We want this community to feel like a safe space where we can all support each other's marriage journeys. Let's start with introductions! You can use this simple format: Hey, I'm from ________________. I'm here because ________________. The biggest thing I'm working on in my marriage right now is ________________. Examples: - "Hey, I'm Sarah from Texas. I'm here because we keep having the same fights over and over and I'm exhausted." - "I'm Mike from Ohio. I'm here because my wife and I feel like roommates and I want that spark back." - "I'm Lisa from Florida. I'm here because my husband won't engage in fixing our problems and I'm trying to figure out how to create change on my own." - No judgment here - just real people working on real relationships. The more we know about each other, the better we can support and encourage one another. Drop your intro below! 👇

Today is the third Sunday of Advent, the "Joy" Sunday. It feels strange to talk about Joy when the world feels heavy, or when there is an empty chair at your table this year. But biblical Joy is different from Happiness. • Happiness depends on Happenings (what is going on around you). • Joy depends on Him (who is living inside you). You can be grieving and still have Joy. You can be struggling and still have Joy. Joy is the quiet confidence that God is good, even when the season is hard. Prayer: Lord, give me a Joy that makes no sense to the world, because it is rooted in You.

Hey Connection Lab Group! We are kicking off the Silent Night Challenge by "Naming the Elephant." We know that "Discretionary Distractions" like social media or TV often feel like a necessary escape after a long day. But often, what feels like "decompression" is actually just "disconnection." As you identify your distraction today, let’s dig a layer deeper than just naming "the phone." DEEP DIVE DISCUSSION: When you reach for that specific distraction (the scrolling, the news, the busyness), what emotion are you trying to numb or avoid? Is it boredom, anxiety about the holidays, or just exhaustion? Let's get real in the comments: What is the specific "Elephant" in your room, and why has it been so hard to evict it until now? Don't forget to share your insight with your spouse... this is where connection begins.

With all the talk of boundaries, healing, and schedules... don't forget the FUN. Laughter is one of the quickest ways to regulate a dysregulated nervous system. It releases endorphins and lowers cortisol. If your home has felt heavy lately—whether from marital strain, financial stress, or just the weight of the world—intentionally inject some lightness tonight. Watch a comedy. Play a board game. Look at old funny photos. Reminder: You don't have to wait for the "perfect time" to be happy. You can snatch a moment of joy right in the middle of the mess. Question: What is your favorite Christmas movie to watch for a laugh? (Elf? Home Alone? Christmas Vacation?) 🎄

We are officially transitioning from Thanksgiving mode to the December rush. Before we turn the calendar page, let's anchor ourselves back in the "He" (Spiritual Health). It is so easy to let the "Them" (obligations, parties, shopping) crowd out the "He" in December. But peace is not found in a perfectly executed schedule; it is found in a centered soul. "Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10. Notice it doesn't say "Be busy and know," or "Be perfect and know." It says Be Still. Action: Before you check your to-do list for next week, spend 5 minutes in silence or prayer. Ask God: What do You want for me this December?