These 40 days have been incredibly enriching for our marriage. Loving each other in different ways the past 6 weeks has put the focus and priority back on our marriage. Isn't that what God intended since his picture of a relationship between a husband and wife is to mirror his love for the Bride of Christ, the church?
Last night Eric and I watched our wedding video. My stipulation to us doing this instead of renewing our vows was that we had to watch all 90 min. of it; from start to finish! Our three younger kids sat through it just so they wouldn't miss the "Kiss". Then when it came, Elliot said "that's it?" in disbelief, and out of the room they went. Kids are so funny at times.
If you haven't started the Love Dare, just do it! It will change your marriage and just maybe your life.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Day #40 - Love Is A Covenant - Eric
Day #40
This has truly been a great process to experience over the past 40 plus days. Yes, it took us a few extra days to get through the Dares but it was so worth it.
Jennifer and I decided on our own twist to this Dare. The vow thing is cool but we wanted to go back to that special day of our marriage and soak it all in - Thank you for the old VHS player we still have.
Tonight with our kiddos watching most of it with us we sat for 1.5 hours and watched the video of our wedding. This day was truly Jennifer's day as she worked so hard to plan it all. The plans played out almost flawlessly with over 800 of our friends attending our wedding.
Jennifer sang to me that day and it was just beautiful and I mean beautiful. In fact the entire day was simple off the charts. We had a blast that day but I remember that we were both totally exhausted too.
It is great to be able to say that we have lived through the highs and lows with all life can give you, and our love has grown and grown over the years.
Our deepest pray is that the Lord will keep us close to Him so He can continue to move us closer to each other. Marriage is truly an awesome gift from our Heavenly Father.
In closing I want to say that the 40 day love Dare has been a great process for me, as a husband to learn how to better love and cherish Jennifer. I do not think this boy is going to stop and I am not sure you can once you become this intentional!
Peace - Cheers and take the DARE!
This has truly been a great process to experience over the past 40 plus days. Yes, it took us a few extra days to get through the Dares but it was so worth it.
Jennifer and I decided on our own twist to this Dare. The vow thing is cool but we wanted to go back to that special day of our marriage and soak it all in - Thank you for the old VHS player we still have.
Tonight with our kiddos watching most of it with us we sat for 1.5 hours and watched the video of our wedding. This day was truly Jennifer's day as she worked so hard to plan it all. The plans played out almost flawlessly with over 800 of our friends attending our wedding.
Jennifer sang to me that day and it was just beautiful and I mean beautiful. In fact the entire day was simple off the charts. We had a blast that day but I remember that we were both totally exhausted too.
It is great to be able to say that we have lived through the highs and lows with all life can give you, and our love has grown and grown over the years.
Our deepest pray is that the Lord will keep us close to Him so He can continue to move us closer to each other. Marriage is truly an awesome gift from our Heavenly Father.
In closing I want to say that the 40 day love Dare has been a great process for me, as a husband to learn how to better love and cherish Jennifer. I do not think this boy is going to stop and I am not sure you can once you become this intentional!
Peace - Cheers and take the DARE!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Day #39- Love Endures - Jennifer
Getting love notes from our spouse is pretty special, I think all of us would agree. But when we get a note that says I want to grow old with you and I'm committed to you for life, now that's the ultimate gift we could get.
Our written commitment to our mate is just as much important in this dare than us receiving it. It goes both ways and is an amazing thing to experience.
Our written commitment to our mate is just as much important in this dare than us receiving it. It goes both ways and is an amazing thing to experience.
Day #39 - Love Endures - Eric
Personal Prayer and Letter/Note of Commitment!
Through out this 40 day love DARE the Lord has continually place Jennifer on my mind so my prayer time for her has gone way, way up. That has been very cool for me to experience.
The whole idea of giving her something in writing was a great exercise for me and gave me so much to reflect on even though it was not a big, long letter. I hope it gave her some encouragement and reflection on my commitment to her for the long haul/life.
The card I received from her was very affirming of her love and commitment to me for years to come. It was great!
This is a very well placed Dare in the 40 day process and something everyone going through the process will greatly benefit from. Cheers!
Through out this 40 day love DARE the Lord has continually place Jennifer on my mind so my prayer time for her has gone way, way up. That has been very cool for me to experience.
The whole idea of giving her something in writing was a great exercise for me and gave me so much to reflect on even though it was not a big, long letter. I hope it gave her some encouragement and reflection on my commitment to her for the long haul/life.
The card I received from her was very affirming of her love and commitment to me for years to come. It was great!
This is a very well placed Dare in the 40 day process and something everyone going through the process will greatly benefit from. Cheers!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Day #38 - Love Fullfills Dreams - Eric and Jennifer
Dreams!
With only two Dares left we are committed to finish strong.
Dreams come in all shapes and sizes, personal, as a couple, family and ministry. This is a rich conversation for a couple to have together. It may take several conversations to get it all out and processed but it is so worth it.
We have committed to spend our date nights talking more about our dreams and starting to plan towards them. Intentional prayer time together around our dreams will be important. This is one Dare we are going to really take to heart.
Remember that we serve a mighty God and this means we can dream BIG! Go for It!
With only two Dares left we are committed to finish strong.
Dreams come in all shapes and sizes, personal, as a couple, family and ministry. This is a rich conversation for a couple to have together. It may take several conversations to get it all out and processed but it is so worth it.
We have committed to spend our date nights talking more about our dreams and starting to plan towards them. Intentional prayer time together around our dreams will be important. This is one Dare we are going to really take to heart.
Remember that we serve a mighty God and this means we can dream BIG! Go for It!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Day # 37 - Love agrees in Prayer - Eric & Jennifer
Did you know that the most intimate act between a man and woman is prayer?
It's the one area that we are the most vulnerable, hiding nothing. I believe that is why satan will do anything to keep us from connecting with our mate in this way.
We have prayed off and on throughout our marriage, but never consistently or daily. But we are seriously thinking about making this a daily habit. Not just when we are drifting off to sleep.
Praying together as a couple has been proven to create more fulfillment in every area of your married life. In intimacy, communication, family and children, money matters, and a higher level of happiness in your marriage.
So we are talking through what that time might look like for us. It might happen after we get the kids to bed, maybe in the morning before we head to work. Whatever the arrangement, we have to be in agreement and must be committed.
It's worth a try and definitely worth the dare!
It's the one area that we are the most vulnerable, hiding nothing. I believe that is why satan will do anything to keep us from connecting with our mate in this way.
We have prayed off and on throughout our marriage, but never consistently or daily. But we are seriously thinking about making this a daily habit. Not just when we are drifting off to sleep.
Praying together as a couple has been proven to create more fulfillment in every area of your married life. In intimacy, communication, family and children, money matters, and a higher level of happiness in your marriage.
So we are talking through what that time might look like for us. It might happen after we get the kids to bed, maybe in the morning before we head to work. Whatever the arrangement, we have to be in agreement and must be committed.
It's worth a try and definitely worth the dare!
Day #36 - Love is God's Word - Eric & Jennifer
This Dare is at a good place in this book. This is a Dare that requires healthy communications and agreement on what you are going to do together.
Through out our entire marriage Jennifer and I have always had our own devotional time. One reason may be that we both had developed our style before we got married or we simply operate on two different time lines in the morning. This is not to say devotional time can not be done at night but I like to do it to start off my day.
We have the individual thing down on this Dare so can we move to the couple time together? This will be our challenge and conversation as we process the last few days left on this 40 Day Love Dare.
Jennifer and I have a great marriage, not perfect but great. I have a feeling that if we can figure out how to get this devotional time down together our marriage would even be greater!
The Dare is on...
Cheers!
Through out our entire marriage Jennifer and I have always had our own devotional time. One reason may be that we both had developed our style before we got married or we simply operate on two different time lines in the morning. This is not to say devotional time can not be done at night but I like to do it to start off my day.
We have the individual thing down on this Dare so can we move to the couple time together? This will be our challenge and conversation as we process the last few days left on this 40 Day Love Dare.
Jennifer and I have a great marriage, not perfect but great. I have a feeling that if we can figure out how to get this devotional time down together our marriage would even be greater!
The Dare is on...
Cheers!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Day #35 - Love is Accountable - Jennifer & Eric
This dare encourages you to find a mentor couple. We couldn't agree any stronger! This is one of the keys to a successful marriage.
Five years ago when we started our association of marriage and family ministries we had an older couple who asked us if they could walk this journey with us holding us accountable. See they were very aware that satan would do anything to destroy our marriage while we are out trying to save others.
By far this mentoring relationship has been the best thing for us. Having a couple walk with us through life's ups and downs, disappointments and joys, victories and defeats. A godly couple we can model our marriage after. It has enriched our marriage tremendously and for that we are so grateful.
We love you Wayne and Bev!
Five years ago when we started our association of marriage and family ministries we had an older couple who asked us if they could walk this journey with us holding us accountable. See they were very aware that satan would do anything to destroy our marriage while we are out trying to save others.
By far this mentoring relationship has been the best thing for us. Having a couple walk with us through life's ups and downs, disappointments and joys, victories and defeats. A godly couple we can model our marriage after. It has enriched our marriage tremendously and for that we are so grateful.
We love you Wayne and Bev!
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