Want to Hear More?

I am so very sorry that I haven't updated my Love Dare blog. It's been so hectic this year with our family and some things have had to fall by the wayside. I completed the Love Dare some time ago and I will try to get the last 5 days posted soon. Have you enjoyed reading about my journey? Has it been encouraging, insightful, truthful and open? I hope so. I really poured my heart and soul into the blog in hopes of reassuring those that might be struggling. I would love to hear from some of you that have read my blog. Would you like to hear more? What would you like to hear? I'm not a marriage counselor by any means, but just a Christian woman who wants to love and honor my marriage as a tribute to God.

The Love Dare - Day 35

Day 35: Love is accountable – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22

Accountability is very important at work, at home, at church. To me, being held accountable for my actions causes me to think twice about the decisions I make or the words that I speak. It makes me want to do the right thing, the best thing. Accountability partners, someone who is in the same boat as us, can help us in so many ways in our lives. Ever try to lose weight by yourself? How about trying to trade stocks without the advice of a financial advisor? It’s more challenging without someone to pat you on the back when you’re successful, hold your hand when you didn’t do so well or give you advice from their experiences. The truth is we need to surround ourselves with like-minded mentors or accountability partners. To have a successful marriage, we must connect with other Christians. Others who want to succeed in marriage. Others that won’t abandon their spouse at the first sign of trouble. Others that desire to have a Godly marriage. Others that have the same happy times, difficulties, trials, and triumphs. Someone we can rely on to tell us the truth, good or bad.

Day 35 Dare: Find a marriage mentor – someone who is a strong Christian and who will be honest and loving with you. If you feel that counseling is needed, then take the first step to set up an appointment. During this process, ask God to direct your decisions and discernment.

While Matt and I don’t need any counseling for our marriage, I have quietly been watching a couple who I think would be perfect mentors. They are a public couple and they love each other unconditionally. I watch how they act with each other, toward each other, when they aren’t with each other, etc. It’s amazing how they build each other up and constantly exalt God. I have never and I mean never heard either of them speak negatively of the other. What a great testament to having a God-centered marriage this couple has. At some point, I will ask the wife if she would mind being an accountability partner for me…if she will pray for me and remind me to keep God first and to never say a negative word to Matt.

Lord, you know this couple. You know me. You have put them in my life for a reason. Thank you. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 34

Day 34: Love celebrates Godliness – “Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:6

There are many occasions in our lives to celebrate. Birthdays, anniversaries, a promotion at work, straight A’s for the first time. Do we celebrate enough with our brothers and sisters in Christ when they act in obedience and follow God’s plan without looking back? Do we throw a party when someone accepts Christ? Or for me, the first time I actually prayed out loud in a group? That’s a reason to celebrate. It was a victory for me.

Day 34 Dare: Find a specific, recent example when your spouse demonstrated Christian character in a noticeable way. Verbally commend them for this at some point today.

Matt’s life-long friend, B comes to our house once every couple of weeks to hang out, chit chat, etc. The “boys” usually sit outside (B smokes and we don’t, so they sit in the garage so it’s not in my house) and talk, laugh, relax, reminisce. B has been struggling lately with his relationship with his mother and Matt has been offering him some Christian advice on how to deal with the situation. B is also struggling financially, which is definitely right down Matt’s alley for giving advice as many of you may know. Matt told him about Angel Food Ministries, in which our church participates. B was very interested in buying the food at wholesale and told Matt he would like to order. So, we ordered on his behalf and PAID FOR IT. That is a Christian leap for Matt. I know it's only $30, but heck, he will squeeze a nickel until the buffalo chokes. Seriously. I was so proud of him. He didn't even bat an eye. I commended him several times for doing that for his friend.

Lord, thank you for allowing us to celebrate life. Help us to celebrate You always. Amen

The Love Dare - Day 33

Day 33: Love completes each other – “If two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?” Ecclesiastes 4:11

God created Eve to be Adam’s partner. He saw that Adam was alone and he did not like this. God designed us very differently, but males and females complement each other in many ways. Not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally, too. I don’t like to be alone. When Matt is away on business, I miss him. When we’re at work, I miss him. When I’m busy with the kids and he’s mowing the lawn, I miss him. That’s the way it should be in marriage. We are meant to be together to complete each other.

Day 33 Dare: Recognize that your spouse is integral to your future success. Let them know today that you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions, and that you need their perspective and counsel. If you have ignored their input in the past, admit your oversight and ask them to forgive you.

I always include Matt in decisions I make. Not necessarily the little decisions like which brand of toothpaste to buy or whether or not to have mashed potatoes with supper…but the big decisions. Should we put new carpet or hardwood in the house? How much over our 10% can we tithe this month to help the church reach its budget? When do we need a new car? Those are biggies. Matt and I always make those decisions together. That doesn’t mean we don’t argue a little bit before we come to a decision, but ultimately the decision is made in unison. Together. Matt knows I always confer with him when making a decision larger than what color to paint the hallway.

Lord, thank You for giving me a husband that listens and values my input and opinions. Help us to come to You in prayer when in disagreement with each other.

The Love Dare - Day 32

Day 32: Love meets sexual needs – “The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will tempt you because of your lack of self-control." 1 Corinthians 7:3-5

Well, I guess this could bring up the age-old battle of men and women, huh? There are so many jokes out there about men wanting to have sex all the time and the women never wanting it. I bet you are sitting on the edge of your seat to see if it’s that way with us, right? Sorry. That’s between me and Matt. But, I’ll put it this way…I have the occasional headache (wink, wink) and go to bed early. However, God designed us all differently. We all have sex drives that are very different. We should find somewhere in the middle and stick with it. That way, no one is disappointed.

Day 32 Dare: If at all possible, try to initiate sex with your husband or wife today. Do this in a way that honors what your spouse has told you (or implied to you) about what they need from you sexually. Ask God to make this enjoyable for both of you as well as a path to greater intimacy.

I’m sure you understand, but for our privacy, I’ll leave today’s dare this way…I completed it. That’s all you need to know.

Lord, please help me to be a Godly wife that fulfills all of my husband’s desires. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 31

Day 31: Love and marriage - A man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24

Sometimes this is much, much easier said than done…especially if you marry young without having been on your own before marriage. It can be so difficult for a person to leave the parents who have provided so many things (emotional support, a roof overhead, food, etc.) and completely and totally cleave to the person he/she is marrying. We need to depend on our spouse for that support. How many times after first getting married did you want to call and “tattle-tale” on your spouse? Some people do that even after years of marriage. I have found that it gives me no satisfaction to degrade Matt, so I don’t. Plain and simple. God’s design for marriage is for us to be united together. Not dependent on our moms and dads.

Day 31 Dare: Is there a “leaving” issue you haven’t been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to your spouse today, and resolve to make it right. The oneness of your marriage is dependent upon it. Follow this with a commitment to your spouse and to God to make your marriage the top priority over every other human relationship.

Fortunately, this has not been much of an issue in our marriage. Matt has always been able to provide for me in every way since getting married. Neither of us had ever lived away from our parents, so we are truly blessed that the leaving has not been one of our trials. I’ve never had to ask my parents for money, call them to say we didn’t have food in the cabinet, call them when my car needed repaired, etc. It is truly a blessing to us and I’m thankful to God that he has allowed Matt and I to be completely independent of our parents (although we love them and appreciate their offers of support) and dependent upon each other.

Lord, thank You for parents that love me enough to let me go. Thank You for a wonderful husband that loves me enough to accept me and take care of me. Thank You for designing marriage the way that you did. Amen.

So sorry...

I haven't forgotten about my Love Dare. Actually, I just had to postpone it for a few weeks because there were so many other things going on in our lives. I wanted to be able to dedicate myself 100% to the dare, so I thought it best to start from Day 30 (I have not given up the other concepts I have learned) and finish up the last 10 days. So, as I might not be able to post something every single day, I'm journaling in my Love Dare book and will post as soon as I can.

Today, I got home from work and Matt was on the phone. I heard him tell his buddy that he would talk to him later because I had just gotten home and he wanted to talk to me. I thought, "uh-oh...what have I done." He proceeded to tell me that while he was home today (he's been on vacation for a couple of days) he got on my blog to see the pictures I had put on there. Well guess what he found! You got it. He found the links to my Love Dare blog...and he read it. And he liked it. I was so glad to know that he wasn't angry with me for putting it out there for public consumption, but I explained that I hoped it inspired others. So, tomorrow is the day I'll start with Day 31 and finish the thing...or as Pastor Mark says, "land this plane." Stay tuned and hang in there for sporadic posting as I'm so busy at work, I don't always feel like getting on the computer when I get home in the evenings.

Update

Check below this post for more updates. I've added them in order and will continue adding them as I get time to edit my posts. Hopefully I will be caught up by mid-week. Scroll down for Day 27 & 28. Hang in there, it's been a busy couple of weeks!

The Love Dare - Day 30

Day 30: Love brings unity – “Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.” – John 17:11

Isn’t a marriage all about unity? Of course it should be, but it’s not always so easy. Whether it’s a decision about the television channels we want to watch, where we want to go on vacation or what we spend our money on, it’s not always easy to be unified. Sometimes, it’s the smallest things that separate us. For instance, let’s say your spouse wants to go to the beach this year, but you think it’s too expensive and doesn’t fit into the budget right now. It’s a discussion that can very easily turn into an all-out war. It’s hard to see the other person’s “side” of the matter sometimes, especially if you are not unified in how you feel about and deal with certain topics. Money is definitely a biggie and certainly one of the biggest in my house. We are completely debt free except for our house, which will be paid off very soon. If we weren’t united in how we deal with our finances, this would absolutely be impossible. Now, does that mean we have to agree about everything? Of course not. Does it mean that we don’t argue about the grocery or clothing budget? Of course not. It just means that we are united in our desire to be debt free and we’re working together to obtain that goal.

Day 30 Dare: Isolate one are of division in your marriage, and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oneness with your spouse. Pray that He would do the same for them. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity.

I would still say that money is an area of division in our marriage, but not as much as it used to be. Matt is very practical and budgets very well. I’m definitely not the “saver” in our family. I’m the one that does all the grocery shopping, present buying, clothes shopping, etc. Matt just doesn’t know how much some things cost and that has been a source of irritation for me. He’s much better than he used to be, but I’m also working on trying to save money in other ways – buying things when they are on sale, clipping coupons, etc.

Lord, thank You for blessing me with a husband that is a good steward of money. You know we tithe faithfully and give with happy hearts and we are definitely feeling the reward for that. We understand that the first 10^th is Yours and will continue to give above and beyond when we are able. Please help us keep our marriage unified in other areas as well as how we feel about tithing. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 29

Day 29: Love’s motivation – “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not me..." - Ephesians 6:7

It’s easy to get distracted from the true reasons that we love our spouse. We should love them as Christ loved us. Do you love your wife because she always cooks dinner and does the laundry? Do you love your husband because he keeps the grass mowed and the weeds pulled? These are selfish reasons to love someone. Or, do you love your spouse because that’s what God commands us to do? This is the kind of love that will endure. What is your real motivation? Sure, it’s easier to be around our spouses when they are loveable, but what about the times they aren’t? Whew…sometimes it’s very difficult. And continuing the Dare from Day 1, restraining from using negative words can become increasingly difficult during those times. But, if we love and serve each other with God’s love as the source, it will become easier, more fulfilling and deeper than we can ever imagine.

Day 29 Dare: Before you see your spouse again today, pray for them by name and for their needs. Whether it comes easy for you or not, say “I love you,” then express love to them in some tangible way. Go to God in prayer again, thanking Him for giving you the privilege of loving this one special person – unconditionally, the way He loves both of you.

Today, I prayed for Matt several times. When I had a quiet moment in car by myself, I prayed. When I was between emails at work, I prayed. When I was lying in bed with the lights off, I prayed. As I lay in bed after Matt was asleep, I had my leg touching him and I prayed for his needs, hoping that he would feel the prayer even in his sleep. I tell him I love him as often as I can and it comes sincerely and easily.

Lord, thank You for Matt. I pray today for his needs and that You might meet those needs for him. Thank You for allowing me to be married to him and help that love to grow deeper and wider than imaginable. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 28

Day 28: Love makes sacrifices – “He laid down His life for us. We should lay down our lives for our brothers.” - 1 John 3:16

I think we all make sacrifices daily…sometimes without even knowing it. We sacrifice at home, at work, with our children. However, sometimes if we sacrifice too much, we are robbing other areas in our lives. Pastor Tony has preached on this very thing in the past. He has preached on the fact that we have to sacrifice things in our everyday lives for God. The thing that jumps out at me the most is him talking about not being a “taxi service” for our kids. This is weighing heavily on me right now because our oldest son will be starting T-Ball very soon. I really want him to be able to play sports, but when he is old enough, he will be required to choose one sport to play. I will not sacrifice my time at church, my time at home, my time with my husband or children to taxi the kids all over town for a ball game. Our time at home with each other is much more important than him being at one ball field and me being at the other. It’s just not worth it.

Also, I keep going back to housework. How many times do we just offer to do something for our spouse? Can I run to the grocery store for you? Can I put those dishes away for you? Can I use the weed whacker while you are mowing? How about your truck…does it need to be washed? As tired as we are when we get home from work or while the kids are napping, we sometimes just want to crash on the couch and read a book. But, before we do this, could we be selfless and ask our spouse what need you can meet for them tonight?

Day 28 Dare: What is one of the greatest needs in your spouse’s life right now? Is there a need you could life from their shoulders today by a daring act of sacrifice on your part? Whether the need is big or small, purpose to do what you can to meet the need.

I know Matt very well. One of his biggest needs is quality time. He just hates when I won’t sit with him and watch TV or play blackjack, etc. So, night I again chose not to watch Jon and Kate, Plus 8. I know this may sound silly, but as I have mentioned before, Matt hates, hates, hates this show. He thinks Jon & Kate talk down to each other all the time and he frankly can’t stand to watch it. It makes him sick. So, in the past, I have always gone up to the bedroom to fold clothes or just sit on the bed and watch the show. Tonight, I didn’t even turn it on. Whew. Big sacrifice on my part. But you know what? I lived. I’m still here and Jon & Kate comes on in repeats all the time and I can catch the show when he’s not around. I stayed downstairs in the living room with him and did nothing but chit chat with him. It was actually refreshing, even though neither of us felt very well.

Lord, again I come to You with an open heart for what you can do for my marriage as well as the marriage of so many others. Please guide them to this site and allow them to read with great understanding. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 27

Day 27: Love encourages - "Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You." - Psalm 25:20

We all have high expectations. It's natural that we want the best from our spouse, from our kids, from our employees, from our co-workers, from our friends, etc. Aren't we sorely disappointed when they fail to live up to our expectations? Of course. But, maybe we should step back and take a second look at our expectations. Are they too high? The higher the expectation, the more likely our spouse will disappoint us. They are human, remember. Just like us. How does it make your spouse feel when you tell him that he needs to make more money to support his family. Yes, he knows that you expect the best from him, but what if he's already trying his best? How can he give you better? If he's already giving his best and it's not meeting your expectations, maybe he's not the problem.

The solution is simple. Look at all the expectations you have of him and really decide what are realistic. Should our spouse really remember to pick up the dirty clothes, every single time? How easy is it to put the dirty shirt in the floor, hear the phone ring, run to grab it and forget to go back to pick up the shirt and put it in the hamper? Instead of criticizing, maybe we should just overlook something so trivial. In the whole scheme of life, are dirty clothes in the floor really that important? Or is is more important for you and your spouse to spend time together without the burden of unrealistic expectations hovering of your head.

Day 27 Dare: Eliminate the poison of unrealistic expectations in your home. Think of one area where your spouse has told you you're expecting too much and tell them you're sorry for being so hard on them about it. Promise them you'll seek to understand, and assure them of your unconditional love.

I expect Matt to remember to take out the garbage. I expect him to remember that I have to go to the grocery store and won't be home at normal time after work. I expect him to understand when I don't feel well and to help me with the kids without my asking. I expect him to pick up his dirty clothes. I expect him to remember my birthday. That's a lot of expectations, isn't it? Guess what, Matt is human and can't be expected never to fail. I think a lot of my expectations are centered around helping me in the house, with the kids, etc. Recently, I've really tried to lay off of complaining about little things. Like for instance, the garbage wasn't taken out for a couple of days and it was piled pretty high. Almost so high stuff was falling out. Originally, I thought I would just leave it until he took it out. Then, I realized maybe he hadn't even noticed. He wasn't feeling well and maybe he hadn't even been over to where the garbage can sits. So, instead of nagging about it, I just smashed all the trash down, pulled the bag out and tied it up. Instead of huffing and puffing about it, I just did it. I know that doesn't seem like a big deal, but it could have been. It could have turned into a fight...easily. I released him of that expectation and then he didn't disappoint me. Hey, I live here too, right? I'm not better than taking out the trash.

Lord, I understand how You must feel when we disappoint You. Thank You for loving us enough to forgive us . Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 26

Day 26: Love is responsible - "When you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things." - Romans 2:1

Wow - another hard day. Personal responsibility. Do you struggle with this like I do? I hate to be embarrassed or have to take responsibility for something I have done wrong. But, I do it. It's certainly not always easy, but I'm the first to admit if I've messed something up at work. It's so much easier to deal with the consequences now instead of lying or trying to cover up our mistakes. Why not take responsibility for something we have done right away and be released from the burden instead of carrying it around with us? It's much easier said than done, I know. But, I'm recommitting myself to doing this on a daily basis - not just in my marriage, but in life. Please join me. We'll respect each other so much more.

Day 26 Dare: Take time to pray through your areas of wrongdoing. Ask for God’s forgiveness, then humble yourself enough to admit them to your spouse. Do it sincerely and truthfully. Ask your spouse for forgiveness as well. No matter how they respond, make sure you cover your responsibility in love. Even if they respond with criticism, accept it by receiving it as counsel.

We all do many things wrong. It's just part of being human and being sinners. The hardest thing is to ask for forgiveness when we have done something that hurt someone. To me, there is no need in dwelling on the past, but for others, it's not so easy. Honestly, I can't think of anything that I need to ask Matt for forgiveness for at this point. We tend to deal with issues as they arise, then forgive and forget. However, I'm taking this dare one step further and I'm making a point of asking for forgiveness immediately when I've done something to upset anyone, especially Matt. We haven't had much tension since I started the Love Dare, but I have to constantly remind myself not to say anything negative...constantly. I'm trying to take responsibility for my actions and asking for forgiveness right away.

Lord, thank You for Your forgiveness. Help me to be as forgiving as You. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 25

Day 25: Love forgives - "What I have forgiven, if I have fogiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 2:10

Whew...forgiveness is so hard for most of us. Fortunately, I'm a very forgiving person. I've always thought it was one of my faults, but really the more I think about it, it's a very good virtue to have. Some people can't or won't forgive even the smallest things. The Bible commands us to forgive each other. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). If we can't forgive our spouse, who can we forgive? No one. Our spouse is the person closest to us and if we can't start with them, our hearts will be heavy. Can you imagine setting your spouse free of anything that he/she has done, irritated you with, said to you, not done, etc? I mean completely setting him/her free. What a burden it will lift from us and our hearts!

Day 25 Dare: Whatever you haven’t forgiven in your mate, forgive it today. Let it go. Just as we ask Jesus to “forgive us our debts” each day, we must ask Him to help us “forgive our debtors” each day as well. Unforgiveness has been keeping you and your spouse in prison too long. Say from your heart, “I choose to forgive.”

I had to really think hard for what I needed to forgive Matt. I honestly couldn't think of anything for the longest time. I can be so mad at him one minute and then completely forgive and forget the next. It's just in my nature. So today, I'm setting him free from anything that I'm harboring deep in my heart. Things that might not be at the front of my mind today, but might try to come to the surface later. I will be on guard for anything that might show up. Now I say, "Matt, I choose to forgive."

Lord, thank you again for this wonderful opportunity to deepen my love for my spouse. It's getting more challenging, but also more rewarding and I appreciate what it has done for us so far. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 24

Day 24: Love vs. lust - "The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." - 1 John 2:17

Lust breeds more lust. We think that one thing will satisfy us and in actuality it just leads us to want more, bigger, better. We can lust for a person or power or for possessions. It can be all-consuming. If you are lusting after a person, that person can be at the front of your mind at all times, consuming your thoughts, feelings, emotions. Is that person really going to bring you the happiness that you think? If you are lusting for a new, bigger house, you will not be happy until you have the house. But then what? Then that house suddenly isn't big enough anymore and you lust after something more. We need to change our minds and push those lustful thoughts from our heads and hearts. Let's be content with the blessings God has already bestowed upon us.

Day 24 Dare: End it now. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it. Single out every lie you've swallowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. Lust cannot be allowed to live in a back bedroom. It must be killed and destroyed - today - and replaced with the sure promises of God and a heart filled with His perfect love.

I think we are all guilty of lust every single day. We're all guilty in different ways, but I'm probably most guilty of lusting after worldly things. Matt and I can afford nice things and knowing that I can afford something without breaking the bank, it's hard to say "no" sometimes. However, we are trying to be good stewards of our money. We tithe faithfully and save as much as we can. We are completely debt free except for our house, which will be paid off this year. Matt has absolutely no lust for worldly things, so it's hard for him to understand my feelings on the matter. It's my responsibility to remove that lust from my heart because it can easily be a source of disagreement and resentment. I'm trying to immerse my thoughts with God's word and realize that I have been blessed with so much. I have a wonderful husband that loves me. I have a roof over my head. I have a van that takes me to and from work safely. I have clothes to wear. I have food to eat. Praise the Lord for that.

Lord, Please help me remove any sources of lust from my heart. I need You to help me overcome the desires in my heart for worldly pleasures. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 23

Day 23: Love always protects - "Love always protects" - 1 Corinthians 13:7


The Love Dare book refers to several different things from which we need to protect ourselves, our spouses and our marriages.

1. Harmful influences: Things like the television, the internet and excessive work hours are all things that drain time from our family. You can't protect your home if you are too busy watching television or if you aren't home.




2. Unhealthy relationships: Don't we all have a friend or two that aren't good influences? These "friends" can often have different views and comments about commitment, priorities, marriage, etc. We should also constantly be aware of opposite-sex relationships. It's easy to become emtionally involved with someone who pays extra attention to you and can draw you away from your spouse.




3. Shame: This goes back to keeping our spouse's deepest darkest secrets and never speaking negatively of them to our friends or family. Our love can hide the faults of others and can cover their shame. There is no call for us to discuss the faults of our spouse with anyone. That should be private.




4. Parasites: Our pastor preached on this very subject and mentioned that things we don't think of as being parasites are exactly that. Parasites can be as small as the television and as great as drugs or pornography. No matter how big or small, a parasite sucks and sucks and sucks and eventually will drain you.

According to the Bible a "wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands" (Proverbs 14:1). It our job as a wife to protect our marriage. We can't let things lead us away by watching television or reading books that give us unrealistic expectations for our husband. It is our husband's job to be the head of the home. God puts that responsibility on our husbands and they are responsible for guarding our home and standing up for us against anything that might threaten us. Neither of these "jobs" are easy, but they are God-given and we should take them very seriously. We must answer to God for our actions.

Day 23 Dare: Remove anything that is hindering your relationship, any addiction or influence that's stealing your heart away from your spouse.

I'm especially notorious for blogging each night. This doesn't just mean that I get on the computer and blog about my family, but I also read others' blogs. It's so easy to get caught up in the drama of the lives of others, but realistically, it's stealing time away from my husband. I'm trying to be a lot better about choosing times that Matt isn't around to do my blogging. I'm trying to use Saturdays when my kids are napping and Matt's at the farm to catch up on everything.

Lord, please help me to keep my focus on my marriage and to remove anything that could hinder my relationship. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 22

Day 22: Love is faithful - "I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord." - Hosea 2:20

Faithfulness doesn't only mean keeping yourself just for your spouse sexually. It also means that no matter what happens, that you will love your spouse. Thru thick and thin, thru firestorms and calm times, you will love your spouse. Love is a choice and we must choose to be faithful in all aspects. God calls us to love Him with all our heart and soul and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Doesn't that mean that we should love our spouse as our self? Wow. Isn't our spouse our closest neighbor? Yes, of course. So, we should love him/her just as God called us to love Him. Faithfully.

Day 22 Dare: Love is a choice, not a feeling. It is an initiated action, not a knee-jerk reaction. Choose today to be committed to love even if your spouse has lost most of their interest in receiving it. Say to them today in words similar to these, "I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don't love me in return."

I'm very fortunate that Matt loves me just as much as I love him. Thru the tiniest of disagreements to the knock-down-drag-out fights, we still love each other. I have chosen to be committed to Matt and he is very much interested in receiving my love. He is just as committed to me and we are both completely faithful to each other.

Matt hasn't felt well this week, so I'm very glad that these dares have been more about "me" and my relationship with God as well as finding out things about myself. With God's help, I have been able to dig deeply into my heart and see that without Him, I am incapable of loving whole-heartedly and faithfully.

Lord, thank You for helping me choose to love Matt faithfully. Please help me to remember that without You, I would be completely incapable of giving the kind of love that Matt deserves and needs. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 21

Day 21: Love is satisfied in God – “The Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire.” – Isaiah 58:11

Sometimes we expect our spouse to satisfy all of our needs, but really there are desires deep inside of us that can only be satisfied by God. He is the only one that will not let us down. Think of all the times that your spouse has let you down. Maybe they didn’t even know it, but you were in some way disappointed. Maybe you thought she should have made a better financial decision. Maybe you thought he should have stayed home with you to help you with that sick child when he went fishing. There are lots of reasons to be dissatisfied with our spouse. He is human…just like me. So, I’m trying to remember that God is the only one that can satisfy my inner self and I should lean on Him and not put all of my security in my spouse.

Day 21 Dare: Be intentional today about making a time to pray and read your Bible. Try reading a chapter out of Proverbs each day (there are thirty-one – a full month’s supply), or reading a chapter in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). As you do, immerse yourself in the love and promises God has for you. This will add to your growth as you walk with Him.

I purchased a new Bible the same day I bought my Love Dare book. I chose a women’s devotional Bible and have enjoyed it so far. I started reading in Proverbs and continued for several chapters. I will be mindful in the planning of my day to include extra time to continue reading and studying.

Lord, thank You for Your Word. I have no idea where I be without Your Words of encouragement, enlightenment, love and support. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 20

Day 20: Love is Jesus Christ - "While were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." - Romans 5:6

Halfway thru the book, what a wonderful opportunity to reaffirm my salvation and come back to God with an even better understanding of what salvation actually means. I am a sinner...always have been, always will be. I'm imperfect and flawed. However, God loves me in spite of those flaws. Jesus Christ died for me even before I was born. He was thinking of me on that cross. Me. You. My husband. My children. My friends. He was thinking of US! Can you believe that? US?!?! He died for us. The ultimate sacrifice for me!! PRAISE GOD! The Bible says that once you have been saved you can understand love. Praise the Lord I was saved in 2001 and I am ready to live the dare. Won't you join me in Heaven? Won't you accept that Jesus died for me and you? If you are saved, continue this dare with me. If not, please take the time to contact me and I can help to lead you to the scriptures to prove that all you must do is ask for salvation and you will receive it. Then, once you pray to God to save you from your sins, you can join me in finishing this dare. Since I have not read ahead in the book, I do not know what lies ahead. However, seeing as it tells me that I am ready for the dare since I am saved, I can only imagine that it requires much more prayer and seeking the face of God as a person who knows I can now love unconditionally since accepting Jesus into my heart.

Day 20 Dare: Dare to take God at His word. Dare to trust Jesus Christ for salvation. Dare to pray, "Lord Jesus, I'm a sinner. But You have shown Your love for me by dying to forgive my sins, and You have proven Your power to save me from death by Your resurrection. Lord, change my heart, and save me by Your Grace."

Little did I know all those years ago that God was already preparing me for the Love Dare. How amazing that since I prayed that prayer in 2001, I can continue with the dare to not only grow to love my husband, my soul mate, my best friend in an unconditional way, but that I would grow even closer to my heavenly Father. I hope you have prayed that prayer like I have done.

Lord, thank you for my salvation. Thank you for my husband's salvation. May we grow closer to You together and raise our children up to accept You as their Lord as soon as they are old enough to understand.

The Love Dare - Day 19

Day 19: Love is impossible - "Let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." - 1 John 4:7

It's hard for me to imagine that people who do not know God are not capable of unconditional love. Can you believe that before I was saved, I didn't really know unconditional love? Wow - I just thought I loved Matt...then I was saved. God shows that type of love through us. According to the Bible, God's true word, if you are not right with God, you cannot unconditionally love someone. You can't give what you don't have. So, if you are not saved by the grace of God, please know that you will ONLY be saved if you ask Him to enter your heart. All you have to do is ask and confess of your sins. "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation" (Romans 10:9-10). I AM SAVED. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that when I die, I will meet Jesus face to face IN HEAVEN...my eternal home. Because of this, I can love unconditionally. I'm learning every day how to do that.

Day 19 Dare: Look back over the dares from previous days. Were there some that seemed impossible to you? Have you realized your need for God to change your heart and to give you the ability to love? Ask Him to show you where you stand with Him, and ask for the strength and grace to settle your eternal destination.

There were definitely some dares that I read and thought that I would never accomplish. For instance: Day 1 - No negative comments? Whew. I read that and thought to myself that I might as well give up now. Me? Not a single negative word to Matt? It seems as if I always said negative things to him...certainly not meaning to hurt him, but I think just out of habit. Once I made a conscious effort to stop saying negative things to him, it really lifted a burden from me. How about Day 5? Ask your spouse to tell you three things about you that make him irritated. Wow - I lucked up on that one. It was Valentine's Day, so we were already being sentimental and sappy. It was simple to bring that up in conversation...especially since he had already noticed how I hadn't been negative at all. I have started to realize that I need God more than ever and I've been so thirsty for Him. I have enjoyed this Love Dare so far, not only because of the impact it has had on me and Matt, but also the fact that it has brought me closer to God and has dared me to love Him more as well.

Lord, I know I'm going to Heaven when I die. Thank You for that. Thank You for giving Your son, Jesus Christ to die for me so that I can be saved and know true, unconditional, never-ending love. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 18

Day 18: Love seeks to understand - "How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding." - Proverbs 3:13


We should seek to study our spouse. I mean really study him/her. By doing so, it will give us greater insight into them and to help better understand them. Do you think you completely understand your spouse? I know I don't always understand mine...that's for sure. That's also part of being the opposite sex. We are built differently. God did that on purpose. We are built to complement each other. To mesh together. But, that doesn't mean it is easy. We are so different that we have a hard time understanding each other. Let's make it our goal to completely understand our spouse. I know for sure I'm trying every day.

Day 18 Dare: Prepare a special dinner at home, just for the two of you. The dinner can be as nice as you prefer. Focus this time on getting to know your spouse btter, perhaps in areas you've rarely talked about. Determine to make it an enjoyable evening for you and your mate.

Tonight, I created a nice, romantic evening for me and Matt. I had to wait until the kids were in bed in order for it to be just the two of us. While Matt was helping Ben into bed, I lit some candles and put out our fancy glasses that never get used. When he came down the steps, the buzzer to the oven went off and he saw the candles and glasses sitting on the table. He smiled. Just then, the buzzer went off and the pizza was ready. Yes, I said pizza. Matt has to be the pickiest eater on the face of the earth, so what you might consider a nice meal would make Matt gag. Who said pizza can't be romantic? I turned off the TV and the lights and we had a quiet dinner...just the two of us. It was very nice and I think I need to make this a habit. Maybe it should be a Friday night ritual. Turn off the TV and spend time together. How easy that would be for me to really seek to understand him with no other distractions!

Lord, thank You again for a wonderful evening with the love of my life. I pray for many more nights like this to come. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 17

Day 17: Love promotes intimacy - "He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." - Proverbs 17:9

It's so important to be intimate with our spouse. This isn't just physical intimacy, but also emotional intimacy which is sometimes so difficult. I really can't say this any better than The Love Dare book says it, so I'll quote from it: "Each of us comes into life with an inborn hunger to be known, loved, and accepted. We want people to know our name, to recognize us when they see us, and to value who we are. The prospect of sharing our home with another person who know us down to the most intimate detail is part of the deep pleasure of marriage." pg. 81. See? I told you I couldn't say it any better. It's true though...the deep pleasure of marriage is not physical at all. It's just knowing that someone knows you all the way down to the innermost depths of your heart. I'm glad to give that to Matt. He is the only one other than God that knows me so well. I pray that God leaves him here on earth for years and years to be my companion.

Day 17 Dare: Determine to guard your mate's secrets (unless they are dangerous to them or to you) and to pray for them. Talk with your spouse, and resolve to demonstrate love in spite of these issues. Really listen to them when they share personal thoughts and struggles with you. Make them feel safe.

Matt was out of town on business today and I accidentally almost missed this dare. Somehow, I skipped Day 17 last night when reading the book and thank goodness I looked back over it this morning before leaving for work. Today's dare didn't actually require that Matt be here, so I almost skipped a day without need!

Actually, guarding Matt's secrets come very easily to me. Matt doesn't really hesitate letting me know how he feels about certain things, people, events, etc. I also know that he expects me to keep the feelings he shares with me between the two of us. I have never, ever, ever felt the need to share his thoughts with anyone else. While I don't always agree with Matt, I love him in spite of those disagreements. That shows that I choose to love Matt. I choose him. Always.

Lord, help Matt to remember that he can completely trust me. I will always keep his secrets as part of my promise to love him. Thank you for such a wonderful man. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 17 Postponed UPDATE!!

UPDATE at 10:30 PM:

It's a good thing I looked at my book again this morning because I found that I had actually skipped Day 17 last night -the pages must have been stuck together or something - who know!?!. Today's dare didn't actually require that Matt be here, so it really worked out. It was Day 18 that he was required to be here for, so that's tomorrow. Whew...I'm still on track! Read the next post to see Day 17.

Matt is out of town on business today and will return tomorrow. Because the dare for today requires that he physically be here, it will have to wait until his return. However, it will give me an extra day to prepare for this dare and I'm looking forward to it. Check back tomorrow night! Until then, please continue to pray for me. This is a very personal and spiritual journey for me and my prayer is that it will touch not only my marriage, but the marriage of at least one other couple.

The Love Dare - Day 16

Day 16: Love intercedes – “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” – 3 John 2

We should pray for our spouses on a daily basis. It seems like we always remember to pray for ourselves, our children, those friends that asked you to pray for a specific need, etc., but why do we oftentimes forget to pray for our spouse. I don’t mean just pray for their safety or health (which seem to be first things that come to my mind), but pray for their heart, their soul, their total inner self. Today’s lesson focused on the fact that you cannot change your spouse (or anyone for that matter). I know that, but sometimes I selfishly forget that it can’t be done. All we can do is pray for our spouses…pray for them every single day. We should do this out of honor and love for both them and most importantly for God.

Day 16 Dare: Begin praying today for your spouse’s heart. Pray for three specific areas where you desire for God to work in your spouse’s life and in your marriage.

I did choose three areas to pray for Matt. I chose to pray for Matt that he will continue to grow in the Lord. I chose to pray for Matt that he will continue to be a Godly husband to me and father to our children. I chose to pray for Matt that by his actions and words, he will be a shining light and testimony to God’s grace and mercy. Matt is a wonderful man. But, just like me, he is a sinner saved by God’s grace. I’m going to make a point to pray for Matt in these specific areas every single day. It’s sometimes difficult for me to keep it about the other person. I want my prayers to be completely selfless.

Lord, please touch Matt in the areas about which I have already spoken with You. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that Matt and I will dwell in Your kingdom together forever. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 15

Day 15: Love is honorable – “Live with your wives in an understanding way…and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life.” - 1 Peter 3:7

Honoring our spouses is something that should be done on a daily basis…not only in their presence, but when we are away from them, too. There is nothing I despise more than someone talking negatively about his/her spouse. I cringe when someone tells me all the negative things about their spouse and doesn’t tell me one single, positive thing. Come on, tell me one thing. Think back to the reasons you married him/her. Why did you choose to love and marry that person? I know the day to day reality sets in and we forget about all of those things, but we must honor our spouse by NOT saying negative things about them…either to their face or behind their back. Honoring your spouse can be just turning off the TV when she wants to talk or getting off the phone when he comes home from work. It’s the little things that go such a long way!

Day 15 Dare: Choose a way to show honor and respect to your spouse that is above your normal routine. It may be holding the door for her. It might be putting his clothes away for him. It may be the way you listen and speak in your communication. Show your mate that he or she is highly esteemed in your eyes.

Today’s dare came naturally to me. There again, since Day One it has been much easier for me to do the “little things” because my negativity has diminished to nearly nothing. By not snapping at Matt when I’m grouchy or by talking to him with ears that are really listening to what he has to say, I’m honoring him. I know he is not a perfect person and it’s not always easy to show honor to someone at all times, but these last two weeks have been phenomenal. It’s amazing to me how by me choosing to honor him in the small, everyday things, I’m really making it a habit of honoring him in the big picture. I didn't do anything specific for today's dare. I feel like that it's becoming a habit for me to honor Matt. He can tell I’ve changed…I know he can.

Lord, again I come to you with a heart on fire for You and for my marriage. In all my life, I have never given all my effort to something so worthwhile and I can feel it changing me and others around me. Thank You, thank You, thank You. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 14

Day 14: Love takes delight – “Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your fleeting life.” – Ecclesiastes 9:9

Our lives are so busy, we often forget to stop and take delight in what we are experiencing at the present time. It’s hard to stop and just sit with your spouse when the yard needs to be mowed, laundry is piled to the ceiling, the kids are filthy and the car needs to be cleaned out from the moldy sippy cups that have rolled under the seat. I’m working on letting the little things go and delighting in the things that matter.

Day 14 Dare: Purposefully neglect an activity you would normally do so you can spend quality time with your spouse. Do something he or she would love to do or a project they’d really like to work on. Just be together.

Since blogging is something I normally do in the evenings, I’m neglecting this activity for tonight. Matt is in the shower and when I hear the water cut off, I’m all his!

Lord, let this evening be a blessing for our marriage. Help me let the little things go and focus on my wonderful, God-given husband. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 13

Day 12: Love fights fair – “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” – Mark 3:25

How hard is it to fight fair? I’m probably the queen of fighting dirty and it’s a constant battle within me not to do this. I try to remember that words cannot be taken back. Why would I want to say things that would hurt my spouse? Just because I’m hurting over something that has been said or done to me, doesn’t give me the right to turn around and hurt my spouse. It’s not fair. It does not make me the better person by doing this. It does not do anything to build up the other person. All it does is create more hurt and drive a wedge under the foundation of our marriage. Why on earth would I do that? I’m human. We’re sinners. It’s in our very nature. That’s why.

Day 12 Dare: Talk with your spouse about establishing healthy rules of engagement. If your mate is not ready for this, then write out your own personal rules to “fight” by. Resolve to abide by them when the next disagreement occurs.

Since Matt doesn’t know about the dare, I chose to write my own list. It’s not a long list, but it’s an important list. I will share it with you:

1. Do not speak in a negative tone to Matt

2. Do not raise your voice

3. Do not allow emotions to override rational thought

4. Listen to Matt before interjecting

5. Listen with understanding when my own faults are brought into light

I’m burning this list into my memory so that when the next disagreement occurs, I will be more than prepared to do my part in fighting fair.

Lord, I cannot thank You enough for the strength you have given me thus far. Please put Your hand upon me and help me to continue to do Your will. I want more than anything to strengthen my marriage for Your glory, but also to encourage others. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 12

Day 12: Love lets the other win – “Submit to one another out of reverence to Christ.” - Ephesians 5:21; “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for interests others.” - Philippians 2:4

Hmm…this can be very difficult, especially in a heated argument. It’s very hard to let the other person win an argument; however, how many arguments do we have that are trivial? Where do you want to go for dinner? What color do we paint the kitchen? Those types of questions come up in our daily lives and are certainly areas that we can choose to let the other win. Is there really anything wrong with stopping and grabbing a quick dinner at Arby’s instead of spending the extra money and going to Chili’s? Or, is Tempered All Spice really that different from Delta Sandbar once you get them on the wall? I could certainly (not necessarily easily) give in on “arguments” such as this. Can you imagine the peace in your home if you didn’t fuss about the things that really don’t matter? What about those things that do matter? Do we spank the kids or just send them to time out? You want a new car, but your spouse doesn’t think it’s necessary. These things can turn into big deals quickly, but if we think and plan ahead as to how we will handle issues like this we can train ourselves to let things go for the sake of our marriage.

Day 12 Dare: Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting their preference first.

There wasn’t really anything today that brought about a disagreement in our house. Matt stayed home from the farm today since his dad worked today. It was really nice since the kids were away last night and didn’t come home until naptime! We slept in and then had a quiet breakfast together. Honestly, since Day 1, there have been few disagreements because I have chosen to be positive instead of negative. I can’t think of one single, solitary negative thing I have said to Matt in the last 12 days. So, giving in to areas of disagreement is coming easily to me. Since I’m the one that usually gets riled up about things we can’t agree on, it’s been rather peaceful. I will continue to do this and remember to keep my negativity at bay. I hope you are able to submit to your spouse as you do to Christ. I’m working on it and it is definitely coming easier every day!

Lord, as the days go by, help me to remember the reason for my Love Dare. Please help me to know that I am doing this so that my marriage is strengthened and glorifies You. Help me to be an example and source of encouragement to those couples in desperate need. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 11

Day 11: Love cherishes - “Husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies” – Ephesians 5:28

To me, this means that you should look at and love your spouse like he/she is part of you. When we get married, we become one. Growing up, my dad always told my sister and me, “speak nicely of your sister as she is part of your family. What you say about her is a reflection of you.” I think the same thing holds true of your spouse. Treat your spouse as you would want to be treated. Speak highly of him. What you say about your spouse behind her back is a direct reflection of you. You chose to marry this person. At some point, you chose to love this person for better or for worse. Cherish the good things and overlook the not so good. Cherish your time together for only God knows what moment will be your last.

Day 11 Dare: What need does your spouse have that you might meet today? Can you run an errand? Give a back rub or foot massage? Is there housework you could help with? Choose a gesture that says, “I cherish you” and do it with a smile.

Today was difficult for me. Matt isn't a really "needy" person. We were supposed to go to dinner at a friend of mine's house. She ended up having to take her mom to the emergency room, so since we already had a babysitter, we decided to go to Ruby Tuesday for dinner. We had nice conversation and a relaxing evening. He and I enjoyed each other's company thoroughly and since we weren't in hurry to eat (the kids spent the night with his mom and dad) we were able to just sit at the table after dinner and talk. We talked about our jobs (as much as he is allowed to tell me about his), our kids, our families, the economy, our impending Vegas trip, etc. I asked him if there was anything he needed me to do when we got home and he said he couldn't think of anything. I pondered and pondered and just couldn't come up with anything. I asked him later if I could give him a backrub and he said he didn't need one. Oh well. Maybe I will get an opportunity to do something for him tomorrow since we'll be together all day.

Lord, thank you for a wonderful evening alone with my husband. I do cherish him and our time together. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 10

Day 10: Love is unconditional – “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Roman 5:8

God wants us to love our spouse like He loves us. Unconditionally. Not, “I love you because…” Just, “I love you.” Yes, it’s wonderful to build up our spouses by telling them the things we adore about them. To me, that should just help to intensify the unconditional love, not define it. Our spouses can’t make us love them. We choose to love them. We don’t love someone because they are pretty or because they behave in a certain way - those are characteristics that attract us to that person, not make us love them. Looks and behaviors change over the years but a deep, absolute, unconditional love withstands the test of time.

Day 10 Dare: Do something out of the ordinary for your spouse – something that proves (to you and to them) that your love is based on your choice and nothing else. Wash her car. Clean the kitchen. Buy his favorite dessert. Fold the laundry. Demonstrate love to them for the sheer joy of being their partner in marriage.

I decided that for today’s dare, I would put away the tools that Matt has been using for our bathroom remodels. He is finished with the exception of trimming out the paint and installing a towel ring at each sink. He told me that he would just wait and put everything away at the same time. So, while he was in the shower, I took the tools (wrenches, hammer, dry wall screws, etc.) he didn’t need for the remaining projects and placed him in his new tool box in the garage. I put each one in their respective drawer/cabinet and then he wouldn’t have to do it later. At first, he didn’t notice, but then he thanked me for doing it. I told him I wasn’t just doing it because I was sick of looking at them. I did it because I wanted to show him that I love him and I wanted to help him to demonstrate that love.

So far, Matt still doesn’t know that I’m doing the Love Dare. As I said in my original post, I’m doing this Love Dare not because we are having “problems,” but because I want to strengthen our marriage. I want to do this in order to build a “Fireproof” relationship that is not only ready to withstand a small fire, but is able to endure what could easily be a catastrophic fire. We will still be standing together when the fires come and go.

Lord, I praise You and already feel that I am coming closer to You thru this Love Dare. I only pray that someone else will be touched by my journey and either come to know You or realize that their marriage is worth saving. I could not do this without You. Amen.

The Love Dare - Day 9

Day 9: Love makes good impressions - "Whatever is in your heart determines what you say." (Luke 6:45 NLT)

Isn't that verse true? How many times do we just speak our mind and heart without thinking first? If you have disdain in your heart, do you often say hateful things? Of course you do. I know I do. We're human. First impressions are lasting impressions. Not just the first time you meet someone, but the minute you walk in the door at home, too. If you are polite and kind to your spouse as soon as you walk in, doesn't it set the tone for the rest of the evening. If I walk in and immediately roll my eyes because the dishwasher isn't empty like I asked, I can assure you that the mood for the rest of the night will be one of negativity and petty arguments. Guaranteed.

Day 9 Dare: Think of a specific way you’d like to greet your spouse today. Do it with a smile and with enthusiasm. Then determine to change your greeting to reflect your love for them.

Usually when I come home from work, I'm running in the door, dropping my bags, kids, shoes, coats, papers, etc in the floor quickly so I can run in and go to the bathroom. Half the time, I don't even say hello to Matt. Today was a little out of the ordinary because I had a meeting at daycare after work. I'm on the Parent Advisory Board and the meeting lasted until about 7:30. It was about 8:00 when I got home last night, which is about an hour past Katie's bedtime. Both kids were in a good mood and for some reason, I didn't have as much stuff in my arms when I walked in the door. I put everything down, said hello to Matt, gave him a hug and kiss. Then, I proceeded to do all the normal stuff. It was the first impression of a loving greeting that set the tone for our evening. After putting the kids to bed, we just sat in the living room and watched a little TV. It was nice for me to be able to relax with Matt since my house was cleaned yesterday and I am caught up on my laundry. I had nothing that HAD to be done tonight. It was a pleasant evening and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's dare.

Lord, thank you again for a pleasant evening. I'm up for this challenge and my heart is 100% invested. Amen.