He Loves Us!

Monday nights have become my favorite night of the week. I’m pretty sure I have mentioned that before. There is something incredible that happens when you connect with other couples and come together to explore God’s desire for marriage.

Love is once again in the air and this week we will tackle it from a slightly different angle. We will look at the love that God has for us and how that relates to our marriage…and it does relate! God delights in each one of us – always. Even when we are, um, let’s say, less-than-delightful. I think I may have been the wicked witch of the Kohlhofer West a time or two…or more.

Let’s not ask my husband his opinion on this one, okay?

But knowing that God delights in me even still actually gives me hope. He loves me…and I honor him by reconciling my relationships with apologies, forgiveness, and love.

“So when you fail to love or respect completely, or maybe not at all, take heart. This isn’t about us, but about Him. Mark it down: He loves us because He loves us because he loves us! We have nothing to do with it. Even when ‘we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself’

(2 Timothy 2:13).”

It's going to be a great week!

Here is a Love Dare Challenge Update:

Last week I set out some Riesen candies and post-it notes. Each couple had to take one of each and then each spouse then had to choose one. Whoever chose the Riesen candies had to write love notes to attach to each piece of candy and give them to their spouse. Whoever chose the post-it’s had to write love notes and leave them in unexpected places for their spouse. Sharin’ that love!

Mike chose the post-it’s because he had a sneakin’ suspicion that he would be receiving the candy if he let me have them first. In fact, I think that is exactly what all the guys did in our group! Here is my bowl of candy notes.

Cute, huh? Just humor me...I had fun typing out affirmations of things I love about Mike but don’t aways express.

He left me a few notes around the house, but this one, left on my computer, was my favorite.

I can’t wait to hear how the other couples met the challenge! This week, everyone is choosing a piece of paper with a different challenge for everyone.

~ Call/text your spouse this week just to say hello and “I love you.”

~ Do something unexpected for your spouse this week.

~ Surprise your spouse with his/her favorite ________________(candy, ice cream, dinner, dessert…you fill in the blank)

~ Pray for your spouse this week and leave him/her an encouraging note.

~ Make a surprise meal for your spouse this week. Breakfast in bed…picnic in the park…candlelight dinner…

~ Spend time doing something your spouse likes to do.

April Date Nights:

Zoo Date: With or without kids, the zoo is just fun!

Fondue Date Night: This night can be for couples only or made into a fun night for the whole family! Don’t have a fondue pot? Just use a mini crockpot! You might have to borrow from friends if you want more than one type of fondue but it will be worth it.

Oil/Broth Fondue - Dipping foods: meatballs, prepare cubed meats, shrimp, scallops, vegetables, potato chunks, mozzarella sticks, (cocktail, horseradish and teriyaki sauces for dipping).

Cheese Fondue - Dipping foods: cubed French/Italian bread, florets of broccoli and cauliflower, bite-sized cooked chicken, bite-size cooked ham, roasted potatoes,

Chocolate Fondue - Dipping foods: strawberries, bananas, peaches, pineapple, mango, apples, cherries, angel food cake, pound cake, cheesecake, cookies, marshmallows, pretzels {for chocolate fondue, melt chocolate chips with some vegetable oil (1-2 tablespoons) to get to a good consistency}

The Envelope Date: In advance, prepare 12 envelopes together. Three will have breakfast ideas. Three will have an event idea. Three will have dinner ideas. Three will have lovin’ ideas (or, family fun ideas if you want to make this a family day). Each spouse will fill one envelope and together, you will fill the third with an idea for each category. Here are some ideas:

• Breakfast: Breakfast in bed, your favorite breakfast restaurant, make breakfast together

• Event: Movie, Mini-golf, Park

• Dinner: Chinese take-out, your favorite dinner restaurant, a new restaurant you have been wanting to try

• Lovin’: Romantic movie at home with sparkling cider and fancy/favorite dessert, cuddling with candles or fireplace (and maybe a movie)

• Family Fun: Movie night and popcorn, family board games

What will you and your spouse be doing this month?

Keepin' it Real...D