Before you divorce….
Film star Zsa Zsa Gabor, said that 9 marriages had taught her a great deal about housekeeping. She said, “Every time I get divorced I keep the house.” Her comment might make us chuckle, but sadly, divorce is not in the least bit funny. Having been a child of divorce I know that it may […]
Complaint v Criticism
We are always likely to have various complaints about the person we are married to. When we live in the same house, sleep in the same bed, and live out daily life so intimately with another person, it’s just normal that we will upset and annoy each other. Deep down we might love each other […]
Make your differences work for you
The things that draw us together when dating and getting to know each other are often the very things that cause conflicts a few years into marriage. How can we love each other through the strengths and weaknesses our differences create? How do we embrace our differences? In our twenty-plus years of marriage, finances have […]
Five things I wish I’d known before marriage
We’re currently making some changes to FamilyLife’s Preparing for Marriage workbook, which is an awesome resource for couples contemplating marriage. This project has caused me to ask myself, how equipped are young engaged couples with the reality of married life? What are some things that I wish I knew before I got married? So I’ve […]
Three qualities for singles to look for in a partner – well 4 really!
It’s hard to believe I was in Bangkok last week attending a course “Mastery Coaching Certificate”. It was fantastic. Not only was the teaching, content, facilitation, and interaction brilliant but I enjoyed some great conversations with folk from different nationalities in a variety of ministries. Good future contacts. One evening I enjoyed a leisurely dinner […]
How to have a successful home game
Rugby season is upon us Just yesterday Whittaker’s Chocolate launched their new limited edition blocks to support the All Blacks. The flavour of ‘Home’ is flat white and ‘Away’ is the delicate flavour of Japan, Matcha with pistachios. And so I thought I’d have some rugby fun of my own. In order to avoid a […]
Viva la difference!
Do you remember your dating days? Can you recall how you felt about your partner when you first started going out together regularly? I can – it was incredible. I met a vibrant, spontaneous, extroverted, larger-than-life, creative, funny young man. It didn’t take long for me to be attracted to Andy – he brought a […]
Marriage advice to my daughter
The beauty of young love. We’ve just experienced one of those big life moments and enjoyed a memorable weekend. Our daughter Olivia got engaged to a fine young man Asher and we couldn’t be happier. And nor could they! They have dated for almost 3 years and are now excited to begin their life journey […]
Becoming a master in my marriage
John Gottman, author of the best selling book, “Seven principles of a great marriage” released a dvd a few years ago called “Making marriage work”. On the dvd he talks about the “masters’ and “disasters” of marriage. He studied numerous couples over many years, and discovered that there are 4 things that are characteristic of […]
Thankfulness is an antidote
My husband Andy, late Director of FamilyLife, was welcomed home to heaven in 2018. A lifetime of health challenges Andy had a lifetime of health challenges which included 27 years of kidney dialysis, 3 kidney transplants, skin cancers, lung infarction, lymphoma cancer, a stroke, and 2 heart attacks. In June his heart finally failed during […]
