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Tom and Debi
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Category Archives: Seasons of Life
Five Friday Favorites – Retired Life
Tom retired a year ago, after what I like to call three soft-landings. It was strange for him to switch from a “work to save for retirement” mentality to a “let’s live on what we’ve saved for retirement” mindset. I … Continue reading
Our Emotional Roller Coaster
I hate roller coasters. They throw off your equilibrium and make you have to regain footing once you’re back on solid ground. Not to mention the unexpected twists, turns and drops along the way. I’d rather not take part, thank … Continue reading
Not This Time
Change. We change clothes daily. We change our schedules to meet demands. We change our attitudes when it’s hurting others. Change can be easy if it’s something we want to do. But not all change is easy. I have found … Continue reading
Five Friday Favorites – Firsts
This week we celebrated the 41st anniversary of our first date. While out to dinner tonight I told Tom if there was any day I could watch as it happened, I would love to see our first date. What did … Continue reading
Five Friday Favorites – Father’s Day
This Sunday is the day we set aside to honor Dads. It used to be that “Father Knows Best”, and he was respected and honored by his family as a result. Today it is much more common to belittle them, … Continue reading
Five Friday Favorites – Ways To Fight Fear
It has been a difficult month so far. Lots of circumstances that can tempt me to fear and I must fight for faith and peace. Have you ever been in a similar season? Bad news seems to be like one … Continue reading
Three Types of Transition in Marriage
Transition #1 In childbirth it’s the time when birth is eminent. Pain precedes birth bringing joy unimaginable. Imagine if a woman in the throes of labor, decided to quit when the time of transition arrived. Transition is when the labor … Continue reading
Have You Ever Asked Your Spouse This?
Yesterday we had lunch with friends and this question came up… When have you been the most afraid? It was a good question that led to an hour-long discussion involving lots of emotion. Some had had near-death experiences involving themselves … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Intimacy, Newlyweds, Seasons of Life, Sexual Intimacy
Tagged asking good questions, questions open the door to deeper intimacy, Sexual intimacy, wedding night fear
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Until Death Parts Us
I am emotional and have often been led astray by them. I’m grateful for the influence my husband has had on me in this area of my life. He has helped me see that my emotions aren’t bad; they are … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Death and Grieving, Seasons of Life
Tagged Craig Stafford, Grieving, legacy, Until Death Parts Us
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Wake Up Call
This has been a difficult week for our church family. A dear friend and long time member of our church had a massive heart attack last Tuesday morning. They were just enjoying normal life when this crisis hit them unexpectedly. … Continue reading
Where Will This Trail Lead?
Summer. The time when many of us plan family vacations to see places we’ve not seen before. I know some friends who have made it their goal to visit every National Park in America, and so far they’ve made it … Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Seasons of Life, Wisdom in Marriage
Tagged Bonnie Anderson, Golden Anniversaries, National Trails 50th Anniversary, President Lyndon Johnson
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Happy Hour
Ask Pastor John Is Oral Sex Okay? – John Piper answers this common question for married couples wanting to know. Gary Thomas The Ebb and Flow Of Physical Attraction in Marriage – a good reminder. Intimacy In Marriage Sex Isn’t … Continue reading
Posted in Aging, Blog Love, Happy Hour, Keeping It Real, Seasons of Life, Sexual Intimacy
Tagged Blog Love, Gary Thomas, Happy Hour, Sexual intimacy
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Vintage Post – Meet The Gardners
(originally posted on April 23, 2013) Have you ever heard your spouse talk about someone over and over, but never had the chance to meet them? Someone they had met before you were together? You’ve heard so much about them … Continue reading
Posted in Aging, Christian Marriage, Death and Grieving, Growing Strong Marriages, Seasons of Life
Tagged Marriage Mentors
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Consider This…
We have a neighbor whose husband passed away a couple of weeks ago. Several of us who live in the neighborhood went over to share our condolences and bring a gift of remembrance to her. It was a sweet time … Continue reading
Going, Not Knowing
On this Easter Sunday I’m reminded of another Easter. 1985. It was our last Sunday in the church where Tom and I met. This was the place where we had memorized so many scriptures because the senior pastor’s wife was … Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Easter, Growing Strong Marriages, Holidays, Seasons of Life
Tagged Local Church, Mature Love
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Happy Hour
Gary Thomas Taking Action – this post is challenging and practical for wives, but it also can apply to husbands if you change the gender as you read. Here is a quote to whet your appetite for more: Your future … Continue reading
Posted in Blog Love, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Happy Hour, Newlyweds
Tagged Gary Thomas, Loving Him Well, marriage, Newlywed advice, Sheila Gregoire
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Is Your Marriage Self-Insured?
Last September we took a direct hit by Hurricane Irma. Considering all the damage many experienced, ours was minimal. It wasn’t until January when we had a week of rain that we discovered our roof was leaking. Tom called our … Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Encouraging Your Spouse, In Sickness, Newlyweds, Seasons of Life, The Gospel & Marriage
Tagged All In, Hurricane Irma, marriage, Self-insurance
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Vintage Post – What Would Your Epitaph Say?
(This post was originally published on August 6, 2013.) If we could plan to meet for coffee one afternoon, I’m sure we would talk about normal everyday kinds of things. But there would be a moment when the conversation turned … Continue reading
Is Your Marriage All In?
There is growing tendency in newly married couples to stay independent financially, socially and emotionally. This is cause for great concern. Let me explain… When we said, I Do, we were committing to a new way of life. We were … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Newlyweds, Priorities, Seasons of Life, Showing Honor, Temptation
Tagged Dependence in Marriage, Finances in marriage, Independence in Marriage, Joint Checking Accounts, Priority of Your Spouse
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Happy False Labor Day NOT!
It was February of 1984. I was 24, Tom was 29. We were expecting our second baby any day. I was 10 days past my due date, when the familiar labor pains began. I was ready to meet my baby. … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Diapers, Toddlers & Romance, Oh My, Difficulty, Keeping It Real, Parenting
Tagged C-Section, False Labor, Happy False Labor Day, Life gives you lemons make lemonade
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