Marriage Links Podcast #3 - Conflict

Another Podcast - Episode 2

Here is episode 2. An interview with Tom and Debbie Holley. They have an amazing story of struggle and healing in their marriage. Their love for each other is so evident. What and awesome example of lasting love.

http://www.marriagelinks.org/MarriageLinks%20Podcast002.mp3

Barry's New Job

Sue and I have been loving working together in ministry. We look forward to Marriage Links growing and expanding its reach and impact. We have been blessed to have so many people supporting us and we are thankful to the churches who have invited us to be a part of their ministry.

We are in our third church and are hoping to start an extended relationship with another church here in Kirkwood. Our first podcast was a blast and we've gotten a ton of great feedback. We look forward to doing that once a month.

All this has been great but in this economy we have learned that money is tight for everyone (I know you're not surprised). As a ministry that relies heavily on donations we have come to the realization that I'll need to take a job with a consistent pay check. It is our hope that people will still see the benefit in supporting us in ministry as we continue.

The job - I'm going to be working for a local company here in Kirkwood that handles credit card processing for small/medium sized businesses. I'll be doing sales for them. It is a great opportunity to work for someone who understands my heart for ministry. The company is small with a ton of potential for growth. I'm excited about it. The job starts May 18th. (Do you know anyone in retail? ;) )

Thanks for your prayers.
Barry

MarriageLinks Episode 1

This is our first ever Marriage Links Podcast. We had a great group of folks come out and join us for lunch at Mike Duffy's here in beautiful Kirkwood, MO while we recorded it. We hope many more will enjoy it online.
This episode is just us but usually we'll be interviewing couples and marriage "experts" and get their take on marriage.
Each month, we'll also be answering questions from you. Send your questions to barry@marriagelinks.org.

Much Love,
Barry and Sue

What needs to change?

As marriages are failing and couples are just surviving, I often wonder, "what needs to change?" I continue to encounter couples who are struggling. I just can't help but think the one thing that is missing for these couples is preparation. Sue and I have met with a government funded program that seems great but (sorry to say) it isn't reaching couples. When you accept government funding, you accept their restrictions as well (that's a entirely different blog).

What we feel like we need to do is have an impact in one community and for that impact to spread from that community into its city and then beyond. We want to work with couples and remind them of their commitment to one another and help them discover (rediscover) the joy of marriage. We want to train couples before they are married and continue working with them for years to come.

As Sue and I work in the "real world" our heart remains bonded to our dream of doing full-time ministry. We are blessed with flexibility but we long to focus more on Marriage Links. Funding is tough to come by these days. Please pray for God to help provide a way for us to focus.

Stay close!
Barry

Teaching at St Pauls

Sue and I just completed week three of teaching at St Paul's e-free church here in St Louis. We have three more weeks to go. There are between 65-70 people coming each week and we have really been impressed with their participation. We taught on the importance of being a good listener last week.

Good communication is linked to every aspect of your marriage. Money issues, intimacy issues, you name it, it is rarely really about that. It is really about the fact that you aren't clearly communicating with each other what your feelings are. Before you blame it on your spouse look at yourself and think about what you're communicating to him/her on a daily basis. Is listening to you a chore or a treat? Are you just unloading information and feelings or are you entering into a conversation? Are you asking good questions and providing a good vibe with your body language?

Find time to sit down and talk with each other this week. Dream about future plans together. Talk about when you felt most loved last week.

Hope you have a great week.

Barry and Sue

Ozarks Retreat

We just returned from our first Marriage Links retreat. The group included couples who have been married between 18 - 38 years. Sue and I were impressed with their willingness to learn and share. In every teaching situation we expect to learn ourselves, but I am so thankful for how much learned with this very special group of people.

We covered active listening, personality types & love languages, and intimacy in three 1.5 hour sessions. It may sound much like a fictional movie, but it is true that we experienced tears of laughter and tears of pain. A retreat creates the perfect atmosphere for breaking down barriers and making us comfortable. It was great to see couples grow closer and learn new things about each other. I look forward to keeping in touch with these couples for years and years to come.

A special thanks goes out to the Christie and Larry Tietjen for opening up their home. What an amazing setting for a retreat! And thanks to Bette & Christi for helping with preparation work and cooking & serving the meals. It was a tremendous group effort. Sue & I are so grateful for the many ways you served us this weekend.

All the best,
Barry and Sue

Sue is Awesome

Sue had a job interview yesterday with Westminster Christian Academy here in St Louis.  They are in need of a permanent sub for the remainder of the year for two English teachers.   They called her today to offer her the job and she starts tomorrow.  Nothing like jumping right into the fire.  Gives her less time to worry about it. : )  

My wife is amazing.  Hasn't been in a classroom for almost 10 years and I can say without a doubt she'll be back in Mrs. Kraft mode in no time.  She is an amazing teacher and the school and kids are going to love her.  Well.... the students will love her as long as they stay on her good side.   Trust me...I know.

You can send Sue good wishes and congratulations at sue@marriagelinks.org

Update on the Krafts:  We are sleeping in our new home tonight!  First night in the new place.  The kids are actually sleeping in their bunk bed as I type.  Ahhhhh  As much as people joke about mother-in-laws, Sue's mom has been the BEST!  We are forever thankful to MaMa for putting up with us for so long.

Update on Marriage Links:  We met with the Bridget from St Louis Healthy Marriages yesterday.   They are a federally funded marriage education organization.  Bridget wants us to consider being trainers for their marriage prep program.  It sounds like an awesome opportunity and we look forward to talking with her more.  

Update on Cedar Tree Bible Church : What is that? Some of you might be asking.  We are going to start gathering  a group of folks on Feb 8th here in Kirkwood.   We'll talk about that more soon.

Thanks for your prayers.  God is good!