 By: Cindee Johnson Encompass Relationship Coach Orange barrels. No trespassing. Yield. Under construction. Do not enter. Danger. No outlet. Stop. Do you ignore these cautionary signs? Hopefully not! They are meant to protect you. Do you know there are cautionary signs for our relationships, too? Although these aren’t posted quite so clearly along life’s journey, they can become glaring warnings, especially in communication and conflict. As the 5 Man Electrical Band sang in 1970, “Sign, sign, everywhere a sign.” But... what are the signs? How do we identify them? Where do we get help in understanding them? Relationship researcher John Gottman has identified“ Four horsemen” seeking to destroy marriages. They ride in with signs we can’t afford to ignore. Gorman describes the four like this:
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 By Lavern Nissley Encompass Executive Director If you wanted to improve your golf swing or baking skills, you would likely seek quite a different avenue of professional expertise than if you had just suffered a compound fracture.
Relationships and marriages have these same two dimensions of expertise: one is more focused upon healing and therapy, the other upon learning and implementing skills. Let’s dive in and see how these fit together.  By: Hollie Kowalski, Encompass Outreach Coordinator
My husband and I have been married 18 years and have never experienced a season quite like the one that we are currently coming out of. A severe, consistent head and neck pain (most likely the result of an injury from a previous surgery,) led the doctors to a “large, solid mass” on my thyroid. Every characteristic of the mass pointed to cancer. The meds I was on to alleviate (some) pain left me feeling fatigued and disoriented which made me incapable of driving. I guess this is why they added “through sickness and health” in the marriage vows because, WOW. THIS was a lot. With three very busy teenagers still at home, running a business, and our recent move, my husband had SO MUCH on his plate. With no clear end in sight, I began to wonder, “How would we navigate these uncharted waters, and did anyone happen to have five life vests?”  Video featuring Abby Glaser, Encompass Community Advocate and her husband Eli Increased or excessive cell phone usage can often cause conflict in a marriage or even leave your partner feeling unimportant and unwanted. Watch the video to see how Eli and Abby navigate cell phone usage in marriage and make their relationship a priority. Encompass Connection Center helps couples learn how to start fresh and create fulfilling, productive relationships for years to come. We offer a free relationship assessment to determine your relationship’s strengths and potential threats. For additional help, look into our RINGS Experience, which includes marriage strengthening exercises and a coaching model to help build real intimacy and growth skills. We'll also help you to break those destructive patterns that may negatively impact generations.  By: Kermit Rowe, Encompass Relationship Facilitator
As a pastor who has performed countless wedding ceremonies, I’ve witnessed close-up the divine beauty of starry-eyed, committed couples making loving vows to each other and God that they intend to keep for a lifetime. It makes for lots of warm fuzzies and even more happy tears. However, working with struggling couples as a relationship coach for Encompass Connection Center, I’m convinced that they have been struck by a dreaded mental deficiency called “vow amnesia.” It strikes without warning, often brought on by the onset of heated and/or unresolved conflict, difficult life challenges, situational disillusion, or flat-out bad moods. Momentarily taking leave of the macro view of their marriage, they give into the not-as-important-as-it-seems current disagreement. This leaves one wondering “Did I really say ‘I Do’ to ...” Video featuring Drew and Sarah Brown
RINGS Experience course and coaching participants Drew and Sarah have full lives with 6 young children. They face the daily challenge of making quality time for each other. While going through the RINGS Experience course they acquired a valuable connection tool, the RINGS Chat. But implementing it into their busy schedule was tough. And tiring. But they adapted and adjusted to make it work given their context. The result: A potent legacy of a healthy marriage to pass along to each of their six children. Watch their story in a 3 minute video. By: Jeff Pinkleton Encompass Connection Center Board Member I believe it was Paul David Tripp, who first spoke a hard truth into my spirit about marriage.
One of the primary goals of the God covenant with a man and woman is that they each would conform to the image of Christ. And yes, to accomplish this purpose, God wants to use your spouse to mold you into His image. More than anyone or anything else, says Tripp and others. Sounds a bit painful, and challenging. Yes and Amen. One of the main ways, I’ve seen this play out in my marriage to Kara, is the high priority and value of our same sex friendships. Here's what I mean... By: Ronda Nissley Encompass Connection Center Co-Director As Father’s Day approaches, I reflect again on the vital role of Father’s in their children’s lives. Fathers are more than just a “second parent.” Father involvement in the lives of their children is key in helping children become healthy well-adjusted adults. I consider myself fortunate to have had an involved father. He turns 92 in August and lives just 10 minutes from us. He has impacted my life in many ways but here are the top three:
 By: Cindee Johnson, Encompass Relationship Facilitator
DNA testing to build family history has gained tremendous popularity in recent years. From finding long lost relatives to discovering paths taken by ancestors of long ago, it can reveal volumes. I found an ancestor who was on the Mayflower. My history buff husband thinks that is really cool. Me? I get more excited knowing about people still living I had no clue were my relatives. Whether we like who shares a branch on the tree with us or not, DNA helps us understand unchangeable family facts. But what about understanding a family tree in a way that takes the very best into your relationships while breaking destructive patterns that may negatively impact generations? Is that even possible?  By Lavern Nissley
Encompass Executive Director My Dad and my son, Josh, both have the same birthdays on June 8 - 39 years apart. I always start thinking about this unique historical overlap as the month of June begins. This year Josh and Emily are expecting a son, but my Dad won't get to meet him as he passed last November. It got me thinking about my future great-grandchildren, hoping I get to meet at least a few. Likely our age gap would be 70-80 years. What would I want to give them that would enrich their lives? What life hacks could I offer them that would still be relevant in their generation? Here goes . . . |
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Funding is provided by Clark County Job and Family Services, The Turner Foundation, Springfield Foundation, Buckeye Health, private donations and fees.
Program content is the sole responsibility of Encompass Connection Center and does not necessarily represent the views of the funders.
Encompass Connection Center services are provided to all eligible persons on a non-discriminatory basis. Encompass Connection Center complies with all applicable laws and regulations concerning discrimination does not discriminate on the basis of the potential participant's race, gender, gender orientation, age, disability or religion.
Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 37-1485217
Program content is the sole responsibility of Encompass Connection Center and does not necessarily represent the views of the funders.
Encompass Connection Center services are provided to all eligible persons on a non-discriminatory basis. Encompass Connection Center complies with all applicable laws and regulations concerning discrimination does not discriminate on the basis of the potential participant's race, gender, gender orientation, age, disability or religion.
Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 37-1485217