Monday, June 21, 2010 WOW-Zine

WOW's Woman of the Week--Karen Fordyce!

Have you ever met someone for the first time and instantly knew you would be great friends? That's the way it was with me when I first met Karen seven or eight years ago. There's just something about her warm, smiling face that makes one feel accepted.

She and her husband, Greg, are elders at Wapato and have four grown children. I had a chance Sunday after church to visit with Karen and ask her a few questions. Please eavesdrop on our conversation.



Sherrie: How did you know Greg was the one for you?
Karen: He winked at me! Truly, that was it. He'd been camping with my brother and they unloaded stuff at my folks' house. I was drying dishes and Greg came in the split-level foyer wearing bib overalls and a hat. He got ready to leave, said, "See you later," and winked, and that was it! I just knew!

Sherrie: How did you manage to raise four kids when your husband travels so much. (Greg is an airline pilot.)
Karen: The Lord gets the credit. There were so many times when I didn't know what to do. You have to remember this was before cell phones. I couldn't just call him up and ask for his advice about an issue with one of the kids. I was literally on my own. But I prayed, and every time God would give me an idea or solution on how to handle the situation. Sometimes my heart wasn't right. I would get frustrated with the kids, which would lead to anger. But I would pray and God would give me the right attitude.

Sherrie: What's your biggest challenge at this stage of life when you're basically an empty-nester?
Karen: I would have to say it is balancing relationships. The kids, though grown, are still an important part of my life. We all have scattered schedules and it's hard to find time to be together. That's one of the nice things about sharing a multigenerational house, is that so many of us are so close. Greg and I make an effort to carve out time as a couple. It may be an evening out, or just staying for a date at home. If we don't make time for each other we lose our connection and things don't go right.

Sherrie: You're so right about that, Karen. Are there other things you do to make your marriage work? How long have you been married?
Karen: We'll have been married 33 years in August. I've mentioned the date nights we have. With Greg's schedule of being gone several days a week, I really try to rearrange my schedule for Greg the first night he's home. We like to work on things together--that shoulder-to-shoulder time. When he's leaving for a trip, he always texts me "I love you." And we try to connect every day while he's away. It's a lot easier now with cell phones, texting, and e-mail. When he's home we have a devotional time together in the morning, and every night we pray together in bed. And we love to eat chocolate and drink tea together!

Sherrie: Karen, it sounds like you've got the kind of marriage many women would love to have. No wonder you smile so much and have this glow about you! Do you have a scripture verse that means something special to you?
Karen: I guess it would be Joshua 1:9 where it says, "Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." I've never thought of myself as a courageous person. I tend to hesitate. But when I'm living in the Word and am reminded that He is fighting for me on all side and I don't have to be afraid of anything, that gives me a sense of relief and freedom.

Sherrie: Thank you so much, Karen, for taking time to visit with me even though you're not feeling well today. Now, I have one last question for you. What's your favorite kind of candy?

Karen gave me her answer, but I'm good at keep secrets! Leave a comment guessing what it is, and you'll get one if you're the first person with the correct answer. (And Denise, I still need to give you the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups that you won by answering the question correctly about Amy last week!)

Next Event:

The honor of your presence is requested

for Movie Night at Ashberry Lane

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

at seven o'clock in the evening

Please wear something having to do with weddings.

Our hearts will twitterpate as we watch

Father of the Bride

Reception to follow

Call Sherrie at 971-285-6699 for directions

Upcoming Events:

June 30th--Rejuvenation Party at Nathalie's, 7 P.M.

Bring your own tub! Stop by the Dollar Store and pick up items to use

for a foot soak, facial, manicure, etc., as well as a snack. Look forward

to a time of relaxation and conversation. (Women only.)

July 7th--Forest Grove Farmer's Market 4 P.M. (You may bring your family.)

Pictures from past activities:

First we warmed up on June 9th, having a great time in the hot tub. The following week we froze to death at a picnic in McMinnville. But we still had fun!

(I'm not sure what's going on, as when I put the pictures in they show up side by side on the page, but in a line when I look at preview. Sorry, but I'm doing the best I can!)