Freebie Friday : A Challenge That Will Make You…

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Tom and Debi

…LAUGH!

Photo from Saida Online Magazine

That’s right!  How would you like to take us up on a challenge to look at the lighter side of life – to actually (LOL) laugh out loud, when you would normally react in anger?

It’s a simple challenge – really – yet most will find it appropriately called “a challenge”;  We take life far too seriously, which leads to a wealth of trouble.  Laughter is like medicine to the soul, so let’s take Scripture at its word and see if it isn’t so in our own marriage.

Here’s the plan:

  • Read this excellent article by Ed Welch titled, Reasons To Laugh Each Day.
  • Read this article with the 5 reasons as to why you should make your spouse laugh.
  • Comment to this post saying you’re taking us up on the challenge.
  • Beginning Monday, August 23rd we’ll start the two week challenge.
  • Commit to laughing (not chuckling, but belly laughing) five days out of seven, or ten out of the fourteen days.
  • On Monday, Labor Day, we’ll send out a request for testimonies as to how laughter has impacted your life.

Let’s pray that God will use this challenge to help us become less angry and more loving in our response to our spouse.  Are you willing to give this a try?  We think it will be fun and a great way to start a new school year!  Besides, who doesn’t love to laugh?

When was the last time you and your spouse had a good, long laugh together?

Posted in Freebie Friday, Growing Strong Marriages, humor | Tagged | 7 Comments

Solving the Puzzle

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Debi Walter

Yesterday was Tom’s birthday.  I love birthdays and enjoy planning something special throughout the day.

It started with making Tom’s coffee and having it ready for him as he got out of the shower.  Then, I had a bag of gifts to be opened throughout the day.  They were all placed in one big bag and numbered according to the order he was to open them.  His first card was waiting for him in the cabinet where he stores his car keys.  It had two puzzle pieces enclosed.

Once he arrived at work I called him telling him to open gift #2.  There he found a Message In A Bottle filled with puzzle pieces.

He put them together and read what it said.  But there were still many pieces missing.

After this he received a call from me every couple of hours informing him to open the next gift, which would include a few more pieces to the puzzle.  This continued throughout the day until he received the final two pieces telling him where to meet me for dinner.

It was a fun way to build excitement for an evening out for dinner.   As  a bonus the restaurant we went to was having a Savor The Summer special – a prix fixe menu including appetizer, entree’ and dessert for one price.  It was a way to enjoy a more expensive restaurant for a fraction of the cost.

If you live in the Orlando area, all the restaurants at Pointe Orlando are offering this Savor the Summer special through the 30th of September.  Click HERE for a complete list of the participating restaurants.  Our experience was one which far exceeded our expectations.

So, the next time you’re planning a special date, think of ways to build the anticipation throughout the day.  It will pay off in more ways than you can imagine.  🙂

NOTE:  We know we mentioned starting a new series today…please forgive us.  We simply did not have the time to devote to the post in the way we want.  So, next week we’ll be sure to begin this series in earnest.  Here’s a puzzle piece of a clue:

It’s the things listed in Scripture for which there is no law.  Do you know?

Posted in Birthdays, Celebration Dates, Celebrations, Date Night Ideas, Dinner Dates | 4 Comments

Great Song List

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Tom and Debi

Photo from Blissfully Domestic

Last week for our monthly giveaway we asked our FB fans to share with us their favorite romantic song of all time.  The selections were great and varied, some were familiar and some we have never heard of.  One member (thanks, April) even took it upon herself to create a playlist of all the songs!  (Click the Grooveshark logo below to begin.)So whatever you have planned today, take some time to play these favorite love songs.  It may just stir-up the passion you felt on your wedding day;  How appropriate – it is, after all, WEDnesday!

Tomorrow we begin a new series – be sure to join us!

NOTE:  I had to mention today is my husband’s birthday – Happy Birthday, Tom!  You have made growing older better than I ever imagined.  The adventure continues…

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Project 52: Comfort Food

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Debi Walter

Photo from Reuters

This weekend Tom had to go out of state for his work.  He would be coming home on Monday night – our regular date night.  On top of this our daughter was having her wisdom teeth removed on Monday morning.  It seemed as if date night would have to be postponed.

Or would it?

As Tom was in flight towards Orlando, and as my daughter was recovering as planned without incident, I had an idea; I would prepare a home-cooked dinner of Tom’s favorite comfort foods, so when he walked in the door he’d think, “It’s good to be HOME!”

The Menu:

Roast Beef * Mashed Potatoes and gravy * Glazed Carrots

* Berry and Granola Frozen Yogurt *

So much happened over the weekend that we couldn’t wait for a chance to share with each other.  We ate dinner and talked and talked.  There were interruptions of helping our daughter with medications, ice packs and food, as well as unpacking and answering phone calls, but we continued where we left off, savoring each word and experience as if we had been together all weekend.

It was a perfect date night when you consider the purpose of date nights – to connect on a level which transcends parenthood, work and responsibility.  It’s relationship, and each year it grows stronger and stronger, no matter how many diversions are thrown into the mix.

Date nights aren’t so much an event on the calendar as they are a mindset.  This is who we are, and being together is the best part of date night, no matter what it is we’re doing.

How have date nights help you connect?

Posted in communication, Date Night Ideas, Project 52 | 1 Comment

Mark Your Calendar

Posted on August 16, 2010 by Debi Walter

Photo from Bahamas Harvest Church

Welcome to another week in the life of your marriage.  What will it hold?  What memories are waiting to be made?  How will life and love play out in this 7 day period?

Recently, I had the privilege of listening to a dear friend whose husband is facing a very serious illness.  Life is certainly NOT going according to her plan, yet her love for the Lord and her husband was evident as she spoke words of thanks with tear-filled eyes.  She is grateful for God’s provision.  She is grateful for the time she has with her husband.  She is grateful to God for giving her new mercies and fresh grace every morning.

Her gratefulness has caused me to awaken with a fresh resolve to make the most of the day.  None of us know how our lives will play out from week to week.  We make plans and do what we know to do.  But, if we knew life was going to drastically change next week, what would we do differently this week?  I know I would be more purposeful in actually DOING the things I say are important to me.

As my husband has told me often times, the graveyard is filled with those who had great intentions.  May I be faithful to do all I sense God leading me to do this day, this week, this month, this year!  This includes loving my husband completely and unselfishly.

Here’s what’s happening around town:

CENTRAL

  • Lake Eola Park – Rockin Lake Eola on Friday, August 21, beginning at 5p.  This week’s tribute is to Queen.

NORTH

  • Altamonte Springs – Uptown Altamonte presents Jazz Jams Uptown on Saturday, August 21st from 7p – 10p.  Food and Drink will be available to purchase – the event is FREE.  The featured artist is Blake Aaron.
  • Deland – Hot Summer Nights on Saturday, August 21st from 4p – 9p.  FREE.

EAST

  • New Smyrna Beach – Shrimp and Seafood Festival on Thursday, August 19th from 5p – 9p.  Seafood samples will be available from $3 – $5 from a variety of local restaurants.  Come stroll historic Flagler Avenue as we say farewell to the summer.

SOUTH

  • Flirting with Food For Couples – On Monday, August 16th from 6p – 9p. Come together to the Gourmet Magic Culinary School and cook a memory.  Cost is $110 per couple.
  • Lake Wales – Bok Tower Gardens presents Live At The Gardens, The Repeatles on Saturday and Sunday, August 21st and 22nd from 7:30p – 9:00p.  Tickets are $20.

WEST

  • Clermont – Lakeridge Winery August Stomp on Saturday, August 21st from 10a. to 5p. and Sunday, August 22nd from 11a. to 5p.  Cost is $2 per person and benefits the South Lake Boys and Girls Club.

Photo from Bahamas Harvest Church.

Posted in Christian Marriage, Date Night Ideas, Growing Strong Marriages, Mark Your Calendars (time sensitive) | 1 Comment

Freebie Friday: Every Life Has A Story

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Tom and Debi
Posted in Purpose, Slices | Tagged | Comments Off on Freebie Friday: Every Life Has A Story

“If You Could See What I See”

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Tom and Debi

This is the title of our monthly winner’s favorite love song, and it got us thinking about perspective.  We all have a unique perspective when it comes to life, love and happiness. Here is a video of this beautiful song set to pictures from a wedding we found on You Tube.  Please take a moment to enjoy it, and remember the perspective you had on your own wedding day.

Perspective is how we see it from where God has us at this time.  Most of us on our wedding day had an amazing perspective towards our spouse.  We were full of faith and hope for the future – life was good.  Add a few years and our perspective grows because there is more information to inform the mind and heart of what it sees and what it hopes for.  It can become increasingly positive or more negative.

Although we may not realize it in the moment, we have a choice to make.  Based on our perspective we can pray and ask God to help us do the part we’ve been called to fulfill.

  • It may be caring for a sick spouse.
  • It may be standing in the gap and praying for our spouse in their weakness.
  • It may be helping them do something difficult they didn’t know they could do.
  • It may be sharing an observation your spouse isn’t noticing, in order to help them make wiser choices.

The point is to consider not only your perspective, but theirs as well.  This is what brings a healthy balance to marriage.

Photo from A Day In The Life blog

Two oxen yoked together each have their own perspective on the road ahead; one sees the right side of the road more clearly – the other the left.  Both are correct.  As long as they are pulling together in the same direction both perspectives will help them get to where they’re going more efficiently. Imagine if they each wanted to go only in the direction they could see the clearest?  Forward progress would quickly digress into a game of tug of war.  Only in this game no one would win! However, Christ leads us to victory in this life.  As our marriages are yoked together with each other and with Christ we are certain to win, no matter through what circumstances to road leads us.  For He has promised to finish the work He’s begun in us, including our marriage.

Which brings us back to the point of this post!  We have a winner in our monthly contest, 🙂 and we are excited to announce her name:

Susan Wilcox

Wife to Dan for 14 years and mother of six happy, healthy children!

Congratulations, Susan!

Here’s what she said:

Our song is, “If You Could See,” by Geoff Moore & the Distance. Dan sang it along with GM&tD at Night of Joy years ago, whispering the words in my ear. ♥ Probably a little premature for our first date :-), but it stuck! And it’s been “our song” ever since! ♥

Posted in Christian Marriage, Contests, Growing Strong Marriages, Romance in Marriage, Testimonies | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Project 52: Come Away With Me

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Debi Walter

Our date this week is one of those you anticipate for weeks and weeks.  While most dates are not so significant, this one certainly was.  Last night Tom took me to see Norah Jones in concert!  It was a wonderful night where we paused in the busyness of all that’s going on around us just to listen to beautiful music and her amazing voice.

We were not disappointed.

The songs made us smile and remember.  They reminded us of how much we enjoy doing things like this together.  Sitting side by side in a full auditorium holding hands remembering our love; remembering where we were when we first heard “Come Away With Me.”  It was a night to cherish, and a date I’ll always remember.

Budget Alternative: We have the DVD of Norah Jones’ Live in Austin, Texas.  We highly recommend this for a stay-at-home date when the funds aren’t there for tickets to a concert.  Add some homemade Tex-Mex food to complete your romantic evening!

Project 52 is a challenge to date your spouse once a week for an entire year.  The idea isn’t spending a lot of money, but rather time together doing something you both enjoy.  Click the button below for all the details on the Simply Modern Mom blog.  It’s never too late to start!

Posted in Date Night Ideas, Music, Project 52 | Tagged | 3 Comments

Clinging Vines

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Debi Walter

Graphic Credit: farmertips.com

The image was clear the minute I read the sign, “The Clinging Vine”.  It was one of those signs where a business sponsors a certain section of road in order to keep it clean from trash. It was probably the name of a business who had paid for this particular road sign in an effort to draw people to their store.  It drew me – that’s for sure, but not to them.

Two memories quickly surfaced in my mind:

Tom and I just returned from a week in North Carolina.  He was on business; I went for a writing retreat.  As we drove the interstate we noticed a vine that had spread across all the trees on both sides of the road.  It was so dense you couldn’t see the forest because of it, only the outlines letting you know they were still there. At first it seemed beautiful because it was so green, but then I realized I couldn’t see what type of trees they were clinging to.  I didn’t like the fact it was taking over the landscape, hiding from view the native trees.

Photo from Star, Simplified Blog

Contrast this picture with another trip we made several years ago to Napa Valley, California.  It was our first time to see a vineyard, and I wasn’t expecting what I discovered.  There in the field, in neat rows were crosses.  The trunk of the vines revealed their age – they were thick and sturdy.  The vines themselves clung to the wires branching to the right and left making what looked like a cross.  It was magnificent in it’s simplicity and consistency.  Each vine looked the same – beautiful!

Photo from Vineyards and Orchards

I share these two pictures because they are metaphors of our marriage.  The first picture is a vine that has no strong support of its own; it must latch onto trees to gain height or crawl along on the ground.  It suffocates.   If continually climbed upon by the vine, mature trees will eventually die for lack of air and sun.  We can be this type of vine to our spouse, clinging to them for our support and strength; we can be demanding, overbearing and in essence suffocating.

In the vineyard the metaphor is one worth emulating.  We have been grafted into the vine of Christ.  He is the one we cling to, and He provides strong support.  He can carry us when life takes us one way and then another.  Regardless of where we go or what season we are facing, this vine has stood the test of thousands of years.  His trunk is strong and secure.  When we step back to admire marriages of this kind, what we see isn’t the vine, but the cross. He is the reason our marriages succeed and bear fruit.

We are all clinging vines – the question is – to whom are you clinging?

  • Clinging to our spouse will not produce fruit that will last.  It will suffocate the love God intended us to share and leave us gasping for help in great need.
  • Clinging to Christ will provide rich nourishment and strength in our marriage allowing us to produce fruit that will remain.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5 (ESV)

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mark Your Calendar

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Tom and Debi

Photo from The Huffington Post

Here is the list of what’s happening in Central Florida this week.  Make plans to have a special date with your spouse:

CENTRAL

  • Winter Park – Popcorn Flicks in the Park in beautiful Lake Island Park.  On Thursday, August 12th Enzian Theatre will present the classic movie, Beach Party.  Bring your blanket, picnic and plan to celebrate summer outdoors with this FREE event.  NOTE:  This month the movie is being shown in a new location:

Lake Island Park
255 South Denning Drive
Winter Park, FL 32789

NORTH

  • Sanford – Alive After Five presents: Tropical Nights on Thursday, August 12th from 5 – 8p.  This event includes live music from Caribbean Crew who has won three national awards for being the BEST tropical steel drum band in North America.  Come and see for yourself!  Cost is $7 and includes sampling of food and drink from a variety of venues.

EAST

WEST

  • Mt. Dora – 2nd Friday Movie in the Park on the 13th in Donnelley Park.  Movie is FREE and begins at dusk.  Featured movie is 13 going on 30.  For more information call 352-735-7183.
  • Mt. Dora – Florida Highwaymen Art Show and Sale. Friday, August 13th there will be a Meet and Greet with the artists along with a preview of the art from 6p – 8p.  FREE.  On Saturday, August 14th the show will open from 11a – 5p.  FREE.
  • Winter Garden Village – Astronomy Night At The Village.  Meet in front of Barnes and Noble on Saturday night, August 14th.  at 7:30p.  There will be telescopes to view the constellations and planets.  If you have one, bring your own.  FREE.
  • Winter Garden – Garden Theatre presents the Summer Movie Series.  Here’s your chance to see classic films once again on the big screen.  This weeks featured movies are below – all showtimes are 7p. and tickets are $5.
  1. Thursday, August 12th – To Have And To Have Not (1944)
  2. Friday, August 13th – The Sound Of Music (1965)
  3. Saturday, August 14th – Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes (1978)
Posted in Date Night Ideas, Mark Your Calendars (time sensitive) | Comments Off on Mark Your Calendar

Please Stand By…

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Debi Walter

I spent the entire day yesterday at a Family Feud taping with my family – yes, we’ve made it this far.  Unfortunately, we were there twelve hours and got bumped until the next taping.

So, please forgive the lateness of today’s post…I promise it will be up before long.  I just couldn’t do it last night, but I will get to it as soon as I wake up!  ZZzzzzzz!

Photo from Single Minded Women

In the meantime, enjoy a few posts from other blogs we have recently enjoyed:

  • The Marry Blogger – this post titled, “What is Worse, Porn or Fear?” is a great perspective when one spouse is tempted to make more of the other spouse’s sin.  It’s always best to consider your own heart first!
  • The Best Days of My Life – Sarah Markley is one great writer.  In the post titled, “I Love Us”, she reminds us all of what everyday moments look like and why we should love these moments best!

It’s nice to share a bit of blog love today!  Until later….Happy Monday!!!

Posted in Blog Love | Comments Off on Please Stand By…

A Keeper

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Debi Walter

Laid out on my bedroom floor are 32 years of memories. All taken from my special drawer – the place where I put things which are too precious to throw away.

There is a plaque of our wedding invitation a friend decoupaged for us as a wedding gift; There are the canceled checks of our marriage license, our wedding night hotel and the down payment on our first home, all penned by my husband;  There is the t-shirt our first baby wore home from the hospital 28 years ago;  There are ceramic shoes with the name and weight of our three children.  There are homemade cards produced by chubby little hands who could barely hold a crayon;  There are three plaster of paris handprints from our vacation by the sea;  There are memorial cards from the funerals of many loved ones who are no longer with us;  There are kindergarten graduation caps, sports memorabilia and even a scale model of the Space Shuttle Challenger – one of our son’s favorite toys – until that fateful morning.  Each item brings a flood of memories – precious moments captured in time.

But the biggest pile of memories is the stack of cards I’ve received through the years.  Yes, I’m a hopeless romantic.  I have difficulty throwing away anything that has sentimental value.  And today this fact is lifting my spirits and causing joy to well up inside of me.  As I read through card after card from my husband declaring his love for me at various stages of our life together:  1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 5 years all the way to last month when I shared my birthday with Tom for the 32nd time, I realize these sentiments are priceless.  Although a card isn’t very expensive – the love that is shared is more than worth it.  In so many ways cards help us say the things we can’t say ourselves, or they say it better than we could.  Cards are an extension of us, sharing not only the words they express, but the time it took to find it.

But by far my favorite of any card is the handwritten part on the inside of each one.  My husband excels at sharing his heart to me personally at the end of every card.  It’s usually not long, but it’s the words he’s chosen just for me.  I could easily gloss over it and take his words for granted, but you know what?  I found a card from my grandmother from when I was first married today.  I probably didn’t think too much about it then.  But now the simple words she chose to write are priceless to me.

What a gift it is to have a spouse who loves me and finds ways to express his love in simple, but meaningful ways.  My room is filled with his handwriting on the floor.

How about you?  Have you saved your cards through the years?  Are they precious to you, or do you tend to take them for granted?  Or maybe cards aren’t something you’ve exchanged very often.  Why not take a moment this weekend and buy one for no special reason?  Take time to pick the perfect one and then, sign it with words expressing how you love your mate.  It may end up being a keeper!

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Romance in Marriage, romancing your spouse | Tagged | 2 Comments

Four For A Dollar

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Debi Walter

Photo from LaCrosse Tribune

It was the week of Thanksgiving, and I was set on trying a new creamed corn recipe for the holiday.  Having a large extended family I was going to need a lot of corn – 24 ears to be exact.  I knew that the grocery stores would be too expensive for such a large quantity; so my husband and I headed towards a roadside vegetable stand.   I was sure that their candy corn, as it’s called, would help me duplicate the dish I had so enjoyed at a New Orleans’ restaurant.

Off we went.  We stopped at the first stand we came to, and I scouted out the market to see if they had what I needed.  They did and at the right price, too, four ears for a dollar!  My husband stayed in the car certain it would only take a moment to make my purchase.

I bagged my corn and took it to the man working the checkout counter.  He looked a bit odd, but seemed friendly enough.

“Hi!” I smiled as I placed my corn on the table in front of him.  “I have 24 ears of corn in the bags.”

He looked at me while figuring my total in his head, “That’ll be $21!”

“$21? The sign said that the corn is four ears for a dollar!”

“That’s right – $21.”  He said with a toothless grin.

I knew he just wasn’t thinking, so I attempted to help him with his figuring.  “The sign says four ears for a dollar – that’s eight ears for two dollars, twelve ears for three dollars…”

I thought he would have stopped me by this point, but it was obvious by the unbelieving smirk on his face that he still wasn’t getting it.

I continued, “sixteen ears for four dollars, twenty ears for five dollars and twenty-four ears for six dollars!”

“Naw! You’re tryin’ to cheat me!” was his reply.

I couldn’t believe it!  Was he joking with me?  Was there a hidden camera somewhere? He was serious and so convinced in his mind to the point that he wasn’t going to sell me the corn!

I asked, while looking around, “Is there anyone else that works here?”

Before he could answer me I saw a couple of men sitting at the far end of the stand. I walked up to them and asked if they worked there.

The owner replied, “Is he giving you a hard time, darlin’?”

“Well, he’s trying to sell me 24 ears of corn for $21.” I still couldn’t believe this was actually happening.

“Man, he hit his head yesterday and must’ve hurt himself worse than I thought.  Come with me!”

I followed him as he approached the checkout counter.  “Mac, I want you to sell this lady her corn for $6, ya hear?”

He took my corn from under the counter and still hesitated in taking my money.  He kept staring suspiciously at me, and when his boss had walked away he said under his breath, “You must’ve really winked your eye at him!”

With that I took my bag of corn before he could grab it from me and quickly got in the car.
As I closed the door and took an exasperated breath, my husband said, “What took you so long?”

“You won’t believe it…”

NOTE:  Life is filled with moments like these where we can choose to be angry and frustrated, or laugh!  We have laughed over and over about this day; what could have caused an argument, ended up becoming one of our favorite stories to tell.  What’s your favorite story to tell?

Posted in Christian Marriage, Holidays, humor | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Freebie Friday: A Helpful Tool

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Tom and Debi

Image from Funky6stringer blog

Our Freebie Friday comes in the form of a tool to help encourage you to continue pursuing love in your relationship – true, unselfish love the way God intended.

A friend forwarded the following to us to help us make 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 personal instead of general:

“I am patient with you because I love you and want to forgive you.
I am kind to you because I love you and want to help you.
I do not envy your possessions or your gifts because I love you and want you to have the best.
I do not boast in my attainments because I love you and want to hear about yours.
I am not proud because I love you and want to esteem you before myself.
I am not rude because I love you and care about your feelings.
I am not self-seeking because I love you and want to meet your needs.
I am not easily angered by you because I love you and want to overlook your offenses.
I do not keep a record of your wrongs because I love you , and “love covers a multitude of sins.”
– Jerry Bridges

This is helpful for it helps us to realize how we are NOT loving when we choose to act in these ways.  I want to love my spouse; if I sincerely do, then I will work hard at resisting the temptation to act “unloving”.  This is impossible to do in our own strength, but God has promised to help us in our weakness!  What glorious news – we not only have hope, but we have HELP!

So, in what ways are you tempted to act unloving towards your spouse? How is God helping you apply the truth of Scripture to your relationship?  Have you seen growth in this area since you’ve been married?  We would love to hear from you!

Posted in Christian Marriage, Freebie Friday, Love is | Comments Off on Freebie Friday: A Helpful Tool

What Did You Expect

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Debi Walter

Paul David Tripp has a new book out on marriage titled, What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage, and you can see it and/or buy it by clicking on the title.  Although we haven’t read it yet, we are certain it will provide insight into familiar truths that we have not yet considered in the way the author is presenting it.  This is why we love Tripp so much; he offers fresh perspective.  Below is a quote to ponder:

“One way God establishes beauty is by putting things that are different next to each other. Isn’t this what God does in marriage? The moon would not be so striking if it hung in a white sky; in the same way, the striking beauty of a marriage is when two very different people learn to celebrate and benefit from their differences and to be protected from their weaknesses by being sheltered by the others strength.”

In our 31 years of marriage, we have come to appreciate and even value our differences because we see how we have each changed for the better as a result.  I was such a proud, controlling and impatient woman who happened to marry (by God’s amazing grace) a man who is humble and lives to serve and help others however he can.  I used to think bad of my husband because he takes his time in making decisions.  I thought of this as weakness.  I now see it for what it is – wisdom.  By his help and leadership in my life, I am not the same wife he married.  I have grown into one who comes alongside and helps him instead of nagging him to change.  I can’t imagine where I would be had I married someone just like me!  I shudder to think of it!

Makes me wonder about e-harmony relationships that match people based on their similarities.  Is this truly how to find lasting love?  I believe it’s the differences which bring balance and strength to marriage.   Where one is weak the other is strong.

What do you think?  Are you more like your spouse or more opposite?  How has it strengthened you?  How has it affected your marriage?

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, resources | Tagged | Comments Off on What Did You Expect

Sparkle Challenge #2

Posted on August 4, 2010 by Debi Walter

Today meet Danny and Nikki who came up with a very creative and fun date for her husband:


Fire and Ice Date

Dinner: Homemade Red Hot Buffalo Wings served with Ice Cold Salads with tomato and cucumber from our garden!

Dessert: Ice Cream on Hot Fudge Brownies – too busy enjoying to take a picture!
Entertainment: Don’t Break the Ice while eating Hot Tamales

Our date warmed up with dinner, and then we headed out doors to get really heated up by working out.

After our workouts, we took showers and got dressed up for our second half of the date. We had to look HOT! Well, that lead to other things… and we cooled off by having our dessert and playing Don’t Break the Ice. Danny had never played before! We had a lot of fun. It was a great kick off to having date nights in again… it’s kinda hard to have date nights in when you have company!

Posted in Creative Dates, Date Night Ideas, Dating Your Spouse, Dinner Dates, romancing your husband | Tagged | 1 Comment

Sparkle Challenge #1

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Tom and Debi

The beginning of July we started a challenge for the wives.  We called it the Sparkle Challenge encouraging the ladies to visit The Dating Divas blog for a great date idea (or come up with their own idea) with which to surprise their husband sometime over the course of a month.   We have two wives who shared their dates with us, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

Today we hear a very creative date by Tracy, who happens to be our daughter :-).  She and Seth have been married for five years.  Enjoy!

______________________________

For the July Sparkle Challenge I surprised my husband with a half-birthday party to mark the halfway point to his 30th birthday.

I sent out invitations.

  • We called it his 29.5 birthday party.  Half the letters were missing, half & half.

His half-birthday started with me taking him on an airboat ride with some friends.

  • Airboats can go on land and water, half & half.

We then went out to lunch.

  • Split a meal, half & half…

We came home and later that night I surprised him with a party:

  • Including friends old and new, half & half…

Our games all fit the half-birthday party theme.

  • We played 2 truths and a lie, half & half.
  • Girls vs. guys Catch Phrase, half & half.
  • Half-court basketball, half & half.

Our desserts even fit the half & half theme.  I made:

  • Chocolate/vanilla cake, it was layered and cut in half, half & half.
  • Black and white cookies, half & half.

  • We drank passion tea/lemonade, black tea/lemonade and coffee with half & half, all half & half.

Overall, I think he was very surprised with his 29.5 half-birthday party.  We had a blast and made many fun memories.  I think this might become a tradition!  😉

Tracy

Posted in Creative Dates, Date Night Ideas, romancing your husband, Summer Sizzlin' Dates | Tagged | 2 Comments

Mark Your Calendar

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Debi Walter

Grandfather Mountain

We have just returned from a week in the mountains, and the heat is on!  It’s amazing how quickly we can acclimate ourselves to the cooler temperatures.

Tom would live in the mountains if he could, but God has ordained the Sunshine State as our home.  🙂  Since I was born here, I would miss the heat – the beach – the afternoon thunderstorms, if we lived elsewhere.  I am actually one who loves the humidity!  I know, call me strange.  We have traveled to the southwest several times, and I always feel like a fish out of water; it’s difficult to breathe dry air when you’re used to breathing moisture.  I prefer the steam room to a sauna any time!  But when you think about it, steam is so much better than dry heat – it cooks food faster, it moisturizes the skin, it softens the ground and it prevents ravaging forest fires.  I believe humidity to be a good thing, and remembering this when I’m having a bad hair day or when my clothes are sticking to my skin as I run errands helps me to be grateful for it, instead of complain about it.

Yes, the heat is on, all the more reason to plan a hot date with your spouse!  Here’s this week’s offerings:

CENTRAL

  • Harry P. Leu Gardens – Date Night in the Gardens on Friday, August 6th.  The movie begins at dusk.  This month’s featured film is Duplicity.  Tickets are FREE for members and $5 for non-members.  Pack a picnic, bring chairs and enjoy!
  • Winter Park Playhouse presents the music of Ms. Jacqueline Jones in the Spotlight Caberet Series on Friday and Saturday, August 6th and 7th.  Show times vary – tickets are $15 and includes a free drink.
  • The Grand Bohemian Lounge presents the live music of Wes Hamrick on Monday, August 2 and Saturday, August 7th from 6:30p to 9:30p.

NORTH

  • Mt. Dora – Icehouse Theatre presents the final week of Bye Bye Birdie.  The show will end on Sunday, August 8th.

SOUTH

  • Bar Louie Tavern and Grill – Thursday, August 5th (and every Thursday in August) is Mini Days – enjoy $1.50 Sloppy Joe Sliders, Jalepeno Corn Dogs and Loaded Tots.
  • Kissimmee – Old Town presents every Saturday night the Saturday Night Cruise.  Remember Your first car, first date and first kiss – it will all come back to you here at Old Town on a Saturday night! Since 1990, the “pride and joys” from 1974 and earlier bring back ‘lots of memories as an average of 300 classic cars, hot rods, street rods and antiques parade down the brick streets of Old Town.
    •
    •
    •    		 Cars start arriving at 1:00 pm
    The Saturday Nite Cruise® starts at 8:30 pm.
    Live rock n’ roll on the Main Stage at 7:00 pm.

WEST

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

Freebie Friday: Anniversary Wall of Dedication

Posted on July 30, 2010 by Tom and Debi

We have a friend who recently traveled to France where she happened upon a very romantic tradition.  You may have heard of it, it’s called Locks of Love.  Basically, it’s a chain link fence on a bridge crossing the River Seine.  Lovers take a padlock, engrave their name with the date and securely lock it onto the fence.  The final and most important part of this meaningful tradition is they throw the key in the river, forever locking their lives together.  What a symbol of lasting love.

While we don’t have a river with a fence – or the ability to use lock and key – we do have other social media available to us.  We have a Facebook page, and if you’re not already a member, we invite you to join the over 400 who are.  Once there, click on the Discussion tab at the top.  You’ll find a topic titled: Anniversary Wall of Dedication.  Here is where you can record your wedding anniversary, names and the year you became one.  Let’s see how many dates on the calendar we can fill.  NOTE:  If you aren’t on Facebook, simply comment on this post giving us your anniversary date, names and the year you were married.  We’ll add you to our wall!

Thank you for being such a great group.  We had no idea how The Romantic Vineyard would be received, but you have welcomed us into your lives with opened arms.  We do not take this lightly.  We are thrilled the Lord in His kindness has brought us together in our Vineyard.

Have a wonderfully romantic weekend!

Posted in Celebrations, Freebie Friday, Romance in Marriage | 1 Comment

Raining Romance

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Tom and Debi

It is raining outside as I write this post.  I have always loved the rain – the gentle shower as well as the violent storm.  God expresses His love and care for the earth with the shower, and He reminds us of His majesty and power in the storm.

Tonight it is a gentle shower, but there is thunder rolling in the distance.  It’s like an echo whispering of God’s ever present power to water the earth however He chooses.

In the same way God cares for the earth, He is at work caring for our marriages.  The fact that you are taking the time to read a blog about it shows your desire to learn and grow.  Flowers left to themselves would wither and die.  They have no desire nor ability to pursue the rain.  The rain must come to them.

We are unlike the flowers of the field.

God has given us the ability to think, reason and learn.  We can seek out the rain when we are going through a dry season.  We can soak up the rich water of His Word to remind us of why we got married in the first place.  We can change and become more passionate about our spouse even if years of indifference have left our hearts feeling cold and unromantic.

How?  How is change possible?  One raindrop at a time.

If you have not pursued your spouse romantically in a long time and the thought of doing so makes you nervous, then read on!  You don’t have to plan an elaborate night away, or extend yourself way beyond what seems natural.  Start with one rain drop.  Here are a few for you to consider:

  • Write a personal note and mail it to them.
  • Find your wedding picture and place it your spouse’s dresser saying, “I still do!”
  • Rub your spouses neck after a long day.  When you finish kiss the same spot.
  • Talk to them about your desire to change and what they would like to see change too.  While you’re at it – ask them what romance means to them.

Following such simple gestures are sure to water the dry soil of romance in your marriage.  There are seeds waiting to come alive in your hearts towards each other and each drop you absorb will be refreshing to you and fruitful for those who are following after you.  You see, the way we love our spouse isn’t only for our pleasure or for God’s glory, but it’s also for the generations who are following after us.  They are watching to see if marriage God’s way really works.   God will help us prove the answer is a thundering YES!

So, is it raining romance in your heart?

Posted in Christian Marriage, Romance in Marriage, romancing your husband, romancing your spouse, romancing your wife | Tagged , | 1 Comment