Dear friends of Vital Signs Ministries, March 2025
After introducing ourselves to the couple on our right at the banquet table, we received an animated reply. “Denny and Claire? Oh yes! Vital Signs Ministries, right? You know, we’ve heard you two spoken of very highly by a lot of people over the years. But, forgive me for asking this — I’m sure I should already know — exactly what does Vital Signs do?”
I smiled and inwardly thought, “Well, I guess it’s nice we have a high reputation with these folks — even if they have no idea why!” But, in reply, I simply gave a very brief and general answer followed by an invitation for them to check out our website and Vital Signs Blog if they wanted to learn more. I thought of that couple this morning when I started to write this letter — yes, the very one you’re reading right now. That’s because I realized that the foremost purpose of these monthly letters is to answer the very question which that couple asked — except the LifeSharer letters answer the question in a “historic” perspective, i.e. “what exactly has Vital Signs been doing?”
Therefore, even as I pass along the same invitation for you to check in frequently with our website and blog (and our Facebook pages as well) I’m giving you today “snapshots” of a few of our ministry activities since our last letter to you. Let’s go.
* As profoundly heartwarming as the “When Swing Was King” shows are that we bring each month to 10 senior living facilities, the music, photographs, and fun trivia are not the whole story. No, there are also the opportunities to visit with residents, tell them stories and listen to theirs, bring laughter and stimulation and spiritual comfort to people who are often lonely and marginalized and bored (not to mention confused, afraid, and living with pain and loss of key abilities). This, we believe, is of monumental value. Examples? Talking to Bill last week about his crush on Helen O’Connell when he was a Navy corpsman. Hearing Carl talk excitedly about reading The Christmas Room and that leading us into a conversation about the way one can have assurance of salvation. Enjoying lunch and a stimulating conversation with Chris, a very lovely lady whom we have known and admired since our first days in pro-life work. Listening to Connie speak with such fondness and gratitude about her deceased husband and also of the “round robin” correspondence sisterhood that she has been a part of for over 60 years. And many more — conversations with Nancy and Pat and Phyllis and Judy and Janine and a lady who told me that her life’s purpose was simply B.S.D. — brightening someone’s day! As you can guess, this can be a bittersweet ministry also for we frequently lose through death so many friends. And rarely do we even have the chance to say goodbye. Still, we love doing “When Swing Was King” and we are forever grateful to God for allowing us to create and participate in this unique and inspirational ministry.
* The first weekend of the month found us involved first in Nebraska Right to Life’s Gala banquet and then the NRL-sponsored Walk for Life at the State Capitol the next morning. The Gala event was incredible with Jim Caviezel speaking to a crowd of over 1200. I was invited to give a brief welcome and then lead in the opening prayer. Also, I was further blessed to have joined State Auditor Mike Foley, State Senator Tanya Storer, NRL Director Sandy Danek in an expertly crafted film clip promoting the excellent work of Nebraska Right to Life. And, of course, the Walk the next morning was – as always – inspirational, persuasive, and deeply encouraging…as were the connections we made with pro-life Nebraskans at the Vital Signs Ministries literature booth at the Cornhusker Hotel following the Walk.
* The last few Sunday afternoons at our church service at Aksarben Village Senior Living have really been exceptional, including a lovely Candlemas service for which several teenagers joined us with really nifty Valentine cards they had made for our congregation. And, a couple weeks later, we had another festive celebration; namely, the 4th anniversary of our church there at Aksarben. Related to this is that we have started sending out to several friends around the country the links to the three song performances that we used in that Sunday’s service. If you would like to be included, please just let us know,
* Boy, have there been some cold mornings we’ve had to brave for our pro-life witness outside the dastardly Planned Parenthood abortion mill. What a lying, decadent, manipulative, and bloodthirsty business this is! And yet, for the preborn children, for their moms and dads, for the sake of justice itself, and for the reputation of the Church, we know the crucial importance of Christians standing in the gap and opposing this mega-abortion profiteer…as well as to provide a last word of warning and of loving alternatives to those in grave danger of making decisions for abortion. And so, we stay the course. Please keep this outreach in your regular prayers.
* A sparkling highlight of February for Claire and me was volunteering for the Night to Shine, the extravagant, extremely high-energy “prom night” for special needs teens and young adults sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. This year we worked the Parents and Caregivers area — greeting, visiting, serving food and drinks throughout the evening, answering questions, busing tables, and cleaning up afterward. To help in this way was right up our alley and we had a terrific time being a part of this beautiful outreach. Way to go, Tim Tebow! And way to go, King of Kings Church!
* Interviews anyone? I mentioned earlier about being interviewed for the NRL promotional spot. But there were more to come in February. For instance, an interview aired early in the month on Bott Radio with Claire and me talking with Toni Clarke about the founding way back in the day of the AAA Crisis Pregnancy Center (now, of course, Assure Women’s Center). It was really neat to reminisce about those exciting, challenging days and to offer fresh thanks to God for the whole host of miracles that the Assure ministry represents. But there were more interviews still. Essential Pregnancy Services asked me to take part in a testimonial video honoring John and Mary Ann Kellogg who would be receiving the Spirit of EPS Award at the organization’s Glow Banquet. Because the Kelloggs are dear friends (and outstanding pro-life heroes), I was deeply blessed to be a part of that project. Finally, I went on the other end of the microphone for a super-cool project; namely, interviewing Larry and Deb Harrold about their personal histories, their diverse and distinguished ministries for the Kingdom, and their courageous and faith-filled stories of wrestling with the challenges of Larry’s cancer in the last couple of years. This too has been a special honor for Claire and me to be a part of.
Okay then, is there anything else in the “exactly what does Vital Signs do” category from the last few weeks that I should mention? Yes, indeed; so here are a few. There were 2 of our quarterly letter-writing parties (both quite lively and effective); clearing the snow off our and the neighbors’ walks and driveways; several fellowship and discipleship visits; preparations for the upcoming Business and Professional People for Life’s quarterly luncheon; a lot of personal correspondence and social media; sermon preparation; and writing for Vital Signs Blog.
Oh yes, we also took a week in Branson, Missouri where we visited cousins, hiked along our favorite Table Rock Lake trail, fed the ducks, read, and worked on several Vital Signs projects. Those projects included the Saturday Top 5, the Aksarben Village sermon dealing with Nicodemus’ night visit to Jesus, the March edition of “When Swing Was King,” a couple of blog articles, and this LifeSharer letter.
So, it has been quite a month of “exactly what Vital Signs does” and we certainly thank God for His gracious power and direction — this past month and always. We thank all of you too for your faithful and generous support of this ministry. We so appreciate your invaluable partnership. Until next month, dear friends, keep looking up.
