The house feels a little quiet now that Christmas is behind us. The living room couch sits alone with no piles of people lounging on its fluffy pillows. The family room is void of family chatter, laughter and noise. Even after numerous sweepings, the kitchen may still have cookie sprinkles hiding under the cabinets or stove, but it’s void of the hustle and energy of the previous week. Yes, the “big holiday” is over, but you know what? Spite the emptiness of the house, my heart is very, very full. It’s full of memories, joy, and happy sighs.
Continue reading “Post-Christmas Reflections”Category: Family life
Create New Christmas Traditions for a Stronger Marriage
Last year my husband and I went to a bed and breakfast in Pigeon Forge for a little get-away. It was so refreshing that before leaving, we booked it for this year. We had all year to look forward to this mini vacation. That was half of the fun!
It seems like a crazy time to leave home with Christmas a week away, but honestly, it was a blessing. We had time to enjoy the beauty of the decorations in Pigeon Forge and Dollywood, as well as the B&B. We were able to take a breath before the busyness of hosting family and making final preparations. We were able to focus on our relationship and just spend time together. It was wonderful – hence the reason we decided we would return again this year.
And so, last week we enjoyed two nights away at this lovely, restful place. This is Blue Mountain Mist Bed and Breakfast. It’s minutes away from the bustling, tourist area, but far enough away to be quiet and serene.
They serve a hearty and delicious breakfast every morning for their guests. It’s always served on Christmas dishes in December, and the menu is also related to the holiday. One morning we had Chocolate/Peppermint pancakes, along with an egg casserole and fresh fruit. So good!
The hosts are so accommodating and gracious. The rooms are super clean and decorated for Christmas. In the evening they set out seasonal homemade treats for their guests. You certainly don’t go hungry!
We enjoyed our dessert in front of the fireplace one night – perfect for the cold night that it was!
Our time away gave us time to chat, pray together, and enjoy rest while not ministering with D&D, but gearing up to begin again in January. While sharing dinner together one night away I asked Dale if there was a new Christmas tradition we should start. He immediately said, “Yes, coming here each December.” I LOVED that suggestion!
Does it seem crazy that a couple married 44 1/2 years would decide to begin a new tradition? Not if we each understand that to keep a marriage fresh, you have to work at not getting in a rut. Beginning a new Christmas tradition, a new birthday or anniversary tradition keeps things fun and romantic! Starting a new schedule or a new date idea could be just thing a marriage needs to make it special again.
Going to Dollywood on a freezing cold night might seem ridiculous, but when you bundle up, and stay close together, you make a memory that’s worth keeping! We’ve decided we don’t want to grow old “grumpily!” As long as the Lord will give us health and energy, our desire is to enjoy this gift of marriage while we can. If we’re to show the Gospel in our marriage, it should reflect the joy that our relationship with Christ brings.
So how about you? Could you add something new to freshen up your marriage relationship? Could you begin a new tradition even this week of Christmas? Consider:
- A drive with just the two of you, to look at lights and a stop at Dunkin for donuts and hot chocolate.
- A small gift exchanged in front of the tree each night this week.
- Filling stockings for each other.
- Christmas breakfast out somewhere on Christmas Eve.
- A special night away the week after Christmas.
- Watch a Christmas movie in Christmas PJ’s
- Read a Christmas devotional or part of the Christmas story each morning at breakfast.
- Write a love letter to each other, expressing thanks for something from this past year.
- Finish your Christmas baking together.
- Do a gift of service together for someone in need.
No matter how long you’ve been married, a new tradition might be just the thing to add some freshness and deepen your relationship. I hope you’ll add something new! I’d love to hear about your ideas! Leave a comment about what you’d love to try to do!
Have a wonderful Christmas celebrating the Greatest Gift – the Lord Jesus Christ!
🎄
Finding Joy in Memories: D&D Ministries’ Weekend Trip
Last weekend D&D Ministries headed to Indiana and Illinois. I was scheduled to speak at Camp Assurance in Danville, IL and then Dale preached and I taught the ladies’ Sunday school class in a church in New Richmond, OH.
I was excited to be going through Indiana – our “old stomping grounds.” We lived there for fourteen years – those were the years we raised our girls, and had some of the most difficult seasons of our lives. There were hard ministry issues, the death of our second daughter, a meager salary, and long work hours for Dale.
But as the Lord often does, He turned those difficulties into some of the most precious blessings, and also loaded us with many joys that outnumbered our sorrows. Of course we couldn’t see and recognize all those good things at the time. Those kind of perspectives sometimes take years to see. As we drove through the cities where we lived and served, the memories flooded my heart. But there were a couple other events that truly brought the emotions.
Continue reading “Finding Joy in Memories: D&D Ministries’ Weekend Trip”
Family Vacation Memories
This Labor Day was the third Ham Fam Vacay, the first being 2017 and the next, 2022. We had the blessing of a three bedroom condo in Pigeon Forge – just perfect for all three families to have room to sleep, cook and play for three days and nights.
We are blessed with family relationships that are not stressful or forced. We can only credit this to each of us having a relationship with the Lord. He models perfect love and acceptance to us that we then strive for towards one another. Of course, we often miss, but for the most part, we enjoy a human love based on God’s Divine love.
We wanted to enjoy meals at the table together in the peace and quiet (well, kind of quiet!) of our condo, and also as a way to reduce our cost, so my girls and I divided up the mealtimes and each of us were assigned certain meals. We did go out for one special lunch – more on that in a minute. First, let me give you a sampling of what was enjoyed in our condo…
Memorable Moments at Hilton Head Island
Our loving and kind Heavenly Father is so good to precede us with blessings from His hand. After a very busy summer of serving, we were given a week to rest and refresh on Hilton Head Island, one of our favorite vacation destinations. HHI holds many memories for us from bringing our girls here beginning when they were about eight and fifteen. We first started vacationing there when we lived in Indiana. To travel from snow in the early spring to the deep south where temps were definitely warmer, was such a wonderful reprieve. Bike rides, ice cream cones, days in the surf, and seafood dinners are part of the memories from every year we’ve gone.
Continue reading “Memorable Moments at Hilton Head Island”
RefreshHer 