What to Expect When You’re…Married | #MarriageMonday

Welcome back to #MarriageMonday! Today we are digging into unrealistic expectations. They touch every marriage. How are they affecting yours? Jill: Are unrealistic expectations robbing you of joy in your marriage? Do you feel like marriage just isn’t what you...

14 Life Lessons Learned From a Difficult Hike

Last fall, Mark and I hiked a trail in the Rockies that was listed as easy. However, we later found out it was mismarked and it was really a moderate 6.5-mile trail! The scenery was beautiful. We saw waterfalls, wildlife, and an alpine lake at the top of the mountain....

Moving From Your Past to Your Purpose with Pat Layton | Episode 63

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have to work through a process to make peace with my past. I have to ask myself, “How can I make sure I don’t get stuck here? How can I move forward?” Maybe you’ve even felt like parts of your past are looming over you and that...

10 Ways to Deepen Intimacy in Your Marriage | #MarriageMonday

Welcome back to #MarriageMonday! Today we are digging into some practical ways to deepen intimacy and improve connection in your marriage. This is an edited excerpt from a section of No More Perfect Marriages. Grab a copy to dig deeper! Jill: True intimacy involves...

Dear Parent Who Made a Mistake

Dear parent who made a mistake, There’s been something on my mind lately that I’d like to share with you. I don’t know how “big” or “small” the mistake was. I don’t know how deep the roots go on the issue. We could be...

The Marriage Manifesto | #MarriageMonday

Marriage is our passion. When Mark and I went through our marriage crisis now almost 10 years ago, we weren’t sure what the outcome would be. Trust had been broken. Tensions were high. (You can find the full story here.) But as we’ve experienced healing and now...

3 Types of Dates Every Marriage Needs | Episode 54

Do you and your spouse struggle to find the time to invest in each other? Does it seem like cleaning the house, getting your kids ready for bed, or work always get in the way? If that has been you at any point in your marriage, this episode is for you! To help me talk...

10 Hedges to Protect Your Marriage | #MarriageMonday

We have a line of trees along the west side of our country home. The previous owners wisely planted the trees to provide a hedge of protection against the winds that gust across the cornfields of central Illinois. Those trees serve as a visual picture of another hedge...