Love Dare Challenge - Day 32

I'm getting back in the swing of blogging, now I need to start picking up the other things that I dropped at the same time.  Mainly reading my Bible daily.  I'm going to add that back in today. Please pray for me, that it'll be easier to stick with it this time.

Day 32

The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. —1 Corinthians 7:3

Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.

Love Dare Challenge - Day 31

Once I stop something that used to be a daily habit it's very easy for me to let it go and never do it again.  I'm afraid that's what's happenned with the Love Dare, illness hit my family and then by the time it was over, I was out of the habit and I never got around to starting back up, until today. But, I really do want to finish the Love Dare, even if it does take me twice as long to finish as it should. So, I'm going to pick up where I left off and make it a point to go back and review what I've done this far.

Love Dare Day 31

A man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. —Genesis 2:24

This is something hubby and I have talked about a bit in the past, I have a tendency to ask other people opinions on things, particularly that of my father and brother before his. After we talked about it, I have tried to work on it, but it's obviously something that still needs some work.  He doesn't seem to have as much of a "Lingering" issue with his family.  Sometimes I wish he was a little more close with them.

Love Dare Challenge - Day 30

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 Unity

Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.

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.

Love's Motivation

Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.

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.

Day 28 - Love Makes Sacrifices

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.

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.

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.

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.

Love Dare Challenge - Day 24

How's everyone doing with the Love Dare?  Have you seen the movie yet?

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

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.

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.

Love Dare Challenge - Day 21

Yesterday was not a good day.  I got so frustrated with Hubby and everything else for that matter.  Nothing was going right at work, my daughter was sick with an ear infection, I wanted to get to the store and wasn't able to due to work and the sick one.   I never even got to read yesterday's dare, let alone complete it! After work, I was still frustrated with hubby and annoyed with him. So, when I finally decided I had to go to the store to get the prescription, I remembered an earlier dare and picked up something for him while I was there.  After doing so, I felt much better.

Day 21: Love is satisfied in God

The Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire.

—Isaiah 58:11

There are no coincidences and these dares are just driving home the point.  I've been wanting to read the Bible regularly, but just haven't been making the time for it like I should be.  So, I'm going to be working on that, starting today.

 Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.

Love Dare Challenge - Day 20

In thinking back through the dare so far, Day 5 was a particular challenge for me.  But I made it through and I don't doubt that God had a hand in it.  I see evidence of his love everywhere I turn.  The Day 11 challenge where I cleaned around the bathroom sink wasn't particularly challenging, but I'm still glad I did it.  The sink area is still clean and I'm hoping to keep it that way.  It's a nice reminder to me of the Dare and I think that's a good way to start out the day.

Today marks the halfway point.  I don't think he's realized that I'm doing the dare, and I don't really see much difference in him, but that's ok.

Day 20: Love is Jesus Christ

While we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

—Romans 5:6

Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.

Love Dare Challenge - Day 19

Last night's dinner went alright. He liked the food, we talked a little about our day and that was pretty much it. I think I mentioned that we ate a little later so we could be alone (we waited for the girls to go to bed). I made lamb, asparagus and some baby baked potatoes.

Day 19: Love is impossible

Let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

—1 John 4:7

Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.

Love Dare Challenge - Day 18

Day 18: Love seeks to understand

How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.

—Proverbs 3:13

I've started preparing dinner. I approached the subject with hubby suggesting a dinner for two tonight and he didn't seem that interested, since it means waiting until the girls go to bed.  Check back tomorrow to see how it goes!

Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.

Love Dare Challenge - Day 17

Day 17: Love promotes intimacy

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

—Proverbs 17:9 NIV

We don't have too many secrets from each other and ever since we did the small group Fireproof study, I've been working VERY hard to not discuss things that I know bother him publicly.  We work together, so I almost spend 24 hours a day with him, 7 days a week.  Due to school right now, our work schedule is skewed a bit so there are three hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon we're not together, but that's it.  Certainly wouldn't be easy to have secrets from each other.  But we're not the kind that have much to hide from friends and family either.

I've read ahead to tomorrow's challenge.  I'm glad I did because I need to go grocery shopping!

Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.

Love Dare Challenge - Day 16

Day 16: Love intercedes

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

—3 John 2

I've been praying for my spouse and every member of my family, for years, but this challenge speaks more to a specific kind of prayer.  I've prayed several times today and will continue to do so in the future.

Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.

Love Dare Challenge - Day 15

Thursdays are usually the night I watch TV. He has practice for the Worship team at church, so I usually end up watching Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice and Ugly Betty. I DVR them, and am usually a week or so behind (because sometimes, he doesn't have practice). So, last night rather than continuing to watch Grey's when he got home, I stopped, handed him the remote and layed down on the couch with him.

Today is:

Day 15: Love is honorable

Live with your wives in an understanding way . . . and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life.

—1 Peter 3:7

Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.

Love Dare Challenge - Day 14

I didn't discuss the rules of engagement with hubby last night because I didn't want to rock the waves. So, I took the suggestion of coming up with a list of my own.

1) Don't be so definsive and admidt my mistakes
2) Don't try to redirect the guilt to someone else (very close to #1)
3) Talk about it rather than claming up (this is what he said I need to work on on day 5).

On to:

Day 14: Love takes delight

Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your fleeting life.
—Ecclesiastes 9:9 HCSB

Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.

Love Dare Challenge - Day 13

I'm going to have to come back to Day 12 later. We didn't fight yesterday and we so rarely do that it doesn't make sense to wait until we DO fight to continue.  So, on to day 13:

Day 13: Love fights fair

If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.

—Mark 3:25

Follow others that are doing the Love Dare by checking of Mama to 3 Blessings' post and Linky.