50 Tips

I know, I know....It's been quite some time since I've blogged. But I'm here now. :)

This past Sunday was Easter. It was such a lovely day spent with my family. Church was wonderful and had such uplifting messages. And then spending time with my husband and family made the day perfect.

As part of a little Easter gift from my mother, each of us children received a little card from Seagull Book or something. Ryan's had a message about the Priesthood. Christopher's was a primary message, etc. Mine and Allen's was entitled "50 Tips for LDS Couples." As I read the tips on this card, I thought it was such simple but very good advice. And most of it is great advice for couples outside of the church as well. I figured I'd share these 50 tips with all of you hopefully give a little inspiration to better all of our marriages, even in the tiniest way.

50 TIPS FOR LDS COUPLES
SIMPLE WAYS TO CREATE A CELESTIAL RELATIONSHIP

1. Be a peacemaker
2. Adopt the pure love of Christ
3. Negotiate differences
4. Create win-win solutions
5. Continually express your love
6. See your loved one as the Savior does
7. Continue the courtship
8. Respond positively
9. Always show kindness, courtesy, and respect
10. Think before you speak
11. Make patience the rule
12. Turn ordinary moments into adventures
13. Be generous with thanks and praise
14. Do as the Savior would do
15. Find areas of agreement
16. Choose happiness over being right
17. Validate each other's feelings
18. Ask lots of questions
19. Repeat what you hear
20. Agree to disagree!
21. End disagreements on a positive tone
22. Look for what's right
23. Overlook the little stuff
24. Attend the temple and church meetings
25. Make positive comments
26. Be thoughtful and helpful
27. Pray together
28. Live the gospel standards
29. Share your talents
30. Read the scriptures together
31. Don't overreact or be critical
32. Create worthy goals together
33. Don't bring anything into your life or home that would offend the Savior
34. Write love notes
35. Put each other first
36. Support each other in church callings
37. Maintain an eternal perspective
38. Be true and faithful
39. Surprise each other
40. Express what you want in a good-natured way
41. Replace complaints with compliments, criticism with courtesy
42. Manage money wisely
43. Seize more opportunities to talk
44. Celebrate your differences
45. Forgive readily
46. Use gospel principles to solve problems
47. Inspire each other
48. Remain upbeat
49. Pay tithing
50. Work hard and have fun


See, aren't those all very simple but sound advice?

I'm going to try to follow these simple tips and see how it improves our marriage. Don't get me wrong, we have a great marriage, and I love Allen through and through...but there is ALWAYS room for improvement. :)

I hope these tips inspire some of you to possibly make some changes in your own marriages to better your relationship with your spouse.