By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

There is a phrase I remember as a child that causes me to look forward to the month of May with excitement and enthusiasm. Despite the depression that looms from the hard and long winter of the past several months, the phrase “April showers bring May flowers” brings a sense of hope called springtime.

Following the commemoration of the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus over the Easter weekend, I kept thinking about phrases like: weeping endures for a night but joy comes in the morning; there is a silver lining beyond each dark cloud; these light afflictions are but for a moment; and this too shall pass.

The reality of Jesus’ death producing new life parallels with the thought of sunshine following a season of gloom and sadness. Perhaps you have heard this rhyme at some point, generally having been taught it at an early age by parents or teachers. It is a popular thing to say and hear around springtime.

“April showers bring May flowers” is a reminder that even the most unpleasant of things, in this case the heavy rains of April, can bring about very enjoyable things indeed – an abundance of flowers in May. This rhyme is also a lesson in patience, and one that remains valid to this day.

Many of life’s greatest things come only to those who wait, and by patiently and happily enduring the clouds and dampness of April, you can find yourself more easily able to take in the sights and smells of May. After all, it’s easier to love something if you begin with an optimistic outlook.

Bad thing happen, and sometimes a bad thing, later on down the line, turns out to not be bad at all, even though at the time you wouldn’t have know it. ~ Kenneth Arthur

Have you had a season of setbacks, disappointments, or hindrances? Do not be dismayed. Remember these things: weeping endures for a night but joy comes in the morning; there is a silver lining beyond each dark cloud; these light afflictions are but for a moment; and this too shall pass.

By Bonnie Polak, VP of Philanthropy and Community Engagement

We all have heard the story of the Good Samaritan who came to the aid of a complete stranger in a great time of need. But what you may not know is that in 1961 Dr. John Webb, the appointed director of Oklahoma Methodist Manor (as we were called at the time), spoke to the then Board of Directors about a great need for our community.

Dr. Webb told the story of residents who were living on campus, solely by the generosity of gifts from people across the state. He said we were not just called to preach the gospel of the New Testament but also called into action. That was the beginning of what we know as the Good Samaritan Fund.

Today the Good Samaritan Fund continues to be a vital part of the mission and ministry of Trinity Woods. It addresses the needs of current and future residents who outlive their resources. This benevolence bridges the gap not covered by Medicaid. Over the past 5 years we have provided $1.2 million in funds for residents at Trinity Woods.

“The Good Samaritan Fund is what allows us to fulfill our brand promise to our residents,” said Steve Dickie, CEO. “Once you move to Trinity Woods, you will be able to live out your days with peace of mind and dignity, knowing you will be cared for if you run out of money.”

A gift to the Good Samaritan Fund DOES make a difference. Remember that any gift of $300 receives a commemorative brick that will be engraved and located in front of the Community Life Center. A gift can be made as an honorarium or memorial in the name of someone who is living or no longer with us. All donations are 100% tax deductible. For more information or to make a gift, visit TrinityWoodsTulsa.com/donate.

By Irene Brown, Life Enrichment Coordinator

THANK A VOLUNTEER OR, BETTER YET, BE ONE!

The Trinity Woods neighborhood is filled with servant-hearted people! That’s what makes us a caring community. Last year we counted 160 on-campus volunteers! The list below gives you an idea of just some of the work that community member volunteers, as well as some who don’t live here, do on our campus:

• Run the Treasure Chest thrift shop
• Show movies twice a week and choose those movies
• Maintain and improve our two libraries
• Push Health Center neighbors in wheelchairs to events
• Set-up and serve meals at Supper & A Show
• Support fundraising activities – Employee Appreciation
  Fund
• Help with party decorating
• Advise the Chaplain
• Play piano at weekly Devotions and special events
• Advise the Wellness Team
• Teach Summer School classes
• Lead groups and gatherings such as Pickleball, Mah Jongg, Anna Bible Study, Ping Pong and more
• Make and deliver a bear and a prayer to everyone in the Health Center
• Serve on the Board, the Member Council and its committees
• Act as Next Door Neighbors to newcomers
• Host potential new members at events.
• 
  Many community members are also involved in volunteer work off campus, throughout greater Tulsa, in hospitals, churches, schools, and elsewhere, helping make our whole city a more caring community.
  
  Volunteering helps us age better. Research has shown that people who volunteer have higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction than people who don’t. Not only that but the older a person is, the greater the potential benefits of volunteering, making the simple act of giving back an essential part of staying healthy as we age.
  
  THANK YOU, volunteers, for all that you do for Trinity Woods and the Tulsa community!

By Lupina Fry, Wellness Nurse

As I struggle to cover this topic, a looming deadline ahead of me, I admit to feeling a little stressed. It’s normal to some degree. However, unrelenting, debilitating stress is not “normal”. Stress Awareness Month serves to remind us to be aware of health consequences so we can make good choices for ourselves and our families.

According to the National Institute of Health, although life itself can often be stressful; when you begin to experience problems with your health, you may be at higher risk for developing anxiety disorders or depression. Stress can affect your immune, digestive, or cardiovascular systems, your cognitive capabilities, and even your sleeping patterns.

Amazingly, although stress can be debilitating and can cause and/or aggravate health problems, we don’t always notice stress is happening to us. Careful attention to your body may shed light on your stress levels. Some subtle signs of stress can be frequent or recurring headaches; overeating, indigestion, or constipation; tense muscles-especially shoulders and neck; hair falling out; jaw or tooth pain; frequent colds or cold sores; confusion or forgetfulness; and sleep disturbances- either sleeping too little or
too much. Do any of these symptoms resonate with you?

If so, what can you do about the stress in your life? Begin by being honest with yourself. Then take a closer look at your environment, your to-do lists, and your commitment to others. Make yourself and your time a higher priority. Exercise can be one of the most effective de-stressors. Long walks in the fresh air
help destress and may improve some of the harsh effects stress has on the cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems. Eat healthy regular meals, stick to a sleep routine, and avoid drinking excess soft drinks, coffee, or alcohol. Give yourself permission to say “No”. Keep a journal and write down goals along with your feelings and positive self-supportive statements. Identify and challenge negative and unhelpful thoughts and confide in friends and family who may help you cope more positively.

If you are struggling to cope and symptoms do not resolve or begin to worsen, it may be time to talk to a professional. You can find more information on the National Institute of Mental Health website at www.nimh.nih.gov/findhelp.

By Steve Dickie, CEO

In the world of senior living communities, people often ask what sets Trinity Woods apart? Most of the time I focus on the people because I know that is truly what makes Trinity Woods the community God has called us to be. One group of people that have significant impact on the Trinity Woods community is the Board of Directors.

One of the tremendous advantages of living at Trinity Woods is the benefit gained from the governance of a local Board. Everyone who serves on this Board lives right here in Tulsa and their sole purpose is dedicated to advancing the mission of Trinity Woods.

Every Board member supports Trinity Woods by giving of their time, talent and treasure:
Time: Each Board member commits to prepare for and participate in a monthly meeting.
Talent: Board members share their expertise by serving on a sub-committee: Finance and Audit, Development and Public Relations, Governance, Legal, Human Resources, and Property Trustees.
Treasure: Board members are asked to make an annual financial contribution that is significant to them. Trinity Woods relies on the generosity of faithful supporters to fulfill its mission and the Board leads the way with their financial support and by introducing the organization to new donors.

Our Board truly sets the future direction of Trinity Woods by approving and reviewing the organization’s strategic plan. They approve the annual operating and capital budgets, yearly audit, and review monthly financial performance. The support and assistance provided by this group of 24 dedicated volunteers is an essential ingredient to the success of this community.

As a professional in the nonprofit sector for my entire career, I know that a healthy working Board can make all the difference in an organization’s success. Please know the Trinity Woods Board of Directors is committed to working together to serve in the spirit of Christ and THAT is what makes all the difference.

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

Holy Week is a string of eight days that allow us an opportunity to reflect upon the shift in humanity Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross launched. It starts with Palm Sunday when Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem. The week leads us through the Last Supper, His crucifixion, and ends on Easter Sunday with His resurrection. This is the basis of Christianity. His sacrifice launched the New Covenant God promised and many had prophesied throughout the Old Testament. Each day of Holy Week allows us to peek into
the heart of our Savior at intently close proximity. His love for us is reflected in every significant step toward the cross, every breath up to the last, and His resurrection.

Though Jesus didn’t walk the earth incarnate until He was born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph, He exists and works throughout the entirety of the Bible. Scripture assures us that He was present at Creation with the Father, that He is the Word, and many prophecies were fulfilled explicitly during this final, holy week of Jesus’ life on earth.

During Holy Week, many biblical prophesies were fulfilled. Jesus came to earth to save humanity by dying on the cross on Good Friday and resurrecting on Easter Sunday. By enduring and defeating death sacrificially for us, He swung open the gates of heaven, allowing our sins to be forgiven and ushering us into the presence of God.

Due to the sinful nature of humanity as a result of Adam and Eve’s fall in the garden of Eden, it’s impossible for us to be “good enough” to be in the presence of God and forgiven for our sins. Jesus died to make the way for salvation. The Old Testament Law offered many sacrifices to God, but Jesus was the perfect atoning sacrifice once and for all. He endured the cross out of His great love for us.

The crucifix does not signify defeat or failure. It reveals to us the love that overcomes evil and sin. ~ Pope Francis

Holy Week is a sacred opportunity to study the foundation of Christianity. Our God is not one of coincidence. Every step toward the cross was intentional, every lesson laced with His personal
love for all of us. Let each of us demonstrate unconditional love towards one another.

Adapted from Crosswalk.com

Trinity Woods is making a concerted effort to offer more avenues for culture training and bonding for all employees. Our goal for the coming year is to have all Trinity Woods employees attend these full-day training sessions. These training sessions offer customer service training, Eden Alternative Training*, and
an opportunity for employees to meet other employees from across campus.

*The Eden Alternative Philosophy is a person-centered approach to creating a community where life revolves around close and continuing contact with people of all ages and abilities. It is these relationships that provide the young and old alike with a pathway to a life worth living.

By Don Hertzler, resident Master Gardener

A favorite evergreen tree in eastern Oklahoma is the southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora. The native evergreen tree grows to 80-120’ tall and can have a life span of up to 200 years. Recently, dwarf versions have become available. The varieties ‘Little Gem’ and ‘Teddybear’ mature at 16-20’ tall and 10’ wide
and can be found in the new Owens Park on Sandusky. The large white flowers of the southern magnolia often have an intense fragrance that makes a lasting memory. The Southern Magnolia is a native tree of the southeast U.S. but it does well in northeast Oklahoma. Its leaves will burn from extreme cold or
heat, but they will recover during the growing season.

We have a number of examples of Southern magnolias across campus. Pictured here is a flower from a Little Gem Magnolia in Owens Park. This spring when you are out walking in the Trinity Woods neighborhood, take time to smell a magnolia bloom.

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

I’ve concluded that spring may be the most profound of the seasons. Its meaning and promise, and how to experience it, are worth dwelling upon. Spring is the season of hope – that things will get better after they were worse.

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant,” wrote English poet Anne Bradstreet. “If we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”

After the cold dark days of winter, where life seems to be on the verge of collapse and purpose is blurred, spring comes to the rescue bringing renewed hope, joy, clarity and salvation from the dark.

Spring signifies coming out of the darkness. We’ve tipped the balance from longer nights to longer days. We call the first day of spring the vernal equinox. Equinox basically means “equal night” of light and dark, and metaphorically, we should spend more time in the light.

There’s even some science to the joy of spring. Research suggests that for many people, the extended daylight boosts mood, wellbeing and energy. It’s also the time for spring cleaning and ridding your life of those things you don’t need any more and maybe some bad spirits and bad habits.

Sometimes in order to come into a new season and spring forward in faith, we have to let go of the old season. Isaiah 43:18 NIV says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” One of life’s many lessons teaches us to let go. We should not hang on to past hurts, past struggles, and past relationships. And sometimes this means we must give ourselves time to grieve in order to move forward.

As spring starts to surface and the trees begin to bloom, we can see God’s reminder to align our hearts to the new thing He’s doing. Prepare to spring forward into His purpose.

As we enter a new season, if you would like to schedule a time to meet with the Chaplain or to leave a prayer request, please contact Chaplain Tisdale at 918.346.6607.

By Alison McMillan, Spann Wellness Center Manager

We’ve all heard again and again that physical activity is important, but why is it important and how can we increase our daily activity levels?

Nowadays, the average American spends almost eight hours a day being sedentary. The Sedentary Behavior Research Network defines a sedentary lifestyle as “any waking behavior characterized by an
energy expenditure less than or equal to 1.5 metabolic equivalents.” Living a sedentary life can lead to many health complications, such as increased risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases,
increased risk of cancer, obesity, increased depression, decreased cognitive functionality, and increased mortality.

With television and internet entertainment, as well as desk jobs, leading to people sitting more, it’s extremely important to be intentional about your activity levels and getting the proper amount each day. The CDC currently recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week, which is about two-and-a-half hours. They also recommend having two days dedicated to muscle strengthening-specific activity a week.

Adding and increasing your physical activity levels per week sounds daunting but there are so many ways to do so, and for it to be fun!

Here are some changes you can make in your life to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health:
– Take frequent breaks to get up and walk around.
– Park further away when going shopping.
– Go on a daily walk in the evening with your family, friends, or dog.
– If the weather is cold, head inside to your fitness center of choice and hop on a treadmill, elliptical, bike, or seated cardio machine.
– Swim laps in a pool.
– Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
– Seek out a fitness class or online fitness videos.

Make it a fun challenge this month! Track how many steps you take, how many miles you walk (or move on a cardio machine), or how any laps you swim each day. At the end of the month, you will be able to see your progress! See if you can increase your numbers each week, and feel the difference in how your mind, body, and spirit feel after increasing your physical activity levels this month!