Dianne Barker and I Talk Marriage on WHCBradio.com. Listen In.

Author/speaker/host of At the Library/ and my friend Dianne Barker

What  joy it was to meet Dianne Barker (www.DianneBarker.com)  at the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Conference last summer.  God ordained our meeting when we "happened" to sit next to each other for our first session.We weren't giggling long before we knew we were kindred spirits.

Dianne is the best-selling author of many books including Twice Pardoned and Living Proof.  I knew we were forever friends when she shared her recent book I Don't Chase the Garbage Truck Down the Street in My Bathrobe Anymore. She also hosts a radio show titled "At the Library."

Today (February 13, 2016), I am her guest on At the Library. We'll talk about marriage and my book We All Married Idiots at 3:30 p.m. EST. If you are in the Bristol, TN, area please listen in on 91.5  FM. The rest of us can hear the broadcast on www.WHCBradio.com.

Listen in and receive some splashes of serenity on your marriage! Just in time for Valentine's Day!

Elaine Talks Marriage With Linda Rooks

What a thrill being interviewed by author, Linda Rooks, on her Heart Talk Blog. She knows about broken hearts and finding hope.

Check out her blog as we discuss marriage at www.lindarooks.com/blog/

Meet Linda W. Rooks

Linda W. Rooks often finds hope in unexpected places. Because, amazingly, Linda has found that despite circumstances, when God is beside us, hope is never far away.

After Linda’s own marriage survived a three-year separation, she walked with her husband through a time of God’s healing and soon began shifting much of her energy into sharing hope with those who are hurting. Since that time she has ministered to hundreds of people in classes and over the Internet, traveling with them through the pain of broken hearts and relationships to help them find the healing that comes from God. She and her marriage ministry were featured in Today’s Christian Woman in 2009.

Linda W. Rooks is the author of Broken Heart on Hold, Surviving Separation, released in June 2006 by David C. Cook and now in its fourth printing with a new cover. Her stories and articles have appeared in a number of national publications including Chicken Soup for the Beach Lover’s Soul, Focus on the Family, Today’s Christian Woman, HomeLife, Light and Life, The Lookout Catholic Forester, Preserving Christian Homes, The Orlando Sentinel, San Diego Family Magazine, and several online venues, including Grace Centered Magazine, Assist News Service, and Thinking About Suicide blog, She is a regular contributor to Tapestry, a Walk Thru the Bible devotional magazine for women, and for eight years Linda served in various editorial positions for Center Stage Magazine, a Central Florida Arts and Entertainment publication. She is a contributing author to Love is a Verb by Gary Chapman and Bethany House’s Angels, Miracles, and Heavenly Encounters.

Splashes of Serenity on your marriage, prayed today,

Why Dan Married Elaine

Happy 44th Anniversary to us!

I laughed when I learned "food" was the 44th anniversary gift. Afterall,  food brought Dan and I together and food keeps us together.

 Years ago I asked Dan why he married me. With a smile, he  joked, "You are the only woman I've ever met who can eat more than me!" He's right.

 I accepted his first dinner invitation only because I was hungry. As a vain and unwise single woman, I spent my paycheck on clothes and left none for food. When Dan  asked me to dinner. I jumped at the opportunity to be freely fed. Not trying to impress, I did eat more than Dan that night. It was love at first bite! Sorry, I couldn't resist the corn.

Dan and I love to eat. We're good at it. We enjoy fine restaurants, Nathan's hot dogs, and everything in between.

Food brought us together, but what keeps us together? Food!

 Jesus said

 "I am the living bread that came down from Heaven. 

Anyone who eats this bread will live forever,

 and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh."

 John 6:51 (NLT)

 Over 44 years Jesus has held us and fed us, comforted us and brought us back together during the difficult times.  Without Jesus (the living bread) our marriage is weak and sick and starving. With Jesus, we thrive!

Does your marriage need a booster shot? Feed on His Word. Do what Jesus tells you to do and nurse your way  to a healthy marriage. 

A good dose of Jesus brings a splash of serenity on any day!

Dad, Your Little Girl Needs You

Without a word, this picture speaks to my heart. Our sweet little grandbaby Lillian Kate, born 5 weeks early, holding her daddy's hand.

 I imagine this is the first of many father/daughter hand holding occasions. Sweet Lily will hold her daddy's hand on walks and talks and fishing trips. During thunderstorms she'll run to her daddy for comfort and dance with him in delight through summer mud puddles. They'll hold hands and play ring around the rosey and skip to my lou! He'll hold her hand at the edge of the pool encouraging that first jump into the water and he'll dread letting go as she takes off on that first bike ride. Her dad will pat her hand walking down the aisle on her wedding day, and if the Lord allows she'll  pat Sam's at his death  (as I held my father's hand when he breathed his last and God took my daddy's hand from me). Hands are precious to God.

Being a little girl's daddy is a big responsibility because a father holds his little girl's heart in his hands. She isn't a baseball or a fly fishing rod, so be tender. Don't toss your daughter's heart to and fro because:

She'll watch her daddy to learn what God is like.

She'll look to her daddy to learn how a husband treats a wife.

She'll look to her daddy for her own self-esteem. 

Fathering little girls is scary business, Dads, but remember that God is holding your hand and He says 

 "For I am the Lord, your God, 

who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 

Do not fear; I will help you."
Isaiah 41:13

 Call on Him and you will find Him helping you through all the joys and sorrows of your little girl's life.

With joy I welcome sweet little Lillian Kate into our arms and family. 

You are blessed, my 9th grandchild,

 for you are loved by many even before we kiss your lovely Lily face. 

Most important, 

you are loved by God, 

Who created you. 

You will hear of Jesus's love early in your life.

For that I am thankful.

 I know mommy and daddy already told you the wonderful news that

  you have a Savior who died so you might live.   

 Be blessed, my grandgirl. 

Love Jesus. 

He is holding your hands and 

He'll never let you go.

Grandchildren are sweet splashes of serenity to my soul,