Each year around Christmas, we like to do a special episode where we not only celebrate the holiday, but also look back on the last year and all that God has been teaching us. The days and months can often speed by us, and that’s why it’s so nice to take a...
We love Christmas! It’s our (and especially Mark’s) favorite time of year. Besides the decorations, presents, cheer, and time with family, Christmas marks a very special event. It’s when God sent His son to earth, which was the greatest expression of His love for us....
This week’s episode will look a little bit different, as we are resharing one of our top five episodes of all time with you! With the holiday season beginning, there will be countless opportunities for relationships to be strained. You’ll encounter many...
Can you believe that the holidays are just around the corner? We recently got our first snow in Illinois, and it’s got us in the holiday spirit! Along with the merriment and celebrations of this season come various expectations, obligations, and family gatherings to...
“I don’t know how this could ever work. I just don’t feel like my spouse and I love each other like we used to. This is too hard, and our children will be better off if we separate.” If you’ve had these kind of thoughts, you aren’t alone—especially if...
Are you gearing up for your very first Empty Nest Christmas? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned Empty Nester who is looking for fresh, new ideas that will help you make the most of this holiday season? When we experienced our first Christmas as Empty Nesters, it was...
Have you already started making your list and checking it twice? Or do you prefer to make a mad, last-minute dash to the store for all your Christmas shopping? For me, gift-giving doesn’t always come easily—and that’s why I’ve ended up in the second camp...
With Christmas right around the corner, we decided it was the perfect time to sit down and have a chat about the expectations that can go hand-in-hand with the holiday season. Whether you’re a new parent, an empty nester, or somewhere in between, we’re...
Your Thanksgiving feast is ready to go, every Christmas stocking has been hung with care, and you’re feeling ready for a festive holiday season. There’s just one thing missing—your adult children and their families! Do any of these conversations sound familiar to you?...
Jill: The holidays are commonly known as the most wonderful time of the year! However, they are also the most filled with expectations. Your in-laws are expecting you to come by for brunch, your parents are expecting you for family time, there are holiday programs and...
Jill: I discovered Mark’s affair two months before the holiday celebrations started in 2011. (If you haven’t read about our dark season, you can find our 10-day blog series here.) That holiday was spent waiting, and it was a circumstance I never imagined....
Do you want to make Christmas extra special this year? To do this, things like giving special gifts, gathering the family in a certain way, or even decorating with intentionality may come to mind. But what if making Christmas special wasn’t about anything you did...
Jill: It’s that time of year again. Christmas music is starting to play as tons of decor hits the store shelves. Mark: As the calendar begins to fill up with Thanksgiving meals, office parties, and plans to visit extended family around Christmas, it can be difficult...
The excitement of the holidays is hard to contain! Your young children are anxiously waiting to leap out of their beds to open presents on Christmas morning. Your adult children may be traveling home from college or coming to visit from their homes. You may be looking...
It’s hard to believe that this is our final episode for 2022! Mark is joining me on the podcast today to review the year and share what we look forward to in the new year. We are so thankful to you, our faithful listener, and we are so excited about everything coming...