R- is for Romance. Reflect on what 1st appealed to you about your spouse and work on re-kindling the love!

We are focusing on the R in TransfoRmation today..... 

I love thinking back to some of the dates that Jason took me on when we were first dating.  I can remember the newness of the relationship, the excitement of learning about his thoughts and feelings, the anticipation of his next call.........

 May your fountain be blessed,
    and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

 Proverbs 5:18(NIV)

Over the first three years of our marriage I quit being so focused on Jason and began to focus more on our baby, the house, bills, school  and work.  The newness and excitement seems to kind of wear off so to speak....It was around that time that God really called me to stop and focus on how distant Jason and I had become!  We were living as strangers in the same home........

At first I panicked and then I was sad..... I spent much of my time only focusing on what had once been.  I couldn't think of any recent points in our marriage that were spent between the two of us, just focusing on each other and having the time to be tender and "In the Moment"..... It was here where God began to teach me about how to Re-Kindle the love........

Dating your spouse shouldn't end when you say, "I Do"!

 

So how can you continue to date your spouse?

1. First do things together!  Commit to spending time together as a couple first and fore most.  The world will not help you focus on your coupleness..... 
2. Be intentional about your time!
3. Commit to care! (set up special moments on purpose!)

For us, because we were on a tight budget

 I would find affordable ideas of candle light, living room floor dates or Jason brought me my favorite candy in exchange for a kiss.........

I have included a simple list we still use for dates...

• Create a playlist of some of our favorite songs from when were dating...
•  dressed up and did my hair before he got home, fed the baby and put him to bed early so that Jason and I could focus on each other.
• We started doing bible studies together and talking about what we were learning.
• We started taking walks together- Exercise and intimacy go hand in hand.  We were simply enjoying each others company.
• Dancing in the kitchen floor late a night.....
• Breakfast in bed with a one liner of why I love him....
• Showing up to my work to whisk me away via motorcycle for a quick lunch..... He took my breath away!!!!!
• On rare occasions we had a sitter and then went to dinner....... A quite dinner where you can focus on each other...... ie....  Picnics,  a secluded restaurant, Our friends RV in our drive way, after we put our kids to bed in the house. 

The point to remember is keep it simple and make it matter for the two of you!  I think I actually enjoy dating Jason as much now as I did before we got Married!
I am looking forward to an evening together tonight Cheering for his beloved Shockers.... It's the little things he wants to share with me that are so special!

He still makes my heart go, "pitter, patter"

Blessings,
R

Love Letters of Encouragement

 I am so excited to share one of the single greatest acts of love my husband has ever shown me!  The holiday's are often very difficult in my home...  Because my parents and Jason's parents have been married several times and there are lots of bad memories tied to some of those relationships we find that the Thanksgiving and Christmas season can be very difficult.  So many people write about what they are Thankful for and I always just feel blessed to have survived the holidays and for my children to not feel the pressure that Jason and I feel to conform to our families ideals.

Jason and I have spent several years breaking some of the generational curses that are deep rooted in our family.  I say it has taken some time not because God didn't want provide healing sooner but, because it took time for Jason and I to realize at times what the root of our struggle was from and to really take it to God.

This week has been tough.  I have been working on my Christmas plans for our children, a few of my siblings and close friends I received a call from back home about a family matter.  The matter was really of no importance however the way in which it was handled nearly shook me to my core!  I was so hurt!  Flor lorn that one of the people who has has always been so dear to my heart could say such hurtful things about me and without me being able to form any kind of response on my own behalf...... This was one of those things I was going to have to choose to forgive without her ever knowing how deep her comment had wounded me!  To hold her accountable would most surely create a war.....

This was a place where I cried out, "Jesus it's for you"

¹ I cry aloud to the Lord;
    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
² I pour out before him my complaint;
    before him I tell my trouble.

³ When my spirit grows faint within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
    people have hidden a snare for me.

Psalm 142:1-3(NIV)

It wasn't an hour later my lovin' man sent me the message below...........

.... Hear that sound??  

It is the sound of a family tree, it roots are breaking. 
It breaks Seeking the good soil God intended it to have. 
It chooses to break, chooses not to feed on the crap the generations before feed off of, 

chooses to manage resources in order to bear its best fruit ever in the very next season. 
Yes this tree is forever changed when it's roots break, 

and the fruit it produces is even better than good fruits produced in the past.... 
Yes this family tree's future is quite bright for choosing to break

~ Love Jason