March 8, 2025 – Spring Ahead

Oh boy.  Does anyone else feel like the last months of winter and stress have caught up with them?  I am going to humbly share that I have felt like a hibernating bear and eaten to relieve my stress since Christmas. I am claiming March 9 as not only our change to Daylight’s Savings Time, but as a chance to spring ahead to renewed energy and a fresh start on healthy habits. 

I just attended an online course on organizing your spaces this week, and one tip they gave can apply to any aspect of your life.  It’s not a new concept, but a good reminder that 10 little minutes of attending to a project can make a big difference over the course of time.  

Relating the 10 minute rule to health can have the same benefits.  10 minutes of movement can have lasting benefits.  A quick walk down the street or around the block, climbing a staircase at home, walking in place if you’re watching a show, or putting on your favorite music and dancing around the house for a few minutes a day has great health benefits. Increase to doing this several times a day over time and you have done your body and soul a huge favor. Or how about asking a friend or neighbor to go for a walk?  It doesn’t have to be an hour-long commitment, but if you invite them to join you for 15 minutes it becomes doable and increases your social connection – a win for both of you! 

One of my favorite sites for health information, Harvard Health Publishing, shares this article on why you should move just a little throughout the day. Based on research, it’s a great reminder to just move every day.

This article from Mayo Clinic gives you five steps to get started on a fitness program, with the ever important reminder to get the okay from your medical provider first.  Make sure the choices you are making are in line with the shape you are currently in. 

Another favorite site that encourages healthy eating habits is My Plate.  It’s not about the newest fad diet or quick weight loss scheme, but rather focuses on truly healthy eating habits.  Remember the old Food Pyramid?  My Plate is the new and updated version of healthy choices created from research and current knowledge.  It’s lovely and easy to understand.

And don’t forget social connection, which boosts our sense of belonging and well-being.  BINGO! with lunch is happening on March 13 at the Minnetonka campus for Seniors Active in Life Together, and check out our next Take Time for Mental Health event on March 18 hosted by our Mental Health and Addiction Ministry Team, in coordination with St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community. Connecting with others has huge health benefits.  

 It’s a wonderful time to join together to take steps towards healthy lifestyles.  I’m excited to walk this path with you!

Heidi

March 1, 2025 – BINGO!

It’s March!  How did THAT happen? Once again, there is so much to do with our church family this coming month… from Itty Bitty Get Togethers for families with little ones to the upcoming Bethlehem Music Series to Tai-Chi-Chih to Lenten dinners to Wednesday night crafting sessions  at the Minnetonka campus to the Food Share Drive to support our local food shelves to Bible Studies to Adult Confirmation at Spirit Garage and on and on. There is no shortage of opportunities to gather and meet and create relationships with our lovely Bethlehem family regardless of age. Check out THIS LINK for all of the amazing events happening in March.  

AND…who doesn’t love a rousing game of BINGO? If you happen to be 55 or older, give or take a couple of years, you are invited to win exciting prizes at the BINGO! party happening on Thursday, March 13 at the Minnetonka campus!  Seniors Active in Life Together are hosting  lunch and BINGO! from 11:30-2:00. The food will be delicious, the fellowship will be soul filling, and the prizes are just FUN! You do NOT want to miss out on this event!

Keep in mind as well that March is  Food Share Drive month.  It’s our chance to help stock the shelves of ICA and CES with food and supplies for our neighbors. It is an easy way to make a tangible difference right in our own backyards. Check out the current wish lists and deliver a bag of groceries to any one of our campuses. 

Aren’t we blessed? Our annual meeting was jam packed with friends from all three campuses, people hung out to share a lovely lunch afterwards, and the hope and joy that filled the room were palpable.  We have such great things to do and become TOGETHER this year and into the future.  Let’s take advantage of this amazing opportunity to BE together and the determination to make a difference in this world. 

Feeling blessed,

Heidi

February 22, 2025 – Intentional Acts of Kindness

This week, within an hour of each other on the same day, we received messages from two different dear friends that both of their beloved, sweet Moms had died.  Our friends were both able to be with their Moms as they accompanied them in this final holy transition from life on earth to life in heaven.  Both were expecting this eventually, yet even knowing their loved ones were free from suffering after long lives lived well, loss and grief will still accompany our friends the rest of their days. It will still leave holes in their hearts and empty spaces at family gatherings. 

I have spent a lot of time recently thinking about living without regret, and moments like this make me take action and think more deeply about how I can make that a reality in my life. So often I revisit my life and think, “Wow!  I never reached out to This Friend when their parent died!” or, “We haven’t seen So And So for ages, but I haven’t picked up the phone to set a date to get together.” We have friends who lived away for years, yet when they returned to live here, we failed to be in touch beyond our annual Christmas card exchanges.  

There are just so many things I wish I had done differently.  Why didn’t we go on more bike rides and picnics and adventures when our kids were little?  Why didn’t I initiate more friend gatherings? Why didn’t I have the neighbors over more often? Why did I buy those greeting cards that I never sent?  So many “why”s, and so many little and big things I wished I had risen to the occasion to do. But with those oversights and a lot of self-examination comes new determination. I have resolved these past years to live more intentionally and do those things I will regret if I look back and I haven’t done them. 

We have been in close contact this week with these friends so they know we love them and are thinking of them and praying for them and are here if they need us.  We will show up with meals for them and listen to their stories. We will check in with them when the rest of the world has moved on.

In our everyday lives we’re initiating coffee on our front patio with neighbors (in the summer!) and we all love it. We’re trying to be more spontaneous and just call friends for coffee or lunch or dinner. And if they call us we’re trying to say “yes”! We’re making a point to be actively involved in our darling grandbabies’ and kids’ lives. We’re setting up Zoom meetings with friend groups. We’re planning a family reunion before the eldest can’t gather any longer. There are just so many ways we can create relationship and do those things we have put off!

This past Monday was Random Acts of Kindness Day, which is so lovely and reminds us to reach out to those around us whom we notice may need a little spark of joy. I like to think of living with no regrets as an extension of this day into everyday life. Maybe we can call it Intentional Acts of Kindness Living: thinking of someone we want to reach out to, or accomplishing a goal or task we keep thinking we’ll get to “someday”, and not just on one appointed day of the year but rather making it a habit that is incorporated into our daily lives. 

What or who is on your No Regrets list?  I hope the adventure of being intentional inspires you to reach out to others. The best part? It enhances the lives of those we reach out to, and blesses our own lives beyond measure.

Living with intention,

Heidi

February 15, 2025 – What Fills Your Cup?

This past week has filled my cup. We host the full time staff of Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp every year for their recruiting trip for summer staff at midwest Lutheran colleges, and our home was once again filled with their joy and faith and a sense of belonging. These people have become family to us, and the mission of camp has become part of our lives.  My dear husband is the one who suggested a topic for this week’s Care Message after we said goodbye to them and have post-company-and-a-house-full-of-life blues. 

I admit I am exhausted, but I spent a good deal of time thinking about what sparks joy for me and fills my cup after they left. In the midst of daily life, winter grey, and constant news feeds, I immediately focused on the two things that keep me going:  the people I love and camp.  Those two entities give me a sense of purpose. They energize me and motivate me to be my best. I will do anything to have a positive impact in those two areas of my world. When the rest of the world seems unbearable, they give me a reason to focus on the positive and to face every day with resolve and passion.

What fills you with a sense of purpose? Where do you draw your strength and inspiration from? Are you the caretaker for a loved one? That may feel overwhelming, but what a difference you make! Your care is irreplaceable for your loved one.  Are you a parent just making it through the day, feeding and toting and comforting and guiding? You may not feel like you are a rock star, but you are the firm foundation of love for your family, and you make a difference.  Are you a friend and a listening ear? What a mission of love and compassion your time is!  Are you a volunteer for a cause that you believe in? Think of the lives you change and the people you reach by being involved! Are you home alone, but connecting by phone call or letter or email with your circle of friends and loved ones? What a sense of belonging you create through your care and connection with them!

In a time that feels unstable and uncertain, the people and causes that we are passionate about are the very things that keep us going. Our passion and compassion for them give us purpose, and for that I am grateful. Spend some time thinking about what fills your cup, and pat yourself on the back for making a difference in this world.

Filled with purpose,

Heidi

February 8, 2025 – Finding Hope Together

For the past few weeks, I have had so many conversations with so many people who are personally impacted by the events swirling around us.  My sister-in-law received her “Resign” email as she approaches retirement from her government position. What to do?  Nonprofits that provide vital support for people in our community are laying off their employees indefinitely, suspending services to those who seek them out. I heard young scientists interviewed whose work impacts our lives and who are funded by grants who suddenly aren’t receiving paychecks. Friends who are non-binary are scared for their safety.  Around every corner lies uncertainty and even despair. 

Where do we find hope? At our all-staff meeting this past week, Pastor Holly from Spirit Garage talked about relationships, and the importance of getting to know the people in our faith communities right now. I think this idea is wise and positive. Who do you know in our Bethlehem community? In your neighborhood? Who would you like to get to know? Consider reaching out and getting some social gatherings scheduled to foster these relationships. We may not be able to solve specific problems, but having a strong social network can give us support to turn to when we need the strength of others to carry us through.  We need to rely on each other and turn to each other when we’re having a rough time.  

Where else can we find hope? Joining a Bible study or book club is a great way to find positive perspectives and create relationships. Plug in to a non-profit organization that needs support and help at a grassroots level. I am also reassured by local politicians who have talked about how we can make a difference at the local level and make sure our voices are heard by calling and writing our representatives who will bring our voice to the national level. Our single voices DO make a difference! 

And of course, self-care is vital.  We need to make sure we’re eating healthy food and getting rest and drinking enough water for starters, and turning off the news and social media when it gets to be too much. This article from Mayo Clinic stresses the importance of connections and self-care, finding meaning in every day, taking action and building skills to be able to bounce back in times of adversity. Let’s resolve together to connect with each other and to be there for each other. Let’s reach out to each other when we see a need. We have the opportunity to weather life’s storms together with our church family.  What a beautiful gift we have in relationship together!

With love,

Heidi

February 1, 2025 – SO Many Opportunities to Grow and Serve!

Welcome to February!  As the year zips along and the uncertainty of change swirls around us, I am thankful for the great opportunities to learn and serve and find comfort that our community offers us.  

February 8 is a big day!  Bethlehem’s Day of Service has stepped up to the plate to create a whole lot of additional infant and hospice kits to be shared with Global Health Ministry partners. I believe we are adding 1000 kits to the count! They can definitely use more hands to help assemble them on Feb. 8, and are especially in need of small jars of Vaseline (or generic) petroleum jelly (3.75 ounce jars) and plain bandaids. I just cleaned out the Dollar Tree near Andrew and Kirsten’s house of both of those items this week!  Feel free to drop off donations at either campus, and/or register at the link above to help. The first Day of Service I was able to attend was so much fun, and I met wonderful new friends. It’s a great day on many levels!

I’ve heard a rumor that there is a big football game happening on Feb. 9, but if you’re free that morning before the Big Game, Beacon is hosting their annual Souper Bowl (Empty Bowls) event at Judson Baptist Church from 10:00-2:00. Enjoy a bowl of soup and support Beacon at the same time, with plenty of time to make it home for the Super Bowl. 

The next big day of opportunities is February 11.  Occasions like Valentine’s Day or an anniversary can reignite feelings of grief over the physical loss of a significant other or the ending of a relationship through divorce or separation. As caring friends or family we want to help “make it better,” but might not know how. On February 11, from 7:00-8:30 p.m., Chaplain Jenny Schroedel will offer concrete suggestions to support others without making it worse. What is helpful and what is not? How might we help foster hope and resilience in others (and ourselves) even while being present in the rawness of grief? Finally, we will explore what it means to move towards healing in mind, body, and spirit, empowering oneself to better support others while also navigating our own losses. ALL are welcome at this presentation for ambassadors by Mental Health Connect.  

And finally, loneliness. Outgoing Surgeon General Vivek Murthe’s report on the epidemic of loneliness in America has affirmed the need for connection and community. Speaker Sandra McGurran will lead a discussion, then help us identify strategies and steps that we can each take to strengthen our relationships and connection to others. This Take Time for Mental Health offering begins at 6:00 pm with a light dinner served at Bethlehem’s Minneapolis campus. It promises to be inspiring!

I hope you take advantage of one or more of these wonderful opportunities, created to help us navigate life in healthy ways and to help those around us thrive. We can’t do it all, but if one of these catches your interest, I promise you will be happy you joined in.

With a grateful heart for our community,

Heidi

January 25, 2025 – California Neighbors

In Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), a lawyer who is testing Jesus asks him how to inherit eternal life. When Jesus answers him, he tells the lawyer to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”.  The tricky man asks Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  We know the story, and the answer ends up being the Good Samaritan, a person who would not normally connect with the injured party because of social contexts of the day, but the Samaritan overlooks their differences, sees a man in need and goes above and beyond to help him.  He is the definition of a true neighbor.

The barriers to helping others are mostly different today in America.  Our barriers are more about availability and distance and awareness versus being social outcasts to each other these days.  I know there is great need everywhere in this big world, but if it’s not in front of my face in an article or on the news, I get busy with my own world and simply forget to take action. Thankfully there are organizations that exist that make it easy for us to reach out to our neighbors.  Often we can volunteer to help. Bethlehem’s Day of Service  is coming up and is a great example of a hands-on way with little investment beyond our time to make a big difference in this world. Every year we have groups who participate in building homes through Habitat for Humanity or providing support to Beacon for those entering new housing opportunities. On a daily basis both of our campuses donate to our local food shelves.  Bethlehem is a good neighbor!

These past weeks we have a devastating new opportunity to be good neighbors to the people in Los Angeles as wildfires burn and destroy thousands of homes and businesses. Bethlehem member Kathryn Schmidt has worked with the Red Cross for years as a member of the Red Cross Disaster Team, and is working in LA for two weeks.  Her role this time is helping to reconnect people who have been separated from each other or are trying to locate loved ones in the uncertainty and disruption that goes along with such devastation.  She has given permission to reprint an excerpt from her journal.  It gives me deep insight into the magnitude of what it takes to recover from a disaster. I hope it is as enlightening for you as it was for me.  Please consider supporting the Red Cross at this link as they help our neighbors in California rebuild their lives.  

From Kathryn Schmidt’s journal:

“The last 3 days I have been at the Red Cross shelter in the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. It’s huge with spacious rooms like a convention hall. So although we’ve housed 500-700 here, it doesn’t feel crowded. It’s also clean and doesn’t smell, which is amazing. I’ve been in lots of shelters that are not so! (The buildings available are not always nice.) The Red Cross runs several other shelters here too, but this is the largest, and there are others run by churches or other organizations.

To set one up, logistics trucks in hundreds of cots & blankets, along with many other supplies. Sheltering teams arrange & man the dorms (sleeping rooms) and feeding teams set up the dining room and serve 3 meals a day. It’s a huge operation and runs pretty smoothly – the RC has done this for a long time!

Other functions are set up as well. For this deployment I’m Reunification, reconnecting people separated by the disaster. With mass evacuations it’s understandable, even when many have phones but others don’t.

So we have a table near the entrance where people come up and tell us who they are looking for. We take down their name & info and that of the sought person. Our first check is if they are in one of our shelters, and sometimes the connection can be made right then! A hug & happy reunion! If not, we will start sleuthing to find that person, ask them if they want to be connected with the seeker, and if so put them in contact. I had a few connections already bc the sought person was in our shelter. Those moments can be the best therapy for someone who’s hurting!!!

We have a lot of older people & with that a lot of walkers & wheelchairs. We also have a lot of families with kids. They are mostly together in one dorm room, with books & toys at a table, but also a bigger play area in the dining room (lots of space for each). We also have a lot of dogs (1 cat) – people don’t want to be separated from their pets. They have to be well-behaved (they are!) & under control, and are together in one room too. Lots of different needs, including special needs but again with planning, everyone is accommodated.

People have been moving out already (1 week?) which is the goal, some to a new rental place, some back home if it wasn’t destroyed, some to a friend/family, some to an Airbnb etc. But many of the people are from Altadena which was burned to the ground, many low income so less choice, and will be in the shelter for quite a while. They have mostly maintained calm, tolerance, and patience, even smiles & good humor, but some are losing that as days go by and sadness, anger, & uncertainty set in. Please pray for our clients, and for those who interact with them to meet them with kindness & grace. ”

Thankful for Bethlehem’s kindness and grace,

Heidi

January 18, 2025 – Healing Through Restorative Art

It has been a rough start to the new year.  January is half over, and there has already been great loss. So many in our Bethlehem community have lost loved ones recently or are struggling with difficult situations.  I just had a call with a close friend who lost her sister this month suddenly and unexpectedly. Many of us are also experiencing changes in health and continue to deal with past grief.  How do we move forward? One method of healing and taking care of ourselves is through restorative art.

Did you know that Bethlehem has a Care Ministry team that provides presentations to help us deal with grief and change and mental wellness?  Our team collaborates with our close friends at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community right down the street from our Minneapolis campus, and we put on fabulous sessions called Take Time for Mental Health.  This month’s presentation is open to ALL and is not to be missed!  The topic is Restorative Art, presented by Jesse Fraser. Jesse is leading a hands-on Healing Through Art session that promises to give us one more tool for healing.  Restorative Art is used to help us develop our creative skills to heal ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally.

To learn more about this opportunity and to register, click HERE.  The meeting will be held at St. Joan of Arc on Tuesday, January 21st. It begins at 6:00 pm with a light supper provided. The program begins at 6:30 pm and ends at 8:00 pm. This event is free to attend, although a free-will offering will be accepted for supper. Please register in advance so we can plan for food and art supplies.

And remember that it is okay to reach out to a friend or family member or contact a staff member here at Bethlehem if you need to talk.  We can support you and help you find resources as needed.

Excited to try my hand at art on the 21st!

Heidi

January 11, 2025 – Embrace & Radiate

Choosing “Star Words” for Epiphany has become a tradition at Bethlehem.  Star Word cards are  placed along window sills or on a table leaving the sanctuary, and people are encouraged to randomly pick a word to contemplate for the year.  This past Sunday in Minnetonka I grabbed TWO cards.  There they lay on a window sill under a beautiful stained glass window, both jumping out at me, crying out “Pick me! Pick me!”  I couldn’t leave either one out, so I grabbed them both. There were plenty of words to go around, so I was certain I wasn’t depriving anyone of a card.

I am already internalizing my words.  They are speaking loudly to me. I have seriously contemplated how to weave these Star Words into the fabric of my world, and they are inspiring me.  

If you don’t have a Star Word of your own, there are more at both campuses to ask for, or I would love to have you share mine and make them your own.  My words are Embrace and Radiate. How perfect!  How can I embrace all that is good in my life and be grateful for it?  My people, my health, my faith…each day I have so much to be thankful for.  How do I embrace the people who are so cherished by me and let them know how much they mean to me? How do I radiate the love I have for them?  Phone calls, text messages checking in, meals shared, planning outings together, cards in the mail, a listening ear when needed…such simple acts of acknowledgement that someone has a place in my heart!  

I think about my values and goals as well when I ponder my Star Words.  How do I embrace my drive to get enough exercise and make healthy lifestyle choices?  As much as I wanted to hibernate in my house this week, I embraced the opportunity one of my best friends offered when she asked if I wanted to walk at our local shopping center.  My head said “NO!” but I made my mouth say “Yes”, even though defaulting to my couch with a blanket was what my heart was yearning for.  We put in three miles that evening!  I felt great!  And then the next night my dear husband and I hit the halls of the mall again to embrace our common goal of healthy habits. I trust eventually my improved health will radiate from my entire being.

This has been a difficult season for this congregation.  We have experienced multiple losses and deep grief in a short period of time. Many of us have experienced difficulties of our own that are not known outside of our own circle or our own being. Loss and grief and depression and hurt stay by our sides indefinitely. How do we embrace those around us who are experiencing these things?  How do we radiate our love and compassion and care into their worlds?  

There have been multiple tragedies in our world and our community recently.  How do we embrace those who have lost everything to fire in encampments? Or wildfires burning out of control?  Or innocent people starving because relief efforts are cut off from them?

Think deeply about what your passions are, and who needs you to embrace them right now. Do you have a favorite non-profit organization or local food shelf that you can support financially? If nothing pops into mind immediately, remember that the ELCA has local and worldwide efforts that need support.  Check out what they have to offer for US Wildfire relief HERE.  And keep in mind that  Bethlehem supports those in need in our own neighborhoods through our Starfish Ministry. Consider supporting them as they do remarkable work connecting our neighbors to the resources they need. 

For those in our own circles who need support, remember that a listening ear and the message that you are there for them if they need you is the greatest gift in times of grief and loss. Let them lead the conversation without prying for details.  Remember that they need to hear they are loved and seen, but expectations of sharing their experiences are exhausting and depleting.  If they want to share, they will share. They need unconditional love without expectations. Ask what you can do for them, and tell them how much you care about them.  If they want to go deeper, let them initiate that conversation.

Who can you radiate for this season? Who needs to be embraced by you?  And what parts of your life do you want to embrace and expand on this new year? The possibilities are limitless. 

Touching lives and changing the world together,

Heidi

January 4, 2025 – Upcoming Events

Happy New Year!  I am writing to you from Arizona this week. What a gift to be able to visit my family over the New Year holiday and enjoy the warmth and sunshine. Because I am on vacation, I am simply listing some of the upcoming Care Ministry events.  While you are checking them out, take a peek at ALL of the events Bethlehem has to offer!  You are sure to find something that appeals to you and gives you an opportunity for community and inclusion. 

SALT is hosting a mini-retreat during the season of Epiphany on January 6th to deepen our relationship with the Spirit of God through meditation and spiritual renewal. Led by Nicholas Tangen from the Minneapolis Synod and Lutheran Benedictine Oblate at St. John’s Abbey, the event will take place at the Minneapolis campus in Minneapolis, with a catered lunch provided. YOU CAN REGISTER HERE. 

Take Time for Mental Health is a monthly series that aims to increase awareness and reduce the stigma of mental illness. It is hosted by collaborating congregations Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities and St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community, 

This month the topic will be Healing Through Art. The session will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community.  The topic is Restorative Art and the speaker is Jesse Fraser. Restorative Art is one tool used to help us develop our creative skills to heal ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally. YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE HERE.

Meetings begin at 6:00 pm with a light supper provided. 6:30 pm The program begins at
6:30 p.m. and ends at 8:00 pm. This event is free to attend, although a free-will offering will be accepted for supper. Please register in advance.

And remember, if you happen to be at the Minnetonka campus on January 5, join me at 10:45 to get some steps in as we share a devotion and walk the halls of the church.  If you’re at the Minneapolis campus, find a friend and walk those halls for a few minutes.  What a great way to start the day!

May this new year bring you blessing and peace,

Heidi

December 29, 2024 – Grace In the New Year

Here we go, into the New Year. Can you believe it?  I hope everyone found some joy and peace this Christmas season. As we turn the corner into 2025, I encourage you to be filled with grace for yourselves. I am a big believer in setting reasonable general goals versus high achieving resolutions for each new year, so I am reminding myself to be gentle with myself and I wish the same for you.  As I review 2024, I think about the areas I grew in and the lessons I learned about myself: I am pleased with some of the results of my health goals.  I made greater efforts to consciously reach out to some of the people in my life. I’ve been more intentional in my quest to clean out the clutter in my home.  I like the areas I’ve grown in, and I think I will simply continue to work on those same general areas instead of adding lofty goals to my list. 

I hope that you will also be gentle with yourselves.  Maybe finding grace for ourselves IS our New Year’s resolution this year! What a lovely way to spend the coming year.

Happy, grace filled New Year to all!

Heidi

December 21, 2024 – 10,000 Steps – Or Not?

My generous hearted family gave me an Apple watch for my birthday two years ago.  I was super excited about it, but the technology stopped me in my tracks.  I wasn’t sure how to set it up.  I didn’t want it buzzing or beeping in public. I set it aside after attempting to get it connected to my phone, and have been looking at it longingly on my dresser for those two years until my darling daughter came home in November and I pleaded with her to please help me get it working.  I am now the semi-obsessed wearer of my watch! 

Trust me when I tell you that I am not technically minded. I don’t love gadgets. At all. The main reason I was interested in this Apple watch was to track my health habits, especially the steps I’m taking each day.  I admit I was not surprised when I realized I was not getting anywhere near the recommended “10,000 steps for health” I was supposed to be walking every day. I started parking even further out in parking lots and walking while waiting for appointments or at the airport even more.  When we traveled to Colorado we stopped every 2-3 hours and took brisk walks at rest stops and gas stations.  I even plugged our forgotten treadmill back in and hopped on it to get more steps in my day. But I wasn’t even getting close to that magic number of 10,000 steps, even though some days I don’t feel like I stop moving. 

I was feeling convicted and a little discouraged by that watch, even though I know I’m wearing it to motivate me, not to make me feel guilty. Then I read THIS ARTICLE from Mayo Clinic and felt so much better!  It is, of course, very practical, and reminds us that we can’t just jump from the average American norm of 3000-4000 steps a day to 10,000 steps overnight. We have to gradually grow into 10,000 steps a day and set reasonable goals for ourselves.  I was actually proud of myself that I was hitting the 3000-4000 step mark and more on a normal day, which equates to 1.5-2 miles.  Good for me! 

In our quest for health, getting more steps in our days is one of those things we can do without belonging to a health club or a group. Releasing ourselves from unreachable goals allows us to reach doable goals of simply increasing the movement we get each day with the idea of adding a little movement here or there.  READ THIS ARTICLE from Mayo and pat yourself on the back for giving some of their suggestions a try.  And if you happen to be at the Minnetonka campus on Sunday, January 5, join me after church for a few minutes to walk the halls and get a few more of those healthy steps in your day before you head home.  Minnetonka will be hosting Care Ministry Moments on most first and third Sundays of each month, with some of them focusing on movement, and January 5 is the first Moment.  If you happen to be at the Minneapolis campus that day, grab a friend and walk those long halls and chat for 10 minutes before or after you grab coffee and socialize. What a great way to start your day!

Moving towards health in the new year and remembering that “motion is lotion”,

Heidi     

December 14, 2024 – Simplifying the Holidays

This past week we held our monthly Mental Health Connect ambassador meeting.  Every month we have amazing speakers who expand our knowledge about mental health and inspire us to continue the good work of destigmatizing mental illness. (You are all invited!) This month, however, we had a lovely social gathering with delicious treats shared by all along with time to share our own personal tips on how we decrease stress during the holidays.  It was uplifting and a reminder to center our own family holidays around quality time together and decrease our focus on the busy-ness of trying to create the “perfect” holiday.

You may ask just what tips were shared, so I will gladly pass them on to you. Some may be things you already strive for or implement in your own Christmas plans, and I applaud you.  These are all great ways to practice good self-care.  If the holidays seem overwhelming or stress filled, consider adopting one or two of these great practices.

First and foremost, if your holiday gathering is simply getting to be too much, give yourself permission to remove yourself and go for a quick walk outside.  If people criticize or tease you, simply respond with a cheerful “I’ll be right back!  I just need a minute for myself.”  No apologies, no explanation needed!

Other great ideas included decreasing or eliminating gifts.  One family stopped doing gift exchanges all together between adult siblings and now they focus on just being together.  I know my family of six siblings as well as my hubby’s sister and husband all gave up gift exchanges with each other many years ago as well.  It not only decreases our stress level, but helps our finances in a big way.

Another family each brings up to a set amount’s worth of wrapped gifts per person and then they play the dice game.  We also implemented this for years when the cousins were all able to get home for Christmas and it was a blast. We set a $5.oo limit per person and everyone ended up with some unique and unforgettable gifts, plus it was a fun family activity that all ages enjoyed. And another large family drew numbers for white elephant gifts. What a fun way to spend the year finding that perfect white elephant gift, and it is an activity that brings so much laughter!

Many people said that they gave themselves permission to decorate less.  No need to go over the top decorating if you’re not up for it, and then putting everything away is not a dreaded activity.  Others said they no longer had huge Christmas dinners but instead had everyone bring appetizers.  Much less work for the host, and everyone pitches in and helps. One family sometimes has frozen pizza! Another shared that he considers the earth as he wraps his gifts and uses paper bags he decorates instead of buying wrapping paper.  

One ambassador who lives alone talked about how a family “kidnapped” her after church last year and included her, along with giving her her own Christmas stocking, in their Christmas celebration.  Is there anyone you can create Christmas for this year? Even if they don’t spend the day with you, is there a way to surprise someone with a Christmas treat or coffee and rolls in the morning or a little token of a gift?  It can multiply your joy and help you capture the true meaning of the holiday. 

I shared that when my parents began heading south during Dad’s winter break from his job as a high school counselor I thought my life would never be the same.  We had to celebrate Christmas on a day before they left for two weeks. Then we discovered the beauty of celebrating on a day other than Christmas.  They were some of our best holidays ever since everyone could be there without rushing off to another family gathering, and we could relax and enjoy the whole day together. 

I also love leaving our lit tree up for weeks if not months after Christmas. (Yes, it’s a fake tree.) I may take the ornaments off, but the light boosts my spirits on the dark days of winter and creates an atmosphere of calm for me. 

What can you do to help manage this busy time of year?  I love focusing more and more on our time together as a family and less on gifts. I think overfilling stockings for the kids used to be a way for me to overcome a feeling of scarcity when we were much younger and broke, but my family has helped me to separate a full stocking and a tree packed full of presents underneath it from how much I love them.  I’m blessed that our kids are not materialistic, and that they encourage us to limit the gifts we give them.  It helps me to remember that it isn’t about how full the stockings are on Christmas morning.  It’s about being present and joy filled with the ones we love.

May you find ways to decrease your stress this Christmas season.  And remember to give the lovely Longest Night service a try on Thursday the 19th at 7:00 at both campuses. The new liturgy co-written by Pastor Meta is remarkable and moving.  The service promises to be balm to your soul.

With the joy of Christmas,

Heidi

December 7, 2024 – Holiday Stress

Wow. Am I ever feeling the stress of the holidays this week!  By the time you read this, I will be in the mountains of Colorado participating as an activity leader for an Advent retreat at our beloved camp and my stress level will be temporarily decreased, but is anyone else feeling the pressure of “getting it all done” like I am?  My body is tensing up. Work deadlines, holiday shopping, decorating, travel, annual gatherings, holiday plans up in the air… there’s just so much going on. 

It is a balancing act to fit it all in and figure it all out with a smile on your face, and these things don’t even take into consideration grief, illness, moving, or other big life changes or disappointments or unexpected shifts in our expectations. 

Please know that we see you. Your Bethlehem family is here for you.  Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need us. And consider joining us for the lovely, contemplative Longest Night service on December 19 at both campuses and livestreamed. Come sit in the sanctuary and just be. Allow room for grief and stress and all of the hard things to be recognized.  I have to admit  that this is my favorite service of the entire year. 

If you need other ideas to get through the holidays, check out these Holiday Wellness Tips brought to you by Mental Health Connect.You’ll find everything from tips if you’re not in the holiday spirit, to ways to handle stress, to craft ideas to lift your spirits, to resources if you want more help for dealing with life situations.

Through it all, remember that each one of us is a beloved child of God.  We are part of a community that is here to lift each other up.  Please contact us here if you need us. 

With hope in God’s abundant peace,

Heidi 

November 20, 2024 – There’s an APP for That!

What a delightful week this has been!  Our beloved daughter Mari was home for a visit and we all just got to hang out together with no agenda or big plans. We spent so much family time chatting, playing with the Little Girls, and eating delicious meals almost every single night lovingly prepared by our amazing daughter-in-law and son.  What a gift!

Although Mari headed back home to Colorado for Thanksgiving, she did accompany me on a grocery shopping trip to get last minute goods for our Thanksgiving gathering, and boy did we have fun! Now, our idea of fun may differ from others, but the rare every day time together was priceless. What elevated the fun was that I introduced her to a new app that someone had shared with me, and it has changed the world of nutrition for us!  We spent a good chunk of time going up and down aisles and scanning items we use a lot and we had some eye opening moments about pickles, hot sauce and peanut butter amongst a zillion other everyday items. And bonus:  if the item you’ve scanned is a less than ideal choice, Yuka offers healthier alternatives. You don’t have to search for them yourself! OR – it tells you how great a choice the food item is.  I admit it gives me a rush of positive endorphins when I see that one of my food choices is EXCELLENT! 

While I don’t worry too much about the perils of my Thanksgiving day feasting, I have started to be much more aware of what exactly is in the foods we buy and use on a daily basis. If you haven’t heard of Yuka – The Mobile App That Scans Your Products, you are going to want to download it onto your phone today!  I promise you, this app will change your life if you are trying to avoid dangerous additives or too much sodium or bad fats along with many other things in your food.  I glaze over and grow weary of trying to keep track of what is hidden in my food under different names and healthy sounding alternate names as I read content lists on packages. This app does it for you! You open Yuka, scan the barcode on your item, and immediately up pops an easy to read and, more importantly, easy to understand analysis of the food item. There are even options for scanning cosmetic items for carcinogens and other not-so-great-for-you substances. And yes, Mari and I had our form of fun scanning away in the grocery store on Tuesday! While I downloaded the free app, check out the web site above for more information and additional options available. Not only will you be impressed by their statements of unbiased input, you will love reading about the team who makes up Yuka.  They are inspiring. (Make sure you read the Independence heading. It tells you just how unbiased they are. And there are beautiful recipes under the Blog heading. Try one and report back to me!) 

My wish for you this holiday season is a home full of joy and good food and special moments with the people you love.  My wish for each of us every day is an easier way to make healthy choices and nourish our bodies.  So I share Yuka with you.  You’re going to love it!

Making easy changes towards health with my Yuka app,

Heidi

November 23, 2024 – How Gratitude Changed My Life

Oh, so many years ago, when I was a young mom with two adorable, loveable kids and the wife of a wonderful, dedicated husband, my life was still overwhelming me.  Even though these were the things my dreams were made of, I was not only overwhelmed, but was also unhappy and bedraggled. Life was just not the blissful sunshine filled oasis I had always dreamed it would be.  

Then one day I had coffee with a college friend whose advice changed my life.  Please believe me when I tell you that it CHANGED my life! The insight she gave me was so very simple yet required the commitment to applying it to MY life every day.  30 plus years later I am filled with deep relief – and a little bit of pride in the exhausted young mom that I was – that I DID apply it, and to this day it continues to be the foundation I try to live by.

As we chatted that day, I poured my despair and discontent out to my friend.  She then told me this story:  

In the early years of her marriage, she and her husband drifted apart.  Not only did they drift apart, but she just did not like who he had become.  She was miserable and did not see how they could make it.  She was desperate. So she started walking and praying.  Every day while she walked and prayed, she began thanking God for one thing…ONE THING… that she was grateful for about her husband.  She told me that it was hard, but she found her one thing:  he was a hard worker. Every single day she walked and prayed and thanked God for what a hard worker and provider her husband was.  Soon she found other things that she was thankful for, and long story short – it changed their marriage.  They are still happily married with two beautiful daughters.  Her prayers didn’t change the situation at all, but they changed her heart and how she handled it.  She was able to find GOOD in him and to be less critical of him and communicate with him, and they eventually found their way forward together.  

Please note that my friend was not in an abusive relationship or one with irreconcilable differences, and she and her husband both worked to make change happen. This story had a positive outcome, and is used for illustration purposes only. She shared her experience to give me a new way of approaching my own situation. Even though I had always thought of myself as a positive person, I applied this technique of expressing gratitude to my life.  In the depths of my discontent, I found one thing every day that I was grateful for. It changed my life. I started finding the positives in my situation instead of focusing on what made me so unhappy. I had a new perspective and a new tool to use to find the positive in my life. It has been truly transformative. 

Gratitude can change your life!  There is actually scientific proof that living with gratitude has amazing benefits.  Check out this article from Psychology Today that points to the benefits of gratitude like better sleep, improved mental and physical health, and more.  

This article from Mayo Clinic also discusses how expressing gratitude can improve your mental and physical health.  It talks about how gratitude should be expressed daily, and how it can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and the risk of disease.  As it says, people would take a pill with these benefits every day if they could!  It also reminds us that behavior can change biology.  What a breakthrough!  Gratitude and positive gestures release oxytocin in our brains, which leads to a sense of well-being.  And bonus – anyone can practice gratitude!  A wonderful book about the positive changes you can make in your brain with practice is Henry Emmons’ “The Chemistry of Joy”.  It’s definitely worth the read!

Mayo Clinic offers a program called Discover Gratitude. The virtual month-long program consists of daily journaling about thankfulness, mindfulness and kindness on journal sheets. Acknowledging gratitude and being mindful support a positive shift to improve your mental well-being and health.  Consider this option.  I know I will!  I know first hand the major impact a life of gratitude has made for me, and for that I am eternally thankful.

Even easier: simply begin each day by finding three things you are thankful for.  Look in a mirror and smile at yourself as you say what you are grateful for. The action of smiling releases beneficial hormones! Repeat throughout the day and again each day after that. I pray it has the same impact for you that it had for me. 

With a grateful heart,

Heidi

November 16, 2024 – Christ Really is King

Last Sunday was balm to my soul. Pastor Meta spoke a bit about the Feast of Christ the King, and how Pope Pius XI instituted this Feast in 1925 (not so long ago!) in response to growing secularism and secular ultra-nationalism.  It was a wonderful reminder to me that Christ is indeed King over ALL that our world is experiencing right now, regardless of who we voted for this month, and in spite of our limited vision of who is in charge. I was able to take a deep breath and be grateful that I have a direct line – as each and every one of us do – to the One who is really in charge of it all.  We can lay our fear and joy and anxiety and relief and anger and calm or whatever the emotion of the day is at Christ’s feet and know that we are heard.  

I have also given a lot of thought to what I can physically do to make a difference in this world in the here and now.  First and foremost, I am going to learn.  I am going to be more attentive to what I can do to cross the divide between myself and those who see the world through a different lens in my city and state and neighborhood.  How timely that Bethlehem has a great opportunity this week for us to learn about building bridges across the “differences that make a difference”!  Joe Davis and David Scherer will join us again to speak about how to bridge the gap in our communities. This is the third in a series sponsored by BOTH the Children, Youth, and Family Team AND SALT. In other words, this message is for ALL generations!  I missed the first two evenings with this dynamic duo, but I will be attending the third evening on Wednesday, November 20 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  Dinner will be served at 6:00 and the program will begin at 6:30.  You can register and find more information HERE. (Please register for food planning purposes.)

This has also been a time of deep introspection for me.  HOW do I move forward in a time when I am tired and burned out?  How do I care for others when I feel like I need to just take care of myself?  Give this week’s Take Time for Mental Health Series: Moving from Self Care to Compassion on Tuesday a try. The presenter will be Michael Rios-Keating, the Director of Culture and Belonging, Catholic Charities, Twin Cities Minneapolis.  He will address how we balance compassion for our neighbors with our own needs and limits.  Another timely program, it will explore sustainable approaches to ministries within vulnerable communities, and will discuss strategies for sustainable interpersonal care amidst a culture of burnout.  You will have an opportunity to reflect on ways you can evaluate your own mental, physical and spiritual health while helping others. This month’s meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 19 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at our partner community, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community.  Check out the link above for more information.  

And finally, remember that we have great resources at our fingertips if you’re feeling stressed or anxious about the recent election or for any reason. The Navigators at Mental Health Connect are skilled listeners, and will gladly help if you need some resources to help point the way to calm and well-being.  You can call, text or email them and they will respond within 24 hours.  Remember that the Navigation line is a warm-line, so if you feel that you or a loved one needs immediate help, dial 9-8-8 for instant, emergency help.  The Navigation line really is for you, and the Navigators are passionate about helping!

Last but not least, breath.  Take deep breaths and think about the things you are thankful for.  It may not change a situation, but it can soften our souls, refocus our minds and decrease our stress.  

With deep gratitude for each of you, and that Christ is King,

Heidi

November 9, 2024 – The Known and Unknown

As I write this message, the results of the election are unknown.  I intentionally have avoided watching the news all day because the stress of focusing on the unknown all day is unhealthy for me. By the time you read this, we will hopefully know who our next president will be. There will be happy and unhappy people regardless of the outcome. The only thing we can know for certain is that our God is leading us through this time of uncertainty. 

Pastor Enstad shared this prayer at our staff meeting this week that Carrie, his lovely wife, has posted in their home as a reminder every day and I wanted to share it with you:

O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

What a great reminder for us that we do not know the future, but we can go out with courage every day knowing that God is leading and supporting us.  Such wonderful, calming reassurance on a path untrodden these days. 

In contrast, Bethlehem has many known events occurring in the midst of the tumult.  Regardless of the election outcome, our faith community will continue sharing the Good News and living into God’s promises. We will continue to love each other and provide meaningful programs to help us live richer, fuller lives. Some events are social, creating a sense of belonging and community for us, while some approach serious topics that serve to support and inform.

A couple of events I’d like to highlight fall into one or the other of these categories:

SALT (Seniors Active in Life Together) has received a personal invitation to explore the Bible and the art collections at St. John’s Library on Thursday, November 14 from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. They will join the monks for the Liturgy of the Hours in the Abbey Church, tour the beautifully designed chapel, and share a meal. Pre-registration is required. Sign up today at this link.  Transportation will be provided, with a bus stopping at both the Minneapolis and the Minnetonka campuses.  If the cost is a barrier, please contact Diane Waarvik at [email protected].  What an opportunity to experience the beautiful history of the St. John’s Library art collection!

The next event has a much different tone, but is of great importance. You are invited to join us to learn more about suicide.  The statistics about suicide in Minnesota are grim, and national statistics remind us that suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States! Being informed could save a life.

*In 2022, 260 Minnesotans died from suicide, the highest number ever.

*At the time of the DHS study, it was predicted 815 Minnesotans would die from suicide   in 2023.

*Males consistently have suicide rates 3-4x higher than females.

*In 2023, 95% of individuals who called 988 did not require support from a higher-level of service such as mobile crisis or emergency services.

*Of people who called 988 for support: 15% were 65+ years old, 26% were 45-64 years old, 34% were 25-44 years old, 19% were 16-24 years old, 5% were 15 years or younger.

By becoming informed about tools you can use if you are ever in the position of knowing someone who might be suicidal or know of someone who is in that position, your knowledge could save a life and help someone find the help they need so desperately.

You are invited to Mental Health Connect’s monthly Ambassador Meeting, Suicide Prevention and Safety Planning: A Guide for Family and Friends. The featured speaker is Melissa Conway, LICSW, on Tuesday, November 12 at Bethlehem’s Minneapolis Campus from 7:00-8:00 p.m.  Please feel free to join us for this important conversation!  If you are interested in a zoom option, please contact me at [email protected].  I will gladly share the link with you.  There will also be a moment of grounding prior to the meeting in Bethlehem’s chapel at 6:30 if you would like time for deep breathing and stress release.

I hope and pray that our nation will rise together to face the challenges and celebrate the blessings of our democracy.  And I hope and pray that our Bethlehem community will do the same, and take advantage of the wonderful opportunities we have to grow and come together as we celebrate our unique personalities.  

May God’s peace be with you,

Heidi

November 2, 2024 – Let All That We Do Be Done in Love

It’s no secret that this year’s election has most of us anxious and uncertain. I personally have friends and family who lie far on both sides of the political spectrum, and I honestly fear any conversation that leads to confrontation with them, especially since I am no political expert.  

I have had to make some intentional choices about how I handle myself with them as I value my relationships deeply, and about handling my own anxiety and fears about this season.  

First and foremost, I have found it helpful to simply be confident in my own values and to know  where I stand on issues.  Even if I don’t have statistics and deep historical knowledge, I know beyond the shadow of a doubt what I believe and why. 

I am also pulling together ways to handle my own stress and anxiety. This is a great time to put our coping mechanisms to work.  Is prayer and meditation a powerful tool for you?  Is exercise a great way for you to destress?  Are daily scripture readings and messages from trusted, well informed people calming? Does talking to a trusted friend help? This is the time to call on all of these tools and put them into practice.  Self care is truly important every day so we can live fully in the knowledge that we are each beloved children of God, and God is holding us close regardless of our political standing. 

This Wellness Guide also has resources that can help during this stressful election season as well.  While it was created to help navigate the holidays by Mental Health Connect, it has resources and tips for handling stress and anxiety of any type. Check it out!

And finally, I am also trying to keep faith in our system of checks and balances and leaders who truly want the best for us. I am choosing to not live in fear, but in action. Which of course means I am casting my vote. My voice matters. 

Your voice matters, too. If you need help getting to your polling place, ask a friend or neighbor for help. 

And above all, being kind to others matters. 1 Corinthians reminds us to let all that we do be done in love.  No, “When you feel like it”, or “If that person thinks like you do.” Simply: let all that we do be done in love. What a great reminder in these difficult times. 

With God’s peace, which truly passes all understanding, 

Heidi

October 19, 2024 – What We Leave For Our Loved Ones

I am writing this with six hours to go until Mark and I head out the door to catch a flight to Norway in the morning.  As we have packed and prepared this week to head across the big blue ocean to celebrate a beloved relative’s 85th birthday, I felt an urgency to make sure our kids knew where our important papers and life insurance policies and all of the things someone has to know about lived.  I know we’ve told them where everything is before, but we haven’t handed them any actual paper work.  As much as I believe in end-of-life planning, we haven’t quite gotten all of our own ducks in a row as far as getting info actually into our children’s hands.  

Bless his heart, Mark sat down and typed out a sheet today with information about the whereabouts of our papers and who holds our mortgage and who to contact about our funeral plots and cremation and who holds our life insurance policies.  I’m relieved!  I also made sure to tell them just which items in our house are of particular value and shouldn’t just be thrown or donated.  There aren’t too many of those items, so the conversation was a pretty quick one, but there ARE some hidden treasures to be found!

Of course our beloved family graciously told us they want us to come home in one healthy piece, and that is definitely our plan, but those details are overwhelming to wade through and figure out if you happen to be the person/people left behind when a loved one dies.  Our ultimate goal is to practice some hearty purging of all things unnecessary this winter, but in the meantime I have tasked one of my sisters with helping the kids wade through our stuff if anything happens to us.  

Does this sound familiar?  It happens to all of us!  Stuff builds up over time, we shove boxes into corners when company is coming, and let’s face it:  life is busy!  Raising kids consumes every minute, caring for loved ones is a priority, and managing non-urgent stuff gets put on the back burner. No amount of donating and holding garage sales seems to diminish the piles I tackle.

I keep telling myself that I do NOT want to leave this task to my kids, and Mark and I have made a pact to get through every last item hidden in the corners of our home this winter.  (Feel free to check in with me as the months go on!  It will hold me accountable!)

I keep thinking about the legacy I want to leave my family beyond the lessons I hope I have imparted to them and the example of loving them with every cell in my body that I have tried to set. That legacy includes not adding to the burden of grief if something were to happen to us.  Grief is hard enough in and of itself, so I pray that I can make that time easier on them by dealing with advanced directives and legacy planning and cleaning out my stuff before we say goodbye. 

This legacy of planning is not just for elders.  Every adult has wishes and desires about how they want to spend their last days, and who they want to take care of their final wishes, and what they want done with their possessions, so I encourage anyone over 18 years old to have a plan.  It is the greatest gift you can give your loved ones.  If you are interested in more information about advanced directives or need help knowing where to start in your cleaning-out process, feel free to contact your Care Team.  

Diane Waarvik ([email protected]) and I ([email protected]) are happy to support you.

Here’s to leaving a legacy and cleaning out the basement,

Heidi

October 12, 2024 – My In-box

Our email in-boxes can be overwhelming.  I am signed up for so many notifications so I don’t miss any pertinent information regarding health and wellness and events and even news.  Some days I just delete away after reading the subject lines, but some of the information is worthy of sharing.

Every day, I receive a lovely devotion called God Pause from Luther Seminary written by ELCA pastors.  This week I was touched by the thoughtful inclusion of this devotion related to Indigenous People’s Day.  It gave me reason to pause and think, and it reminded me of the upcoming SALT event: Honoring Indigenous People’s Day being held on October 15 from 10:00-12:30 that I have mentioned recently.  While I will be traveling and sadly unable to attend, I hope that your interest will be sparked to learn more about this day. It is an important call to learn and to honor our Indigenous neighbors. And if the God Pause devotion speaks to you, you are able to sign up to receive their daily devotion as well.

I also found a reminder in my in-box that an Introduction to Tai Chi Chih class began Oct. 10 at Bethlehem and runs for 6 weeks.  This meditative movement class can enhance one’s well-being, health and balance. It can be done standing or seated. Accredited Tai Chi Chih instructor and Bethlehem member Paula Haraldson will be leading the class.  Even if you missed the first class, you can still show up and learn more about this great opportunity to improve your health and mental well-being.   

And speaking of mental well-being, this week has been Mental Illness Awareness Week.  Bethlehem collaborates with St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community every month to present the

Take Time for Mental Health Series. This month’s topic is Healing Religious Trauma, presented by Pastor Siri Strommen at Bethlehem’s Minneapolis campus on October 15. Siri is an engaging presenter… you don’t want to miss her!

I know it’s hard to keep up with everything in our email inboxes, but I hope you’ll take time to check out these great opportunities to learn and enrich and create community together.  It’s one of my favorite things about Bethlehem.

Blessings as we grow and learn,

Heidi

October 5, 2024 – Put It On Your Calendar

Happy Fall!  Just like that, the weather has changed!  Along with this lovely fall weather, regular programming at Bethlehem has begun and the calendar is bursting with wonderful opportunities.  There are two events coming up soon that I’d love to highlight in particular this week that promise to enrich and enlighten your lives.  

The first event is Honoring Indigenous Peoples Day and is happening at the Minneapolis campus on October 15 from 10:00-12:30.   Indigenous Peoples Day is a holiday in the United States that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. 

This program is sponsored by Bethlehem’s SALT (Seniors Active in Life Together) group. 

The speaker, Louise Matson, Director of the Division of Indian Work for the state of Minnesota, will share more about Indigenous Peoples’ Day and about the culture.  Louise is a graduate of St. Olaf and a member of the White Earth Band Of Ojibwe. Lunch will be served following the presentation. You can register HERE for this event.

Also happening on October 15, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Bethlehem’s Minneapolis campus, will be the Take Time for Mental Health Series.The topic will be about Healing Religious Trauma.  Certain beliefs and theologies within religious traditions can lead to mental and spiritual harm. This program is designed to develop an understanding of religious trauma and its causes. It will also explore the various avenues churches and pastors have for establishing safe and nurturing environments so that they can promote and encourage healing and growth within their own settings. The speaker will be Pastor Siri Strommen.

Siri Strommen is a Lutheran (ELCA) pastor, spiritual seeker, author, and singer/songwriter. With 18 years of experience as a pastor, she is also a 200-hour Certified Yoga Teacher, religious trauma-informed, and Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed.

CEUs are available for this program. This meeting is live and in-person only.

And finally, I’d like to mention that I had the privilege of attending the Beacon fundraising lunch this past Monday along with nine other lovely Bethlehem folks.  I was choked up throughout the event, and left beyond thankful that Beacon is one of Bethlehem’s amazing outreach partners.  I always wish I could dedicate more time to volunteering time to this organization, but had a lovely conversation with a dear Bethlehem friend about how thankful we are that we can support Beacon financially or with a donation of household items even if we can’t give time to them right now and that those donations make a HUGE difference in the lives of so many. Check out these beautiful Stories that light the way home in 2024 ✨🏡💙 (youtube.com) that we got to hear on Monday.  They will move your hearts.

Blessings as the seasons march on,

Heidi

September 28, 2024 – Washing Hands, Immunizations and Free Covid Kits

I love fall.  I bask in sunny, crisp days that might require a cozy sweater or sunshine that is just warm enough to keep a person comfortable without one. The beauty of changing leaves and the extra sparkle of sunshine reflecting off of a lake just make me so happy.  I could live in a climate that is the season of fall all year long.  However, I know that winter lies just beyond fall.  While there is beauty in winter, too, I just know that the darker days are harder on me, so I have to take steps to get the light and vitamin D my body needs.  

I was reminded at my doctor’s office this week that winter is not the only thing around the corner. Along with darker, colder days comes more time spent inside with flu bugs and colds and Covid.  I never thought I would be considered an immunocompromised person, but being diagnosed with asthma as an adult has me paying attention to those around us who are compromised in a heightened way as a member of that group myself and as a health care provider. As I tested my lung capacity and talked to my doctor and nurse in the clinic, I also received my flu shot.  Yes, indeed, flu season has arrived!  

One of my sister’s also shared with me the creative, kindly put wedding invitation she received recently, requesting that people test for Covid the morning of the wedding and to remember that  multiple members of the couple’s family along with members of the bridal party were immunosuppressed, and to please mask or refrain from attending if you were ill.  It’s a hard ask but necessary in an era when Covid or RSV or the flu could put someone in the hospital or worse.  It was a great reminder that being vaccinated isn’t just to protect ourselves, but to protect those around us whose health may be compromised.  And even easier to do, here is a reminder that washing hands and covering coughs are the first line of defense to keep yourself and others healthy. Washing hands and keeping them away from your face after touching door handles or handrails or any of the multiple surfaces that we touch on a daily basis is a sure way to decrease the chances of getting sick this fall and winter.  

So bask in this beautiful fall sunshine, wash your hands and consider getting your vaccinations updated to keep you and those around you healthier. It’s truly a gift to all. 

And about Covid home tests:

If you are interested in receiving free Covid test kits, you may order them as of the end of the month at www.covidtests.gov.  

If you have expired Covid tests at home, check the expiration date at THIS LINK to the FDA before tossing them.  As more research has been done, some expiration dates have been extended and your kit may still be okay to use. We have three past-expiration-date boxes at home that have extended dates into 2025, so it’s worth checking into!

Washing my hands diligently,

Heidi 

September 21, 2024 – Feed Your Soul

It has been a whirlwind of travel for me lately!  What a gift for me to be able to work remotely and to have the opportunity to take a vacation!  Because I am freshly back from a week away as I write this, I decided to focus this week’s message on more wonderful events happening right here at Bethlehem that can feed your souls and provide fellowship.  

The first opportunities are music related.  Music is balm for the soul!  It brings healing and joy, and these two I have listed are just the tip of the iceberg of what is coming up at Bethlehem, but they are happening THIS COMING WEEK, so I wanted to make sure you have them on your radar so you can participate in one or both of them.

First up is the chance to join SALT (Seniors Active in Life Together) for a FREE concert hosted at the Minnetonka campus on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

We are privileged to enjoy a fall evening with the Minneapolis Synod Senior Band .  There are 70 members in this band, and they are good! What a great way to spend an evening with a variety of music chosen to make for a fun night. No member of this band is paid a salary. They play music for the joy of the music and the fun of being together. Donna Roe, one of our own members, has been a member of this band and will introduce them. A free will offering will be taken. Bring your friends!  

This concert is open to ALL ages. And if you are a musician, you can talk with them about joining this fun group yourself. No registration required.  They will be performing at the Minnetonka campus from 7:00-8:00 p.m. 

Your next opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the launch of a beautiful new liturgy. Your hosts Carol Meier (composer) and our own Meta Herrick Carlson (liturgist) know the only way new worship music finds its audience is by inviting people together and singing it. Come and be fed by good food, fellowship and brand new liturgies inspired by our spiritual geography. And bring your friends who love to sing! Cost is $20/person. Please register in advance here to attend The Prairie Liturgies: A Worship and Music Event – Bethlehem Church.  Come feed your souls!

And Veterans of Bethlehem, the Veterans Small Group is back for 2024 – 2025.  This time around, the discussion will start with: “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien. Veterans from all branches of the service are welcome. We have had participants from all time periods, too, representing conflicts from Korea to Afghanistan (and everything in between). Come enjoy the company of fellow vets while we alternate weeks of discussion, our reading and on the unique lens we veterans bring to our Lutheran faith. This group meets on September 26 from 1:00-2:00 at the Minnetonka Campus.  Come spend time with others who have shared experience with you.

Remember to check out all of the remarkable offerings on Bethlehem’s web site. Looking for Bible study to feed your soul? Music to enrich your life? Opportunities for fellowship?  You’ll find it here!

Blessings on your busy lives as you find what speaks to your needs,

Heidi

September 14, 2024 – So Many Opportunities

There are so many ways to make a difference in this world!  Being kind, listening to others when they just need someone to listen to them, being proactive and offering to help someone in a time of need, donating to a food shelf: the list is endless. And sometimes there are ways to collaborate with others to support a cause and really impact change:  join a walk to raise funds for research, attend an event that promotes a cause, and taking care of your own self so you stay healthy and present.

This week I’m simply going to list several opportunities available to our Bethlehem community.  It is by no means exhaustive, so remember to check out Bethlehem’s own web page at this link to find out about even more opportunities to enrich your own life and the opportunities to enhance others.  

Then consider attending or supporting one of the following coming events – get registered and put those that interest you on your calendar now:

September 17 – Take Time for Mental Health: Using the Wellness Wheel to Improve Your Well-Being – Bethlehem Church (bethlehem-church.org)  You’ll be amazed at the resources available for your own mental wellbeing at this presentation by All Saints’ Lutheran Church at St. Joan of Arc in Minneapolis.  This is presented by Bethelehem and St. Joan of Arc’s Take Time for Mental Health collaboration.

September 21 – 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s | Alzheimer’s Association |  One of many walks to support a cause available in the Twin Cities.  Have your own favorite cause?  Google the cause to find out when or how they hold events to raise funds for research.

September 24 – Come enjoy fellowship and refresh your soul at the SALT event being hosted at the Minnetonka campus.  You won’t be disappointed by the Minneapolis Synod Senior Band – Bethlehem Church (bethlehem-church.org).

September 28 – NAMI Walk 2024 — Mental Health Connect (mhconnect.org) Grab a friend and join our own collaborative to support mental health as our members walk together to raise awareness for mental health, or if you would like to form your own group check out information at the NAMIWalks link.

Remember that these are only a few of the upcoming events connected to your Care Ministries at Bethlehem.  Bethlehem’s web site is full of opportunities for growth and enrichment along with Bible studies and other events that will make a difference for you and those around you. Check it out to see what appeals to you.  I hope you find a way to connect!

Ready for new things,

Heidi

September 7, 2024 – Take Time for Yourself

Dear friends,

I am on vacation this week and will just be sharing a reminder to take time for yourself!  Take a break, drink enough water, get enough sleep, read a good just-for-fun book, and remember that motion is lotion.

I’ll be back next week!

With love from Prince Edward Island,

Heidi

August 31, 2024 – Wellness Wheels and Taking Time for Mental Health

Do you have an affinity for wellness wheels like I do?  If you search for one on line the options are endless!  I recently found an amazing one that I actually know the creators of: our neighbors at All Saints Lutheran Church in Minnetonka!
An incredible amount of work and thoughtfulness by well qualified members was put into this fantastic resource. They are a member of our Mental Health Connect collaborative and recently presented their Wellness Wheel, complete with other fabulous resources, to our ambassadors. It is amazing!!!

Lucky for us, we ALL have the opportunity to catch their presentation again as they share their work.  The Care Ministry Team, in partnership with St. Joan of Arc catholic community, is starting a new ongoing series called Take Time for Mental Health. There will be wonderful presentations each month encouraging self care and attention to personal wellness, including mental health.

The first event is on September 17 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community. And bonus: a light dinner will be included.

Hope to see you all there! All details can be found on our events page.

Tuesday, Sept 17, 6:00-8:00 pm
at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community

Meetings begin at 6:00 pm with a light supper provided. 6:30 pm program begins and ends at 8:00 pm. This event is free to attend, a free-will offering will be accepted for supper. Please register in advance.

Here’s to your health,

Heidi

August 24, 2023 – Acts of Kindness

Every summer for the past 14 years we have headed out to Colorado to be an activity station at camp.  Yes, I am known there as The Jewelry Lady. After 53 years of making jewelry for our family’s booths at the State Fair, the Renaissance, and a multitude of other community fairs, I am pretty good at turning a pair of earrings or stringing a bracelet or two!  This summer we spent three separate weeks at camp teaching family campers how to make jewelry. I learned early on that it is more than just a crafting station.  The relationships that are built while sitting together and the self-confidence that is built in individuals as they learn new skills has blossomed into a ministry.  

My wonderful husband is my rock at camp, helping me set up an extensive jewelry station every day in the outdoor pavilion and then tearing it down again to prepare for the evening activities in that space. One day during the third week we were there we encountered a downpour rainstorm and Mark couldn’t get back to the outdoor pavilion to help tear down.  I was in a particular hurry to clean up because I had a work meeting that I had to attend.  That week the group who was there was 80 percent Spanish speaking, so we were communicating by gesture and with the help of Google Translate.  As it approached time for clean-up, and as my internal urgency to pack up increased as Mark was stuck in another building, the beautiful group of women making jewelry rose in concert together and packed up that station so I could get to my meeting.  They swooped over to the tables, closed up boxes of beads, packed them in their storage boxes, and helped me get everything ready to load into our vehicle for the night. They somehow picked up on the fact that I needed help and they were right there to serve.  Many hugs of gratitude were shared and it made my day! AND I made it to my zoom meeting almost on time!

When we returned home, my beloved Dad shared an experience he had had.  Once a month he gathers with other retired educators from Wayzata for breakfast.  This particular day there were six or eight men gathered, all in their 80’s and 90’s.  When it came time to pay the bill, their server informed them that an anonymous customer had picked up the tab for them.  What a generous gift!  A random stranger honoring these elders! My heart overflowed with gratitude that someone respected and acknowledged these men. Needless to say, Dad was deeply touched by this kindness as well.

Random acts of kindness.  The phrase has been used and written about endlessly in this time in history.  It has become a catchphrase that may have lost some of its sparkle and depth, but when you are the recipient of one of these acts, it touches you to the core and glows in your heart over its memory. What a simple way to have an impact in this world!  My experience reminded me that it truly is the small things that can lift someone up and change their day. 

I love to think we are all Kindness Fairies, being the hands and feet of Jesus as we travel through our days, paying attention to those around us and picking up on little needs they may have.  Arms full of groceries need doors opened.  Young parents on planes may need a helping hand getting carry-ons into an overhead bin. A teacher may need supplies for their classroom.  There is an abundance of little needs out there just waiting to be met.  May we all be on the alert to see what we can do to make a difference.

With deep gratitude for my kindness fairies,

Heidi

Touch a life, change the world.

August 17, 2024 – Back to School

Remember the lazy hazy days of summer? When I was growing up the summer days stretched endlessly and joyfully.  I loved summer break, but as it wound to an end I absolutely LOVED going back to school.  School was my happy place.  It was my social life, and I simply loved my teachers and learning.  I thrived there.

It wasn’t until I was much older that I realized this was not the case for everyone.  I gradually grew more aware that my feelings about school were not necessarily the norm.  Kids have different learning styles and different home situations.  Some deal with depression, some with anxiety, some with hunger, fatigue, bullying and a myriad of other influences that make school a challenge.  It isn’t a haven for every child like it was for me.  

We have a great opportunity to make a difference in the life of children.  Knowing resources and tapping into them is vital.  School counselors and social workers have amazing resources to help a child who needs support. My beloved daughter teaches 5th grade math in Denver.  Just last weekend I had the joy of helping her with final projects to get her classroom ready for the kids, who started school on Monday.  She was singing the praises of her elementary school’s social worker.  She was explaining the color coded emotions chart to me and telling me how effective it was for helping kids express how they are feeling, and how the social worker makes such a huge difference for kids. They have so many tools and methods of helping children! Support staff at every level of school are there to help and to answer questions when parents simply don’t know where to turn if their child is struggling.  How I wish I had been aware when my kids were in school that those counselors were a resource for US when dealing with anxiety and stress!  

If more support is needed, school counselors and social workers can point parents to appropriate resources.  And of course, never hesitate to contact Bethlehem’s own Mental Health Connect navigators when you need help finding resources.  They will work with you to find the help your child needs.

So please never feel alone.  Turn to the school staff who are there to support you.  If you aren’t getting the support you need there, your Care Team is happy to work with you as well, and Mental Health Connect is always a great resource.  They are there for you and your child, not just everyone else.

With hope for a positive back-to-school experience for every family,

Heidi

August 10, 2024 – Speak Your Love

I am in the mountains of Colorado as I write this message. Only four days ago we were at home, attending the funeral of a 39 year old. The pain is palpable. This beautiful soul is now missing from the lives of the many who loved him.

This unspeakable loss reminds me once again of the importance of speaking our love.  Our daily lives are filled with regular routines and the need to get through the tasks that need accomplishing, and it is so easy and normal to be focused solely on what we need to do each day, and then a loss like this startles me into deeply pondering what is most important in life and reminds me how urgent it is to make sure the people you love KNOW that you love them.  I tell my family nearly every time I have contact by phone or text or in person that I love them.  I frequently tell my closest friends “love you” as I sign off from phone calls. I pray that my actions towards them are filled with love.  I know I am not perfect and I can let irritation creep into my voice when I’m frustrated or feeling not listened to, but I am trying to be more aware of my own tone of voice and reactions to people.  I am trying to be more aware of my daily responses to the people I am nearest to. Am I nurturing my people?  Not always, try as I might.  I get caught up in daily life but moments like this wake me up and remind me that we don’t necessarily have unlimited time with our people.  Our words and actions today are irretrievable, and I strive to fill them with kindness and love.  

Lives are altered by loss every day.  Life is hard and sometimes it is difficult to express care in difficult situations.  My simple hope for each of us is that we can pause and be a little more aware of our people and express our love for them, even when it’s hard.

May you feel loved today,

Heidi

August 3, 2024 – Olympic Inspiration

I love the Olympics!  I could watch them all day, every day!  From the magical opening ceremonies, to the breathtaking and nail biting performances by the young athletes of the world, to the fun apps you can use to check out all the latest information AND create photos of yourself in Olympic events, (Paris 2024), I can’t get enough of them!  My fondness for my French heritage has also been reignited once again as I watched the brilliant creativity of the opening ceremonies unfold.  I’m more determined than ever to fulfill my dream of getting to France soon.  

It also helps that I have a die-hard Olympic fan in my amazing daughter-in-law, who has printed  entire schedules of Olympic events for us in the past to ensure that we didn’t miss a single event we wanted to watch.  This past weekend we were in Colorado for a wedding with Andrew and Kirsten, and I gained a little insight into where she developed her passion for The Games.  She and her brother and sister grew up having their own Olympic competitions in their backyard as they embraced their love for the games.  In between wedding events last week I experienced firsthand the siblings (some in USA t-shirts and shorts!) perform kickboxing and gymnastics moves in the backyard and then watched their recreation of Olympic events every day.  Kirsten’s sister and her girlfriend went paddle boarding and snowboarding in the mountains one day (to replicate rowing and skateboarding events), then the whole group of siblings, including our daughter and her boyfriend, recreated water sports in the neighborhood pool before we all departed on our flights back to real life in Minnesota. Their list of “Olympic events” to accomplish every day is impressive and creative and made me want to join in the fun! It took Olympic fever and joy to a whole new level for me! 

As I watched the women’s gymnastics team from home this past week, I actually was inspired to do my OWN Olympic movement activities.  Instead of sitting all morning in our comfy chair, glued to that tv, I walked and marched in place as I watched in order to get some steps in (Track and field!). I hopped in a friend’s pool the day before with my sweet grandbabies and their parents to get some movement in (Swimming!).  I’m working toward getting more movement every day, inspired by these young athletes who dedicate their lives to being in great physical shape and competing at the highest levels.  

So even though I will never achieve athletic greatness, I CAN attain a life of healthy movement.  I hope you will be inspired to join me as we care for our beautiful bodies, athlete or not!

Inspired to move, avec l’amour,

Heidi

July 27, 2024 – Knit One, Purl Two, and Other Gifts of the Spirit

Oh so many years ago one of my creative older sisters gave me a gift that I cherished for years.  I still to this day think about it with great fondness. Mind you, this was back in the 1970’s. I was one of six kids and the youngest of four sisters, and we used what we had to make gifts for each other. Out of an empty plastic one gallon ice cream bucket, my sister Robin created a kit full of crocheting and knitting supplies for my birthday one year.  She took a bright and happy orange calico print and sewed a drawstring cover for the bucket, filled it with yarn and needles, and then patiently and lovingly taught me to knit and crochet.  I spent hours making doll blankets!  How I loved that gift!  I used it for many years, then who knows what life event distracted me and I stopped knitting and crocheting. 

I’ve always regretted that I’ve forgotten that skill, and now I have new motivation to learn again.   I walked into the Minnetonka campus sanctuary before service last Sunday and my breath was taken away at the sight of pews covered with beautiful quilts and prayer shawls so lovingly made with the singular intent of gifting them to people who needed warmth or a reminder wrapped around their shoulders that they are loved by this congregation and by a loving God. 

What a generous labor of love it is by people at both of our campuses quilting beautiful blankets or knitting shawls created while praying over the unknown recipients.  It is most often done at their own expense as there really is no budget for supplies, so these faithful servants gratefully accept donations of materials or purchase them themselves, never complaining but instead dedicating themselves to this ministry with quiet joy.  It touches my heart.  

I used to envision myself making beautiful quilts, or knitting gorgeous sweaters and mittens like our Norwegian relatives make, but these days I instead jokingly say to people, “Oops!  I forgot to quilt!” or “Oops! I forgot to knit!” but now I have entered a new season in life that opens the door to me possibly showing up on quilting days and at least tying quilts, or seeking instruction on how to knit and attempting to practice making a prayer shawl.  I see the difference these gifts of love make in lives as I have people tell me how they wrap themselves up in their prayer shawls received during a difficult time of sickness or grief and how it brings them comfort and reminds them how loved they are. I see the difference made in lives in the piles of quilts donated to ministries that pass them on to those who simply have nothing.  Imagine the difference a cozy, warm quilt makes on a cold Minnesota night!   

Is this a ministry that speaks to you?  Do you envision yourself taking part in this quiet ministry of love?  Our knitters can give you instructions on just how a prayer shawl is made and what materials to use. Our quilters would welcome you on quilting days with open arms.  Or if you just want to support the ministry with supplies or financial support, contact Diane Waarvik ([email protected]) or me, Heidi Peterson ([email protected]) , and we will connect you with leaders of the groups who know what needs they have. 

With thanks and appreciation for these ministries of love in action,

Heidi

July 20, 2024 – 7/24

Anyone else feel like the “lazy hazy days of summer” are not so lazy and hazy anymore?  When did summer become as frantically paced as every other season, like back-to-school, holidays, and just about every other day of the year? No more riding my bike around the neighborhood with my friends or spending the days at the beach with them.  The stress level never goes away as an adult and for many kids. Imagine my joy this week when I found an article on a web site dedicated to the importance of self-care!  I know you hear a lot about this topic from me.  That is because I believe that self-care is essential to good health and it is not necessarily something people spend time on as somehow “self-care” has become associated with selfishness and frivolity.  In reality, self-care keeps us healthy enough to be positive in our own lives and this then carries over into the impact we are able to have on others’. Paying attention to and caring for our bodies, minds and spirits is a win-win practice!

Smack dab in the middle of Busy Summer, July 24 happens to be the date designated as International Self-Care Day.  As the article I read pointed out, the date 7/24 is a subtle reminder of the importance of self-care around the clock for each of us.  There is also a National Self-Care Day in America on April 5, but I happen to love that there are multiple days designated to reminding us of the critical importance of self-care. This article, 12 Ways To Celebrate International Self-Care Day, includes information about the meaningful roots the term “self-care” has in the 1950’s Civil Rights Movement, how to take action in your own life for self-care, and a list of great book recommendations about lovely ways to care for ourselves, from burnout to how to take lasting steps to change the habits that cause you stress to gentle ideas about cleaning your house if you feel overwhelmed (like I do!) trying to keep up with cleaning and organizing your home. There are also recommendations for self-care apps to download, some free, some paid, along with a lot of other great ideas.  

I was also happy to see the article reference one of my favorite sources, Harvard Health, about the importance of gratitude, and to see that they include 33 Ideas for Assembling a DIY Self-Care Kit that you can individualize and have at your fingertips for those days when you need a lift.  

So take a moment to check out this article and contemplate what your own needs are.  And remember, if you feel the need for more support, your Care Team is here to help you find the resources you need.  If you need help finding mental health or grief resources, our Mental Health Connect Navigators can help navigate the mental health system for you. We are all a phone call, an email or a text away.  

With joy,

Heidi

July 13, 2024 – Checking In on Check Ups

One of the great joys of being a “camp family” is the friendships we have formed with people from all around the country.  We spend a concentrated week together in a place where we share faith and life together, then keep in touch by text and calls and facebook and visits if we’re in each other’s home towns.  It’s a joy filled gift we never anticipated the first year we went to this unknown thing called Family Camp. 

This past week, one of our camp friends arrived with the life altering news that she has breast cancer.  She went in for her yearly mammogram just last week, and there it was, a deeply buried 2 centimeter lump that she could never have discovered by touch.  Her world is spinning upside down right now.  

A few years ago, one of my close nursing school friends went in for her regularly scheduled colonoscopy and found out the shocking news that she had colon cancer.  With aggressive surgery, the cancer was removed and her prognosis is good.  

I have to be honest here… I am way behind in some of my “regular” check ups.  I went to schedule an appointment with my dermatologist and couldn’t even find her in my provider list.  In my mind I had just seen her last year, but My Chart is telling me otherwise.  My colonoscopy is overdue by at least a half a year.  And I don’t know how many months it’s been since I received my “friendly reminder” that it was time to schedule my eye exam. By the time you read this, I will finally have had my (almost) yearly mammogram this week. I am not perfect at getting appointments on the calendar but I am striving to get caught up and I know that I WILL get into all of these doctors to be seen.

So I’m checking in with everyone of all ages.  Have you scheduled your annual physicals and regular screening appointments, including well child check ups and preschool screenings for your little ones and physicals for your school aged kids?  For those of us with superstitions that going to the doctor will reveal things that otherwise wouldn’t exist, remember that a screening may save your life.  NOT screening will NOT prevent disease from existing.  And if you are afraid to go in, call in your reinforcements and ask a friend or family member to accompany you.  They will be happy to hold your hand or sit by your side to get you through your appointment.

In the same vein are preschool screenings.  It is one more thing to squeeze into the busy life of a preschooler’s already exhausted family’s schedule, but it can be crucial in discovering developmental delays or health issues at a time when intervention can make a huge difference for a little one.  Do you have a preschooler in your life?  The earlier they are screened by their school district the better.  While it was before the screening age of 3 years old, our son and daughter-in-law were having concerns about the speech development of our sweet younger granddaughter.  She was a little younger than one and a half years old and not verbalizing much. They called in the amazing team from their school district who came out to their home to assess Little One, and they reassured Mommy and Daddy after observation in her home setting that Little One was perfectly on track and doing well.  One year later we can hardly keep that Little One from chatting!  However, if there HAD been a concern the district would have gotten our sweet girl into the services she needed to make sure she was progressing in the right direction with her speech development. The school districts are highly invested in helping get kids on track with the support they need, even before they turn 3, but the only way they can plug a child into resources is if they are seen.  Even if you think your little one is ready for school, hidden issues with development including sight and speech and hearing and so much more can be detected only if they are seen, and the earlier they are seen, the better.  

I am so thankful my friend went in for her mammogram.  Her prognosis is good because she had her yearly screening done.  There is a long road ahead for her, but there is hope and life at the end of that road.  That is my desire for each and every one of us: that we all stay as healthy as possible because we are on top of the medical things we CAN control, including regular screenings.  Please pick up your phone or go online to schedule your appointments today.  

It may save your life!

With care and concern while scheduling my own appointments,

Heidi

July 6, 2024 – Sprinkle Your World with Love

Oh, what a gift relationship is!  I was recently sitting next to my “pseudo” niece at a softball game when she handed me a little tin in the shape of the common black pepper container most of us are familiar with, but instead of “Black Pepper”, the label read “Sprinkle with LOVE”.  A beloved coworker of hers had recently died, and one of the things her children spoke of at her funeral was her little tin of LOVE. When dinner was ready, she would shake her tin over the meal before she served it and everyone knew she had just sprinkled their meal with love.  When the kids’ friends would come over and ask what their mom was doing, the kids would simply reply, “Oh, she’s sprinkling our food with love.”  What a beautiful gesture!  So when the staff at church found out about this, they had “Sprinkle With Love” tins made for everyone who attended the funeral. And then my “niece” by marriage gifted me with a tin.  I have it sitting in my kitchen as a daily reminder, and it’s ready to put to use.

I think of the beauty of little moments when each of us is able to sprinkle our world with love.  I am writing this from my home away from home at camp in the mountains of Colorado.  I watch our beloved extended family raising their babies and am able to tell them what amazing parents they are and how much I love watching them raise their kids.  Sprinkled with love.  I watch the camp staff lovingly ask young parents if they want babysitting during evening activities so they can actually attend.  Sprinkled with love.  I watch families with elders gently tend to those elders to make sure they are cared for in the altitude and traveling safely over the rocky terrain.  Sprinkled with love.  I eat the amazing camp meals prepared by the expert hands of the cook and her many capable camp hands. Every dietary need is carefully attended to so every single person has delicious healthy meals for the week whether gluten free, vegan, vegetarian or any of a myriad of diets. It’s their mission. Sprinkled with love. 

At home down the mountain I watch neighbors care for each other’s animals and plants so they can go on coveted vacations. Sprinkled with love.  I hear about the meals delivered to those who are grieving or injured or who need a little extra tender loving care.  Sprinkled with love.

That little tin can is a beautiful reminder that it’s so easy to sprinkle others with love in little ways that make a big difference in another’s life.  What opportunities lay themselves before you to sprinkle love over another today?  Our virtual tin cans never empty!  We can sprinkle love all day, every day!

With a grateful heart for all of the sprinkles of love I receive,

Heidi

June 29, 2024 – Washing Hands and Covering Coughs

This week marks the end of an era for my husband Mark and me.  The past 4 ½ years have brought us the unexpected joy of helping cover child care for our darling granddaughters. It has been a gift for all of us. Tuesday was our final “official” day with little Linnea, but we had the extra bonus of having her older sister Yaya (as Linnea calls her) with us as well. Yaya’s (aka Senja’s) daycare had an influx of Covid, so big sister stayed home this week in an effort to keep everyone well before our family trip to Colorado.  

Yes, indeed, Covid is still with us! Thankfully it has joined the ranks of influenza and RSV in the big picture of community health, but all of these everyday diseases can still have an impact on your life and the community.  Any one of these can still send a vulnerable person to the hospital or interrupt their lives.   

The CDC has updated and simplified respiratory virus recommendations for us to follow so we can protect ourselves and others.  Some of the recommendations are all of the things we were taught by our parents as we grew up:

• Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
• Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
• Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.

Even kids’ music and shows share the message with our little ones to “wash your hands, wash your hands, scrubbly bubbly wash your hands.”  I frequently have that Doc McStuffins song repeating constantly in my head! 

Generally, remember to consider others when trying to decide if you should participate in a social or public gathering.  Do I have symptoms? Best to stay home and keep others safe.  Are my symptoms not responding to over-the-counter treatments? Best to seek medical attention to keep from getting sicker.

The great news is that for the most part we have been able to return to “normal” life. There is no longer the need to stay isolated constantly to avoid getting sick.  We no longer need to live with the constant concern about whether we are going to get sick. Yet simple precautions can continue to keep us healthier, and the courtesy of taking others into consideration if we ourselves are sick will keep us all safer.

I will admit, our bonus day with BOTH of our sweet girls was joyful and lovely. I am thankful The Kids took extra precautions to keep us all healthy.

Washing my hands and covering my cough,

Heidi

June 22, 2024- Brain Health

Several years ago I worked as a home companion.  I loved that job!  I had several clients that I saw once in a while, fixing light meals for them, doing a load of laundry, reminding them to take their meds, but most importantly I provided companionship for them.  Some of my favorite clients were my regulars that I saw multiple times every week.  Two of them were experiencing memory loss and Alzheimer’s, but were both able to live independently when I started with them.  How I adored them!  We would walk and talk and read devotions and go to the hair salon and out for lunch on occasion.  It was delightful for them and for me.  Each of them were at different stages of memory loss, and eventually both required a higher level of care than we could provide, but the time we spent together extended their time in their beloved homes and gave their families incredible peace of mind knowing that their loved ones were being well cared for.

This month is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month.  I often think of the things I’ve learned since working with my dear clients, and how the new information that continues to come out regarding memory loss and dementia might have made a difference in some way for them.  I’ve heard presentations from the Dementia Friends division of Senior LinkAge Line of Minnesota and am amazed at how much I learn each time. Even if your life is not affected personally by someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, it is wonderful to learn tips on understanding the disease and discovering ways to respectfully have a relationship with someone who may be affected by them.  Chances are quite good that you will have the opportunity to interact with someone who lives with dementia, and knowing about the disease is extremely helpful.  We can all be Champions for Dementia by learning this information.

I’m also amazed at the research that is coming out with great information on how to live a healthy lifestyle that may help slow the progression of the disease. These 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain from the Alzheimer’s Association can easily be incorporated into our lives and improve our chances for good brain health.  They include getting good sleep, eating healthy food, wearing a helmet to protect that precious brain from injury while biking/climbing/etc., and several other doable habits. All of these practices can be taught in childhood, so think of the impact they can have on our beloved youth as they reach adulthood!

This article about Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, also from the Alzheimer’s Association, has great information about signs and symptoms of dementia, brain health, and ways to support the cause, while this link will bring you to the pages where you can find resources if you or a loved one need support.  I know family members and close friends who have received an abundance of support from this organization as they traveled through the disease progression with their loved ones.

May we each think a little bit about these beautiful brains of ours this Brain Health Awareness month, and consider taking some easy steps towards protecting our own brain health.  We’ll most definitely thank ourselves as we age!

With hope and a reminder to get good sleep,

Heidi

June 15, 2024 – Grief

My guys spent a significant amount of time standing on bridges on Tuesday afternoon.  Mark was on one bridge nearest our home, and Dad picked another nearby that was close to where he had just gotten his hair cut. They were both watching the miles long funeral procession  honoring yet another fallen police officer killed in the line of duty. I watched the procession on tv through tears at home. Young Officer Jamal Mitchell had a life full of love and family and service ahead of him. Then this week, our Hopkins-Minnetonka community received an emergency alert as they searched for a missing 4 year old boy who was autistic and wandered away from his home.  He was found the next day in the creek behind his home. The communal sense of grief is widespread. 

Our Bethlehem community has also suffered great losses of its own lately.   Beautiful young lives have ended too soon, holes are left in our hearts as our beloved elders join their loved ones in heaven, and difficult health situations surround us daily.  There is an abundance of grief to go around. How do we move forward?

This ARTICLE from the American Psychological Association reminds us about the importance of taking care of ourselves after a loved one has died, and talks about other important aspects of healing such as talking about our loved ones and reaching out for help when needed.  

And even if this article, Is Your Sorrow Disabling? It May Be Prolonged Grief (aarp.org),

 may be written with AARP’s “over 50” audience in mind, it has important messages for ANY one of any age who is experiencing prolonged or complicated grief.  Included in this article are a Grief Intensity assessment tool, ways to remember to care for yourself as you grieve, along with an explanation about Prolonged Grief Disorder if you feel like you may not be healing in a healthy way.  

There are also tips for those of us who want to support someone who is grieving which apply to all of us. 

And of course, if you are thinking that you would like to connect with a professional to help process your grief but don’t know where to begin, our own Navigators can help you.  Call or text them at 612-642-1220, or contact them by email at [email protected]. They would love to support you, and your call or email will be kept confidential. 

My heart aches for our people who are grieving.  My heart grieves for the community as we suffer collective loss.  My heart finds hope in the beautiful gift of life we claim through Christ Jesus.  

May we each be sensitive to the grief of those around us, and may we continue to ask how they are doing today and to listen and love unconditionally as we support those who grieve.

With compassion,

Heidi

June 8, 2024 – You Never Know

I was hiding in the very last row of an airplane thirteen and a half years ago.  The flight was jam packed and I had headed to the very last row on my Southwest flight (the airline you pick your own seat on).  There was a man with impossibly long legs in the aisle seat with both of the other seats in the row open.  I squeezed over to the window seat then prayed that no one would fill that last middle seat.  There were few open seats left on the entire flight, and that was one of them. It was looking pretty hopeful as all passengers had boarded the plane, so I was relieved to be secluded in that back corner to nurse my grief on my way home from Arizona after my Mom had died when a couple burst through the door of the plane with lots of noise after racing to catch the flight. They were searching for seats and places to store their luggage as it became apparent that the last two seats were individual seats apart from each other and the woman was complaining loudly that she couldn’t believe they didn’t get to sit together.  

“No! No! No!” I cried in my head as I turned to the window hoping that the empty seat next to me stayed empty, but yes, indeed, it WAS one of the last two available seats open, and she loudly plunked herself down next to me as I frantically wondered how I would manage to make it home next to her.  As she plunked herself down, she threw her arms in the air, let them fall in her lap and exclaimed, “My Dad just died!!!”  The flood gates opened as I turned to her and cried out, “My Mom just died!!!” We fell into each other’s arms, hugged deeply, cried together and spent the entire flight home sharing our stories and supporting each other.  It turned out to be a God moment that couldn’t have been planned better.  Two total strangers randomly forced to sit together on a flight after both losing a beloved parent.  What are the chances?  I honestly remember very little from that conversation, but I DO remember how healing it was to be able to share deep grief with someone who understood what I was going through, and I know she felt the same.  

That significant moment has continued to be a reminder to me that I just don’t know what a person might be going through, and to give them grace if they are being obnoxious and space to share and open up about their situation.  While we may not always get the chance to process with a person, so often those who are creating disruption or are annoying us may be hurting and it is coming out sideways as they lash out.  Sometimes all it takes is a simple, “How are you doing?” to draw out what is really going on in someone’s world.  In my case on that plane I didn’t even need to ask my seatmate what was going on.  She made it known clearly!  But I responded with compassion and understanding, and it turned out to be one of the most unexpected moments of healing in my life. 

May your difficult days be greeted with grace filled reactions,

Heidi

June 1, 2024 – Memorial Day

I have always respected and admired veterans.  My Dad and father-in-law both served during the Korean conflict, my younger brother is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, two of my nephews are retired veterans with amazing careers, and many friends and other relatives have also served our country through their military service.  Yet until the past seven or eight years I haven’t participated in many Memorial Day observances.  Then my dear husband became a board member of a local cemetery and we now participate in their Memorial Day service every year.  It has become deeply important to me, especially as I usually attend alongside my veteran father.  There is always a military salute along with an honor guard ceremony followed by a speaker.  This year the guest speaker was a Vietnam veteran who served as a medic in Vietnam.  His message brought me to tears. He passionately spoke about his experience and ended his speech telling us that whenever anyone thanks him for his service, he always tells them, “You were worth it.”  What a beautiful, meaningful way to remind each of us that WE are worth the sacrifices made by many to ensure that we can live this life of freedom in America.  Life may not be easy or perfect, but we are free.  Some veterans served as boots on the ground, while others worked “behind the scenes” to provide the support needed to keep our military running.  ALL are worthy of our thanks and admiration.

So as we go about our daily lives, let’s remember to show gratitude to those who have helped create a place where we are free to pursue our goals and dreams.  I have gained a new appreciation for Memorial Day, and am deeply grateful to each of you who have served or are serving this country I call home.  

You are appreciated!

Heidi

May 25, 2024 – Beloved Families

I was drifting in our recliner this week as our sweet granddaughter was taking her daily nap at our house.  I was really supposed to be working on this Care Message, but I was exhausted and fell asleep instead.  I had been contemplating just what to write about when it hit me:  I have had a renewed awareness of how important it is for us to reach out to our young families and support them.  Of course I then had to force myself to get up and actually get to my computer, but I was inspired to write.

The reason for being so tired and for my renewed awareness was that my dear son and daughter-in-law had the great opportunity to join friends in Florida for five days for a much needed vacation, so Mark and I watched their darling little girls. One is almost 5 years old and the other is 2 ½.  They are as sweet and delightful as they could possibly be, and they are the joys of our lives, but the energy required to get through a day and the coordination of care and meals and bedtime and getting the 5 year old to daycare was a flashback to raising our own little ones and a reminder to me that there are just so few hours left at the end of the day to accomplish anything else.    

Parenting in this generation is a joy AND a challenge.  Families tend to be more spread out across the country so young families often don’t have the support of aunts and uncles and grandparents. The activities vying for everyone’s time are endless. Costs are skyrocketing for housing and food and daily life and all the things families need to stay afloat. 

Do you know a family with young ones?  That includes infants to high schoolers. Think of little things you can do to support them. Have them over for hot dogs on the grill, or gift them with DQ gift cards. If it’s in your budget a gift card for take out from a restaurant can be a huge relief on a busy weeknight.  Bring coffee and treats for a Saturday morning breakfast break.  Have a fun craft activity in mind that little ones would love?  Deliver to their door or offer to do one with them while parents run an errand or just enjoy your company.

There are a thousand little ways we can make sure our families with kids know that they are seen and that we’re here for them.  Even something as simple and already planned as helping out with the Encore Sunday School program on Sunday mornings or with a confirmation project can bless families more than you know!  One of the greatest gifts I ever received happened when I was a weary young mom alone in the pews with two wiggly little bodies while Mark was at work. The man sitting behind me leaned over the pew after church and told me that I was “an A+ mom” after watching me gently redirect my babies throughout the service.  I’ve always believed he was actually an angel, placed in that pew to encourage and uplift me right when I needed it most.  I had never seen him before and I never saw him again, but his encouragement has never been forgotten by me. It lifted my spirits and got me through that day. 

So consider being an angel in a young family’s life.  You will be blessed as you bless them!

Heidi

May 18, 2024 – 1949

1949!  As I was reading information for this week’s Care Message I blurted that year out loud with great surprise as I read that Mental Health Awareness month was started WAY back in 1949!  You may have read about my family’s experience with mental health treatment in that very era in past Care Messages, so it was a huge surprise to me that the importance of mental health was even acknowledged that many years ago. Thanks to those ancestors who were on the forefront of decreasing the stigma surrounding mental health so many years ago, awareness of our mental health being a NORMAL part of our entire body wellness has become more and more acceptable.  

Mental well-being impacts each of us.  Some days are wonderful and we soar through them easily. Some days are harder and it becomes more of a struggle.  With perseverance and support we somehow make it through those days.  And then there are those difficult days that are like the movie Ground Hogs Day… they repeat and repeat and repeat and we’re not sure if we’re ever going to feel “normal” again. Remember that mental health includes many things like grief, depression and anxiety along with diagnosed conditions.  

Thankfully we have so many resources at our fingertips now, beginning with self-care.  Getting outside in nature every day is essential. Eating nutritious foods, exercising and drinking plenty of water are a must, and the importance of good sleep habits can not be stressed enough.  Brain engagement (word games, Sudoku, learning new things, etc.) helps us stay sharp, and social engagement keeps us connected which plays a huge role in our overall well-being.

When self-care isn’t quite enough and we need someone to help us navigate through difficult times, it’s a healthy option to seek expert help.  I have included some links (below) to some of our favorite Mental Health resources that I hope you’ll explore, if not for yourself then for someone in your life who may need help now or the future, so you can stay informed about the latest information regarding mental health and have it ready to go when needed.

Remember, BLC has its own access to a wonderful “warm line” if you or a loved one needs help finding the right resources to support your own needs.  Knowing where to begin looking for help is sometimes the biggest obstacle!  Our Mental Health Connect collaborative is a phone call, text message (612-642-1220) or an email ([email protected]) away, and the Navigators will help you figure out just what you need and where to find that help.  

And here for your reading pleasure are links to resources, including a couple of Mental Health tool kits with tips and ideas for reaching optimum mental health.  Enjoy!

Mental Health Connect (mhconnect.org)  

612-642-1220

[email protected]

This is BLC’s own “warm line” for help finding mental health resources.

Mental Health Month | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)  

Great information!

2024 Mental Health Month Toolkit Download | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)   

Tips and resources for optimum mental well-being

Mental Health Awareness Month | NAMI  

Another great resource with helpful information.

NAMI_FieldGuideB_2024_CS  

More tips and resources to promote mental health and well-being.

Remember~ it’s okay to ask for help, and your Care Ministry team is here if you need us.

Heidi

May 11, 2024 – Here Comes the Sun!

Ah spring!  Ah summer!  The most glorious season of sunshine and warmth and time outdoors has arrived!  How we love the sunshine. How I love Saturday mornings with my family down by the Lakes eating breakfast at Bread and Pickle and walking around those beautiful bodies of water.  How I adore sitting outside on our front patio for coffee with our neighbors.  And what a joy it is to be able to bring little ones to outdoor parks to run free. 

But that sunshine has a sneaky secret: it has no intention of treating us with kindness!

 May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month and the American Association for Cancer Research wants to make sure all of us are aware of the risks exposure to the sun poses.  EVERYONE is at risk, regardless of the color of your skin!  Of course, fair skin is at higher risk, but darker skin does not protect you from skin cancer.  Without self-exams of darker skin, melanomas tend to be diagnosed later, so they recommend that everyone wear sunscreen!  This article (link above) reminds us that over 100,000 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma this year, and over 8000 will die from it.  

Luckily, we can take steps to protect ourselves against skin cancer.

Sunscreen with an SPF 30 or greater is a must and blocks 97% of UVB rays.  A mineral base is best, but if you find a sunscreen that you love and will use that isn’t mineral based, it’s ok!  Use it!  Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going out in the sun.  I fall down on this next recommendation but always try to remind myself to reapply sunscreen every two hours.  It doesn’t last all day! Hats and clothes that cover skin are helpful as well.

Self-examinations for changes in your skin are important, too. One great tool to use to check your skin for signs of skin cancer is the ABCDE’s of Skin Cancer.  These are things to be aware of as you do self-examinations of your skin, and if you notice any ONE of them, it is time to visit your dermatologist as soon as possible. Early detection is so important to getting the treatment you need..

The ABCDE’s are:

A = Asymmetry (one half of a spot on your skin is not like the other)

B = Border (the outside of a spot is irregular, poorly defined)

C = Color (varying colors of spots)

D = Diameter (a spot 6mm or more in diameter puts one at higher risk. That’s the size of a pencil eraser)

E = Evolving (the spot changes over time)

Here are some more symptoms and causes of skin cancer from the Mayo Clinic for you to check out so you are well informed as you head outside for summer fun this year.

Enjoy this lovely time of year in Minnesota, and if you have skin, wear sunscreen!

With sunshine in my heart,

Heidi

May 4, 2024 – Dancing with Joy

Last Sunday was a lovely day.  It was especially poignant for me personally because of the commissioning portion of the church service for our newly trained Care Ministers at both campuses.  What a gift to have people who have a passion for relationship with others willingly become ambassadors for our Bethlehem community.  Following the service at Minnetonka, Pastor Meta created a station for kids and adults to decorate really cute and happy cards for our Care Ministers to bring to folks as a greeting from their church family when they visit people.  I loved seeing the interactions grownups and kids were having at the tables.  Our young ones had some legitimate questions about what happens during a visit, and how the communion kits worked, and some even ended up bringing a prayer shawl knit with love by our Prayer Shawl Knitting group to a young friend dealing with health issues.  The compassion of these families was palpable.  

I want to thank each and every one of you for the care ministry you may be doing in your own relationships.  While our Care Ministers extend the ministry we as “an establishment” are able to carry out, every single person who calls someone who is hurting or holds the hand of a crying child or brings a meal to a sick friend is being the hands of Christ whether they hold a “title” or not.  The compassion and intentional caring each of you extends to your circle of influence warms my heart.  I am certain I sense the Holy Spirit dancing with joy as the Spirit watches God’s love in action in you.

Your Bethlehem community thanks you and extends our blessing to you as you love others as  yourself.

With deep gratitude ,

Heidi    

April 27, 2024 – Speak Your Love

My Mom’s handwriting was beautiful.  Whenever I find something written by her my heart just melts and I can hear her voice as if she’s right here talking to me and I am engulfed by warm fuzzy feelings. Her graceful, perfect cursive glows with her personality and joy and warmth. Just this week I was going through a long forgotten box of “treasure” (where has it been all of these years???) and there appeared a simply beautiful, touching thank you note from Mom for my part in arranging a family reunion in the year 2000.  I honestly don’t recall the note at all, but I obviously saved it because it was precious to me. I was so touched when I found it this week that I gasped out loud, “Oh Mom!”, as I read this amazing note that lifted me up and told me how much she appreciated and loved me and then spoke highly of specific skills she recognized in me as she thanked me and told me how proud she was of me.  

It took my breath away!  24 years after it was written and nearly 13 years after she died, my Mom’s words surrounded me with love and encouragement and lifted me up.  I get teary eyed even now as I write about it.  It was such an unexpected gift. 

I immediately started thinking that her note was the thing Care Messages are made of. (Okay… I clutched it to my heart and said, “I am writing about this!”)  Her sincere love and thanks and recognition of specific gifts I possess is relevant to me even today.  I will read it often now, especially on those days I need to hear her voice telling me how much she loves me.  I am 63 years old and I still need to hear that message, loud and clear!

What a great reminder that we need to speak our love and gratefulness for others loud and clear like Mom did. Her message came back to lift me up 24 years after an event and has inspired me to do the same for those I treasure and love in my life. A phone call, a handwritten note, or simply telling someone in the hall at church or work or home how much they mean to us may seem like a small thing but to the one receiving the message it can make their day.  

This world is a difficult place.  Don’t get me wrong ~ there are so many lovely and wonderful things about life, and there is joy to be found every day ~ but there are hard days and difficulties and unexpected challenges for all of us to deal with.  Hearing words of appreciation and love and gratitude go a long way in helping each of us make it through those challenges, and telling others how much we care about them is easy and free, and our words may change their world.  I know Mom changed my world without knowing it at a time when I face change and challenges and I needed to hear her voice. Or maybe she’s watching me from Heaven and she knew all along that I needed to find her beautiful note right now.  Doesn’t our God work in miraculous ways?

You are wonderful and worthy, and I am so thankful for each of you,

Heidi

Reminders:

Mental Health Connect’s Stories of Hope fundraising breakfast on May 9th is selling out quickly!  David Lohman (worked on Phantom of the Opera and Wicked!) shares his story of hope for healing. Click HERE to see if there are still tickets left!  Need a seat?  Be the first to respond and be a guest at my table!  ([email protected])

Bethlehem’s Mental Health and Addiction Ministry is hosting How to Transform Loneliness into Connection  on May 8 from 6:45-8:15 p.m. in Harrisville at the Minneapolis campus for young adults and adults.  You don’t want to miss presenter Sherri Herman! Relevant for all ages!

April 20, 2024 – Transforming Loneliness into Connection

As I sat at home this past Tuesday looking out at the rainy, rainy day, I was so tired and just wanted to curl up and nap all day. I didn’t want to go out in the evening and pulled the fixings for dinner out of the freezer to thaw. But then I was reminded that it was Unmapped Night in Minnetonka (all are welcome!) and we opted to keep the half thawed chicken for another night. I wouldn’t say I was particularly lonely that day, especially because caring for our joy filled granddaughter leaves no room for loneliness, but I had no energy to go out.  But then… the Unmapped reminder appeared in my email and we opted to go out to connect with this fun group of people. I easily could have stayed home, but I would have regretted missing this opportunity to be part of our Bethlehem community by the very next day. I made a connection instead of missing out alone at home.

There have been plenty of other days when I have just sat at home, lonely and alone, feeling disconnected and sad. I have a full life, yet those moments catch up to me as I would guess they catch up to many of us when I feel like everyone else is out enjoying the company of others while I sit at home alone. This sense of loneliness especially hits me on weekend nights when I don’t make plans and feel isolated. It was prevalent when my kids were little and my hard working honey was working his night shifts as an officer or had gone on a fire call. I remember feeling so alone and wondered what all of my friends were doing.  

Bethlehem’s Mental Health and Addiction Ministry is hosting an event on Wednesday, May 8 from 6:45-8:15 p.m. for adults and young adults. The Bible teaches us to “love thy neighbor as thyself”. But if we don’t show love to ourselves, how can we show love to our neighbor(s) and feel that life-sustaining connectedness that thwarts loneliness? This program is designed to help cultivate a warm, loving and compassionate relationship with yourself so that you can have the same with others. Hosted by the Bethlehem Mental Health & Addiction Ministry.  

The presenter is Sherri M. Herman, MA, Licensed Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Psychotherapist, and Spiritual Coach/Principal, Sherri M. Herman, LLC, Minneapolis.

Please put May 8 on your calendar and join us to learn 

How to Transform Loneliness into Connection – Bethlehem Church (bethlehem-church.org). I look forward to seeing you there!

I love being connected to you!

Heidi

April 13, 2024 – What Will Bring You Joy Today?

I had a little bit of an “aha!” moment last week, and it is truly making a difference in my world so I wanted to share it with you.  While I do think I’m mostly a positive person, I find I am being hard on myself lately when it comes to some of the habits I want to change or add in my life, like getting rid of stuff or eating healthier or getting more exercise or not turning to chocolate when I’m stressed. Then when I don’t succeed in changing, I shake my head at myself and feel a bit defeated, telling myself I have to do better the next day.  Can you relate?  

Then one day last week I was disappointed yet again that I hadn’t accomplished something and I asked myself, “What will I do today to fill my soul with joy?” The rest of that thought was “instead of beating myself up about what I DIDN’T manage to do”, and it was like a lightbulb went off in my soul!  I had a whole new positive approach to change. I’ve been answering myself with things like, “It will fill my soul with joy today to clean out that bookshelf in the bedroom,” and “It will fill my soul with joy to make a healthy salad for dinner instead of grabbing a premade meal,” and “It will fill my soul with joy to create a donation pile.”  I approached each task with a way it would fill my soul with joy instead of berating myself into doing it. And I also chose tasks that I felt like doing that would be joy filled instead of drudgery for me. A simple change in the way I looked at things gave me a light and happy desire to accomplish several tasks. It was so simple yet had a profound effect on me.  

There is so much pressure on each of us to achieve at high levels of production every day that we have constant expectations to produce and be efficient and be the best at everything we do at all times.  Whether we are in grade school or junior high or high school or college or go to a job every day or work from home or are raising kids or are retired, society places such high value on perfection and pure self-discipline that few of us can live up to those expectations.  I found myself being sucked into this mentality and felt the weight of disappointment on my shoulders until my little revelation last week, and now I am choosing to ignore society and ask myself throughout the day, “What will bring joy to my soul today?”  It makes me smile. And bonus:  I’m actually accomplishing some tasks.

May you find what brings joy to your soul every day!

Heidi 

April 6, 2024 – Easter Hope

What a BEAUTIFUL day Easter was! Bethlehem’s church services were joyful and uplifting, the Minnetonka egg hunt was full of happy, chattering kids with overflowing baskets, people were cheerful and together with loved ones, and everything was bright and beaming. My own little granddaughters were surrounded all day by both sets of adoring grandparents and aunties, and there was delicious food overflowing and happy family walks and games late into the night for us. My soul was singing.

Yet as I glanced around the congregation I couldn’t help but get teary-eyed and have a hurting heart. There in the pews were so many of our people who have lost a loved one this year or last year or 10 years ago. There are no time constraints on a grieving heart. Every day, whether it is a special holiday that marks time or if it is just a regular day, brings reminders of a missing soul who is no longer here to share the joys or heartaches or the blessed mundaneness of our everyday lives with us.

A friend recently reminded me that the birthday of a lost loved one is just around the corner, and I am thankful and relieved to know that information. It was not on my radar, and now I can be sure to celebrate the day with them.

I know that sometimes it is hard to know just what to say or how to approach someone who has lost a beloved person in their life, but I promise you this: talking about their person will not suddenly remind them that their person is gone. The absence becomes a constant, and simply telling them that you’re thinking about them this particular day or that you love them reminds them that you have not forgotten their grief or their person.

Celebrating the life of someone who is gone is important and appreciated. Do you know someone who is grieving? A note or a text or a call goes a long way to keeping them going as they adjust to carrying their loss through life. Being a small ray of hope and love for them may be just what they need to get through a day and remind them that they are seen and not forgotten.

May we all be rays of Easter hope to those around us.

Alleluia,
Heidi

Your Care Ministries team is here for you. Please let us know how we can be present with you, how we can pray with you, how we can share in your journey. Please contact us.

The following is a list of resources available to you and your loved ones.

Bethlehem Sermon Phone Line
Did you know you can call to hear the latest Sunday and Wednesday Sermon recordings? Call the Bethlehem Sermon Phone Line @ 612-312-3363.

Bethlehem Pastor On Call
If you have a pastoral emergency, call 612-312-3400, follow the prompts to option 9. A pastor is on call 24 hours a day.

Starfish
Starfish helps people in temporary crises. If you are experiencing a financial crisis, cannot afford food, gas, rent, etc., call the Starfish Appointment Line at 952-686-4124.

Mental Health Connect
Living with mental health concerns can be tough. Finding help can be even tougher. Mental Health Connect can assist you in making the right connections. Call or Text 612-312-3377. Email [email protected].

COPE
If you or someone you love is experiencing a mental health crisis COPE can help.  Call **CRISIS (274747) from anywhere in the State of Minnesota to reach the local County crisis team.