Auburn Homes & Services Resident Newsletter January 2022

The Auburn Homes & Services

Resident Newsletter

December 2021

In this Newsletter:

Llamas pay a visit to Auburn Homes in Chaska
NYE Celebrations
Ageless Endeavors: A Trip to Paisley Park
January Resident Activities
Pastor's Corner with Alan Hairsine

Llamas pay a visit to Auburn Homes in Chaska

Llamas have certainly become favorite visitors for our residents and this holiday season they did not disappoint! Weeping Willow Acres provided big smiles for our Courts residents with two of their Llamas that were wearing festive, Christmas Costumes and provided snuggly necks to hug!

Chaska Manor residents were also treated to a Llama visit when Carlson's Lovable Llamas came by with plenty of Llama kisses for everyone!

NYE Celebrations

New Years Eve 2022 might have been rung in earlier than midnight for our residents, but memories of "auld lang syne" and new beginnings were on everyone's minds.

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” — C.S. Lewis

Auburn Resident, Philip, enjoys an

Ageless Endeavor at Paisley Park

Ageless Endeavors is a program designed to make wishes come true for residents at Auburn Homes & Services. The program gives residents the opportunity to fulfill a meaningful experience from their past or a future goal to be achieved.

Ageless Endeavors encourages residents to live life with purpose and passion. Recently, Auburn resident, Philip, and his daughter, Beth, experienced an Ageless Endeavor that paid tribute to Philip's favorite musician, Prince. About his experience, Philip answered the following questions:

1. What was your favorite part of Paisley Park?

a. “Just being there was the greatest thing with Beth and pictures of Beth and I in the lounge where Prince sometimes performed.”

2. Why is “Purple Rain” your favorite song?

a. “Prince is the best person ever and it’s just a great song.”

3. What part of the tour was most surprising to you?

a. “The size of the place! How gigantic it was! All the clothes and shoes and guitars and cars- I never thought I’d get to go there.” “It was the best thing ever.”

4. What did you bring back from Paisley Park?

a. I got a “Hat, a T-shirt, and a Tambourine.” “I like to play the tambourine I got- sure!”

5. Why is Prince one of your favorite artists?

a. “He’s just the best ever. It’s very sad that he died so soon. Everything about him is the best; the music, talent, dancing, the huge building, the cars and shoes and clothing… Everything.”

If you are interested in learning more about Ageless Endeavors, please click here.

Along with resident favorites like bingo, devotions, music therapy and noodle ball, January activities also include entertainment provided by Woody Strohmeyer, "Roaring Twenties Week", entertainment with Allen Carlson, and "one to one" room and resident visits.

Check out your resident's January Activities Calendar to see which ones are available to them by clicking on the appropriate link below:

Auburn Home, Auburn Meadows,

Auburn Manor, Auburn Courts

Want to know what activities are available by location at the beginning of the month? Go to our website and click on your locations web page to find a downloadable activities calendar for the month.

The Pastor's Corner with Chaplain Alan Hairsine

Dear Auburn Family and Friends,

Warm greetings to you as we brace for another January cold snap! In spite of the normal inconveniences of winter in Minnesota, we have much to be thankful for. I often hear that positive point of view when visiting with residents here in Waconia. “As far as winters go, this one has been pretty good.” Of course, we don’t know what next week or next month will bring, but we can be thankful for managing thus far.

As we journey into 2022, many of us are wondering not so much about the weather but what the New Year may have in store. We often find ourselves focused on the challenges and unknowns of this pandemic. There are days of great optimism, and then there are days when the news is not always encouraging. When that happens, we can be tempted to dwell on the negative.

The Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians, “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” Phil 4:8-9

When Paul wrote this, his situation was less than ideal. He was locked up in a Roman prison for no crime other than preaching the Gospel. Yet he was able to write this uplifting letter, often called the Epistle of Joy. How was he able to do it? He focused on God. Paul was able to look beyond his bleak situation and see the bigger picture - God is ultimately in control, and his difficulties would not last forever. Through his encouraging words, we gain insight into determining our own focus and priorities.

As the New Year unfolds, I pray that we may stop to reflect on our blessings and things worthy of praise, and give thanks to God for giving them to us. Whether in times of need or abundance, God will provide as we put our trust in Him.

God’s blessings to you in the coming year!

In the Spirit of Christ’s Love,

Chaplain Alan