A sure-fire way to hurt your marriage is to engage in stonewalling. This is the final horseman that Gottman uses as a predictor for divorce. Stonewalling is when we build a wall and refuse to let others inside. We often do this by making comments such as “I don’t want to talk about it; Enough,” or “End of story.” When we cut others off and…
A couple of months ago I began writing about the four horsemen that threaten to destroy marriages according to researcher, John Gottman. Life has been so busy that my good intentions of doing this 4-part series in a month was delayed. The third “horseman” that wants to kill your marriage is defensiveness. We are all guilty of this one. “It’s not my fault.” A wife…
Fall is my favorite time of year for hiking. I love seeing all the colors on the trees as well as the cooler temperatures. It is the best time for climbing a mountain — not too hot and not too cold. Many times I stand at the bottom of a mountain and wonder if I can ever make it to the top. Depending on the…
Today is my 30th day going sugar free! In the past month I’ve eaten no sugar and very, very little carbohydrates. When I started I wondered how I’d ever survive. Now that the days have passed, I don’t even miss it. When I think of celebrating, I want to continue on this journey. Not only do I feel better physically than I have in a…
Several years ago, a friend started a ministry to girls who were engaged to help prepare them for marriage. The engaged girl is encouraged to select three to five married women they trust and respect to join her for an evening of fun, food, and marital advice. Over the years, I’ve contemplated what I wish I had known before I got married and what I…
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am the queen of overcommitment. The problem is, I have way too many interests, and I try to be involved in all of them to a fault. This past year God has been teaching me to be still and know that he is God. I am learning that just because I don’t have something on my…