Sleep, blessed sleep

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD,

make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

Sleep was never an issue for me until a few years ago. Never in my entire life until I was in my fifties, did I ever live alone. There was always someone dozing somewhere else in any place I lived. That is until my first husband, Bill, died. Then I was alone. I can remember pacing the hall and throughout the house unable to sleep. Not because of fear, but loneliness. Perhaps it was the total silence because there was only one human being--me--in my house. 

The moment I married for the second time, that allusive property--sleep--came back. I could sleep soundly all through the night! It was wonderful, that sleep. Then I was widowed again and had the same experience. I was alone. Again, I paced the house. This one had two floors so I could wander up or down, rather than across. 

Now, I am married again and that blessed sleep has come back to live with me--along with Jim. I am so thankful. "What about me?" You say. "I'm alone." 

I understand. Being alone is hard. That's why I'm including this verse that helped me. And might help you too. 

Here's my wish for you on the eve of the"last" of outdoor weekends. May God grant you peaceful sleep. And if you cannot sleep, may you sense His presence--for He's there!

My grandee Annabel at 18 months--she's now ten years old.

Ice Bucket Challenge and Why I Will Accept the Challenge But Donate to Option 360 Instead

Here's the ice bucket before water was added

The most frequent posts on Facebook lately, have been people accepting the "Ice Bucket ALS Challenge" and having someone dump a bucket of ice water over their heads. They donate $10.00 to the ALS Association and challenge three other people to do the same thing in 24 hours.

I recently read a blog, written by Nathanael King, where he said he could not do the challenge for reasons I very much agree with. He quoted from the ALS Association website the following:

Adult stem cell research is important and should be done alongside embryonic stem cell research as both will provide valuable insights. Only thorough exploration of all types of stem cell research will scientists find the most efficient and effective ways to treat diseases. 

According to Nathanael King, (www.nathanaelk.com), in one clinical trial, which was supported by the ALS Association with a $500,000 grant involved "stem cells...from the spinal cord of a single fetus electively aborted after eight weeks of gestation."

I was challenged by my dear granddaughter, Sarah, to do the ice bucket dump. Because I love her, I don't want to say no. Instead, I say "yes" to the dunking, but I will not donate to the ALS Association. Instead of sending $10.00 to the ALS Association, I will send to the Option 360 in Vancouver. They do not do research on ALS, but they save lives by giving support and free ultrasound to women in a crisis pregnancy. 

I am sure most of the people who are doing the challenge are pro life. Perhaps you still wish to donate. That's fine, but I cannot in good conscience, now that I know. 

Why am I so rigid about this? Because I care about human life. I cannot send money--even $10.00 in good conscience. I will support any organization that supports life--at the very beginning--conception--as well as the very end of life. End of story.

Here I go with the ice dump!

A True Romance--yes--Made In Heaven

     I just submitted a story to e-Harmony, the matching site where Jim and I met. I thought you readers might enjoy a closer look. Let me know what you think.

     After being widowed for two years,I joined e-Harmony. It was very strange to even be looking for a mate after being married for 40 years, but I also did not like being alone. I liked being married!  I joined eHarmony in 2008 but I did not find suitable matches. I let the subscription run out and joined another matching site. There, I successfully met the man of my dreams and we were married six months later. We had a wonderful marriage, but 17 months after we were married, my husband died suddenly of a brain aneurysm. I was devastated and it was after two years, I decided to “put myself out there” to meet someone again. I tried the same matching site (not eHarmony) and met and became engaged. That relationship did not last—he broke off the engagement and in hindsight, I know that was for the best—for we were not a good match. I dated quite a few different men and had a good time, but did not find the right match. There was always something not quite right. Finally, after nearly four years after Blair, my second husband, passed away, I decided to retry E-Harmony. For me, it was a last resort.

I filled out the questions and put my photos on and began the quest to find that perfect match. I was on e-Harmony about two weeks and was frustrated to see several of my unsuccessful dates were also on e-Harmony! There were a few new ones and I was “smiling” and sending questions to one gentleman who seemed a good match—but I thought he was a bit too old. Maybe he’s not too old. I thought. But, truly, he was! A five year difference in ages when you are 67, is a lot! And I was a young 67! I’m sure everyone says that, but that’s what people tell me. I was ready to give up and go ahead with “Mr 73” year old when Jim’s profile popped up in my matches.

Unlike many of the others, Jim’s profile looked perfect for me. His age was good—three years younger—he sounded like a widower—I was looking for that too. Most important, he sounded like he had a strong faith in the Jesus Christ of the Bible. I sent him a smile and he nearly immediately sent a set of questions to let me know his interest. I loved it that he responded so quickly. My frustration was that many took their time in responding to a “smile”. We passed back and forth questions and then he requested to email through e-Harmony. I accepted and he asked if I’d like to meet for some coffee to see “where God might lead”. 

I said, “Sure, let’s email and, yes, I’d love to meet you for coffee!” One day later, Jim called and we made arrangements for Wednesday, September 4, 2013. That coffee date turned into a two hour date. The high point for me of that date was how much he seemed to be that person who was on the web site. I had written a book and that was also in my profile. One of the first things he did after asking me about it was to order it on his computer during our date! No one else had done that. They’d asked about it but that was it. He obviously wanted to get to know me.

We emailed long emails after that for several days. Quite honestly, I googled Jim. It revealed he was who he said he was. The chemistry seemed to be there, too.

Jim received my book that Saturday after our coffee date. He says he read it from cover to cover without getting up. It’s only 190 pages, after all! I got a phone call around 8:00 pm on that Saturday (September 7). Jim said, “Shirley, I just finished your book! You are a wonderful woman. I’d just like to come and give you a hug!” I thanked him and he repeated his request. He really did want to give me a hug. 

I said, “I’m in my pajamas, but I can change clothes if you really want to come.”

“I do! I’ll be there as soon as I can!” Jim lived about 40 minutes away from me and soon, I saw his lights as he drove into my driveway. He did give me that hug—a good one. We talked for several more hours. 

Without going into the full details of our dates in the next few days, I will tell you that Jim asked me to marry him nine days after our first date. Without any hesitation at all, I said yes and I’ve not been sorry! We married December 7, 2013 and our marriage is like one made in heaven. Truly! 

I highly recommend e-Harmony. For those of you looking for a matching service, don’t use e-Harmony as a last resort. Try it first. I’m so glad both Jim and I made that choice.

     

     That's the story! Have a wonderful weekend! I will--with that match made in heaven!

An Eventful Life

"Shirley, you have an eventful life!" Jim said this morning as we clinked our coffee cups together. We raised those cups in acknowledgement of a special date in my life. On August 16, 2008, I was married to Blair Graybill and after 42 years of Rudberg, I became Graybill.

Blair and Shirley in Colorado

I treasure those 113 weeks that I knew Blair Graybill--and the 17 months of marriage. He was my hero and I called him my beloved Boaz. And now, it's time to enjoy the next phase--or event--in my life. Being married to Jim.

He is such a huge blessing to me. We love to talk and reminisce our past lives. And we look forward to the future with our new blended family, with new memories and dreams. I could have continued on with my life as a single woman, but I'm so glad I met Jim. We believe our meeting was all a part of God's plan for our lives. Just as my wedding with Blair six year ago, and before that, my 40 years of marriage with Bill.

Jim and Shirley Mozena

Yes, I've had an eventful life. And it isn't over either! Here we go. Final quarter coming right up!

Final Quarter

Jim and I talk about our "final quarter" of life--and that we need to make the most of it. We're newlyweds and enjoy being married so much, we celebrate weeks and months, not years.

My fiftieth high school class reunion was last weekend. After the big event, I couldn't sleep for I was on overload from meeting so many friends. I would look at a person, not know who they were, ask their name and soon, they would morph into view. I found it was their eyes that brought them into focus for me.

At the reunion, I was disappointed some of my closer friends did not attend. My best friend, Karen, was not there. She was the first death in our class at age eighteen from a tragic car accident. George, a promising young man from my church youth group wasn't there either.  He also died in a car accident--while on leave from his stint in Vietnam. Neither was Patty, a friend who had been a bridesmaid in my first wedding. She died of an accidental gunshot wound. There are rumors she was murdered, but we don't know for sure. Then there was Sharon. A cheerful woman who only two years ago, sent me a note encouraging me during the recent loss of my second husband. I didn't realize she was battling cancer at the time. She, too has entered eternity.

Death and life are very real events in our life and most of the time, we avoid talking about the shortness of life. I've said final goodbyes many times. Two husbands, a stillborn baby girl, parents, best friend, and yet, I am always surprised at someone's final passage into eternity.

Some of my classmates who were on the planning committee.

The apostle Peter reminds fellow Christians some final thoughts about our time on earth:

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

I Peter 4:8-11a

Sounds like good advice for someone in her last quarter.

Peace At All Times

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

How can we even think about peace with all of what is going on in our world? I get distressed when I read and hear headlines about the terrible treatment of people everywhere! Beheadings in Iraq, abuse of children from Central America and Mexico while trying to come to America, Christians becoming refugees because of their faith, the Middle East a powder keg and then, a seemingly passive response from our government. 

 Sometimes I'd like to just run away from any type of media for I feel so helpless when I hear the news. Yet, we are reminded that "the Lord of peace himself" gives peace at all times. What can one person do in these stressful times? We must do what those people in Thessalonica were commanded to do in light of persecution--for the Christians in that region suffered persecution. They were asked to pray. For deliverance from evil, and continuance of faithfulness in persecution. 

I'm not persecuted as those Christians in Iraq, or those in ancient Thessalonica, but I certainly can pray for them. That they will be delivered from evil--and remain faithful through this persecution. And ask for peace for them.

Simple? Yes. But how often do I--and you too--wring our hands and not do the very thing we're commanded to do: pray! So, let's do it. Let's pray. Each time we hear a distressing story. Each time we see something in God's creation and causes us to see the Maker in creation. And in turn, we will receive peace--at all times.