Valerie and Sheldon had the privilege of sitting down with their dads, Terry Breker and David Dean, earlier this year to talk about their journey of fatherhood. It was another great episode from 2024, full of personal stories with once again a few tears. 

As the year draws to a close we are returning to 4 episodes from 2024. Each week we’ll play an episode from this past year that was highly listened to and ones that Sheldon and Valerie received comments on. 

Today we are returning to the interview Sheldon and Valerie did with their mothers Brenda Breker and Edith Dean. The interview is about their journey of motherhood and is full of laughter and tears. We trust it will be an encouragement once again.

Sheldon and Valerie talk about some changes they have made to be able to enjoy the Christmas season. It hasn’t always been merry and bright, but there have been unmet expectations,  and frustrations over the years. The reason we celebrate is Jesus but the “celebrations” this time of year can be difficult at times. 

Ever had the thought… ‘I think my spouse becomes a different person when we are around extended family.’ 

Sheldon and Valerie have a conversation on what to do if you or your spouse become different around family as well as some reasons why that might be happening. With Christmas right around the corner this is a timely conversation and something that has affected Sheldon and Valerie in the past.

Processing Questions:

Has a change in you or your spouse around extended family affected your marriage?

What's one thing you can do to address this in a healthy way?

Blog link from Les and Leslie Parrott - Help! My Spouse Is A Completely Different Person With Family
https://www.symbis.com/blog/help-my-spouse-is-a-completely-different-person-with-their-family/?utm_source=Devotion+by+Les+and+Leslie&utm_campaign=b1c418513c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_11_26_07_36&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-b1c418513c-138746289&mc_cid=b1c418513c&mc_eid=9930e824af

Sheldon and Valerie continue their conversation on how our sex lives in marriage are intertwined and connected to the rest of our relationship. Today they talk about some differences that could be affecting the physical intimacy in your marriage.  

Links from episode: 

Weekend Getaway - https://events.familylifecanada.com/weekend-getaway-marriage-conferences

Java with Juli - https://www.authenticintimacy.com/podcast/

Pure Victory - https://www.restoredministries.ca/purevictory

Sheldon and Valerie talk about how our sex lives in marriage are intertwined and connected to the rest of our relationship. So if we want to improve our sex life the first place to start could be to look at the satisfaction and health of the rest of our relationship.

Links:
Weekend Getaway Pricing - https://events.familylifecanada.com/weekend-getaway-marriage-conferences/#rates-and-offers
Weekend Getaway Locations - https://events.familylifecanada.com/weekend-getaway-marriage-conferences/#locations

Sheldon and Valerie sit down with Jared and Courtney LaCoste to talk about their marriage journey. 

Jared and Courney have been married for 13 years and have called Regina home for the last 4.5 years. They have three kids together ages 9, 8 and 6. Jared works in Regina full time with Athletes in Action as a sports chaplain with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Regina Pats. Courtney works as a Registered Nurse. They keep busy following their kids around to hockey games, figure skating, gymnastics and football games if they aren’t at home that is where they will be.  

Sheldon and Valerie talk A Rule of Life. Something they learnt about from Ken Shigamatsu in his book “God in My Everything”. Ken talks about how we can experience God in every part of our lives when we are intentional in the way we live, caring for and growing in our spirit, mind and body. He says a rule of life is “ simply a rhythm of practices that empowers us to live well and grow more like Jesus by helping us experience God in everything.” 

Sheldon and Valerie talk about three ways that Jesus related to people. He was compassionate, made connections and showed courage. There are lessons we can learn from Jesus in relating to our spouse and kids. Compassion is a heart posture that moves us to action. Building connection through question asking and seeking just as Jesus did in his interactions The courage to love the way Jesus did, confront how Jesus confronted and forgive the way Jesus did.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!!! 

Sheldon and Valerie talk about the importance of gratitude and together they process seeing the good or bad in a situation, how we can make a shift in our thinking and the importance of honesty. 

Processing Questions

What are you thankful for today? 

What would help you to deal with issues rather than complain about them?

Where do you focus more, on the good or the bad, and is it dependent on the situation and person? Why do you think that is?