tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33826292641751271672024-03-17T23:03:42.803-04:00Widow’s Christian PlaceYou're not alone. Here's a safe place, a growing place, a way out of the shadows of grief . . . This blog provides resources and Biblical direction for helping you trust Jesus through one of life's most difficult challenges.Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.comBlogger1812125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-14511889309065281642023-12-26T11:28:00.002-05:002024-02-14T09:56:39.281-05:00Please Move Over to My New Website <p>Widows Christian PLACE (this blog) has been updated to Widows Christian PATH (a website plus blog).</p><p><a href="https://widowschristianpath.com/Home" target="_blank">Please click HERE to check it out.</a> Sign up for emails to keep up with the latest events for widows like my own "7-week Widows Path course on Zoom," Widow Journey Retreats with Gayle Roper, Widows Link cruises with Marlene Craft, other widow rretreats and ministries, and so much more. Even DRAWINGS for FREE STUFF! Send me a friend request on Facebook too. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1pbVgtcHnpJzFhAxPkGhbw66U9gfmp1TpKPTyim_QXVq4MQ3Xz7uu8ajVyDd2PBbP3TAoM-Su8aQAHcYohWkaI93rSYZnmPR-2Q1CRtw3PEYa2-t0YCB6CrQBKazXLWOBgZOxkHl7eK8_UmRet_QFK55F3giA3HAta5NzrEymQhkg6SVWNoR5ifrEf_e/s4693/2023%20PV%20photo2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4693" data-original-width="3134" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1pbVgtcHnpJzFhAxPkGhbw66U9gfmp1TpKPTyim_QXVq4MQ3Xz7uu8ajVyDd2PBbP3TAoM-Su8aQAHcYohWkaI93rSYZnmPR-2Q1CRtw3PEYa2-t0YCB6CrQBKazXLWOBgZOxkHl7eK8_UmRet_QFK55F3giA3HAta5NzrEymQhkg6SVWNoR5ifrEf_e/w134-h200/2023%20PV%20photo2.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>You know that <i>I know by experience</i> that widowhood is one of the hardest challenges a woman will ever face. I can help you; I've been online and connecting with widows since 2010---longer than most. My friend Miriam Neff and I, unknown to each other back then, started online about the same time (she's a dynamo you should know!) <p></p><p>My book, <b><i><a href="https://widowschristianpath.com/Home">Postcards from the Widows' Path</a></i></b> has helped thousands. I write a monthly column called "Widows Path" for Plain Values magazine, I speak to widow groups (and others), I'm a life transitions coach, I've facilitated GriefShare groups a few times, taken the GriefCare course, and widow groups just seem to pop up wherever I happen to live! I understand widow fog too, so you won't be hounded with advertising, pop-ups, and relentless emails that are overwhelming. </p><p>This current blog will remain as a resource. There's over ten years worth of good topics, interviews and adventures. Use the keyword search box, or click on the labels or archives in the sidebar.</p><p>I hope to see you soon over on "The Path." (Be sure to click Join Email List when you get there). Thank you so much for visiting with me here over the years. I think you're amazing, and I know that IGO (In God's Opinion) you're extraordinary! You matter to God and you matter to me. </p><p>May God grant you kindness and rest in 2024.</p><p>💗 </p><p><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Ferree</span></p>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-61070579417162309642023-12-05T15:29:00.007-05:002023-12-05T15:40:00.101-05:00Join My New Email List -- It's My Gift to You<p> <b style="color: red; font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">D<span style="color: #339966;">e</span>c<span style="color: #339966;">e</span>m<span style="color: #339966;">b</span>e<span style="color: #339966;">r</span> N<span style="color: #339966;">e</span>w<span style="color: #339966;">s</span> F<span style="color: #339966;">l</span>a<span style="color: #339966;">s</span>h<span style="color: #339966;">!</span></span></b></p><div style="font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Dear Friends,</div><div style="font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </div><div style="font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i> (This is a copy of my first mailing on the new website. Are you signed up on it yet? <span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE THESE POSTS DIRECTED TO YOUR EMAIL? It's my gift to you. </span>That way the link comes straight to you, and saves you having to visit here for updates. <a href="https://widowschristianpath.com/Home">Just click here</a>, and then click the "Join Our Email List" which you'll see on the right side of the page. My new website is www.WidowsChristianPath.com)</i></div><div style="font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </div><div style="font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> I was so exited when I got a call last Friday asking, "Who should we make the check out to?"</div><div style="font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><img alt="" border="5" height="320" src="http://widowschristianpath.com/Misc_Images/widowschristianpath.com_misc_image89983.jpg" src_cetemp="http://widowschristianpath.com/Misc_Images/widowschristianpath.com_misc_image89983.jpg" style="border-color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" width="240" /> </div><div style="font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> WHAT???? I was so surprised!<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </div><div style="font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> The widows group here in Ticonderoga, NY pulled together and entered a Christmas tree in the Historical Society's Annual Festival, and we actually WON a prize in the Creative Category! We received $50.00 at a lovely reception on Sunday afternoon. When we get together for lunch this month we'll talk about what to do with it. I know the ladies will have some great ideas!</div><div style="font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </div><div style="font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Here's the skinny on what we did.</div><div style="font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><ul><li>FESTIVAL OF TREES THEME: A Patriotic Christmas </li><li>So our color scheme was Red, White and Blue.</li><li>One month before: We came up with our tree theme: "WOW - Wisdom of Widows" The idea was that we'd have 2 types of paper ornaments. One said Wisdom of Widows on the front, and we wrote some "wise words" on the back of it like "Choose Joy," "Always Say I Love You," Bible verses, favorite quotes, etc. </li><li>The other ornaments had "In Memory Of..." on the front and we wrote the name of our loved one on the back. </li><li>Under the tree we had gift wrapped boxes with "gift tags" on them that spread out the saying, "Today is a gift, that's why it's called "The Present." </li><li>Artificial trees were required, and one of the women (Mary C. pictured on the left, next to the president of the Historical Society) was happy to let us use her pre-lit 6-ft. tree since she didn't plan to use it this year.</li><li>Two weeks before the festival, my husband Tom and I went to Mary's to pick up the tree. She came along with us to set it up and check out the lights.</li><li><div style="text-align: center;">One week before the festival, the "Lunch Bunch" met for lunch and finished working on our paper decorations. Some ladies also brought ornaments that they had individually created. (They were so wonderful!) After that, as many of us as could went over to the beautifully replicated John Hancock House, (museum and Historical Society location), to decorate our tree! Many thanks to Norma, Cee, Mary, Star and Elaine for their help! And thanks to Barbara, Star, Norma, Joan, and others who decorated multiple ornaments with coloring, glitter, bling, and ribbons. The love shined through! </div><img alt="" border="5" height="240" hspace="20" src="http://widowschristianpath.com/Misc_Images/widowschristianpath.com_misc_image89982.jpg" src_cetemp="http://widowschristianpath.com/Misc_Images/widowschristianpath.com_misc_image89982.jpg" style="border-color: rgb(255, 0, 0); text-align: left;" vspace="20" width="320" /></li></ul></div><div style="font-family: arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </div>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-26912706184446722662023-11-30T19:58:00.000-05:002023-11-30T19:58:34.128-05:00Please Visit My New Location<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kIdezFl2PtXIXrkVjlfLwePZhsbPq9m0BMBe-lmpxmNG7l-uNB8jvloTNynbXtUK5yvOJ3ypdAEsZksHhP8Ok-50pAQgqYY6uat_RArO8oq2Z9_kDzjIUGcK8RmrG_4wTp2fLoq7I7B3hBW3Fvpz_mwbbDj9IQy7Z9AJqrEUfpikFMjfNxxhoKgLQJuD/s2379/2023%20PV%20photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2379" data-original-width="1588" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kIdezFl2PtXIXrkVjlfLwePZhsbPq9m0BMBe-lmpxmNG7l-uNB8jvloTNynbXtUK5yvOJ3ypdAEsZksHhP8Ok-50pAQgqYY6uat_RArO8oq2Z9_kDzjIUGcK8RmrG_4wTp2fLoq7I7B3hBW3Fvpz_mwbbDj9IQy7Z9AJqrEUfpikFMjfNxxhoKgLQJuD/s320/2023%20PV%20photo.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>Thank you for visiting Widows Christian Place, which has been holding space for widows and their grief since 2012.<p></p><p>Please click on over to my new website, <a href="https://widowschristianpath.com/Home">Widows Christian Path</a>. This new name corresponds well with my book, <i>Postcards from the Widows Path</i>, and my <i>Widows Path</i> magazine column in <a href="https://plainvalues.com/">Plain Values</a>. </p><p>Be sure to JOIN My Email List. About twice a month you'll receive updates on ministries and retreats you can use, plus feel part of the larger community of compassionate people who help each other. I promise there will be NO ads, NO pop-ups, and NO flooding your inbox with junk! I will not share your email, it's safe with me. </p><p>FREE DRAWING: everyone who joins will be entered into a drawing for a 2024 Prayer Journal. I've used these journals since 2019 and I tell you that they will enrich and bless your walk with the Lord all year long. Be sure to join before Dec. 24! I want to ship it to the winner immediately to start their new year out right.</p><p>It's been such a joy to connect with everyone on this blog for over ten years! This blog will remain up, and the many topics are just a click away in the Search Box. But come on over the THE PATH so we can stay connected. </p><p>💗 Ferree<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-45495905545842141742023-09-18T13:45:00.001-04:002023-09-18T13:46:13.662-04:00Need a Bible Reading Plan?<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60AGCP_pJKTLrc29NXtRlnYo0sBNUgji7ANJ9o4QzznAdgnAlrALE5twaM1DznVA-taivlUAK9GvuVAz5bXb09mvSE0jHKcqHguZ9kFYSsk6kZYGZtj9aLzW2iKaLkqZAwd9c78sgSj10aWUdPw5WXacyn0u27LW41NFd6dOU6XZyVIlEwzqey-9ms2Wh/s1600/Bible%20reading%20plan%20jan%20to%20jun%20from%20kelly%20on%20FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60AGCP_pJKTLrc29NXtRlnYo0sBNUgji7ANJ9o4QzznAdgnAlrALE5twaM1DznVA-taivlUAK9GvuVAz5bXb09mvSE0jHKcqHguZ9kFYSsk6kZYGZtj9aLzW2iKaLkqZAwd9c78sgSj10aWUdPw5WXacyn0u27LW41NFd6dOU6XZyVIlEwzqey-9ms2Wh/w200-h154/Bible%20reading%20plan%20jan%20to%20jun%20from%20kelly%20on%20FB.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"></span></p><p style="color: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><span style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: medium;"><i>"I've been using your Bible reading plan again this year. I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate it - mainly for the variety, rather than a straight-through reading. Thank you." </i></span></b></span><span style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Lorrie, widow of 7 years</span></p><span style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo1NreLLl4d7ZYRabS55-Lu56NuGKdQoEQfZjsJYwJcsALn6NA9ukoIsUX1NYij2ZkpO1-4xoebFkU1RJuoIOjBEEVMiK2m2cqQ3MZ00ZQnE8jUzoZPXaB6x8Cu9rUiaOPHUfgM_OmbbQ7nZfPyl7szsm6HgRBZh6DCmQApI4UEw1mdrch2R8XJkPGjQX/s1600/Bible%2520Reading%2520Plan_revside2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo1NreLLl4d7ZYRabS55-Lu56NuGKdQoEQfZjsJYwJcsALn6NA9ukoIsUX1NYij2ZkpO1-4xoebFkU1RJuoIOjBEEVMiK2m2cqQ3MZ00ZQnE8jUzoZPXaB6x8Cu9rUiaOPHUfgM_OmbbQ7nZfPyl7szsm6HgRBZh6DCmQApI4UEw1mdrch2R8XJkPGjQX/w200-h154/Bible%2520Reading%2520Plan_revside2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></span><p></p><p><span style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Lorrie sent this to me last week. It was such a nice surprise! I developed my Bible reading plan over a couple of years. I wanted something that would help widows to... </span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">get into God's Word </span></li><li><span style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">have a feeling of accomplishment </span></li><li><span style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">not be overwhelmed by trying to read through the entire Bible</span></li><li><span style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">start a Bible reading plan at any time of year, not just Jan. 1st</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Click on it <u>in the sidebar</u> of this blog to print your own copy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Here's how it works:</span></i></b></span></p><p><span style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Read only one, sometimes two, chapters a day, and you will read through the following in one year:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Entire New Testament</li><li>Ruth</li><li>Proverbs</li><li>Selected Psalms</li></ul><p></p>You can start any time! Each month is self-contained, nothing carries over into the next, so start anytime.<p></p><div><b>1st day of every month: </b>you'll read a portion from Psalm 119, the longest book in the Bible. It highlights the wisdom, power and application of God's Word and sets our focus on the great things we can expect!</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Gospels:</b> Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. My plan has you read one gospel every season. Isn't that perfect? Four gospels, four seasons, four times when we devote our reading to Christ's ministry among real people. We see him from four different people's front-row seats as he heals the sick and broken-hearted, carries our guilt and sin to the cross, and rises to victory and eternity---our future! </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Ruth:</b> THE book for widows! I've scheduled Ruth to be read in the springtime, right about the time Ruth and Naomi would have returned to Bethlehem and Ruth would have started gleaning. Hope blossoms in so many hearts in springtime, so I love timing the reading to this time of year.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Proverbs:</b> The book of wisdom! We can never get too much. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Selected Psalms:</b> I matched certain psalms with certain New Testament passages--read them and you'll see how much they speak to each other, and speak to your heart. It's pretty amazing! Psalms teach us how to cry, how to pray, and how the praise---essential expressions for suffering. God knows what we need, so he has provided!</div><div><br /></div><div>* this indicates that the word "widow" appears. These are not the only instances or teachings on widows in the Bible, but these are the ones in my particular plan. </div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy reading God's Love Letter to you!</div><div>💗<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnkI4TIJlD-CUYtslGLlzoQZnbQa2UPWfljD28zzKN2lXqR_NNUmTFNNPBOW0b7UHxqZx0YTBMG3J_NUg9QMFaHrRtjCijvzNeVtP8sGe-QARyTTYPQHCPGjr9SKMnWlt_ZAjg3A7ALOyqJ9HWrk36R8HWvI9jl21GahQb4hGgG0RnoriexaKww6BMfNp/s1920/ws_Heart_shaped_pages_1920x1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1920" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnkI4TIJlD-CUYtslGLlzoQZnbQa2UPWfljD28zzKN2lXqR_NNUmTFNNPBOW0b7UHxqZx0YTBMG3J_NUg9QMFaHrRtjCijvzNeVtP8sGe-QARyTTYPQHCPGjr9SKMnWlt_ZAjg3A7ALOyqJ9HWrk36R8HWvI9jl21GahQb4hGgG0RnoriexaKww6BMfNp/s320/ws_Heart_shaped_pages_1920x1200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-10632685398936335742023-09-10T17:38:00.000-04:002023-09-10T17:38:01.957-04:00A Quiet, Steady Voice to Help You Pick Up the Pieces<p><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">Have you suffered loss, grieved well, and now stand ready to rebuild your life? </span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">O</span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">r . . . maybe you don't even know where to even start. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">Contact me. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">I help widows, and others who have endured loss, with coaching tailored to their personal needs. You matter to God, and you matter to me. I, too, have known . . . </span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">the profound loneliness and heartache of widowhood</span></li><li><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">the secondary losses of career and my family</span></li><li><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">the complications, setbacks, and crises of relocation </span></li><li><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">rejection</span></li><li><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">loss of faith </span></li><li><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">and betrayal</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">I can help you discover your God-given inner strengths and resources for rebuilding your life.</span></p><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">I’ve been blogging for widows since 2010 and my book, “Postcards from the Widows’ Path—Gleaning Hope and Purpose from The Book of Ruth,” has helped thousands. I write magazine columns, help start widow groups, and lead my own groups. I help with widow retreats like Widows Link and Widows Journey. I have a B.A. from Moody Bible Institute and was a pastor's wife for over twenty years before my first husband died. </span><div><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCP6EKnfhEVyu9HNf0Yr4UVUavxx4Atvg_NgBNMPdtBjWc0X_Txini9E7-XrVbLxYx5cxUBtCr9P7AGHOk2XWDmCXOE3PlACQuOd9NrPkoShVvVI6S5k-IWug10GMKVRaTkEgvy9wxhf6O7m7FgvZbyWr0L4dpmWT6nYTCXe6UwEwfjs-hesNFk14Dijdj/s1053/butterfly_PNG1054.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1053" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCP6EKnfhEVyu9HNf0Yr4UVUavxx4Atvg_NgBNMPdtBjWc0X_Txini9E7-XrVbLxYx5cxUBtCr9P7AGHOk2XWDmCXOE3PlACQuOd9NrPkoShVvVI6S5k-IWug10GMKVRaTkEgvy9wxhf6O7m7FgvZbyWr0L4dpmWT6nYTCXe6UwEwfjs-hesNFk14Dijdj/w200-h184/butterfly_PNG1054.png" width="200" /></a></div>But touching one life at a time is what matters most to me. That's my greatest strength: I'm a quiet, steady voice when your world spins out into chaos. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">Let's talk. Please email me for a free consultation. I’d love to hear your story and talk with you. There's life after death, believe me. Together we can begin to discover it and tap into your new hope, purpose, and joy.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">wcplace@gmail.com</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #252d30; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">💗 Ferree <br /></span></div>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-6409113177780189342023-09-05T15:08:00.001-04:002023-09-05T15:09:55.437-04:00Would you recommend me? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYO9O8yDpSP79NNCNXXf2hoTpZyNcL8etw9we8xU8v9JvTWKK7T2Ezxv0bNiO_VNOsHuBw88Zg4jWmkE34hkbNqgJWzpmlS60eGRKU6nHzVZFevIMLToy4ll_XMbBaayfHJXDxxWMIn05jPezOrt0kHCk4kEytsjRY8kNG8rLKEONHPkcC8ZXQ3rIWDGkw/s2379/2023%20PV%20photo.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2379" data-original-width="1588" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYO9O8yDpSP79NNCNXXf2hoTpZyNcL8etw9we8xU8v9JvTWKK7T2Ezxv0bNiO_VNOsHuBw88Zg4jWmkE34hkbNqgJWzpmlS60eGRKU6nHzVZFevIMLToy4ll_XMbBaayfHJXDxxWMIn05jPezOrt0kHCk4kEytsjRY8kNG8rLKEONHPkcC8ZXQ3rIWDGkw/s320/2023%20PV%20photo.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>Dear Friends,<span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I've been featured at </span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="http://womenspeakers.com/?fbclid=IwAR2_qBI9Wdo_d8wpYhofWCwkZ0GB8QjsVrblHuJdfD-N472KIIfX7yABy90" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">Womenspeakers.com</a></span><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and I wondered if you'd be willing to give a recommendation to help event planners learn about me? </span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://www.womenspeakers.com/new-york/ticonderoga/speaker/ferree-hardy/writeareview?fbclid=IwAR2S0VDd1XqD8hHoguRwK72B3OkHaDE0rdQEFOpufqKiI40vXOR14Poh4TU" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://www.womenspeakers.com/.../ferree-hardy/writeareview</a></span><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you've heard me speak, do a workshop, or lead a small group I'd love to have your valuable review! Just click the link above, and it'll lead you through. Please LMK if you have questions.</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I am truly thankful for your help! <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="❤" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t6c/1/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><br /></span><a href="https://www.womenspeakers.com/new-york/ticonderoga/speaker/ferree-hardy?from=badge" target="_blank" title="Find me on Christian Women Speakers"><img border="0/" src="https://www.womenspeakers.com/images/WS_Medallion_250.jpg" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-24827447677680067272023-08-24T17:32:00.000-04:002023-08-24T17:32:04.786-04:00Author Day at the Farmers Market<p>How do you like the bright green lawn in the background of this picture? We had (another) rain shower right before setting up last Saturday. I wish we could send the rain to all of you who's lawns are crispy brown with drought, or over to where wildfires are burning. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8h-7pcSqSn7BIVv_zheAiVBXykCAA8Mx5zremAAiJ471Pm-KPsnKCeJGrKs2Eqmrg0ijs2ziBqXeeUNmjOqRhat4v2uxaYJ6KBuNCjyDmLMKP8dzhzW9PV-Ro5iGKSL4hQ_768k955oAi5C1mRp5bfSZ7g4n1p0MW27OkDV927Mg65Xq99TAB4XJmxs2k/s320/IMG_7255.JPEG" width="320" /></div><p>But fortunately, the rain stopped in time for the market. I haven't done an author's table for years, and didn't really know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the sweet people who came out to support me and say "hello."</p><p>The other great part was getting the word out: God cares for widows. He treasures them. They're very important to Him! (I used to wonder if all that was true, but slowly and surely, I've been learning it is!)</p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I think I could put a money back guarantee on my book: Read the whole thing, do the reflections at the end of each chapter, and you will see change and receive hope. I guarantee it!! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As I told a widow friend just today, "There's life after death for your husband in heaven, and there's a 'life after death' for you too!" She's feeling ready to step into that life, but as we all know, it takes time. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Time is something that God has plenty of. He's just waiting for you. My book can help bring you to be able to breathe again, to hope again, and to find your purpose. I guarantee it, not because it's my book, but because God loves widows; He loves <u>you.</u></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Here's where to start back to life: <a href="http://www.widowschristianplace.com/p/bookstore-postcards-from-widows-path.html ">Postcards from the Widows' Path </a></span></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="http://www.widowschristianplace.com/p/bookstore-postcards-from-widows-path.html "> </a></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiRMfKNJ2cQCpLSMjjTa6xa7RQY_D1YaEVRFVoxKpeUIoFw_I2N-Q2vukPS3bP6UWZKulgJIxq0s52nlZu1p9NRkIPqubrI52mKGzwgQF7QwX-so5w9qaIp55nX8NjsoKX005EA51NLYdvh0nN-dniO--RdTBQ8VAUIfLRqucKVktUxrY_kxV2vW82cR-/s228/Postcards%20book%20cover%20picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="228" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiRMfKNJ2cQCpLSMjjTa6xa7RQY_D1YaEVRFVoxKpeUIoFw_I2N-Q2vukPS3bP6UWZKulgJIxq0s52nlZu1p9NRkIPqubrI52mKGzwgQF7QwX-so5w9qaIp55nX8NjsoKX005EA51NLYdvh0nN-dniO--RdTBQ8VAUIfLRqucKVktUxrY_kxV2vW82cR-/s1600/Postcards%20book%20cover%20picture.jpg" width="228" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #050505;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-35258220985739011332023-08-16T15:53:00.001-04:002023-08-16T15:53:12.247-04:00Local Opportunities Are the Best!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WFX8F4SrZQdti61w_PLIqGScijgMJWEuKYx3V90aom_E5phRH2gy4MEHWhq6aiqZ-VNLvVhTUcWmukCEVKd_aF6FGJoF7_OnKv6vX7oY4MuHtznzcRjCc7KRorhcHvf5deeAESEfWOlTlgOGfQWEz4TMEXB5OFmDLkhLsIVJozcKonJvYsoKZBSyqLmw/s4080/20230816_114227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WFX8F4SrZQdti61w_PLIqGScijgMJWEuKYx3V90aom_E5phRH2gy4MEHWhq6aiqZ-VNLvVhTUcWmukCEVKd_aF6FGJoF7_OnKv6vX7oY4MuHtznzcRjCc7KRorhcHvf5deeAESEfWOlTlgOGfQWEz4TMEXB5OFmDLkhLsIVJozcKonJvYsoKZBSyqLmw/w150-h200/20230816_114227.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>There's nothing like knowing someone who "gets" you--who understands, doesn't need to judge, won't try to fix you. <p></p><p>No one understands a widow like another widow. If a local widows group is available in your area, make a beeline to their next get-together. </p><p>Here in Ticonderoga NY, I want to invite you to three different meet-ups.</p><p><span style="color: red;"><b>1).</b></span> If you go to the Ticonderoga Area Farmers Market on Saturday, Aug. 19, please look for my author booth. The Chamber of Commerce is featuring local authors and makers this day along with the regular farm-to-table producers and vendors. 9-12 Saturday morning. I look forward to meeting you! I will feature "Friends Caring for Friends" a local non-profit that helps everyone who needs some compassion, and I'll also have some copies of <a href="https://plainvalues.com/" target="_blank">Plain Values</a>, with my monthly <i><b>Widows Path </b></i>column. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LVMhWwgM1AYifSwg3Ar5yZvPSwA_XGdIGeqi4R0QEXGk2aZWwyScIP6wku9977489j9p95-d6PVxviduPXAeDnZDw3z4m_BjysSYhb49dWfYhQ4McTJwNm2KimmSb5lEEzFGC-9J-PnGzu0atrs0KZ3a_dg35SKsV7YsUPgFhG-zK5oKmhVfXuH-I32E/s4080/20230816_113750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LVMhWwgM1AYifSwg3Ar5yZvPSwA_XGdIGeqi4R0QEXGk2aZWwyScIP6wku9977489j9p95-d6PVxviduPXAeDnZDw3z4m_BjysSYhb49dWfYhQ4McTJwNm2KimmSb5lEEzFGC-9J-PnGzu0atrs0KZ3a_dg35SKsV7YsUPgFhG-zK5oKmhVfXuH-I32E/w150-h200/20230816_113750.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><b><span style="color: red;">2).</span></b> On Wednesday, August 23 is the first <b>Coffee * Cake * Conversation</b> get-together for widows, from 1 - 2:30 pm at my house. Space is limited, but there are a few more openings, so email me at wcplace@gmail.com to let me know if you can come. <p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisf8OEADLHCC6qkDXTvyqKn-HijtXbOAUCXh_GmZzge5gf1GNjKlXC0DUHf5Al_-_TEJsRBPMif-YQRTgwlBi88odMaJvcJrB2rbsi2mIHnKcjjBoGDnFE74H5SQ_qcrNtgvuotpdbPOy5mJtyuFx4NfOOhIBgJk9ZR06-EwUGH6uipKQ3vH2oRjspngl7/s4080/20230816_114034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisf8OEADLHCC6qkDXTvyqKn-HijtXbOAUCXh_GmZzge5gf1GNjKlXC0DUHf5Al_-_TEJsRBPMif-YQRTgwlBi88odMaJvcJrB2rbsi2mIHnKcjjBoGDnFE74H5SQ_qcrNtgvuotpdbPOy5mJtyuFx4NfOOhIBgJk9ZR06-EwUGH6uipKQ3vH2oRjspngl7/w150-h200/20230816_114034.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>Can't make it this month? We'll meet the fourth Wednesday of every month. Same time, same place, so come to the next one. </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">3).</span></b> On the third Wednesday of each month, join widows for lunch at The Hot Biscuit Diner, 14 Montcalm St., Ticonderoga, at 11:30 a.m. Make your way to the group meeting room in back and you'll be welcomed. Receive 10% discount on your lunch and enjoy the fellowship. </p><p>So if you are up in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, I hope to meet you soon! But if you're not, look for local widow groups in your area. There's nothing like meeting in person with someone who "gets it."</p><p>💗 Ferree</p><p>wcplace@gmail.com</p><p><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-13638083328846439182023-04-30T18:07:00.004-04:002023-04-30T18:07:39.545-04:00Praying for A Husband<p> A young widow recently emailed me to ask about praying for a husband. </p><p>I'm sure many of you can relate to that heart-felt longing, too, so I wanted to hear what you think, and perhaps ways that the Lord has guided you. Should a widow pray for a new husband and father for her child?</p><p>I would say, "Most definitely!" </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>When we know God as our loving, heavenly Father, we know that He wants us to cast all our cares upon Him. (I Peter 5:7) </li><li>Asking precedes receiving: so sometimes we have not because we ask not! (James 4:2) </li><li>And every good gift (like a husband), is from above. (James 1:17).</li></ul><div>So pray, pray, pray! But remember to pray like Jesus did--in actual conversation with God. Don't just leave God request, after request, after request. Some of us treat prayer time like we're talking to a heavenly voicemail or answering machine. </div><div><br /></div><div>What would happen to asking God for a husband if we entered into prayer as a conversation?</div><div><br /></div><div>*In a conversation you could talk heart-to-heart with God. And then God would talk heart-to-heart with you in a variety of ways:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>through Scripture that you are studying and memorizing, </li><li>sermons you are listening too, </li><li>fellow-believers who know you well and are able to speak truth into your life, </li><li>and that still small voice that gives you peace and rest. </li></ul></div><div>If you are serious about praying for a husband, begin to pray beyond a list a qualities you want. Let go of fear that God won't answer, let go of the lie that you are all alone, let go of the panic that clutches your throat... God loves you more than any husband ever can. He will provide for you better than any husband ever can. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then, have faith that He will, and carefully watch for His answer to your prayers. Listen for His side of your prayer conversations (see *). And be on guard against the tricks of your enemy, the devil, who wants to use this difficulty to destroy you. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you're not sure you understand how to pray, or if God even hears your prayers, please email your questions. wcplace@gmail.com</div><div><br /></div><div>Stand strong in Him my friends. This is not an easy path, but it's full of God's goodness. 💗</div><div><br /></div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvNq2glRO3L5Y7O6WFRIHMnWNKaH6-ozYcKojVsyHeWr84dw5GQILGs3dVI6X_yV0SPFFcFvj5iKz7m1QC66VNiy8fNsNWQD2P1m7tDaO763AvdgvTI5Y-nKynvTCl4C4H8Sft4HX6bWINtQN2IQEbCx0j09gxbhlwk2hSilP-jW0o2wMHkxtYX1EYA/s1024/Forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvNq2glRO3L5Y7O6WFRIHMnWNKaH6-ozYcKojVsyHeWr84dw5GQILGs3dVI6X_yV0SPFFcFvj5iKz7m1QC66VNiy8fNsNWQD2P1m7tDaO763AvdgvTI5Y-nKynvTCl4C4H8Sft4HX6bWINtQN2IQEbCx0j09gxbhlwk2hSilP-jW0o2wMHkxtYX1EYA/s320/Forest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><p></p>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-51459485025580301712023-02-19T08:00:00.002-05:002023-02-19T10:03:45.194-05:00California Here I Come!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>March 17! Register today! </b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="https://ccav.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1578904">https://ccav.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1578904</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8hJxdxN6r13ZdzzZiLazU185OW9goKEsD6DpBHum_cufeKe0lhIw8DzV8Ggz7psc15jv-abVXxblOjl8PmRd7Xf2BSuhXKTiulAIlvri9G7KfglYvrtiT4Dv2ph53z1Ow54xWhh10_XH96ACH-Rztak0-8ROVVrMiuSnicOmegnbGiOQ-n3B2P4zfA/s2295/Widows%20Spring%20Event%20Flyer%20FRONT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2295" data-original-width="1733" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8hJxdxN6r13ZdzzZiLazU185OW9goKEsD6DpBHum_cufeKe0lhIw8DzV8Ggz7psc15jv-abVXxblOjl8PmRd7Xf2BSuhXKTiulAIlvri9G7KfglYvrtiT4Dv2ph53z1Ow54xWhh10_XH96ACH-Rztak0-8ROVVrMiuSnicOmegnbGiOQ-n3B2P4zfA/s320/Widows%20Spring%20Event%20Flyer%20FRONT.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lifnPOgsKReIbNVLXAs0UoJXL2aRye8d8IC4NalOh8kQpH3p30vAEUXg7HBBMihv5vP9UGg1aEl2K-P3JVcsx1uSYnKL1ohZU9B-C_f_Pendr9uZwQiPCXhJg28LMrnh0VD-5VYAhfOUVkDyQRddOdds4DxDV9J-tS1_pYYJA-ORf44aU3eDPA2S8Q/s2295/Widows%20Spring%20Event%20Flyer%20BACK%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2295" data-original-width="1733" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lifnPOgsKReIbNVLXAs0UoJXL2aRye8d8IC4NalOh8kQpH3p30vAEUXg7HBBMihv5vP9UGg1aEl2K-P3JVcsx1uSYnKL1ohZU9B-C_f_Pendr9uZwQiPCXhJg28LMrnh0VD-5VYAhfOUVkDyQRddOdds4DxDV9J-tS1_pYYJA-ORf44aU3eDPA2S8Q/s320/Widows%20Spring%20Event%20Flyer%20BACK%20(1).jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p>Have you ever been disappointed?</p><p>Join me March 17th and you will not be disappointed! Learn how 2 widows dealt with life's disappointments, and come away with a vision for how God can help you deal with yours. </p><p>Need a speaker for your widows event? Email me at WCplace@gmail.com, you won't be disappointed. 💗</p><p><br /></p></div><br />Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-45268639868362789292023-02-18T10:26:00.000-05:002023-02-18T10:26:10.649-05:00Widows Journey Retreat, March 3-5, 2023<p>Are you registered yet? Let's meet! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EkTFVItJLN7RDENOPnbSSUmx6ZbpLSoKrUY5X1iVL-26dIJMDc4TkclyHuMkrhYVbHQbyj2LANeDkOunt0zsSta-P1GoegpCj4pF-8g94H_jqwqRZuRKWhgdro0Fxc7HkO3WWeqGVADfZocGJLq1Y4Bz6UYpdECWOTMDSiX4tmQzecWCe-fCGtvACw/s1700/sandy%20cove.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="1700" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EkTFVItJLN7RDENOPnbSSUmx6ZbpLSoKrUY5X1iVL-26dIJMDc4TkclyHuMkrhYVbHQbyj2LANeDkOunt0zsSta-P1GoegpCj4pF-8g94H_jqwqRZuRKWhgdro0Fxc7HkO3WWeqGVADfZocGJLq1Y4Bz6UYpdECWOTMDSiX4tmQzecWCe-fCGtvACw/w400-h104/sandy%20cove.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandy Cove Ministries is located on the northern shores of <br />the Chesapeake Bay, in North East, MD. Beautiful sunsets are a treat<br />just about every evening. The speakers, groups, and fellowship<br /> all point to God and will help you feel whole again. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>If you sign up, please let me know. I like to get together with everyone at dinner on Friday night. That way we can all meet and hang out with each other for the weekend. Email me at wcplace@gmail.com or send me a message on Facebook.<div><br /></div><div>I'll facilitate a group again this year and although you can't select your group leader, maybe it'll just happen that you'll be with me. If not, I'd love to chat during meals or breaks so be sure to look for me!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.sandycove.org/events/a-widow-s-journey-march-3-5-2023/introduction/">Click here for the website</a> with everything you need to know about this wonderful weekend!</div><div><br /></div><div>May the Lord fill your New Year with fresh helpings of his hope and comfort. 💗 Ferree</div><div><br /></div><div> <div class="module content-module rwtmodule" style="background-color: #004e75; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><div class="copy" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://www.sandycove.org/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #fdc800; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 40px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;" tabindex="0"><img alt="Sandy Cove Ministries" src="https://www.sandycove.org/files/sandycove/logo.png" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;" /></a></div></div><div class="module content-module rwtmodule" style="background-color: #004e75; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><div class="copy" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;">Sandy Cove Ministries<br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" />60 Sandy Cove Road<br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" />North East, MD 21901</p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1ca4c1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" xml="lang">Toll Free:</span><span style="text-align: right;"> </span><a href="tel:18002342683" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #fdc800; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: top;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">800.234.COVE (2683)</a><br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; text-align: right;" /><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1ca4c1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" xml="lang">Local Phone:</span><span style="text-align: right;"> </span><a href="tel:4102875433" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: top;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">410.287.5433</a></p></div></div><p><br /></p></div>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-81415106928857090662022-12-30T11:23:00.001-05:002022-12-30T11:23:56.057-05:00Last Chance for Lowest Book Price<p><span style="background-color: white;">PRICES GO UP ON JANUARY 1ST</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">😊 But right now my book is on sale for $11.99 instead of $14.99, and the shipping is at last year's rates in spite of recent postal increases! </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(187, 187, 187); color: #333333; float: right; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 4px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGY667gbD9tOPBdiuPCrdWUF64Kt7YY8NkGhwYse4s-qbwM_GMRCB10LfSvrt7wxY59ixcWlbhuFot6vJ1hMFYMY8-nxQHvbQ5d071DHW0-HU1OXPO6wGmnwwdqdIUtqnsJ5JnpblibnVKrNEIsyS-lLS-BjmhDUx5ab88D8NIdhZg36hb730EBohYkQ/s228/Postcards%20book%20cover%20picture.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #225588; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="228" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGY667gbD9tOPBdiuPCrdWUF64Kt7YY8NkGhwYse4s-qbwM_GMRCB10LfSvrt7wxY59ixcWlbhuFot6vJ1hMFYMY8-nxQHvbQ5d071DHW0-HU1OXPO6wGmnwwdqdIUtqnsJ5JnpblibnVKrNEIsyS-lLS-BjmhDUx5ab88D8NIdhZg36hb730EBohYkQ/w200-h198/Postcards%20book%20cover%20picture.jpg" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.088px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">paperback, 248 pgs.<br />This book will honor<br />your past, affirm your<br />present, and help you<br /> move forward to </span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">life.</span> </i> </td></tr></tbody></table><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;"></p><ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;"><li>1 book shipping = $3.99</li><li>2 books shipping = $4.99</li><li>3 books shipping = $5.99 and so forth. </li></ul><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">Come January 1, the books will revert to full retail price of $14.99 each. Shipping will be increased to reflect something closer to actual cost, probably $1.50 more per book.<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>All that to say that if you decide you want to stockpile some more at the current prices, please do so before Dec. 31. Click the "Bookstore" tab near the top of this blog, or <a href="http://www.widowschristianplace.com/p/bookstore-postcards-from-widows-path.html"><span style="color: #225588;">here</span> </a>if you're on your cell phone or email. Buy now to save $3.00/ book and $1.50/book on the shipping. I love a good sale! </b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="height: 1.2em; width: 1.2em;">😕</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">But, I hate how inflation and short supplies and help are costing more for all of us. I've held off with raising my book price---in fact, it's been at a 20% off sale for years now. But with the production and shipping costs going up I can't absorb it all. My goal has always been to simply break even. Thanks for understanding my heart -- I want you to know that this year is my last chance to offer this wonderful resource at the lowest price possible. I will have an annual 20% off sale in February, but the 2023 shipping will be higher.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">💗ferree</p>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-28939433217192069572022-10-24T01:00:00.001-04:002022-10-24T01:00:00.192-04:00Catching Up: Too Many Funerals<p> A dear reader emailed me the other day wondering if I was alright since I've not blogged much as I'd like, nor as regularly. My ideal would be to post once a week---but that hasn't happened. Instead, I'm kind of feeling like I joined the "Funeral of The Month Club"---I'm NOT recruiting new members!</p><p>A year ago my husband took a job opportunity here in his hometown of Ticonderoga, NY. One of the best things about it was that we could be near his parents, Don and Elaine. Don turned 88 in May, so these were treasured days. We've seen God's gracious providence in this because on Sept. 21, Don woke up in Heaven. He'd had some recent trips to the ER, but the doctors couldn't tell us much, and he always rallied and was back to normal really quick, so it was somewhat of a shock. The funeral was on that Saturday, the 24th. We scrambled as best we could. Our church is without a pastor, but God provided the best chaplain for it, a dear friend who "just happened" to be in the area that week. There were too many such details and provisions to list here but I shared them with some texts to family. </p><p>Do you journal or jot notes down on a calendar, notebook or save your cell phone texts? I encourage you to write stuff down! You will love seeing God's fingerprints on your calendar or journal!</p><p>I'm sure you all have many evidences of God's grace touching on your day-to-day lives, but especially when crises arrive the mercies arrive. The briefest of note might help you recall His great mercy and faithfulness. Write it down today!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjdeTdpPFoMQuB9oGe8BZWPZWvCqGFuWRWQ6-s2Uf7y8oqb_fO0oqggpl0Wdj3GfPsgjJPOMuEEyzubuTrYYKBYUpxiREmOhxoPPn6hp_LQt857FTIFxQKX5_G5HtOEe5omIv_c40KOO0EKgBfq6cwzYrxpA6rV3xoh6LsPTFKLZGflgVsPgHF7myEw/s500/autumn%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjdeTdpPFoMQuB9oGe8BZWPZWvCqGFuWRWQ6-s2Uf7y8oqb_fO0oqggpl0Wdj3GfPsgjJPOMuEEyzubuTrYYKBYUpxiREmOhxoPPn6hp_LQt857FTIFxQKX5_G5HtOEe5omIv_c40KOO0EKgBfq6cwzYrxpA6rV3xoh6LsPTFKLZGflgVsPgHF7myEw/w200-h150/autumn%20trail.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Well, between my father-in-law's funeral and now having a widow very close to me, life has been busy enough. So many good things though---like having a house full of people and cooking and serving! (You might think I'm crazy but I love a house full of people I can feed). <p></p><p>But, this past Friday was my first husband's mother's funeral---my "first" mother-in-law passed away only two weeks after my current father-in-law did. I was able to attend her funeral in Michigan and re-connect with that side of the family, and also one of my daughters who was able to come, and I got to stay with my sister who "just happens" to live in the area. </p><p>Two funerals too many! But the conversations they created all had a main theme---let's work hard to get together BEFORE the funerals! Funerals are inevitable, and family will heroically juggle their lives to attend. But we could get together with a lot less stress, effort and money to weave our lives together and build memories and relationships that last even better. </p><p>Family relationships can get very complicated during widowhood! But work hard to be the one who takes the first step---(and that's a step you might have to take over and over)---and the benefits are beyond what we can ask or imagine.</p><p>Although I only arrived home yesterday, today I'm travelling again! Previous commitment, and it's a happy event. But I will not be able to reply to emails, so I don't want you to be disappointed if you don't hear back from me. I will, however, be able to post your comments. (If you're seeing this on your phone, first go to the blog by clicking on the title). Just look below here and you'll see a place to comment.</p><p>💗 <span style="font-family: Dancing Script;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ferree </span><br /></span></p>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-58453083088859509862022-10-12T11:41:00.001-04:002022-10-12T11:41:20.613-04:00Widowed---Again<p><i><span style="color: #990000;">One round of widowhood is bad enough, but some widows remarry. Many of them go through it again. (I will probably have another turn at it--not looking forward to that!). What's it like the second time? </span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #990000;">My Facebook friend Peggy Tillman just sent me a link for her blogs about it. Her hubby passed just last week, and the funeral was yesterday, so she's writing in real time. </span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #990000;">This is a VALUABLE and PRECIOUS gift to those who chose to receive it. Her writing is superb, and her thoughts are anchored in God's truth. She learned a lot from her first bout as a widow, and she's applying it now. I am amazed and so proud of her! </span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #990000;">Please be praying for her---every widow needs prayer no matter how "well" they seem to be doing. Her goal right now is to just breathe and drink tea. </span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #990000;">Let her words and her life minister to you with her honesty, grateful heart and Southern ways (which I personally found so helpful during mourning---Southern culture "gets it" more often than the rest of the country). </span></i></p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><i>Here's a link and a line from her blog to get you started.... </i> 💗<i> ferree</i></span></p><br /><a href="https://whatnowpeggytillman.blogspot.com/2022/10/what-now-peggy-tillman.html">What now, Peggy Tillman?</a><br /><br />"It's a little different this time. (How many women can say "this time" about the death of a spouse?" What a stupid club I belong to now. No one wants to come to THAT meeting.) By different I mean..."<div><br /></div>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-24883424198859163802022-10-04T11:19:00.004-04:002022-10-04T11:19:53.709-04:00Mindy's Story - A Friend In Deed<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCvB0d1p3tkWamDrMzQCqCt2rJIWXdi4kePExk9AqHTv-hZJQrnK7qmPNyOIryDzjadSbYOHS7M1d-WnaxmKh1Fsii-QvMTXM3GFaYiTd-PtLFPVUJuhGJo0MXA_yOagyEm6Y90IBKf7XvcPuhPkhrs07hH4uu_Mwbe_7fujEjEbtHPhkWEbM4QkfbQ/s320/christmas%20party%202017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCvB0d1p3tkWamDrMzQCqCt2rJIWXdi4kePExk9AqHTv-hZJQrnK7qmPNyOIryDzjadSbYOHS7M1d-WnaxmKh1Fsii-QvMTXM3GFaYiTd-PtLFPVUJuhGJo0MXA_yOagyEm6Y90IBKf7XvcPuhPkhrs07hH4uu_Mwbe_7fujEjEbtHPhkWEbM4QkfbQ/s1600/christmas%20party%202017.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.088px;"> From left to right, starting in the back row are</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.088px;" /><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.088px;">Mindy, Wanda, Sissy, Andrea. <br />Priscilla, me and Marilyn are in front. Pam<br />took the picture so she didn't have to be in it! </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>I found this photo way back from 2017 and it's so special to me. These beautiful ladies were from the first widows group I had in South Carolina. It's a walk down memory lane! All of them but Mindy went through my book "Postcards from the Widows Path," at Florence Baptist Temple.<br /><br />Back then, Mindy was a Facebook friend of mine, we'd never met in person. But she drove about 2 hours, all the way down from North Carolina! She made a special trip just to join our Christmas party. We were so glad she did!<div><br /></div><div>"I didn't realize how much I needed to talk to other widows until I went to that Christmas dinner. Even though we were at different point in our grief, we connected. The timing was perfect. It was just what I needed, when I needed it," she reminisced last fall when we visited once again. </div><div><br /></div><div>This time we were at my new home on the other side of South Carolina where I'd moved in 2020. My husband Tom was away, working up in New York. Mindy happened to also be on the other side of South Carolina, so we got together! Have you gotten together with your widowed or single girlfriends for a weekend? Plan to do it soon! </div><div><br /></div><div>Mindy's hubby died on the day of her 57th birthday, July 25, in 2014. A totally unexpected massive heart attack. </div><div><br /></div><div>"We were going out for my birthday, but first he went to get some tires from the back of our property to drop off. I went out to let him know when I'd be ready. Instead, I found him unconscious."</div><div><br /></div><div>She started CPR, but he was gone before she'd even gotten there. The 7 - 10 minutes it took for the EMT's to arrive seemed like forever. She didn't even get to say good-bye. </div><div><br /></div><div>I titled this "A Friend In Deed," because this verse reminded me of her faithful, steady character:</div><div> </div><div><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="background-color: white; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-49-23" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"> "...those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” Isaiah 49:23b (NIV)</span></div><div><span class="text Isa-49-23" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">She's been through a lot since John died--too much to tell here, but I sense you can understand. In a mysterious way, the widows I've met seem to get that about each other--we know we each carry a vast and precious history. And even through her many troubles, her faith never ceases. If you are her friend on Facebook, you'll notice that. Lately she's been posting Bible verses that capture hope and God's wonderful comfort and compassion.</span><div><br /></div><div>Here's an amazing "coincidence:" today (Oct. 4) was John's birthday. (I honestly did not know that when God "nudged' me to get this going!) Mindy hosted a birthday party in the park to commemorate the day that first year. Her kids and grandkids each received some wonderful gifts she put together:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>a small engraved jewelry box that held a key to the box John's ashes were in. (She obtained the extra keys from the funeral home). </li><li>She also gave them one of John's golf balls in a clear display box and individual photos of each of them with their Grandpa. </li><li>Then, since there were enough, they all donned one of the ball caps from Grandpa's wall display, and took a group photo. </li></ul><div>Mindy told me that doing this was so therapeutic because everyone loved their gifts and John had gotten to meet them all. Since then two great-grandchildren have been added to the family. She tried very hard to "be strong" and not show her grief to the family at the time. But since then, she's learned it can be a positive learning experience. She said, "They need to see it. It's good for them, and it was good for me....No other way will they learn that depth of compassion." </div></div><div><br /></div><div>She's not only a "friend in deed," she's a mom and grandma in the deed of role modeling authenticity and honest grief in a way that will help her family grow to become mature, compassionate, and full of faith. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, Mindy, for not giving up. Those who hope in God like you do will NOT be disappointed.</div><div>💗 ferree</div>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-88429258410760662282022-05-26T10:19:00.000-04:002022-05-26T10:19:01.795-04:00When Grief Turns Toxic<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UXszK5nGoJQg4YVoWG5L2K_TyB_Vvieh76kkmhAqdZQEu1npVTg-okOfZUEwsFua7YXpLeKTnO_5gAjPLO9-E8O6-4HK51rtsOz6erJI306R4H2dM5uiMefB0yVtok6g0nhqrHwzgailRgjvbfGXQzZUpT0poikwCRRI9ea8bQTGqo5yTGU5PS3Tcg/s1024/Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UXszK5nGoJQg4YVoWG5L2K_TyB_Vvieh76kkmhAqdZQEu1npVTg-okOfZUEwsFua7YXpLeKTnO_5gAjPLO9-E8O6-4HK51rtsOz6erJI306R4H2dM5uiMefB0yVtok6g0nhqrHwzgailRgjvbfGXQzZUpT0poikwCRRI9ea8bQTGqo5yTGU5PS3Tcg/w200-h150/Creek.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> Grief is a God-given process of acknowledging loss, commemorating love in a respectful way, and then a cycle of learning to carry it, and rebuilding life. I say a "cycle" of learning because it takes a lot of practice and many attempts. You don't wake up one morning and say "I can do this," and then never cry over it again. You do that over and over, and eventually the emotions become manageable and even predictable. But you do not have to "Grieve forever." <p></p><p>However, grief can become toxic when the same thoughts circulate through your brain over and over again. It's like the old-time needle on a record player getting stuck in the same groove on the record and cutting it a bit deeper and deeper each time until that one line of music is all we hear. Or like driving repeatedly in the rut of a dirt road, making it deeper and deeper until the car gets stuck. Or like spring rainwater run-off flowing to the lowest path down the precipice and around the hills every year.</p><p>Simplistically speaking, the same thing happens to the brain. At first, neuropathways of grief are created when we suffer loss. Then, they heal and grow, creating new and healthy pathways. UNLESS, the thoughts continually travel back over the traumatic grief pathways. When that happens, people get "stuck" in grief, and often in various degrees of PTSD, and definitely need assistance. </p><p>There's a beautiful thing God has created within the human brain, though, and it's called "neuro-plasticity." That means that thought patterns can be trained to heal and grow and recover. There's hope! There's a fascinating webinar on this (although they credit evolution, not God, with this process, but my perspective is that we were created by God and this new scientific research simply reveals the wonderful ability to heal that God created within us). <a href="https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/how-tragedy-affects-the-brain/" target="_blank">Click here for the link to the page from the American Brain Foundation: </a> and then scroll to the bottom of that page for the webinar "Healing the Brain After Loss."</p><p>Did you know that godly people in the Bible did not always deal with their grief in a good way either? Check out this section of Scripture below. I've highlighted a few parts that show some of the dangers of toxic grief. Please feel free to comment (if you're reading this by email, then click title at the top of this blog post in order to get to the website to comment, please), or email me at <b>wcplace@gmail.com</b> if you have questions or are interested in my coaching help for rebuilding life after loss. </p><p>💗 Ferree </p><p>2 Samuel 19:1-7 (NIV) </p><p><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>David Mourns in a way that demeans his people and might destroy himself</b></span></p><p class="chapter-2" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text 2Sam-19-1" id="en-NIV-8513" style="background-color: white;">Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.”</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 2Sam-19-2" id="en-NIV-8514"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">2 </span><span style="background-color: white;">And for the whole army </span><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">the victory that day was turned into mourning</span><span style="background-color: white;">, because on that day the troops heard it said, “The king is grieving for his son.”</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 2Sam-19-3" id="en-NIV-8515" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">3 </span>The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are </span><span class="text 2Sam-19-3" style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">ashamed </span><span class="text 2Sam-19-3" style="background-color: white;">when they flee from battle.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 2Sam-19-4" id="en-NIV-8516" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </span>The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text 2Sam-19-5" id="en-NIV-8517"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span><span style="background-color: white;">Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today </span><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life </span><span style="background-color: white;">and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 2Sam-19-6" id="en-NIV-8518" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">6 </span>You love those who hate you and </span><span class="text 2Sam-19-6" style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">hate those who love you</span><span class="text 2Sam-19-6" style="background-color: white;">. </span><span class="text 2Sam-19-6" style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you.</span><span class="text 2Sam-19-6" style="background-color: white;"> I see that </span><span class="text 2Sam-19-6" style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 2Sam-19-7" id="en-NIV-8519" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">7 </span>Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. </span><span class="text 2Sam-19-7" style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.”</span></p><p><br /></p>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-33951243799994783422022-05-23T12:21:00.002-04:002022-05-23T12:21:51.732-04:003 Blogs I Think You'll Love + They have free stuff! 👀<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Here are three other widow's blogs that are just fantastic! Although I'm sorry they've joined this club, I'm so grateful they're using this time to heal, rebuild, and help others along the way. That's what we're here for, don't you agree? We bear each other's burdens, and in doing so we don't waste our sorrows. God still has so much good in store, a unique purpose for us each (for you!) to fulfill, and our own personal message to share.</span></p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;">I mentioned Clarissa Moll a few weeks ago. Have you signed up for her emails yet? Today she has a couple of free gifts, so get right over there! I know how much you love freebies and these look really special so sign up today! <a href="https://mailchi.mp/afa17e466f49/safe-in-his-handsseptember-15459057?e=86e5af117a">https://mailchi.mp/afa17e466f49/safe-in-his-handsseptember-15459057?e=86e5af117a</a></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Pastor's Widow is also great. Her blog is here: </span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://thepastorswidow.wordpress.com/home/">https://thepastorswidow.wordpress.com/home/</a></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;">And I think you will appreciate her Facebook page too, maybe even more: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thepastorswidow/">https://www.facebook.com/thepastorswidow/</a></span></p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;">A widow friend in California sent me to blogger Pam Luschei, and she's always on target with her writing. My friend, Sue, told me "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">a gifted writer for sure. I love the depth of her thoughts and what they teach me." </span>I couldn't agree more!</span></p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Visit <a href="https://www.gratefulyetgrieving.org/blog">https://www.gratefulyetgrieving.org/blog</a> and you can download her free E-book!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mostly though, I think you'll benefit from subscribing to each of these. God's help comes from many people. I'm grateful I have found these to share with you. </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> 💗 ferree</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANCjV2isJyFa5-KDjyFC3xmadcJHop0w0Qjc6xZYqB_nZMVqcN25WCgBbCATwxbnXG3s6DPXaRwKtJEM7MqqSWXfALKkd3Z9c1M9-r2IoMXSzC8XBC-6mmCoxsSF2AZU8ETLQKZk5C4Rtj8y_FDUf3RRk_w74sG5KEIU2RGDeC_ultW45Tkdscn9Wpg/s859/2021%20coaching%20house%20logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="840" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANCjV2isJyFa5-KDjyFC3xmadcJHop0w0Qjc6xZYqB_nZMVqcN25WCgBbCATwxbnXG3s6DPXaRwKtJEM7MqqSWXfALKkd3Z9c1M9-r2IoMXSzC8XBC-6mmCoxsSF2AZU8ETLQKZk5C4Rtj8y_FDUf3RRk_w74sG5KEIU2RGDeC_ultW45Tkdscn9Wpg/w196-h200/2021%20coaching%20house%20logo.png" width="196" /></a></div>PS. If you think you need more personal help, and are ready to look at rebuilding your life, look into some private Life Coaching with me. Email me to set up a free consultation. wcplace@gmail.com <p></p><p>For more info, click here: <a href="https://christianlifecoachnow.com/graduates/rebuild-your-life-coach-ferree-hardy/?fbclid=IwAR2kreOTjIQld8HSKkpqYVxOkEhaQsGPOTfXetBm7jvlIVkKZ-jRzIjNwQo" target="_blank">Rebuilding After Loss</a></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>His Sparrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07941389591773753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-246786708782203712022-05-17T22:24:00.001-04:002022-05-17T22:24:15.592-04:00Catching Up: My first Non-Widows group to study my book!<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP0uInylqBjxQadmymnG0V6xVMC52x3e9ESt-wplLzp5K8BS1pgTNPIgZSc6zvZqPJWJ0D641_kFbsRr_lFb0jfimSqenhSSrnYEHoFz7Va032NZT7oZvNZYlCm06Y0MqnKNYUJsU0B3xfiKMnddscIN_YKlELzyBbXE5mN9iFZm2J5HAQBeGQZE8Cw/s1423/Resized_20211118_112518.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1423" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP0uInylqBjxQadmymnG0V6xVMC52x3e9ESt-wplLzp5K8BS1pgTNPIgZSc6zvZqPJWJ0D641_kFbsRr_lFb0jfimSqenhSSrnYEHoFz7Va032NZT7oZvNZYlCm06Y0MqnKNYUJsU0B3xfiKMnddscIN_YKlELzyBbXE5mN9iFZm2J5HAQBeGQZE8Cw/w400-h185/Resized_20211118_112518.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left side, from back to front: Marie, Brenda, Diane<br />Right side, from front to back: Sandy, Carol, Angela and Dawn </td></tr></tbody></table><p>For months I've been wanting to tell you about this fantastic group of women in South Carolina! I really miss them now that I'm in New York. I took this picture when they treated me to a dinner out since they knew I'd be moving away. This picture was way back in October. Goodness, it's not like I've moved 1000 miles away, unpacked hundreds of boxes, had Covid twice (very mild, no worries), started coaching, spoke at A Widows Journey Retreat...I'm tired just thinking about these whirlwind months!</p><p>Once I got moved, these dear friends decided to stay connected on weekly Zoom meetings,; they asked me to lead them in a study through my book, "<a href="http://www.widowschristianplace.com/p/bookstore-postcards-from-widows-path.html">Postcards from the Widows' Path</a>." The book has 5 sections, and we covered a section each week for 5 weeks in January and February. </p><p>The most intriguing part for me was that none of them were widows, and they were actually quite reluctant to read a book on widowhood. But, they were such good friends that they swallowed their fear, joined in, and found out that they really loved it! They loved our time together, and grew in their love for the Lord and his amazing work in widows' lives.</p><p>Want to see what they told me about it when I asked for an evaluation? Here's a collection of comments they sent me:</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.15; margin: 0px; padding: 0pt 0px 10pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1155cc; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For a couple of us, our favorite part of the book was the Introduction. Loved how honest you were about your feelings of anger and how you worked through it. I (Carol) also loved the chapter where God worked out His plan for Ruth and Boaz. I love a good romance but I loved how God used Naomi to help Ruth… I love this story and I love the way you tell it in the book.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.15; margin: 0px; padding: 0pt 0px 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"><span style="color: #800180;">“Even though I am not and never want to be a widow, I appreciated your emphasis on being prepared for that possibility. Knowing where things are as far as the things he does in the home, also records and financial things that he handles, such as taxes. Working together to make sure I'm not caught without important information, such as passwords, insurance, bank accounts, etc. It’s not easy to think about but it’s so important to be prepared.”</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.15; margin: 0px; padding: 0pt 0px 10pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“My greatest take-away from your study was that no matter what your age, married, widowed, or divorced, all of the principles discussed are very applicable. It helps to be prepared and to have a good foundation of friends to help you through.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.15; margin: 0px; padding: 0pt 0px 10pt;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">“While I am not a widow, I am friends with ladies who have gone through the loss of their husbands. I think this study helped raise my awareness of what their needs are and how to be a better friend to them.”</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.15; margin: 0px; padding: 0pt 0px 10pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1155cc; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> "It really is an excellent study. I think far too many women are not as prepared as they should be."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.15; margin: 0px; padding: 0pt 0px 10pt;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">"An Unexpected Treasure for a Bible study! Although written for widows, the study is an excellent look into the life of Ruth, and more importantly (for me) the life of Naomi. </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">The book is focused on the steps to help through the difficulties associated with the loss of a loved one. However, it's a great resource for anyone who has experienced loss--whether a child, a spouse or even a divorce. </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Learning to pray for Kindness and Rest for persons in the pain of loss was another significant point that will remain with me. This is a timeless story that Ferree lovingly researched.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.15; margin: 0px; padding: 0pt 0px 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"> Thank you, dear friends! The Lord bless you and keep you while we are apart! 💗 Ferree</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.15; margin: 0px; padding: 0pt 0px 10pt;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.15; margin: 0px; padding: 0pt 0px 10pt;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-92073698874153216492022-05-14T15:30:00.001-04:002022-05-14T15:30:17.657-04:00Sunsets<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig0Kr9kyBF7rh0TL3Lt3mYdrmRZZpKc1WvXHHc-4KeFORe-CLHK8e3CHlGQf0-zR6iNPkYsT_ZoEueLfdZfksNMhXdc1u51livTuKPF1XM9SBy0zab-y7seMFLilPL2gTzFa19_19VIrFWKuHJ9qEcFH8bSh6REwnQRFZPn4KxeIJS7uKn11IFoVInqA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig0Kr9kyBF7rh0TL3Lt3mYdrmRZZpKc1WvXHHc-4KeFORe-CLHK8e3CHlGQf0-zR6iNPkYsT_ZoEueLfdZfksNMhXdc1u51livTuKPF1XM9SBy0zab-y7seMFLilPL2gTzFa19_19VIrFWKuHJ9qEcFH8bSh6REwnQRFZPn4KxeIJS7uKn11IFoVInqA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My column for May in Plain Values magazine is getting a lot of positive responses! thanks everyone! Read it for free on the Plain Value blog link for "Sunsets" on the next line:</span></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://plainvalues.com/sunsets/">Sunsets</a>: Sunsets are one of God’s most brilliant and generous ideas, don’t you agree? He didn’t have to make them at all, you know....Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-13659850667946234302022-05-02T15:42:00.001-04:002022-05-02T15:42:14.772-04:00Is Suffering Optional?<p>Have you heard this quote? </p><p>"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." </p><p>I think this idea has wormed into Christianity. Our churches. Our hearts! </p><p>It originated with an award-winning Japanese writer, Hakuri Murakami, in his book of essays, "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running." If you Google the quote you'll find it attributed to other people as well, including the Buddhist Dalai Lama. There's really nothing Christian about it, yet....</p><p>Why do many Christians not admit when they are suffering?</p><p>Why do we feel ashamed to cry?</p><p>Why did I hear a pastor once say, when taking an offering for a widow in Mexico--"It's not like here in the U.S. where widows get a big life insurance policy..."</p><p>Would you admit widowhood contains a time of suffering? </p><p>Or do we adapt this "Suffering is optional" baloney?</p><p>Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble..." (John 16:33). This morning I read Romans 5:3, the words of Apostle Paul. I remembered that the apostles James, Peter and John also wrote of suffering. Yet when it comes, when we're in the muck of it, no one really steps forward to admit it or help us face it.</p><p>I would have liked for someone to tell me on the night my husband died, "You are entering a season of suffering and profound pain. It's also a time of infinite hope, sacred spaces, rich wisdom and undying love." </p><p>But I didn't have any relationships that were capable of that at the time. I hope I do now. It seems there are far better words and resources available now. Yet, in the fury storms of grief, could I ever find them?</p><p>So here are a couple of articles I will share with you today, and squirrel away for myself someday because suffering, like pain, is inevitable. </p><p>Are you familiar with Clarissa Moll? She's a widow and writer with four children. Sign up for her monthly newsletter---she gets it. Scroll down and click the JOIN MY EMAIL LIST<a href="https://clarissamoll.com/about-clarissa/"> on this page</a>, or go to https://clarissamoll.com/about-clarissa/ </p><p>"Healing the Hurting Heart" starts around the 16 minute mark on the following video. (If it doesn't show up on your device, click the title of this blog post to get to it). I could (and have!) listened to this over and over. </p>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/702644056?h=72be76b77a" title="vimeo-player" width="440"></iframe>
<div><br /></div><div>Do you wish someone would have told you about suffering (and Hope!) early on? Please feel free to leave a comment today or email me at WCplace@gmail.com 💗 Ferree</div>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-73484390197847137212022-04-24T18:14:00.002-04:002022-04-24T18:14:54.521-04:00Starting a Group Can Be a Joyful Journey<p>Dear friend,</p><p>Several weeks ago a widow named Jenny updated me on the group she started in March of 2021. It's just over one-year old now!</p><p>She was widowed on Jan. 17, 2020, and she says that starting the group, "...has been such a healing for me."</p><p> Since last March, they've met once a month for encouragement, scripture and prayer. Sometimes they have a speaker, a cooking class, or an outing. They also had a Thanksgiving dinner which 16 ladies attended. This year her group also started going through my book, <i>Postcards from the Widows' Path</i>, using the 5-session discussion guide.</p><p>She granted permission for me to share her email with you. It's full of good ideas for different activities each month, and you might even want to borrow the group name--<b> Joy for the Journey. </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4J_83USvCwK4S60Hfft0TKbhDG1ZogZ5rG9m8pExCxgZ-SimYj4gFWZgiuFqE16A3mwPZGqZSPFHf8t0sbcVoAifeZLeHzDb9ABjomAaTckrISg1Uus7UJjdL6FI69jjrNLb2xtlch_fOUwza8iD8BN7nIHxfDevbWxRh4J_VFyzAkpe65pF61aWTg/s425/hands-and-bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="425" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4J_83USvCwK4S60Hfft0TKbhDG1ZogZ5rG9m8pExCxgZ-SimYj4gFWZgiuFqE16A3mwPZGqZSPFHf8t0sbcVoAifeZLeHzDb9ABjomAaTckrISg1Uus7UJjdL6FI69jjrNLb2xtlch_fOUwza8iD8BN7nIHxfDevbWxRh4J_VFyzAkpe65pF61aWTg/w200-h133/hands-and-bible.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Good morning - I thought I would give you an update on our “<b>Joy for the Journey</b>” group and the Bible study. </span></i></p><i><span style="color: #45818e;">The monthly meetings are going well - usually 8-10 ladies are attending. <br />January we talked about setting goals for ourselves. <br />February we talked about the love for our spouse, sharing wedding pictures and stories. (Not all felt like sharing, but that’s ok). <br />Then we talked about how much God loves us and gave his life for us. Some ladies do not attend church and may not know God personally, so I share that whenever I can. <br /><br />This month we are going out for lunch. I have 15 signed up! <br />I guess not having to wear a mask has made them ready to go out again . <br /><br />The Bible study of Postcards from the Widows Path has had 3 lessons with 7 ladies attending. All of them are loving it. One lady wasn’t sure she could come because the first section she read made her cry. I assured that it’s ok to cry- Jesus wept. Plus I feel that tears are a way of helping us heal. <br /><br />It has been such a good thing for me to do. The ladies are enjoying our meetings and the study but I’m gaining so much from it too. <br /><br />Last March was when it began and I have about 20 ladies that come from time to time. <br />I keep in touch with them by text, calls and cards. It has been such a healing for me. <br /><br />I so much appreciate your column, book and emails. <br /><br /></span></i><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqZQz1RJlry6611xbF8-tYq4VxtEliffIy9ZJ3rV5OPxMrWIUy2tVBYNGeHRDNyDEbEWQxSDDSVKTLPvC2LkexXTX063pfiGN1iKOn7Tsyynros2pyHNECzpfb_0aPgMuC0HVAVwDujJ5eFkiCCgD3je4NkxmgTmDaS-KbYhkdUQlSiFXbKsLRn1GDg/s228/Postcards%20Greyden%20book%20cover%20picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="228" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqZQz1RJlry6611xbF8-tYq4VxtEliffIy9ZJ3rV5OPxMrWIUy2tVBYNGeHRDNyDEbEWQxSDDSVKTLPvC2LkexXTX063pfiGN1iKOn7Tsyynros2pyHNECzpfb_0aPgMuC0HVAVwDujJ5eFkiCCgD3je4NkxmgTmDaS-KbYhkdUQlSiFXbKsLRn1GDg/w123-h146/Postcards%20Greyden%20book%20cover%20picture.jpg" width="123" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.widowschristianplace.com/p/bookstore-postcards-from-widows-path.html">click here <br />for more info</a></td></tr></tbody></table><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Thank you,<br />Jenny </span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></i></div><div>Thank YOU, Jenny, and may God continue to bless your path and your journey! Please continue to keep us posted. </div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div>Are you in a widows group? Whether you meet for socials and fun, or grief support, Bible study or all of the above, it always helps others to hear about how you do it. Please email me at WCplace@gmail.com to share. Send a photo too if it's ok with everyone! 💗 Ferree<br /></div>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-7171748048820672462022-03-31T17:10:00.001-04:002022-03-31T17:10:36.176-04:00Help for Homeschooling Moms<p><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dear Reader, I just found out about this and I want to pass the good news along to you! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji", sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">💗</span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Ferree </span></p><p aria-hidden="true" class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUY74Hnfk6ClNv0J4zumVlgl4K2d0oowjGU1ElU25vPsQPZRn3L-crAvzmhCB-PwLiPjxbaXg9OdD1B1AJdGXuVE6C8SMiHsz5W3JM0UwICZ1wT_u31CWC6fS-0mbdq0H868w8Oal6-VsJhmtTGO8KA9zhNI-Grl2Qsq7QPqMlJAlXL189Lw3X-_LEg/s136/daisy.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="136" data-original-width="131" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUY74Hnfk6ClNv0J4zumVlgl4K2d0oowjGU1ElU25vPsQPZRn3L-crAvzmhCB-PwLiPjxbaXg9OdD1B1AJdGXuVE6C8SMiHsz5W3JM0UwICZ1wT_u31CWC6fS-0mbdq0H868w8Oal6-VsJhmtTGO8KA9zhNI-Grl2Qsq7QPqMlJAlXL189Lw3X-_LEg/s1600/daisy.bmp" width="131" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Are you a widow who is homeschooling, or thinking of homeschooling your children? If so, you might be eligible for a Curriculum Grant from HSLDA’s Compassion grant program. HSLDA stands for Home School Legal Defense Association, and we’ve been helping to defend the liberties of homeschool families since 1983. Our Compassion department offers grants to help widows purchase their curriculum, school supplies, co-op/class fees and technology. To find out more about this, you can go to this link, <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="6" href="https://hslda.org/post/compassion-curriculum-grants" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Compassion Curriculum Grants</a>. And feel free to spread the word to other widows you might know. We’re waiting and anxious to help!</span></span></p><p aria-hidden="true" class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">I'm Anne Bittner, and I was 6 months away from graduating my last child from homeschooling when I lost my husband. It would’ve really helped me to apply for this grant, but I didn’t know about it and hadn’t as yet worked at HSLDA.</span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">I would love to spare other widowed moms the stress of providing for their homeschool materials, so I hope you'll contact us.</span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Kind regards,</span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="border: 0px; color: #00587c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Anne Bittner</span></b><b><span style="border: 0px; color: #639cb3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></span></b><span style="border: 0px; color: #00587c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Curriculum Grants Program Coordinator</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #639cb3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #00587c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">HSLDA Compassion</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #639cb3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #639cb3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">540.338.8688 Office </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #639cb3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #639cb3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="7" href="mailto:compassiongrants@hslda.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="border: 0px; color: blue; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #639cb3; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">compassiongrants@hslda.org</span></a> / <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="8" href="http://hslda.org/compassion" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="border: 0px; color: blue; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">hslda.org/compassion</a></span></p><p aria-hidden="true" class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"> </p>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-45914627301583763512022-03-11T16:04:00.001-05:002022-03-11T16:05:30.852-05:00Save the Date<p>It was only last weekend that 125 widows gathered at Sandy Cove Ministry Center for Gayle Roper's Widows Journey Retreat. I had the privilege of being one of the speakers, and also facilitating this beautiful group pictured below. I miss everyone already!</p><p>I hope you can plan to come next year! Ladies pre-registered for 2023 during the retreat, and I have at least one friend who is starting to save up for it. Mark your calendars for the first week in March--Friday, March 3-Sunday, March 5, and let's get together! For an extra relaxing time, plan to come spend the night on Thursday, March 2. I did that for the first time this year and I highly recommend it! Plus, we could go out to eat at a local seafood restaurant for Maryland crab cakes, fresh from Chesapeake Bay! </p><p>Sandy Cove Ministries is located in North East, MD at the top of Chesapeake Bay, halfway between Philadelphia and Baltimore Check flights and choose whichever city airport is the best buy for you. Then get a rental car for a drive of less than an hour if the traffic is good. Harrisburg, PA is a smaller airport to also fly to, but a longer drive. </p><p>If you "Save the Date," or have questions, please use the comment line below. I'd love to hear from you!💗 Ferree</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFRYFB3yE77n7o3qJ7337xhZhRiHubplYWJVXW6eMbhU9N6Re98j3H4JsKQ2HjHHJTPY7vfh15iP0uyCc5OkLkfz2vBbkf6KuGXRuM7K3tLzOA34Ha1g-Qc-RPDJQxiuzXoNJPytBRB7-YTvl0B-YEPZe36dxDaPdmOBypL2y-DiJD11n77Bvux7s2bQ=s4128" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4128" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFRYFB3yE77n7o3qJ7337xhZhRiHubplYWJVXW6eMbhU9N6Re98j3H4JsKQ2HjHHJTPY7vfh15iP0uyCc5OkLkfz2vBbkf6KuGXRuM7K3tLzOA34Ha1g-Qc-RPDJQxiuzXoNJPytBRB7-YTvl0B-YEPZe36dxDaPdmOBypL2y-DiJD11n77Bvux7s2bQ=w400-h185" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-37597558454648416692022-03-07T07:00:00.016-05:002022-03-07T07:00:00.212-05:00Just Be There<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1gcVasfnIUiLLy1BrxuInVhFhu5Z6ZL5Cu5d5rcChaGtBb4KDt38qnR5nQaZuqnmrJyuIlu4CMIeaKL_AuV5okFYAN6hRfaeAWkUgua_B1AXKSs2CWBjD_pYCXAtyHGn4qQJ_B35YA2vL2OKwAaRMD8baMiGk8aJMJT-szP889r6M2vQLaz6Dtv_b9w=s960" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1gcVasfnIUiLLy1BrxuInVhFhu5Z6ZL5Cu5d5rcChaGtBb4KDt38qnR5nQaZuqnmrJyuIlu4CMIeaKL_AuV5okFYAN6hRfaeAWkUgua_B1AXKSs2CWBjD_pYCXAtyHGn4qQJ_B35YA2vL2OKwAaRMD8baMiGk8aJMJT-szP889r6M2vQLaz6Dtv_b9w=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">From my email---this is too good not to share. This is from a widow friend named Paula. We met several years ago when I was able to host about 20 widows from all over the country in South Carolina. We've kept in touch ever since and I think the world of her! (That's her having some crafty fun in the photo to the right.) Post a comment or you send me an email too! It's always great to hear from friends near or far. 💗</span><p></p><p><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">G</span><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">ood morning Ferree, </span></p><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I just finished reading your article in the newest <a href="https://plainvalues.com/category/widows-path/" target="_blank">Plain Values magazine, March 2022</a>, "Just Be There," where you talk about being present as a ministry during grief. </span><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It brought to mind the night my father-in-law passed away. </span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was in the early morning hours when we got my mother-in-law back to her apartment. I had suggested that she come spend the night at our home but she insisted that she needed to be in that apartment and not dread going there the next day. I could see that she just needed to stay there that night. I sent Don home to gather some belongings for me and I stayed the night with my mother-in-law.</span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After Don dropped off my overnight bag, my mother-in-law and I sat down on her couch. She just began to sob for the first time since we had lost her husband earlier that day. Being very young, I didn’t know what to say. What could possibly help someone who had just lost their her best friend of 50 plus years? </span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I just sat there and prayed, "Lord, please just give me some words of encouragement, or help me know what to do." Nothing came. She sat there and sobbed, and I sat there and sobbed. She sobbed some more, I sobbed some more. Then she got up and said, "Well I feel better now. I’m going to bed. I’ll see you in the morning," and off she went!!! </span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over breakfast the next day I said, "Mom, I just want you to know that I didn’t know what to say last night. I don’t want you to think that I didn’t care, but I just didn’t know what to say…" She said, "If you had said <i>anything,</i> I would’ve gotten up and walked away! I didn’t need words, I just needed to be with someone. Nothing you could’ve said would’ve helped me right then."</span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">That spoke volumes to me: sometimes we just have to be silent.</span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was a very young Christian at the time, (this was in 1987), so I didn’t have the maturity to understand that God was keeping a hand over my mouth--but He was!!! </span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw your magazine article and it really reinforced to me the lessons that (hopefully) I’ve learned over the years: sometimes you just shush up, and sit there, and just let them sob. </span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anyway, I just wanted to share my story because your story resonated with me. I hope to be able to maybe go the Widows Journey next year since I couldn't go this past weekend. I’m doing well, but still being cautious with Covid. I miss you and hope we can connect this summer. Have a blessed day! love you, Paula</span></div>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-69921154136780290342022-03-01T10:39:00.001-05:002022-03-01T10:45:04.509-05:00My Book "Postcards from the Widows Path" is Available Now<p>It's been longer than I hoped to get my book posted for sale once again, but today I'm finally ready and set up for sales in the state of New York.</p><p>Price remains the same for now! Even though the cost of printing and shipping, etc., has gone up, for now you can still get it at 20% off the retail price. I'll re-evaluate later this year to see if I can still do that. </p><p>Please remember that my blog site www.WidowsChristianPlace.com is the ONLY PLACE you can order my book. I listed it on Amazon for a few years but the fees and shipping options were way too high, so I'm saving us all some $ by doing it here. Sorry, Amazon. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsjtTfuIhQIfneBzlZJbB8s5gNY_YsCbLunANNAj3I7E_eU0hwENh4SDuaWULKWxMyYHRHDH1oX1yAfNRSQ2W2P7s9-2vL0Ywa6yKHye20LBPp8XEfaNdr3X394c6Z5QeZ3Nt7MogxBdViJRWzjI6Cco82olwny8_1a9nBLxZg1p6bIEtnVH6hZJqTcA=s228" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="228" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsjtTfuIhQIfneBzlZJbB8s5gNY_YsCbLunANNAj3I7E_eU0hwENh4SDuaWULKWxMyYHRHDH1oX1yAfNRSQ2W2P7s9-2vL0Ywa6yKHye20LBPp8XEfaNdr3X394c6Z5QeZ3Nt7MogxBdViJRWzjI6Cco82olwny8_1a9nBLxZg1p6bIEtnVH6hZJqTcA" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To order, simply click the line at the top of Widows Christian Place where you see the word BOOKSTORE. That will take you to <a href="http://www.widowschristianplace.com/p/bookstore-postcards-from-widows-path.html" target="_blank">a page with a PayPal button</a> and PayPal takes care of the order from there. I receive their order and I am actually the one who ships your book, or books if you're ordering for give-aways or groups. If you ever need to contact me about your order, use the notes section of PayPal, or email me immediately at WCplace@gmail.com so I can respond. I try to ship within 24 hours, so hopefully you can catch me! I use media mail rates so I'm not able to add personal notes. Your book(s) should arrive in about a week. I always keep the tracking numbers so please let me know if you think they are taking too long. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also, did you know I have an AUDIO VERSION of "Postcards...?" Yes! A young widow in Oregon loved it so much, and is trained as a professional narrator, so she produced a beautiful audio version. It's available on Audible, and the link is on my Bookstore tab. If you are outside the US, the audio version might be a great alternative for you since I don't ship internationally. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you so much for your interest in "Postcards..." The Lord has used this book to truly transform and enrich so many widows. I will always miss my husband, Bruce, but I know that when I see Jesus it will have been worth it all, and everything will have turned out perfectly (see pg. 207 in the book). And I'm grateful for my husband now, Tom, who blesses me (and you!) by supporting, enabling, and encouraging me to never quit ministering to other widows. 💗 Ferree</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P.S. If you receive this blog post on your phone or email and it doesn't connect to the link I provided, then click on the title of this post. That will get you to the actual website where you can easily find the bookstore. Thank you! </div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.com0