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Better Than Newlyweds

Where the Honeymoon never ends!

Renew Your Mind to Renew Your Marriage | Stacy Hudson

March 13, 2017 by Mrs. Hudson

Have you ever been guilty of “stinkin’ thinkin'”? All of us have done it before. We expected the worst and that is usually what we got. If we are not careful “stinkin’ thinkin'” will affect our marriages. Always thinking negatively about your husband or always expecting the worst outcome is a sure way to have an unhappy marriage.

It is so crucial that you guard your heart and renew your mind daily. In marriage it is easy to gt upset and stay upset. After all, our husbands are human so they will make mistakes. We can choose to dwell on those and let bitterness take root in our hearts or we can remember that God’s mercy is new every morning and we should walk in it.

Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

 

If God’s mercies are new every morning for us, why do we not offer the same for our husbands? Being married… being one with someone… means that everything they do or don’t do… affects us more than if it were just a friend. Our husbands are the ones who we bare our souls to and our bodies… this leaves us more vulnerable and means that the pain from a betrayal or let down will cut deeper and hurt longer. With God’s help we can heal and overcome. With God’s help we can forgive and turn any test of our marriages into a testimony.

My friend, Karen who writes at Redeeming Love, shared with me some scriptures that helped her turn their test into a testimony.

Here are some of my favorite scriptures. I read His word and cried out to God so much while I was standing and praying for my marriage and family ? They lifted me and filled my heart exactly when I needed. I hope they encourage you too.

 

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV)

 

And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. (‭Job‬ ‭11‬:‭18‬ ESV)

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬ ESV)

Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ESV)

And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” (‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬ ESV)

Filed Under: Marriage Monday Tagged With: God, heart, marriage, Redeeming Love

My husband’s wedding ring seemed to be missing – again. | Guest Blogger – Susan B. Mead

March 6, 2017 by Mrs. Hudson

Have you ever lost something dear to you and thought just show up, please?

You look high and low – then look again, retracing every step and picking up every piece of paper in your path. Yet you are disappointed, distraught and even disgusted with yourself (or whomever!) for losing that precious thing in the first place.

Yea, me too.

My husband’s wedding ring seemed to be missing – again. Not the first time this year, but the second time, his wedding band was MIA. We are wedded, yet I was deeply wounded by this loss. A gulf emerged, separating the two of us.

just show up, Have you ever lost something dear to you and thought just show up, please? This post contains 3 scripture verses to recall when your world is rocked.

Anger, hurt, and dismay warred within me. He remembers his watch, yet forgets ME echoed in my head. Silly, I know, yet in my mind, when he removes his wedding ring it seems to distance his heart from mine too.

Anybody else dealt with similar thoughts and feelings, for whatever reason?

Was I out of my mind to think like this? Holt loves me – and was distraught at the loss – his loss. With so much emotion at play, I had to decide to walk in wisdom. Emotionally rocked is a vulnerable place – and I do not want to put my marriage on the rocks!

Would I wind up words, hurl them, hurt him-& our marriage–over a thing–his ring?
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Or would I line up beside him, raising hands and praising God for His faithfulness?

God kept us together through the hardest loss of all, the loss of a child, a son, our youngest one. Family is key.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:8-10 (NIV)

Does a thing – a ring – really matter? There’s a better question – where is my treasure?

Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

Truth hit me – square in the face. This is exactly where the enemy wants me – and you – to be – warring with our husbands – for whatever reason. We must choose to build bridges built on love, trust, and hope with the mighty hand of God guiding us.

just show up, Have you ever lost something dear to you and thought just show up, please? This post contains 3 scripture verses to recall when your world is rocked.

So we looked again, thinking just show up, please. Seemed like nothing – except prayer and praise – would raise this thing!

God knocked on my heart early today, so up I got out of bed and down I sat to read His Word and pray His will – with a special prayer raised for revealing the wedding ring, restoring the thing that symbolizes my husband’s commitment to our marriage.

“Please let it just show up, God.”
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Knock, knock, Holt rapped on my door, something he seldom does when I pray. He just showed up at the door, raised his hand, revealing his ring, restored to it’s rightful place!

You know what he said?

“It just showed up on the top of my dresser,
in plain sight.”

just show up, Have you ever lost something dear to you and thought just show up, please? This post contains 3 scripture verses to recall when your world is rocked.

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)

Praise God! As I reflect, I see that only You, God, place that which is lost right in front of us – when we just show up in prayer and praise, trusting You to rise up when we need You.

About Susan B. Mead:

With over 2 million airline miles under her belt, an MBA hanging on the wall and 2 Christian Literary Awards on the shelf, Susan B Mead shares her expert teachings on business, grief and relationships. A master storyteller and award winning author, Susan leaves audiences motivated to live a life free of regrets even though she has done the hardest thing any parent can do – bury her youngest son, Kyle.

Susan has been described as a solid, comforting voice in a messy world. Whether speaking to business professionals, women’s conferences, industry leaders or writer’s workshops, Susan’s insightful wisdom inspires audiences, empowering them to make healthy mental u-turns.

Connect with Susan on her website where she writes each Friday, on Facebook and Twitter where she posts scripture graphics and daily inspiration or on Amazon where her book, Dance With Jesus: From Grief to Grace, is available.

Website – SusanBMead.com
Facebook – Facebook.com/AuthorSusanBMead
Twitter – Twitter.com/SusanBMead
Amazon – Dance With Jesus: From Grief to Grace

Filed Under: Better Than Newlyweds, Marriage Monday Tagged With: Dance With Jesus, family, God, heart, marriage, Susan B. Mead

Affirmation in Marriage and Why It’s So Important | Guest Blogger : Ailie Baumann

February 27, 2017 by Mrs. Hudson

Affirmation in Marriage and why it’s so important

As a wife and mom of three boys, I am on a journey of discovering the importance of affirmation to a man. No matter their age, men need affirmation. This need goes beyond the love language of affirmation. Men (in general) want to be recognized, affirmed, and looked up to. This communicates value and respect. It’s a form of honor to a man. Affirmation in marriage is crucial to building a strong and happy marriage.

Our words are powerful

I recently learned that our words either dress people in honor or disrobe them with dishonor. Dishonor brings about shame and a sense of being exposed. We dishonor our husbands every time we speak critically, harshly or angrily. Thank God for forgiveness, redemption, and the beauty that comes with apologizing. (I’ve been here so many times.) On the other hand, honor dresses your husband in value, worth, dignity, and respect. Learning to practice affirmation in Marriage will prove to be worth all of your efforts.

I’ve watched this in my own marriage and family. Whenever I take the time to acknowledge the little things that my husband or boys do, I see their chests puff out a few millimeters and their confidence enlarges. If I keep at it, the mood in the house shifts into one of peace, fun, and unity.

As wives, we carry a large amount of authority and impact in our marriages and our homes. The words we choose help us to create the home that we live in and the marriage that we enjoy or dislike. Is it easy to affirm your husband when your marriage is in a drought or hard time? Honestly, NO! It takes intentionality, hard work, and a dedication to seeing the good in your spouse. Affirmation in marriage is about sacrificial love and a laying down of ourselves to lift our men up.

Does this mean that we don’t see their faults or flaws?

Of course not. We do see their imperfections and they see ours. The difference comes in choosing to not dwell on their shortcomings. We cover them in love by focusing on their strengths and emphasizing the men that God has made them be:

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

How do we affirm our husbands?

  • Note what he does for you: washing the dishes/packing the dishwasher, taking out the trash, putting the kids in the bath or to bed, making supper, spending a long day at the office, etc. Here, I encourage you to deliberately look for at least one thing each day for the next two weeks that you can appreciate in your hubby’s efforts to please and help you.
  • Speak well of him in front of your children and in public. Our children are already aware that neither we nor our hubbies are perfect, they really don’t need us to point out daddy’s flaws. Instead, we can show our children what a healthy beautiful marriage is by encouraging our children to see the beauty that is their dad. Help your children to see how hard daddy works to provide, how kind he is, etc. The same in public because should your hubby find out that you’ve been speaking about him, it will be uplifting to hear words of praise.
  • Voice our appreciation and admiration. Here you can get creative. Sit on his lap with your arms wrapped around him and let him know what you admire in him. Write a love letter. Send him a text message. Bottom line – voice your admiration, affirmation, and appreciation.
  • Be quick to encourage him. As your hubby walks into the door, ask God how do I love him today? What do you want me to say? If hubby is frustrated from the day at the office, it may not be the best time to go into a serious conversation about your marriage or parenting (I’ve done this and it generally causes a disaster). Instead, he may need some down time or a listening ear. Gauge where he is at and encourage him in who he is. See him through God’s eyes and communicate what you see.

What are some of the ways that you love to affirm your husband? I’d love to hear from you and learn from your awesome ideas.

Read more from Ailie Baumann at www.p3Alive.com 

Filed Under: Marriage Monday Tagged With: Affirmation in Marriage

ONLINE SHOPPING KEEPS ME SANE. GROUPON COUPONS MAKE IT EASY.

January 30, 2017 by Mrs. Hudson

Do you love online shopping? Online shopping keeps me sane. Groupon Coupons make it easy. I have always loved online shopping. However now, being a stay at home mom, online shopping is a total game changer! Have you ever gone shopping with a toddler? Not much compares to the battle that ensues trying to take a toddler shopping in the store. I choose to shop online whenever I can to avoid the stress and the exhaustion that is sure to follow. I can get most of my Christmas shopping done online in the time it would take to gather all our daughter’s things, dress her (probably having to change her diaper first), and then load her in the car to finally begin the trek to the store!

Another reason I love online shopping is because there is usually a coupon/promo code available for whatever it is I am trying to buy. Saving money keeps me sane too. It also helps my marriage! It only takes a few minutes to check for a coupon code but can save us a ton of money. Saving money means that more of my hard working husband’s time can be spent with family rather than working. Before I click “check out” I check for a coupon code first! Groupon Coupons is a great place to check for coupon codes when shopping online.

“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” Proverbs 13:11

I love that searching Groupon for coupons is easy. It doesn’t hurt that it also saves us money with the click of a button. I also love that there is no membership fee or any other fees. That’s right saving money with Groupon Coupons is totally FREE!!!!

Use Groupon coupons to save money on your date nights! If you do not have monthly date nights… start!

  • Fandango
  • Restaurant.com
  • Victoria’s Secret
  • FTD
  • Starbucks

Here are some more businesses where you can find great deals online with Groupon Coupons/promo codes:

  • M&M’s
  • Kohls
  • Verizon
  • Priceline.com
  • American Apparel
  • Sephora

You will be able to find a coupon code for anything from a new TV to your taxes!

*Screenshot from Groupon Website

 

 

Filed Under: Better Than Newlyweds Tagged With: Groupon Coupons, SPONSOR

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Men They Will Love

January 25, 2017 by Mrs. Hudson

Valentine’s day gifts for men can be a challenge! I asked the blogger world to share with me their ideas for Valentine’s day gifts for men and I have put a list together for you below! I try to do something special and thoughtful for my husband on Valentine’s Day. It isn’t always something that cost money either. I find that a heartfelt note or a thoughtful action goes a long way.

Make it a priority to spend purposeful time with your husband. Maybe that means having someone watch the kids for an hour so you can have an uninterrupted conversation. You might need to have an in home date night… ours are a lot of fun!

Here it is… the list of Valentine’s day gifts for men:

A coffee table book of something that would interest them, a subscription to a product of the month club of some kind, a fiction book (if they are a reader. I recommend my own book, No Longer Broken, haha), a Swiss knife. http://ackerandacker.blogspot.com/

Bonnie and bud ‘gentlemans box’ (out of charlotte but they ship!) I’ll put the link below but the owner is so sweet and I love their boxes!! www.vintagesimplylove.blogspot.com

Similar Valentine’s day gifts for men are The Man Can, Man Cave Candles, ManlyCans, and Luxury Grooming Box Set:

A similar product is a FaithBox! It is full of encouraging words and products that would make anyone feel Loved and appreciated.

valentine's day gifts for menProduct Description

  • Renew Water Bottle – Nearly 90% of plastic water bottles are not recycled, taking thousands of years to decompose. Using this reusable water bottle is a great alternative and serves as a reminder to stay refreshed and renewed in mind, body, and spirit.
  • Kutoa Snack Bar – These delicious bars provide a meal to a child in need via the World Food Program for every bar sold. Kuta means “to give” in Swahili and are truly snacks with a social impact.
  • RuMe Bag – These wonderful, reusable bags are a great alternative to plastic bags and can be used as a daily tote or as a convenient shopping bag. They are lightweight, durable, washable, and extremely strong!
  • Shaklee Organic Cleaner – This powerful cleaner is safe for you, your home, and our planet. The sampler capsule has enough solution to make a full bottle of all-purpose cleaner. Proceeds from Shaklee sales are donated to their own nonprofit that helps people directly affected by natural disasters and emergencies.
  • Lifter Music CD – This CD has some new tracks from inspirational artists like Third Day, I Am They, and Matt Maher. We hope these songs encourage and uplift you!
  • Everyday Faith, Resurrection Edition – our beautiful Christian devotional with short form content to keep your faith at the center of your life every day based around the theme of resurrection.

In addition to the impact that the products inside each box make, for each box shipped, we donate 3 meals to feed hungry kids via our partnership with RiceBowls.org. This is a single purchase box and will ship out within a day or two of your order.

I don’t know a man who doesn’t like jerky! There are tons of options… from sampler packages to exotic jerky! Take your pick and show him some Love:

What about a practical gift? I know most of us would probably love a mattress upgrade! What better time than Valentine’s day to get The Love Bed for your Love?!

Valentine’s Day Gifts for MenCLICK HERE TO BUY THE LOVE BED NOW

 

If you can’t go out and you have a minimal budget, his favorite meal is always a winner! Favorite meal, a movie that you loved when you were dating and a card or a note expressing your appreciation for him! 🙂 www.theaccidentalnomadlife.com

 

A great Valentine’s day gifts for men suggestion was ManlyCans! They are packed with tons of snacks and/or gadgets! You can even build one for specifically for your special man! If a can is not his thing then a book for Father and Son won’t disappoint. 

I like making chocolates from scratch! Here’s the tutorial I put together: http://www.sustainingthepowers.com/how-to-make-your-own…/

 

Whatever you do be sure to celebrate the Love God has blessed you with! His Love is poured out in our lives through our husbands daily. We must be sure to pour Love back on our husbands as well!

The best Valentine’s day gift for men from their wives is Love. 

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Men

1 John 4:11-13 

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us


Filed Under: Better Than Newlyweds, Gifts, Marriage Monday Tagged With: Janelle Monaco Bonnie, Nancy Williams Backues, Rebecca Wyatt Thomas

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Hi, I’m Stacy!

I am married to the Love of my life... my Prince. We strive daily to have a marriage better than newlyweds. We want to know each other better than when we were first wed. We want to please God by serving each other. Marriage is so important as it represents the relationship between God and His church... we must protect it and fight for ours. Read More…

Good Reads for Your Marriage:

679599: The Love Dare The Love Dare
By Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick
{These are affiliate links but I truly believe these books would add value to your marriage.}

Recent Posts

  • 5 BIBLE VERSES FOR TROUBLED MARRIAGES | Stacy Hudson
  • More than a baby was delivered when I gave birth | Stacy Hudson
  • What I’ve learned Being Married to an Agnostic | Guest Blogger: Ailie Baumann
  • How to Improve Communication in Your Marriage | Stacy Hudson
  • How to Put the Spark Back in Your Marriage | Stacy Hudson

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