Love Notes/Letters

Dear Lovers,
Remember when you were dating and you would write a love letter to your mate? You may have had a special way to fold the letter so that it would be unwrapped for more pleasure. You may have had a special pen that you wrote the letter in so that it would look enticing. You may have had a special type of perfume or cologne that you sprayed on the letter so your mate would have a scent in which they would remember.

Well why not write a love letter to your spouse? Why not tell him or her about how special they are to you or how they make you feel? Why not make a little questionnaire for them to fill out on different things you want to know about them, such as their favorite restaurant, favorite movie, movie they would like to go see, favorite type of clothing, favorite store, dreams they haven't accomplished, etc.? Why not? Write your spouse a letter and put it in a nice envelope or use your special fold. Type it on the computer with a different font other than Times New Roman. Print it on color paper. Put it in a colored envelope. Spray cologne or perfume on it. Draw hearts or diamonds on the envelope or use clip art. Leave it under their pillow or in a drawer. Give it to them over dinner that you prepare. Do something nice for your spouse; write a love letter. It's small, but it's meaningful. They'll appreciate you for it.

With Love,
Always

Weekend to Remember Retreat

Family Life www.familylife.com/weekend is hosting a Weekend to Remember Retreat for couples. This is a time to reconnect with your spouse, find new love with your spouse, rekindle old love, or keep love alive. Please visit their website and check out the information for the Weekend to Remember Retreat. The retreat date for Memphis, TN is November 14, 15, & 16 at the Hilton Memphis. If this date is not convenient, you may use the group code for any of the retreat dates until July 2009.

If you use the group code #18375 you can save $80/per couple. When using the group code, you must call 1-800-FL-TODAY in order to register. You cannot use the group code online.

God's Union Marriage Ministry would love for you to join our group in November for a weekend to remember. Again marriage is too important to allow it to slowly dissolve. Join us! Keep your marriage alive!

God's Union Marriage Ministry

Marriage is ordained by God. With this said, then why do so many married couples get divorced? We live in a society where marriage is not taken seriously. Just look at Hollywood; couples are switching spouses with every new movie, with every new music release, or with every new season. In order for our children to grow up with healthy views about family, we must show them a picture of a healthy family. If spouses are arguing, fighting, unlovable, that affects the children. Many of our children are angry and unloved. They can't change their attitude if they have no examples of how to be loving and kind. It starts at the top. The father and mother (preferably the husband and wife) have to show love, exhibit love, give love and then the children will learn from example. You have trusted someone enough to marry them, but you don't give them the love and support they need to continue in that love. Before you got married, you were inseparable, in love, attentive, and romantic. Now after the wedding, you're separated, out of love, inattentive, and not romantic. Now you don't have time. Now you are tired. Now you are mad. Now you are... The list goes on and on. Well you had time before (where did it go?) and you haven't changed. You weren't tired before (staying up until 4 in the morning on the phone) and you haven't changed. You weren't mad before (nothing made you mad - you were in love) and you haven't changed. You weren't... and you haven't changed!

Ephesians 5:25 says: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
This is a command from God, not a request or a suggestion. It starts at the top. The husband is the top (after God). Then the wife. We need to start with love. Loving each other the way God loves us.

How do you love someone? Find out what makes them feel loved and then do that which makes them feel loved. Speak their love language (Gary Chapman's The Five Love Languages). In his book, he talks about five love languages that make a person feel loved.
1. Words of affirmation - you feel loved if your spouse tells you nice things or writes you nice letters. i.e. 'you look nice', 'dinner was great', I like your hairstyle', 'that suit looks good on you'
2. Physical Touch - you feel loved if your spouse gives you gentle touches. i.e. rubs your shoulder, strokes your hair, touches your thigh, gives you a hug or gentle kisses, sexual intimacy
3. Receiving Gifts - you feel loved if your spouse buys you gifts. (they don't have to be expensive). i.e. box of candy, roses, jewelry, book, etc.
4. Quality Time - you feel loved if your spouse spends time with you. i.e. quality time is time away from distractions such as the TV or newspaper. You spend time talking and listening to spouse. Take a walk with spouse. Play a board game. Read to spouse.
5. Acts of Service - you feel loved if your spouse does things for you. i.e. vacuums, does the dishes, takes out the trash, cleans the bathroom, makes up the bed, picks up dry cleaning, picks up dinner, etc.
Many people may have more than one love language but there is always a dominant language (one that you prefer over all of them). If your spouse speaks this language enough, your love tank will be full and you will feel loved. Therefore love is in the air and the children feel loved. But both spouses need to feel loved. Love is not a one way street. Once you master the love languages, you can ask your spouse, "How is your love tank, today?" If it is not full, then you know what you need to do. Think about: if your spouse died tomorrow, how would you feel? Would you feel as if you did your best to make them feel loved? Or would you wish for more time with them for a second chance to get it right? Get it right the first time. Get it right now!