Christmas 2012

For us, 2012 was about people to see, places to go and things to do.

Our reason for moving to OKC, in addition to taking the position as Annual Giving Coordinator for World Neighbors, was to be closer to Cindy’s parents, Tom and Peg Harmon, who live in North Texas (2.5 hours away). So, we have been able to spend time with them at their Whitesboro home, and they have made the trip north to Oklahoma. We also had several opportunities to visit with Matt, who is currently serving in the Army at Fort Hood. Cindy has had the pleasure of seeing her aunts and cousins and other family members in Ardmore.

Paul’s cousin, Wanda and Tim McCandless, stayed overnight on their way back to San Diego. Tim made an earlier visit to OKC for business. We had a great steak dinner at the historic Cattleman’s Steakhouse in Stockyard City. We have also made new friends at our church, Holy Trinity Lutheran, in Edmond, and entertained some out of town staff from World Neighbors. You are welcome to come and visit us. We have the space, and there are interesting places to go.

Here are some of the places we went this past year. Our big out-of-state trip (Texas doesn’t count) was to Las Vegas where we participated in the Beachbody Coaches Convention. We got to meet Tony Horton from P90X and a number of other workout coaches. We also got to see Phantom of the Opera.

Our other trip out of state is a trip to Branson and St. Louis for some recreation and religion. In and around OKC we visited the Western Heritage Museum and Cowboy HOF, the OKC Art Museum and the Paseo Art District. We enjoyed Bye Bye Birdie at Lyric Theater, a College World Series softball game and an OKC Barons hockey game.

We made a couple of trips to Stillwater, tasted wine in Stroud, and toured Guthrie, the original state capital of OK. We took in a couple of museums and historic churches in Tulsa in the spring, and returned in November to run the Route 66 Marathon, and we went to the state fair.

Running a marathon meant training for a marathon. We started in February with short runs, and worked our way to 15 and 20-mile treks by the end of October. Of course, neither of us sett speed records, but we are proud to announce that we finished our first marathon as a couple. This also resulted in Paul losing more than 20 pounds.

Professionally, Paul continues his work at World Neighbors – raising funds and awareness for their work in rural Asia, Africa and Latin America. Cindy trains several clients at a local gym and substitute teaches in Edmond schools. Paul roasts coffee and Cindy quilts. We both pray and participate at Holy Trinity LCMS. In addition, the biggest thing of all was our Second Wedding Anniversary on August 7^th.

Lindsey , Winnie and Buddie  welcome guests to our home and explore the neighborhood. Overall, 2012 has been a very good year to see people, go places and do things. We hope to see you here in 2013.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Paul and Cindy Cwynar

OSU Botanical Gardens In Stillwater

Cindy and I started June in Stillwater for a wedding, and then took time to visit the Botanical Gardens. On the return trip, we visited Guthrie, which was the original capital of Oklahoma. It was a wonderful weekend.

We had dinner with some new Oklahoma friends – down the street and up the road, spent Father’s Day in Whitesboro, and took Lindsey with us. She loves her new carriage.

Guthrie

I continue to give presentations in OKC churches for World Neighbors, started to read Steve Jobs, and resumed early morning running. It is getting up to 100F these days!

We ended the month in Las Vegas, where we attended the Beachbody Coaches Summit. We participated in workouts with Tony Horton, the group from Les Mills Pump and met a number of other trainers and coaches. We got to see Phantom of the Opera and have dinner at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill. What fun!

 

Bellagio Indoor Gardens

Cindy is now certified as a Personal Trainer by the Aerobicss and Fitness Association of America, and continues to build her business. She’s observing at a local gym, and hopes to have some clients within a few months.

Cindy and Paul with Tony Horton of P90X

My brother, Ed, had a heart attack and a stent implanted while we were in Vegas. Keep him in prayer for a full recovery.

Oklahoma Update - May 2012

Married one year and nine months in May, we celebratedseveral events. I passed my six-month probationary period at World Neighbors. Cindy passed her practical examon her way to attaining her personal training certification.

Work has been good. I am lined up to speak at 4 churches inJune and more in July. Cindy is working on putting together a blog as sheprepares for her written exam. Together we worked at Wine,Women and Shoes.

We continue our fitness activities.Currently, we are completing our 7^th week of P90X. We’ll beattending the Beachbody Summit in June, meeting fitness coaches from acrossAmerica. We are also preparing for a marathon that we will run this fall.Training begins in July. Who can believe that at 55, I am training for amarathon?

We visited Cindy’s parents, Tom and Peggy Harmon, onMother’s Day, but other than that, we have not travelled much this month. Thetransmission blew in my 2005 LeSabre, and we bought a used JeepLiberty.

The animals are doing well. Lindsey walks with us a fewtimes a week, even though her favorite spot is our (her) bed.

We continue to watch the Thunder and free movies from thelibrary, read nightly devotionals, and participate at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church,where we thank God for all the blessings we receive. May God bless you andyours.

April Showers and Tornadoes

April’s activities included dodging showers and hunkering down through the first month of tornado season. Oklahoma got its share of wind and rain, and, fortunately, we sustained no damage to body or property. There was some major destruction about 150 miles west of us.

Work meant a trip to the Capitol Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and a couple of churches where I spoke about World Neighbors. We also helped at Lunafest and the John L Peters Society event.

OSU, Stillwater

Cindy’s been preparing for her exam to become a personal trainer, and is busy building her Beachbody business.

Cindy’s new favorite store is Sunflower Market in Edmond, and we made our first trip to the Edmond Farmers’ Market. One of my colleagues calls Sunflower a “poor man’s Whole Foods.” We’ve become more aware of the chemicals found in foods, and have been purchasing more organically grown fruits and vegetables, grass fed beef and wild caught seafood. It is all part of our desire to lead healthier lifestyles.

We completed Les Mills Pump and started P90X for the second time in two years. We are much better prepared this time, and modify when necessary. Our routine also includes cardio. We will run together several days a week. Today (April 30), I ran six miles in one hour. If you are interested in getting started on a fitness program, I suggest you click here. I can help you.

Our diet and exercise has resulted in weight loss, strength, lower blood pressure, less reliance on unnecessary medications, and an overall feeling of well-being.

Tom and Peggy Harmon, Cindy’s parents, visited over the Easter weekend. It was great seeing them again. Tom was reading a book on U.S. Grant. Both he and Peggy are mad about Sammie, the Bichon Frise we gave them for Christmas.

Sammie gets along well with Lindsey, who gets along with everyone. She and the cats have gotten quite comfortable in Oklahoma – must be the water. Winnie is the same size as she was in CA, but Buddie has put on quite a bit of weight – must be the neighbors.

They do WHAT here?

We continue to watch free movies from the library, read nightly devotionals, and participate at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, where we thank God for all the blessings we receive. May God bless you and yours.