By Ken Jarvis, Area Media Specialist
On Christmas Eve sixteen missionaries assigned to the Hill Country Stake performed for the residents of the Emerald Oaks Retirement community in San Antonio. Under the direction of Ronald and Sanjuanita Cooley, Stake Communication Specialists, the missionaries delivered an hour-long program of vocal and instrumental music.
Brother Cooley said, “The missionaries have been serving at Emerald Oaks for three years but this is the first year we were invited to do a Christmas Eve Program.”
He felt that the Sisters’ introduction set the tone for the evening. “We testify of Jesus Christ and that’s what the Christmas Spirit is all about; giving, loving and serving. We invite the Spirit to be with us through song and recounting the Christmas story that each of you might feel the Christmas Spirit.”
Throughout the month of December, the Missionaries also did Christmas Caroling on Friday mornings. They were joined by Bro Cooley and Austin Rodriguez on the piano and Angelica Cooley on the violin for a Christmas dinner time Serenade on Friday evenings.
Elders Merritt and Miller remarked that, “Serving at Emerald Oaks has been a great opportunity to meet some amazing people. Talking to the folks there is always fun because everyone has stories to share and they are really kind in expressing their appreciation for the small service we do.”
“I absolutely loved the residents the moment I met them,” said Sister Gibson. “We were able to talk and interact with them and they really showed their personalities. They all have individual quirks and I have loved spending time with as many of them as I can.”
The Cooleys did have their challenges with the program, however. At the last minute 14 of the 30 missionaries were put in quarantine due to exposure to a missionary who tested positive for COVID-19. “We just asked them to fill in for those who couldn’t be there,” Sister Cooley remarked.
Sister Belt was impressed with how much she learned. “I think as people we often separate ourselves and categorize each other unnecessarily. But I soon realized that the things I love and care about are the same things that the residence love and care about, even though there is a significant age gap.”
She summed up the entire experience by saying, “When we work with people who are different from us, we gain a grander perspective on life. I have felt so significantly God’s love for each of the people we work with, because we are all one in the same, children of God!”
Photography by Rosie Jarvis