Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Marriage Resources


Disclaimer: I am not saying I agree with each and every comment they made or advice they give.

After 3+ years of marriage, I began to realize there needs to be full intention. After being close to the verge of divorce last year, I began seeking things to not only help me, but also help strengthen our marriage. Here's a list of them:


Jeremy + Audrey Roloff

You may remember them from the TLC hit Little People Big World, where they got married on TV with the whole world watching. They are true and intentional with the lives as well as their marriage. They just had their first daughter. I wish they knew how much they have helped me. They have many ministries to help women see their true selves and to help marriages blossum.

Beating 50 Percent

Click here to see their own description of what beating 50 is. 

Marriage Journal

As a side thing attached to Beating 50 is their Marriage Journal. I have partnered with them to help marriages use this AMAZING tool to keep marriage #1. The just of the journal is weekly you sit down together and ask 6 questions then you discuss your family schedule for the week. Each month then you ask two additional questions.

1) What brought you joy this week?
2) What was something that was hard this week?
3) What's one specific thing I can do for you this week?
4) How can I pray for you this week?
5) Is there anything that's gone unsaid, convictions, confessions, unresolved hurt?
6? What's a dream, desire, or thought that's been on the forefront of your mind this week?

Then the additional questions once a month are:

1) How are we stewarding our finances?
2) How is our sex life?

Here is Auj's description of the journal.

This is so, so, so powerful. So many times, you hold your tongue about something and then something little your spouse does causes you blow up about 50 other things they have done the last month. It is also a safe place. If there is something from question 5 that needs said, you can have the discussion during the weekly meeting as a safe place and I LOVE that!

HERE is the link to purchase the journal.

Always More

I found this astounding when I first heard of it. Audrey based the verse Ephesians 3:20 as a life mantra. She has two ways of putting it. But I thought it was cool how she would write the words always more on her arm when she was running, on her wedding day, and while giving birth to her daughter. 

Life: 
"These words remind me that there is ALWAYS MORE to look forward to, MORE than meets the eye, MORE to someone’s story, MORE to be thankful for, MORE to give, MORE to unearth, MORE to learn, MORE fun to be had, MORE blessings to receive, MORE fruit to bear, MORE growth in faith, MORE peace to experience, MORE mercy to grant, MORE wisdom to gain, and MORE reason to love."

Marriage: 
"there are always MORE ways that I can serve you, MORE things that I can learn about you, MORE grace to grant you, MORE humility to have towards you, MORE support to offer you, MORE laughter to share with you, MORE children to give you, MORE adventure to seek with you, MORE passion to share with you, MORE faith to have in you, MORE places to go with you, MORE people to meet with you, MORE prayers to pray with you, MORE ways to worship with you, and MORE love to give to you.” 

I love BOTH of these!! I want to get this as a tattoo sometime (as many others have as well) because it can be used to help you through anything.



Behind the Scenes Podcast

I have found a love for podcasts, especially motivational ones. Ones that can help me or help my marriage. This podcast has been quite a blessing to listen to. There's a new one every Tuesday. They have discussed: marriage (they discussed the journal on one episode), goals, setting goals, being parents, why they left Little People, Big World, Always More, and so much more!!!! 

Here is the direct link to their podcast on iTunes.

Jer+Auj are writing their book The Love Letter Life and it will be out this year! I can't wait!!!!

Marriage 365

I found this as happenstance. They are believers in marriage. Most of their ministry is based on their Facebook page. They do a lot of live videos. They also post some fun challenges and encourages posts and pictures. I love their heart to see marriages work out.

They have also written books. They have an engaged couples and married couples edition. It is 365 questions to ask each other. There are categories or you can just open it up while driving on a road trip or eating dinner and ask random ones. Check them out!

Fierce Marriage

I think many people have heard of this couple. They have a pretty popular podcast where they talk about ANY marriage topic.

Marriage After God

Aaron and Jennifer Smith started this. They are advocates for Jer+Auj as Jer+Auj are for them. They have books and they have podcast. I believe they were the first ones I started following on Facebook. Aaron also mans Husband Revolution and Jenn mans Unveiled Wife which is also the title of the book that got all this started for them. I have ordered it from the library and can't wait to read it.



Please look into any of these resources for marriage or self growth.