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February 2013
February 2013
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Welcome to Kirby Pines!
Blanche Boren Scott
Vernon Short
Kal Lefes
Kal comes to Kirby Pines by way of Hermitage, PA but was born
in Akron, OH where she enjoyed a life rich in Greek tradition including
large family and friend gatherings during the holidays that were filled
with endless tables of delicious foods, pastries and drinks; she has ALL
of the Greek pastry recipes! Her parents taught her to always be kind and
considerate to people, but, most importantly, to be close to family.
She met her late husband, John (a fellow Greek), at a Christmas
party inAkron and “the rest was history”. They were married for 35 years
and were blessed with three children and two grandchildren. In 2005,
Kal was fortunate enough to travel to Crete to see the church her parents
married in and that is something she will never forget.
Kal loves arts and crafts, especially crocheting, any kind of music
(
except Rap), enjoys going to the Theatre every chance she gets and loves
volunteering at her grandchildren’s school library a lot.
After losing her mother at the age of 12, Blanche was raised by
her grandparents in Southern Georgia. Her grandmother, a very Christian
woman, instilled in Blanche a love for Jesus, his people and serving
God... values that have influenced Blanche all her life.
During her 52 year marriage to Logan Boren, she managed “Home
Interiors & Gifts”, raised 2 children (Richard & Cathy), hosted many big
dinners and celebrations in her home, was a Den Mother to her son’s Boy
Scout group, taught Sunday School, chaired bazaar’s and led groups at
her church, Colonial Park United Methodist Church; Blanche was even
a Pink Lady! In her “spare time”, Blanche wrote “Thorns to Velvet” - a
book that can be found in the Kirby Pines Library - and sold every copy!
Blanche enjoys crafts in general, but is a bow making professional
like no other. “There is a trick to making a beautiful bow.” she always
says.
Vernon, a third generation Shelby Countian, was born in Memphis
on the eve of the Great Depression and grew up in the Germantown area,
graduating from Memphis State College with special interests in office
management and music. After about four years of active duty in the navy
encompassing the “Korean war”, he returned to his native Memphis.
Following a year in advanced training in stenotypy and internship
at Florida Central College, he returned to Memphis and worked as a court
reporter for about 45 years, finally retiring in 1999.
During his adult life he served as a church organist, retired from
the naval reserve, and became Kirby Pines Resident No. 1131
in absentia
but now enjoying life at Kirby Pines.
His interests continue to be classical music in general and via
WKNO-FM, the U.S. Navy, animal welfare, and phonography to name a
few.
Chaplain’s Corner
GOD SENDS THE BEST
While at work a woman received a call that her daughter was very sick with a fever. Immediately
leaving for home she stopped by a pharmacy to get some medication for her daughter. Upon returning to
her car she found that she had locked her keys inside. Feeling the pressure to quickly get home to her sick
daughter, she didn’t know what to do.
Calling home to the babysitter
the woman was told her daughter was
worse. Then the sitter suggested she
find a coat hanger and try to open the
car door. She found a rusty one on the
ground, probably used by someone at
another time for the same purpose. She
frustratingly looked at the hanger and
thought, “I don’t know how to use this.”
Then, bowing her head, she asked God
to send someone to help.
Five minutes later an old car
pulled up beside hers. A dirty bearded
man wearing a greasy biker rag on his
head got out. The woman thought,
“
Lord, is this what you sent to help me?’
Growing more desperate with each passing minute, the woman said to the man, “My daughter is very
sick and I must get home to her as quickly as possible. I’ve locked my keys in the car. Could you please use
this hanger to unlock my car?’
Walking over to the woman’s car the man had it unlocked in less than a minute. She hugged the man
and through her tears said, “Thank you so much. You are a very nice man.”
The man replied, “Lady, I’m not a nice man. I just got out of prison today. I was in prison for car theft.
I’ve only been out for about an hour.”
Thewoman hugged theman again, and then cried out, “Oh, thank you, God. You sent me a professional.”
This story by DennyMog in Touched ByAn E-Mail (pp. 170-172) is a great example of the distinctively
different way our needs may be met. Life is often interrupted by unexpected crises. As we respond, things
can easily go wrong. When all our efforts prove ineffective, we still face a locked door. Prayer, which
should be our first option, rises as our last choice. The answer is sometimes very different from what we
expected. God’s instrument to get us out of the dilemma can be exactly opposite from what we thought.
The dashing knight on a white charger does not appear. God’s help seems like something we would
never anticipate. But He always sends the best. We always get the “professional.” And we should always
be thankful, like the woman in the story.
Some need may soon enter your experience. Let your first move be to ask God for his assistance.
Don’t be surprised if his answer is dramatically different from your expectation. And don’t forget to express
gratitude to those who help you and to God who provides the very best.
It’s what is meant in Philippians 4:19. “And my God will meet all your needs
according to his gloriuous riches in Christ Jesus.”
Till next time, Don Johnson - Kirby Pines Chaplain
