Change of Status

When I had to change my status on Facebook from "married" to "widowed" I cried a lot.  I hated changing that status and it took me awhile to do it.  I hated being a widow.  I hated being the odd man out at functions.  But slowly, God worked on my heart and things became easier.  I became accustomed to saying ,"I'm a widow" without tearing up.  I took off my wedding ring after about a year and a half, because at a certain point, it seemed like a lie.  There was just a day, when it dawned on me I was NOT married anymore and it was put on my heart to take off the ring and put it in a precious spot for my daughters to have later.  I began to think about my life and where it would lead me.  And I became curious, quite frankly, if there was someone else out there for me.  I had this certain feeling that there was.  Now all of you know how very, very much I loved Barry and we would have had our 50 year anniversary if I would have my way.  However, God had another plan and I have to trust the Lord that I love so much.  So, with much trepidation and some curiosity, I logged onto Christian Mingle back in July.  I figured I would give it 3 months, and if nothing came of it, fine.  I can be alone without being lonely so much anymore.  And right away, I got a few e-mails.  Some were very nice, some were down right weird.  I spoke to a few people, and actually made a very nice friend from a man up in Washington who had gone thru a very similar experience and we kind of helped each other through some rough times.  But it was fairly obvious  that God destined us just to be friends. Then just as I was about to give up and think, "Okay, God, that's okay.....I'll wait longer.  No problem", I had a nice e-mail from someone named Donn.  He lived in town, he was fairly new to the area and was a pharmacy technician like me. He was also looking for a church family so of COURSE I said that my church family was the most wonderful thing to me ever!  So he started coming to church in October of last year and we met and ....well.....things have certainly progressed from there.  We began talking regularly on the phone, and seeing each other bit by bit.  And since the new year has come and gone, we have started seeing each other regularly.  He is a wonderful, Christian man, and we have so much in common.  Things are progressing nicely and it looks like we are in this for the long run.  So, with a some trepidation and a little curiosity to how some people will react, I'm going to change my status from "widowed" to "in a relationship".  I would ask you all to pray for God's direction in my life and in Donn's life.  Yes, it feels weird, and yes, it also feels wonderful.  May God bless each of you in your own journey!