God's Plan is Always the Best Plan

When I was 35 years old I told my husband that I would like to have another baby.  He said, "No."  

Well needless to say I wasn't too happy.  As a matter of fact, I almost ruined my marriage over this.

I prayed for 5 years that God would somehow give me a baby.  I asked my friends to pray for me too. 

 

The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed to us.  Romans 8:18

When I discovered I was pregnant, I was overjoyed.  Bill, not so much.  I remember he said, "I'm too old for this!"  I said, "Obviously not."

Today Juli went shopping with her older sister, Jessica.  I was home alone and started to think about what my life would have been like if I didn't have Julianne.  

Juli was a baby when Jessica was in High School and left for college.  Then Justine went to college when Juli was just starting Elementary School.  I was privileged to be a Stay at Home Mom most of the time.  I got to be a Homeroom Mom again.  A Girl Scout Leader again.  Help with fundraisers and be a big part of Juli's life.

If God hadn't blessed me with Juli, what would I have been doing these last 22 years.  Bill would have been traveling.  Would I have gone with him?  I think that would have gotten old pretty quick.  Maybe I would have gone back to retail sales and would be working my way up to manager.  No thank you!  

I was already teaching fitness classes at that time.  I could own my own studio.  Doubt it. 

 

Many are the plans in a person's heart, But it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

But all that really doesn't matter, does it.  God had a plan all along.  Julianne was to be born into our family on November 16, 1998.  She was meant to bring joy to us with her sweet smile and silly words.  She learned to ride a bike, to swim, and to watch videos over and over again.  I hope that she will learn how special she is to us and to the world around her.  There will never be another Julianne Prutz and I'm so thankful that God made me wait 5 years to be her mom.

I prayed for this child and the Lord granted me what I asked of Him.

1 Samuel 1:27

You are Here!

 You are here.  I can feel Your presence.  I feel a lightness, a tingle, a peace that is like no other.  I want to raise my hands and fall on my knees simultaneously.  

Every morning after I eat my breakfast, I get my bible, my devotional, a note book and pencil.  I sit at my kitchen island with my second cup of tea, usually green tea with honey.  I read and I pray and I wait.  I look out my kitchen window and depending on the season, I see blue sky or gray clouds.  I hear the birds sing or the sound of the rain.  The sound of the bus going by on it's way to pick up the children for school reminds me of the years I waited for it to stop and get my girls. 

Each day is different.  Sometimes I have to hurry because I slept in and have to get ready for work.  On my days off I tend to take my time and enjoy this quiet in the morning.  This is Our time, me and God.  These moments set the tone for the rest of my day.  Usually the words I read will be exactly what I need to hear for today.  Words of love when I feel lonely.  Words of encouragement when I am worried.  Words of peace when my To Do List is longer than my grocery list.  And words or praise when I feel blessed.  

 I keep a gratitude journal with things I am thankful for.  I will look back on it and marvel at all God has done for me and my family.  I treasure this time and look forward to it everyday.  Even on the days when I late, I make time for a quick prayer. 

When we read the bible, we are hearing the words of God.  Yes, most come in the form of stories, history, adventure, and poems.  Jesus spoke in parables.  Paul wrote letters.  Together they tell the story of a love so amazing it's unbelievable!  We need to savor these words.  Contemplate their meaning and listen.  

Make time each day to read and listen.  Listen for the still small voice.  God speaks to us now just as he did thousands of years age through the prophets.  His Spirit lives inside of us.  We are His people.  

 

Share the Wealth

As I was browsing Facebook the other morning as I usually do while I wait for my teapot to whistle, I saw a post saying,  “ Who knew that the hardest part of being an adult is figuring out what to cook for dinner every single night for the rest of your life until you die!”  Now I realize this is meant as a joke, but what if you were reading this and all you had in your cupboard was a can of peas and a bottle of hot sauce.  I don’t you would find it too funny.

I am blessed and I hope you are too.  My shelves are full of food including 5 bottles of hot sauce.  I also have 4 bottles in the refrigerator already opened.  (Yes, we like our hot sauce in this house.)  I start to panic if I have less than 2 dozen of eggs.  My flour, sugar, and tea canisters are full and ready to use on my countertop.  And I’m even not going to tell you about our snack shelf.

Are you blessed too?

 I know that last year we had a big scare and felt it necessary to stock up on toilet paper, Lysol, and hand sanitizer.  Last time I was at the store the shelves were loaded with all the necessities.  I think we have turned the corner and it’s time to share the wealth.  Let’s look in our cupboards and figure out what do we really need.  And I’m not talking about the expired box of Hamburger Helper.  I mean the good stuff! 

According to Elizabeth Neilson, Sr. Vice President of Feeding America, one in six Americans are not getting enough to eat right now.  Between job losses, school closures, and rising winter heating costs, the lines at the Food Banks show that we are in a crisis.  When a single mother has to choose between feeding her 2 young daughters or paying her electric bill, we have a problem! 

So what can we do????  In Scottdale there is a blessing box at the Library, along with the monthly pick up from the Westmoreland County Food Bank.  Mt. Pleasant also has the Food Bank along with the Good Samaritan Center.  There is a drop off box in the front entrance at the YMCA of Laurel Highlands. I’m sure there are many other places as well.   Some suggestions for donated food include peanut butter, pasta, and sauce.  Of course cans of soup, tuna, chicken, vegetables, and fruit are always appreciated.  When Shop N Save has a buy 1 get 1 sale, buy  and donate the other.

Matthew 25:35 says, “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”  If you are among the lucky ones with food in your frig, a closet full of clothes, and money in your wallet, go.  Share the wealth. 

Enough Waiting!

 

Enough Waiting!

Are you still waiting?  Waiting to see your children.  Waiting to go back to work.  Waiting to eat at a restaurant.  Waiting to cheer at a sporting event.  Waiting to watch a live concert.  Waiting for the grandkids to go back to school (Who made up this new math anyway?)  Waiting to go to church.  Waiting to not have to wear this darn mask!   Waiting for test results.  Waiting for the snow to melt.  Waiting for pigs to fly…Haha, just checking to see if you were paying attention.

Is all this waiting good for us?  There has to be a lesson in all this waiting.  Have we learned to be more patient?  Have we learned to enjoy the small things like rides in the country and phone calls to loved ones?  Have we learned to slow down and not multitask?  According to Dr. Sanjay Gupta in his book, “Keep Sharp, Build a Better Brain at Any Age”, multitasking is not a good thing. 

Enough waiting!  While we wait the coffee gets cold, the bread get stale.  While we wait the clothes don’t fit but the sale is over.  While we wait the kids move away or our health deteriorates.  Lamentations 3:22 – 23 says that every morning we have new blessings, new opportunities. 

Are we making the most of our opportunities at home?  Has anyone picked up a scarf they began years ago and finished knitting it?  Have you sat down and wrote out cards to your family and friends, telling them how much you miss them?  Has anyone built a wall or refinished a piece of furniture?  Have you gone through your closet and donated all those shoes you will never wear again?  Have you learned to make sourdough bread?

Soon all this will be a memory (I hope and pray) and we will be done waiting.  Let’s not wait until it’s too late.  We could lose the best moments, the special experiences, times that we will never have again if we wait too long. The moment is now…Today is the day!

Christmas 2020

Talk about a crazy Christmas!  This one has to top the charts.  Dad has COVID, Mom, John, and I are in quarantine.  Families are told not to get together.  And 6-8 inches of snow.  But you know what, I enjoyed it.  No hustle and bustle.  No having to go out.  No noisy families grumping or complaining.  Just me, Bill, and Julianne.  We ate our Slovak / Polish Christmas Eve dinner after Bill and Juli came back from church at Visitation.  Which by the way wasn't standing room only.  I watched Flatirons on YouTube.  We video chatted with Jess and Keith, opened our gifts to each other, and played Christmas Scattergories.

On Christmas morning Juli opened her gifts.  I think she was pleased with them.  Bill and I watched The Nativity movie and made our dinner of ham, mashed potatoes, gravy and baked corn.  We took the dogs for a walk even though it was only 20 degrees outside.  I called mom to see how dad was doing the we facetimed Teen and Anthony for a little bit.

Father God, Thank you for coming to us a s a baby on that first Christmas.  Help us to realize the true gift that You gave us.  Bless my family and friends with heath and safety in the New Year and beyond.  In Jesus holy name, Amen.

Colorado 2020

Finally, I was able to give Justine and Anthony big hugs after not being with them for over a year.  Even though many people thought we were selfish or crazy because of the Coronavirus pandemic, we flew to Denver and spent 5 days with our kids.  Yes we had to get tested when we returned but it was worth it.

When we landed we were met with show.  Seems to be a habit.  We checked into our hotel and drove over to Justine's house with a bucket of KFC.  Anthony ordered pizza and we played 500 until late.

 

The next day we drove 4 hours to get to the Great Sand Dunes National Park.  It was worth the ride.  We walked in snow covered sand almost to the top.  On our way back we found a Food Truck that served delicious grilled cheese sandwiches.  Back at their house we drank beer,

 played Trash and 500 again.

After eating our Thanksgiving feast we took a walk around the neighbor hood.  We watch Christmas Vacation on TV and was ready for a good night's sleep.

Friday.  What a fun day!  Anthony made us leftover turkey sliders the we walked to Long Table Brewery.  We made Ugly Sweater Rice Krispies Treats and asked my Facebook friends to vote for their favorite.   Juli won that contest.  We also played a board game, Trekking the National Parks.  It was complicated but fun.

On Saturday we had a Boozy Brunch.  Bill and Anthony went to the Denver Biscuit Co and brought home our food.  Yes, that is a Chicken Cordon Bleu Biscuit as big as my head!  We needed some exercise after that so we went to City Park and hit a big bucket of balls.  We walked around the park...watch out for the goose poop!   Then back to Teen house to teach the boys how to play our new game.  Bill was a fast learner and beat us all.  We also made scented candles.  Bill wanted no part of that.😖

Sunday, our last day.  After breakfast we watch football, talked and relaxed together.  Anthony made us a delicious Turkey Pot Pie Casserole then it was time to go to the airport.  We made alot of great memories and hopefully will be able to see them in sooner than a year next time.

  

Thank you God for protecting us and giving us the opportunity to be with our kids.  Guide and keep them safe as they live and work in Denver.  In Jesus name, Amen.

 

 Printed in Mature Living 12/2020

The Accidental Athlete

Hi, it’s Joyce from the YMCA! 

I think a lot of people will be surprised to know that I am not who you think I am or who I thought I would be. 

Most people see me as that woman from the YMCA, strong, athletic, and healthy.  I have seen people hide from me at the grocery store because they have snacks and goodies in their cart.  I have friends that apologize when they talk to me because they haven’t exercised for a while.  I’ve even met folks who think I am a health nut!  Let me set you straight.

As a young girl I loved to read, play Barbies, dance, and draw.  My dreams were not to be a fast runner, high jumper, or even a ballerina.  My goal was to get married to my Prince Charming, have babies, and live happily ever after.  Most of that has happened...but not in the way I thought.  I have had to change my attitude and my habits. 

Prince Charming turned out to be an athlete; football, baseball, basketball, and yes even golf.  He loved to run, jump, but not dance!  So what is a good wife to do?  Yes, I started to run, attend aerobics classes, and lift weights.  Ugggg, I had to sweat and have sore muscles.  I became an “accidental athlete”.  The Prince and I signed up to run local 5K races like The Turkey Trot, the Woodruff, and the Scottdale YMCA.  I worked hard to get strong.  I learned how to teach those aerobics classes.  I even ran on the boardwalk while on vacation!  And do you know what happened, I began to love it.  Then my knees had other ideas, but that is a story for another day.

Now why am I telling you the story of my life?  Maybe you are like me, not exactly where you thought you would be.  Maybe you are an “accidental gardener” because your wife likes to make salsa.  Or an “accidental camper” because your husband likes to hike and fish.  How about an “Accidental Mr. Fix-it”  since you can’t afford to pay a plumber or carpenter every time something breaks.  What I’m getting at is that we all make choices in our lives to accommodate the ones we love. 

We were put on this earth to love and support each other.  As it says in the book of Mark, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and so the two shall become one flesh.”  I chose to develop new habits, trying new activities, making a life of friendship, love, and togetherness.

I see couples at the YMCA of Laurel Highlands everyday playing Pickleball, working out in the Fitness Center, or taking Group Exercise classes together and I have to wonder.  Is this how they planned their lives?  Or have they made sacrifices so that they could be together.  I know my prince has sacrificed many things for me so the least I can do is spend time doing what he likes to do with him.  Now if only I could teach that man how to dance!

Winter Snow Song - Audrey Assad with Chris Tomlin

Sitting / Stress / Sciatica

 March 16 2020, a day to remember!  That was the day we were required to stay home and stay safe  unless we were considered Essential Workers.  That was the day the YMCA of Laurel Highlands closed it's doors to members, and that was the day people sat down.

Many people sat down and watched the news.  Some people sat down in front of their computers and worked from home.  Parents and school age kids sat down and learned that being a teacher is a hard job.  Crafty folks sat down in front of their sewing machines and made masks to keep their family and friends safe.  All this sitting was not good for our bodies.  

Now don't get me wrong, not all sitting is bad.  Families sat down and ate meals together. They played board games and put puzzles together too.  Husbands and wives were forced to have conversations and spend quality time as a couple.  I liked this part!  

But according to Webmd.com, Too much sitting is bad for your health.  It can contribute to an increase in Heart Disease, Dementia, Diabetes, DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis or blood clots), sciatica and so much more.  Research from emedicine.com states,  One thing that makes sciatica worse is sitting for long periods of time. This increases the pressure put on the lower back and can compress the sciatic nerve. While sitting, a person is often holding his head at an uncomfortable angle watching TV or looking at a computer screen. This can affect a person’s posture and lead to the pain of sciatica.

So what is a person to do about this?  Take a break, stretch, and relax.  

Which leads me to the second part of this article, STRESS.  Oh yes, we were all under alot of stress!  We couldn't go out, we couldn't visit our friends and families, we had to wear masks and clean everything we touched.  Oh and we weren't allowed to touch our faces.  We couldn't find toilet paper, ramen noodles, or macaroni and cheese if we dared to venture out to the grocery store.  Some of us even lost our jobs. Talk about stress, this was above and beyond what an American family could expect in the 21st century.

 After talking to friends who developed Sciatica during this time, I researched how stress can contribute to Sciatica:  Sciatica is caused by compression of the main sciatic nerve that runs down the back of the leg. Stress, fear and other emotional issues impact your entire body by translating into tension and panic. When stress and other issues start to impact your musculature and posture, the sciatic nerve is often one of the first parts of the body to suffer.  I also found that Every time we are stressed or find ourselves worrying about something, certain toxins are dumped into our system. Firstly, these toxins make us feel even more miserable, and secondly they have a negative effect on the healing process.

Yep, stress actually directly slows down the time it takes for us to recover from an injury, which means it will take you longer to get better from a sciatica flare up.

Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands when we are distressed – it is a part of the fight-or-flight mechanism.  This is from the website, How to overcome Sciatica.

Now what is the answer, how do we get rid of this pain?  Good question!  I don't have a hard and fast answer for this.  Some say surgery, physical therapy, chiropractic, pain relievers, or exercise.  I have tried them all except for surgery and they all help to a degree.  Everyone will tell you a different story and many will give you relief.  My opinion is to try not to get it in the first place.  Keep moving, keep stretching and try to stay calm in all situations.  After all it says, "Do not fear" 365 times in the Bible.  That sounds like good advice to me!

Now I have been sitting at my kitchen island typing this article for over an hour, I better get up and move!

Mini Vaca to Maryland

 

Bill and I escaped the craziness of the Corona Virus and had a little getaway to Maryland.  We stopped at Tall Pines Distillery in Salisbury, PA for a tour and tasting.  The owner was super nice, I think we could have stayed all day and tasted everything but we had an adventure waiting for us at the Rocky Gap Resort and Casino.

We checked in then walked around the resort.  We decided to grab a burger and fries along with a cold beer at the outdoor restaurant, Signatures.  The Black n Blue Burger was awesome!

We checked into our room which had a jacuzzi tub, got dressed up and went to the casino.  The next day we rented a paddleboat and spent an hour on the lake at Rocky Gap State Park.  It was a good workout.  We ate at a Mexican restaurant.  They had giant margaritas...

Back to the casino to lose some more money, then bedtime.  We wanted to get an early start for the beach tomorrow.

I forgot how wonderful the beach is!  It has been 3-4 years since I had my toes in the sand.  We parked at the Holiday Inn on 17th St and headed outside.  People were being safe and social distancing.  We unpacked our tent and towels and sat down to take in the view..

The water was wonderful.  The waves were brisk.  I got wiped out a couple times, but it was great!  After a few hours we went back to the hotel to check in to our room.  It was on the 12th floor so we had an excellent view of the Boardwalk.

.  

We went to DaVinci's for dinner.  I had Eggplant Parmesan and Bill had some kind of pasta.  We walked back to our hotel and sat at our balcony sipping Long Island Iced Teas and watching people.  The next day was Friday.  It started out cloudy but we had high hopes that it would clear up.  We played in the waves and saw more clouds building up inland.  People started packing up their tents and towels  and leaving.  I was determined to wait it out.  "It will blow over," I said.   HA!  We crawled into our tent and watched the rain pound on the sand.  I didn't mind, it was kinda romantic.  It slowed down so we made a run for it.  

That evening we walked to Hooters for dinner.  Yes, I know it's all about the girls, but let me tell you, their General Tso's Chicken Wings were awesome.  We spent some more time porch sipping and enjoying our last night at the beach.  

We got up early enough to enjoy a sunrise then off we went. 

 We were home around 1:00 then went to the kennel to pick up the dogs.  Vacation over. 

 I hope our memories will last and keep us as relaxed and peaceful as we were at Ocean City, Maryland during the Corona Virus Pandemic.  

The Times, They are a Changin

The Times They Are a-Changin’

The Times They Are a-Changin’ is one of Dylan's most famous songs.  Many feel that it captures the spirit of social and political upheaval that characterized the 1960s.

Dylan recalled writing the song as a deliberate attempt to create an anthem of change for the moment. In 1985, he told a writer: ""This was definitely a song with a purpose. I wanted to write a big song, with short concise verses that piled up on each other in a hypnotic way. The civil rights movement and the folk music movement were pretty close for a while and allied together at that time."  A self-conscious protest song, it is often viewed as a reflection of the generation gap and of the political divide marking American culture in the 1960s.  Dylan said, "I can't really say that adults don't understand young people any more than you can say big fishes don't understand little fishes.

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Bob Dylan

Come gather 'round, people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin'
And you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
The battle outside ragin'
Will soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin'
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'

Now let’s take a look at what is going on right now in 2020.  The Corona Virus has infected the world.  Businesses are shut down.  People have lost their jobs.  Toilet paper is in short supply and anxiety is running rampant through our country.  Our new heroes are doctors, nurses, and emergency medical personal.  The villains are the media, politicians, and the Police Departments.  No hockey, basketball, or baseball.  No new movies, television shows, or concerts.  We are confined to our homes, only allowed out to go to work or the grocery store.  We have to wear masks, use hand sanitizer and not touch our faces. 

Now some people are ok with this.  They get a chance to stay home, slow down, and bake bread.  Others, not so much.  Parents have become teachers, people who commute to work now need to figure out how to work from home, and let’s not get started on no haircuts, manicures, and lunches with friends.

Oh yes, the times they are a changing! 

But this isn’t new, this shouldn’t be a surprise.  From the beginning of time, things have changed.  Maybe we just got too used to the same ole same ole. 

We were warned in the Old Testament:

Psalm 78:1-3

My people, hear my teaching;
    listen to the words of my mouth.
² I will open my mouth with a parable;
    I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
³ things we have heard and known,
    things our ancestors have told us.

Imagine being born before 1900.  No electricity, telephone, automobiles.  No shopping malls, grocery stores, or online shopping.  There was World War 1, World War 2, the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  Also the Spanish Flu, Prohibition, the Great Depression and the Polio Epidemic.  Don’t forget about all the advances in health care, including vaccines, transplants, and screenings for diseases that would have meant certain death in years past.

We have gone from hi tech cameras and video equipment to our hand-held phone to memorialize our special days.  Record players advanced to 8 Tracks, to cassettes, and CDs to online streaming and Bluetooth. Our cars can practically drive themselves and our homes have many modern conveniences that our grandparents could never have imagined in their wildest dreams. 

Yes, the times are a changing and we need to change with them.  Imagine if Jonas Salk would have hidden his vaccine for polio or if Henry Ford just threw away his drawing of his automobile.

I know it is scary and overwhelming, but if we take moment of time in our lives one day at a time we will get through it.  Jesus even told his friends:

Do Not Worry

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  Matthew 6:25 

So what can we do?

Trust.

Trust and know that there is a bigger picture than all we see right now.  We are the pieces of the puzzle that is life.  God has a plan and it’s a good one.  So trust that he will get us through this valley and whatever lies ahead of us. 

Romans 8:18

Tea Cup Meditation

Tea Cup Meditation

Hi, it’s Joyce from the YMCA of Laurel Highlands. 

Now that I am back to teaching classes I have discovered a renewed passion for my Yoga classes.  I teach 3 classes each week at different levels.  On Tuesdays I meet in the Dance Studio with some lovely ladies and lead a seated Yoga class called YogaStretch.   On Thursdays I teach Christian Yoga, which incorporates Contemporary Christian Music along with basic Yoga poses and a blessing to end our class.  Saturdays we meet outside by the pavilion for Sunshine Yoga.  Unfortunately it rained this week so we met in the Fitness Loft for our class.  Now what does all this have to do with a Tea Cup Meditation?  I’m getting to that.

This Thursday as I was sitting at my kitchen island, I poured myself a second cup of tea, green tea with honey.  I watched the steam rise from the cup and I thought how peaceful it was to watch and thought about putting that feeling into words to share with my class.  So here is my “Tea Cup Meditation” that I used to relax my class and sent them on their way home with a Black Cherry tea bag.

Prepare your teacup.  Pull out the special one in the back of your cupboard.  Put the tea bag, sugar, honey and or cream into the cup ready for the boiling water.  Pour in the water, watch the steam rise from your cup.  Feel the steam on your face as you inhale the fragrance of the tea.  Hold the cup in both hands and enjoy the warmth.  Now find a quiet place to sit and slow down.  Relax as you take your first sip.  Feel the tea on your tongue, notice the warmth as it goes down your throat into your belly.  Now pause, breathe, be at peace, take this time to know that you are loved and cared for by the Creator of the Universe.  You are special.  You are important.  You are blessed so you can be a blessing.  Take another sip and simply say, “Thank You.”

I’ll bet you didn’t know that tea is also good for your health.  Studies have found that tea helps reduce your risk for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.  It can also encourage weight loss, lower cholesterol, and keep you alert.  Check out the article on www.webmd.com, “Types of Teas and Their Health Benefits” for more interesting facts about tea.  According to Diane L. McKay, PhD from Tuft’s University, “It’s not just about the foods; it’s about what you drink as well, that can contribute to your health.”

Now don’t just take my word for it.  Try it yourself. Have a cup of tea.  I mean it!  And try a Yoga class while you’re at it.

Super Bowl LIV | Johnny Cash's "Ragged Old Flag" | Tribute to America

Flatirons Community Church Live Stream

Yoga, It does a body good!

Hi, it's Joyce from the YMCA of Laurel Highlands.
It was a cold and rainy weekend, you know normal for late April here in Western Pennsylvania.  I had nothing special planned so I signed up for a Yoga Certification program online.  I would be spending 16 hours in two days with people from across the country learning about Yoga.
I have already been certified to teach Yoga through SilverSneakers and YogaFit, but I needed to get recertified in order to move forward in my practice and become a better teacher.
There were 17 women and one instructor signed into a Zoom meeting at 9:00 on Saturday morning.  Some of these women were instructors like myself and some had taken yoga classes and had hopes of becoming an instructor.  Now there were a few who had no idea what yoga was but wanted to learn something new.  (I say, good for them.)

Just in case there are a few of you that don't know what Yoga is, let me give you a quick rundown.  Yoga is an ancient practice that originated 5,000 years ago in what is now known as India.  

It was brought to the USA in 1893 during the Chicago World’s Fair.  Physical yoga became popular in the 1930s using poses and breathing to create a flow style that is used today.  History lesson over.

In 2010 researchers from The University of Maryland determine that yoga equals or surpasses standard exercise in improving balance, decreasing anxiety, improving mood and sleep, decreasing pain, lowering cholesterol and improving quality of life.  It will also aid in prevention of osteoporosis by making bones grow stronger.

Now some people will say that Yoga is Non-Christian.  Originally, yes, it was! The word “yoga” means to yoke or join together.  It connects your breath with your action.  Some yoga teaches Chakras, which are energy centers within your body.  Others teach Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas, and or Pranayamas.  People can spend many years and thousands of dollars to get enlightened. 

The kind of yoga I teach at the YMCA is Fitness Yoga.  I call it Christian Yoga so people will know before they come into class that I will not be focusing on any philosophy that is against their relationship with God.  I use the poses to strengthen, invigorate, improve balance, flexibility, and relieve stress.  I also teach YogaStretch, which is a Yoga Class that is taught in, beside, and behind a chair.  There is no floorwork in this class.  Participants wear their shoes but still get the benefits of a yoga class.

Most peoples’ favorite part of a Yoga Class is Savanasa, meditation and relaxation.  I like to end my class with a time of breathing exercises, self - massage and visualization to quiet their bodies and their minds.  Did you know that we average 60,000 thoughts per day?  Sometimes it’s nice to just turn off our minds and focus on our breath.  If this sounds nice to you, join me at the YMCA or any other facility that offers Yoga taught by a trained instructor.  It could change your life or at least help you to relax for 60 minutes.

Corona Virus 2020

The world changed as we know it on March 16,2020.  Businesses closes their doors and a dark cloud of fear spread over the United States.  The villain was called the Corona Virus!
Somehow this nasty virus had slipped through the cracks of security and was now intent on destroying our country.  We were told that it will kill our older, weaker, sickly population.  We were ordered to stay home to protect ourselves and our loved ones.  We were only allowed out if it was absolutely necessary.  Many hurried to grocery stores to stock up on milk, bread, and toilet paper.  Oh yes, toilet paper!  It was to become as precious as gold.
Schools closed!  Preschools, Elementary, Middle School,  High Schools and Colleges.  Teachers and Parents had to learn how to teach online.  School lunch programs had to figure out how to feed kids that depended on them for their breakfast and lunch.  Students were isolated from their classmates and friends.
 

Families found themselves together more often than ever before.  For some, this was wonderful but for others it was a living nightmare.  Struggling marriages were falling apart at the seams, tearful children were getting on each others last nerve, and to top that paychecks stopped coming.  Let's not even start talking about unemployment and stimulus checks.

In the beginning we thought that all would be back to normal in a couple of weeks.  Well 2 weeks turned into 8 weeks and we are just now starting to breathe the fresh air of freedom.  Freedom to get out and meet with our friends and family (with 6 feet of Social Distance between us and masks on!)

We have 3 phases here in Pennsylvania: The Red Phase is where we were.  The Yellow Phase is where we are and the Green Phase is where we want to be.

I think we will all be changed by this.  We will all have a "New Normal."  For some it will mean appreciating their home, job and family more.  Some may feel the need to get out and explore, not put things off because who knows what tomorrow will bring.  Some may hoard and save things just in case this happens again.  I hope that we will be kinder and gentler to each other when we all come together again.  I'm looking forward to long hugs and longer conversations.  

1918 influenza pandemic survivor interview: Mrs. Edna Boone, interviewed...

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Presidential Love Stories

Presidential Love Stories

I’ve been asked to open our Saturday Afternoon Ladies Club meeting with a story.  Since it is the month of February, I assumed I should talk about “Love.”  No, our Committee Hostess wanted me to talk about our Presidents since Presidents Day was to be celebrated on the following Monday.  Well I am a romantic at heart so we agreed that I would talk about Presidential Love Stories.  Off to my computer I went to Google,” Presidential Love Stories.”  I found a very interesting article in The Catholic Match Institute and more facts in Wikipedia.

Did you know that only 1 President was a bachelor?  James Buchanan, was known for being the worst President ever.  Maybe he should have found a wife. 

Anyway, back to our love stories.

George and Martha Washington were not madly in love.  She was actually a widow with 4 children and he was infatuated by his friend’s wife.  Not a good start.  But they respected each other for their fine intellects and unimpeachable characters.  They formed an affectionate partnership which supported them through the Revolutionary War and the beginning years of our nation.  It is verified that Martha Washington was at valley Forge and traveled thousands of miles to be with her husband.

John and Abigail Adams marriage was a great love match.  They were distantly related and had known each other since they were 3 years old.  She was a brilliant beautiful woman who served her husband as his closest advisor throughout his career.  John’s duties often kept him away from home, sometimes for years at a time but the two kept up a continuous correspondence that demonstrated their passionate love for each other.  She was the first First Lady to reside in the White House and is said to have hung the laundry in the East Room to dry.

Andrew and Rachel Jackson adored each other.  Rachel had been married to an abusive man when Andrew first met her.  He actually told her first husband, “Had I such a wife, I would not willingly bring a tear to her lovely eye.”  She left that man and married Jackson.  Rachel was a devoutly religious woman who had great influence on her husband.  They had no children of their own but adopted many young ones over the years. She died on the eve of his inauguration and was never able to enjoy her role as First Lady.

Ulysses and Julia Grant shared a love of horses and books.  She was the sister of his West Point roommate.  She was cross-eyed and wanted to have surgery to fix her eyes.  Ulysses said, ”No, I like them just the way they are.”  Their life was unsettled and full of many failed business ventures.  Their eight years in the White House was their longest residency in one home.

William and Ida McKinley’s marriage was a tragedy from beginning to end despite their devotion to each other.  Their 2 daughters died before the age of 5 which caused Ida to fall into a deep depression and become an invalid.  When she felt strong, she enjoyed crocheting slippers and giving them as gifts. William was assassinated and his dying wish was that his secretary be gentle as he broke the news to his wife.  

The love story of Theodore and Edith Roosevelt seemed to come right out of a novel.  Their story began as next door neighbors and childhood friends.   After college and the death of his father, Theodore married a beautiful but unintellectual woman.  The marriage lasted only a few years as his wife died in childbirth.  Theodore and Edith were reunited at his sister’s home and the two renewed their relationship. Edith redecorated the White House and even invited Booker T. Washington to dinner, how scandalous!  They had many happy and loving years together.

Calvin and Grace Coolidge proved the opposites do attract.  He was quiet and reserved and she was a social butterfly.  Their marriage was marred by the death of a son and the stress of the Presidency.  Nevertheless it remained strong until his tragic untimely death.

Harry and Bess Truman met in Grade School.  Bess was a rough and tumble tomboy and Harry was a shy bespectacled boy.  They were one of the happiest and most normal couples to inhabit the White House.  After Truman left office, they bought a car and drove across the United States staying in hotels and eating in diners.  Harry and Bess were the first Senior Citizen to receive their Medicare cards from President Johnson himself.