31 Days to Pray for Your Spouse Challenge

This January, I'm setting aside the month to pray daily for my husband. So often, I go through my life busy  praying for things that I want, that I think I need, and challenges. And, sadly, often my days blur by without my praying for my husband.

Then I complain.

About this or that or you're not doing this or I wish that would change.

But, this January, instead of complaining, I've decided to pray. Daily. 

I'm joining up with Ashley Pichea, from 31 Days to Pray and the 3in30, for a special challenge starting January 1, 2012 {can you believe it will be 2012?}. It's a daily accountability group -- where you check in, encourage, and pray for each other -- based around the ebook 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse.

I'd love for you to join with me. And please help spread the word -- imagine starting the new year with a group of women who are all praying for their husbands. We will be storming the gates of heaven on behalf of them. That's power. Real intentional power.

Want to join? And I hope you do. Here's how. 

If you don't already have it, purchase the ebook 31Days to Build a Better Spouse for $4.99. That's it -- the rewards for an ebook that costs around the price of a latte {yes, I know that latte price} are enormous! And from now till December 31 get the book for only $2.99 use coupon code FINDINGJOY  -->> click here to order

Then sign up for the challenge/accountability groups at 31 Days to Pray -->> sign up here

And if you'd like, feel free to follow 31 Days to Pray on facebook. There is a special download for email subscribers there as well. -->> facebook page

That's it. Easy. And, yet, so powerful and important.

Would you let me know if you join? 

I'd love to pray along with you.

Oh, yes, and would you join me in rejoicing today? Today marks the 6th Anniversary of my husband's cancer diagnosis. We have been blessed with six years since -- victory -- praise to the Lord! I am honored to pray for him -- six years ago I couldn't see past the current day, and here we are six years later. Praying for our husbands is a gift!!

And, one last thing, if you're joining you might want to consider becoming an affiliate for the 31DaystoBuild a Better Spouse ebook. Today, the launch date,  is a great time to spread the word about this awesome opportunity.  And, yes, my link is an affiliate link.

Meet Ashley. You'll be blessed. Just like me.

It's funny how life is this intricate tapestry of woven events. Sometimes we just see the back and it looks like a tangled mess of threads weaving in and out - almost appearing random. Then every once in a while we're given a glimpse of the beautiful picture that our lives actually are - and those once random looking threads are only part of a greater designed plan.

You see, when I found out there was a ticket for me to go to Relevant I prayed for the Lord's direction and His will. I put it out there that I'd need a sponsor and help to go. Ashley Pichea, author of numerous ebooks as well as the 3in30 Challenge {how cool is that?} offered to help support me. I was blown away and blessed by her kindness.

Here's the secret: I've read her blog and twitter feed for months and have admired her work and determination. I remember clicking over to her site 3in30 and feeling inspired by her practical way to make proactive change in one's life. I interacted with her on twitter and was consistently blessed by her uplifting comments and encouragement. She inspired me.

She still does.

image source: 31daystopray.com

When she emailed me asking me to share with you about her e-book 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse {which is part of her 31 Days of Prayer ministry} I was, as I wrote about, blown away. I had been praying about strengthening my own marriage, and had come to the point in my life where I realized that part of that was going to be me - me praying, me letting go, me forgiving, me encouraging - but that me was through prayer and surrender to the Father. Then her email comes in. Convicting. A thread in the tapestry of my life that I wanted to tighten.

This e-book was something I was praying for already. And the Lord answered it through Ashley.

Friends, I'm going to be reading 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse. When I return from Relevant I am planning on beginning, and I can hardly wait. Marriage is a gift, a blessing, and I am determined to recommit my marriage to the Lord.

If you would like to read her e-book 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse you can purchase it for only $4.99. It's available as a PDF download, on Kindle or Nook. I'd love to chat with you as you work your way through the book. You can join the conversation on twitter by using the hashtag #31DBBS

Click HERE to order.

Thank you, Ashley, for sponsoring me. My words will never be adequate enough to express the level of gratitude that I have for your generous support. Thank you for being part of my life's story. I'm blessed.

thoughts on planes, airports, and marriage

1} Last Monday if someone would have told me that I was going to Relevant I would have laughed and thought it to be impossible.  I know, I know, nothing is impossible for God. I'm witnessing it right now.

2} I do need to calm my nerves down. I think I must be operating at ultra-high-anxiety mode right now. I have to intentionally still my self -- I keep praying and asking the Lord to replace any anxiety with His peace.

3} Then of course, there's that flying thing again. If you recall from when I went to Hilton Head Island this summer that I wrote about how this girl, that's me, doesn't really care for flying. Well, due to the last minute nature of this amazing trip and opportunity, I am now flying the oddest and fullest flight possible. With many plane changes. Let's see -- on the way out? There will be three flights. Three take-offs, three landings. Not that I'm counting.

4} Then, and this is a prayer request, the time between plane changes on my first leg out {in Milwaukee, Wisconsin} is a grand total of 29 minutes. Yes, 29. Twenty-nine. Two tens plus nine ones. Thirty take away one. That's it. Thankfully, I've already studied the map of that airport and have discovered that all of the Delta flights are on the same concourse and that there aren't that many gates. But, anyways, if you'd pray that I make my connections I'd be extremely grateful.

That would be the Milwaukee Airport Map. Yes, I've been studying it.

5} And now, we get to plane size. Since I'm skipping across the country to Harrisburg I don't get the luxury of a larger plane. Nope. I'm on those regional sized planes. The ones where you can feel everything. Please add that to your prayer requests - peace for me on those teeny planes.

6} I had to do it this way. The other options were switching airlines on the way out and that would have entailed extra baggage fees. $25 a pop per airline. I originally wasn't going to bring a bag. And then I remembered -- conference with women. I'll need stuff. Well, really and honestly, my dear husband refused to let me just go with a carry-on because he was afraid I'd hurt my shoulder worse and then suffer the whole time I'm out there. I love him and am blessed by him.

7} God works in powerful and direct ways. I've been praying a great deal about marriage and strengthening our marriage and more. Well, tomorrow I'm going to introduce you to one of my sponsors, Ashley Pichea, who has written marvelous e-books and has a great blog. As part of my sponsorship I'm honored  to promote to you, and to the many amazing women at Relevant, her new e-book regarding marriage. It's called -31 Days to Build a Better Spouse {you can visit it at 31daystopray.com } And it's on the power of prayer. God knew. He knew my heart and knew beforehand how much I need to read this ebook. It's humbling. i"m excited to share more with you and to journey through her book.

Oh yes, and one last thing, anyone know anywhere where I could get business cards made fast? I've tried to price them online and they cost over $100 to get them made and shipped in time. Any options that you all know of?

Linking up with Carissa. Who will be going with me next year to Relevant. We're already planning it. :)