 By Lavern Nissley
One of the ruts couples and families can run into is asking the same questions of each other, well-meaning as they may be. Rut question. Rut answer. "Fine." A recent blog post I read by Ann Malmberg from PREPARE/ENRICH had a title that caught my attention. "5 Questions to Replace 'How was your day?'" You'll see several in a minute, but the post got me thinking of a list of other questions that are a bit out of the ordinary.
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 By Lavern Nissley
Before my annual check-up each year my primary care doctor sends me to a lab to draw blood for several different panels. These include CBC with Auto Differential, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, TSH without Reflex, Lipid Panel, and PSA Screening. Dozens of levels are then sent to him electronically for analysis and communication to me. There are also the basic metrics of temperature, pulse, oxygen level, and blood pressure that are secured during the actual visit. I'm so grateful to be able to keep an eye on these many different levels that affect my health and that can trigger early warnings if needed. Keeping relationships healthy also involves some way of capturing a current snapshot of how things really are. Ronda and I do this via a relationship assessment every several years just to make sure we're not missing anything that could create issues or problems for us. Completing a relationship assessment is a great way to say, "We care about our relationship, and we want to know what's going well and what we need to work on to be at full health." At Encompass, we've recently developed a simple 5-10 minute online assessment in conjunction with The RINGS Experience that is totally FREE and available for couples to use.  By Lavern Nissley
Our good friends Dr. David and Theresa Mabry are doing great work on behalf of marriage relationships. Formerly from Springfield, they now live in Powell, Ohio just north of Columbus. It's so fulfilling to see them working together in a ministry they co-direct, One Another Marriage. David and Theresa have extensive experience as retreat speakers, marriage coaches, relationship educators, and marriage trainers. David has an earned doctorate from Ashland Theological Seminary. His dissertation research was focused on healthy marriages, Prepare Enrich, and the church. Their desire is to see marriages not just survive, but thrive. In the past several years they have developed many relationship strengthening materials, and we'd like to give you a brief sample of a recent YouTube video of them sharing 5 tips for better communication . . . to go beyond the "business" that many couples can get bogged down in. They use the metaphor of a balanced diet like "the 5 food groups." Check it out!  By Lavern Nissley
There is something good and infectious about a good laugh. The other day, on Ronda's birthday, we had a brief exchange that led us both to laughter. Me: "I think you look good in your birthday suit." Ronda: "It has wrinkles." Me: "But it looks good on you." Ronda: "I guess it still fits." While intuitively it would seem that "laughter is the best medicine", there are some interesting findings on how it affects romantic and marriage relationships. |
HostsLavern & Ronda Nissley are co-directors of Encompass. Married since 1978, both enjoy coffee, riding their tandem bicycle and working together to build strong relationships. TOPICS
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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.
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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