How do we welcome people into our home, and who is it that we take the time to welcome?

Do we take the time to welcome our spouse? Do we work to make the home more hospitable to them? And do we take the time to welcome children, and set them up for success? Only from there does opening the house for others really make sense...but from there, it really does make sense to open our homes to others!

In case no one's ever welcomed you before, it's good you're here!

The problems you're facing, the goal you're chasing, the mate you're dating-- it's good that you're in the midst of them, because you're the one who can take a next step.

Happy New Year!

We're co-hosting a "Plan Your Year" virtual video workshop with Jonathan and Amanda Teixeira (founders of WalletWin) this coming Saturday, December 30th, from 10am to 1pm eastern time (and yes, it will be recorded). Check it out here: https://courses.walletwin.com/a/2147754273/po42YcGp

What do you think about applying business-y principles to your marriage? How do you feel about reading a leadership/productivity book and applying the lessons to the home? Have you ever learned something from a work experience and brought it back home, and it worked for the better?

Joseph did these things. And we're both glad he did!

Check out our ministry at ouroutpost.org--we're just trying to awaken an authentic Catholic culture through holy matrimony-- and follow us on Instagram for more marriage-y things: @ouroutpost!

Before we talk about how the home can be a more productive place, we need to talk about our approach to productivity.

Crystal grew up in a productivity-is-really-important mindset, and Joseph has been reading about Aristotle recently. Very different mindsets toward productivity!

Your marriage is unique. Rather than being bothered that your family isn't like other families, that may be something to lean into a little bit!

There's never been anyone like you, and as you well know, there's never been anyone like your spouse. The two of you coming together is a unique happening in history, and means you have unique opportunities and a unique mission.

Comparison just wrecks all of that!

Not to be sensational, but Satan hates your marriage. There may be other signs of Satan meddling with your marriage, but two of them seem to be lies and noise. When we believe lies about ourselves, our spouse, about God, our vocation, the world...it makes a difference, because we are made for reality, so that's where true joy is to be found.

And when life is discordant, it makes a difference too. Marriage is designed to be a kind of harmonizing of two lives, not a continuous clash of two lives.
Check out our "Vision for Marriage" workshop here: https://ouroutpost.ck.page/workshop

Check out our marriage membership here: https://ouroutpost.org/youroutpost/

We're hosting a free online marriage workshop on the topic of hopes and dreams this week! Sign up here: https://ouroutpost.ck.page/workshop

Our son asks every night what the plan is for tomorrow. In marriage, sometimes it's tempting to only plan a day at a time. But we have the capacity to plan longer term, and to make progress toward realizable goals!

Maybe you've heard the saying that couples either grow together or grow apart.

All other things being equal, we'd rather grow together, ourselves. And we'd love to encourage you to do likewise!