I think I've mentioned that I pray for my husband every day, but often times, it's generic, asking God to be with him and guide him. But yesterday's challenge asked for a specific prayer and since he wasn't feeling well, I prayed for that.
Day 30 - Love Brings UnityThursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
WFMW - Audio Books
There are other places that have free audio books as well (feel free to post sources in comments!). Or you can get audio books on CD from the library, one of our local ones even lets you check them out on an MP3 player if you don't have one! Another great resource that more and more libraries are offering is downloadable audio books that you can listen to for a certain amount of time and then delete. And of course you can buy them online from places like Audible.
Audiobooks are definitely working for us! Head over to our We Are that Family for this week's Works for Me Wednesday!
Love Dare Challenge - Day 29
He hasn't been feeling well the past couple of days so I've really been focusing on trying to make things easier for him. Running downstairs/upstairs to get something for him, trying to get the laundry all done myself, getting the girls ready for bed/school as much as I can. Yesterday I took the youngest to day care so he wouldn't have to leave the house.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Love Dare Challenge - Day 28
On the weekends, I tend to avoid computers since I work with them all week. So, I'm posting twice today since I didn't even turn my computer on yesterday.
Day 27's challenge couples with Day 26's for me. I feel like he wants me to be better at keeping the house neat and clean but at the same time I found myself wondering why just me? Why can't others help me as well, they live here too. And really that is one of the biggest issues I have in our marriage. I feel like I'm doing all the work sometimes. But throughout this challenge at some point, that no longer became how I feel. I'm okay now with doing the work I do and even trying (and wanting) to do more. The unrealistic expectations that I had of him splitting the housework 50/50 with me is truly unrealistic. He does more of the outside work, especially during the winter months. Yesterday, he spent the morning shoveling the drive way. I've come to terms with where we are and what we're each contributing. Our pastor pointed out, during our marriage series last year, that we should be careful listing out each others duties in order to see who's doing more, because you might be surprised, it might be that you're the one doing less!
It looks like maybe they've revamped the Love Dare website (maybe gearing up for Valentine's Day?). So, unfortunately all the old links I used aren't working and they no longer have the comments from the people who did the challenge last year. But on the bright side, you can still see what the challenges are.
He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers.
1 John 3:16
Day 27's challenge couples with Day 26's for me. I feel like he wants me to be better at keeping the house neat and clean but at the same time I found myself wondering why just me? Why can't others help me as well, they live here too. And really that is one of the biggest issues I have in our marriage. I feel like I'm doing all the work sometimes. But throughout this challenge at some point, that no longer became how I feel. I'm okay now with doing the work I do and even trying (and wanting) to do more. The unrealistic expectations that I had of him splitting the housework 50/50 with me is truly unrealistic. He does more of the outside work, especially during the winter months. Yesterday, he spent the morning shoveling the drive way. I've come to terms with where we are and what we're each contributing. Our pastor pointed out, during our marriage series last year, that we should be careful listing out each others duties in order to see who's doing more, because you might be surprised, it might be that you're the one doing less!
It looks like maybe they've revamped the Love Dare website (maybe gearing up for Valentine's Day?). So, unfortunately all the old links I used aren't working and they no longer have the comments from the people who did the challenge last year. But on the bright side, you can still see what the challenges are.
He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers.
1 John 3:16
Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.
Love Dare Challenge - Day 27
My husband doesn't complain about me that much, at least not to me. Occasionally, if he doesn't feel I handled something appropriately with the kids, he'll let me know, which is good. But sometimes I'd really like to know if it's just that he's not voicing his irritation or if he's just not irritated. I do think though that my lack of housekeeping skills can be a frustration for him. And actually it is for me too. So that's what I apologized for yesterday and I'm working on it. I've been trying to tackle one room at a time. Yesterday, I spent the better part of the afternoon folding laundry and getting some things in our room put away.
The Love Dare site is currently down, I'm hoping it's just temporary because I really have been enjoying reading other people's comments on what they did for the challenges, even if they are a few years old.
Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.
Psalm 25:20
The Love Dare site is currently down, I'm hoping it's just temporary because I really have been enjoying reading other people's comments on what they did for the challenges, even if they are a few years old.
Day 27 - Love Encourages
Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.
Psalm 25:20
Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Love Dare Challenge - Day 26
Each day, I read the comments over at the Love Dare site (click the link below) to read how others have completed their dare. On Day 1, there were 152 comments, on Day 26, there are 5. I really hope that it means that people ran out of things to say or were so focused on doing the Dare and improving their marriage that they didn't have time to post, rather than meaning that 147 people gave up.
I don't do intimate talks well. It takes me forever to get up the courage to bring a topic up, so pray for me, as I ask for my husband's forgiveness.
Day 26: Love is responsible
When you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.
—Romans 2:1 HCSB
I don't do intimate talks well. It takes me forever to get up the courage to bring a topic up, so pray for me, as I ask for my husband's forgiveness.
Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.
Love Dare Challenge - Day 25
Day 25: Love forgives
What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ.
—2 Corinthians 2:10
It's hard not to hold a grudge, at least for me it is. Back when I first heard of the love dare, our preacher did a series on marriage and one of the things he talked about was not holding a grudge against your mate, don't keep a tally of the things they've done wrong. I realized then, that that was exactly what I was doing. Every time I got mad at him, I'd sit there and silently stew over what he'd done wrong that time and all previous times. I've been working on that, and I wont say that I don't do it at all anymore, but I do find that I turn to God more in those situations and remind myself to forgive and forget. It's still hard, but as soon as I turn it over to God, I do feel better.
Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
WFMW - Saving Valentines
Valentine's day is quickly approaching, can you believe it? In the past my kids have loved looking through the valentines they get from their friends over and over, but it usually ends up with them all over the house. Last year I tried something different and it really worked well, so we'll do it again this year.
I took two pieces of contact paper that was clear (about 18 inches each) peeled the back off of one for each (I turned the corners a bit so they stuck to the table) and then left my daughter (actually they each made their own) place her valentines down on the contact paper how she wanted. Then, we put the other piece of contact paper over top and they used them as placemats for a while. Eventually they forgot about them and I was able to put them away, but in the mean time, they were still able to enjoy the valentines and I didn't have them all over the house.
It's been a while since I've done a WFMW post, but I've been thinking of them! For more great ideas head over to We are that Family, or click the graphic at the top!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Love Dare Challenge - Day 24
How's everyone doing with the Love Dare? Have you seen the movie yet?
I was about to say that I can't think anything and had actually typed that but then I went over to the love dare site to read the posts from others (click the link above to go there). After reading the posts there, I've got to agree, I do lust after the 'dream' husband rather than accepting him for the way he is. I wish he were more affectionate, I wish he would be more thankful outwardly towards me, and so forth. I burned the list earlier on in the challenge, but clearly it's still with me, but I will say much less than it was. So, while I don't have any lusts such as desiring other men, reading pornography, etc, I do tend to focus more on my husbands weaknesses than I should. This too, I'll work on.
Day 24: Love vs. Lust
The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
—1 John 2:17
I was about to say that I can't think anything and had actually typed that but then I went over to the love dare site to read the posts from others (click the link above to go there). After reading the posts there, I've got to agree, I do lust after the 'dream' husband rather than accepting him for the way he is. I wish he were more affectionate, I wish he would be more thankful outwardly towards me, and so forth. I burned the list earlier on in the challenge, but clearly it's still with me, but I will say much less than it was. So, while I don't have any lusts such as desiring other men, reading pornography, etc, I do tend to focus more on my husbands weaknesses than I should. This too, I'll work on.
Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.
Love Dare Challenge - Day 23
Day 23: Love always protects
[Love] always protects.
—1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV
—1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV
I've been thinking about this one a lot. I don't really think that that there are things I do to inhibit our relationship, but rather things I don't do. I don't do things around the house as much as I should. So, I've been working on doing more cleaning. I mopped the bathroom floor, mostly got caught of laundry (still need to fold it though) and swept the garage. He noticed the bathroom floor at least (but that might be because I didn't get the rugs back down before he went in :) ). I also tend to not have the confidence in him doing things that I should, I don't support him. I'll work on that as well. I think I need to go back over the dares again to review all that I'm working on!
Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.
Love Dare Challenge - Day 22
I've been reading my Bible every day, sometimes more than others. Sometimes it feels like I've been squeezing it in but I HAVE been reading it, which is a start. My kids have been seeing me read it too, which I think is important as well. I've noticed my husband reading his more as well.
I'm a little late getting these posts up but for the most part have been doing the challenges.
My husband and I say "I love you" frequently. I don't think it happens every day, or as often as it should though so I'm going to make an effort to say it more often. Hopefully, he'll start initiating it more often as well.
I'm a little late getting these posts up but for the most part have been doing the challenges.
Day 22: Love is faithful
I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord.
—Hosea 2:20
My husband and I say "I love you" frequently. I don't think it happens every day, or as often as it should though so I'm going to make an effort to say it more often. Hopefully, he'll start initiating it more often as well.
Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.
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