“Pride comes in many shapes and forms.  Have you ever thought about how much we sometimes pay for the privilege of pride?  Are you one of those people who would never, ever consider buying, or worse, wearing used clothing?...I don't expect you to dress in rags, but try this formula..."used" = "true value".  There are ways to get fantastic things at extremely reduced prices -- things you could never afford otherwise. 

Personally, I take pride in my ability to save money.  I don't think that's bad, especially if we give God the credit for finding the bargain for us.  I have a friend who prays every time she goes out to shop.  She prays that she'll find the right outfit at the right price.  Do you know?  She usually does!”*

*From Quit Your Job! You Really Can Afford Stay at Home Parenthood  (full of unique money saving hacks)

 Books Available at: https://www.amazon.com/author/jeannegormick.com

“Always work off of a budget.  Budgets serve as good guides to saving.  Research budget calculators online. They can be most helpful. Knowing where your dollar goes will make you a spending winner…”*

 *From Quit Your Job! You Really Can Afford Stay at Home Parenthood  (full of unique money saving hacks)

 Books Available at: https://www.amazon.com/author/jeannegormick.com

After I lost Cal (and later Kirk) I missed the hugs they both provided.

“…I miss having you to bounce stuff off of, helping me make decisions and giving me a big hug when I need it…”*

*From Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

“As the wife of an unbeliever, I always surrounded myself with Godly men: pastors, friends and a son to whom I could go with questions of submission.  If your husband doesn’t know the Lord, I recommend you find Godly men and women to provide the guidance and support you will need.”*

*From Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

Acknowledge the freedom you have to be yourself because he gets you and appreciates you. Then you can be “genuine” and “transparent” together.

“I gave him freedom to go out and do Karaoke by himself.”*

I was not a singer or even a music appreciator, so this made complete sense for us.

*From Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

“Looking back, I never would have dreamed that there could be fulfillment in a trip to the zoo, doing 10 loads of laundry, cooking, baking, cleaning, ironing, or chauffeuring children to their various activities.  I actually found joy in these activities and in trying to see how much money I could save by using coupons.  My flexible hours and homebased business location permitted me the time I needed to shop for sales.  I couldn't do that, while working on someone else's timetable.”*

 *From Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

“Finally, she recommended praying for ‘God to fill (me) with love for (him) so that (I) could genuinely love him regardless of (our) differences or his weaknesses.’ Praise God, these prayers were being answered, even as we entered the difficult years of growing old together with the changes that brought!”*

 *From Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

My advice is to be grateful everyday - not just on Thanksgiving. Be grateful for just being alive when things are tough and share positivity on other days. My prayers go out to you all.

“’Affirmation is more than a man’s desire-much more.  Acceptance and encouragement are Biblical requirements…(Romans 15:7) NIV…(1 Thessalonians 5:11) NIV…(Hebrews 3:13) NIV…(I needed) to learn how to love (Cal) as he was…(My) first step-the primary one-is to love, accept, and even honor (my) imperfect husband.’”*

 *From Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

6 Connection Exercises for Couples To Build Intimacy – Jordan Gray
https://www.jordangrayconsulting.com/6-connection-exercises-for-couples-to-build-intimacy/

Being fully intimate with your spouse is more than just being physically intimate. Explore emotional, intellectual, experiential and spiritual intimacy to create Your Treasured Marriage.

"Cal and I never really experienced spiritual intimacy by attending church regularly and reading the Bible or praying together. I longed for that in our marriage."*

*From Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

 “As I released hold of my life to God, Cal slowly began taking his rightful place as head.  Things got so much better.  It was all in my attitude, giving my self to God and lifting Cal up in prayer.  That created the transformation both of us needed.  God was toppling another god in my life…the god of control.  As God led me to release my gods, He brought me freedom.  These changes were setting us both free.  God’s desire for us is to have an abundant life, through Jesus.”*

 *From Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

Pray for him to set boundaries to get the rest he needs and that he eats healthy meals, when you can’t be there to make them for him.

“(Cal) acknowledged that I tried to keep him healthy;”*

*From Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

“Successful marriages are certainly based on frequent, effective, clear and open communication along with saying “I love you”. Assure your man that he is appreciated.  Make time for each other as a couple and have separate time for your own interests. Understanding to agree to disagree Build trust and learn to forgive. Words and advice to live by, but not always easy for us.”*

 *From Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

As you each change over the years, strive to continue to grow together. We all change.  Know it’s going to happen, but continue to believe in and live out your vows

 “There is never a guaranteed security that a marriage will last, whether the couple marries young or when they are more mature.  Our early expectations were of having fun…being best friends.  Of course, that was very simplistic and somewhat immature.  We learned quickly to decide we had to make a lifelong commitment to one another.”*

 *From my soon to be launched book, Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

 “I was called to ‘love’ Cal and I believe that meant putting an ‘L’ into the word “compete.” I was competing with Cal, but the Lord was calling me to walk beside him, to complete him...

 Coupled with my need to compete with Cal to be as important as he was to our family and in the world, our marriage and family were at risk. If I didn’t make some very necessary changes through Holy Spirit guidance, we would be in trouble. But it has not been easy.”*

 *From Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

 “My husband and kids were healthy and happy.”*
 
“He knew how difficult it had been for me to quit the job I loved so much, but this was my first indication that Cal wasn't so happy about my career choices.  For the first time, I saw where we might have been headed.  When I think of what I could have lost, I can only praise God for rescuing me before it was too late.”*

NOTE:  Keeping customers happy is important for anyone in business, too.  Keep in close contact with your customers to maintain healthy relationships with them.

 
*From my new book, Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

 GREAT WEDDING GIFT

Signed Copies Still Available at https://www.jeannegormick.com/your-treasured-marriage-pre-sale

As you each change over the years, strive to continue to grow together. We all change.  Know it’s going to happen, but continue to believe in and live out your vows

 “There is never a guaranteed security that a marriage will last, whether the couple marries young or when they are more mature.  Our early expectations were of having fun…being best friends.  Of course, that was very simplistic and somewhat immature.  We learned quickly to decide we had to make a lifelong commitment to one another.”*

 *From Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

 ENCOURAGING RELATIONSHIP SPEAKER AVAILABLE for

Corporations, Business Associations and Churches

https://www.jeannegormick.com/speaker-available

Presenting at National Association of Professional Women

“I loved Cal; but when I prayed that God would help me to love him, I became more aware of it and at our next crisis I seemed to become less ‘me’-filled and more Spirit-filled!  I'd pray, ‘Lord, You know that You are the only One who can get me through this and keep our marriage strong!’"** 

 **From my new book, Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

GREAT WEDDING GIFT

Signed Copies Still Available at https://www.jeannegormick.com/your-treasured-marriage-pre-sale

*NOTE: This works in business relationships too.  Let everyone know you care.

Admire His Courage and Strength When Life Gets Tough

By recognizing his courage during tough times and when making difficult decisions, you are showing him the appreciation he so deeply needs from you.

“I miss having you there for support in the tough times.”*

*From my new book, Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

GREAT WEDDING GIFT

Signed Copies Still Available at https://www.jeannegormick.com/your-treasured-marriage-pre-sale

 “‘God has created man and woman to be helpmates (soul mates) to work together as a successful team for Him – to complement each other.   God said,

 ‘…It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18) NIV’”*

*From my new book, Your Treasured Marriage: A God-Centered Guidebook to Create Long-Lasting Love

GREAT WEDDING GIFT

Signed Copies Still Available at https://www.jeannegormick.com/your-treasured-marriage-pre-sale