CHALLENGE..........UneXpecTEd

New Giveaway Begins Now!

Marriage is tough. Maybe not for everyone, but most, and definitely for "us."

There was this couple from church a few years ago ......... beautiful woman, handsome man, darling children. You know, that couple........ so happy, involved in everything, well known in the community, just simply good people. At the time, my own marriage seemed to be crumbling beneath me. Then, in a light hearted conversation with several women, this woman disclosed that she and her husband had been through lots of counseling to get to the point in life that they were at. I was shocked. I had no idea that real people went to counseling. I was overjoyed. I didn't feel like such a failure. She wasn't secretive about it, she wasn't ashamed. In fact, she was quite proud and willing to share their flaws.

Recently, we have had similar conversations with a newly wed wife and also a family friend that is a new father. This time around though, we were the ones to disclose that we have been to counseling. We didn't just go- we needed to go- we didn't know how to pick up the shattered parts of our marriage and put them back together ourselves. Now, we get to hear how wonderful it is for our friends to know that "they weren't the only ones with problems."

I hope with all hope that most of you can't relate to this post- but I am sure that some of you can. With all of the ups and downs my marriage has had- and there have been many- I have learned many things. One of the most important being to stop obsessing over the little details that really don't matter- but can- in the wrong way- if I let them........ (like my shows vs. his shows, my way of accomplishing housework vs. his way, etc.).

Marriage is work, at least for my husband and I- but it is so worth it.

I look at my children laughing together and it is worth every war of words, every tear shed and compromise made.
I look at my husband working 6 days a week so that I can stay home with my children and it is worth it.
I think of our future and it is worth it.
I am not necessarily where I thought I would be, but I see the potential for life to be better than I ever could have imagined.



CHALLENGE........FiNd jOy in the uNexpEcted



Whatever your "hard work" might be right now, look for the potential. It might be your marriage, your best friend, your in-laws. Maybe the terrible two's, maybe a college course. If just for this week, try to let your burden become your strength- and most of all, don't be ashamed of it.

If you are having trouble with this one, leave a comment- I don't have many talents- but one thing I can do (you can even ask my mother), is find something positive in almost any situation......



Besides, accept the challenge and how can you not find a little joy in the chance to win this:






Lisa Leonard is an amazing woman who makes hand crafted amazing jewelery. I am absolutely in love with her necklaces. Her "Find Joy" necklace pictured above was created for the CdLS foundation in honor of her son, David's birthday. I think it is beautiful. Check out her site & blog- you will see many perfect examples of finding joy in the unexpected.

Lisa graciously agreed to donate the winner's choice of jewelery, up to $54 for this week's giveaway. Go to her site, LisaLeonardOnline.com, and then leave a comment about your favorite piece.......trust me, it will be hard to choose. They are all amazing.

Contest closes Sunday, July 27th, 11:59 pm.