A few weeks ago my wonderful husband came home and said “My parents want to give us a gift.” Of course I wanted to know what it was. I was thinking maybe a freezer because I am forever…and just the weekend before was stating in-front-of them the fact that I don’t have enough space in ours and they mentioned perhaps they could get us one for Christmas. To my absolute delight…that was not the gift! 
Nathan’s parents graciously offered to send us to Family Life’s Weekend to Remember Marriage Conference AND take care of our 3 kids! How generous and thoughtful is that!? Nathan asked “Do you want to go?” Hmm…let’s see…a weekend away at the most luxurious hotel in our great city…alone…with my husband learning how to make our marriage and family even better. Uh, yeah! I want to go! We are T minus 24 hours and counting!
After the best Valentine’s Day of my life with my love…the dozen roses for mama and single pink rose for his sweet pea only a small highlight…I feel like I don’t deserve such a lavish gift. But…to be honest…I am SO excited. The kiddos are packed…the house is clean…laundry is done and me and my suitcase full of shoes and long fur coat are ready to roll…literally. Our children are ecstatic to be sleeping over and Grandma and Grandpa’s for 2 whole nights! I don’t think we will be missed much.
Along with this extravagant gift my husband gave me a gift of money to go shopping! And NO I did NOT buy shoes! I found the most perfect date night dress for Saturday. It’s not the most versatile piece given the way I like to stretch a buck. This isn’t exactly something appropriate for Sunday morning church or even a wedding reception…but for this special occasion it was worth the splurge! Even if I won’t be getting much use of out of it my husband deserves something special…something just for him. I hope he likes it!
A few years ago I don’t think I would have been as interested in a marriage conference. I thought we had a really good marriage…and we did. What I see now though is that God has taken us from good to great. In our marriage mentoring preparation class we are learning that the biggest detriment to a great marriage is a good one. Having been there I would have to agree. When things are going well it doesn’t seem like you need to work on anything. Why fix what isn’t broke? After all, we had been through…made it through…some very dark times. If we made it through that we could stand through anything right? The truth is it is only because of God’s grace that we made it through and it’s only because of Him that we now have a great marriage. He has so gently and graciously worked in both of our hearts to bring us to where we are today…wanting to learn and grow make our marriage even better.
It blows my mind that Nathan’s parents would even think to give us such a gift. I am so grateful. I mean a freezer would have been great…but God sure has a way of exceeding my expectations in abundant ways. Family Life is such an amazing organization making Christ-centered homes it’s top priority. I can’t wait to see what the speakers have to say this weekend and to hear from the Lord as to what areas we need to work on in our marriage. I know it will certainly be a weekend to remember!
Wonders of HIS Love 