Residents

Homemaker Recalls Christian Experiences

by Howard Peterson, Nebraska – The Sunday School Missionary (July-Sept 1959)

Some are called to be preachers or teachers while others may be called to be evangelists or missionaries, but here is a young mother with a rich full background in Christian training and missionary experience who is equipped to radiate her testimony to her own little family, as well as to the many others with whom she comes in contact. Her name: Mrs. Dorothae Hohndorf. This is her thrilling testimony.

“I doubt if time will ever fade the memories of those years at the American Sunday School Union Bible Conferences. I especially thrill at the memories of the long walks up the hillsides each morning for the sunrise services where we sensed the Lord’s presence in our midst. I often relive the ball games, wiener roasts on the banks of the river, the long hikes along the many trails, and all of the many good times we had with the other Christian girls and boys.

“I remember so well the day at camp when I made my decision to accept the Lord as my Saviour. Although I was not aware of what was happening, my life changed. The classes took on a new meaning for me. I thank the Lord for helping me to remember one particular class taught by a wonderful Christian lady, Miss Myrtle Johnson. She taught the first lesson that I can remember on full-time Christian service. This led me to think for the first time of giving myself as a full time Christian worker.

“These were happy years. Each spring I was privileged to teach Bible school for the American Sunday School Union. I had the joy of leading souls to Christ. Today this joy is being doubled as I see some of those that were won for Christ now receiving further training in Bible Institutes.

“Leaving my carefree days behind me, I began to prepare for adulthood and Christian service. I entered our state teachers college to prepare for teaching. After I had taught one year, the Lord led me to Grace Bible Institute from which I graduated. After the second year of Bible school, I ceased to travel life’s road alone as I united my life with that of Alvin Hohndorf in marriage.

“In March 1956 one of the speakers at a Bible Conference read from God’s Word the familiar verse in Matthew 28:18, Go ye therefore. The Lord used those words as if He were hammering them into my heart. I had told the Lord many times that I would go wherever He would send me. Now I knew the time had come when the Lord was commanding in a definite way.

“Step by step the Lord led the way. In five months I was on my way to Cuba! I would be gone for four months and I was going alone. Not because my husband would not go, but because this was the Lord’s leading for this situation. I went to teach school for missionary children as the missionaries were short handed for these particular four months. There I gained a wealth of experience in missionary life and broadened my special interest for missionary children.

“Since I have been home I have been able to share these wonderful experiences with not only members of my family but with others with whom I have come in contact.”

After Sister Laurene moved into Community Village, I visited her room often. Such a merciful addition to our census; always humble and kind and a true servant of Christ. One morning, I came to work feeling quite sad about a personal matter. I felt the urge to go to Sister’s room and hastily made my way there. We talked for a minute and through my tears I told her what was bothering me. She so graciously took my hand in hers and began to pray. She told God that because I was such a nice person on the outside, I must be a diamond on the inside. I think it was the kindest prayer ever uttered for me. I dried my tears and held her close before making my way to start my day’s work. These days, I don’t get the opportunity to visit Sister Laurene as much as I would like, but I know if I need her, she’s right down the hall. She gave me a teardrop diamond cut crystal (it’s plastic) which I keep in my jewelry box. It has no monetary value at all, but – just like her – it’s priceless.

Contributor: Bonnie Rowley, Activities Director

Fair warning, though: make sure you know if it’s his hot or mild version before you taste test!

living. His wife, Sue, enrolled Tim in our Adult Day Care and we are blessed to have him as part of our extended family.

Tim, you are beautiful!

Marjorie walked toward me with a hair brush in her hand. I smiled and took it from her and began to brush her thick brown hair back away from her face. I thought of my mother who is long gone now. When I was a little girl, I would stand at the end of the davenport as my mother lay there resting. With the old bristle brush I’d stroke her hair back away from her high forehead. The memory left a lump in my throat and I hugged Marjorie and my mother all at the same time. Hand in hand, Marjorie and I made our way down the hall and I began to sing the old song “Margie”. Marjorie has difficulty at times forming the words that she wants to say. She tried her best to sing the song that she has owned for many years. When we were done, we stopped a minute and I asked Marjorie, What’s my name?. She looked at me so lovingly and tenderly tapped me on my bosom: Pretty, she replied. I laughed a hearty laugh and told her that my name means “pretty” in Scotland. So, you see, Marjorie knew my name all along!

– Contributed by Bonnie Rowley, Activities Director

Margie

My little Margie
I’m always thinking of you, Margie
I’ll tell the world I love you,
Don’t forget your promise to me
I have bought a home and ring and everything
For Margie, you’ve been my inspiration,
Days are never blue,
After all I said and done,
There is really only one,
Oh Margie, Margie, it’s you
Margie
I’m always thinking of you, Margie
I’ll tell the world I love you,
Don’t forget your promise to me
I have bought a home and ring and everything
For Margie, you’ve been my inspiration,
Days are never blue,
After all I said and done,
There is really only one,
Oh Margie, Margie, it’s you

Songwriters: Benny Davis / Con Conrad / J. Russel Robinson

When asked what she thought of Elaine – one of our big-hearted nursing staff – it took only a moment of stumbling for words before Florence so eloquently answered:

“She likes the world in general. I can’t manipulate the words any more than that, but she does everything that she can do for everybody. We love each other because we both have had things in our life that make us want help and we get help from sometimes each other… and other people. I don’t know what else I could say, I said it just the way my heart feels.”

Florence, you’ve said it quite perfectly!