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...
Mark: Yesterday Jill and I left our youngest at college in downtown Chicago for his last semester. It’s hard to believe he’s finishing up and getting ready to fully move into adulthood. As we were driving home from Chicago–a two-hour drive for...
Being a mom is hard, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. Need to find your mom tribe? Looking for inspiration in building your mom community? Want to sharpen your relationship skills in order to take care of the friendships you have? I’ve got an opportunity...
Most mornings I spend an hour or so weeding before I take my shower and get ready for my day. I love being out in the quiet of the morning. It’s my time with God, time to think, and my opportunity to get my hands dirty. God teaches me so many lessons while...
Mark: Last week was a week of rest for Jill and I. We spent time enjoying Lake Michigan along with Jill’s parents. It was one of the most restful weeks I’ve had in a long time. Jill: It was a four hour drive to Holland, Michigan and a five hour drive home...
Summer has been wonderfully relaxing! My speaking schedule almost comes to a complete halt in the summer. That’s completely fine with me. With Fall right around the corner, my speaking schedule will ramp up once again. And that’s completely fine with me,...
It was 15 years ago that I packed up my first kid for college. This month will be my last time I’ll do that job. I’m definitely feeling all the feels with that! One day I’m excited for the new season ahead. After all, the last kid will be off the...
