How do you build a Fireproof marriage?
God
Love
God
Being "Spouse" centered
God
Kindness
God
Gentleness
God
Joy
God
Peace
God
A dash of the unexpected
God
Anything sound familiar? I don't know how people truly have a exceptional marriage without the Lord. He is the steal cable that wraps the 2 of you together and makes your marriage strong.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Fireproof
We are in the process of putting the final details together for our annual couple's conference.
The weekend is called "FIREPROOF". We have scheduled a wonderful pastor and his wife that are counselors to speak at the conference. Sunday, we are tag team preaching on a Fireproof marriage.
In preparation for the conference, we viewed the Fireproof movie. What a movie!
The premise of the movie is a couple that have lost sight of each other and are on the brink of divorce. Neither one are Christians, the wife is about to have an affair with a young doctor, and the husband is having an issue with Internet porn and anger. So there is a whole lot going on.
The movie reminded me on how simple things.....over time....can break a marriage down.
You start out with a love that is new and exciting and as time goes by........everything becomes habit.
A heart can be wounded and then you guard it from the very person you are suppose to share it with.
In Philippians, the scripture tells us about guarding our hearts.
Philippians 4:7 (New Living Translation)
7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Couples, we should guard our hearts from "stuff" and remember that only then we can experience true peace.
Want peace in your marriage?
1) SHOWER your marriage with prayer. That's right, pray for that wonderful person God sent for you to share your life with.
2) CLEAN up the junk. What's the junk you have allowed to get in between you and your spouse?
3) GUARD your heart from outside pressures.
4) REMEMBER what made you fall in love with that person in the first place.
5) ROMANCE is a daily choice.
6) LEARN new habits to make your spouse feel special.
7) KNOW that fires will come to your marriage but you can make sure that your marriage is FIREPROOF. Never leave your spouse behind!
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!
The weekend is called "FIREPROOF". We have scheduled a wonderful pastor and his wife that are counselors to speak at the conference. Sunday, we are tag team preaching on a Fireproof marriage.
In preparation for the conference, we viewed the Fireproof movie. What a movie!
The premise of the movie is a couple that have lost sight of each other and are on the brink of divorce. Neither one are Christians, the wife is about to have an affair with a young doctor, and the husband is having an issue with Internet porn and anger. So there is a whole lot going on.
The movie reminded me on how simple things.....over time....can break a marriage down.
You start out with a love that is new and exciting and as time goes by........everything becomes habit.
A heart can be wounded and then you guard it from the very person you are suppose to share it with.
In Philippians, the scripture tells us about guarding our hearts.
Philippians 4:7 (New Living Translation)
7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Couples, we should guard our hearts from "stuff" and remember that only then we can experience true peace.
Want peace in your marriage?
1) SHOWER your marriage with prayer. That's right, pray for that wonderful person God sent for you to share your life with.
2) CLEAN up the junk. What's the junk you have allowed to get in between you and your spouse?
3) GUARD your heart from outside pressures.
4) REMEMBER what made you fall in love with that person in the first place.
5) ROMANCE is a daily choice.
6) LEARN new habits to make your spouse feel special.
7) KNOW that fires will come to your marriage but you can make sure that your marriage is FIREPROOF. Never leave your spouse behind!
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
My First Born
As promised, info on MY FIRST BORN.....My baby girl!!
1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?No, it seems that nothing I do is ever planned.
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?Yes. I got pregnant 1 year after we were married
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?I was very happy and uncertain all at the same time
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?Are you kidding me? NO WAY!
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? OLD.....32
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? The wonderful little test called EPT
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Allen and then called mom and dad and my sister. You should have seen the look on his face. It was truly priceless.
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Never, I think the surprise is SO much better
9. DUE DATE? July 23, 1997
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? 9 months....all day long...any where...any time.
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Green Beans and coke. Although my mom tells a story about how I never have been a cookie lover and she had purchased some Mrs. Fields cookies for Allen. 2 Doz. to be exact.....and I sat in the JC Penny furniture section while she shopped and I ate 1 and a half doz. of the cookies.
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? People telling me how big I was. Good grief...I am 4'11" tall on a good day. Where did they think this child was suppose to go?
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? A very healthy girl
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No, I always wanted a daughter. They are much more fun to dress.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? I lost 21. You cannot be sick for 9 months and gain any weight.
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes 3, given by my best friend Patty and our church. I also had a shower given to me by my dad's church that he pastors in Lima after she was born. The third shower was in Toronto, Ontario Canada given by my family. The 4th shower....just kidding!!!
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I don't remember
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? You BET!! I developed a rash that was very much like chicken pox. I itched ALL the time and it was worse at night. I slept 1-2 hours a night. I cannot even believe that I made it through all of that.
They did find out that I was allergic to the placenta. Oh yes, only 1 in 2 million women get that.
I felt SO honored. And, as I said, I threw up for 9 months. It was a real joy. I was not good at being pregnant.
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Chardon, Ohio. They very hospital my husband was born in.
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 7 1/2 hours. It really was not bad. It was the best part of the pregnancy. I was induced and it was very controlled.
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Allen
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? The nurse, my doctor, Allen in the room and my dad listening with a glass up to the outlet in the waiting room next door. My mom, sister and Allen's parents were in the waiting room also but it felt like dad was in the room because he was trying to hear what was going on. He told everyone when he eard the baby cry.
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Are you kidding??? I had Stadohl first and that was not good. I saw 4 of my husband talking to me and NO ONE needs to see 4 of their husband. They gave me my epidural around 2PM and the rest was cake. I felt my labor on the right side and that helped me a whole lot.
27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 6lbs15oz.
28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? July 10, 1997 - 7:41pm
30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Brittney Nichole Wilson
31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 11 going on 17!! we are so very proud of her but she is till my baby girl!
1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?No, it seems that nothing I do is ever planned.
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?Yes. I got pregnant 1 year after we were married
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?I was very happy and uncertain all at the same time
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?Are you kidding me? NO WAY!
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? OLD.....32
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? The wonderful little test called EPT
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Allen and then called mom and dad and my sister. You should have seen the look on his face. It was truly priceless.
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Never, I think the surprise is SO much better
9. DUE DATE? July 23, 1997
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? 9 months....all day long...any where...any time.
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Green Beans and coke. Although my mom tells a story about how I never have been a cookie lover and she had purchased some Mrs. Fields cookies for Allen. 2 Doz. to be exact.....and I sat in the JC Penny furniture section while she shopped and I ate 1 and a half doz. of the cookies.
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? People telling me how big I was. Good grief...I am 4'11" tall on a good day. Where did they think this child was suppose to go?
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? A very healthy girl
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No, I always wanted a daughter. They are much more fun to dress.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? I lost 21. You cannot be sick for 9 months and gain any weight.
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes 3, given by my best friend Patty and our church. I also had a shower given to me by my dad's church that he pastors in Lima after she was born. The third shower was in Toronto, Ontario Canada given by my family. The 4th shower....just kidding!!!
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I don't remember
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? You BET!! I developed a rash that was very much like chicken pox. I itched ALL the time and it was worse at night. I slept 1-2 hours a night. I cannot even believe that I made it through all of that.
They did find out that I was allergic to the placenta. Oh yes, only 1 in 2 million women get that.
I felt SO honored. And, as I said, I threw up for 9 months. It was a real joy. I was not good at being pregnant.
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Chardon, Ohio. They very hospital my husband was born in.
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 7 1/2 hours. It really was not bad. It was the best part of the pregnancy. I was induced and it was very controlled.
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Allen
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? The nurse, my doctor, Allen in the room and my dad listening with a glass up to the outlet in the waiting room next door. My mom, sister and Allen's parents were in the waiting room also but it felt like dad was in the room because he was trying to hear what was going on. He told everyone when he eard the baby cry.
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Are you kidding??? I had Stadohl first and that was not good. I saw 4 of my husband talking to me and NO ONE needs to see 4 of their husband. They gave me my epidural around 2PM and the rest was cake. I felt my labor on the right side and that helped me a whole lot.
27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 6lbs15oz.
28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? July 10, 1997 - 7:41pm
30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Brittney Nichole Wilson
31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 11 going on 17!! we are so very proud of her but she is till my baby girl!
Friday, February 6, 2009
My Friend Mary Beth Bradshaw and her first born
This was a post by a friend from college on her blog. It's a great story, I will post my story on Monday. Maybe you want to tell me about your stories.
My first fun survey. Here you go mommies - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born! Just copy and paste it in a new note for yourself!Let's see how much you remember!1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?Yes... but I miscarried in the first tri-mester so THIS is about my Second planned pregnancy. :-)
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?Yes. 3.5 years.
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?So happy... but I cried. I was fearful I would lose this one too.
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?Are you kidding me? NO WAY!
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?23.
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?Went to the doctor.
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?Steve of course. Then my mom and dad.
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?No. Wanted to be surprised.
9. DUE DATE?February 25, 1988.
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?ALL DAY sickness. For 5 months, thank you very much.
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?Frosted Cherry Poptarts. The ONLY thing I could keep down.
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?People telling me how BIG I was and asking, "Are you having twins?" or "Aren't you EVER going to have that baby???" I wanted to punch 'em.
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?A wonderful, strong, perfect, healthy Boy.
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?Nope. We really wanted a boy first.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?46. Yep. I really WAAAAS large... just didn't want to hear other people comment on that fact.
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?Two. One at our church in Arkansas. And a video shower from my church in Adrian. THAT was a blast.
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?No suprises.
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?Do you really want me to go there? Where do I start?Partial bedrest at 7 months. (pre-eclampsia)Full bed rest at the beginning of my nineth month (slow bleeding and pre-elcampsia)...Labor induced. Hemorrhaged with first contraction. Lost half my blood. Had blood transfusion...4 units... Almost Died. Really.Had a rare thing called Placenta Acreta...along with a placenta abruption.Was in ICU for 3 days with a nurse at my bed around the clock for the first 36 hours. They didn't know if I would make it. People prayed.God knew Steve couldn't do it alone. And my baby needed a mommy.I am still here today thanks to Jesus and some skilled doctors and nurses he sent my way.
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?Camden, Arkansas.
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?0. I have never had a labor pain.
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?Steve
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?OB staff. Steve was not allowed in becuase it was an emergency.
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?Emergency C-section.
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?Was totally out for surgery. After...Yes. Don't remember much the first couple of days. After that I was pushing the button for meds every 3 hours. My hips were sore for MONTHS from all the shots.
27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?9 lbs. 12 oz.
28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ?February 26, 1988. 11:04 a.m.
30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?Stephan Weston Bradshaw
31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
My first fun survey. Here you go mommies - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born! Just copy and paste it in a new note for yourself!Let's see how much you remember!1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?Yes... but I miscarried in the first tri-mester so THIS is about my Second planned pregnancy. :-)
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?Yes. 3.5 years.
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?So happy... but I cried. I was fearful I would lose this one too.
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?Are you kidding me? NO WAY!
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?23.
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?Went to the doctor.
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?Steve of course. Then my mom and dad.
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?No. Wanted to be surprised.
9. DUE DATE?February 25, 1988.
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?ALL DAY sickness. For 5 months, thank you very much.
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?Frosted Cherry Poptarts. The ONLY thing I could keep down.
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?People telling me how BIG I was and asking, "Are you having twins?" or "Aren't you EVER going to have that baby???" I wanted to punch 'em.
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?A wonderful, strong, perfect, healthy Boy.
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?Nope. We really wanted a boy first.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?46. Yep. I really WAAAAS large... just didn't want to hear other people comment on that fact.
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?Two. One at our church in Arkansas. And a video shower from my church in Adrian. THAT was a blast.
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?No suprises.
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?Do you really want me to go there? Where do I start?Partial bedrest at 7 months. (pre-eclampsia)Full bed rest at the beginning of my nineth month (slow bleeding and pre-elcampsia)...Labor induced. Hemorrhaged with first contraction. Lost half my blood. Had blood transfusion...4 units... Almost Died. Really.Had a rare thing called Placenta Acreta...along with a placenta abruption.Was in ICU for 3 days with a nurse at my bed around the clock for the first 36 hours. They didn't know if I would make it. People prayed.God knew Steve couldn't do it alone. And my baby needed a mommy.I am still here today thanks to Jesus and some skilled doctors and nurses he sent my way.
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?Camden, Arkansas.
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?0. I have never had a labor pain.
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?Steve
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?OB staff. Steve was not allowed in becuase it was an emergency.
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?Emergency C-section.
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?Was totally out for surgery. After...Yes. Don't remember much the first couple of days. After that I was pushing the button for meds every 3 hours. My hips were sore for MONTHS from all the shots.
27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?9 lbs. 12 oz.
28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ?February 26, 1988. 11:04 a.m.
30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?Stephan Weston Bradshaw
31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Age and other things that head south for the winter!!!
This past December, I turned 44 years old. Now you would think that is YOUNG, VIBRANT, AND FULL OF LIFE!!!! HUH!! Some days I think it's more like.....OLD, STUPID, and FORGETFUL!!!
What happens to the brain? Does it go south for the winter like the birds? Does it freeze like the -9 degree temps we have today in NE Ohio? OR does it just get stupid?
I find myself these days making lists and forgetting where I put the list, forgetting to save it on my computer, or just plain forgetting that I made a list. Isn't that a teenage disease also?
I look at the calendar and my household "TO DO" list and am overwhelmed.........what is going on?
I am really enjoying Facebook these days. It has been a wonderful thing to reconnect with friends from those CBC days. It brings back such good memories of when we were all young. Now, you guys all still look great but I wonder if your brain has checked out also? OR maybe it's just that I am old??? What do you think?
What happens to the brain? Does it go south for the winter like the birds? Does it freeze like the -9 degree temps we have today in NE Ohio? OR does it just get stupid?
I find myself these days making lists and forgetting where I put the list, forgetting to save it on my computer, or just plain forgetting that I made a list. Isn't that a teenage disease also?
I look at the calendar and my household "TO DO" list and am overwhelmed.........what is going on?
I am really enjoying Facebook these days. It has been a wonderful thing to reconnect with friends from those CBC days. It brings back such good memories of when we were all young. Now, you guys all still look great but I wonder if your brain has checked out also? OR maybe it's just that I am old??? What do you think?
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