Dear Friends,
Let's face it, confronting others is often difficult! And these Covid times are not helping.... rather they are often providing more challenging situations. So how do you confront others in a way that is helpful vs hurtful to the relationship?
This series (from Focus on the Family) is designed to help you approach awkward or challenging situations in a way that protects relationships or leads to healing and reconciliation.  Enjoy :) 
Episode 1 - Confrontation: Coming Together Face to FaceEpisode 2 - The Four Core Styles of CommunicationEpisode 3: Three Biblical Principles to RememberEpisode 4: Six Strategies for Effective ConfrontationEpisode 5: Forgiveness: Where Does the Strength Come From?

We hope you enjoyed this series....  For more interesting videos and resources, please check out these additional series, videos or specific resources for Marriages,  Parenting and Life Challenges from Focus on the Family.

I encourage you to contact Pastor John  for additional marriage or family support.
May God bless you and your family! 
-Shawnda

Dear Friends,

Daily life is hectic, and it’s a little too easy to forget to live joyfully in the midst of busyness. In marriage as in the rest of life, cultivating joy is essential. Sometimes it takes a little extra effort to make sure we’re giving time and effort to joy.
If you’re looking for ways to renew joy in your own marriage, we’ve gathered some quick tips on how to do so. Read on to find out how from Dr. Les and Leslie Parrott!

1. BE INTIMATE.When we’re busy and stressed, intimacy is often one of the first things we push to the side. Instead of letting the daily grind drive you apart, be intentional about sharing intimate moments throughout your day. Any time you and your spouse get a moment to share intimacy, even if it’s just in a look or a simple touch, take that opportunity. You’ll be surprised just how much of an effect these positive interactions will have on your relationship.

2. SAVOR SMALL JOYS.Being joyful in marriage is often about paying attention to the simple pleasures of life. What seemingly small things make you both happy? Is there a way you can bring more of that into your daily life? Think about the small joys that make you happy and find a way to wrap more of those things into your day.

3. CREATE JOYFUL MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST.Intentionally create joyful memories together that will carry you through both good times and bad. These can be a combination of big and small joys. It could be as simple as a sweet handwritten note in the midst of a busy day, or as elaborate as a date night out or a weekend getaway. Be fully present with one another, and decide beforehand that you want to make beautiful memories to share for years to come.

4. EXCHANGE SURPRISE GIFTS SPONTANEOUSLY.Gift-giving is a way many people love to communicate and receive affection. Giving a gift to your spouse is a beautiful way to cultivate joy. It lets them know you’re thinking of them and want to make them smile. Don’t limit your gifts or tokens to holidays and designated special occasions. Time can get away from us too easily. So make it a point to give gifts to one another at random and unexpected times, just to say, “I love you.”

5. BREAK UP YOUR ROUTINE.Sometimes our routine itself can get so mundane and consuming that we forget to find joy in the day-to-day. So try breaking up your regular routine, if it’s possible for you. Can you and your spouse deviate slightly from your normal habits in order to inject a little excitement into your day? Talk it out and evaluate whether there’s a way to bring additional joy into your ordinary activities.

6. REMEMBER TO PLAY.Play is essential for good health and good relationships. We wholeheartedly encourage the couples we counsel to find ways to play together. Making play an essential part of your life will encourage you to create joy at every opportunity. Whether you enjoy board games, sports, getting outside with your pets, or other activities, find what works for you and go with it. And if you’re not sure what kinds of play work for you, start exploring!

7. BE ALERT FOR NEW SOURCES OF JOY.Keep your eyes open for new sources of joy. You might find new activities you love to share, make new friends, or even a daily habit like journaling that helps you chronicle your gratitude. Whatever the case, stay aware of opportunities for joy in the world around you, and you will be more likely to find and incorporate them into your life.

Sometimes, we lose our grip on joy because we’re packing our schedules too tightly, leaving little room for enjoyment. If you and your spouse need help managing your time so you have room for joy, then Your Time-Starved Marriage is a good start. You can pick up a copy here.

Click here to check out many marriage video clips from Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott. 

As always, I encourage you to Pastor John  for additional marriage or family support.
May God bless you and your family!
Shawnda  

Dear Friends,

Being a parent can be challenging...especially if you have teenagers who are maturing and entering a fast-moving, complex world. How do you get your son or daughter ready? How can you help them hold on to their faith? How do you know if you’re doing a good job as a parent?
The good news is you don't have to be a perfect parent!  Even good parents can learn how to connect with their son or daughter in deeper, more meaningful ways.

We invite you to follow along this FREE, 8-part video series (from Focus on the Family) called “8 Essential Tips for Parenting Teens” designed to give you practical, action-oriented steps for raising your teen. (Or you can sign up to have the tips sent directly to your inbox by clicking here).  Teenagers need a lot — freedom and responsibility and encouragement and boundaries. But mostly, they need you!

Here are the 8 short tips that will be covered in this series:

Tip #1: Be open with your kids about your imperfections. 
In this first video of the series, teacher, author, and counselor Chip Dodd shares how being honest about our imperfections, as well as being real with our emotions, can help your kids grow up to be healthy adults. Good parents aren’t perfect. Living authentically can be a powerful tool in building relationships with your children and teaching them about Jesus Christ.
Click here to watch Session #1 video, learn 3 quick tips, and pray together.

Tip #2: Nurture Your Teen’s Faith by Modeling Your Own. 
Just like their growing bodies, teenagers’ faith lives are changing too. Bible stories and silly songs are things of the past. Tough questions and personal decision-making are front and center now. The second video in this series features author Jessie Minassian, who says that building your kids’ faith begins with you. Let them watch you follow in Jesus’ footsteps and seek to be His disciple. An authentic, living faith will speak volumes!
Click here to watch Session #2 video, learn 3 quick tips, and pray together.  

Tip #3: Stick with your teen through the tough times.
Post-prom breakups. Season-ending sports injuries. Bombed mid-year exams. Your teenager is going to face setbacks and struggles and will wrestle with a spectrum of emotions — loss, grief, loneliness, guilt, anger. In video 3, counselor Chip Dodd shares a story about his own son and reminds you that you are uniquely positioned — as a mom or dad — to simply be present in your teen’s life. More than anything, he or she needs to know that you’ll be there.
Click here to watch Session #3 video, learn 3 quick tips, and pray together.

Tip# 4:  Keep lines of communication open.
Eyerolls and attitude are going to happen — because, hey, teens are going to be teens. But your communication with them is most effective when you purposefully connect with them, get into their world, and give them chances to earn your trust. In the fourth video of this series, author Jessie Minassian shares practical ideas for bonding. Ask questions casually. Prioritize one-on-one time. Discover their personality. Just have fun together.
Click here to watch Session #4 video, learn 3 quick tips, and pray together.

Tip #5: Leverage the uniqueness moms AND dads bring.
Mom’s style and Dad’s way — they are definitely NOT the same. But BOTH offer something valuable to a growing teenager. Whether you’re part of a two-parent home or parenting solo, trust your unique strengths to breathe life into your child. In tip number 5, author Connie Albers says    there is beauty in the varying ways parents seek to shape and care for their young adult’s tender heart.
Click here to watch Session #5 video, learn 3 quick tips, and pray together.

Tip# 6:  Encourage your teen to grow in their strengths.
For all the difficulties and dangers in the world, now really is an exciting time to be a teenager. Thanks to technology, there is great opportunity for young adults to be world-changers and kingdom-shapers for Jesus. In the sixth tip of this series, author Connie Albers encourages you to help your teen find their passions and discover how to use their talents to serve the Lord. Your voice means so much to them. What words will you speak into them?
Click here to watch Session #6 video, learn 3 quick tips, and pray together.

Tip #7: Don’t make decisions for them — talk to them about values.
You’re right to have concerns about what’s on social media these days. But using Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and other platforms wisely can be valuable teaching moments. In tip number 7, author Jonathan McKee shares that moms and dads can boost their teen’s maturity and growth by having everyday conversations about values and truths and reading God’s Word together. Then let go and let them make some choices — not just abide by your house rules.
Click here to watch Session #7 video, learn 3 quick tips, and pray together.

Tip# 8: Talk about technology use and embrace the "why."
Do you have rules for screen time? For cell phones? For Netflix? Parents today have to set a lot of boundaries, especially about technology in the home. In the eighth and final tip of this series, author Jonathan McKee says that you should have an ongoing family talk about the “why” behind those limits. If your teen understands the heart behind those guardrails, they’re much more likely to choose boundaries for themselves.
Click here to watch Session #8 video, learn 3 quick tips, and pray together.

We hope you enjoy this parenting series! As always, I encourage you to contact  Pastor Christian or Pastor John  for additional marriage or family support.
May God bless you and your family!
Shawnda