Today’s Devotional

Marnie's Posts, {Beauty}

{Beauty} Fading Flowers.

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Written by: Marnie Pouget

Can I be honest with you? You may be young and your skin beautiful and dewy, your hair thick and

glossy and your body toned and healthy but you are aging. It may not feel like it but it is true.

We live in bodies that are growing and changing but aging from the minute we are born.

I really don’t mean for this to be discouraging but it is a reality we all must face.

“For, all people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the

flowers fall,” 1 Peter 1:24

Our glory, our beauty will fade and fall. Our skin loses elasticity and gets saggy and wrinkly. Our eye sight

fades and we squint at pages we once read with ease. Our hair begins to take on new shades that

demand to be noticed (and dreaded).

It is easy to take for granted your youthfulness until a sweet child brushes through your hair and

declares in drawn out enthusiasm that you have “be..YOU…ti…ful white highlights” and the more she

brushes the more she finds. It helps that in her innocence she believes she is honouring you with a great

compliment.

Or in the arms of a precious toddler snuggling close and sighing in contentment over the soft pillow of

your body; which sends you frantically into ridiculous amounts of abdominal exercises to gain a  6 pack

or thereabouts.

We can try to fight the process but it is a losing battle.

Even the fit women will find their skin sagging and wrinkling. The sun exposure that creates golden

healthy tans in youth produce premature wrinkles with age.

The truth may be hidden, but underneath the dye the hair is still turning white and grey. One only has to

look at the roots which all too quickly divulge the secret. And one day a glance in the mirror reveals an

old woman with a ridiculously fake hair colour that is anything but flattering.

For those who can afford the extreme, there are tucks of all kinds available for the right price.

Now, I am not saying that using hair colour and make up is wrong. Nor is keeping fit or even, if you are

so inclined, to make permanent changes to your appearance. Enhancing, reducing, tucking. Fight the

aging process full force, if you like.

We can spend a lot of time and money in an attempt to keep our bodies looking young and vibrant.

Though, with observation I would say that it is a poor investment with a less that satisfactory return.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing

of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a

gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4

I admit that I hope my husband finds me attractive but I don’t want that tied to what I wear or how I

have done my hair and makeup. When the makeup has been washed off, my hair has been brushed out

and I have donned my comfy clothes, I want to know that he still thinks I am beautiful.

As women, we want to be beautiful. Not temporarily pretty but with an enduring beauty.

So what is an eternal beauty? “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit”.

I have struggled with the inference of this image in the past. Quite frankly, I am not sure anyone who

knows me would describe me as gentle or quiet, in fact at one time I was shocked to be described as

blunt.

When I picture a woman with “a gentle and quiet spirit”, I think of my Sunday School Teacher, Arielle.

That was really her name. But unlike the stubborn, rebellious redhead under the sea, this Arielle was the

precious, patient mother of three boys. They were true, rough and tumble boys. Arielle was neither thin

nor heavy. She had a soft warmth about her. When she smiled, her eyes lit up and her face shone. She

was calm and patient (until that one day when she was pushed too far- I wouldn’t want you to think she

was perfectly perfect but she was real). Her hair was neatly piled with soft grey tendrils. She had a

gentle and quiet spirit and she was beautiful.

That is not me. I can be loud and bossy. I am passionate and exuberant. I am certain that I must

embarrass my children on a regular basis with my abundant personality. But gentle and quiet?

To be honest I have felt like a failure reading this verse. One day a lovely friend pointed out that it would

be a boring world if we were all quiet and gentle all the time but this verse wasn’t referring to

personality but spirit. I didn’t have to tame and subdue the vibrant personality I was given.

Her encouragement didn’t stop there but went on to explain that she saw my quiet and gentle spirit. My

daily walk and trust in God. My faith lived out through difficult times. The fruit of the Spirit growing and

overflowing in my life.

As I live in communion with God….

“…but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person

is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not

wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:2-4

“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and

enduring word of God. For, all people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the

grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” 1Peter 1:23-24

The grass may wither and the flower may fall but a tree planted by the water, the word of the Lord, is

vibrant. Full of life and fruit. An eternal beauty. Definitely worth the investment.

Until Next Time,

~Marnie

Guest-Writers

{Guest-Post} Wendy’s Testimony.

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Written By: Wendy Taylor

I am so excited about what God is doing in my life! Is it because I am uniquely gifted, talented, educated or beautiful?
None of the above.
I believe it is because I have accepted the fact that God loves me, has a great plan for my life, and I KNOW I can trust Him!

As a teen age girl, even though raised in a Christian home, I lost my way and became a very troubled teenager. I quit school at the age of 16 yrs. and was sent 1500 miles away from home to a Bible School to hopefully straighten my life out. After surrendering to the Lord while I was contemplating suicide, I finally asked for forgiveness and my life began to take on meaning from that point on. After 2 years of Bible School and furthering my education, I graduated with an RPN. I found a handsome young Christian man that I married after 1 year of dating.

Little did I know what God had for us!
While we were still adjusting to marriage at the age of 23 years of age, we accepted a call to come and move into a group home and become group home parents to 6 very emotionally disturbed boys. For the next 25 years we took parenting classes from trained professionals who taught us how to work with these very difficult children. We ended up taking in over 100 teen age boys over the next 25 years and also adopted 2 babies as I was unable to have children.
God taught me the value of praying as I had to trust Him for protection at times and for wisdom in a very trying life. I  would beg Him to move some of these teens, but He always changed my heart first! I learned to love them!

I have been travelling and speaking now for about 20 years, teaching women how to put their personal testimonies together and sharing my personal story. I have had the opportunity to be on 100 Huntley Street and host a TV show out of Detroit.
I became a Pastor’s wife as well.

I began a Women’s conference because I could see that women and teen age girls of all denominations were frustrated, stressed,  and searching for their calling in life. Today “Women of Influence” has been in existence for 10 years and has about 250  teens and women attending bi yearly. Our next conference will be held on Oct. 3rd-2015. Many women are finding Christ as their personal Savior through this Conference. As they hear powerful , honest testimonies they are so encouraged that they realize they can get though anything with the Lord. A teen conference with dynamic speakers is being organized for June 18/2016 called “An Afternoon in the Son.”

A verse that means a lot to me is Acts 20:24. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify of the grace of God.
 
Trust Him dear friend-trust Him. Life will not always be easy and smooth but if you keep your eyes on Him, He will do abundantly more in your life, than you could ask or think.

We would love to have you join us in attending our next Conference and signing up for our on line Bible Study called “Living With Courage. “which begins Aug 17th. Follow the link to register for the conference or Bible Study.   www.thewomneofinfluence.net.

About Wendy:

Wendy Taylor began Women of Influence in 2008. She is founder of the Prayer Connection, a Registered Charity which she began in 1996 and the wife of Pastor Glenn Taylor of Rose City Community church. She is a writer, speaker, conference organizer and counselor.
Wendy is a mother to many who have lost their mom. She has been a foster mom to 165 teenage children. She is the mother of 2 adopted children and the grandmother to 2 boys, ages 6 and 4 and a 4-month-old baby girl. She has been adopted by many families to be Nana to their children as well.

Amy's Posts, Angela's Posts, Crystal's Posts, Joceline's Posts, Kerrington's Posts, Krystyn's Posts, Luisa's Posts, Marnie's Posts, Promo Video, Rachel's Posts, Sienna's Posts, Taylor's Posts

{Special Video} The UYM Project.

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The UYM project image

We are so thrilled to share this sweet video put together by a precious friend, Lauren Rivest for our ministry. Thank you Lauren, for assisting us in the creation of this beautiful master piece.

Another HUGE Thank you, to the hundreds of readers in whom were also so highly involved in the creation of this video. UYM wouldn’t be where it is today without you all!

             Special UYM Project video.

Life in the Spirit, Rachel's Posts

{Life In The Spirit} Friendships.

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Written By: Rachel Shaw
Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
I was in total shock when my best friends began telling me their future plans to move to the other side of the world. I thought they were kidding and I wish they were. I love how close we live to each other. I love being able to meet for breakfast on Saturday mornings, or spending a day at the mall. Sometimes I wish we didn’t have to grow up and become adults.
Sometimes I wish we could spend more time together, just like when we were kids. The more I thought about it, I came to realize how much God has blessed me through so many friendships. God designed and specifically placed each of my best friends in my life for many reasons. As I look at all of my friendships, I listed all the ways that God has worked in my life through my friends:
-Encouragement
-Prayer
-Love
-Fun memories
-Words of affirmation
-Sense of belonging
-Empowerment
-Laughter
God had created our human nature for relationship. We were not meant to live this life alone. I have been very blessed to have so many meaningful friendships in my life and blessed with friends that have been there for me in the good times, and also through the bad.
I am so thankful that many of my closest friends are believers and encourage my walk with Christ. I encourage each of you to surround yourselves with other strong Christians, so you can learn and grow together. Help each other in your journey with Christ and be accountable to each other. Love and serve each other, setting an example for those around you.
Enjoy your friendships and take advantage of your opportunities to be together right now because the opportunity may not be there forever. Pray for them and appreciate their commitment to you and to the Lord.
Thank You, Lord, for designing us for friendships. I am so thankful for the wonderful people You have placed in my life to encourage me and to challenge me to bring glory to You. Thank You for them, and I pray that they are empowered to live a life for You.
I pray all things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Until Next Time,
~Rachel
Marnie's Posts, UYM

{Worth} Doubly HIS.

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Written By: Marnie Pouget

I remember the first day that my mom gave me a “clothing allowance”. I had received an allowance growing up but this was different. I received $60.00 each month with which to buy clothes, shoes, school supplies, gifts, as well as the occasional lunch at school. The idea was to teach me to budget and plan my finances to meet present requirements and anticipate future needs.

One of my first clothes shopping trips by myself, I had such a difficult time spending my money. I was a bit afraid to buy the “wrong” thing. Eventually after wasting about three hours debating with myself,  I bit the bullet, made a decision, and left the mall with three new shirts with which to start my grade nine year. I remember these shirts like it was yesterday. That moment was significant in my purchasing history.

They were special. I paid for them and they were mine.

Since that day long ago, I have made some other purchases that gave me stress in the purchasing. My first used car. A blue hatchback. I got a second job, waitressing, to pay my mom back. I signed every pay cheque over to her and kept records of the decrease of my debt. What a wonderful day it was when that car was truly mine. Paid in full.

My first new car…. and my first bank loan to pay for the car. A raspberry red 1991 Dodge Shadow, standard transmission with no air conditioning, roll down windows and no radio. If you drove in my car during the summer you had to sing loud because the windows were open and we HAD to have music. It wasn’t perfect but it was mine. My name was on the ownership because I paid for it (or was paying for it).

Then the largest thing I have ever owned in my life…. with the largest debt I have ever had. I recall the day we signed the papers for our mortgage. I think I was about to have a panic attack. My fiancé at the time (now my dear husband), had to calm me down and remind me that the Bank wouldn’t lend us the money if they didn’t think we could pay the mortgage. As I settled down with this thought, I also settled into home ownership. My house is mine and I have paid dearly for this privilege.

“You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a

“You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.” 1 Corinthians 7:23

I was bought with a price. I am not my own. As one who has accepted the death of Jesus for the penalty of my sin, I have been paid for by the blood of the Lamb. The cost of my salvation. Of your salvation. Death.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

The death of the Son of God, Jesus. The spotless “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. John 1:29

The payment for my sin. HIS death. He made me (remember the two handed process with a purpose?) Click here to read.

He paid for me so I am not my own. I am DOUBLY HIS.

 Until Next Time,
~Marnie
 
Kerrington's Posts, {Love}

{Love} Someday Soon. 

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Written by: Kerrington Sweeney

Someday Soon. By: Francesca Battestelli 

“I wanna be the one who knows everything about you I wanna be the one who’s always on your mind I wanna be the one to get all of your affection and attention You’re the one that I’ve been waiting for, for all this time and I can’t imagine anything, anything better than Someday falling in love with you Holding your hand, making our plans all come true Someday under a sky so blue, I’ll give you my heart Our story will start someday soon. I wanna be the one who does everything with you. Watching stars, washing cars, taking walks, going to the store. I wanna be the one who gets to change her last name someday. To something that sounds something more like yours And I can’t imagine anything, anything better than. Someday falling in love with you Holding your hand, making our plans all come true Someday under a sky so blue, I’ll give you my heart Our story will start someday soon Yeah, I’ll be telling you I love you On a picture perfect day And those words inside my head They sound like angels singing praise It’s what I was made to say, oh Someday falling in love with you Holding your hand, making our plans Someday falling in love with you Holding your hand, making our plans all come true Someday under a sky so blue, I’ll give you my heart Our story will start someday soon.”

I had never heard this song until one Sunday evening while driving home with my wonderful friend and mentor, Mandy! …This song, truly makes my heart simply smile. With me being in my own season of waiting for my Prince Charming, it sometimes is a tough struggle to know that there is that “special someone” out there waiting for me. 

This past valentines day I took a step further into my “season of waiting.” I wrote a love letter to my future husband. As I sat passionately writing, thinking towards the lovely future I will have with this young man someday, I couldn’t help, but smile from ear to ear. 

Although, I may not know him…I already love him with all that is within my heart. With a Season of Waiting, patience is the true key to success. Patience, for God’s absolute perfect timing. 

Yes! Your story will start someday soon! Just be patient. Blossom where you have been planted sisters. Wait upon The Lord and lift up your future hubby in daily prayer. I know the wait sometimes seems so long…but never forget, it’s worth it in the long run. Some day soon you’ll be living out your dreams 🙂

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

 

Kerrington's Posts, {Life}

{Life} Hell.

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Written By: Kerrington Sweeney

 

Today, the Lord has dropped something heavily upon my heart. I felt as if I was commissioned by the Holy Spirit to share this. I will be as real as I possibly can; as much as I know how to. I was sitting in my quiet time with God, and I read a verse in Matthew 25:46. It reads…

“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

How real and true this is, readers! People every day are running straight towards that eternal punishment. Falling face first into an eternal fiery pit. called Hell. Hell is just as real as Heaven. We don’t often hear about Hell in the church as much as we hear about our happily ever after of eternal Life. But I am here to share with you that it is very real. Hell is a place. A place where many of my friends and even some family members are headed right now.

Wherever you are today, sitting and reading this, you have a particular destination over your life. Whether it be an eternal home of safety or a fiery place you’ve feared all your life.

Not to be morbid, but know that you are one simple breath away from eternity. Where are you headed after that breath? Do you know? As followers of Christ, we need to realize this.

We are ALL born sinners. We are born into this world separated from God. Because our God judges justly, He sees the rich and the poor all on the same level. We are all sinners, whether we have millions of dollars in the bank or whether we are eating at the soup kitchen and living on park benches. Think of it this way: one day, we will all bow down before the same foot of the cross.

Leveled together, as sinners. God sees us, His children. With all the bondages, sins, mistakes, and troubles, He knew for a fact that we wouldn’t be strong enough on our own to pay our own wages. He knew how horrible it would be for you to spend eternity in Hell. He didn’t want that for His children. So He willingly sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ – the Hope of the world.

Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life here on the earth. At age 33, Jesus was taken and held hostage. He was taken on a horrible quest through the night, where He was beaten, bruised, and spit on by the people. He was called all sorts of terrible names, and He did absolutely nothing to stop it. He was willing to endure this.

The next day, Jesus stood before Pilate. Pilate made the harsh decision to hand Him off to the Romans. As if He was a filthy piece of trash. Unwanted. Unworthy. Uncalled for. But yet, Jesus did nothing to stop it. The Romans whipped Him, beat Him, bruised Him. They ripped apart His body but Jesus did nothing to stop it. They destroyed Him to the very core, yet Jesus did nothing to stop it. He was willing.

They walked with Him to His final breath. They made His weak raggedy body carry that heavy wooden cross up the steep slopes of the mountain called Golgotha. Jesus went willingly. He hung on that cross, bloody and destroyed. As He hung there, He did nothing to stop them. Instead He thought of YOU!

He thought that if He didn’t pay this high price, how you would then have to pay it. You would be headed straight into that eternal punishment. You would have to work your own way, to pay the wages of all your sins.

What Jesus did as He willingly hung on that cross was to pray for the people that put Him there. He thought of you. He knew you already, specifically by name. He loved you then and He loves you now. His love has never stopped and it never will stop. His love never fails.

Jesus conquered death, three days after dying as He rose again. He made Heaven an open place for God’s righteous children. The Heavenly gates were opened, for anyone who would call upon the name of the Lord. We will ALL stand before Jesus one day.

It says in Revelation 20:11-21:7

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.” 

It’s on my heart today to say this – you don’t have to go to Hell just because you are a sinner. You are given the free gift of Heaven, an eternal home of safety. You are the only one who can make this choice for yourself.

With all of this being said, let me ask you this question once more…

“Where are you headed?” 

If this post intrigued you, we would love to pray with you and chat with you. Today is a great day to become a part of God’s family. Today is a great day to have YOUR name written in the Book of Life. Today is a day that could change your life. It’s simply your choice.

Contact us here… 

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Looking forward to hearing from you! Bless you!!

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington 

Taylor's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Faithful Friendships.

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Written by: Taylor Horner

 

Having a faithful friend is such a great asset! I would say you are truly blessed if you have friendships in your life where you know your friend will always be faithful to you. This can include keeping things private in your life that you wish to be private, being dependable in your times of need, and always taking time out to see how your week is going.

As we get older, sometimes we lose friendships due to different circumstances; things like moving away, having different interests, or being involved in different friendship networks. This might mean that we may have a small number of faithful friendships in our lives. Never discount that as a bad thing – having one faithful friend is better than having many friends that are not looking out for your best interest.

In our world, we as human beings can be very selfish. Some people become friends with others because of the status it gives them. The popularity, maybe the money, or even some other way that they can gain something for themselves. These “friends” are the type of people that we need to avoid being.

As Christians, we are called to love one another. There are no exceptions to this rule. We are called to love ALL. It can be easy to get caught up sometimes in wanting to be friends with everyone because of the popularity or the events you will be invited to. We become focused on those things instead of being focused on being a faithful and loving friend.

I have one beautiful friend in my life that also happens to be my maid of honour. This girl is one of the most faithful people I know. I can count on her through times of trouble and triumph and she is always willing to support me. I honestly do not know what I would do without her continued support in my life. God has absolutely blessed me with having her as my best friend. She also has an incredible boyfriend who my fiancé has gotten close with, which has become a blessing for both of us. I do my best to be just as faithful to her as she is to me, because that is what everyone deserves. We should attempt to live out lives of faithfulness to others, just like God is faithful to us. We can be such a blessing to others when we continue to show love, compassion, and care to those who are around us.

Sometimes it can be difficult to keep up with being faithful in friendship to others because it is a big commitment, and we can get caught up in our own lives. BUT it is important for us to remember that God loves a faithful heart and humans do too. I challenge everyone reading this to show faithfulness to someone in their lives today. Whether that be a text to see how they are doing, or getting coffee with a friend in need – just show you care. Be a person that can say you live out faithful friendships!

Luke 6:31 “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

Until Next Time,

~Taylor

Kerrington's Posts, {Beauty}

{Beauty} Be YOU! 

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Written by: Kerrington Sweeney

The daily challenge and intense struggle of today’s generation is getting people to actually act like themselves. With all the latest and hottest pop stars and actresses making their lives look oh-so-glamorous, why would people even want to be themselves when they could be so much more?!

This is speaking from experience. It was back in the year 2007, when all I wanted to be was, “Hannah Montana“. The lights, dreams, travels, world tours, that musician life… it was truly ‘the best of both worlds’ in my 10 year old eyes! 😉

Whether it was the Hannah posters, notebooks, magazines, CDs, the TV series, pens, pencils… I HAD to have it all!

Coming off of the Hannah Montana phase, I dove right into wanting to be a girl from the 1800’s. Strange? I know! A girl who learned how to sew, to cook at a young age, and live where life was simple and sweet.  Yes, I took this one to the next level, even to the point of wearing an old fashioned apron almost every day! Thank goodness those pictures are put away in “safe-keeping”! Haha! 😉 Whether it was wanting to be Hannah Montana or the simple 1800’s girl, I was still wanting to be someone else, not who I actually was. I realize now that it was just childhood phases, but seriously.

Sometimes, even as a teenager, I get caught in this trap of character and of identity. I start looking at others’ lives and the comparison bug comes and bites me a little bit, and then, I don’t even realize that I’m trying with all my power and might to become like that person. A very wise lady once told me, “You never know if someone else is looking up to you. So, if you try and be someone that you’re not, let’s just say, it will be a big identity mess.”

We each are given divine, unique talents, so why try to be like the other girl or guy? Why try to change yourself to be like the latest pop-star? The big question all comes down to… Why? God created you with such an incredible master-plan in mind. He looks forward to using YOU! Yes, you! He has exciting times ahead in your journey and He has challenging times in your future, but He will always be there. So just ‘Be YOU!’

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Krystyn's Posts, Let's talk about Dating

{Let’s Talk About Dating} Girl meets boy.

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Written By: Krystyn Slauenwhite

Guys and girls are very different from each other. 

I wanted to talk about what some of those differences are so we can better understand each other. 

When it comes to dating it’s helpful to realize what the differences are between guys and girls. 

Girls are more emotional whereas most guys tend to be more logical.

This is where communication is so important. Ladies when you have something on your mind, don’t be afraid to communicate that to your guy. If we don’t communicate those things with them, they won’t know what’s going on. I find that’s when we run into problems. I’ve been guilty with that. For example, the guy may say something that makes you feel upset and we tend to keep that to ourselves a lot and by doing that our emotions build up and without guys knowing what’s going on we could blow up on them after awhile because we’ve kept it in the whole time. If we tell them what they said or did made us feel upset, then they can be aware and you both and work it out together.

I highly recommend a book by Gary Chapman called the 5 love languages because I believe it would help you and your partner both understand what your love languages are so you can better communicate with each other. 

I want to make one last important point. I believe it’s so important to be honest with each other. In a way that you’re both open and real with each other. That way you gain that trust and understand each other more 🙂
Until Next Time, 

~Krystyn