Welcome to CCS

Dia annseo isteach!
God to all here!

Hey Gina,

Great news dear! It sounds like a real miracle that has happened in you life! We rejoice with you at all that God has started to do for you. Its just so amazing what God can do when we pray together in belief...

Lurking is fine but way too many do that here. If anything crosses your mind or heart please don't hesitate to bring it up! Thanks for bringing your prayer requests and your victories to us...

Slan
Marty

Hi Gina,
Thanks for sharing your news. I've known some people who have worked through things like this and saved their marriage (and gave God the credit.) It's still hard, but it does happen. You are very wise to go slowly and protect your bruised heart, in my opinion. Take it for what it's worth because I've never been through what you have. Are you two going to counseling?

What a blessing to be at home with your daughter. Still praying...

Edited by author 11-07-2009 12:09 PM
Hello again, Gina. Please know that I, too, am praying for all.

Mac

Gina, that is great news. I'm praying for you.

Wow, I've been gone for awhile (computer troubles)and finally found my way here on my husband's computer.
First, great news Gina! It's always amazing to watch what God can and will do in our lives. I'll continue to pray for you and your husband.
Scotsman, welcome to Colorado! I'm in Co. Springs, a bit south of you. I pray your move will be a good one, and you can have the unfortunate stuff in Arizona far behind you. Sorry to say, we've been in the middle of ego-driven and ill-planned building programs before. The carnage can be devastating.
And Lillian, good to see you're hanging in there.

we are in counseling. we're working with our pastor and his wife. plus steve will begin seeing a therapist Dec 3 (earliest they could get him in). and yes, cindy it really is such a blessing to be home with bella. are there any celtic hearth/home prayers you know on the top of your head? i feel like i can appreciate them more now that my house feels like a home and not just a house. i'd like to have a prayer framed over my doorway... just a thought...


Thank you for all your prayers :)

hey mac! how you been?

anyone have any ideas for date-nights that can be GOD-centered?

Certainly there are some attributed to St. Brigid. From Lady Gregory (in my book):
Let the three angels having the most power in the court of grace be keeping this house and the people of this house and sheltering them until the dawn of day.

It's traditional to have a St. Brigid cross over your door or your fireplace. There are some to bless a fire, if you have a fireplace and want that.

 I have one by my door too that is just a generic Celtic blessing:
May you have truth in your heart, strength in your hands, consistency in your tongue, and may your eyes always be smiling.

I'm sure you could find a bizillion more!

Dia annseo isteach!
God to all here!

Greetings all,

Melina - great to have you back also! Hope those computer problems are resolved!? Amazing how we are 'connected' now!?

Gina - I'm very glad to hear about the counseling! Both as a couple and for Steve to deal with some of his inner 'disharmonies'! Sometimes, a word or two from outside your normal thinking can make all the difference in the world to a marriage. They'll still be problems, but they will stay within the marriage! I think it might be useful for you to have an understanding woman to hear you out and tell you any shortcomings she might see too...

As for the prayers, Cindy is so right! Actually, Bazillion might be a low figure. What might be of benefit to you is to search out some for yourself. Newell is a good example of Celtic prayer but so is the Carmina Gadelica might be good for you to look through also. You might be able to order a copy at the library. As with Cindy's house, mine is also proudly displaying Celtic crosses in most rooms. The symbolism is a constant reminder of the harmony we all seek with God, even in trials. Unfortunately, they aren't magic, you have to take the message inside!

Thanks all for your participation here... May God bless you all.

Slan
Marty

Blessings of the Triune God, Gina!

We are hanging in there and resting in our Lord's arms.

As far as date nights are concerned, just remember that if couples do the same things they're doing now, they'll continue to get the same results. Pretty obvious, huh? What did you do when you were dating? Do you enjoy similar hobbies?

With the advent season screaming up on us, many programs will be available through many churches. If you are in an area that has distinct seasons, go for a walk in a park during a snowfall and focus on God's creation and transition into what He has created in you. Does your church have couple's classes (not counseling) on varying topics? Usually, there are no costs for those. Picnics can be enjoyable and are not as much as going to a restaurant. Again, that gets you out into God's world and not in a stuffy building. Studying the Bible together is also fun if you don't take on too much. Make a list for each other highlighting what you see God's gifts in your partner.

CS Lewis noted: "It is when we are doing things together that friendship springs up – painting, sailing ships, praying, philosophizing, and fighting shoulder to shoulder. Friends look in the same direction."

we have no similar hobbies or interests. yeah, i know. that seems impossible but its true. we dont even like the same music or movies.

we never actually "dated".seriously. i've never really been on a "date". we just sorta hung out at his house and he played video games while i read a book or cheered his game on.

our church will be starting a couple's class at the beginning of next year. he still isnt that comfortable at my church tho. there is a church another town over that is much bigger and has lots of "couples" groups and events. we might start going there, but i will sorely miss my home church. they have become my family. but it's ok i guess :)

i'm wondering if he'll do a picnic... i'll have to ask. i was raised playing in the outdoors, but he's never seemed interested in being outside. he might now tho since we have our lil girl! we are praying together (for the first time ever.) and that has been really nice!

we have got a his and hers daily devotional and we've both been doing that. i think it makes a huge difference to have something to guide your bible study.

Gina, I will break my silence for this one.

My wife and I had only four dates before we decided to get married. And of that time, I was stationed out of state. We had a long distance relationship for 6 months before getting married. We had never been on a single date even when we did have dates. Our like you we have little to nothing in common. I love outside, she hates it. She is type A, I am Type C. I say yes, she says no. Black, white; left right. But this is were the beauty of love comes in. When life requires us to think things through, she takes the lead. When crisis thinking is needed, I take the lead. And we know that.
We knew from day one that marriage is 75% work, 20% compromise, and 5% fun / pleasure. And that is a daily, weekly, monthly, life long commitment. But once you understand that, the work and compromise becomes part of the fun and pleasure. It is not 50/50, but 100/100. Both have to give all with no expectations expected. I do, because.... Glad to see you are back on track and moving in the right direction.

now Scotty slithers back in his hole........

Scotty, you're so right about 100/100. Anything else, and you're always keeping track. I remember a song a few years ago by Steve and Annie Chapman, "The Ships Are Burning". Basically, it echoes the Spanish explorers idea of burning the ships in the harbor so there is no way to turn back when the going gets tough. If there's no turning back, you figure out how to make it work. I am not an advocate of staying in an abusive or impossible marriage, but I am an advocate of saying "Whatever it takes".
Gina, I hear you saying he doesn't like your church, he doesn't like outdoors, you don't have much in common. You have two big things in common..the marriage covenant itself, and your baby. Start there. Don't dwell on the negatives, find positives. And sometimes it really will seem like you're doing all the work. That's where the 100% comes in. A marriage relationship is virtually impossible if you look at it with the world's eyes. Look at it through the eyes of God, who said He will make you ONE. My husband and I have been together for 43 years. I can hardly remember who we were back then. I guarantee we aren't the same people who started that journey. It's an adventure, like Scotty said it's alot of work, but it's what we are made for. You have my prayers.

Dia annseo isteach!
God to all here!

Hey Scotty and Melina,

(shortest post yet!) - Amen!!

Slan
Marty

For those you interested in Irish history, which might be all of you!, check out the Irish Hedgerow History Lessons podcast from Irish Roots Cafe: http://www.irishroots.com/content/view/105/158/

Dia annseo isteach!
God to all here!

Hey Cindy,

Thanks for the link! It looks like an interesting site. I listened to the Introduction and it appears they will be setting up a 'hedge school' to teach people. Nice idea! Its not a static presentation but more interactive! I hope it does well...

Slan
Marty

Also, at ChristianHistory.net, there is an article entitled "Bishops in
Fact if Not Name," which mentions Brigid.