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.

By Jennifer Rawlings, Your Better Health Choosing Guru

Like everything in life, health and wellness are made up of the hundreds of small decisions we make every day. Whether you choose to spend 20-30 minutes a day working out or spend most of
your time sticking to healthier food choices, every choice makes an impact on you, your mood, and your interactions with others. Here are some simple, yet effective, ways to make your health a priority!

• Make smart healthy food choices – more fruits and vegetables
• Physical activity for 25-30 minutes each day
• Drink plenty of water
• Get 7-8 hours of sleep nightly
• De-stress daily
• And REPEAT

It’s not about cutting everything out that you love to eat or about going to the gym for an hour plus a day. And it’s not about saying yes to everything that comes your way. It is about BALANCE!

Balance means taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. Living a balanced life allows you to have an understanding of yourself and your needs as well as knowing how to show yourself
compassion like you do for others.

“WHEATHER YOU THINK YOU CAN, OR YOU THINK YOU CAN’T–YOU’RE RIGHT.” HENRY FORD

Living a healthy life is not a destination, it’s a journey! Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s. Comparison can be the thief of joy. Next time you start to feel like you are lacking joy, look to see if you
are comparing yourself to someone else. And remember this is your journey. Your chapter. Your goal. Your life. Your valley. Your peak. Your race. Your pace.

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

July 4, 1776 was the greatest and most important date for the United States of America. It is the day the original 13 colonies declared their independence from the British Empire and became independent states. It is the date we celebrate, annually, as “July 4th – Independence Day.” For enslaved Africans there was no such celebration until the final slaves were freed in Texas on June 19, 1865, more than two-and-a-half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. A day we now know and celebrate as “Juneteenth.”

As we celebrate our independence and freedom, we must also remember that more than 2000 years ago believers were set free from sin by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Given these facts, we all have great reason to celebrate our varied freedoms. However, freedom has its limits. We are limited by the laws of the land, the laws of nature, the laws of morality and the Word of God.

Paul records in Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (NKJV) It was for freedom that Christ set us
free, but… Paul also tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:12, “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.’ I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.” (NIV)

In other words, though I have the right, freedom, and independence to do anything, not everything I choose to do is beneficial, safe, moral or good for me. While Paul is dealing primarily with the
types of food being eaten and sexual immorality, the overarching theme covers our entire existence.
Though our lives can be lived independently, we each should follow the guidelines outlined in the Word of God to manage our lives for His glory. Each of us should also erect guardrails to limit our access to unlawful and harmful thoughts, actions, activities, and behaviors.

In the final analysis, our independent existence is totally dependent on a loving and all-powerful God. We must recognize as we celebrate Independence Day that independence and freedom has its limits. And though Jesus secured our freedom more than 2000 years ago, I believe that He desires us to live Independently, Dependent – upon Him.

By Bonnie Polak, VP of Philanthropy and Community Engagement

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Tell me and I forget; teach me and I may remember; involve me and I
learn.” This is the perfect description of the Trinity Woods philosophy on lifelong learning. We know
our community members bring rich stories, experiences, and expertise to this community. Lifelong
learning has become a part of the culture and community members have really embraced sharing
their knowledge and their expertise.

Whether pursuing personal interests and passions or chasing professional ambitions, lifelong learning
can help us achieve personal fulfillment and satisfaction. It feeds our natural drive to explore, learn
and grow. It even encourages us to improve our own quality of life and sense of self-worth by paying
attention to the ideas and goals that inspire us.

As a way to give structure to the sharing of knowlege and expertise, the Trinity Woods Summer School
program began. Each year, since 2017, we have offered a variety of classes that allow community
members to expand their education and their passions.

“I am really excited about the classes for this year,” said Irene Brown, Life Enrichment Coordinator.
“This year’s classes, we hope, will offer something that piques an interest for everyone. We want
community members to embrace these lifelong learning opportunities.”

A special thank you to the Summer School instructors, all of whom live on the Trinity Woods campus,
for sharing and bringing excellent learning opportunities to this dynamic and curious community. “It
is truly wonderful to watch neighbors share their experience with each other to increase awareness
and personal growth,” said Irene. For more information about Summer School classes, please
contact Irene Brown at ibrown@trinitywoodstulsa.com or

By Bonnie Polak, VP of Philanthropy and Community Engagement

I have heard it said many times that this community would not be what is, if it weren’t for the kindness of others. We are surrounded by reminders of the “Good Samaritans” who have ensured that this community and its mission have thrived for over 65 years. We could not do what we are called to do without these good Samaritans. We all know the story of the Samaritan who came to the aid of a fellow traveler, someone truly in need. Currently there are residents living in our Health Center who have outlived their financial resources, through no fault of their own. They are reliant on support from the Good Samaritan Fund, formerly the Supplemental Aid Fund. The fund was recently renamed to fi t the donors of this very special cause.

Each year we ask our community and generous supporters to give to this Fund. Over the past few years this Fund has become one of the most urgent and critical areas of need for the people living at Trinity Woods.

This Fund helps Trinity Woods residents when they need it most. If you feel led to help a fellow neighbor through the Good Samaritan Fund, please use the remittance envelope provided to make a donation. All donations are 100% tax deductible. You can even make a gift as an honorarium or memorial in the name of a friend who is living or no longer with us.

This year, with a gift of $300 you will receive a commemorative “brick” that will be engraved in your honor and placed in front of the Community Life Center. Our goal is to raise $150,000 for the Good Samaritan Fund. I hope you will partner with us to support this very important cause.

To support this very special mission please visit: https://bit.ly/TrinityWoodsGiving

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” James 2: 8-9 NIV

The Apostle James provides his own version of loving thy neighbor, but first he emphasizes and clearly makes the distinction of class division. The book of James chapter 2 highlights for us the behaviors and parameters of who we deem as acceptable and who we consider as neighbors based upon worldly things: power and social status. I believe even today this is where we too struggle with loving our neighbors as God loves us. It is so easy for us to love those who look as we do, dress as we do and move in the same social circles as we do. But what becomes problematic is when we are asked to treat all those we encounter with love, respect, justice, and mercy.

It is easy to love those we self-define as worthy, but it is harder to love those who may be different than we are or those we prejudge and label. It is often difficult to widen the circle of life to include those we discriminate against, those whom we would rather not break bread with, those whom God has called us to include as sisters and brothers. James has much to contribute to our thinking about separatism and inclusion. He reminds and cautions us in chapter 2 verse 9 that in showing favoritism or disregard for the “other,” – we sin. What a sobering thought!

Who then is our neighbor? Our neighbor is anyone in our proximity with whom we can share God’s love. We love people by genuinely seeking what is best for them. Loving others does not mean agreeing with everything they say or do, nor does it mean acting in ways that always gain their approval. We love our neighbors when we have compassion for them and help meet their needs as we are able.

As we serve in the spirit of Christ, remember to always “love your neighbor as yourself.”