"Growing" Strong

The D.A.I.S.Y. Ministry continues to arrange and deliver flowers bi-monthly to hospice patients in Floyd and Johnson County.  We deliver approximately 20 arrangements a month.

We made special arrangements for Valentine's Day, sharing the joy of God's love in flowers.

At the request of the family of one of our hospice patients, donations were made in her honor to our ministry.  We are so thankful for their kindness.  Due to the donations we have received, we have purchased a floral cutter which will enable us to cut the stems of flowers more productively when we have many to cut.  Donations will also be used to purchase ribbon for making bows as well as other supplies for preserving the flowers and making arrangements.

We are still in need of a couple more volunteers to help with deliveries.  If you are interested, please contact Dianne White.

December Update

I am happy to say that to date, we have delivered 35 arrangements to area hospice patients, we have been received warmly by each home/visit, God has provided flowers every week that we needed them, we have two great groups of volunteers, thus far we have had good weather and safety as we have traveled around the area making our deliveries.  Another blessing is that we were featured in a front-page article in The Paintsville Herald Wednesday, December 11, 2011.  (You can click on the article on the side bar.) Thanks to Kathy Prater, associate editor for the paper, there was a full article about our ministry to hospice patients.  We are hopeful that the article will stir others in the area to contribute flowers, and perhaps be interested in the ministry to prompt them to some type of action.

Monday evening, December 12, at 6:30 p.m. we will meet at the church to create arrangements for Christmas which will be delivered to them December 13.  These will be fresh arrangements of holly, pine, pine cones, and magnolia.  All volunteers are needed for this project, so please plan to join us.

Group 2 will be delivering these arrangements December 13 (see schedule on the side bar).  Thanks so much to everyone who has helped out.  I know God is using this ministry to be an encouragement to many.

On Our Way

Our flower ministry is finally completely up and running.  Using daisies and roses Annette Mosley from Christina's Flower Shop gave us last week, repurposed flowers from a donor, and hydrangeas from the church parsonage, we made seven arrangements and delivered all of them on Tuesday.  At each stop, we were warmly welcomed.  We met some precious families and had the opportunity to visit and pray with most.  At one home, at the request of the patient, Terri Brown played Amazing Grace on the piano.  Who knew how the Lord would use other gifts to bless the lives of others?  1 Peter 4:10-11 says, "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."  I am so thankful for each one of our volunteers and for their willingness to use the gifts God has given them.

I assure you that we were more blessed by giving than those we visited.  But, isn't that how it works in God's economy? 

The Lord has blessed our ministry in so many ways already.  Here are a few of our blessings:

• God has supplied flowers to make arrangements for 2 weeks. 
• Appalachian Hospice has been more than wonderful to work with. 
• We have had the opportunity to visit and pray with individuals. 
• We were greeted and welcomed warmly by each family.
• We made the deliveries without getting lost!
• Volunteers are finding their place of serving in the ministry.
• Susie met and visited a roommate of one of the patients and gave flowers to her.
• We are having a blast!

Please continue to pray for this vital ministry that God will use it to touch the lives of many for Him.
Dianne

Preparation!

Although we haven't made any flower deliveries yet, there is much activity going on behind the scenes of the D.A.I.S.Y. ministry.  We have met with an area Hospice director, we have had a workshop to learn how to create an attractive bud vase arrangement, many have been in contact with people in the community about cooperating with us in collecting flowers from events, and our room is being prepared. 

Volunteers for this ministry need to complete a confidentiality agreement, a volunteer application, and a code of ethics form.  In addition, those who will be making deliveries to homes need to have a t.b. test as well as a criminal background check which Hospice will initiate.

We made our first floral arrangements at Annette's flower shop (Christina's).  These arrangements are ready and waiting for delivery which will hopefully be by the end of the week.  It won't be long until everything will be coming up daisies!

Important Dates!

All interested volunteers are asked to attend an important meeting this Sunday, October 16, at 5:00 p.m.  One of the coordinators of Appalachian Hospice from Hazard will join us to share briefly about hospice and give volunteers the opportunity to sign a privacy agreement. 
Then Monday, October 17, at 6:00 p.m., Annette Mosley will host a floral arranging workshop at her floral shop (Christiana's at 1924 Ky Route 321).  She will be showing us how to arrange a small bud vase arrangement and how to make bows.  We will create arrangements for our first deliveries.

Hope to see you there!

Welcome!

The Bible verse for this ministry is also our desire:

"A cheerful heart brings a smile
to your face."

Proverbs 13:13

It is our desire to encourage, lift up, and support individuals and families who may be experiencing a time of sickness and suffering.  As Jesus cared for the downhearted, we desire to follow his example and bring some cheer during a difficult time.

We will do that by repurposing flowers from events (weddings, corporate events, even funerals) or using flowers grown in home gardens.  We will collect the flowers and arrange them in small bud vases which will then delivered to homes of hospice patients and those we become aware of who need a boost of encouragement. 

We need volunteers!  Can you:

• Drive a car to pick up flowers?
• Arrange a small bud vase?
• Drive to help deliver flowers?
• Volunteer some time to help organize flowers and vases?
• Pick up containers?
• Smile?
• Donate flowers from your event?

As you can see, we can use any and all volunteers!  Please contact the church at the number at the right or email daisyministry@gmail.com.  We would love for you to help!