Win today’s giveaway! Just tell us what you did (or are going to do!) for today’s Project by 7:00 PST on Wednesday and you will be entered into the drawing for today’s giveaway: The Power of Prayer to Change Your Marriage
Stormie Omartian’s bestselling books on prayer and marriage have touched millions of readers in a life–changing way. The Power of Prayer to Change Your Marriage helps husbands or wives pray to protect their relationship from 14 serious problems that can lead to unsatisfying marriages or even divorce. For those who are already struggling in these areas, this book will help them find healing and restoration.
Readers will learn how to pray about everything from
communication breakdown to struggles with finances and raising children
misplaced priorities to anger, unforgiveness, and sexual frustration
pornography and infidelity to depression and addictions
No stranger to struggles in her 34 years of marriage, Stormie looks at these topics and more in the straightforward, hopeful manner readers have come to trust. As always, readers will find Bible verses and personal prayers they can use as powerful resources to help their marriages last a lifetime.
So leave your comment below to be entered to win!
While this is the first week of our project, if you have friends who want to join in, let them know that they can jump in any time. You don’t need to have The Husband Project book in order to participate, but you definitely will get more out of this(and be able to plan better) if you read along. You can order it on Amazon or for a special price on my website.
And our winner of yesterday’s giveaway Becoming the Woman of His Dreams is Crystal A! Please e-mail my assistant Kimberly at kimber@kathilipp.com and she will put it in the mail!!!
Project #3 You da’ Man Spreading Great Gossip About Your Guy
Your Project:
Say something nice about your husband to someone else. Make sure you tell him what you said, and to whom.
As cliché as it may sound, our husbands want to be our heroes. More than they want to know that we love them, they want to know that we respect them. They need to know that they’re never the butt of our jokes, that they’re the go-to-guy in every story we tell.
Make an opportunity today to brag on your husband to someone else. It doesn’t matter if it’s one of your friends or one of his; let that somebody know how blessed you are to be married to your guy.
Some key phrases you may want to put on index cards to help you remember:
· “I feel so lucky to have a man who knows how to do his own laundry.”
· “You know when I knew that my husband really loved me? When he could remember my order at Starbucks.”
· “I just love the way he is with our kids.”
· “He makes the best lasagna on the planet.”
While your greatest need may be for your husband to tell you that he loves you, most guys are programmed differently. He wants, at his very core, to know that you respect him. He wants to know that you are proud of him and that he is the one you would choose again if given the chance.
This goes a long way to solidifying you as a team, as well. There’s no way that anyone in my family would ever say a word against my husband. They know that I’m on his side, and it’s a gossip-free zone around me (unless the gossip is about how great he is).
Prayer for Today
Dear God, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight.
Getting Creative
Who are the important people in your husband’s life? Your kids, his parents, his friends? Be intentional about who you chat with when you brag on him – it’s almost as important as actually doing it.
Having a hard time coming up with something? I still brag on my guy for things he did years ago. He loves when I tell the story of how brilliantly he proposed (there were waterfalls and stuffed portabella mushrooms involved…).
Here are some other areas to think about when crafting your brag:
· His parenting skills
· His patience level
· The way he treats your mom
· His culinary ability
· His job
· His loyalty to you
Project Reports:
“This last Valentine’s Day my husband, Guy, did wonderful things for our children and for me. I had the opportunity to brag about these things to my sister on my cell phone with my husband right there! If you are wondering what he did, he made up a treasure hunt for each of our 3 children. They each had 3 clues before they got their prize and he made each of the clues rhyme! The kids absolutely LOVED it and I was very impressed as well. For myself, I have mother/daughter date with my eldest daughter every Thursday night and we didn’t get home until about 9:30pm. He had a bunch of candles lit in our bedroom, wonderful coupons for me to use for time away from the kids, not to make dinner, and more. There was also champagne, Barry White playing on the CD and chocolates! The BEST Valentine’s Day ever!”
Carolyn
“I like this project. I made a decision long ago (before I was even married oddly enough) to try to not to say negative things about my husband to other people. I have heard lots of wives complain about their husbands and I realized that it not only makes the person talking feel bad (continuing to think about the negative), but it also makes the listener feel bad (caught in between and NEVER knowing the right thing to say). I admit it is not easy and I do have moments when all I want to do is vent, but I really try hard to stick to the ‘if you don’t have something nice to say…’ rule.”
Becky
“The bragging was easy for me!!! It just so happen that I had my 2 year olds b-day party that day…Boy oh boy did everyone there get an earful of what a big help my husband was for, helping my with the party…”
Michelle
“Okay, so I kinda cheated on this one. We were talking about this project at MOPS so I said to the ladies at my table, “Just so ya know, my husband is awesome!” So it was a little contrived, but I totally meant it. I’ll keep working at this “assignment” though. I want to make a habit of saying nice things about my husband in a more natural way.”
Christina
“I, too, try not to disparage my husband in front of other people (or to him for that matter) but I think I had gotten lazy about talking him up! He is a fabulous man and this week I made a point to let people know. My sweet hubby was a little embarrassed but he beamed when I told him about it! It feels great to focus on his strong points – it reminds me why I love him even more now than when I married him!”
Win today’s giveaway! Just tell us what you did (or are going to do!) for today’s Project by 7:00 PST on Tuesday and you will be entered into the drawing for today’s book: A Wife After God’s Own Heart
One secret to marital bliss is for a wife to love her husband the way God designed for her to love him—even with his shortcomings. God hasn’t called a woman to change her husband, but to focus on her calling as a wife. And the rewards for doing so are rich! Elizabeth provides valuable and practical insights on 12 key areas of a marriage, including…
What it means to be a husband’s helper
What submission is and isn’t
Nurturing joy in your home and family
Excelling in your work…and making time for fun as a couple!
So leave your comment below to be entered to win!
While this is the first day of our project, if you have friends who want to join in, let them know that they can jump in any time. You don’t need to have The Husband Project book in order to participate, but you definitely will get more out of this(and be able to plan better) if you read along. You can order it on Amazon or for a special price on my website.
And our winner of yesterday’s giveaway Becoming the Woman of His Dreams is ALH1203! Please e-mail my assistant Kimberly at kimber@kathilipp.com and she will put it in the mail!!!
Let me just say, I am so proud of all of you for thinking outside the box and doing what you had to do to bless your man! I love the observation that Cami made on the first day:
“Day one of the project and I already feel better about him and how much he does for our little family.It helps to think outside of myself and what I need to get done in the day.”
Project #2
Back in the Day
Do Something He Enjoyed Before You Got Married
Your Project:
Initiate an activity that your husband used to love. Whether it’s his favorite hobby, sport, or pastime, it’s time for you to get involved – be his buddy today.
“Lust is easy. Love is hard. Like is most important.” ~ Carl Reiner
Most guys don’t spend a lot of time hanging out with their buddies—you are his buddy. He married you to have a built-in friend who he can do all those fun things. (The fact that the two of you can have sex is definitely a bonus…)
It’s vital for men to build friendship into each other’s lives, and as wives, we have a responsibility to encourage our guys to hang out with other good guys. However, in most marriages, our husbands will be looking to us to do life with.
It’s time to think about those things your husband loves to do with you—his buddy. Maybe it’s hiking up a mountain, hanging out at Best Buy, or watching his alma mater’s football team play at the local high school. It doesn’t matter if you like it or not—your fun will come from watching the look on your husband’s face as he reclaims some of his long forgotten loves. (Video gaming anyone?)
If you need to keep it really simple today, maybe just get him talking about something he used to love to do – or even just watch what we call in our house a “boy show” (something on the science channel where something is blowing up…)
Prayer for Today
Dear God, I pray that my husband can view me as his friend and lover, as you have designed.
“A hobby a day keeps the doldrums away.” ~ Phyllis McGinley
Getting Creative
·Many a man’s hobby has gone by the wayside due to matrimony. Is it possible that it’s time you learned to golf or fly fish? Don’t try to beat him, just join him.
·Possibly the only thing your husband would enjoy more than playing chess with you is teaching you how to play chess.Ask for a lesson so he can teach you something that he is an expert at (or really loves). Just your willingness to learn will be a huge boost to your guy.
·Pick up a magazine about your guy’s now dormant hobby. Ask him questions about why he loves it so much. Learn a couple of technical terms so that you are better able to discuss it.
·Do a little research. Find out what the definitive website is on your husband’s favorite subject. Maybe there’s an event in town, a lecture to attend, or a game to watch.
Project Reports
My husband is a public school principal. He is great at what he does but the job is taxing emotionally. We have two children, a 16-year old daughter and a nine-year old son. They both want his attention and he spends a lot of time with them. He also has a wife who has her own set of needs. All that said there is not a lot of time for him.
When I plan something that I know he will really like, a hike on a beautiful trail, something we did a lot more of pre-kids, his face lights up. A heaviness is lifted from him and he begins to look at maps and google earth. He is completely into the adventure before him. It is fun to see him get so joyful over the thought of taking a hike, of all things. I love pleasing him that way.
Sue
“Watching sports on television was definitely something my husband enjoyed before we were married. Sports bar ‘dates’ with the guys during football season were pretty common. Now ten years later, all the buddies have become dads themselves and are too busy to enjoy watching games away from home. When football comes on the TV at home, I usually head for another part of the house in search of a project to keep me busy for a couple of hours. Nothing better than going out shopping on SuperBowl Sunday – the stores are empty! Last week I stayed put and watched a game with him and the boys. A couple of times during the game my husband had to leave the room to take calls from work. He was so surprised to come back into the room each time to 1) find the TV still on (I usually turn it off), 2) the channel hadn’t been changed (the kids usually put on cartoons), and 3) I knew the score! Brownie points for me.”
SL
“My husband use to scuba dive but he hurt his ears and can no longer do that. I asked him about a hike with me and the kids and he LOVED the idea. It was FOUR hours and a pretty strenuous hike. I had our toddler on my back for at least a good 3/4th of the time for safety reasons. My 11 year old loved every minute of it and we brought plenty of food and water. We all enjoyed the great outdoors and it’s something I know we as a family need to do more often…THE GREAT OUTDOORS!”
Here are the first seven projects that we are starting on Monday. Take a little time to plan for them today. (And don’t forget the Bonus Project – Sometime next week make sure you plan for some EXTRA special time with your man.)
Project 1
30 Minutes Is All It Takes
Create Some Free Time When He Gets Home
Your Project:
Focus on your husband’s transitional 30 minutes today. Would he like to be left alone to rest and rejuvenate, or does he want some undivided attention from you? The point is to let your husband know you value what he does out in the world, and that he has a safe, loving place to come home to and get refreshed at the end of the day.
Project 2
Back in the Day
Do Something He Enjoyed Before You Got Married
Your Project
Initiate an activity that your husband used to love. Whether it’s his favorite hobby, sport, or pastime, it’s time for you to get involved. Be his buddy today.
Project 3
You da’ Man
Spreading Great Gossip About Your Guy
Your Project:
Say something nice about your husband to someone else. Make sure you tell him what you said, and to whom.
Project 4
Heart vs. Stomach
A Treat Just for Him
Your Project:
Get a food treat for your husband that he’s not required to share with you or any other family member.
Project 5
E-flirt.com
Text or E-mail Some Sweet Nothings
Your Project
Send a flirty text or e-mail to your husband.
Project 6
A Little Hands-on Attention
Meeting Your Husband’s Physical (Touch) Needs
Your Project:
Do something to help your husband enjoy physical touch. Find something that will help him relax. New pillows, massage lotions, a back rub…your choice. Make it something that both of you will enjoy.
Project 7
Trophy Wife
Looking Goooood for Your Man
Your Project:
Do one thing to look nice just for your guy. It can be clothing, hair, or makeup
**Win a copy of The Husband Project – keep reading to find out how!**
While this is the first day of our prep, if you have friends who want to join in, let them know that they can jump in any time. You don’t need to have The Husband Project book in order to participate, but you definitely will get more out of this(and be able to plan better) if you read along. You can order it on Amazon or for a special price on my website.
First off, here are our pack winners. (Be sure to email my assistant, Kimberly at Kimber@kathilipp.com and let her know you are a winner.)
Don’t worry if you didn’t win- we are having tons of giveaways this month. Check back everyday, comment, and then check to see if you are a winner.
Check out all of the free fun stuff on the website under Freebies. There is a great Calendar that you can print out to plan all of your hubby activities. Remember, Project #1 starts next Monday, so you can plan accordingly.
Leave a comment by 10:00 PM PST about what you are doing today to plan (printing the calendar, planning the first week, etc.) and you could win a copy of The Husband Project for you or a friend.
Make sure you are subscribed to the blog to get your daily project. (Go to http://blog.kathilipp.com to subscribe.)
Read thru the Glossary of Terms and The Quick Start Guide
Glossary of Terms
for The Husband Project
Project
A provided activity by which you’ll bless your guy, making him feel special, loved, appreciated, adored, admired, honored or pampered…and if he’s really lucky, all of the above! There are 21 Projects in all.
Project Manager
Head cheerleader for the “make my guy feel great” campaign…that would be you! You’re already queen of the house, the proverbial belle of the ball, and now, since you’re the one taking charge on each and every Project, you’re the Project Manager.
Accountability Partner
Someone who helps keep your feet to the fire, The Husband Project fire, that is. Accountability Partners (one of them is me, Kathi!) join you in this project to collectively discuss your plans and goals, provide enthusiasm, inspiration, and maybe a little laughter along the way.
Bonus Projects
Sex. Yep, that’s what the Bonus Projects are all about. Sex, plain and simple…you’ll be finding ways to physically bless your man at least once a week for each of the three weeks. No doubt, these projects will be some of your guy’s favorites, and hopefully some of yours as well.
Lingerie
An essential part of any Project Manager’s tool kit. In the chapter, The Real Woman’s Guide to Lingerie Shopping, we give you all the good stuff you need to know to make a splash with a little sex appeal and a lot of self-confidence.
Guy Food
Recipes we’ve provided so you can bless you guy, regardless of your culinary skills. Think comfort food. Think rich, yummy, oooey-gooey, creamy, cheesy and generally, doctor-restricted. You won’t find these dishes on the low-fat, low-carb menus, but you will find them at the top of your husband’s favorite foods list.
Guy Movies
Manly movie fare recommended by guys I actually know. Movie categories include sports, action, comedy, and, of course, gratuitous violence. Meet your man’s need for speed, greed and the occasional backhanded deed. As a courtesy, there’s a short of list of movies-for-two for you both to enjoy together.
Getting Creative
Unique, fresh and specific ideas…just what you need to help you complete each Project. Sometimes the hardest part in running the race is getting off the starting block. To help you over this potential hurdle each Project chapter features a Getting Creative section to get you motivated and mobilized to bless your man!
A Quick How-To Guide for The Husband Project
Here is your step-by step guide to doing the Project.
The Purpose of The Husband Project is to spend 21 days intentional loving and supporting your husband, intentionally.
Remember – this is a secret from your husband. Hide the book at work, in your car, anywhere that your husband will not see it. (He may find out – it’s not
Read through all of the Projects.
This is your chance to get a feel for all 21 of the Projects. Be sure to use all of this book – make notes in the margins, scribble and doodle on the pages, and start to think about ways to tailor each Project to your husband.
Find other friends who want to do The Husband Project and will hold you accountable.
It doesn’t matter if they’re phone friends, internet buddies, or face-to-face girlfriends you meet with at Starbucks down the street. Location is not important; consistency is.
Share your Project Plan with your accountability partners
Each day you are going to have the opportunity to share what you did – or are planning to do – for each project. You don’t have to have completed the project in order to win – you just have to share your plan with us on the blog!
Be Flexible
If one of the projects doesn’t line up with your husband’s schedule, swap it for another day. If food does nothing for him, find another way to treat your hubby – this is all about connecting with him. The intention of the Husband Project is not to make you crazy, but to find new ways to bless and support your husband. Just do something, intentionally, every day.
Win today’s giveaway! Just tell us what you did (or are going to do!) for today’s Project by 7:00 PST on Wednesday and you will be entered into the drawing for today’s giveaway: The Power of Prayer to Change Your Marriage
