Dear Friends and Family -- I would like to share some news with you
that you might find surprising, but which, I hope, you will be appreciative
to God for... as I am...
About 5 years ago,
Dwayne and I met several Christian couples in Quartzsite, AZ at the Escapees Christian
Fellowship RV get-together in the desert. This was before we had decided
to go fulltime in the RV, but we were well-along toward making that
decision. One of the couples that we met, Sue and Carl Williams, were also
recent retirees and were also evaluating going fulltime in their RV. We
enjoyed getting to know them, as well as other folks in the Christian
Fellowship group. Through the years, we encountered each other several
times, at Christian Fellowship gatherings, Escapees Escapades, and, most
recently, in the fall of 2018, when they were staying in the Chicago
area and we were looking for a campground where we could stay while
visiting my aunt in Arlington Heights. We stayed at the same campground
and were able to visit with them while we were there.
Then,
in early 2019, I lost Dwayne to cancer, after a relatively short
illness.... I was devastated... I so loved Dwayne. As I worked through
my grief, I have been seeking God to determine what He might have next
for me. I have been volunteering at the International Linguistics Center
(ILC). I gave God several options of what He might want to choose for
me to do "next". I wasn't hearing any answers, but, as I often said to
friends who would ask, "It is on a need-to-know basis, and God doesn't
think I need to know yet." I was trying to be patient.
Later
in 2019, Sue had a relapse of the cancer that she first battled in
2017. The cancer returned with a vengeance. Sue passed away a few
months ago...
Carl's posts on Facebook broke my
heart; I could identify with so many of the feelings he expressed. I
responded to one of his posts, and he emailed me - having been counseled
by another couple in our RV Christian Fellowship group that they
thought that I had gone through something similar and might have some
suggestions on things that helped me. The one thing I have learned
through grieving is that everyone's grief is unique, and the only One
who really knows what you're going through is God. But, I also have
learned, from 2 Corinthians 1, that God comforts us that we might be
able to comfort others. (Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who
comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort
those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we
ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Cor 1:3-4). I remember sharing with my counselor here at the ILC that I
wished that there was a guy who could walk with Carl through his grief,
and, if I recall correctly, he said, "Yes, that would be good, but it
would be unlikely... guys just don't."
So, Carl
and I started emailing... and... my heart started being drawn to him. I
lectured myself, "You're supposed to be comforting him, he isn't
someone for you to be interested in!" I asked God to remove these
feelings that were not appropriate. Unbeknownst to me, his heart was
also being drawn to me... I've gone back and read the emails - there is
nothing in them other than our sharing of our grief, prayers for each
other, concern... but God started drawing our hearts together. After
emailing for a while, Carl recommended that we talk on the phone. On
that call, the open, honest communication with each other continued.
So,
over the next weeks and months, God developed our friendship -- we
seemed to have no limit on how much we had to say in emails and in phone
calls. We decided that we'd really like to see each other, so in
mid-November, Carl planned to visit me at the ILC. We wanted to consider
whether he may want to come to the ILC to volunteer, and for us to
determine whether God might want us to pursue a more serious
relationship. We had been praying together within our emails and during
our phone calls - we only want what God wants in our lives...
Both
of us were very nervous that the relationship that we had developed via
emails and phone calls would not be able to survive being together in
the same place!
Amazingly, (or, maybe not, since God was
involved!), our feelings for each other became more apparent when we finally
met each other face to face.
So, at the beginning of December, Carl moved his RV to the ILC. We are looking
forward to seeing what God will do.
We have been praying and seeking God's will. Each of us were blessed to
have a long and loving marriage with our late spouses. Each of us are
still feeling sorrow in the loss of our spouse. But we are amazed by God
bringing us to each other.
By the way,
we've been praying for you, too... we've been praying for our friends
and family, that God would prepare your hearts for what He is doing with
us. We have been so shocked and amazed by what God has built between
us, that we can't imagine but that you would also be shocked and
incredulous. If we weren't living it, we don't think we could believe
it!
So, we would like to ask for your prayers
for us - that God will give us wisdom, that He would guide and direct
each step, that He would prevent us from making any steps that would not
be in His will. We covet your prayers.
By
the way - you remember back in the beginning of this "essay", I
mentioned that I had offered several options for God to choose from for
my next steps? Well... this was NOT on the table - I had NOT offered an
option for God to bring me into a relationship. But, I believe that
God's hand is in this....
Thank you for reading, and thank you for your prayers...
Patty, I don't know if this will go through since I have been kicked off facebook, but I think this is wonderful. You are still young and just look at what God can do with two instead of one. God bless you as you find His will in your life. Love, Midge
ReplyDeleteLove you both!
ReplyDeleteSuch surprising and yet wonderful news. You and Carl will be in our prayers as you discern God's will for your relationship.
ReplyDeletePatti, I am thrilled to see your report. I will be praying for God's guidance as you walk this journey with Him. Helen Krause
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful thing to read!! Wishing you nothing but joy & happiness as this next chapter unfolds.... and take it from me, a man named CARL can't be beat!! Marilyn Scott
ReplyDeletePatti, I am so happy for you! I will be praying for you and what the path the Lord opens for you and that, in all things, He is glorified. Big hugs, Fran
ReplyDeletePatti:
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful expression and testimony to Gods work in your [two] lives. As one of my favorite all time persons, I can only wish you the best moving forward and am certain your presence will bring much joy to Carl’s life-however it all works out. I am sorry for your loss, and his, but will pray for guidance for you both moving forward.
Best wishes on new beginnings, Patti. Lovely news, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete