“We both had one-of-a-kind sculptures from the same artist in our homes, so right off the bat we had something in common,” said Millard.

Martha and Millard met 4-1/2 years ago when they both became founding residents of Wesley Homes Lea Hill. They lived across from each other in Village Homes. Though they were friendly, neither had much contact with the other until they were both on the Wesley Homes Lea Hill Resident Council together.

“There was a party that needed to be planned, so I volunteered Millard to be the party chair,” said Martha. At the time, Millard was in Alaska and had quite the surprise when he returned!

After that, they’d walk to breakfast together as neighbors. Millard began asking Martha out to dinner, but she kept telling him no. This became a weekly ritual until Martha finally said yes. “I got tired of telling him no,” she laughed. On their first date, “He talked all night! I couldn’t get a word in.”

Millard’s intelligence [he holds doctorate, master’s and bachelor’s degrees], personality and sense of humor won Martha over.

They knew they had to tell their friends and neighbors about their relationship and invited them over for dinner. “They said they already knew because Millard started dressing better, and his hair was combed,” said Martha.

When Millard’s daughter was about to get married, the couple realized they would have to take an overnight trip. The question of whether or not they should get married was simplified by Bud, Millard’s oldest son. Before their spouses passed away, both Martha and Millard had taken care of their spouses during illnesses. Once Bud posed the question, “Are you ready to take care of each other?” the couple knew their answer: yes!

They were married in April 2009 in Renton, WA, with 450 people attending their reception at Wesley Homes Lea Hill. “It was wonderful to see everyone dressed up. We always see them in their everyday clothes,” said Martha.

And how would their families blend? Millard has five children, but Martha has none. “She told me ‘Don’t smother me with your kids’ and I told her ‘Don’t isolate me from my kids.’ Now she thinks more of my kids than I do!” said Millard.

“We’ve found a happy balance,” agreed Martha.

That happy balance includes blending their active lives. They are deeply involved in Wesley Homes Lea Hill activities. Martha is now head of the Resident Council, and the couple support Wesley Homes Foundation’s fundraising. Martha, a NASBLA Boating Educator Award winner for Washington State, takes Millard on fishing trips to local lakes. Millard has gotten Martha involved in the Boeing Bluebills, a volunteer organization close to his heart.

Millard recalled his second date with Martha, a lunch at Salty’s in Redondo. “My kids called me 12 times, but I didn’t answer,” he said. His sole attention was on his lady love.

Happy New Year!

We have a great vision for Wesley Homes in 2012. With new energy and significant goals, we are looking forward to an exciting year. We are updating systems and programs to ensure that we provide high quality resident- and client-centered care. Through the development of a new campus and Lea Hill Health Center, the creation of new services and the expansion of current programs like Home Health, we are expanding our services to serve more individuals and their families throughout King and Pierce counties.

Given the current economy, we are continuing to develop diversified revenue sources and be prudent stewards of the financial resources we have. Donors who share our vision to expand the Wesley Homes mission to more seniors are critical to making this happen. With the help of people like you, we will be able to create new and innovative programs, construct new campuses and add skilled nursing beds to our Lea Hill campus.

Having strong leaders and quality staff also contributes to our success. Employees are our most important asset. Without them, our vision for 2012 will remain just a vision. Hard work and good customer service will help enhance our marketing and sales efforts. The implementation of more advanced technology systems will help us grow and be more effective so we can provide a higher level of care and be more cost efficient. Lastly, development of our staff to achieve outstanding customer service will ensure that our organizational culture personifies the mission of Wesley Homes.

This is not an easy vision to fulfill, but we will attain these goals with your help. We have been truly blessed throughout the years here at Wesley Homes. I thank you for your continued prayers and support as we begin 2012!

Kevin Anderson

President and CEO

Wesley Homes

Martha is a past Commander of Poverty Bay Sail & Power Squadron. She has been a USPS member for 24 years and has been active in their educational programs throughout. She has taught both advanced courses for members and an introductory course for the public that meets the Washington mandatory boater education requirement. Martha has also worked to enhance the teaching skills of her fellow squadron educators and introduced new teaching techniques.

Martha is renowned for the volume and breadth of her teaching over the years. She is also respected as a mentor and forwards her knowledge of safety and boating techniques to other instructors. However, what makes her truly stand out is her passion for teaching, knowledge of adult learning and ability to reach each and every student in her classes. Here is what those nominating Martha had to say about her teaching style:

• She spends hours preparing for each class; she shares and involves you in each of her classes. She can make you think she is teaching just to you personally. You will not fail to learn as her teaching methods are modeled to fit the most experienced boater or the student who just bought a boat and doesn’t understand bow from stern. No question goes unanswered and if at first you don’t understand, she has the talent and knowledge to try another approach… If you are in Martha’s class, you know her motto `you will not fail this class’
• We all know the single most important thing an educator must accomplish is the transfer of knowledge. Martha has the unique capability to move information into each student’s learning model…Particularly on more complex subjects, she has often conducted individual or group tutoring sessions, between classes, for anyone who asks…Many people have taken advantage of both tutoring sessions and help [phone] calls….The statistics from Martha’s classes manifest her dedication showing an extremely high pass rate with very high average scores.
  

  Martha and husband Millard

The committee reviewing applications noted the importance to boating safety of finding ways to reach novice boaters who are often unaffiliated with any boating organization and who may not “know what they don‟t know.” They also noted that true teaching is an art and requires more than simply knowing the material you are presenting . Martha Battles is both reaching beginning boaters and providing them with high quality safety education, and she is helping train other instructors to do so as well. For these reasons we are proud to nominate her for the NASBLA 2011 Boating Educator of the Year Award.

Reprinted from Cardinal Points District 16’s fall newsletter.

Every day something inspiring happens at Wesley Homes. Some days it’s a resident battling the many challenges that come with aging while standing strong, a smile on their face, giving back to their Wesley Homes community. Some days it’s a staff member going above and beyond to show a resident or home health client how much they care. Often it’s a friend or family member showing their love and concern for their loved one. In all cases, love and generosity are shown to others.

Who inspires you?

• Tell us about them by replying in “Comments” section below.

• Make a gift in honor of someone living who inspires you on a regular basis.

•  Give a gift in memory of someone you have lost who made a difference in your life.

• Designate your gift to the Circle of Concern program to help residents in need at either the Wesley Homes Des Moines or Wesley Homes Lea Hill campus.

Let us know Who Inspires You with a gift, and we’ll display an ornament with their name on a tree at Wesley Homes throughout the holiday season. All gifts will support the people – older adults – that we care so much about in our community.

Light up the holidays at Wesley Homes…make YOUR gift today!  Donate Here.

In between sampling tasty dishes like Berkshire Pork Sliders and Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Bisque, you can join our Autumn Harvest Treasure Hunt for a chance to win trips through Alki Tours and Victoria Clipper or gift certificates to local shops and restaurants.

Wesley Homes Des Moines Autumn Harvest Open House

Saturday, September 24th

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Visit the Wesley Homes website at www.wesleyhomes.org to find out more.

Can’t make it? Join us for our next monthly introductory luncheon on Thursday, October 20th. Call 206-824-5000 to reserve your space.

Be sure to visit our Wesley Homes Lea Hill Open House in Auburn on Sunday, October 2nd, from 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Marking the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Ready campaign’s theme is “A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare.” After a disaster, such as the recent devastation from Hurricane Irene, emergency services may not be available for several days. Landlines may not work, and water reserves may be compromised. It’s up to each of us to have sufficient critical supplies on hand to last our families for a minimum of 72 hours. This “emergency supplies kit” should contain things like water, canned foods, medication and more . The Ready America campaign has videos to help us prepare, plan and stay informed. There are videos for older Americans, people with disabilities and people with pets.

Being better prepared could also include giving blood so that hospitals have sufficient supplies to meet the needs of the community during emergencies. Also consider creating an emergency communications plan with in- and out-of-state family members. Take a basic disaster response training course in first aid, fire safety or team organization to be helpful during a variety of situations until professional first responders arrive.

Washington State has earthquake drills, tsunami warnings and weather warning events planned this month. Read more about statewide emergency preparedness activities.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit www.ready.gov.