We’re on the road. Come join us!

We were wowed by the stark and rugged badlands.

We’ve been on the road for four weeks. On Sunday, we’ll begin our fifth. The trip has been memorable. We witnessed the solar eclipse. We drove through smoky-because-of-the-fires-Glacier National Park. Visited cousins in Montana, worshiped with a former pastor and his family in North Dakota. Were wowed by stark and rugged badlands in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

We reveled in the roaring might of Niagara Falls.

Later, we viewed the softer landscapes of the plains in Iowa and Nebraska. We renewed our family connections in Nebraska, and then family in Iowa–with worship with our pastor stepson presiding in Illinois. We veered north, up through the greens and blues of Michigan. A stop on an island that didn’t allow motorized vehicles, taking a ride in a horse drawn carriage around it was, may I say, quaint? It didn’t stop there. We reveled in the roaring mighty Niagara Falls.

Finally, moving east to the rugged mountains of Vermont and north to Maine.

We traveled here for a purpose…

Now we’re in New England, driving through Connecticut, cutting back into Massachusetts, where we’ll stay for the next week. Would I have traveled to New England for the sights alone? I don’t think so. There are beautiful sights to see in our own Washington State. No, we traveled here for a purpose. To share my story with people, especially women.

I want them to know they aren’t alone

What do I talk about when I share my story? I tell how God was with me during difficult times and joyous times. Not to get “wows.” Not to get sympathy. Not even to sell my books, though I want them to read my story more completely. No. I talk to them because I want others to know that when they go through difficult times, they aren’t alone. I also tell them the good news. That God loves them so much He sent His son to die for us and take away our sins. That He wants a relationship with us. I tell them how that is possible. Lots of them already know this and just need to be encouraged and renew their faith in God.

In action in Manchester, Connecticut

Four names, four lives….

I’ve lived quite a life. I like to say I’ve lived four lives. The first as a child growing up in a pastor’s home with my last name, Quiring.

Then I lived a second life as a married woman with a new name. Rudberg. I share how I, for a time, experienced a difficult, dysfunctional marriage. I share how God worked in both of our lives and gave us tools to repair our relationship. Through those difficulties, we learned how to listen to each other, how to Share our lives.  We had counseling, took a class on communication, but it was through prayer, we realized our marriage was worth saving. We raised our two children. We shared sorrows–the loss of a stillborn baby, loss of health and for a time, loss of normal body functions most of us take for granted. At the end of Bill’s life, we had no regrets or un-said things.

I was never alone

My third life was a giddy, love-struck marriage where unbelievably, I found love again with Blair. We had a honeymoon experience. We shared our families. We had a brief yet travel-filled life together. It was abruptly ended after only 17  months of marriage. In my talk, I share how though I questioned why God took Blair so soon, I was never alone. That God promised He’d be my husband and He was during those difficult lonely days of widowhood, for the second time.

We delight in each other….

Then I share my fourth life. With my delightful husband, Jim. We believe God brought us together. We share this ministry. I speak. He prays and sells my books. Together we travel. We meet wonderful people along the way. And we gratefully love each other deeply. We enjoy each other’s family. I love it when some of his grands call me Grammie. He relishes being addressed as Grandpa Jim. Regardless, we know our family is happy we found each other. So are the women who hear my story. Often they applaud.

Jim and Shirley, all ready to go

The friendship will continue into eternity

It is a delight to meet new people. Jim loves my family like his own. I love his as though we’ve known each other longer. A benefit to our travels is meeting people we don’t see often. Like my cousin by marriage in New York State. While staying at their cozy  home on the shores of Lake Ontario, next to a fire with a view of the lake, we discussed our mutual faith in our Savior. We discussed politics and world views that seem cockeyed to us. The friendship will continue in this life and into eternity.

Cousin Linda and husband Tom in New York State.

We met a dear young woman formerly from Oregon, now living in Vermont. She’s bravely trying to make her way by improving property she’s purchased. Here’s Ashley in her home where she’s building a rental business, one apartment at a time.

Ashley–Vermont State.

Maine lobster….

Next we traveled to the state of Maine. Oh. My. The beauty and wildness is there. Reminding me of Alaska in many ways. They have moose. Wilderness. Lobsters. Most of all, warm loving people. Here we worshiped with new friends from Maine. Sang similar worship songs and felt the love of Christ. Later, we enjoyed seeing a few of the sights in the Portland area (the OTHER Portland). Ate Maine lobster (there’s a difference). Again we have friends for now and into eternity.

Now we’re in Connecticut. I spoke to the Women’s Connection in Manchester. When leaving, several women confided to me they were encouraged by my talk. We delighted in our stay with a woman who was widowed. We immediately connected through the ministry we serve in.

I thank God for the story He has written for me.

We’re headed for Boston to walk the Freedom Trail this weekend. But now, it’s on to a group of women in Woodstock, Connecticut (established in 1686).

Until later!