 Dr. David Marine Mabry Encompass Executive Director The early years of marriage are often marked by discovery and formation. As we discussed in the newlywed season, couples are learning how to build rhythms, navigate differences, and practice love in everyday life. As marriage moves into years seven through fourteen, the focus often shifts—but the work remains just as important.
These are busy years. Full years. Often beautiful and exhausting at the same time. Careers are taking shape. Children may enter the picture. Schedules fill quickly. Energy is divided. And marriage—once front and center—can slowly drift toward the background if couples are not intentional. Yet these years hold enormous promise.
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 By Dr. David Marine Mabry Encompass Executive Director The newlywed years are often filled with joy, hope, and a deep sense of possibility. You’ve said “I do,” begun building a shared life, and stepped into something sacred. Yet for many couples, these early years also bring unexpected challenges. Marriage doesn’t remove pressure—it often reveals it. And that revelation is not a failure; it’s part of formation.
If dating and engagement are about discernment and preparation, the newlywed years are about practice. This is the season where love begins to take shape in everyday rhythms—how you communicate, handle stress, manage expectations, and choose one another when life feels ordinary or overwhelming.  By Alexi Cherry Administrative Assistant and Client/Donor Coordinator My husband and I have been married for just about 6 months now, and it’s safe to say that we learned a lot during our seasons of dating and engagement. From the beginning, we were aligned in our desire to date well and with a purpose. In a world that treats dating casually, we wanted to be good stewards of the season the Lord had placed us in and approach it as something sacred, not passive. I believe that our personal faith and intentionality laid a strong foundation for our marriage and pray we will continue to benefit from that for years to come.
 By Cindee Johnson Relationship Champion and Encompass Partner Healthy relationships don’t just magically happen--even at the most wonderful time of the year. Maybe, especially at the most wonderful time of the year. Whether it is marriage, friendship, dating, co-workers, family, or your church community, relationships require intentionality to grow and thrive.
As we move into a new year, many of us set goals. We want to improve our health, our finances, our faith, our careers. But, what about our relationships? Do we pour into those? Let’s look at three essential biblical principles for healthy relationships with practical ways to live them out.  By Lavern Nissley Encompass Relationship Facilitator Recently, I made a list of all the employers I've had in my life, not counting seasons of self-employment and consulting. The total number of employers over about 6 decades came to 13, with the very first being corn detasseling at age 14 on a seed corn farm near Goshen, Indiana.
In addition to these 13 jobs, there have also been dozens of volunteer assignments like boards, task forces, teams, etc. All have involved interacting with people, with most of the experiences being positive. Strong teams aren’t built on talent alone--they’re built on relationships. When people feel connected, respected, and valued, collaboration becomes natural and productivity soars. Here are five essential relationship skills, plus real-world examples to show how they work in action.  By Dr. David Marine Mabry Encompass Executive Director The holidays have a way of lighting up both the beauty and the rough edges of our relationships. We anticipate the traditions, the good food, the laughter, and the moments with people we love. But we also carry the awareness that the season can stir up tension—old frustrations, unrealistic expectations, or the simple weight of an overloaded schedule.
The good news? With a little intentionality, you can step into this season with more peace, hope, and connection. You can choose to experience the holidays not as a battleground, but as a chance to grow closer, listen deeper, and love more fully. Here are five practical and powerful ways to resolve conflict before it steals the joy from your holidays.  By Kermit Rowe ECC Relationship Coach Probably the greatest danger of taking people or things for granted is that we lose our gratitude for them. Thankfulness is a theme that runs cover to cover through the Bible and is a cornerstone of nearly every moral belief system. Yet gratitude is an attitude that seems to be increasingly losing latitude in our culture.
Why is it such a key ingredient to a happy and successful life? As we continue our year-ending series of Practical Lists for Stronger Connections with Thanksgiving Day on the horizon, let me offer five ways gratitude transforms relationships:  By Theresa Mabry Encompass Director of Operations It’s the small things that make a marriage feel alive. A touch on the shoulder, a shared laugh over morning coffee, a quick check-in before bed — these moments may seem ordinary, but they’re what hold couples together over time. My husband, David, and I have developed these rituals with each other in our 32 years of marriage. A touch as we pass each other in the kitchen, a hug in the morning and asking how we slept, and a kiss good night before we fall asleep are all ways to demonstrate connection.
In our work with hundreds of couples through Encompass Connection Center, we’ve seen a clear truth: emotional connection isn’t about big, dramatic gestures. It’s built in the small, consistent rituals that say, “You matter to me.”  By Abby Glaser Encompass Community Advocate Parenting is hard. Full stop! As a mom of five, I’ve done a lot of things well over the years—and made plenty of mistakes too. One of the hardest areas to navigate is parenting during conflict. Anger, frustration, exhaustion, and a dozen other emotions can bring out the worst in any of us. Let’s look at three common mistakes parents make in conflict—and some practical ways to fix them.
The Epidemic of Disconnection: Why Relationship Skills Are the New Mental Health Crisis Response10/29/2025  By Dr. David M. Mabry Encompass Executive Director We are living in what experts are calling an epidemic of disconnection.
Despite being the most digitally connected generation in history, people report feeling more isolated, anxious, and emotionally exhausted than ever before. The numbers are staggering: rates of anxiety and depression have risen more than 25% globally since 2020, and loneliness has become a public health concern on par with obesity and smoking. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released a landmark Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, declaring that the lack of meaningful relationships is now “a major contributor to poor mental and physical health.” Research cited in the advisory shows that chronic loneliness increases the risk of premature death by 26–32%, rivaling the effects of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Let that sink in: our relationships—or lack of them—are literally a matter of life and death. |
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HostsDr. David Marine and Theresa Mabry are Co-Directors of Encompass since June 1, 2024. TOPICS
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Funding is provided by Clark County Job and Family Services, Charles L. Shor Foundation, Nehemiah Foundation, Springfield Foundation, Turner Foundation, and private donations and fees.
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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