Hello Jill and Mark: I need advice on how to learn to “let it go” when it comes to marriage. This is in relation to things like broken promises about household projects and such. I realized this morning that I need to figure out how to let it go. Signed,...
Four years ago this week my life changed when breast cancer became a part of my vocabulary. It had been a part of my extended family’s vocabulary for some time because my aunt, my mom, and my grandmother had all received breast cancer diagnoses before I did. We...
Jill: It all started with a conversation I had with a friend. We were talking about marriage and the topic turned to sex. In their marriage she has a higher sex drive than her husband. Their physical intimacy happens only 6-8 times a year. This is something that...
Last year, we didn’t spend Thanksgiving with a single one of our five children. Did it feel odd? Yes. Was it the best for everyone? We think so. Our oldest daughter and her husband alternate holidays with his family and our family; last year Thanksgiving was with his...
Today’s guest post is brought to us by Jerusha Clark. Jerusha is an author, speaker, wife, and mom. Her newest book Every Piece of Me: Shattering Toxic Beliefs and Discovering the Real You (Baker, 2017) is a book that reminds us that God never meant for us to...
Jill: Years ago, Mark and I made a decision to not exchange physical gifts at Christmas. Instead we try to give our marriage time, energy, and focus in some way. Mark: So what are you getting your marriage for Christmas? Seems like a silly question, doesn’t it?...
One of the ways we took care of our speakers at our Hearts at Home conferences was to provide them with their own PA—Personal Assistant. This person helped them get to where they needed to be, always made sure they got their meals, kept them hydrated with water, ran...
Welcome! If you heard today’s Focus on the Family program, I’m so glad you dropped by to say hello! This is a safe place where we talk about all the wonderful and messy stuff of life. If you would like to stay connected, please subscribe so you can get...
Mark: Jill and I are in Orlando, Florida today because I had the privilege of officiating the wedding of some dear friends of ours last night. While we were there we had a little bit of fun in the photo booth at the reception! Jill: As Mark was doing the ceremony he...
Mark: “I’m just tired and I want to be done.” I’ve heard that from two long-married, currently separated couples in the last month. I understand those feelings. I was there seven years ago, too. Jill: That’s really how the slow fades...
Last week was a first for me. At age 53, this was my first-ever, week-long girlfriend trip. If you’ve read my Better Together book you know that finding my mom tribe has not been easy for me. Growing up I had far more guy friends than girlfriends. I just found...
Mark: One of the ways Jill and I are different has to do with surprises. I love surprises. Jill….not so much. Jill: If you’ve taken our free No More Perfect Marriages E-Challenge, you’ll take a quiz that helps you determine if you’re...
This guy. Last night he was a champ. When my flight was delayed leaving Florida and I texted him that I worried about making my connecting flight in Atlanta, he immediately pointed me to Christ with a simple text that said, “God’s got this. I am praying.” I needed...
Mark: Jill had a unique opportunity for a girlfriend trip to Florida this past week so we spent the week apart. When one of us travels, we’ve found it very important to have a plan for staying connected. Jill: As a recovering avoider, I have to work to think...
Mark: It happens every time we travel. I throw clothes in a suitcase and walk out the door. For Jill it’s not that easy. She has a list she wants to do before we leave: water the flowers, run the vacuum, fold the laundry, and sometimes pay a few bills. That difference...
