Hopes For Marriage

"Heavy" seems to be a good description of the last couple of years and has certainly impacted marriages. Here are some thoughts on how that can get turned around. Episode 2, the 1st of the Little Things...Big Impact Series   Watch the Videos &  Subscribe on YouTube Enjoy Truth Tuesdays & Fun Fridays @ Hopes For Marriage on Instagram

Complimenting your spouse is one of the little things that is a big deal. In this episode, we explore some ways to develop a better rhythm of complimenting each other and the good news that motivates us to do so. Here we go!   Episode 10: Part of the Little Things...Big Impact Series   Watch the Videos & Subscribe on YouTube Enjoy Truth Tuesdays & Fun Fridays @ Hopes For Marriage on Instag...

Regardless of the state of your marriage, focusing on what you enjoy about your spouse can have a powerfully positive effect.   Episode 03: Part of the Little Things...Big Impact Series Watch the Videos &  Subscribe on YouTube Enjoy Truth Tuesdays & Fun Fridays @ Hopes For Marriage on Instagram

How many opportunities are we given daily to interpret the character, actions, etc. of our spouse? And how often are we tempted to assume the worst?! This week we discuss this topic more fully and the gift of giving the benefit of the doubt. Episode 04:  Part of the Little Things...Big Impact Series Watch the Videos & Subscribe on YouTube Enjoy Truth Tuesdays & Fun Fridays @ Hopes For Marr...

How you greet your spouse may seem like a little thing, but it's a big deal. We invite you to consider changing your greeting routine to set a trajectory of love and enjoyment in your marriage. Episode 05:  Part of the Little Things...Big Impact Series   Watch the Videos & Subscribe on YouTube Enjoy Truth Tuesdays & Fun Fridays @ Hopes For Marriage on Instagram

Little “g” goodbyes, the every day goodbyes. Another seemingly little moment that makes an impact - it’s what we’re unpacking this week in Hope’s for Marriage. The beauty is that we can look at these moments from the secure place of knowing we will never be abandoned by the One that knows us best. Just sit with that for a minute….you will never be left by the One who made you and knows you best. N...

Don't underestimate the power of holding hands. Even after a lot of years of marriage, this little gesture of connection and love can make a big difference in reminding your spouse that he/she is your top priority. So let's up our game of everyday touch and see what happens.   Episode 07 of the Little Things...Big Impact Series   Watch the Videos & Subscribe on YouTube Enjoy Truth Tuesdays &am...

It’s vulnerable to say “I’m sorry”, with no facade of strength to hide behind. And let’s face it, none of us really LOVE having to say those 2 little words. But wow are they powerful, and necessary! The power of the everyday apology is what we unpack in this week’s episode - join us for a hard but good topic!   Episode 08: Part of the Little Things...Big Impact Series   Watch the Videos & Subs...

Three little words that are a really big deal. You've said them countless times in a thousand different scenarios, but saying them the right way at the right time in your marriage can have a profound impact on you (and your spouse) believing them. And that's the goal - for our spouse to really KNOW that they are loved and treasured and never on their own. Episode 09: Part of the Little Things...Bi...

The weekly rhythm of attending and engaging with a solid local church is a powerful and irreplaceable avenue of grace that amplifies the joy of your marriage. In this episode, we discuss why and how. Episode 11: Part of the Little Things...Big Impact Series   Watch the Videos & Subscribe on YouTube Enjoy Truth Tuesdays & Fun Fridays @ Hopes For Marriage on Instagram

Trying new activities together can be seriously bonding and strengthening for your marriage. Brain science and lots of experience prove it true. Grab your spouse and catch this episode encouraging us all as we try new things together. Episode 12: Part of the Little Things...Big Impact Series   Watch the Videos & Subscribe on YouTube Enjoy Truth Tuesdays & Fun Fridays @ Hopes For Marriage o...

Life and marriage can at times require some hard work. One of the best ways to gear up for those times and to be strengthened through them is to be very intentional about prioritizing play and fun in your marriage. In this episode, we discuss the importance of fun and how it is a bonding agent for joy-filled, gospel-saturated marriages. Here we go!   Episode 13: Part of the Little Things...Big Imp...

The arena of COMMUNICATION is mastered not by speaking, but by listening and listening actively. Few things cause our spouse to feel heard, valued, supported and loved as much as active listening. And wow, do we all need a refresher on this one! Episode 14: The of the Communication Stuff Series   Watch the Videos & Subscribe on YouTube Enjoy Truth Tuesdays & Fun Fridays @ Hopes For Marriag...

Do you want a tool in your communication toolbox that will immediately have a huge impact on your marriage? One of the very best tools to have in your marriage communication toolbox is this: reflective listening. Few things are as powerful in causing our spouse to feel heard, seen, and valued. And few things will be as effective at building trust, joy, and intimacy. Listening is such a BIG deal th...

We’re all taught that non-verbal communication is a big deal, but did you know that we actually assign more meaning to what we’re “hearing” through non verbals than the actual words being said?  In this episode we talk about a little thing in communication that is a big deal… our tone of voice.  Because effective, healthy communication is so much more than WHAT we say, but HOW we say it. Here’s so...

Want to leverage your tone of voice for a better communication outcome with your spouse?  In last week’s episode we discussed the significance of our tone of voice, our default modes, and how it tells a bigger story.  This week learn the specifics of how your tone can be an invitation for engagement instead of a trigger for conflict - and let’s be honest, triggering our spouse (knowingly or unknow...

Our body tells a story, a more true story than even our words.  In fact, if we hear words that are not aligned with what someone’s body is saying, we will always choose to believe the language of the body.  Body language is at it’s root instinctual, automatic, and often subconscious, reflecting our most core emotions and thoughts - sometimes before those thoughts and feelings have even registered...

Mind Reading, the super power we all think we have, but are so woefully under skilled in application.  Remember the magic 8-ball we had as a kid - wishing we had the power to shake, read, and know exactly what was going to happen?  (“Maybe this time the 8-ball will tell me if the cute boy/girl in class likes me!”)  So silly, and yet we persist in trying to mind-read our spouse, assuming we know wh...

Have you been the victim of THE Silent Treatment?  It’s the insidious withholding of communication - words, attention, affection, and connection - that communicates so much.  It’s a response that is demeaning, degrading, mean, and wrong..and yet so common and frequently used.  It’s time to unpack and address this nefarious tool of destruction. In this episode here’s some of what we talk about: Why...

Welcome to our first episode of Hopes For Marriage! After a lot of years of being in pastoral Ministry for Brian. And a lot of years as a private practitioner as a mental health therapist Elisa. And even more years of being married we are excited to bring this channel to you with a lot of content to reinforce and encourage your marriage for what we believe God made super good and for your enjoymen...