In this powerful and joy-filled episode, we celebrate a significant milestone for respite care in Tennessee—new legislation that allows The Veranda to expand its reach, welcoming five additional clients into the day program and increasing care availability to 12 hours per week. This long-awaited breakthrough represents more than policy change—it's answered prayer, faithful perseverance, and a tangible step forward for caregivers and families who so deeply need support.

We also share the moving story of Julia, a devoted benefactor whose belief in Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and her unwavering commitment to "honoring the project" helped carry the vision through seasons of uncertainty. Her generosity and faith remind us that behind every victory are people who quietly say "yes" to God's prompting—and mean it.

Plus, a heartfelt glimpse into a recent Dementia-Friendly Good Friday service, where sacred moments met real-life ministry. Mary Anne recounts the honor of singing "The Goodness of God" alongside her dear friend Louise, who lives with Frontal Temporal Dementia—a moment filled with tenderness, memory, and the unmistakable presence of God.

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This episode of the Aging Angst and Alleluias Podcast features Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and highlights the importance of respite care advocacy in Tennessee. She discusses the legislative landscape with compassion, shining a light on families and caregivers in need of support and dignity. The episode covers legislation such as SB1581 and HB1495 and recognizes leaders such as Sen. Ferrell Haile and Rep. William Slater, who champion limited respite care. It emphasizes that this is not a final victory but a hopeful 'meantime'—a moment for prayer and persistence—to keep progressing. It encourages listeners to join this journey, supporting ongoing engagement, prayer, and awareness of how compassionate, Christ-centered respite care can make a difference in Tennessee. Thanks to voices like Mary Anne's and dedicated leaders, our momentum remains strong and hopeful.

In this second part of the conversation from episode 85, we want to pause for a moment and share something very real happening behind the scenes with Veranda Ministries.

Right now, the Veranda is walking through the careful and sometimes complicated process of securing the proper legislation and permissions that would allow us to serve even more families whose loved ones have dementia. It's an important step, but also a season that requires patience, prayer, and a lot of wisdom.

www.verandaministries.org

We sadly said goodbye to our beloved Lovie this month, a gentle soul who loved Jesus and cherished the Veranda. Today, we come together to celebrate and honor the beautiful person Lovie was to each of us.

Veranda Ministries is currently navigating the complex process of obtaining legislation and permissions to serve more families in need. It's important to note that the Veranda is not an adult day care facility, but a respite care ministry—created specifically to give care partners a much-needed break while their loved ones are cared for with dignity, compassion, and Christ-centered love.

This season requires patience, wisdom, and favor as doors are opened and guidelines are navigated. We ask for prayer—that God would grant clarity, provision, and supernatural favor with every decision-maker, and that He would continue to establish the Veranda as a place of rest, renewal, and hope for caregivers and families alike.

www.theverandaministries.org

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There's no single formula for caring for those living with dementia—only small, meaningful pieces of a puzzle that gradually teach us how to love effectively.

This week's episode, with host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly, explores how memory, grief, and dignity are interconnected in unexpected ways. From the lost stories buried deep inside the mind to the unwavering determination of carepartners who refuse to let those stories fade, this episode celebrates the journey of holding on—and letting go.

Mary Anne reflects on her trip to Chehalis, Washington, for a family member's memorial service -a moment of unexpected closure filled with tears, laughter, and family embracing its history. This experience helped her realize that people with dementia also need to grieve; they feel the absence of loved ones, even if fuzzy or tangled. Allowing them to mourn, recount, or sit with loss respects their humanity and story. "Pieces of the Puzzle" invites us to see dementia care as a calling to remember together.

www.verandaministries.org

mailto:mao1024@gmail.com

A New Year's Eve celebration with those living with dementia and Alzheimer's feels sacred, filled with soft moments, memories, and unexpected joy. Paper hats sit crooked, cider overflows, noisemakers honking away, and questions may be repeated, but heart and presence matter most. On this very day at the Veranda, stories unfold—some vivid, some fragments—showing that memory lives in body and spirit. Laughter erupts over funny tales, while tender moments honor loved ones lost. The countdown may vary, but the true celebration is about togetherness. Hugs, music, and shared memories remind us that feelings matter more than details, and even in forgetfulness, we remain whole and worthy here.

This is what Veranda Ministries and Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly's mission are all about. Happy New Year!

We don't have to remember everything to feel something.
We don't need every detail to know love.
And even in forgetting, we are still ourselves—still belonging, still worthy, still here.

www.verandaministries.org

This week, we're highlighting The Veranda's extraordinary ministry where dignity, purpose, and compassion come together beautifully. The Veranda is preparing to launch a new church service specifically for those living with dementia, creating a safe and sacred space where everyone can worship freely and feel deeply loved. Also shared on this episode is how The Veranda continues to support caregivers through groups that offer encouragement, community, and understanding during difficult times.

Additionally, they recently celebrated a major success: their Christmas Wishbook Marketplace! With ornate baskets, handmade gifts, and delicious baked goods, the event raised essential funds to sustain The Veranda's mission. Join us as we explore the heart, hope, and miracles happening at The Veranda—where ministry truly meets memory, and every life still has a song to sing.

www.verandaministries.org

In this deeply personal episode, Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly reveals a long-hidden family secret, an admission that, once uncovered, changed the course of events forever. Although the truth may be upsetting, Mary Anne stresses that it is also the foundation for healing. Her story explores how hidden truths affect future generations and how those with dementia may carry the weight of concealed pain and unresolved memories. This discussion highlights that honesty, even when difficult, is an act of compassion. While truth doesn't erase the past, it can help shape a transformative future.

The Veranda's "Wishbook Wonderland" Open House, Bazaar, and Marketplace takes place Friday and Saturday, December 5th & 6th, at the Veranda Ministries location, 9 am to 3 pm each day, 650 #4 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, TN. The public is invited.

www.verandaministries.org