TRY THE FOOD STAMP CHALLENGE
for a Week or for Lent

Starting Ash Wednesday, February 22, I will be trying to eat for $4.50/day (or $31.50/week). My husband, Jim, has agreed to join me so we'll have double that amount to work with. Check out how we're doing and what's most difficult by following my blog or Twitter. Even better, consider doing it with your own family. Find out more details at National Food Stamp Challenge.

FACEBOOK & TWITTER

• I've recently started a Facebook group called "Living Lightly." It's an open group and all are welcome to explore with me and others our sometimes complicated and challenging desire to live more simply.
• Likewise, I've started to tweet on this subject. So, if you want short bursts of ideas on Living Lightly, follow me @Vogt_Susan.

DO YOU OPERATE IN DIFFERENT MARITAL TIME ZONES?

Timing is everything - or at least can be a major irritant in marriage if you manage time differently. Take this lighthearted quiz about your attitudes toward being on time. Perhaps it will relieve some tensions as you realize your differences as a couple.

NEW LEADERSHIP RESOURCE

Marriage Ministry Made Easy was launched at the Aug. 3-6, 2011 National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers (NACFLM) Conference. This is a collaborative effort by five long time NACFLM members (Kathy & Steve Beirne, Fr. Rob Ruhnke, Pat Ennis, and myself).

Our goal is to offer resources that support marriage across its lifespan. As a start, we have developed 52 Easy Ways to Support Marriage in Your Parish. You probably are already doing some of them. Check out the list to find more.

NEW BOOKS

My newest book (August 2011) is Money in the Kingdom of God: Six Essential Attitudes to Followers of Christ. It's a Bible study on the use of money and possessions.

Parenting Your Adult Child: Keeping the Faith (And Your Sanity) is allmost as new (March 2011).

Click here to find out more about both books.

4 MINUTE RADIO SPOTS ON MARRIAGE

Jim and I have done some 4 minute marriage inspiration spots for American Catholic Radio. You can listen to the whole 30 minute program or, if you just want to hear our 4 minute Marriage Moment, scroll to the middle of the program. Be patient. It may take 10 seconds to load. The most recent topics are:

#10-09 How do spouses get past 'the importance of being right'?

#10-13 What are the rules for arguing?

#10-17 Whose job is it to clean the bathroom - and other misc. jobs?

#10-21 How do you negotiate conflicts in your marriage?

Click here and scroll for more.

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UPCOMING PUBLIC MARRIAGE, PARENTING, & SPIRITUALITY PROGRAMS
Winter 2012

JAN..10: Feeding the Domestic Church - Free Marriage Tools for Parishes
PLACE: Cincinnati, OH. St. Margaret Mary Church, 1:00p, Contact: (513) 675-8425

FEB. 18: Marriage: Beyond Talking To Understanding (9:30a)
PLACE: Cincinnati, OH: St. Maximilian Parish, Contact: Mary Montour (513) 777-4322.

MAR. 10: 8:30a and 12:30p: Raising Kids Who Will Make A Difference
PLACE: Mid Atlantic Conference for Pastoral Leadership, Baltimore, MD Registration

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ARCHIVED MARRIAGE MOMENTS & PARENTING POINTERS

To see a list of previous Marriage Moments, click here and then on Marriage Moments.
To see a list of previous Parenting Pointers, click here and then on Parenting Pointers.