This Week Only

I will be at A Widows Journey Retreat this week. I wish you were too! And if you will be there but haven't contacted me yet, please email me at WCplace@gmail.com if you'd like to join me on Friday night for dinner. Thanks! I'd love to meet you and introduce you to others who read this blog.

•Copies of my book and discussion guide will be for sale at the retreat so I'm offering the same to you.
•PLUS, if you order 3 or more you will receive the discussion guide absolutely free!
•Orders placed from now until Monday, March 9 will ship on March 10.
•Click here to order. Thanks!

How do you go on when you lose the one you can’t live without?

You use Postcards from the Widows' Path...

“Ferree has truly helped so many of us widows through some of our darkest days.
--Andrea in Ohio

“How I wish I’d had this wonderfully encouraging, valuable book in the weeks and months after my own husband’s death…” (from preface of Postcards...)
--Jennifer Sands, speaker at Widows Journey

“…an amazing writer…worthy, helpful insights.” (from back cover of Postcards...)
--Miriam Neff, speaker at Widows Journey

From My Inbox to Yours.... Widows Connect

Dear Reader,

I'm excited to share with you a note from a newer widow who recently found Widows Christian Place and my feature about Gayle Roper's book, "A Widow's Journey."
I was so pleased that she wrote to me and is also allowing me to share it with you. That's the intent of this blog--a place where widows can know they are not alone. It's not about me--I'm just here to serve you like an oasis in the wilderness. Your comments and interactions are the most important thing.

So let me step aside right now and we can all see what Karen wrote to me the other day:

I wanted to give my comments about Gayle’s book – “A Widow’s Journey”.  I bought my copy thru Amazon, a while back, and this is the best book I have read on widowhood thus far.

 

I lost my beloved husband Michael, suddenly and unexpectedly on July 18, 2016.  I am totally devastated, like all of you have felt, being plunged into this terrible and sorrowful, unwanted journey.  My husband and I were together 34 years, and would have been married 30 years on New Year’s Day 2017... 

I savored every page of Gayle’s book.  It was like she was writing this for me.  It was a book I wished I could go on reading forever, day after lonely day. I now walk where she walked, as she was missing and grieving for her beloved husband.  Every emotion and grief stricken experience she wrote about – I felt in my own heart.                                    

And when I came sadly to the end of that marvelous book, I saw that photo of Gayle and her beloved Chuck.  That picture conveyed the essence of her book, and what she lost when she lost him.  I could see the tremendous love they had for each other. You could see that Chuck must have said something outrageously funny to Gayle, and she was just about doubled over in laughter – with that humor reaching her in the way only Chuck could have said to her.  How well I could relate to that picture of them, in my own relationship with my husband!  He'd have me laughing so hard, I'd have tears rolling down my face, and he'd be so pleased with himself that he made me laugh. That silly, crooked smile of his, and that mischievous twinkle in his eyes.  My laughter would make him start laughing till we were gasping for breath and in tears.  Just the way Chuck looked because Gayle was laughing so hard.  Only your soul mate could touch you like that. 

Gayle was so exquisitely happy in that photo – you could just feel her joy in being in her husband’s arms.   I found myself grieving for Gayle, because I knew what she had lost.  Exactly what I had lost, each of us, in our own separate way – with our own so very much loved husbands. 

Gayle – I loved your book, and your message to us widows individually, at the end.  I hope that maybe some glorious day – we can all meet up in Heaven with our own husbands, and share a laugh or a thousand!  Chuck and Mike will probably be thinking up new and delightful ways to make us laugh again, after all these tears.  No more tears in Heaven, and no more ever being without our beloved husbands again...

Love in Jesus,

Karen  

 

I hope Karen's note touched your heart like it touched mine. Would you like to see the picture of Gayle and Chuck that she mentioned? I can't post it here without permission, but you may go to Amazon and LOOK INSIDE A Widow's Journey. Look at the last pages of the book and you can't miss it. While you're there you might like to look at Gayle's other books too. She's an award-winning author, and her books are perfect companions to fill a widow's times when the house is just too quiet or she's eating alone in a restaurant, travelling, etc.

Ferree and Gayle at
Montrose Christian Writers
Conference, July 2016

 

And why wait 'til Heaven to meet Gayle? She hosts a wonderful widows retreat every spring. I'll give you the information about that tomorrow. It would be great fun and the beginning of great friendships if a group of us here a the WCP could attend together!

Until tomorrow,

♥ ferree

Click here for A Widow's Journey. Click on the LOOK INSIDE and the arrows to get to the last pages of the book.

 

 

 

A Lot to Be Thankful For...

I'm posting a big THANK YOU to all who ordered my book recently, I appreciate it! I'm grateful because it's another opportunity to share the comfort God has granted me. I'm so thankful to God! That's why I do this blog, my book, and the Lifeboat support groups. My greatest satisfaction is in seeing widows come out of their grief and begin to live again---you're my heroes!

And speaking of heroes, today is Veteran's Day so let's all thank every veteran we see. They all sacrificed far more than we may ever know, and thank their wives and widows too. May God bless them all! And by the way, I'd like to shout out "Thanks, Dad"---to my dad who served in the Navy during the Korean War. I'm sure he'll be attending all the services and parades he can to honor those he served with. His memories and patriotism run deep.

Do you have a GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE yet? It's a 5-session guideline for starting a casual book club or widows group using my book. Groups have been starting up all over---Minnesota, Oklahoma, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, etc., etc., even Malaysia!
If you'd like a free discussion guide too, just email your mailing address to me at WCplace@gmail.com and I'll drop a free copy in the mail for you. And of course, rest assured that I do not sell or even share your address or info with anyone else.

I hope you'll enjoy the many features of my book.

• I know what "widow fog" is like---those days when we find it so hard to concentrate. So I designed the book for those days too!! You can just read the "postcards" at the start of each chapter. As you flip through them you'll see Ruth and Naomi transform from grief to gumption to redemption!
• Later on, when you're ready for your own transformation, start using the journaling exercise at the end of each chapter. You'll be amazed as you look back on your own life and see what the Lord has brought you through and the blessings that stretch out on the path ahead of you.
• And then, you can even use it with a small group. As we found out at the widows retreat this weekend, we need each other! Good things happen when widows get together. The instant comraderie, encouragement and love are beyond compare! Aside from a whole weekend together, going through my book with your friends is the next best thing. Request the discussion guide for your own group, or to give to your church's womens ministry or grief recovery team for consideration. 
• To order a copy just click on the book cover at the right top corner of this blog. (Email subscribers click HERE to get to the blog website so you can order).

Have a sweet day, and thanks again, ♥ ferree

What's In Your Future?

Last year in early April my friend Linda, who blogs Sparrow Scrolls, posted the following and I hope you'll click on over to the link. If you do, I know you'll be uplifted by what happened to her when she followed the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit. Linda does with a camera what Shirley is doing with her "good things vase" that I featured yesterday.

Finally.......!

Does your life feel like this?

     A couple of weeks ago, at the end of one of those "sad" days as the sun was fading I felt a gentle "nudge" that seemed to say - "Take your camera and go outside - and look". Well, of course there was a bit of argument with that feeling - it was still bitterly cold here in the Midwest and winter coats were still required - in addition to the fact there were some pretty hefty winds blowing. However, I listened to the prompting and took my camera and went looking. I didn't really feel like it - it had been a difficult day - in fact it had been a difficult couple of weeks. I was tired. I was lonely. I was wondering. You know "those" feelings........ (click here to read more)

Please visit with me again tomorrow and the rest of this week as I share with you what the Lord is doing in the lives of widows like you. I'm still keeping my writing time down to a minimum to relieve some strain on my back, but you know what? I praise the Lord for this because He has brought me other writing widows who are just as willing to share their walks with you! We learn from each other, and only a widow truly understands another widow. I'd love to hear from you too, so don't hesitate to leave a comment or email me at WCplace@gmail.com

Remember, I offer three venues of service to widows simply because I'm so grateful I can:

1) This blog www.WidowsChristianPlace.com Be sure to tell your pastor, counsellor or groups about it. I'll mail you some business cards if you email me your address.

2) Confidential Lifeboat support groups on Facebook. Click the word Lifeboat for more info on how to join. They're free, you just need to be on Facebook.

3) My book, Postcards from the Widows' Path. Did you ever look at the Bible book of Ruth from a widow's perspective? Wow! It is rich with insight and direction just for widows! God deeply loves widows and you'll be amazed at the epic stories He wants to write into each of our lives. Click my bookstore to order your's today. If your group wants to use it I'll send you a free discussion guide too.   

♥ ferree

Connecting - Let's Meet in Charlotte!

Isn't it good to know you're not the only widow out there? That there are others who "get it?" Others who have experienced not only widowhood, but perhaps some of your same circumstances like what your husband died from, how old your children are (if you have children), how old you are, and on and on?

Back in the days B.W. (before widowhood) I thought widows were only those cute little old ladies in the front row at church. Ha! Now I know better. Widows come in all ages, shapes, colors, languages and sizes! Some were married 6 months, others for 60 years! Some were pregnant when their husband died, others already had 10 or 12 children. Some are lawyers, some are ranchers wrangling livestock. Homeschoolers, homemakers, and just about every station of life in between!  I've "virtually" met widows from all over the world---Mongolia to Fiji, Canada to Nigeria to New Zealand, and every state in the US.

Last month I put about 3000 miles on my Ford Explorer visiting what seemed like every place I ever lived. It was a blast to see all my family and friends. But I also got to meet in person a few widows I've met on-line! I took some pictures---and kick myself because I didn't get a picture of Miriam Neff or Marcie Calandra. But here are the ones I did take:

Dianne and I had pumpkin season fun at Apple Hollar

Wendy and I shared our passion and concerns
for widows. She's founded a Chicagoland young widows
group and network!
Visit her blog: Us Without You
and her website Chicagoland Young Widowed Connection

Sharon and Christy met up for the first time,
 and met me for supper in Fondulac, Wisconsin
 

Christy was six months pregnant with Olivia when her husband
died. She's a great mom, works full-time and raises this
beautiful little one!
Her blog: Bless this Family

Sharon shared some of her experiences
 in my interview with her last week.
Be sure to visit her blogs too!
(They're linked in the interview)

I also got to visit with my wonderful Great Auntie Millie. She
recently moved to Indiana all the way from
California! I'll be praying for her first midwest winter after 50 or
more years of sunny California, but I know there's no
better place than with her loving family.

On November 10 I'm meeting up with Myra, Jan, and maybe Elizabeth in Charlotte, NC. Would you like to join us for lunch? We'll figure out the details as we go along, but I'd love to hear from you if you're available!

Woman of The Year!

Each and every widow deserves the “Woman of The Year” award in my opinion, don’t you agree? Widows are among the most courageous, interesting and amazing people in the world!

That’s why every Wednesday I try to bring you a widow's story. Whether from the Bible, history books, the news headlines or the great women I've met through this blog, the stories of how God works through widows always amaze me.
Look how many stories we've covered in 2011!

Widows from history: Annie S. Hawks, Louisa Stead, Sarah Josephina Hale, Biddy Chambers, Mary Ferree, Elizabeth Warren
Widows of today: Elisabeth Elliot, Christina Cassidy, Cynthia Bezek, Jennifer Sands, Elaine Cook, Grace Fabian, Mandy Smith, Sandra Aldrich and Polly, Sandra H., Rebecca, Kelly L., Ruth H., Lois, Teri, Jenn, Shearon, Eleanor, and Britt (widower)
Widows of the Bible: Widow of Zarephath; Naomi, Ruth and Orpah; The Poor Widow of Mark 12; Anna; Abijah

If you’re a widow (or widower), I hope you find Widows Christian Place a good, safe and useful oasis on your journey through grief. Feel free to introduce yourself. I'll help you tell your story here, too, if you’d like. You might be surprised at how much help it will bring to others and what a significant step it can be for you. Also, be sure to e-mail your tribute for our Memorial Wall tab at the top of the blog: Wcplace@gmail.com

I look forward to meeting many more widows in 2012. I count it a privilege because YOU are my WOMAN OF THE YEAR!
God bless!
♥ ferree

Helpful New Blog Features for You

I'm feeling guilty asking this, but would you help me out here today?
I've added four new features, and I'd love to hear what you think of them!
If they're useless, I'll get rid of them---who needs junk?!

But, some of these gizmos are kind of cool, and will help you find what you're looking for.
Drumroll . . . . .please!

First, is Follow by Email. (You'll see all features on the right sidebar.)
This brings new WCP posts straight to your Email instead of you having to visit! It's like an RSS feed, just not as scary and shark sounding. And I'll never share your Email with anybody else, and I won't send you anything but the blog posts. No worries.
Second, is Labels. Boring name, but these are awesome!
This is what they do: Let's say you just can't remember the really great music video you heard here on a Saturday way back when? Well now all you do is go over to the cloud of Labels, click on Music Videos (or any other topic you see there), and all the relevant posts come up in one beautiful place. Give it a try. Easy peasy.

Third, is Search This Blog. Want to find a comforting Bible verse, a certain Bible character, a topic like depression, tears, grief camp, Christmas, or loneliness? Try typing your topic in the search box. I hope this covers everything else you want here.

Finally, did you notice the pretty picture box about Simple Sympathy? It's a link to a great website with free sympathy cards, and good words to help us not be an example of 'What Not to Say.'

So please:

• tell me if you like these additions.
• And if you haven't already, click the topics at the top of this page for valuable links and help along the way.
• Also, why not visit the blogs of other Christian widows listed in the blog roll? You might find a really good friend! If you're a Christian widow blogger and you'd like your blog listed, please let me know---I sure don't want to overlook anyone!

Thanks so much for your help!