Tag: writing

Serving Seniors: A Journey of Faith and Community

LoLo Roberts

For years, God has guided me to be exactly where I needed to be, with my only duty being to embrace obedience. What began with praying for victims of violent crime transformed into sharing prayers and fruit with the homeless community, and has now evolved into my heartfelt service to the elderly community.

Several years ago, I experienced the profound loss of my dad. His journey through terminal cancer was not just a battle; it became a testament to his unwavering spirit. You can find many heartfelt posts about this walk on my site, detailing my reflections and memories. Despite the devastating diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, my dad taught me invaluable lessons about faith and trust in God. His strength was remarkable—he faced his fate with courage and grace, illuminating the path for those around him. This walk was emotionally challenging, yet throughout it all, I felt God’s presence guiding me, opening my eyes to the importance of being truly present in the moment and cherishing each experience.

In October 2023, I felt a profound calling to engage with a vulnerable community of older adults facing food insecurity. These individuals, many of whom are in their golden years, receive only a meager amount of food stamps and Social Security benefits, barely enough to make ends meet. Ideally, many would be better suited for assisted living arrangements, yet they reside in a 55+ active adult apartment complex.

This community faces mobility challenges, with many residents relying on walkers or wheelchairs to navigate daily life. The absence of nearby family members intensifies their isolation, leaving them without regular support. Each month, they find themselves grappling with limited financial resources, constantly worried about how to pay for essential utilities and necessary medications. Their resilience in the face of these challenges is inspiring, yet their struggles weigh heavily on my heart.

I was unprepared for how deeply immersed I would become in the community after his passing. My heart ached as I saw elderly individuals being mistreated by their families, facing empty pantries, and struggling to find basic necessities like toilet paper and adult incontinence products. Many of them needed assistance with simple tasks such as housekeeping. In those moments, I couldn’t help but reflect on the lessons my dad taught me: to be present and to truly see those who are in need. I believed that, in time, God would provide for all of us.

I started with a small vision, unsure of just how vast God’s plans could be. I decided to create pasta dinner bags to share with the residents on this property. Each bag contains a box of pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned green beans, French bread, fresh zucchini, and a small pie—a complete meal meant to bring comfort and joy. After packaging everything in a convenient plastic bag with a handle, I prepared 34 bags in total, with each costing me only $5, all within my budget of $175.

On the day of distribution, I loaded my SUV and drove to the apartment complex, filled with anxiety. Upon arrival, I was surprised to see several older adults waiting eagerly outside for their pasta bags. The flyer I posted the day before had worked! It was heartwarming to witness the community’s excitement and gratitude as they came together to receive a meal bag.

I felt incredibly blessed to have the chance to distribute bags of food, each one providing seniors with 2-3 warm meals. As I met each person, I made sure to ask their names because I wanted to connect with them on a personal level. Hearing their names allowed me to introduce myself and engage with them more meaningfully. They welcomed me with warm smiles and heartfelt gratitude for what may have seemed like a small gesture, but it meant so much to them.

As I continued to hand out the bags, my heart sank when I realized that, after giving away the last one, there were still more residents waiting to receive one. The feeling of disappointment washed over me, and I couldn’t help but feel that I had let God down in my mission to serve His beloved people.

As I looked at the faces of those waiting, a wave of overwhelming emotion came over me. I realized that I hadn’t prepared enough pasta bags to meet everyone’s needs. In that moment of distress, a comforting calm enveloped me, and I felt in my heart that God was gently saying, “It’s okay. Please write down the names and apartment numbers of those who are still without food. Let them know you will return tomorrow with larger bags, and I will ensure you have what you need to provide for them.” I felt a heavy weight on my shoulders, as I had no money, but I wanted to embrace not only the lessons my dad taught me but also cultivate a deep, genuine faith in my Heavenly Father.

I went home after sharing what I had at the apartment complex. I didn’t eat dinner that night, and my heart ached knowing that I had a full pantry while some seniors would have to wait until tomorrow to receive food. It was a sleepless night, as I also worried about how to earn money to prepare more bags, including larger ones. I didn’t want to rely on my credit card for expenses I couldn’t afford. Finally, around 4 a.m., I fell asleep.

I woke up at 6 a.m. to an odd noise coming from my phone—something I had never heard before. It sounded like a cash register. Looking at my phone, I saw a notification: a wonderful friend had donated $200. This was more than enough to prepare the additional eight bags. My God was faithful to His promise.

You may not know how this story has unfolded, but after this pivotal event, God entrusted me to be His vessel, supporting not only this community but also the senior citizens in the neighboring apartment building. What started as a simple distribution of pasta has blossomed into a monthly food market, now serving 264 older adults in need. This on-site market empowers seniors to shop for free, providing them with approximately $150 to $200 in groceries, bringing hope and sustenance to their lives.

This project has been a success, but I find myself in a familiar and difficult situation, caring for an ill parent. Since my dad passed away, my mom has faced numerous health struggles, including pneumonia, multiple hospital visits, an emergency pacemaker placement, and, most recently, a stroke that led to carotid artery blockage surgery. It breaks my heart to see her endure such a challenging time, especially during her last hospital stay.

The loss of her sister on February 27, 2026, weighed heavily on her, and tragically, my mom suffered her stroke that very evening. The surgery she had was extremely risky, and the doctors prepared me for the possibility that she might not survive. While it’s been a challenging journey navigating her hospital stay and rehabilitation, I want to share that she is now in an assisted living facility that is truly lovely. It features highly skilled staff, a talented chef, and is situated in an 11,000-square-foot house that hosts only seven residents, offering a warm and intimate environment for her recovery.

Why do I find myself sharing the story of my mom when I talk about the senior community grappling with food insecurity? It’s because I’ve come to realize that even seniors who are financially stable have their own needs that often go unnoticed. I believe I am being called by God to serve older adults in a fresh, meaningful way while remaining obedient to that calling.

The residents in this particular community may not face food shortages, but they deeply hunger for companionship and connection. I’ve felt a strong impression from God to recognize that these individuals have been fortunate enough to enjoy daily essentials, spacious and beautiful rooms, delicious meals, engaging activities, and the dedicated care of full-time nurses, caregivers, and medication technicians. Yet, beneath this veneer of comfort, they yearn for something more profound: a warm touch, a listening ear, and the simple joy of being noticed.

Although their families are often present, what I provide during my visits are quick, yet precious, moments of interaction. I hold their hands, offer prayers that uplift their spirits, share in laughter that brightens their day, and in my heart, I know I’m helping them feel visible and cherished. It’s in these small acts of connection that the power of love and attention shines through them enriching my day.

My dad’s wise words resonate with me: “Be present for those around you and take time to notice them.” Each day grants us 1,440 minutes. How are you choosing to spend those minutes in service to God? Make every moment count!

Philippians 2:3-4 NLT
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Mary, Did You Know?

LoLo Roberts

So, it has been quite a while since I have posted a blog. There are many reasons for this, but the main reason is my friend and podcast producer passed away unexpectedly on October 1st. Mark Friedman believed in Grateful Gratitude before I knew what Grateful Gratitude would be.

I am floundering to figure out how to continue my podcast since Mark was usually present to banter with me when I recorded. I would always walk into his studio, and he’d always have something he “needed” counseling on (his words, not mine). He wanted my opinion on someone he “liked” (as if we were in high school). It could have been that he wanted to challenge me on my knowledge of the Bible or even talk sports, although I knew nothing about sports. He made every session comfortable and thought-provoking.

As I contemplate this Christmas without podcasts with Mark, my thoughts turn to a beautiful Christmas song, “Mary, Did You Know” by Mark Lowry. The lyrics ring more repeatedly this year than any other year. I wake up with the lyrics swirling in my head at 3 am. Why is this, and how does it relate to Mark “Friedo” Friedman?

It dawned on me that Mark would always say to me, “Hey, did you know…..”? Every session in the studio or any time I ran into him, he would always ask me that question, followed by a random question. I imagine all his friends heard this often, too.

Now that Mark is gone, I reflect on some of those questions. Mark asked me a few profound questions. One was, “Hey, did you know that I think I had a near-death experience when I was in my coma?” Of course, I did not know this at the time. He proceeded to tell me cryptic bits of what he recalled when he lay in a coma that he thought he may have been dying. I studied heaven when my dad was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer. I taught a class on heaven and passing away Mark had attended after he was released from the hospital. I think he felt I might be able to help him understand his experience. This opened the door to more conversations about passing away and going to heaven. May I just say that Mark was not afraid to die and knew the promise of heaven?

Three days before Mark passed away, I went to his studio to record, and as soon as I hit the door, he said, “Hey, did you know I am having more of those experiences we talked about? Do you have time to hang around and talk about them?” Unfortunately, we got off-topic and never had that conversation. Later that afternoon, I remembered I hadn’t discussed the experiences he mentioned. Like many, I stowed it away to talk to Mark about the next time I saw him.

Sunday evening, just three days later, I received the text that Mark had passed away. I was stunned at first and thought the same thought most people had, “I just saw him!” This caused my mind to race and relive the session we just had. He looked great, better than he had all year. He usually was jaundiced, but his eyes were clear and bright white that day. I said to him, “You look great. Better than I can remember.” He laughed and said, “You wouldn’t think that if you saw my blood panels.”

Laying in bed that Sunday night, I dozed off but awoke suddenly around 3 am. A conversation with Mark last spring hit me like a ton of bricks. I arrived early for a lunch meeting, and Mark and my friend Justin were at the restaurant talking. The restaurant was quiet and empty. I hadn’t seen Mark in several weeks. I asked him how he was, and he flippantly said, “Hey, did you know I was in the hospital recently?” “No, how would I know that?” I responded.

Mark looked me in the eyes and said, “Yeah, I was, and the doctors say I have six months to live.” Mark was always kidding, so I responded, “Oh, shut up. That’s not true.”

Mark brushed it off and changed the subject. Mark is such a private person; I would have never expected him to share something like that. Back to “Mary, Did You Know,” why is it haunting me this holiday? It wasn’t mainly the Christmas song, but the words, “Did You know”?

That phrase, “did you know,” brings me back to Mark. It brings me back to that last session when he rallied and looked healthy.

There is an article I read about why people rally before dying. This is what is said:

It is completely normal for someone to rally before passing away. Despite being somewhat shocking to family members, this last-minute surge of energy or clarity can help the individual say their goodbyes, reflect on their life, and process what is happening to them. It helps your loved one tie up loose ends and may give them a sense of control when it comes to their death. This can be particularly healing for those who have sought treatments for illnesses but to no avail.

I feel that Mark knew my faith and that hearing the three little words, “Did you know?” would remind me how special he was. How he believed in me when I didn’t believe in me. This is our last podcast together. Mark, I did not know this would be our last podcast, but I greatly thank you for being there on this day.

Thank you for reading this blog post, and please look up for one minute to say hi to Mark and know he is with Jesus.