Almost two years ago, we posted an entry (click here to read it) about Widow Connection, a website full of resources and encouragement for women who have lost their husbands.

Since then, we have received a number of comments there from women who are still healing from and coping with the pain of grief and loss. The following is a story that was recently posted:

My husband, Stephen Philip passed suddenly on 11-18-09 in a motorcycle accident we were married for 20 years and together for 26 years. Stephen was not only my business partner but my best friend. We had just hung up the phone and his last words to me were don't call me I am on the bike and will be home in 20 minutes. My biggest regret in all of this was not kissing him in the morning before I left work or telling him that I loved him. He was sleeping so soundly and I did not want to wake him. I am so grateful for this web site not only to share but to be reminded that I am not alone. We did not have any "human kids" just cats so it was truly was just us two. :( I miss him terribly so THANKS.

Take the time to remember widows and their families in your prayers today. If you know of other resources for widows, please let us know! You can also interact with your sisters in Christ by sharing words of love and encouragement in the comments on this blog entry.

This section of the site is still under construction, and we could use your help in getting it underway. If you have an encouraging anecdote from your day-to-day walk with the Lord to share, please let us know. We would also love your personal testimonies, your insight on a passage of Scripture you've been studying, or any morsel of wisdom you have found to be helpful.

Have something you'd like to share? Leave a comment on this entry with your story, or check out the contact page to find our email address!

by Maya Angelou

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting "I'm clean living."
I'm whispering, "I was lost; now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I'm not holier than thou.
I'm just a simple sinner, who received God's good grace.

I love this and just wanted to share it with all my Christian sisters!
-Vicki Tumilson-

by Vicki Tumilson

It was a joy to meet with Myrtle Fourier in October to talk to her about her efforts for White Cross, which is a part of our Women's Ministries. Myrtle makes kimonos and layettes that are sent to Tandala Hospital in the Congo and which are then given to newborn babies. In this part of Africa, the delivering mothers walk to the hospital to have their babies, as they are too poor to obtain transportation. In most cases, these kimonos and layettes are the only thing that these new mothers have to keep their babies warm.

In addition to her White cross efforts, Myrtle also knits baby caps for the March of Dimes! The March of Dimes in turn provides them to various Neonatal Intensive Car Units (NICU) for premature babies right here in our own backyard.

These caps touched my life three years ago when I gave birth to premature twins. They arrived thirteen weeks early. Both Robbie and Tommy were given one of these caps that they wore throughout their stay in the NICU. After the passing of Robbie, I kept his cap to treasure the memory of my precious little boy.

Myrtle started doing knitting in the '60s, making kimonos and layettes for the White Cross; later, she started making greeting card pictures and rolling bandages. When I asked her if she had any idea how many she had made over the years, she stated, "Oh, I have no idea. I've done about 460 this year and 200 caps for the March of Dimes." This is quite an accomplishment for a person of her age with such obstacles as blurred vision! In order to continue doing this, she uses many lights in her sewing room and utilizes her sense of touch. The reason? "I just enjoy doing it. It gives me something to do." Because she is "up there in age," as she describes it, she relies on Diana Maas to purchase the materials and other friends to deliver items to and from the church.

Regardless of the struggles that may come her way, Myrtle continues to make the kimonos, layettes, and caps for White Cross and March of Dimes. She resides in a retirement home and looks forward to visits from her family and friends. I myself consider her a new-found friend and look forward to the next time I am blessed to talk to her.

Note: This was originally published in the second issue of At the Well, the quarterly EFCCL Women's Ministries newsletter. Please let us know if you'd like to be added to the mailing list!