Strengthening Marriages
A healthy society is the result of strong communities. At the heart of a strong community are strong families. At the heart of strong families are strong marriages. And THAT, my friend, is why healthy marriages are important. Texas AgriLife Extension is honored to provide the spring, 2012, "Twogether in Texas" marriage education workshop. The workshop will cover the following topics:
- 1) Marriage Expectations - Couples are often unaware of their own expectations. Assumptions about how things "should" go can lead to frustration or disappointment when those expectations are unmet. We'll discuss what each individual brings into the relationship and the importance of discussing those expectations.
- 2) Communication - The difference in a fun-loving marriage and a hard, lonely marriage may simply be a few comments that went unsaid every day. The fact is, every couple communicates. Whether through their words or their lack of words, they either build their marriage up or they tear it apart. The great news is the good communication skills - speaking and listening - can be learned and improved.
- 3) Conflict Resolution - Conflict is a natural and inevitable part of relationships. Its presence doesn't mean that love is absent. Instead, conflict can actually grow love if handled and resolved in a healthy way. We'll look at conflict resolution as it relates to the need to feel valued and the need for control.
- 4) Financial Management - "Money in marriage is oceans of emotions surrounded by expanses of expenses!" The most common source of disagreement in families in the United States is money. Happily married couples, however, agree on how to handle money 48% more than do unhappy couples. Clearly, one way to insure a great marriage is to discuss and agree on relevant financial matters.
- 5) Goals & Dreams - We'll end the day with my favorite segment! Couples with lasting, loving marriages have been very intentional in dreaming big for their relationship, but they don't stop there. It's the couple that paints dreams with their hopes and then works to keep those dreams alive that create a great marriage.
This free workshop is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, at the Hopkins County office of Texas AgriLife Extension Service, 1200 W. Houston Street, in Sulphur Springs. We will get started at 8:30 a.m., take a working lunch break, and finish up around 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided, along with a booklet for each individual. This workshop is intended for engaged couples, seriously dating couples or anyone wanting to strengthen their marriage. Engaged couples will receive a certificate for a $60 waiver upon applying for a marriage license. The certificate is good for one year from the date it is issued.
Even though the workshop is free, couples are required to call the Hopkins County Extension office at 903-885-3443 to sign up by April 12 so adequate preparations can be made. Make the important step to reserve your spot.
Brown Bag Lunch Bunch
We've been having a wonderful time with the Brown Bag Lunch Bunch! If you are available at noon on Fridays, come join us at the ROC (Recreational Outreach Center) of First Baptist Church. We'll explore various nutrition topics and have a brief devotional/inspirational, followed by walking on the indoor track. Rain or shine outside, the weather is always perfect inside! Everybody needs to eat lunch to keep up their energy, and walking is an activity in which most people can participate, so this is the perfect opportunity to fellowship and improve your physical and spiritual health at the same time. It doesn't matter how fast or slow you walk - we're not doing this to compete.
Join us in the café area to begin. Bring a lunch and comfortable walking shoes. No registration necessary. If you can't come every Friday, no problem. Just come when you can and enjoy!
Closing Thought
I've learned that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular - Andy Rooney
Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed.
Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Agent
Hopkins County
1200-B W. Houston
P.O. Box 518
Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 - phone
903-439-4909 - fax
jshicks@ag.tamu.edu
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