What I learned from the "30 days".

For the past 30 days, I have chronicled my journey through the daily husband encouragement challenges created by "Revive Our Hearts Ministries".

If you've missed the series, check out the results for each of the 30 days here:

This little journal was what I used to record my daily actions and their results:

However, if you decide that this is something worthwhile for you and your man, go through these 30 days as a kind of experiment to see what happens in your relationship.

  It is online for free! 

Here is your virtual copy of the book!  

(The link is simply all 30 challenges in one place.  An easy thing to print off and hide in your own journal while you go through it)! 

Today I will be sharing with you some of the "behind the scenes" information about my journey through these 30 days, as well as some tips if you'd like to try this with your husband.

Tips for optimum results:

1) Keep it a secret!  Hubs cannot know that you are doing the challenge.  If he does, then he may call into question every nice thing you do or say.  Furthermore, he may just chalk up all of your kindness to the fact that you have to do it for the sake of the challenge, not because you really mean it!

2) 30 days doesn't have to be 30 days.  What I mean is that you don't need to do this in 30 consecutive days in order to do it at all.  If you miss a day here and there, nobody will know but you, and there is no harm done.  Just pick it up again tomorrow.

3) Don't have predetermined results in mind.  You must not go into the challenge in order to get your husband to praise you more, to work harder for you around the house, or to have any kind of outcome that you've decided he should have.  Let him respond in whatever way(s) he will.  Some days you will not notice any tangible results from what you've done.  That is okay.  You aren't doing it for what you can get out of it, you are doing it for him.  Keep that in mind.

4)  Don't quit.  If the challenge doesn't go how you wanted it to go, you couldn't think of an action for one of the days of the challenge, or you blow it completely and have a fight during the 30 days, don't quit.  This isn't an ALL or NOTHING deal.  Keep going.  When I messed up along the way, I decided to be even more intentional in the following days so as not to spiral down or quit it all together.  

5)  Record what happens somewhere.  I recorded my daily results in a journal, then I blogged about it.  In all honesty, (as you might have guessed), the fact that I was going to blog about it gave me a lot more motivation to stay on track with recording my results.  Write down not only what you do and what your husband does (if anything), also write how you feel while doing this.  Is your heart changing a little bit?  Are you having other ideas on how to bless or encourage your husband that aren't outlined in the challenge?  Write it down!

6)  Aim for some accountability.  Tell a friend what you are doing.  Blog about it.  Do it with your girls small group.  Keep yourself accountable to continue the 30 days all the way through.  It's much easier to stay on track if you have an obligation to fill someone in on your progress.  In my case I began with being accountable to my best friend Amanda, but half way through the challenge I shifted to the blog as the way to let her know my progress (she's a reader) :)

Tidbits you didn't know:

I have owned this book for quite a long time and actually attempted to do the 30 day challenge before.  Unfortunately, Jesse found out I was doing it on day 2 or 3, so I had to quit.

Jesse didn't find out that I was doing the 30 day challenge this time until the very end.  He saw it up on my blog when I was on the last day.  He was cool with it!  Once he saw it, he read through the whole thing.  I think seeing in all of those posts how much I love him was kind of awesome for him.  Yes, he is definitely cool with the whole thing!

What I learned from this:

I have learned that focusing on the great qualities of my husband really does give me new eyes for him.  I enjoy him and appreciate him more.  The variety of daily challenges allowed me to consider all of the different things I have to appreciate about him.  I feel a profound sense of gratitude that he is my husband.  I'd highly recommend this challenge to anyone, whether you're "feeling the love" right now or not.  It has really become a lifestyle for me as I have gotten used to being positive to and about my husband.  I would say that makes it all worth it!

Thanks for reading this series!

Rolled Up Pretty

30 days of Encouraging Your Husband Series | Days 28-30

 If you are just joining us for this series, you popped in just in time!  It's the final day of our 10 day series.   I introduced a book that takes you through a 30 day time period of encouraging your husband. Using the publication below from "Revive Our Hearts Ministries", I am chronicling my progress for you.  It's kind of like you're reading my diary as I go through each day!  

Check out my results for days 1 - 27 here:

 Today I will be sharing my results for days 28-30.

 

If you decide that this is something worthwhile for you and your man, go through these 30 days as a kind of experiment to see what happens in your relationship.

  It is online for free! 

Here is your virtual copy of the book!  

(The link is simply all 30 challenges in one place.  An easy thing to print off and hide in your own journal while you go through it)! 

Day 28

Challenge: 

Sometimes, when we just "know" we are right and our husbands are wrong, it takes great humility to honor them. It is difficult to speak well of our husbands when our own hearts are puffed up with pride.

As part of your Encouragement Challenge today, pray that you will respond to the Lord in faith and humility before you react to your husband. Speak wisely and well, and leave the results to God.

The humility that comes from a right relationship with God—the humility that comes when a man is willing to listen to God and be taught from His Word—is indeed a beautiful quality. Jesus was an example of this kind of humility when he was willing to submit to His Father's will (John 6:38; Matt. 26:39).

Does your husband have that kind of humility? Is he willing to learn from and submit to direction from the Lord? Let your husband know how precious this is to your marriage relationship.

Action:  I confess, I did not do anything overt for this challenge today.  I did, however, tell Jesse that I thought he was awesome.  Does that count?

Results: Sorry to let you down right from the get go!   Let's move on.

Day 29

Challenge:

As you near the end of your Encouragement Challenge, take time to think about your husband's responses to the wickedness of the culture, the media, etc. Does your husband recognize and avoid evil? Does he regularly turn his back on pornography, sexual temptations, and the urge to lie and cheat?

This is a valuable character trait. Like Joseph in the Old Testament, who fled from the wicked advances of Potiphar's wife, this takes an understanding that these kinds of sins are first and foremost, sins against God (Gen. 39:9).

Praise your husband when he recognizes and turns his back on wickedness. If you can think of a circumstance where your husband stood for righteousness, remind him of that today-and express your gratitude.

Action:  I have seen Jesse be a mentor of sorts to other men, particularly husbands.  I have been around him while he's had conversations with people, reminding them of what the Bible says and why putting into action what it says WILL serve you better.  He is convinced that what is said in the scriptures really are true and the best standard by which to live.  People consistently come to him asking his advice because they know that he will steer them towards what is right.  I mentioned to him that the counsel I've seen him give others is not only right on, but also invaluable to so many. 

Results: Jesse continues to thrive in the role he has as "biblical counselor", and he gets to see my pride in him increase more and more on the sidelines. 

Day 30

Challenge: 

Friends can be completely honest with each other, but friendships are strained when truth is not spoken in love. How are you speaking to your beloved? Are you so "used" to him that you don't appreciate the wonder of his friendship? That is your challenge today. Is your sweetheart your best friend? Does he know this? Have you told him, or do you assume he "just knows"?

Friendship is something that is cultivated through the good times and the bad. Friends can share their hearts, but they don't step on each other's hearts. The way to have and be a good friend is to cultivate and celebrate the relationship. As you end this "30-Day Encouragement Challenge," celebrate your friendship with your husband. Get alone and reflect on your beloved friend. Write him a letter, listing the qualities you admire and appreciate about him. If you are creative with words, write and frame a poem about him.

Perhaps you can prepare a special meal, just for the two of you, and read the letter or poem to him. Ask if you can pray for him, and if he is willing, thank God for your love and friendship, asking for His blessing on your home.

Action:  Today was Valentine's Day, and, after making a nice Italian dinner with wine and family and Valentines Day cookies, Jesse and I were able to focus on each other.  I took a lighthearted and fun approach to Valentines Day this year, buying a funny and irreverent card, and even creating a game for Jesse.  We laughed and had fun with all I had planned, and I expressed to him in the card how much he meant to me.  As I said yesterday, this challenge has brought up so many aspects of my husband that I am grateful for that I have no trouble coming up with things to say to express my love and appreciation to this man.

Results: He loved his Valentines Day game, card, and hoopla.  It was kind of a celebration of the intimacy we've been building in all the areas of our relationship over these last 30 days.




As I said yesterday, doing and saying the things laid out in these challenges is becoming second nature.  I guess they say that after 14 days of doing something, it becomes a habit!  I suppose the 30 days was to make doubly sure that we would really get used to this!


As you may have guessed from the fact that the last day of my notes on the challenge was Valentine's Day,  it has been some time since I've completed the 30 day challenge. 




Tomorrow I will share with you how things have been since then, recommendations for you if you decide to try the challenge, and even how Jesse reacted when he found out that I did this challenge AND blogged about it!  Stay tuned for that!

30 days of Encouraging Your Husband Series | Days 25-27

 If you are just joining us for this series, I introduced a book that takes you through a 30 day time period of encouraging your husband. Using the publication below from "Revive Our Hearts Ministries", I am chronicling my progress for you.  It's kind of like you're reading my diary as I go through each day!  

Check out my results for days 1 - 24 here:

Today I will be sharing my results for days 25-27. 

 

If you decide that this is something worthwhile for you and your man, go through these 30 days as a kind of experiment to see what happens in your relationship.

  It is online for free! 

Here is your virtual copy of the book!  

(The link is simply all 30 challenges in one place.  An easy thing to print off and hide in your own journal while you go through it)! 

Day 25

Challenge: 
Before you consider whether these verses describe your husband, consider your own presence in the home. Do you promote an atmosphere of peace, or do critical words often flow from your mouth? Do you struggle with anger? If so, before you continue with your Encouragement Challenge, confess these sinful habits to the Lord, and determine to speak words of peace to your family today.

Does your husband bring an atmosphere of peace into your home? Is his presence a calming influence? Does he bring music, entertainment, books or people into your home that build a sense of serenity? Let him know how much you appreciate this wonderful quality, and support his choices.

If, on the other hand, he is quickly angered or he creates chaos rather than calm, ask God to give you an abundance of the kind of peace that will speak to his heart. Be patient and loving. Create an inviting atmosphere of peace, as much as possible.

Action:  If you've been following this series, you'll remember that I mentioned that I blew it big time one of the days.  TODAY WAS THAT DAY.  Not only did I do nothing to fulfill the challenge above, I also was overtly disrespectful and childish to him in public.  I acted out of my own selfishness, doing what I wanted to do after he specifically asked me not to do it.  I rationalized my behavior, thinking that Jesse couldn't have possibly had any good reason to ask me to wait to do that thing I wanted to do, so there was no harm in me going ahead with it.  Of course, I was wrong about that; there were good reasons behind Jesse's request, and only selfish reasons behind my actions.  Fail.

Results:  I went to bed tonight feeling like we had taken 20 steps forward to strengthen our relationship but 10 back.  Yes, 10 steps exaggerates the power of my one mistake in this challenge, but I am mad at myself for allowing myself to act in such a selfish way when I am supposed to be focusing on building up my husband!  

I guess it just goes to show you that our relationships have necessary ebb and flow, as two imperfect individuals are engaged in the action.  I can't allow my frustration with myself for blowing it today to mean that I quit this challenge.  If anything I need to focus all the more on the rest of these days so that I end on a high note - communicating what I want to communicate about my love for this man.   

On to tomorrow . . .

Day 26

Challenge:

If you have faithfully encouraged your husband, you will no doubt have seen some changes in his life . . . and your own life, as well.  Encouragement is a wonderful habit that we hope you will continue for the rest of your life.

The important thing is to keep growing in Christ and obeying the Word of God as you respond to your husband. As you consider today how to bless your husband and not tear him down, think of ways that you can encourage balance in your home.

Jesus led a balanced life. He grew mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. As you see your husband branching out in these areas, is there a pattern of growth? Is your husband striving for balance in his life? If so, let him know you have noticed, and ask how you can further encourage that balance.

If your husband is out of balance—focusing on one area to the exclusion of the others—consider whether there are things you can do to help restore or create balance in his life. Can you encourage times for sports or exercise? Keep the children quiet for a study time? Invite friends over for dinner? Stimulate his mind?

Be sure you are working toward balance in your own life, as well. Be an example!

Action:  My husband does a great job of balancing his roles at work with his roles at home.  He has been fortunate enough to land a job working close to home, and we are able to see him for lunch many days, and also visit him at the office occasionally.  I texted him about how grateful I was that he was able to work so close to home.  I also told him what a great job I thought that he did at balancing life and work.  He occasionally works on something for work late at night or early in the morning at home on the computer, but we always know that he is available and ready to engage with us. 

Results: Jesse knows that I support his work life and see it as important, just like I see his role as father as important.  Although his fathering role allows me more personal benefits, it is huge for him to know that I value his work as well.


Thinking about balance today in this challenge has given me an idea.  Jesse could use more balance in the area of creativity/recreation.  He has recently gotten really into the idea of restoration (Drab to Fab style), and he would love a wood shop in the garage.  I think I will try and get the garage ready to be transformed for this purpose!

Day 27

Challenge: 

You have almost completed the "30-Day Encouragement Challenge." Perhaps it has taken you a tremendous amount of courage to speak words of encouragement consistently to your husband. Courage comes as we place our trust in God. Have faith that God will continue to work long after your encouraging words have been shared.

There are lots of "tough guys" in the world, but true courage comes from the Lord. Does your husband exhibit the courage to take an unpopular stand, perhaps even to stand alone against evil? Is he courageous in his faith? Does he work hard to change injustice? Is he a stickler for the truth? Does he protect you or your family from the attacks of the Enemy?

Psalm 27:14 says this kind of courage comes from "waiting" on the Lord for His strength. If your budget allows, "award" your husband with a medal, trophy, framed picture of a brave knight, or some other token that represents his courage as a man of God. Praise evidences of your husband's courage in protecting you, your marriage, your family, or your home.

Action: Jesse is awesome at speaking truth, being courageous in taking a stand when needed, and he also gives me the physical sense of security.
Maybe I'm a weirdo, but I dead bolt the door when he's not home at night!  The other night he went to meet with a friend of his who was going through a rough time, and while he was gone, I sent him the following text in response to his letting me know the time he'd be home:  "Okay, I'll unlock the door before I go to bed.  I lock it when you're not here because you are my protector"

Results: He was humored by the text, but hopefully it let him know that his presence really does make me feel safe.  
I'm finding that there are so many things I could be saying or doing to fulfill these challenges, and that there is genuinely more and more I want to say.  The more I think about Jesse in all of these different ways, the more I want him to know how I feel.


Doing and saying the things laid out in these challenges is becoming second nature.  I guess they say that after 14 days of doing something, it becomes a habit!  I suppose the 30 days was to make doubly sure that we would really get used to this!

Stay tuned for days 28, 29, and 30 of the challenge tomorrow!

30 days of Encouraging Your Husband Series | Days 22-24

 If you are just joining us for this series, I introduced a book that takes you through a 30 day time period of encouraging your husband. Using the publication below from "Revive Our Hearts Ministries", I am chronicling my progress for you.  It's kind of like you're reading my diary as I go through each day!  

Check out my results for days 1 - 21 here:









Today I will be sharing my results for days 22-24.

 

If you decide that this is something worthwhile for you and your man, go through these 30 days as a kind of experiment to see what happens in your relationship.

  It is online for free! 

Here is your virtual copy of the book!  

(The link is simply all 30 challenges in one place.  An easy thing to print off and hide in your own journal while you go through it)! 

Day 22

Challenge: 

Focus today on how you represent your husband in your home, your church, and your community. In this challenge to encourage, ask: "If all my family and friends knew about my husband came from a filter of what I've said about him, what would they think of my husband?" Do you need to change the filter? Do you talk positively about your husband to others . . . or do you complain and criticize?

Your speech should reflect 1 Cor. 13 love. Your words should be kind, and should never "rejoice in iniquity" (v. 6). Refrain from listing your husband's faults to others. Satan likes to trick us in this area—be wary of sharing barbed "prayer requests." Remember, "Love will cover a multitude of sins" (1 Pet. 4:8b). Present your husband before others today in a strong, positive manner. Slip in a "good word" for your spouse.

Resist the urge to correct or belittle him in front of others. Some of what you say may come back to him—and you want your words to be sweet, building him up and never tearing him down.

Don't forget: you are always criticizing—or encouraging—before an audience. God hears your conversations when you are alone with your husband in your own home. May your speech be always seasoned with grace.

Action:    I spoke positively about my husband today to others in the following ways:
1) I wrote about him on my blog (of course)
2) I told Papa about something nice Jesse had done for me
3) I expressed to my friends at my bible study how much I have been enjoying Jesse and the fruits of this challenge.

Results: Jesse looks great in public.  People know that I like him a lot.  Enough said!

Day 23

Challenge: Does the "30-Day Encouragement Challenge" seem like hard work? Or is it becoming a pleasant exercise in genuine Christ-likeness in your home? You are only scratching the surface of ways to encourage your mate. Is your husband organized? Is he diligent? Is he persistent? These are all related to a pattern of personal disciplines that are worthy of your praise. Affirm him for one or more of these traits that you see in him.

Some men have not developed these qualities because they are naturally more spontaneous. You can praise his spontaneity! Perhaps God has called you alongside to help him with disciplines he has not yet developed - but this does not include nagging. You can keep him organized.

Whatever the need, you can be your husband's cheerleader, encouraging him when he wants to give up.

Action:  I would definitely put my husband in the more "spontaneous" column versus the "organized column.  This isn't a bad thing; we are all wired differently.  It is only bad if I make it a bad thing.

When we were first married I was annoyed at my husband's lack of organization.  Why couldn't he just put things where they belonged instead of letting them pile up until he had to spend 3 hours going through a massive pile of junk?  Why didn't he have the same drive as me to find a place for everything?  Why couldn't he be more like me?
Of course, I realized over time what a silly series of questions those were.  He couldn't do those things because he was not wired that way.  The two of us can compliment each other when each of us possesses different strengths, not when we are both good at the exact same few things.  In fact, if that were the case, then we would have some serious problems running our household!
I have shifted into and embraced my role in our marriage.  Part of my role includes organization, knowing where the car keys are, paying the bills on time, remembering to bring things that Jesse would forget, etc.  I am helping Jesse to be able to focus on all of the things he does well including working hard and ministering to other people around us.  Me taking care of "smaller stuff" communicates to Jesse that I value what he has to spend his time doing and allows us more time together for fun instead of household tasks.

Results: Things just run better when we both "do our jobs" well.  There is order in the home (for the most part) and everyone is just happier!

Day 24

Challenge: 

Children can be quite a challenge to the marriage relationship. A wise wife will support her husband's leadership in the home as much as possible, and will praise him for his fathering skills. Negativity makes a man feel like a failure, and may make him to want to give up.

Does your husband discipline your children wisely? Does he show them love and encourage them? Does he take an interest in their activities and dreams? Does he spend time with them? Does he take part in developing their character? Praise him for these important life skills.

If you don't have children—is your husband positive and encouraging around other people's children? Let him know that you have noticed. If your husband does not experience positive relationships with children, you will need to figure out why. Perhaps he had negative experiences as a child with his own parents, and needs to learn how to respond. Perhaps you can lovingly and patiently show him how to parent—while still maintaining his authority in the home.

Action: At the risk of sounding like I'm bragging about what a great dad Jesse is, I'm going to tell you that Jesse is a great dad.  Today he danced around the room with our 3 year old, he cuddled with our one year old, and he taught the 3 year old about what it means to listen and obey your parents.  He is not scared to teach the girls about complicated things, and he does so in a way that they understand.  He really excels at this.
After seeing Jesse playing, teaching, and dancing today, I sent him the following text: "You amaze me more and more every day". 

Results: He didn't ask me about what I meant with the text, probably because he knew that I had seen him doing all of this great fatherly stuff today.  The more affirmation he gets about being a great dad, the more he wants to do.  Cool how that works, isn't it?

Stay tuned for days 25, 26, and 27 of the challenge on Monday!  Happy Weekend!

 

We will be taking a week off this week from our Drab to Fab linky party in an effort to finish up the “30 days” series.

If you stopped by today, please save those awesome ideas for next Friday!   Remember, you can always submit both OLD and NEW to D2F!

 

504 main

 

30 days of Encouraging Your Husband Series | Days 19-21

If you are just joining us for this series, I introduced a book that takes you through a 30 day time period of encouraging your husband. Using the publication below from "Revive Our Hearts Ministries", I am chronicling my progress for you.  It's kind of like you're reading my diary as I go through each day!  

Check out my results for days 1 - 18 here:







Today I will be sharing my results for days 19-21.

 

If you decide that this is something worthwhile for you and your man, go through these 30 days as a kind of experiment to see what happens in your relationship.

  It is online for free! 

Here is your virtual copy of the book!  

(The link is simply all 30 challenges in one place.  An easy thing to print off and hide in your own journal while you go through it)! 

Day 19

Challenge: 

Criticism leaves scars; but encouragement can bring healing. Remember that today as you focus on your "30-Day Encouragement Challenge." Almost nothing is as devastating to a man as the belief that his wife finds him repulsive. Sadly, many women unwisely criticize their husbands' bodies.

Have you ever considered how wonderfully God designed men and women? No matter how a man looks—by the standards of the world - a loving God designed them all, and they are all "beautiful" in His sight. Encourage your husband today by praising his uniqueness.

As you look over your husband's body, from the tip of his toes to his bald or bushy head, thank God that your husband is "wonderfully made," then admire your husband verbally. (Strong arms? Hairy chest? Firm hands? Big feet? Rugged chin? Wide shoulders? Compassionate eyes? Broad smile?)

Action:    I think I may have mentioned this in another day's challenge, but Jesse has been working out and is excited to show me his impressive biceps.  He shows me and I always smile really big and tell him that he is looking awesome.  
Because I was challenged to really appreciate the beauty of my man today, I had a cool experience.  For some reason, we ended up at the same gas station today around dusk.  I was coming home from running errands with the girls and he was stopping for gas his way from work.  I saw him from across the gas station lot and my heart actually fluttered for him.  I did a double-take, thinking, "Who is that handsome man?"  It was my own husband!  I yelled to him and he came over to see the girls and me.  While he was looking in the side door to say hi to one of them, I wrapped m arms around his waist and told him that he had a great body or that he was really handsome or something along those lines.  (I forgot to write it down in the journal today)!

Results: He told me again tonight how beautiful I was. He also hugged me from behind me while I was working in the kitchen.  (It was the same kind of hug I had given him).  Again, what goes around has come around! 

Day 20

Challenge:  Don't say anything negative to or about your husband - to him or to anyone else.

It's time for some heart examination. As you continue in this 30-day challenge, have you found any roots of bitterness that are contaminating your relationship with your husband? Do you understand that as long as you are unwilling to forgive your husband—by God's grace and in His power —you will not be able to encourage him? Your own resentment will keep getting in the way. Now is the time to deal with any unforgiving attitudes. Forgive him, even as God has forgiven you.

Is your husband a forgiving man? Does he keep short accounts of your problems? Express your thankfulness for such a man.

Does your husband seem to harbor grudges against you? If so, could there be things you need to change? Do you possibly need to ask forgiveness for an offense?

 

Action:  I am thankful to be able to say that, at this point, I do not believe I am harboring any unforgiveness in my heart towards Jesse.  As we have gone through our marriage we have argued, gotten irritated with each other, and had spats here and there.  None of those times, however, has left a lingering scar in my heart.  Thankfully there are not things Jesse does repeatedly that hurt me or bring up the same hurt that has never been fully resolved.  I read once that the majority of fights within a marriage are a result of the same 2 or 3 major issues that never fully get resolved.  For example, if a man and woman have differing values of time spent with family, then ever time a holiday comes around there will be a heated debate over where to go and how long to stay.  If the couple can work together to achieve a common value that they can both agree on, then the pesky fights about it in the future would be almost eliminated.
It's funny, because I did think of plenty of things I've done wrong or messed up while thinking over this challenge.  Jesse has been very quick to forgive the following offenses occurring in the last week:
 - me drinking too much coffee and not leaving enough for him
 - me shrinking one of his new shirts in the laundry
 - me asking him to help me with so many things on a Sunday morning that he only had less than 3 minutes to get ready for church
 - me not buying several items he wanted at the grocery store.

Results:  I am less hesitant to admit my mistakes.  In the past I have been known to become defensive when called out on something, and make excuses until I'm blue in the face instead of just admitting that I did something wrong and asking for forgiveness.  Seeing my husband's soft and gentle reactions this week gives me more security in admitting when I do wrong because I'm not going to get criticized for it.

Day 21

Challenge: 

If we are living in light of eternity, everything we think, do or say is seen from an eternal perspective. We will someday give an account for our failure to speak words of love and encouragement. Determine today that your words will be sweet and helpful.

Does your husband have an eternal perspective that allows him to reject materialism and temporal values? Express your gratefulness for his value system, and praise him for putting eternal things before riches and other things of this world. If this is a problem area for him, consider how you might alter your own value system and live for eternity in front of him, encouraging him to do the same. Only two things will go into eternity . . . the Word of God and people. Be sure that you are focusing on the right things.

Action:  Jesse excels in the area of giving wise counsel to others.  His seminary studies have equipped him with an understanding of not only what is in the Bible but how to apply biblical truths to different situations.  I told him today how grateful I was that he was so strong in that area.  I told him how many people are blessed because of this strength of his. 
I also told him how much I loved that we have the same outlook on life - what is important, general goals, and have really become "one" recently in that sense.

Results: I am humbled to think of what a great husband I have.  Focusing on all of these different aspects of my husband's qualities has given me a deep sense of appreciation for his and gratitude to be his wife.

Stay tuned for days 22, 23, and 24 of the challenge tomorrow.