By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

Life is not predictable. There are ups and downs along the way. Many of us want to trust God. When times are good, it can feel easier. But when times feel difficult and uncertain, it is even more important to trust God. God’s unchanging character can give us a fi rm foundation when things feel unsteady. King
Solomon instructs us to:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart….” (Proverbs 3:5a)

The word “trust” here “expresses that sense of well-being and security which results from having something or someone in whom to place confidence.” The object of that trust is Yahweh. The extent of that trust is “with all your heart.”

The next line is similar but looks at it from the negative — what not to do. It gives us a powerful mental picture.

“Lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5b)

The verb “lean” has the idea of putting your weight on something, trusting that it will not give way. We are to trust in God, but not put our weight on our own limited understanding, insight, or discernment. It is so easy for us to miss a key piece of the puzzle and thus completely misunderstand or misconstrue a situation. We seek wisdom! We desire discernment! But we must realize that our understanding is imperfect and limited.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7a)

Does anything more need to be said?

“In all your ways acknowledge him….” (Proverbs 3:6a)

In English, “acknowledge” means “to recognize the rights, authority, or status of,” which, in practice, often amounts to giving a nod in God’s direction and hoping for his approval. But the word in Hebrew is much, much broader and richer than “acknowledge.” Yāda, “to know,” can describe God’s knowledge of man, a person’s knowledge, one’s skill in hunting, one’s ability to distinguish between, etc. But it can also express acquaintance with a person, describe the most intimate acquaintance, even a sexual relation, and finally one’s relation to God.

A casual acknowledgement of God can mask an arrogance that doesn’t really desire to know. We can develop a practiced deafness towards God when we only want him to rubberstamp our own plans with the word “Approved.” But when we seek to know God and listen for his voice, there is a humility,
an openness. That very humility allows us to listen to him and discern his way.

One thing for certain is that we can “trust God with everything.”

By Bonnie Polak, VP of Philanthropy and Community Engagement

What does it mean to leave a legacy? Simply put, it means leaving your mark on the future and making a contribution to future generations. At Trinity Woods those people are part of our Tin Man Society. Each member of the Society will be part of this community long after they are no longer living here. Imagine helping a future neighbor at Trinity Woods that you don’t even know and hasn’t even selected Trinity Woods for their home yet.

To join the Tin Man Society, simply inform us that you have provided for the mission of Trinity Woods in one of these seven ways.

1. Will or Revocable Living Trust: Designate a specific or percentage amount to go to Trinity Woods, Inc. A contingency bequest allows Trinity Woods, Inc. to receive the remainder and residue of your estate if other beneficiaries are deceased or cannot inherit.

2. Permanent Endowment: Current gifts that establish a permanent endowment to benefit the
community.

3. Charitable Gift Annuity: You transfer your cash or property in exchange for a guaranteed fixed income (with rates based on your age) for the rest of your life.

4. A Charitable Remainder Trust: This type of gift pays you an income for life. With an Unitrust, there is the potential that your income could increase over time with growth in the trust. An annuity trust pays out a fixed amount each year based on the value of the property at the time it is gifted.

5. Insurance Policy: You can give your life insurance policy to Trinity Woods and receive a charitable income tax deduction. Then make deductible contributions each year that we may use to pay the premiums. You can also designate Trinity Woods as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy.

6. Beneficiary on Investment Account(s): Beneficiary designation on IRA’s, CDs, commercial annuities,
savings accounts, and savings bonds. Also, if you are 70 ½ or older, you can make a gift of up to $100,000 to Trinity Woods from your IRA to meet your annual distribution requirement. By making an IRA
charitable rollover gift, you are able to avoid taxes on the IRA distribution while supporting our charitable
mission.

7. Donating your Membership Fee: A simple amendment to your Membership Agreement is an easy
way to give your eligible entrance fee refund. Contributing your entrance fee refund directly to the
fund of your choice is a simple way to benefit the community you call home as well as, there is no out-of-pocket expense to create the gift.

If you have any questions about any of these gift options, please contact our legacy office at 918.346.6639. By doing any of the above, one becomes a member of the Tin Man Society. We hope you will prayerfully consider leaving a lasting legacy. Trinity Woods is a community of kind and compassionate
people and through their generosity, others will be able to experience it for years to come.

By Lupina Fry, Wellness Nurse

When someone takes the time to learn more about what it’s like for a person living with dementia, we move closer to answering the question of “what is a dementia-friendly community.”

People living with dementia often experience their surroundings as disorienting, confusing, and sometimes worst of all, as dangerous. “Where was I going, What did I need, Who was I meeting?” Questions like these can be disconcerting but imagine that nothing you see around you seems to help; people seem irritated or unapproachable; you feel uncomfortable asking for help, and nothing indicates where you are though you’re certain you’ve been there before.

Dementia Friendly America encourages communities to foster the ability of people living with dementia to remain in community and engage and thrive in day-to-day living -basically meeting a person’s needs while maintaining quality of life and dignity.

Now imagine, as someone living with dementia, encountering a friendly face, easy-to-read directional signage, and a clock telling the time and date. Imagine cheerful sounds, and a comfortable place to sit while waiting for the memories to return or a friend to appear. That scenario would certainly provide ease and comfort.

Imagine a neighbor who offers help with compassion and acceptance, brushing aside the temptation to judge and offering a helpful hand in the spirit of Christ. Neighbors who are understanding and accepting of people living with dementia, who cannot change, though most certainly they wish they could. A dementia friendly community is community – it’s neighbor helping neighbor, being aware, concerned and actively working together for the betterment of the entire community.

Trinity Woods is offering a Dementia Virtual Tour on September 26 and 27. This event will give participants a hands-on experience of what a person living with dementia may encounter. It is a
great way to learn how to help make sense of noted behaviors and actions. Call Lupina Fry, Wellness Nurse, at 918-346-6618 to reserve an appointment for this experience.