Thursday, February 25, 2010
Love Promotes Intimacy
Day 17
"Determine to guard your 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."
This happens just about every day. Logan and I both can get into deep conversation and be completely honest about our wants, needs, fears, and struggles. This man I am married to is the most forgiving to his wife. I am far from perfect and he knows all my faults and never once has he turned his back on me. We are each others rock and that's why I can say we are a match made in heaven =) Who can claim they're infallible, there's only one at it sure as heck isn't me. After NINE years together, I can say what we have together doesn't come around often. A marriage is more than what's expected on the surface, you have to go through ups and downs and come out STILL loving one another. You have to be disappointed or let down. Be adventurous and not always predictable. Disagree. Agree. Nuture. the list goes on. My point is this, a marriage is more than bliss, it's suppose to have tough spots in it too. I believe those are the times that show truth in your vows. Anyone can love, that's the easiest part but can you and your spouse survive the battles of life? Only time will tell.
"Determine to guard your 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."
This happens just about every day. Logan and I both can get into deep conversation and be completely honest about our wants, needs, fears, and struggles. This man I am married to is the most forgiving to his wife. I am far from perfect and he knows all my faults and never once has he turned his back on me. We are each others rock and that's why I can say we are a match made in heaven =) Who can claim they're infallible, there's only one at it sure as heck isn't me. After NINE years together, I can say what we have together doesn't come around often. A marriage is more than what's expected on the surface, you have to go through ups and downs and come out STILL loving one another. You have to be disappointed or let down. Be adventurous and not always predictable. Disagree. Agree. Nuture. the list goes on. My point is this, a marriage is more than bliss, it's suppose to have tough spots in it too. I believe those are the times that show truth in your vows. Anyone can love, that's the easiest part but can you and your spouse survive the battles of life? Only time will tell.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Love is Honorable
Day 15
"Choose a way to show honor and respect to your spouse that is above your normal routine. It may be holding the door for him. 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."
My husband has an adventurous mind. He loves to tell me about these explorations that one day he plans on taking (with me of course). I love how he thinks, I truly do but sometimes I feel the need to bring him back to reality because these "adventures" are slightly far-fetched. Over the weekend, another future journey came to his mind and I began listening. I started to wander off into his "fantasy travels" and realized how amazing he plans things out. He really puts thought into them and I wanted to show him my enthusiasm because I didn't dare want his story ruined or to end. With the help of my excitement, he turned into this giddy creature that I haven't seen in SO long. It amazes me, how much he wants his thoughts to be accepted and I just let them go. I learned today to not always think about how improbable his adventures may be, rather enjoy the delight we both share from them. It was FUN.
"Choose a way to show honor and respect to your spouse that is above your normal routine. It may be holding the door for him. 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."
My husband has an adventurous mind. He loves to tell me about these explorations that one day he plans on taking (with me of course). I love how he thinks, I truly do but sometimes I feel the need to bring him back to reality because these "adventures" are slightly far-fetched. Over the weekend, another future journey came to his mind and I began listening. I started to wander off into his "fantasy travels" and realized how amazing he plans things out. He really puts thought into them and I wanted to show him my enthusiasm because I didn't dare want his story ruined or to end. With the help of my excitement, he turned into this giddy creature that I haven't seen in SO long. It amazes me, how much he wants his thoughts to be accepted and I just let them go. I learned today to not always think about how improbable his adventures may be, rather enjoy the delight we both share from them. It was FUN.
Love Intercedes
Day 16
"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 prayed today for quite some time and throughout the day. I prayed for Logan to have mercy on Him, believe he is true. I prayed for Logan to be content with every situation he has no control over. I prayed that our marriage (as great as it is today) has the ability to be greater with every passing day. The love we have only flourishes more. Our children continue to be the best they can and never give up even if life seems difficult at times. I prayed today, for good health in my husband, my children and myself. Today I prayed.
"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 prayed today for quite some time and throughout the day. I prayed for Logan to have mercy on Him, believe he is true. I prayed for Logan to be content with every situation he has no control over. I prayed that our marriage (as great as it is today) has the ability to be greater with every passing day. The love we have only flourishes more. Our children continue to be the best they can and never give up even if life seems difficult at times. I prayed today, for good health in my husband, my children and myself. Today I prayed.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Love Takes Delight
Day 14
"Purposefully neglect an activity you would normally do so you can spend quality time with your spouse. Do something he would love to do or a project they'd really like to work on."
Today I decided to give up on homework. I am taking four classes this semester, two of which are online. Although it may seem easier to take classes online, its actually more time consuming. I practically check my classes FIVE times a day to catch up on a DB (discussion board) or respond to someone's thread they posted. I seriously don't want to miss anything because they are so interesting to me. Anyhow, yesterday I gave it up for the day. I decided to spend every moment with Logan and Connor (while Brennen went to the drag races with his friend). The sun was shining, the breeze was actually warm and it reached a whopping 60 degrees. We went on this beautiful, adventerous bike ride. The smiles on all three of our faces said it all...THIS is what lifes about =)
"Purposefully neglect an activity you would normally do so you can spend quality time with your spouse. Do something he would love to do or a project they'd really like to work on."
Today I decided to give up on homework. I am taking four classes this semester, two of which are online. Although it may seem easier to take classes online, its actually more time consuming. I practically check my classes FIVE times a day to catch up on a DB (discussion board) or respond to someone's thread they posted. I seriously don't want to miss anything because they are so interesting to me. Anyhow, yesterday I gave it up for the day. I decided to spend every moment with Logan and Connor (while Brennen went to the drag races with his friend). The sun was shining, the breeze was actually warm and it reached a whopping 60 degrees. We went on this beautiful, adventerous bike ride. The smiles on all three of our faces said it all...THIS is what lifes about =)
Friday, February 19, 2010
Love Fights Fair
Day 13
"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."
Our rules:
1. We will never mention divorce.
2. We will not bring up old, unrelated items from the past.
3. We will never fight in public or in front of our children.
4. We will never touch one another in a harmful way.
5. Failure is NOT an option.
My own "me" rules:
1. I will listen first before speaking.
2. I will deal with my own issues up front.
3. I will speak gently and keep my voice down.
*If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.~ Mark 3:25
"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."
Our rules:
1. We will never mention divorce.
2. We will not bring up old, unrelated items from the past.
3. We will never fight in public or in front of our children.
4. We will never touch one another in a harmful way.
5. Failure is NOT an option.
My own "me" rules:
1. I will listen first before speaking.
2. I will deal with my own issues up front.
3. I will speak gently and keep my voice down.
*If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.~ Mark 3:25
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Yes, a huge gap.
Obviously it has been a while since I last posted anything, let me explain...Mid January a tragic event happened to the people of Haiti. An earthquake that not only rocked their country, it rocked their lives forever. Within 48-hours, my husband received orders to deploy to Port Au Prince, Haiti in the efforts to help. Before I knew it, he was gone and already put to work by helping the US Embassy set up hospital tents as well as continue to find helpless survivors of this horrific tragedy. Logan was gone for a mere two weeks but those days he was there helped him put our family life into perspective. We are so blessed to have the resources here to help in any way a huge event were to take place and the love and support a family gives is more than words could explain...Now back to why I have an explanation. What many people don't realize is that when a husband (or wife in some cases) leave the home, returning is a huge adjustment. Logan has been deployed before and much longer than two weeks at that, but when he comes home, reacclimating is always difficult. When this occurs litterally everything stops and the focus is primarily put on family life. This is such an important part of making things work in a military family. It's hard to explain such a thing because it's in a league of it's own. Military is a lifestyle that at first can be extremely hard to get use to but we have no other choice. It pains me to say that the government puts their soldiers first and the rest of the family is not (this is a honest to goodness excuse for why it has taken me SO long to finish school). Back to my reasoning, so for the rest of us, we need to put in the effort to make time for family. I hardly get any time to do things I would love to do on a day-to-day basis and that's because my focus is on the Bixler's. This isn't me complaining because I don't regret the life I have. I adore my husband to pieces and our children mean the world to us. I have chosen to make certain parts in my life more important than others. I wouldn't be happy if I didn't have these loves and for that I put other hobbies on the "back burner". It's that simple.
(I know my explanation is a bit scatter-brained but I could go on in tangents)
(I know my explanation is a bit scatter-brained but I could go on in tangents)
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