Called to Marriage

Charlie is growing up, and that means the way he learns is changing too.

In this episode, we share an honest update on parenting a five-year-old, why his Scripture memorization looks different today, how his love for God's Word has matured, and why we've learned to adapt our parenting rather than force the same methods.

Every child develops differently, and we're simply sharing what we're learning along the way.

Our third baby, Maggie, arrived sooner than we expected… and before the midwives made it.

In this episode, we share the short version of Maggie’s birth story, how labor unfolded unexpectedly, what it was like welcoming her at home, and why going through birth together deepened our marriage.

This was our third home birth by God’s grace and one we’ll never forget.

Tell us in the comments:What was the most unexpected part of your birth story?

Subscribe for more conversations on marriage, family, faith, parenting, and life together.

How much of who you are today was shaped by your childhood?

In this episode of Called to Marriage, we sit down for a simple conversation over dessert and answer questions that led somewhere deeper than expected.

We talk about:

• What we loved most as children

• How our childhood experiences shaped who we became

• Growing up in different family environments

• The influence of parents and siblings

• Faith, church, and spiritual upbringing

• Why understanding your spouse’s story builds intimacy

00:48 Childhood Favorites Question01:19 His Answer Thinking Soccer02:46 Her Answer People Learning06:54 How Childhood Shaped You07:07 His Story Fatherless Upbringing10:35 Faith Formation and Church12:42 Her Shaping Faith and Family16:45 Wrap Up and Challenge

Marriage is not just about learning who your spouse is today. It is also about understanding where they came from, what formed them, what they longed for, and what they carry into the relationship.Sometimes the answers to present-day behaviors are hidden in old stories.Take these questions home. Ask your spouse and listen carefully.You may discover something beautiful.

In a culture that increasingly fears family, we wanted to talk about something we believe is deeply valuable: sibling relationships.In this episode, we reflect on our own experiences growing up, the beauty of watching our children bond, and why we believe siblings can become one of life’s greatest support systems.Family is not perfect. But by the grace of God, sibling relationships can become a lifelong source of love, strength, accountability, and joy.

00:49 Trust God With Family Size

02:20 Our Sibling Backgrounds

03:53 Thomas and Sister Bond

06:10 Watching Our Kids Bond

07:11 Siblings as Lifelong Support

09:45 Parentification and Shared Care

11:51 Adult Friendships vs Siblings

16:22 Faith and Jesus Had Siblings

17:59 Encouragement for Parents

20:06 Security and Shared Burdens

22:45 How We Foster Sibling Bonds

23:11 Sharing Rooms Benefits

24:04 Let Them Bond Alone

24:23 Birth Order Dynamics

26:29 Sibling Love Stories

29:19 Kids Close in Age

30:50 Build Common Ground

35:15 Homeschool Togetherness

37:31 Age Segregation Critique

38:50 Shout Out Siblings

39:50 Repair Sibling Bonds

42:26 Closing

Communication is essential in marriage, but knowing how to deepen it is where many couples struggle.

One simple and powerful exercise we’ve used in our own marriage is asking each other intentional questions. Some are light and fun. Others invite us to reflect on our past, our experiences, and even the deeper questions of life. Each one opens the door to meaningful conversation and connection.

Questions create space for honesty, laughter, vulnerability, and intimacy. Over time, they help strengthen the bond between spouses and draw hearts closer together.

We’ve benefited immensely from this practice and have recommended it to many couples over the years.

In this episode, we model what this exercise looks like in real time. It’s simple, fun, and easy to try in your own relationship.

Try it with your spouse or partner (if you're in a relationship) and let us know how it goes. And if you already use questions to stay connected in your marriage, share in the comments how it’s impacted your relationship.

00:00 Introduction to Call to Marriage

00:04 The Connection Call Conversation

02:03 Ground Rules for Deep Conversations

02:35 Handling Sensitive Topics

02:52 Family Interruptions and Realities

03:12 Indirect Questions for Better Communication

04:47 Starting the Q&A Session

05:22 Reflecting on Our Relationship

08:51 Strengthening Our Bond

11:16 Feeling Loved and Appreciated

16:20 Expectations in Marriage

21:03 The Importance of Communication in Marriage

22:26 Forgiveness and Managing Expectations

26:00 Handling Conflicts with Transparency and Vulnerability

29:57 Resilience and Levity in Conflict Resolution

34:04 Receiving and Giving Constructive Feedback

36:58 Maintaining Oneness in Marriage

40:40 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

In this intimate episode, we celebrate our 7-year marriage anniversary. We reflect on our journey together, from moving from China to the States, raising two boys, and experiencing God's constant faithfulness. We also share insights on parenting, facing challenges, documenting memories, and ministry, all while balancing life and family.

We candidly discuss the importance of faith, family unity, homeschooling, and managing finances, providing an honest glimpse into our life.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast

00:10 Reflecting on Seven Years of Marriage

01:59 Faithfulness of God in Our Journey

03:30 Parenting and Raising Children

09:31 Discovering and Nurturing Passions

15:51 Balancing Work and Family Life

31:19 Challenges and Daily Life

33:28 Managing Chaos and Gratitude

34:22 Entrepreneurial Challenges and Conversations

36:10 Navigating Transitions and Family Dynamics

42:41 Homeschooling Thoughts and Strategies

54:50 Health Challenges and Support

59:59 Financial Reflections and Future Plans

01:04:34 Final Thoughts and EncouragementFOLLOW US FOR MORE CONTENT:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calledtomarriageFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/calledtomarriageTikTok: tiktok.com/@calledtomarriageCALLED TO MARRIAGE PODCAST:https://anchor.fm/calledtomarriageYou can listen on several different platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, etc.

In this episode, we share insights from a Christian Homeschooling convention we attended recently. We discuss our plans for home education, the enriching experience of the convention, and provide a compact list of 10 lessons we learned from the convention. From fostering a vision for your family’s education to practical tips for engaging your child’s imagination and curiosity, this episode covers essential aspects of homeschooling from a Christian perspective. Learn about the importance of valuing both parents' contributions, the challenges and rewards of homeschooling, and the critical role of spiritual education. Whether you're new to homeschooling or a seasoned parent, this episode offers something for everyone.

00:00 Introduction to the Episode

00:21 Our Homeschooling Plans

02:41 Overview of the Homeschool Convention

03:11 Keynote Speakers and Sessions05:50 Family-Friendly Event Highlights

06:40 Lessons Learned from the Convention

07:12 Vision for Homeschooling

12:21 Practical Tips for Homeschooling

26:59 Encouraging Fathers to Get Involved in Education

28:34 Balancing Household Responsibilities

32:23 Validating Our Homeschooling Journey

35:22 Challenges and Sacrifices in Homeschooling

39:23 Exploring Homeschooling Resources

40:28 The Importance of Socialization Across Ages

47:43 Teaching Children to Know the Lord

51:36 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of 'Called to Marriage, we dive deep into the challenges and joys of the postpartum period, emphasizing the crucial role of paternity leave. We share personal experiences from our journey with our second child, contrasting it with our first, and highlight the transformative power of teamwork and spousal support.

This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring testimonies, making it a must-listen for mothers, fathers, and anyone involved in family life.

00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode

00:32 Postpartum Period and Paternity Leave

01:07 Experiences and Challenges with Newborns

02:17 Importance of Paternity Leave

03:42 Father's Role in Postpartum Support

04:35 Teamwork and Family Bonding

07:20 Rest and Prioritizing Family

16:09 Home Adjustments and Planning

22:23 Planning for Family Time

23:02 The Sacrifices of Paternity Leave

24:18 The Importance of Being Present

25:09 Supporting Your Spouse

28:55 The Benefits of Taking Time Off

30:48 Making Career Decisions During Leave

34:29 Cherishing Family Moments

36:35 Encouragement for Fathers

42:46 Concluding Thoughts and Future Topics

In this episode, we share our personal experience of home birthing our second child, Nti. We recount the details from the early contractions to the challenges of labor, and the joyous moment of delivery. We discuss the spiritual significance of childbirth, the importance of trust in God, and the significance of supportive spouse roles.

Marcia provides insights on labor pain, the concept of the mucus plug, and the physical demands of birth, while Thomas touches on the father's role and our collective experience as a family. This episode includes a mix of personal anecdotes, scriptural reflections, and practical advice on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery.

00:00 Introduction and Scripture Reflection

01:14 Early Labor Signs and Timeline Confusion

03:28 Errands and Increasing Discomfort

05:48 Active Labor and Midwife Support

10:58 The Birth and Immediate Aftermath

18:01 Unexpected Sensory Experience

19:06 Reflecting on Childbirth Experiences

19:57 Delivering the Placenta

22:07 The Mystery of Childbirth

26:34 Postpartum Journey and Breastfeeding

28:14 Father's Role and Paternity Leave

29:10 Healing and Reintegration

34:05 Final Thoughts and Advice for Husbands

In this episode, we delve into the thought-provoking and personal journey of naming our sons. From discussing the significance of names to sharing family traditions and personal anecdotes, this episode provides a heartfelt look at how we navigated this important aspect of parenthood. Learn about the stories behind our choices, how we balanced tradition with personal preference, and the meaningful conversations that strengthened our bond. Whether you're expecting, already a parent, or just curious about the naming process, this episode offers valuable insights and a bit of fun. Don’t forget to share your own experiences in the comments! 00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic 01:09 Naming Our First Child: Charles 11:35 The Significance of Names 14:48 Cultural Perspectives on Naming 23:05 Introducing Our Second Child: Nt 25:27 The Significance of Names 26:58 Cultural and Personal Reflections on Names 30:16 The Importance of Names in History and Religion 34:02 The Process of Naming a Child 36:15 Concluding Thoughts on Naming 46:30 Final Reflections and Farewell FOLLOW US FOR MORE CONTENT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calledtomarriage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calledtomarriage TikTok: tiktok.com/@calledtomarriage