By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

As December arrives, many individuals begin to feel the spirit of the season — a mix of joy, anticipation, and deep reflection. For Christians, this time of year is marked by Advent, the period of preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. It is a time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, to reflect on His
significance in our lives, and to remind ourselves of God’s great love for all.

The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” During Advent, we anticipate the coming of Jesus, both as the infant born in Bethlehem and as our Savior who will return one day. Each week in Advent centers on a theme—hope, peace, joy, and love— encouraging us to grow in faith and draw closer to God.

At the heart of December’s celebrations is the wonder of God’s gift to us—His own Son. As John 3:16 beautifully expresses, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Christmas is more than a holiday; it is a reminder of the profound love God has for each of us. He sent Jesus to be Emmanuel, “God with us,” so we might know His love firsthand and experience the joy of salvation.

December can be a busy month, filled with shopping, planning, and family gatherings. Yet, in the middle of all the activity, we are called to seek the peace that only Christ can provide. Philippians 4:7 promises us, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We are encouraged to make space for quiet prayer, to focus on His peace, and to share that peace with those around us.

During this season, let us also remember those who may find this time of year challenging. December is an opportunity to share joy by reaching out to those in need, offering encouragement, and spreading the hope of Christ. Through acts of kindness and generosity, we can embody the love and compassion Jesus
showed and share the message of the Good News.

As we journey through this season of Advent and prepare for Christmas, let us open our hearts to receive God’s love and share it with others. May we carry the light of Christ within us and reflect His hope, peace, joy, and love in all we do.

As the holiday season approaches, there’s no better way to embrace the festive spirit than by stepping into the enchanting world of Christmas in the Woods. This beloved annual tradition transforms the Trinity Woods campus into a winter wonderland, brimming with charm, creativity, and holiday cheer.

Christmas in the Woods offers a perfect blend of rustic charm and seasonal joy. Twinkling lights adorn the trees, creating a magical ambiance that invites visitors of all ages to explore and celebrate. Some of the highlights of this year’s event include a live nativity, horse-drawn carriage rides, a train display, a candy shop, and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

No holiday event would be complete without delicious food, and Christmas in the Woods delivers that in spades. Visitors can indulge in everything from carved prime rib and ham with all the holiday sides and piping hot cocoa to fresh fudge. Be sure to sample all the specialties and festive baked goods while strolling through campus.

The magic of Christmas in the Woods extends beyond its sights and flavors. Live music by carolers and local musicians, and a holiday performance by Grady Nichols will provide entertainment for the entire family. Kids can enjoy special activities like Elfie Selfies or a visit with Santa himself, while adults can savor the warm camaraderie of the holiday spirit.

Christmas in the Woods is more than just an event; it is a celebration of community and togetherness. It’s a chance to gather with loved ones, make new friends, and share in the joy of the season. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, Christmas in the Woods is sure to create lasting memories.

To purchase tickets, visit the Crestwood Concierge or the Holliman Center Receptionist – $15 members, $18 guests, and $10 children ages 3-12. Children under 3 are free. For more information call 918.346.6614.

Celebrate the holidays in a place where the season truly comes to life. Experience the wonder of Christmas in the Woods—it’s a tradition you’ll want to keep for years to come.

By Alison McMillan, Manager Spann Wellness

With the holidays just around the corner, we likely have a lot on our minds. Social engagements, quality time with friends and family, delicious foods, as well as increased stress, increasingly busy schedules, and the worries of falling off the wagon. Worry not! There are ways to stay on track through it all and avoid the holiday gain:

Practice Mindful Eating Habits: Whether its eating slower, choosing smaller portions, eating until only 80% full, or removing distractions during meal time, you can find ways to not overindulge this holiday season.

Select Healthier Recipes: Did you know that you can make small changes to your recipes to make them
healthier? Use low/no calorie sweeteners, low/no fat dairy products, and research tips for adding protein to recipes to increase your protein intake. Speaking of, check out the High Protein Chicken Pot Pie recipe.

Track your progress with the Senior Fitness Test: The Senior Fitness Test is a series of seven tests that check your balance, strength, flexibility, endurance, speed, and agility. Your results can be compared to norms of others in your age and gender demographic to see where you’re at and used to set goals for where you’d like to be.

Take the Maintain Don’t Gain Challenge: With the goal of helping you stay motivated to keep active and take charge of your health this holiday season, Trinity Woods is again hosting its annual Maintain Don’t Gain challenge! Spanning from mid-November to the beginning of January, this challenge is a great way to stay motivated to keep your healthy habits.

Maintaining healthy eating habits during the holidays doesn’t have to be difficult. By planning ahead, practicing moderation, and being mindful of your choices, you can enjoy the festivities without compromising your health. Focus on balance, indulge thoughtfully, and stay active to make the most of the holiday season while feeling your best.

By Garrett Lee

When I first arrived as the new CEO at Trinity Woods, one of the first things I was exposed to in my onboarding was the Culture of Courtesy Guidelines. In reading through these guidelines and learning about the history and their implementation, my decision to come here was once again confirmed.

In my experience with being a part of a senior living community, I have found courtesy is the single most effective expression of extending grace to one another. That is what makes the difference.

Over time, courtesy has been defined in various ways, but at its core, it refers to polite behavior that reflects respect and consideration for others. The term has roots in medieval chivalry, where it initially referred to the manners expected in a royal court or among the nobility. Its meaning has broadened to encompass general good manners in social interactions that still stand to this day.

I believe the courtesy that is woven into the Trinity Woods resident and employee culture is important and is what makes us special or as we like to say “neighborly”. For our community to thrive and continue to be home to everyone who lives here, courtesy must be organic to our communication with each other and to our way of life. I am committed to prioritizing a culture of courtesy, always, as a core personal practice and as a core belief of Trinity Woods.

I leave you with these influential words from the great Maya Angelou “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, Philippians 3:13b

In the tapestry of life, we often find ourselves clinging to threads that no longer serve us—threads woven from memories, expectations, low self-confidence and fears. But what if we could unravel those threads, allowing space for growth, renewal, and freedom? That’s precisely what the power of letting go offers us.

The Bible teaches us that surrendering control is not a sign of weakness but rather an act of strength and faith. It requires us to relinquish our own desires and ambitions and trust that God’s plans are far greater than our own. Use the example of Jesus, who surrendered His heavenly rights to redeem humanity—a powerful act of letting go.

In Philippians 4:6-7, we are urged not to be anxious about anything but instead to present our requests to God through prayer, with thanksgiving. This passage reminds us that letting go of fear and anxiety involves trusting God with our concerns. When we surrender our worries and fears to Him, we find peace that surpasses understanding. It’s an invitation to release the burdens we carry and embrace God’s peace.

Ephesians 4:31-32 instructs us to let go of anger, bitterness, and resentment. Instead, we are to show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness to others. Through forgiveness, we experience healing and find freedom from emotional burdens. Jesus modeled this when He forgave those who crucified Him, demonstrating the power of letting go and embracing grace.

The power of letting go lies not in our own strength but in our willingness to yield to God’s wisdom and grace. It allows us to participate in God’s redemptive work, unshackling us from self-centeredness and opening our hearts to love, service, and transformation. As we release our grip on the past, fears, hurts,
low self-esteem and unfulfilled dreams, we make space for God’s healing touch.

So, as we enter the last quarter of 2024, consider what you need to let go of today—whether it’s control, bitterness, self-doubt or worry—and trust that God’s love will carry you forward.

Remember, what the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:13b.

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT

We all know what a masterpiece is. It’s a creator’s prized piece, his or her most valuable work. Artists are blessed if they have a single masterpiece. Few throughout history are fortunate enough to have had more. Beethoven is one of them. So are Vincent van Gogh and Michelangelo.

No artist, of course, compares to God. Imagine the most beautiful sights you’ve ever seen in creation. Maybe the snowcapped mountains, the northern lights, a field of brilliantly colored wildflowers or waves crashing into a towering cliff. Out of nothing, God brought forth these masterpieces. He saw them for what they were long before anyone else could – that’s how God sees you.

Today you may be surrounded by obstacles, and your greatest features might be hidden under layers of insecurity, fear, struggle or shame. Even as you read this, God is working to remove those layers. Just know that there is a masterpiece in you that you don’t have to prove, you just have to reveal. When
you do, the right people will recognize the masterpiece you are.

God chose you and molded you. Then He set you apart for His great purpose. The thing about a masterpiece is that it’s made to stand out. As many masterpieces as Beethoven, van Gogh and Michelangelo created, not one was the same. They each were wildly unique and were crafted to express a unique part of their creator’s heart. As are you!

You are no mistake, nor the product of some random chance. You are the outcome of God’s choosing, the result of His steady hand. Yes, you belong as you are with all your quirks and qualities, because with them, not despite them, you reflect something about God that the world needs to see. So, do not be afraid to stand out because that is what masterpieces do – “stand out.”

“You Are God’s Masterpiece!”
Partially adapted from kylewinklerministries.org.

By Weldon Tisdale, Interim Director of Wellness

Many people think about “wellness” in terms of physical health only. The word invokes thoughts of nutrition, exercise, weight management, blood pressure, etc. Wellness, however, is much more
than physical health. Wellness is a full integration of not just physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing
but so much more. It is a complex interaction that leads to an enhanced quality of life when fully embraced.

Trinity Woods has adapted the seven dimensions of wellness model: Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social, Environmental and Vocational. Each dimension contributes to our own sense of wellness or quality of life, and each affects the others. Here’s an overview of each of the seven dimensions.

Spiritual Wellness: Encompasses exploring one’s sense of purpose, meaning, and connection to someone larger than oneself. Living with meaning and purpose in life, guided by personal values, is key to feelings of well-being and connection to the larger world. Group and individual faith-based activities,
Bible study, prayer, journaling and meditation create the opportunity for spiritual growth.

Physical Wellness: Centers around maintaining a healthy body through regular exercise, proper nutrition, managing stress, getting adequate sleep, regular check-ups and following medical recommendations. These lifestyle choices help maintain or improve health and functional ability.

Intellectual Wellness: Involves engaging in lifelong learning, mental stimulation, and challenging oneself to stay mentally active. Engaging in creative pursuits and intellectually stimulating activities is a proven approach to keeping minds alert and interested.

Emotional Wellness: Focused on managing emotions, developing coping skills, and fostering a positive mental state through peer counseling, stress management, humor/laughter and personal histories. Coping with challenges and behaving in trustworthy and respectful ways signal emotional wellness.

Social Wellness: Involves nurturing relationships, building social connections, and contributing to the community. Social interactions with family, friends, neighbors and chosen peer groups can be valuable for maintaining health.

Environmental Wellness: Incorporates being mindful of one’s impact on the natural world, conserving resources, recycling and promoting sustainability. Good environmental stewardship means respecting, protecting and caring for our God-given resources.

Vocational Wellness: Focuses on finding purpose and fulfillment in one’s work, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and developing a sense of accomplishment. Leisure-time vocations in the arts and through hobbies as well as mentoring and volunteering help maintain vocational skills.

Embracing wellness means shifting your mindset to prevention and employing proactive strategies to thrive, rather than just survive. Wellness is a conscious and self-directed process with the goal of achieving your full potential. The Trinity Woods community desires to see all reach their full potential by embracing the seven dimensions of wellness. This will help drive Trinity Woods towards achieving its vision of “redefining aging.” For more information on ways you can get more involved in wellness programming reach out to any member of the Trinity Woods Wellness team.