Success in Marriage

Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate. ~Barnett R. Brickner

Where is your heart?

(PHOTO TAKEN BY KITTY HURDLE)

Meet and Greet

We are pleased to introduce Robert and Morgan Liner

Welcome to the Newlywed Class!

My Mom's Best Recipe

Bobby Chandler, Marlene's husband, loves to ask her if the "BIG OVEN" is warm. That is his way of telling her that he wants a home cooked meal. :) Sometimes it can be a challenge to think up....one more meal.

Let's help each other out by sharing our favorite recipes that comes straight from our mother's kitchen.

My children like my moms hamburger with sliced potatoes casserole. My husband likes her potato salad. We all like her brownies with icing. Every time I take the brownies to a social event I'm asked for the recipe. Here it is .....

Brownies

2 cups of sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup butter flavored crisco
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 cup cocoa

Mix all ingredients and pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan.
Bake at 350^ for 20 - 25 minutes.

Icing Recipe

1 stick of margarine
1 egg or egg substitute
1 box of 10x powdered sugar
Cocoa - to taste.

Mix together and ice brownies. If icing is dry add a little milk
(posted by Cynthia)

Love Languages Acts of Service

This week we discussed the love language of Acts of Service.
Three Observations:
1) What we do before marriage is not a good indication of what we will do after we are married because we fall into the role model we saw in our parents growing up.
2) Love is a choice and cannot be coerced. Don’t guilt, threaten or manipulate your spouse.
3) My spouse’s criticisms about my behavior provide me with the clearest clue to her primary love language. People tend to criticize their spouse most loudly in the area where they themselves have the deepest emotional need.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember is God speaks ALL love languages fluently and will teach you how to speak your spouse's language if you ask Him to.

Homework:

Sunday: Discuss the actions you listed on your 3x5 card. Are they reasonable? Do you understand that if your spouse does them, it is to express love and for no other reason?

Monday: Remember that love is a choice and continue the habit of speaking Love Languages. (and check box to acknowledge it) Speak Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gift Giving and Acts of Service at least once each this week.

Love Language
Words of Affirmation – What are you saying to your spouse?
Quality Time – Are you spending time with and hearing your spouse?
Gift Giving – You are so important that I was thinking about you today.
Acts of Service – Let me help you with …

Tuesday: Discuss which of your recent attempts to speak Love Languages have been the most comical to you and why.

Wednesday: Dance for 10 minutes and then give each other foot massages.

Thursday: Set timer for a 15 minute Kitchen Rescue, then discuss with each other what additional tasks need to be completed around the home. Ie. mopping kitchen floor…cleaning bathrooms. Make a plan and then work the plan.

Friday: Discuss the following 1) William Shakespeare once said, “I will praise any man that will praise me.” Do you ever feel this way? When are you most willing to praise your spouse without an ulterior motive? 2) Complete the sentence, “I like to be kissed…”

Saturday: Think through the past week and come to church Sunday ready to brag on your spouse for their efforts this past week.

Dating On A Dime

You can still go have some fun on the weekend. Don't let gas prices keep you at home. Here are some inexpensive things you can do.

1. THE STATE MUSEUM -- Print a $1.oo off coupon from their website or go the first Sunday of the month for free. www.museum.state.sc.us

2. THE COLUMBIA MUSEUM OF ART -- Free every Saturday. http://www.columbiamuseum.org/

3. CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK -- Free ranger guided canoe trips on Saturday and Sunday. Guided hikes and owl prowls. www.nps.gov/cosw

4. SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ at THE VILLAGE at SANDHILLS -- this is seasonal. Check before going.

5. Walk THE STATE HOUSE GROUNDS or take the free tour Monday - Saturday. While there don't forget to take a bag of peanuts. Sit on a bench and feed the squirrels. www.shoutaboutcarolina.com

6. COLUMBIA CANAL & RIVERFRONT PARK -- take a walk, bike ride, or picnic. www.shoutaboutcarolina.com

7. USC SCHOOL of MUSIC -- there are free events almost every week. http://www.music.c.edu/

8. The $1.50 MOVIES IN ST. ANDREWS. A new dollar theatre is coming to the Columbia Place Mall Area soon.

9. FINLAY PARK offers free concerts on Saturday nights during the summer. They offer a variety of music from week to week.

10. You can always locate a free ART EXHIBIT. Check the Weekend Section of the State Paper. There are galleries in the Vista, 5 Points, Columbia College, and USC.

11. MCKISSICK MUSEUM ON THE HORSESHOE AT USC -- check the calendar for free exhibits. www.cas.sc.edu/MCKS


12. Go on a walk or bike ride in your neighborhood.

Quotes and Saying

Quotes are fun to read and often encourage us to "do" better. Here are a few that I came across today. What are your favorite quotes?


"Giving your time to serve others releases joy in your life."

"You are amoung the precious gifts God has given me."

"Ask not what MOM can do for you....Ask what you can do for MOM."

"Put GOD in the center--and everything will come together."

"What goes into the mind...comes out in a life."

"Oh that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from evil. 1 chronciles 4:10"

"If the salt loses its saltiness, it is good for nothing."