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...
Mark: I remember when I first became a Christian, I heard about the concept of “dying to self.” It was often used to describe those times when we wrestle with God between doing things our way versus doing things His way. It was “dying to self” that motivated me to...
Today’s words of encouragement come from Janet Thompson, an international speaker, freelance editor, and award-winning author of nineteen books including her latest Mentoring for All Seasons: Sharing Life Experiences and God’s Faithfulness releasing TODAY! Her...
Mark: When Jill and I wrote No More Perfect Marriages we identified what we call the Seven Slow Fades where our hearts slowly and unknowingly pull away from each other. We also identified the Eight God-Tools that stop the fades in their tracks. Jill: The past two...
I’ve always had a passion for helping parents do the best they can! The teen years are particularly difficult, which is why Pam Farrel and I wrote Got Teens? Time Tested Answers for Moms of Teens and Tweens and why Dr. Kathy Koch and I wrote No More Perfect Kids...
Jill: This weekend I had the privilege of spending time with some fabulous ladies in Ft. Branch, Indiana. I LOVE being able to bring encouragement and hope through women’s conferences and events. Mark: Because we were in the neighborhood, we decided to head over...
