Category Archives: Difficulty

“He Did!”

We were driving in the car recently talking about some things weighing on both of our hearts.  It was a conversation most couples have about relational difficulty and how to overcome it.  I was struggling more than Tom, so in … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Difficulty | 3 Comments

10 Hindrances To Cultivating A Romantic Vineyard

#5 – Wrong Motives We’ve all done it.  It’s our human nature to want to look good.  When we look good we feel good, or so we think.  That is until someone comes along (many times it’s our spouse) and … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Difficulty, Forgiveness, Growing Strong Marriages, Hindrances to Romance | 3 Comments

A Fragrant Aroma – A Good Book

Books. One must be fully engaged in the story in order to actually get what the author wants you to get. When caught up in the middle of a chapter where struggle and conflict are playing out word by word, … Continue reading

Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, communication, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages | 3 Comments

A Happy Hum

As I am writing this post, my dishwasher is hard at work in the kitchen cleaning my grandmother’s dirty dishes.  I borrowed them today from my Mom for tonight’s dinner with some dear friends. How many times these dishes have … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged | 7 Comments

10 Hindrances To Cultivating A Romantic Vineyard

#2 – Unrealistic Expectations Imagine a vine grower who expected his vines were going to produce Chardonnay grapes, only to discover the fruit a luscious, dark purple.  The purple grapes weren’t bad, but they weren’t what the vine grower was … Continue reading

Posted in Difficulty, Hindrances to Romance | 7 Comments

A Fragrant Aroma – Though I walk…

..through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.  For Thou art with me. This past week we had the privilege of walking with a dear friend through this valley as she said her final goodbyes … Continue reading

Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, Difficulty, Testimonies | 4 Comments

The Things We’ll Miss

2010 will soon be a memory.  Amazing isn’t it, how quickly a year goes by?  Even more amazing is how fast our lives pass.  We have been given a few short years in this life to make a difference.  This … Continue reading

Posted in Blog Love, Difficulty, Forgiveness, Growing Strong Marriages, Testimonies | Tagged | 6 Comments

Project 52: The Taulbees Take An “Unexpected Turn”

Today we share with you Vicki Taulbee’s final Passport Date idea for this year.  Hasn’t it been a wonderful journey to see how one couple has implemented creative dates into their normal routine?  We pray you have been inspired to … Continue reading

Posted in Dating Your Spouse, Difficulty, Project 52 | 1 Comment

35,000′ View

I am on a plane heading home and experiencing delays in my flight schedule. To pass the time I picked up a magazine not knowing what I was about to read. It’s been an emotional day filled with conflicting feelings … Continue reading

Posted in Blog Love, Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Finding Joy | 4 Comments

Adversity or Adventure?

We know a couple who was offered a 3 year job opportunity in Europe. At first, the wife was adamant she had no desire to leave family and friends, much less her country! Her firm answer was, “No!” That was … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Finding Joy | 2 Comments

A Date With Eternity

Today would normally be our guest post by Vicki Taulbee.  She has been sharing with us all year her monthly “Passport” Date with her husband, Jeff.   But this month her date was interrupted by a Date with Eternity: Well, … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Guest Post | 1 Comment

Biblical Counseling: Fast and Free

We have had the privilege to take hours of classes on Biblical Counseling these past few years.  It has been a tremendous blessing not only to those we counsel, but to our own marriage as well.  The reality is that … Continue reading

Posted in Blog Love, Christian Marriage, Contests, Difficulty, Forgiveness, Growing Strong Marriages, Spiritual Intimacy | Tagged | Comments Off on Biblical Counseling: Fast and Free

A Fragrant Aroma: She’s Beautiful!

A while ago Tom and I were at dinner.  He was telling me about a time he was away from home and the people he had met.  One person in particular he was talking about was a woman, so I … Continue reading

Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Forgiveness, Fruits of the Spirit, Growing Strong Marriages | 7 Comments

Project 52 – Pregnant Silence

Sitting in our favorite restaurant, we order our usual.  Life has been different, challenging and unpredictable.  But we are still US.  We talk about our day.  We talk about our calendars.  And then the conversation turns to what matters most. … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Date Night Ideas, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Romance in Marriage | 8 Comments

A Fragrant Aroma: Honesty Breeds Intimacy

There have been two MAJOR times in our marriage when honesty – the painful kind of honesty you know is going to hurt your spouse – is necessary.  The first happened during our third year of marriage when I was … Continue reading

Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, Christian Marriage, communication, Difficulty, Forgiveness, Intimacy | 6 Comments

A Fragrant Aroma: Playing Defense

Not being a huge sports fan, it’s funny that the Lord brought this metaphor to my mind.  I know it was Him, because I wouldn’t even think in these terms, but sadly I’ve been living them.  Maybe you will relate. … Continue reading

Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages | Comments Off on A Fragrant Aroma: Playing Defense

Fragrant Aroma: Weakness

This week I don’t have to think twice about what to share with you.  The purpose of today’s post is to give you a glimpse into our lives, our marriage, in hopes of helping you learn from our strengths and/or … Continue reading

Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, Christian Marriage, Difficulty | 4 Comments

First Day of Fall

Today marks the first day of Autumn. This is by far my favorite time of the year.  I know many who feel the same way.  What is it about this time of year that evokes such affection? Maybe it’s the … Continue reading

Posted in Celebrations, communication, D.R.A.B., Date Night Ideas, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages | 4 Comments

Mark Your Calendar

We were reminded this weekend of the tragic events from 9/11/01.  It was a difficult day for us, but not as much as it was for those who knew they were speaking to their spouse for the last time.  Can … Continue reading

Posted in Date Night Ideas, Difficulty, Mark Your Calendars (time sensitive) | Comments Off on Mark Your Calendar

A Fragrant Aroma: Papa on Duty

I thought it would be good for the men to hear about my side of “Nana on Duty“. First of all, I had a very hectic week at work with a new customer.  As a result I was providentially hindered … Continue reading

Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, Christian Marriage, communication, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages | 3 Comments