Tis the Season!

Just like our world has seasons, so does every marriage. We all experience different "seasons" as we walk through this life together. Laura and I are coming out of a particularly difficult "season" in our marriage.

We never dreamed Torrey leaving for college would have such an adverse effect on our marriage, but it did. The months of August, September and October were to say the least ROUGH! However, like the seasons of the year, all things come to an end.

Thanksgiving break was great for us. Torrey (because he's Laura's son) finagled his way out of last weeks Monday and Tuesday classes...So he was home for over a week. Our house was the center of activity for he and his friends as night after night our house was a buzz with activity.

I don't think there was an exact "moment" when Laura and I realized that Torrey is doing GREAT, but we are at peace with the situation and our marriage is moving back toward "normal" (whatever that means) again.

Whether your marriage is cruising along like a sun filled vacation, suffering through a tough transition or somewhere in between, here are some NUMBERS to keep in mind. 52, and 411.

52
To remind you that no matter what season, you and your spouse need to "date" once a week. It may be as simple as a cup of coffee or a walk together, but get in each others FACE with some quality time.

411
At least 4 times a year get away together just the two of you. Rent a hotel room, spend the day on a color tour, get away from the kids or grand kids or just life.

1 time a year INVEST in your marriage at a conference or workshop.

1 time a year INVEST in your marriage by reading a book or doing a study together.

Yep it takes a lot to get through the "seasons" life brings, but in the end...WOW is it worth it!

Blessings~

J&L

ThanksLIVING!

The following is from my friend Bob Schuemann who works for the Gathering of Men in West Palm Beach FL. It is used with his permission.

"In 1636, amid the darkness of the Thirty Years' War, German pastor, Martin Rinkart, is said to have buried 5,000 of his parishioners in one year, an average of fifteen a day. His parish was ravaged by war, death, and economic disaster. In the heart of that darkness, with the cries of fear outside his window, he sat down and wrote this table grace for his children:

'Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices;
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his world rejoices.
Who, from our mother's arms,
Hath led us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today.'

Here was a man who knew thanksgiving comes from love of God, not from outward circumstances.

To share with Family & Friends this Thanksgiving.

A gift that you are thankful for that you have received this year.
Things you have learned about God this year that have changed your life.
Things you are thankful for about your family's faith.
Things you are thankful for about your family.
An experience your family had this year that made you happy.
People outside your family who have blessed you in some way

May this week of Thanksgiving...lead us to live a life of ThanksLiving!

Blessings!

J&L

"SHUT-UP!" Slips

Grace is getting ready to go to a friends birthday sleepover on Friday night. Grace has already picked out the "perfect" gift for her friend but is also making some hand made "SHUT-UP!" Slips.

I asked Grace, "What are SHUT-UP! Slips?" She went on to explain that there are times with Jr. high girls when all you want to say to your friend is SHUT-UP! Because they are annoying or upsetting or heck just being girls.

Being a man, this idea intrigued me...what if there were marriage "SHUT-UP!" Slips? You know when your wife blathers on about every detail of her day...or...when your husband endlessly whines about not getting sex. Wouldn't it just be easier to hand your spouse a "SHUT-UP!" slip?

Easier? Not really. For Jr. high girls still struggling with self control and social skills it's just a funny joke to hand a friend a "SHUT-UP!" Slip.

But for best friends in love, the commitment to listen to each other even when we'd rather say "SHUT_UP!" is one of the foundation stones marriage is built upon.

Communicate with your spouse in appropriate and loving ways and watch your marriage GROW!

Mile high club !?

Laura and I are now members of the "Mile high club"...ok it the mile high Wi-Fi club...coming to you from Delta flight 1043 with free Wi-Fi access. Wow technology! Do you think technology helps or hinders relationships? Why?