sam news september 2013

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September 2013 S AM N E W S Greetings from Executive Director Paul Peterson Some of you may know that I love the game of football. At a young age, I was introduced to the game by my dad, who would take me on Sunday afternoons to watch the Buffalo Bills play at the old War Memorial Stadium. Over the years, it became a family tradition to purchase season tickets for the Bills games. These are some of my fondest memories as a kid growing up. The tradition for my family continues today as I get to watch with my son the Buffalo Bills play on Sunday afternoons. Although we can’t go to the games, being far away from home, we still get to enjoy the games on television. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot from the game of football. Many of the principles that apply in the game also apply in my personal life. A few examples are…when you get knocked down, you get yourself back up and keep going; I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion; and you have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity. Another important aspect of football is having a philosophy that will help determine your success as a team and as an organization. This applies to me as your Executive Director and as the leader of the staff who work to serve the residents. During one of our recent weekly leadership meetings, the directors of the various departments discussed the importance of a philosophy that breathes success both at the workplace and all that we do in our personal life. Like a football team, who is eager to win a championship, the leadership team at The Samarkand has its vision set on a winning team that is strongly motivated, competent, and engaged in providing excellent care and services to the residents. THE SAMARKAND • 2550 Treasure Dr • Santa Barbara, CA 93105 • 805-687-0701 • www.TheSamarkand.org 1 In This Issue Greeting & Deadline .................... 1 Resident Announcements and Birthdays ....................................... 2 New Resident Spotlight ................ 3 LifeConnect ® Update & Recent Photos ....................................... 4-6 Couldn’t Do Without, New Library Books............................................. 7 Chaplain’s Article ........................ 8 Sam News Deadline The deadline for material to be included in the October Sam News is Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. Please email your submissions to BOTH Diane Huyck at [email protected] AND Helen Bernson at [email protected] and type your text into the body of your email in 12 pt. Arial. You may email a Word document if that works beTer for you, or drop a copy in the Sam News box below the bulletin board in the Library Lounge. Photo by Tom Ginn

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A monthly newsletter created by Sierra Nething for The Samarkand- a retirement community in Santa Barbara.

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September 2013

SAM NEWS

Greetings from Executive DirectorPaul PetersonSome  of   you  may   know  that   I   love  the  game  of   football.  At   a  young   age,  I   was  introduced   to  the  game  by  my   dad,  who  would   take  me  on  Sunday   afternoons  to  watch   the  Buffalo  Bills  play   at   the  old  War  Memorial   Stadium.  Over   the  years,  it  became  a  family   tradition   to  purchase  season   tickets  for  the  Bills  games.  These  are  some  of  my  fondest  memories  as  a  kid  growing  up.  

The  tradition   for   my   family   continues   today   as   I   get   to  watch   with   my   son   the  Buffalo  Bills  play  on  Sunday  afternoons.  Although  we  can’t  go  to  the  games,  being  far  away  from  home,  we  still  get  to  enjoy  the  games  on  television.

Over  the  years,  I’ve  learned  a  lot  from  the  game  of   football.  Many   of  the  principles  that   apply   in  the  game  also  apply   in  my   personal  life.  A   few  examples  are…when  you  get  knocked  down,  you  get  yourself  back  up  and  keep  going;  I  am  a  member  of  a  team,  and  I  rely  on  the  team,  I  defer  to  it  and  sacrifice  for  it,  because  the  team,  not  the  individual,   is   the  ultimate  champion;  and   you   have  to   tackle  your   problems,  block  your  fears,  and  score  your  points  when  you  get  the  opportunity.

Another  important  aspect  of  football  is  having  a  philosophy  that  will  help  determine  your  success  as  a  team  and  as  an  organization.  This  applies  to  me  as  your  Executive  Director  and  as  the  leader  of  the  staff  who  work  to  serve  the  residents.  During  one  of  our   recent   weekly   leadership  meetings,   the  directors   of   the  various  departments  discussed   the   importance   of   a   philosophy   that   breathes   success   both   at   the  workplace  and  all  that  we  do  in  our  personal  life.

Like  a  football   team,  who  is  eager  to  win   a  championship,  the  leadership  team  at  The  Samarkand   has   its  vision   set   on   a  winning   team   that   is   strongly   motivated,  competent,  and  engaged  in  providing  excellent  care  and  services  to  the  residents.  

THE SAMARKAND • 2550 Treasure Dr • Santa Barbara, CA 93105 • 805-687-0701 • www.TheSamarkand.org 1

In This IssueGreeting & Deadline .................... 1Resident Announcements and Birthdays ....................................... 2New Resident Spotlight ................ 3LifeConnect® Update & Recent Photos ....................................... 4-6Couldn’t Do Without, New Library Books............................................. 7Chaplain’s Article ........................ 8

Sam News Deadline The  deadline   for   material   to   be  included   in   the   October   Sam  News   is   Friday,   Sept.   6,   2013.    Please  email  your  submissions  to  BOTH  Diane  Huyck  [email protected]  AND  Helen  Bernson  [email protected]  and   type  your  text   into  the  body  of  your  email  in  12  pt.  Arial.    You  may  email   a   Word   document   if  that  works  beTer  for  you,  or  drop  a   copy   in   the   Sam   News   box  below   the   bulletin   board   in   the  Library  Lounge.

Photo  by  Tom  Ginn

THE SAMARKAND • 2550 Treasure Dr • Santa Barbara, CA 93105 • 805-687-0701 • www.TheSamarkand.org 2

SAM NEWSThank  You

Thank  you  to  all  the  residents  of  The  Samarkand  who  sent  kind  expressions  of  remembrance  and  support  during  Herb'ʹs  illness  and  after  his  death.    It  meant  so  much.With  gratitude,  Jane  Myhre

We  Welcome  New  Residents• Margaret  Gibb,  Santa  Barbara,  W-­‐‑303• Marion  &  Bobbie  Sanders,  Santa  Barbara,  MW-­‐‑529

Something  new  is  coming  to  campus!  During   the   last   several  months,   four   Samarkand  residents   have   been   laying  the   g roundwork   f o r   a  resident-­‐‑focused  website.    A  webmaster   is   in   place;   our  Executive  Director  has  given  his   approval;   and,   CRC   has  given   its   OK   along   with  valuable  technical   assistance.    We  are  on  a  roll!    

A   website   at   The   Samarkand  will   enable   residents   to   access  campus-­‐‑wide   information   on  computers,  smart  phones,  iPads  and  other  tablets.    This  information  will  be  broader     than   what   is   now   available   in   SamNews   and   on   TV   Channels  15/815.  

The  webmaster  is  se[ing  up  the  website  and  ge[ing  data  in  place.    He  will  be  holding    training  sessions  for  those  who  enjoy  working  with  technology  and  would  like  to  be  a  part  of  the  "ʺup-­‐‑dating  team"ʺ.    If  you  would  like  to  be  a   part   of   this   endeavor   please   contact   Miriam   Notehelfer  ([email protected])  or  Bess  DeWi[  ([email protected]).

Hopefully,    if  everything  goes  as  planned,  the  website  will  be  presented   to  the  Samarkand  campus  on  Wednesday,  September  18th,  at  1:00  p.m.  in   the  Mountain  Room  at  a  meeting  hosted  by  the  Computer  Club.    Save  the  date!    

September  Birthdays  

9/1      Jean  Elder9/3      Carol  Luce9/3      Ed  Weston9/5      Frank  Guernsey9/5      Stuart  MacMillan9/7      Rose  Kortright9/8      Jo  Pa[erson9/9      Karl  Sterne9/10  Lucille  Johnson9/10  Myrtle  Vanderlip9/12  Terry  Johnson9/12  Phyllis  Row9/12  Alice  Tooker9/13  Ben  Luce9/13  Ardith  Mendenall9/14  Sue  Rapson9/15  Velma  Lagerstrom9/15  Vi  Lewis9/16  Art  Nelson9/16  Sharon  Rydman9/19  John  Notehelfer9/20  Irene  Coker9/22  Ethel  Li9/22  Hisako  Tada9/23  Pat  Clancy9/24  Dorothy  Beverly9/24  Yvonne  Rambo9/28  Abraham  Safina

THE SAMARKAND • 2550 Treasure Dr • Santa Barbara, CA 93105 • 805-687-0701 • www.TheSamarkand.org 3

SAM NEWSResident  Spotlight:  Ken  Armstrong

by  Chuck  Whiting

Ken arrived at The Samarkand in April 2013 and took up residence on the first floor of Magnolia West.  Before that, he was living in a retirement community in Los Angeles.   His daughter, Wendy, who lives in Santa Barbara, prevailed upon him to move here and introduced him to The Samarkand where he enjoys living with his two cats.

Ken was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois.  He went into the Navy V5 program in 1945 first at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia then at Georgia Tech, in Atlanta.  With the war ended, the training program was ended too and he was discharged in 1946.   With all the universities solidly booked with returning war veterans, he went to work for the Virginia Highway Department Survey Unit as a rodman until he could get into Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. 

After graduating from Williams with a BA in Economics, Ken went to work for the Arabian American Oil Company (better known to most of us as ARAMCO).  In preparation for his deployment to Arabia, he took a year of Arabic and Middle Eastern studies and several months of Saudi language which he points out is somewhat different than the Arabic spoken in Egypt.

In 1950, he transferred to Saudi Arabia where he worked in various departments of ARAMCO.  Three years later, while working with a crew in the remote desert he got a call informing him that he had been drafted into the U.S. Army.  By then, he had determined that chances of advancement in ARAMCO were pretty much reserved for Saudi nationals, so he quit and returned to the U.S. where he convinced the draft board that he was a legitimate World War Two veteran and got off the hook.

He then went to work for Richfield Oil, later to become Atlantic Richfield in Los Angeles. Richfield was trying to get government approval to build the Alaskan pipeline from the North Slope oil fields and Ken spent two years supporting the Richfield team lobbying the House Ways and Means Committee.  He recalls that the final vote in the House was a tie broken by Richard Nixon’s vote.  With the success of that campaign, Ken pursued corporate planning at Atlantic Richfield where one of his projects was to develop the master plan for building a fleet of tankers to carry the oil from Alaska to the lower Forty Eight for processing.  Ken retired in 1984 and thereafter became a licensed stockbroker for a number of years.

Ken married Patricia Warren on June 5. 1983, who had four children of her own, William, Tiff, John and Wendy.  He used to play golf and tennis but

had to give them up and only does some swimming now.   He is interested in science, particularly cosmology, which he points out is an area of active research at UCSB.   Ken has traveled extensively in Europe and the Middle East.  He recalls one memorable trip to Cairo during the

turmoil following the ouster of King Farouk.  Another time, he was asked by a friend in Arabia to participate in his wedding in Cyprus to the

daughter of the British ambassador.     The wedding was subsequently postponed due to the father’s official business which gave Ken the

opportunity to tour Cyprus and see the historic Crusader castle on the north (Turkish) side of the island.  He also mentions visiting Great Britain, France, Italy, Morocco, and Lebanon.  So, like many of us, he is well traveled and certainly has many stories to share.  Meet and welcome Ken Armstrong, another valuable addition to our Samarkand family.

THE SAMARKAND • 2550 Treasure Dr • Santa Barbara, CA 93105 • 805-687-0701 • www.TheSamarkand.org 5

SAM NEWS

THE SAMARKAND • 2550 Treasure Dr • Santa Barbara, CA 93105 • 805-687-0701 • www.TheSamarkand.org 4

SAM NEWS

September  Buscapade    The  Ge9y  Villa  Malibu  

September 3, 20139:30 a.m – approx. 4:30 p.m.

$7.00 (does not include lunch)

!

September’s  Buscapade  will   take  us  to   The   GeTy   Villa   Malibu.   This  museum  is  dedicated  to  the  art  of  the  ancient   Greeks,   Romans   and   other  classic  civilizations.    The  views  of  the  Pacific   from   the   upper   terraces   are  gorgeous,  making  it  an  ideal  location  for   photographs.    We  will  depart   at  9:30   a.m.   and   arrive   in   Malibu   at  approximately  11:00  a.m.  in   time  for  lunch.    The  Reel  Inn  has  a  large  fresh  fish  selection,  prepared   to  your  own  preference.    After  lunch  we  will  head  over  to  The  GeTy  Villa  and  tour  their  galleries   and   gardens.     We   will  depart   for   home   at   approximately  3:00  p.m.,  arriving  back  to  campus  at  approx.  4:30  p.m.  in   time  for   dinner.    Entrance   into   the   museum   is   free.    Lunch  is  on   your   own.    Sign  up   in  the   Library   Lounge   on   Friday,  August  30,  2013  at  8:30  a.m.  

!

Labor Day Meal will be served poolside on Monday, September 4, 2013 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. No reservations are required. A family

style bar-b-que buffet will be served. Additional seating in the Mountain Room and the Garden Room will be available for your convenience. Invite your friends and family!

Active  Aging  Week  -­‐‑  Staying  Active,  

Healthy  and  Engaged

!"Discover your Community" is the   theme, which recognizes the important role that older adults play in all sorts of communities - vocational, geographical or cultural. The Samarkand will be celebrating Active Aging Week from 9-23 through 9-27.   Check your mailbox soon for   a special activities flyer for those weeks' events from all levels of care. 

The  Summer  SingersThe Summer Singers will be performing at The Samarkand! This group of singers have come together to form a choir to create a benefit concert for children in the Arts. They will be performing their dress rehearsal here, in anticipation of their benefit concert. You are invited to enjoy this special performance of accomplished singers. Our own singing hairdresser Kimberly Larsen will

Residential LifeConnect® Updateby Diane Huyck, Activities Director

Upcoming Events and Announcements

be performing a solo as well as singing with the choir. Please come to the Mountain Room on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Current  Events  Class  The Samarkand current events class resumes Monday, Sept. 9 and runs for nine weeks.  The class meets from 10:30-11:30 in the Garden Room. The instructor selects topics based upon student interest, makes a brief presentation and then leads a discussion.  Expression of a diversity of viewpoints is encouraged but students are welcome to just sit back and listen. The instructor is Fred Hofmann, who has taught the class here since 1980.   He also teaches current events classes at the Schott and Wake centers, Vista Del Monte, Casa Dorinda and Friendship Manor.  He has taught Political Science at Santa Barbara City College since 1971.   Questions about the class can be directed to the instructor at (805) 968-9302 or [email protected].

"Let It Go Yoga" with Felicia Williams

Sept. 5th - Oct. 24th Thursdays 3pm MR

Felicia combines her background in Massage Therapy, Reiki energy work and Yoga, offering   a dynamic class experience. Her integrative techniques allow for a creative, spirited approach to yoga. She is passionate about offering healing arts and yoga to others, earning her certificate as both a Yoga instructor and Yoga Therapy facilitator through Let It Go Yoga in 2008. She is also Samarkand’s new Assisted Living Charge Nurse.        

Save  the  Date!We are making plans for our Benefit Gala Tuesday, October 15th.   All funds raised will go toward the Benevolent Care Fund which assists residents who no longer have the assets to pay for their housing and services. The   festivities will include a Reception at the Library Lounge and a special Dinner at the Oaks Dining Room.  It will be followed by an evening program at 7:00 pm. in the Mountain Room.   We will hear from CRC President, Rick Fisk, and Director of Legacy Giving, John Wallgren.  Following their opening remarks, we will be entertained by the lovely sounds of the San Marcos High School Madrigal Choir.  Please join us in celebration of the Benevolent Care Fund!

Opera  at  The  Samarkandby John Menudier You should not miss the premiere of our 9th opera season. The exhilarating music of Jacques Offenbach's. La Belle Helene (Fair Helene), an operetta he wrote around 1864, will make you hum well known melodies that have delighted several generations. The plot is somewhat based on the

story of Helen of Troy, embellished by librettists Meilhac and Halevy. Relax. Here, there   is no dark treachery, sword or dagger, murder, death; only comedy and laughter, all wrapped up in delightful melodious music. This production comes to us from Zurich opera house. The orchestra and chorus are directed by maestro Nikolaus Harnoncourt with his customary flair for precise rhythms that shows his appreciation of Offenbach's witty composition. The cast is made up of top notch singers well known on the European operate scene. They deliver a memorable performance. Helene is sung by Vesselina Kasarova, mezzo, from Sofia Bulgaria. Join us on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 7:00 PM in   The Samarkand  Opera House (M.R.) Sung in French with English subtitles.

Join  Our  Team

There’s still plenty of time to register with The Samarkand Striders! The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease is on Saturday, October 5 at Earl Warren Showgrounds. The route for those who choose to walk will be along Los Positas and State Street. A variety of activities are planned, including live music, raffle prizes and a tasty lunch. Residents, staff, family, friends and dogs are all invited to participate. The

Samarkand will provide a shuttle for participating residentsto/from the Showgrounds.

Registration forms are located in the Library Lounge and Administration.

Please drop off completed forms and/or donation checks (made out to the Alzheimer’s Association) in the box in Administration. Registrations and donations can also be done on line at www.alz.org.

For more information, contact Val Maxey, Heritage Court Program Coordinator at 569-7967.

Ballroom  Dance  Class  Starting  Sept.  27th

Leslie Sack has been dancing, teaching & performing in Ballroom Dancing for the past 20 years. She has owned her own dance studio in Santa Barbara for the past 7 years. She has taught in Australia, Hawaii, Washington as a coach and judge.   She loves teaching social dance in particular and has been teaching a dance class for the Parkinson's Association of Santa Barbara for six years. Ballroom Dance Class begins Friday, 27th - Nov. 1st for a 6 week workshop!  Held in the Mountain Room. More information will follow.

THE SAMARKAND • 2550 Treasure Dr • Santa Barbara, CA 93105 • 805-687-0701 • www.TheSamarkand.org 6

SAM NEWSPhotos from Recent Events

Fiesta  2013    Our  Fiesta  Week  celebration  ended  with  a  buscapade  to  the  Fiesta  Parade  in  downtown  Santa  Barbara,  one  of  the  nation’s  largest  equestrian  parades.    The  short  trip  there  proved   to  be  quite  exciting  due  to  closed  off   streets.    We  didn’t  let  that   stop  us!    As  we  zigzagged  through  the  streets  and  even  moved   some  barricades,  we  found  our  way  and  safely  made  it  to  our  front  row  seats  on  time!    It  was  a  beautiful  way   to  spend  the  day  at  the  beach  with  marvelous  company.

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Sunset  Cruise      Our  sunset  cruise  trip  in  July  was  a  fun  and  different  way   to  see  the  terrain  of  Santa  Barbara.    We  truly  do  live  in  such  a  beautiful  area.  

Covenant  Women’s  Ministry        Thank  you  to  Covenant  Women’s  Ministry,  who  meet  once  a  month  to  sew  bandages  for   the  African  country  of  Congo.    The  Covenant  church  has  one  of  their   largest  mission  projects  there.    We  herald  these  remarkable  women.

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THE SAMARKAND • 2550 Treasure Dr • Santa Barbara, CA 93105 • 805-687-0701 • www.TheSamarkand.org 7

SAM NEWSCouldn’t  Do  Without  Juliet  Montano

 by Margaret May

A resident suggested I interview Juliet Montano, a rather new server who works in the Oaks Dining Room and Smith Health Center. She is the seventh of eight children and the only one who has emigrated from her homeland. Juliet was born and raised in a village near Iloilo, Panay Gulf, Philippines. Her brothers and sisters are carpenters and farmers and she sends money home each month.

After graduation from high school, Juliet “had a plan and always set high goals for myself.” One day she was interviewed by an agency to become a nanny. The next day, she was called and offered a position. She was placed in a family who lived in Singapore and cared for three boys, ages eight, six, and three. It was a unique experience. She had to get used to eating Chinese food and said she just couldn’t eat the first few days. It was so different from Philippine food.

Juliet has been married for two years to Roonie who works at the US Post Office Distribution Center in Goleta. Roonie is a common name in Tagalog but now his cousins call him Romeo since he married Juliet. She thinks he may be a little tired of that joke. She likes to cook and fix dinner every night. They often shop at the Philippine mall in Los Angeles.

Part of her culture is respect and care for older people. She says, “I see a lot of lonely people and it makes me sad. I love all the residents here and I want to make them as happy as possible. I appreciate all my blessings and I like to do extra work.”

New  Library  Books

BIOGRAPHY

•My  Stroke  Of  Luck  by  Douglas,  Kirk

•Gandhi’s  Autobiography  by  Gandhi,  M.  K.

• Confucius  by  Mc  Arthur,  Meher

 

GENERAL  

•A  Byzantine  Journey  by  Ash,  John

•Afghanistan  by  Ewans,  Martin

• The  Tsimshian  &  Their  Neighbors  by  Miller  &  Eastman

• Inside  The  Revolution  by  Rosenberg,  Joel  C.

• Le9ers  From  The  Editor  by  Ross,  Harold

•Wild  by  Strayed,  Cheryl

•Olympus  Mons  by  Walling,  William

• The  Silver  Star  by  Walls,  Jeanne[e

MYSTERY

•Aunt  Dimity  Down  Under  by  Atherton,  Nancy

• Inferno  by  Brown,  Dan

• The  Beautiful  Mystery  by  Penny,  Louise

POETRY

• Verses  From  1929  On  by  Nash,  Ogden

September 2013

THE SAMARKAND • 2550 Treasure Dr • Santa Barbara, CA 93105 • 805-687-0701 • www.TheSamarkand.org 8

SAM NEWS

Covenant Retirement Communities does not discriminate pursuant to the federal

Fair Housing Act.

Covenant Retirement Communities is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Place  of  Opportunity  by Chaplain Sherry Peterson

We’ve been through much economic change in recent years. There have been hard times for many. The book of Jeremiah deals with Israel’s hard time of Exile after being conquered by Babylon. Eugene Peterson, Run with the Horses, interprets Jeremiah wonderfully. These quotes are long, but worth the space because Jeremiah wanted Israel (and us) to survive and to find the gains in difficult places.

Peterson writes, “Exile (change/loss) is traumatic and terrifying. Our sense of who we are is very much determined by the place we are in and the people we are with. When that changes abruptly, who are we? The accustomed ways we have of finding our worth and sensing our significance vanish. The first wave of emotion recedes and leaves us feeling worthless, meaningless. We don’t fit anywhere. No one expects us to do anything. No one needs us. We are extra baggage. We aren’t necessary. The essential meaning of exile is that we are where we don’t want to be. We are separated from home.”

Jeremiah wrote to those uprooted, hesitating to commit to new relationships in Jer. 29:4-14, “Build houses and live in them.” Make yourself at home. Your life right

now is every bit as valuable as it was when you were in Jerusalem. Exile is not your choice, but it is what you are given.

“Plant gardens and eat their produce.” Become a productive part of the economy of the place. You are not parasites. Don’t expect others to do it for you.

“Take wives and have sons and daughters.” These people are not beneath you or above you. They are your equals. You cannot be the person God wants you to be if you keep yourself aloof from others. That which you have in common is far more significant than that which separates.

“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” The only place you have to be human is where you are right now. The only opportunity you will ever have to live by faith is in the circumstances you are provided this day.

“Exile (being where we don’t want to be with people we don’t want to be with) forces a decision: Will I focus my attention on what is wrong with the world and feel sorry for myself? Or will I focus my energies on how I can live at my best in this place I find myself? Far more important than the climate, the economics, the

neighbors of this place is the God of this place. God is here with me.

Along with the rebuke and the counsel is promise and invitation, Jer. 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you.” They settled down to find out what it meant to be God’s people in the place they did not want to be. The result was that this became the most creative period in the entire sweep of Hebrew history. They did not lose their identity; they discovered it. They learned how to pray in deeper and more life-changing ways than ever. They found God. (And they did this in the midst of everyday life- houses and gardens, marriages and children.)

“The exile was the ‘crucible of Israel’s faith.’ They were pushed to the edge of existence …and they found in fact they had been pushed to the center, where God was. They experienced not bare survival but abundant life….Exile reveals what really matters and frees us to pursue what really matters, which is to seek the Lord with all our hearts.”

May we, too, find abundant life in hard “places of opportunity.”