I Just Thought I Knew What Respect Was

Last week I started a blog with the question....Sometimes don't you just want more? I never got around to posting it...but I'm here to tell you that my little void has been filled! With none other than our new Bible study on Sunday nights over the book, "Love and Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. I feel so energized and renewed!

The whole basis of the study is based on a verse from Eph. 5:33, "Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." (NIV)

I have read that verse several times but didn't quite remember the part about respect. Everyone talks about love these days...hardly ever respect. I had to ask Chris what were some ways that I could show him respect...his reply was, "Maintain this messy house of ours (of course, his #1 need, desire, want), listen to him and trust his decisions (financially and other). Okay some of them I knew but it helps to actually hear the words come out of his mouth in case I forget.

A few weeks ago I brought home a marriage book, "The Five Love Languages," for Chris and I to do......and most of you know exactly how well that went over. To him I was saying, "I don't like who you are, please change, let's read this book together so you can be exactly the way I want you to be, oh and I'm perfect by the way." Well, after beginning this "Love and Respect" study I told Chris I really didn't want to make him do something he didn't want to do. He was filled with pure joy and relief. After this study last night I know that I don't need to force my husband to do a study so my needs can be met....they are going to be met through this ladies Bible study....but maybe one day we will do a study together...just for the right reasons and because BOTH of us WANT to.

I have learned that once I take that first step and respect him in return he will be loving to me. Even though it sounds so simple it isn't. It takes daily prayer and application. After a few days I'll forget and get wrapped up in my own mind. I will have to constantly remind myself to put his needs first and respect him.

This morning I wake ready to start another work week, feeling so good about my marriage, etc. Then guess what happens? If there's one thing that can make me feel like an inadequate wife it is my husband asking me if I'm going to get to something...as in cleaning, organizing or just picking up. Yesterday I did a million things between going to church, potty training Liv, getting ready for my Bible study, laundry and I began going through my office for garage sale items. Needless to say, I left the office a wreck because it's going to take me a while to go through all of my junk. Chris comes in this morning before he leaves for Dallas and asks, "So are you going to finish cleaning up this office?" WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Tears immediately stream down my face and I become a crazy wife.....saying, "I could do a million things to make you happy but you're always going to focus on that one thing I didn't do." I was beyond hurt and shocked. We had just had this wonderful study the night before and I thought I was well on my way to "respecting" my husband. After my little meltdown I remembered one of my favorite parts of chapter 1, pg. 22 where Emerson, states that, "But Sarah (his wife) is able to see me in a more positive light because she has decided to believe that I do not purpose to be unresponsive and unloving, not in my deepest soul." Okay, so I have to begin assuming that Chris is not purposefully trying to be unloving. He means well...on some level. Right?

This morning also reminds me of another part of this study. It's in chapter 2 on pages 32-33, Emerson is talking about how men see, hear and speak in Blue and women see, hear and speak in Pink. When we talk to our spouses sometimes they don't quite "get" what we are saying. However, when we talk to our girlfriends they are totally on the same page, can relate and even have similar stories to share. So I'm going to take this little episode this morning and remind myself that even though I was hearing, "You're a horrible wife, you can't do anything right, you don't do anything that makes me happy -" maybe that's just what I was hearing but not really what Chris was saying. Understand? Yeah, it's a little confusing. If you're not reading this book I suggest ordering one....it's pretty good with a simple lesson that is somewhat easy to grasp. You just have to trust God and not your pretty little head.

Sunday Night

Our Bible study on "Love and Respect" will begin tomorrow night at my house 8 o'clock sharp!! Tomorrow night will just be a casual get together to discuss our upcoming study. This will give everyone one more week to order their books, read Chapter 1 and do the workbook questions!
I hope you all will join us tomorrow night for dessert and discussion.

WOMEN OF FAITH INFINITE GRACE CONFERENCE
DALLAS, TEXAS ~ AUGUST 22-23

What's This All About?

It’s two days, 10½ hours. It’s refreshment, reality without reproach, and relationships. So what does that mean?

Refreshment – Imagine getting together with your closest girlfriends for a weekend. Think of the laughter you’d share, the tears you’d shed, the FUN you’d have. Now multiply that by 10,000 or so. You’re starting to get the idea.

Reality without Reproach – We’re not perfect. We don’t expect you to be perfect, either. Our speakers are real women who share stories from their real lives. We’re here to encourage women, not to condemn anyone. Even those who have never set foot in a church feel comfortable at our conferences. You can check your mask at the door. You’re welcome just as you are.

Relationships – Connecting with God and with each other. At Women of Faith we believe that God loves you – no matter what your situation in life may be. We also believe that He wants a personal relationship with you. Through our conferences, more than 150,000 women have indicated decisions to start or renew that relationship. Relationships with each other are important, too. At a Women of Faith conference you’ll have the chance to connect with other women – even if you go there alone!

Over the course of the conference, you’ll have the opportunity to:

**Renew your spirit with messages of hope and humor from the Women of Faith speaker team

**Recharge your spiritual batteries with drama that tickles your funny bone and touches your heart (at the same time!)

**Rejoice with music from top Christian music artists

**Reconnect with God and each other as the WOF worship team leads an arena full of women in praise to God

**Revitalize your life with resources that will help keep the conference experience alive all year

**Relax in the comforting knowledge that God loves you – right where you are


Speakers and Special Guests

**Allison Allen**Stephen Arterburn**Patsy Clairmont**
**Louise DuArt**Natalie Grant**Nicole Johnson**
**Max Lucado**Mandisa**Marilyn Meberg**Nicole C. Mullen**
**Sandi Patty**Anita Renfroe**Jan Silvious**Luci Swindoll**
**Sheila Walsh**Ayiesha Woods**


Conference Schedule

FRIDAY
5:30**Doors Open
7:00**Infinite Grace Conference Opening
9:30**End

SATURDAY
8:00**Doors Open
9:00**Session One
10:30**Break I
11:00**Session Two
12:30**Lunch Break
1:30**Session Three
3:00**Break III
3:30**Session Four
5:00**End


"I Second that Emotion Pre-Conference"

The Pre-conference is held from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm the Friday of the Infinite Grace conference, usually in the conference arena. It’s a more intense, in-depth time of learning. Often women find it’s their favorite part of the whole weekend.
Do your feelings have you tied in knots? You’re not the only one! Join Patsy Clairmont, Anita Renfroe, and Jan Silvious for a day of laughter therapy and solid biblical teaching on understanding your emotions. Learn to enjoy your rich emotional design with perspective from God’s Word on what to do regardless of how you feel. Bring your tangled wad of emotions with the anticipation of smoothing a few out.

Hotel Reservation Information

You can call and ask for the special conference rate by calling by the reservation date and letting them know you will be an attendee of the Women of Faith Conference.

HOTEL NUMBER ROOM RATE RESERVATIONS MUST
BE MADE BY:
Marriot Suites 214-905-0050 $125 July 31st 2493 Stemmons Fwy
Dallas, TX 75207


The Indigo Hotel 877-846-3446 $104 August 18th
1933 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75201


Adolphus Hotel 214-742-8200 $125 July 31st
1321 Commerce Street
Dallas, TX 75202

Hyatt Regency 214-651-1234 $129 August 1st
300 Reunion Blvd W
Dallas, TX 75207

Three other hotels...Renaissance, Courtyard Marriot and the Fairfield Inn & Suites are already SOLD OUT!!!!!


(All information taken from http://www.womenoffaith.com/)

IT'S A BOY!!!!

LET'S GO....

http://www.americanairlinescenter.com/events-and-tickets/event_details.php?eid=652

WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE, AUGUST 22-23, DALLAS, TEXAS

To tip or not to tip...

What are the new rules? Childress is not like Dallas but does that matter? People here are doing the same job, it's just that people that live here are not used to tipping. I used to wait tables so I always tip at least 20% when we eat out. Unless they are horrible and then I sweetly leave them a tip that says, "I don't think waiting tables is your cup of tea, maybe you should look into another field." Just kidding, I would never do that...but I only leave them 15%.

So what about other services....the person that cleans your house, does your yard work, does your hair, gives you a massage, delivers your mail??? I have always heard that, for example, in a salon you don't tip the owner, just the other workers.....is this true? Or am I just being a horrible tipper?

What about holidays? Do you give these people a bonus or a Christmas gift? I usually give my housekeeper a bonus and I'll take my hairdresser some fudge or some other goodie, but that's it. Am I slacking?

I don't want to be a horrible customer and them think I'm not appreciative of their services, but I also want to save as much $$ as I can.

SUPER MAKEUP SALE!!!

Nordstrom is changing the logo on their makeup, so they're selling everything that says "e.l.f." for $1! (you still have to pay shipping, but it's worth it – especially the brushes!!). Standard shipping is $6.95!

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/shop.asp

The make-up line E.L.F. ( Eyes, Lips, and Face) has been bought out by Nordstrom and will be re-packaged with the Nordstrom name on it. They are getting rid of all the make-up in ELF packaging. They are selling everything for $1. YES ONE DOLLAR. You do have to pay shipping, However, even with that charge it's cheaper than buying make-up anywhere else and it is fun to try things when you don't have to worry about the cost! They have powder, mascara, brushes, nail polish, you name it .. Just thought I'd pass along the good deal.