By Don Hertzler, Trinity Woods resident and Tulsa Master Gardner

Our campus abounds with the summer blooms of the Crepe Myrtle. Most modern crepe myrtles are Lagerstroemia indica which is a native plant in Asia, south China, and parts of Japan. These plants love heat and sun but need regular water. Oklahoma’s own Dr. Carl Whitcomb is a major breeder of the highly popular modern crepe myrtles varieties that rebloom all summer and are mildew resistant. He developed plants with small, medium and tall mature heights so that drastic pruning was no longer necessary each year to contain 25-foot-tall shrubs. Dr. Whitcomb started his breeding program while a professor at Oklahoma State University but then went into private business to introduce new varieties into the market. Most recently, he has developed crepe myrtles that rebloom on the same seed panicle, eliminating the need to remove the dead panicles during the summer. If only Dr. Whitcomb could develop a fragrant crepe myrtle!

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain
Who has not heard of Sarah? She was Abraham’s wife, and her faith is recorded in Hebrews 11:11. “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”

Who has not heard of Ruth? She was a Moabite woman who showed loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and her God. Her character and faith in God brought her many blessings, including being listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).

There are many other amazing women recorded in the Bible who were blessed by God because of their faith. It’s important to remember and learn from these faithful women as well.

WHAT IS FAITH?
Faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1. Sarah was well beyond the childbearing years, yet she bore Isaac just as God had said. She judged God to
be faithful in what He had promised, and she was blessed because of her faith. The Bible chronicles many such women of faith— women who believed and trusted in God. Their stories are found
throughout the scriptures.

For example, the story of Rahab is found in Joshua 2. She was a Gentile, and is mentioned again in Hebrews 11:31 as having faith, “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not
believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”

One of the most fascinating statements of faith is found in Hebrews 11:35, “Women received their dead raised to life again.” Examples abound of both Israelite and Gentile women having faith. Who were those women?

We may not often read their brief stories, but in each case, the faith of those women and those around them were increased and reading of their experiences helps us also increase our faith in God. Article is adapted from “Life Hope & Truth” website.

by Jennifer Rawlings, VP of Wellness

Where has the last year gone? I still remember the anticipation, and all the planning that went into opening the Community Life center like it was yesterday. When I reflect on all that we have provided in the Community Life Center, I can’t believe we didn’t always have this space.

Over the last year this space has bridge our community and provided Trinity Woods with so many new and enhanced opportunities and partnerships. The Community Life Center has exceeded our vision of being the “central hub” or “student union: of our campus. Our dream of organic member-driven programs has truly flourished. Our vision of the Community Life Center being a place where everyone on campus could gather for events and not have a waitlist for concerts and dinners in now a reality.

Even after a year the astonishment on peoples faces when they see the stage, the Steinway piano, the lights, the acoustics, and all the finishes is still invigorating. I love to watch relationships evolve through interactions that happen in the different sitting areas of the Community Life Center. These spaces have created opportunities for residents who live in all areas of the community to gather and read the newspaper, play pool and games, have fireside chats, and enjoy coffee together.

The Community Life Center has provided us with a place where people from across the campus can come together. A place where everyone is welcomed. A place that promotes enjoyment of life. A place whew new hobbies, skills and educational experiences can happen.

Our goal for the Community Life Center is to continue to provide a place for inclusion and where the whole-person wellness can continue to flourish.

We’ll be celebrating our first anniversary on August 11.