims are the first victims of Islam."

"I was bitter towards my family for many years," he said, "Now I am not." He wishes to build bridges to Islam.His father and brother have put a price on his head, but he is not afraid.

Among the things he spoke about is Islam:

• Muslim is more political than a religion. It is it is about ruling. One does not evangelize in Islam;
• It is blasphemy in Islam to say that God loves me. There is no sense of a personal relationship with God;
• Mohamed is considered a champion of women because he ruled that when men beat their wives they should not hit them in the face or break any bones - so he made their lives better.

The first Monday of every month the Happy Club gathers for a potluck meal and stimulating conversions.

Ardenta Voce Visits

Ardenta Voce from Papillion La Vista South High School visited the Senior Happy Club yesterday and entertained. It was wonderful, as you can hear:

Some Police Advice

Officer McClannan from the Papillion Police Department spoke at the Senior Happy Club yesterday on a number of topics including Personal Safety and Fraud.

One of Officer McClannan's warnings was that women should be mindful of watching their purses while grocery shopping. It is easy to be distracted looking in the shelves and not notice someone taking a wallet out.

Another tidbit was regarding phone scams. He said that whenever you are asked for personal information on the phone think, "Did I call them or did they call me?" If they are the ones calling, don't give out any information.

There was a great discussion about how we need to be careful even in a very safe community like Papillion or La Vista.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

On Monday the Happy Club gathered for their monthly meal and get together.

The after lunch speaker was Kirk Estee Sr, a a retired school teacher who is now in the Happyness Business. His motto is "Laughter is the best medicine.

The Art of Paper Quilling

Today Lorraine Stanfield and Ralph Bichel spoke with members of the Happy Club about their quilling.

Lorraine told how they met and later learned about quilling at a resort in Texas.Paper quilling dates back the 14th century when religious sisters would do it to embellish Bibles or religious tracts. It saw a resurgence in Victorian times as it was considered something a woman of standing could do "without being too taxing upon her delicate nature."

 Above is the first piece Lorraine did.

Ralph has really enjoyed this centuries-old art form. As a former art student, he has enjoyed designing his own creations.

It's amazing what you can do with 

a bunch of thin strips of paper.

Korean War Honor Flight

There was a packed house yesterday at the Happy Club for Mary Gawecki's as she told her experience as a guardian on the final "Korean War Veterans Honor Flight."

In March, 460 Korean War Veterans had a 

free flight and tour of Washington, D.C. 

One of the most poignant parts of the 

trip was to the Korean War Memorial.

Also at the lunch was Bill Williams, the organizer of the Nebraska Honor Flights. He said that with the age of the Korean War Veterans people like Mary were needed to help get the veterans around.

Don Case was one of the veterans who made the "once in a lifetime" trip. All of the veterans received medals  like the one Don is wearing. They were made out of rusted barb wire in the demilitarized zone. They were also overwhelmed with the reception when they got home -- as this link from KETV shows.

While Don was on his trip, his wife Sharon and the other spouses got their own grand trip around the region as a thank you for their support.

It was a great event.

Lunch and Zumba

On Cinco De Mayo the Happy Club gathered for their monthly potluck lunch. This month the program afterwards gave the opportunity to do some low impact Zumba.

It was a fun, festive, event.

A Patriotic Theme

A few weeks ago the First Grade students at St. Columbkille Catholic Catholic School sang for the Senior Happy Club. With their patriotic theme, it seems appropriate to show on President's Day.

Happy President's Day!

Bingo

Deacon Capadon joined the

Senior Happy Club for lunch today.

Lunch was followed by Bingo.

Zumba at the Happy Club

At the Happy Club last week, Jennifer led a Zumba session. It gave a chance to experience Zumba as it is done in some classes for seniors. She said this was designed for the people to participate and many did.