9-cierra sister newsletter

OUR NEWSLETTER
December 2008
Editor: Janice Bell
www.Cierrasisters.org
Statistics on Women and Drug abuse
1. Today, more than four million women in the U.S. use
illegal drugs.
2. Nine million women have used illegal drugs in the
past year.
3. During the past year, 3.7 million women have taken
prescription drugs non-medically.
4. More than 28,000 (70 percent) of the AIDS cases
among women are drug-related.
5. Almost half of all women ages 15 to 44 have used illegal drugs at least once in their lifetime.
6. Nearly two million have used cocaine
7. More than six million have used marijuana within the
past year.
8. Most women drug abusers use more than one drug.
9. Women who use alcohol and drugs develop substance
abuse related health problems faster than men.
10. Women are more likely than men to use a combination
of alcohol and prescription drugs.
11. Women often begin to abuse alcohol and drugs following depression, to relax on dates, to feel more adequate, to lose weight, to decrease stress or to help
them sleep at night.
12. Risks for developing a substance use disorder: a history
of physical or sexual abuse; depression, panic disorder
or anxiety; and a family history of substance abuse.
13. Alcohol is absorbed faster in women's bodies.
14. The National Center on Addiction and Substance
Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University in New York
City reported that female alcoholics are twice as likely
to die as male alcoholics in the same age group.
15. Younger women, especially teenagers, are now drinking as much as their male peers. Teenagers who drink
are more likely to be sexually active and not protect
themselves against sexually transmitted diseases.
17. Women of any age who drink are more likely to be the
victims of violence, to attempt suicide or overdose than
those who do not drink..
18. Substance abuse and addiction to cigarettes, alcohol
and psychoactive prescription drugs (tranquilizers and
other drugs that affect the mind or behavior) are at epidemic levels for American women 60 and older.
The above data is from the Nation Women’s Health Resource
Center website http://www.healthywomen.org/healthtopics/
substanceabuse/factstoknow
STEPS ALONG OUR JOURNEY
The emotional impact of cancer is far reaching
and we may over look the need to hear the voices of our
youth, who’s silent cries often go unheard.
You never know what to expect when
you hear a loved one tell you they've been diagnosed with an illness. So many thoughts flood
your mind and the unknown can become very
frightening. I remember at the age of ten sitting at
the kitchen table as my mom with tears in her
eyes announced that she was diagnosed with
breast cancer. Being so young I barely knew what
that meant, but the somber atmosphere of our
home let me know that prayer was in order.
Though this was a time of worry, I never saw my
mother lose her strength. I was full of questions like
"Mom what's going to happen, are you going to be ok.?"
Her answer to all of my questions was simple but true,
"It's in the Lord's hands, and we’ll stay in prayer."
Through her strength and optimism I learned at a young
age that God can and will take care of his people. Thir-
teen years later through God's grace I am able to have my
healthy mom in my life, and I have been blessed to watch
her give of herself as God uses her to encourage, educate,
and uplift others with knowledge, empowerment,
strength, and courage through Cierra Sisters. I am
proud to share with my friends that my mom
Bridgette Richardson–Hempstead is the founder of
an organization that gives back so much to individuals and families faced with the enormous challenges of cancer.
Today whenever I’m faced with adversity, I
think back to the tender age of ten when my mom's
answers were, “It's in the Lord's hands..."
Shaprece Richardson
Inside this issue:
The Founder’s Desk
Words of Wisdom
Make a Donation
2
2
2
Too Tiered to Cook
The Nurse’s Station
43 things to help
3
3
4
From the Founder’s Desk
Dear friends and supporters,
The holidays are here. This time of the
year can bring on depression and feeling of desperation, which makes it
important to monitor our stress levels.
I have recently had the unfortunate
experience of having my home
robbed. I came home in the middle of
the afternoon and walked in on the robbers. I heard them in
the back of my home and of course they heard me. I
quickly left the house and got to a safe place where I was
able to observe the front of the house, and called the police
and reported a robbery in progress.
After three frantic phone calls to the police and an
hour later, an officers finally arrived. The officer came in
looked around and wrote a case # on a piece of paper. He
then informed me that my neighborhood had a lot of crime
that involved guns and drugs. The officer continued to give
me the advice to move from my home and move to Newport Hills in Bellevue. He informed me that he also works
in Newport Hills and that he rarely receives any phone calls
in Newport Hills. I responded to him with a firm voice,
“How would you suggest that I sell my home with the recession and the reduction in the housing prices today?” He
did not answer as he left my home
I have taken a strong stand in protecting my home
the best way that I know, and that includes prayer and updating my alarm system. I have made a conscious decision
that I will not be discouraged by this unfortunate event, and
I will retain my positive attitude, and I will not let anyone
steal my joy. I will overcome, over power and overturn all
obstacles. I will look further then my natural vision, because I walk by faith and not by sight. I will not give up or
give in, or give into the fear of defeat. I will never forget
who I am, why I am here or where I am going. I realize
this day, this moment, is truly a blessing. I choose to have a
positive attitude.
To all of you out there, please stay safe and aware
of your surroundings. Remember, should you ever be faced
with a situation like this one, avoid confrontation and get to
a safe place. Material things can be replaced. Your life can
not.
Much love to you all
Bridgette Hempstead
Words of Wisdom
When I think about hope, the first
thing that comes to my mind is “hope is
the key component that sparks and ignites
our actions and our faith.” It inspires us to
discover our purpose and the meaning of
life. When we are bombarded or overcome by negative thoughts and challenges, that leave us feeling powerless,
defeated, or unmotivated, one of the best
thing we can do for ourselves is to grab hold of some hope.
Hope gives us an optimistic perspective about life
and our situations. Hope does not make us oblivious to
our struggles or how difficult things may be in a given moment; that is the job of delusion. Hope allows us to see
what is real and the possibilities to be found in our times
of difficulty. Hope coupled with faith strengthens us to
endure the hardships and sorrows that naturally comes
from living our lives.
The scriptures tell us “faith is the substance of
things HOPED for and the evidence of things not seen.”
Hope often occurs when we are faced with the unknown.
However, our pass experience with hope strengthens our
ability to hope. For example, if you ever believed God for
something, and it happened, then it is likely that you will
believe him the next time you need His help. Hope does
not take away our fears, but it helps to move us through
those fears by elevating our expectations for the moment
and for the future.
It requires a small amount of courage to have
hope; but the more you hope the more strength and courage you gain. Hope is the substance that elevates our will
power and courage not to give up, but to press on, and to
endure. Hope is a beautiful thing that God has given each
of us a measure of. The action required, for us to benefit
from hope is to use it.
Perhaps this holiday season, life has been looking
dim, and perhaps you are feeling low or even overwhelmed. In addition, maybe you think all hope is gone. It
is in these moments that we find ourselves in a place of
uncertainty, and we must tapped into that measure of faith
and hope that God has given us. So, let me encourage you
with these words of wisdom and truth, place your hope in
God, and He will supply your every need.
Roosevelt Brooks MA PSY/CMHC
Make your tax deductible gift to Cierra Sisters and help improve a life time today
Your Name:_______________________________________________________ Phone Number: _________________
Address: _________________________________________________ City: _________________________ Zip: ______
Gift Amount
__ $5
__ $10
__$20
__$ 50.00
__ $100
__ other__________
Make check or money order payable to Cierra Sister Inc.
Mail Check or money order along with this pledge slip to :Cierra Sisters Inc. P.O Box 1634, Renton, WA 98057
Page 2
PRAYER LIST
Diane Green
Dorothy Lewis
Francine Martin
Fran Hopper
Mary Agard
Diane Beaty
Norma Crews
Kenny Ray
Barbara Lewis
Bridgette Richardson-Hempstead
Too Tiered To Cook
Black Eyed Pea Salad
The key components of this salad are firm good peas, a
great low calorie tasty dressing, and crunchy healthy veggies! Feel free to try different veggies and dressings from
time to time~
Ingredients:
2 cans (15.5 oz) of black eyed peas, drained or 4 cups of
cooked black eyed peas
2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tablespoons of fresh parsley
Choose one or more of these veggies:
Shiitake mushrooms
Sundried tomatoes
Green Onions
Green Bell Pepper
Yellow Bell Pepper
White Onion
Orange Bell Pepper
Red Bell Pepper
Small Red Onion
Tomato
Celery
Choose one of these vinegars (no white vinegar):
Balsamic Vinegar
Fruit Vinegar
Wine Vinegar
Sherry Vinegar
Directions:
Use a paper towel to gently blot the sundried tomatoes
1. if used, and chop them into small pieces no larger
than the black eyed peas.
2. Dice other veggies into small pieces.
3. In a large bowl mix black eyed peas and veggies and
parsley.
In a separate bowl mix 3 tablespoons of the vinegar of
your choice with the olive oil. Toss with the veggies and
peas. Cover and allow to chill in refrigerator at least 1-4
hours.
Submitted to the Cierra Sisters Newsletter by Meri
Tahset, Personal Chef and Health Educator at
mtahset@ywcaworks.org
The Nurse’s Corner
There is no doubt that care giving, even in the best of circumstances is
stressful. Stress, however, in and of itself is not bad; it is how we respond to it
that can challenge our well being.
Events, situations, and circumstances
that occur in life can upset our balance
and produces stress. Not everyone responds to life events with the same
thoughts, feelings and reactions. When we perceive
events to be stressful, or we exceed our stress threshold, it
is not uncommon to experience anxiety. If we think of
being in balance as "being present with oneself," when
anxiety tips that balance it can result in feeling "ahead of
oneself" worrying about what is to come, or "behind oneself," worrying about what has occurred. Finding ways to
manage responses to stress is critical to maintaining personal balance. Developing your own foundation for well
being can help you not only to find and promote your
own balance, but it can help you to support your overall
well being in the face of ongoing or increasing challenges
that may be presented to you in your demanding role as
caregiver.
There are many simple things that we can do for
ourselves, on a day-to-day basis to form a foundation for
our well being. The activities listed below, cost little to
nothing, and require little time, but they make a huge difference. Take a look over this list, try some of the activities, and see how they make you feel.
- Nurture your biological-psychological-social-spiritual
self
- Know what nurtures you
- Have goals and fulfill them
- Do kind acts
- Surround yourself with people who make you feel good
- Read, visit bookstores/library, share books with friends
- Pay attention to your body
- Choose food wisely and chew slowly
- Seek out healthy verbal environments, language is felt
by every cell
- Pay attention to yourself, be present with yourself
- Drink water: use a green glass- green is healing, flavor
the water with fruit
- Make your home a place you look forward to going to
- Keep a window open for oxygenated air (consider an air
filter if you live in a very polluted area)
- If you like candles, safely burn candles
- Bring nature into your home with plants or flowers
- Consider getting a pet
Feel free to add other activities and work at supporting
your well being on a daily basis
Always, Paquita
Page 3
43 THINGS THAT COULD MAKE YOU HAPPIER
1. Forgive yourself
2. Forgive other
3. Be grateful
4. Make up your mind to be happy
5. Laugh out loud
6. Play your favorite song over and over again
7. Tell each one of your children you love them
8. Send some money to a family member in need
9. Write your mate a love letter
10. Take a walk
11. Hug someone you love
12. Call a friend
13. Write down 25 things you love about yourself
14. Let go of someone or something that is holding
you back
15. Clean out you closet and donate everything that
you haven’t worn in a year or more
16. Go to the movies
17. Learn something new
18. Spend 15 minutes reflecting on the things you are
thankful for
19. Spend the day speaking only kind words
20. Have a day for doing random acts of kindness
21. Send cards to all your friends
DECEMBER 13, 08
CIERRA SISTERS’
Christmas
Party
12617 Beacon Ave. So.
Seattle, WA 98171
RSVP at 206.505.9194
Bring your favorite dish!
Family and supporters are invited to
come and enjoy the holiday spirit,
food, fun and special entertainment.
Party from 6:30 until
If you would like to participate in the
gift exchange bring a gift (cost for
gifts limited to $10.00)
Cierra Sisters Inc.
P.O Box 1634
Renton, WA 98057
22. Read a book
23. Treat someone to dinner
24. Tell someone why you appreciate them
25. Tell yourself the truth about yourself and if you
don’t like it, do what you need to change
26. Don't nag
27. Write down the names of all the people you love
28. Stop complaining for 21 days
29. Have your grandchildren sleep over
30. Make a late night date with your mate
31. Read something positive everyday
32. Go bargain shopping in a thrift store
33. Have a red hat day with some friends
34. Spend time in prayer everyday
35. Go get a physical
36. Lose 10 pounds
37. Take yourself to the zoo
38. Say hello to everyone you meet
39. Sing a favorite childhood song out loud
40. Practice letting go of things you can not change
41. Write down your hopes for the future and what
steps you will take to get there.
42. Buy yourself / someone some flowers
43. Give your mate a bath