I was taught to communicate with love and respect. Those core concepts were drilled into me by my mother. She always made sure I knew that I wouldn’t always agree with everyone, but everyone deserved to be treated with love and respect. Now that I’m a mom I try to …

Raising Kids Who Communicate with Love and Respect Read more »

I love my early morning prayer time. The sun isn’t up yet. The house is quiet. It’s just me and God. While I pray throughout the day, this time is very special to me. I understand it’s important to also pray with my husband and to teach my kids how …

Practical Steps for Creating a Family Prayer Routine in January Read more »

What is Advent? Advent is a season of waiting with joyful expectation. Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” Yes, it’s a holiday season of cookies, ornaments, gifts, and family (and my favorite time of year!). But it’s also a season of knowing that Jesus is coming, and being excited for that …

Advent: A Season of Preparation from Martha & Mary Read more »

Disenchanted When we get married we are filled with joyful anticipation. We imagine this ideal life with the person we just pledged to love forever. Maybe your “happily ever after” means you do things together, or he helps out around the house. Perhaps your dream involves each of you doing …

What to do when marriage isn’t what you thought it would be Read more »

Ah, the perfect husband Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? He knows and responds to our every need. The perfect husband listens and remembers what we say. He puts our needs above his own. He picks up his socks and closes the toilet seat. This man also cleans the kitchen and keeps …

How to Find the Perfect Husband Read more »

Listening Examples Which of the following demonstrates listening? Scenario 1: I tell my husband about something that happened at work. He is on his phone, watching YouTube videos. He doesn’t say anything while I talk. I assume he’s not really listening. Yet when I’m done he asks good questions that …

The Power of Listening Read more »

Imagine this: Janet spends all day at school terrified about talking with other kids. She just knows they will hate her. Her preoccupation with (potentially) being disliked makes her withdraw and avoid other classmates…even ones who would genuinely like her. None of us would want this for our kids. Yet …

Understanding Teens with Social Anxiety: A Guide for Parents Read more »

Do you need the gift of rest? I’m sure you’ve been there. You need a day “off” so bad you can taste it. You’ve been run ragged by taking the kids everywhere they need to be. You’ve done your best to take care of your spouse. Everyone has had food …

Giving the Gift of Rest For Your Family this Sabbath Read more »

🎵 “I know something you don’t know!” 🎶 sings one child to another, taunting the other to beg for the information. We learn at an early age that knowledge is powerful. When we know something, we can hold it over someone else. What is knowledge? Knowledge is any information we …

Did You Know? Knowledge is Power, Even in Families Read more »

It’s a fact. We bug our spouse. They do it to us – we do it to them. I saw a post on Instagram from @ChristineCaine that highlighted this point well. She said her husband loved all the nice things she posts about him but thought it would be fun …

3 reminders for when your spouse is irritating you Read more »