Friends,
Happy New Year!
As we start this new year, I can’t help to wonder what’s in store for 2024. I’ve been trying to come up with something that rhymes with 2024 and that’s the best I came up with. Store…2024…get it? 😊
Seriously though, I really do wonder what God has in store for us in 2024. Each year we’ve been getting together, we are blessed with more friendships, love, support, encouragement, activities, events, experiences, learning opportunities, research opportunities, etc. Many of us make progress physically along with mentally, emotionally, socially and spirtually. I’m not sure if this happens despite living with MS or because we live with MS. I do believe God is bringing us together for reasons we have no clue of.
Let’s do our part to keep getting together and enjoying 2024. Happy New Year!
Shorter e-mail this week
This is a really busy time of the year for me as we end 2023 and get 2024 kicked off to a good start at work. I’m going write a shorter e-mail this week. Hopefully, I have more time available to write more next week.
You made my day last Friday
Kate was not here last Friday and I just LOVED how so many of you still engaged in the balance programs led by Lisa and Anne.
Consistency is key
Thanks Lisa and Anne for leading these programs. You did awesome! You all did…made my day.
Anonymous Donor Matching Opportunity
Great news! We have met our $5,000.00 matching donation. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who recently donated to help us reach this match. Your donations have been matched 😊. A huge thank you also goes out to our anonymous donor and his wife for initiating this and for so generously donating the match. Thanks so much!
No Regrets Mens Conference
An opportunity for the men of MS-Just Keep Moving. Please join us on Saturday, February 3, 2024 to watch “Livestream” (on the BIG TV) the No Regrets Men’s Conference. The event starts at 8:00 AM and ends at 1:00 PM.
The event will feature group worship, compelling messages from leading pastors and teachers, testimonies of how other men have done it and seminars on topics that will encourage and inspire you. Take advantage of this day and fellowship with other men who will be renewed, challenged, and propelled to become the men of courage God intends you to be.
Here is a link to the event – No Regrets Men’s Conference – No Regrets Men’s Conference (noregretsconference.org)
There is no cost to attend the event, but if you would like lunch, we’ll be chipping in $10.00. Please let Cal or Larry know if you plan to attend.
Cardio and Balance Programs
These classes are aimed to get everyone exercising together. I like that word “together” 😊. We’ll need help from volunteers before and after the cardio class on Wednesday to get members on and off equipment. All are welcome and encouraged to join.
Wednesdays 10-10:30am: Cardio exercise
Location: in the big room using aerobic equipment in front of big TV
Pick your favorite piece of equipment to use, bring a water bottle, and arrive a few minutes early to get the equipment set up to your height.
10:30 – 11:45am Tai Chi led by Ricky
Fridays: Balance training and Core strengthening and Spin Classes
9:30am – 10:00am: Spin Class in front room led by Mike Beiermeister starting this Friday January 5, 2024. Bikes are limited so this will be first come first served.
10-10:30 am: seated balance class
10:30 – 11am: standing balance class
Pick the class / classes you feel most able and comfortable participating in. We will have chairs set up to sit on and/or use for balance support.
Email Kate at kborn1234@gmail.com with any questions.
Friday Morning Bike Ride
It’s going to be too cold this Friday…no ride. Let’s work hard indoors all winter so we’re ready to ride again in the spring.
Educational Sessions
Friday, January 12, 2024 11:00am – Noon. Rob Multerer, President of the National MS Society – Wisconsin Chapter will be here with a couple of board members to discuss the National MS Society. Agenda to be determined.
Saturday, February 3rd 8:00am – 1:00 pm. No Regrets Men’s Conference live streamed from the gym
Friday, February 23, 2024 11:0am – Noon. Meg Walker who is a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor exercises which help our core strength, bladder issues, etc. Meg will be here to teach us some of these exercises
Future topics could include: emotional health, nutrition, yoga, tai chi, wellness topics, safe use of gym equipment for your body, best exercise for you and more. What topics would you like to see? Please let Joan, Traci, Ricky or Dan know
Let’s get together!
We’ll be getting together from 9:00am – noon on Wednesday and Friday mornings at the gym. I hope you’ll join us!
Wisconsin Metal Parts – Westmound Building
MS-Just Keep Moving, Inc.
W228N791 Westmound Drive
Waukesha, WI 53186
Prayer Group We’ll be having our prayer group Wednesday @ 11:00am.
I just love the way we share, pray and laugh together while we witness prayers being answered weekly. It’s truly amazing!
Thanks goes to God and to everyone that joins us. Let’s get together to share, listen, talk, give thanks, and pray however God leads us.
MS-Just Keep Caring – Our Caregivers support group will be the first and third Friday of each month from 10:00 – 10:30am. The next one will be this Friday, January 5, 2024. If you’re a caregiver of someone you love with MS, please join us and share your experience of caring for your loved one. This has been very helpful for many. Thanks to all who participate!
Our Facebook page is private. That means you’ll need to join if you want access to all our fun and progress. We’re now up to 461 members. That’s awesome! https://www.facebook.com/groups/2639832389489709
Our Facebook page is very active and fun. Lots of people are doing more and sharing their journey on Facebook. Feel free to join, post and share your experiences and comments.
There were some awesome pictures, videos and comments shared again this past week. Thank you to all who are sharing!
Thai Massage with Ricky Heldt
Ricky will be here Wednesday and Friday doing Thai Massage.
Many continue making great progress with chronic pain relief, range of motion, walking better and a new sense of hope when Ricky works with them. Please keep in mind that consistency is key. Not only with Ricky…with exercise too. We need consistency to realize the benefits long term. We want you to have long term benefits and relief.
Ricky has a sign up board based on first come first serve. You can pick the time slot that works for you. I highly encourage you to take advantage of Ricky’s Thai Massages each day and sign up for your time slot as soon as you get there.
Reiki with Linda Linda will be here on Fridays doing Reiki. Many people say Linda’s Reiki work is “magical”. We’re thankful for Linda sharing her gifts and talents with us. Feel free to let Linda know you’d like to do Reiki with her. She also has a sign up sheet.
Inspirational Humor with Adam Wollert
We’ll be having our inspirational humor zoom call with Adam again next Tuesday. Adam is a gift to all of us. Thanks to all who joined us today!
Please join us if you can.
Tuesdays @ 1:30PM
Here’s the link to join us…I hope you do!
Join Zoom Meeting with this link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9431389152?pwd=bWlYbFNaazVnM1M1cWxWMitlODdXUT09
Meeting ID: 943 138 9152
Passcode: 3qP2hu
Phone: 1-312-626-6799
Let’s reach out
I encourage you to share a smile and encouragement with someone. Perhaps you could call someone that you have not talked with for a while just to say hi and see how they are doing. We all could use a little extra love and encouragement.
MS is tough. Let’s have faith, remain calm, be flexible, help each other and learn as much as we can about the challenges of each day as we make good choices.
Let’s keep moving, loving and smiling 😊
In God We Trust…we are in good hands.
Dan
P.S. Last Saturday we had some frost on the ground. Cal and I decided to go to Lapham Peak with our cameras.
The frost added another dimension of beauty to the morning
Thistles even looked pretty cool
So did mushrooms
And logs
And weeds
The forest as a whole was beautiful with the combination of the frost and the light
For those who can’t get out and enjoy nature due your challenges with MS…my heart is with you. You are with me every time I’m out there. I enjoy being out there and I also enjoy sharing with you. I know how hard it is not to be able to get out and enjoy nature. Let’s enjoy nature and God’s beauty together this way.