Hey gang ...

We just got back from teaching one of our R3 Marriage Retreats in Rockport, Texas with our good friends Matt & Julie Barnhill. We had such a great time with all of the couples who were in attendance there ... it was a blast!

One of the things we have learned through the years is that every time we teach we also learn. We are going a little off script in this episode as we share what our 2 biggest takeaways were from the retreat. They were ... 

#1 - Everyone there wanted to improve their communication skills! DUH! In the podcast we go into why couples are looking for better communication skills and what are the top 3 things that get in the way!

#2 - Everyone there wanted to connect with other couples who were like minded! We discuss why it is people are wanting to find folks that share their common relationship struggles!

We know this comes from a retreat that was for folks that are already married but trust us ... one day you are going to be in the same place they are and we want you thinking about it and preparing for it in advance!

Your Conversation For the Week - this week we want you to talk about how you intend to be intentional ablout growing your marriage. Here is a question to help spur you on ... "what are 3 ways each of you intends to grow personally in the next 12 months that will help your relationship?" We want you to get into the mode of being a couple that is intentionally learning and investing in your relationship!

Our Listener Question of the Week is - my future spouse likes to hug everyone they meet, even at work! I think that is a bad idea and I am uncomfortable with it. What do you guys think?

As always, we hope you have a great week and enjoy your conversation!

Jim & Chriatie Jacobus

Welcome to 

5 Fun Date Night Questions

- YMM #009

Hey gang! We wanted to shift gears a little bit and have a little fun so we came up with 5 "Date Night" questions you can ask each other and just have a conversation that doesn't go anywhere but help you learn some cool stuff about each other! Maybe it will help you win "The Newlywed Game" someday!

Enjoy these conversations and put your answers in the comments section below!

1.     Best concert ever?

2.     What is your best memory of when we first started dating?

3.     What are 5 reasons why you love me?

4.     What is your favorite sport to watch? What is your favorite sport to play?

5.     If you could have a fantasy dinner party and invite any 4 guests you wanted to … where would you go to eat, what would be served, and who would your guests be?

What we wish for you, our listeners, is hope for your future and a great relationship and marriage if you are headed in that direction.  The key to this is great communication with each other.  So have some fun with these questions and a great date night!

Jim & Christie Jacobus

Your Marriage Matter

Your Marriage Matters - Podcast #008

What is our conversation of the week?

What are the 5 things you like about how you were raised and why do you like those things?

Here are a few thoughts about why this is an important conversation for pre-married couples and seriously dating couples to have;

• Every bit of who we are today comes from how we grew up! Insights into what we liked about that can give us ideas about how we can make our relationship a happy one!
• This helps you learn about your partner even deeper, their personal history and what really matters to them.  Through this you can explore your similarities and differences and work through those early in the relationship.
• Can just be interesting stuff to hear and satisfies our curiosity about the person we are going to spend the rest of our lives with!
• If you understand what has created positive memories for your partner in the past, and if you are listening; you can hear how you can make them happy in the future!
• Become aware of and sensitive to subjects like an unhappy childhood and dig in deep on what made each other happy growing up.  Great insights to be gained here.

Listener Question of the Week – We are starting to get serious in our dating relationship and marriage may be on the horizon. I would like to get to know my future in-laws better. What ideas do you have for making that happen?

Thanks for joining us this week gang.  We sincerely hope that you are enjoying and growing in your relationships from these conversations. 

Jim & Christie Jacobus

Your Marriage Matters

Welcome to Episode #007 of YMM.  Can’t believe we are headed in to our second month of these great conversations!

Today’s conversation of the week is:

How will household chores and responsibilities be handled?

–  There is a lot to do around even the smallest of households.  So, who is going to be responsible for what can be important?

–  Is the old style model of “the man does this” and the “little woman does this” antiquated?

–  Important to figure out what is a fair division of labor depending on career responsibilities.

–  Talk about your values concerning your home and what it should look like.

–  Consider hiring out whatever you both don’t like to do or can’t get around to as you can afford to! 

Listener Question of the Week – I have very high standards for how our home should look and my fiancé does not share my views. What should we do?

Fun Question of the Week – What is your favorite date night activity?

We challenge each of you to take the time to have this important conversation this week and don’t forget to send your questions and comments to us.

Jim & Christie Jacobus