Marriage Talk

Today, John and I spoke in front of other married couples who are struggling. We have been preparing for this talk since January and all I can say is that it is not easy. We spoke about sex and intimacy.

We spoke about how our marriage crumble and how the Lord through Retrouvaille rescued us. I was the first one to talk and boy did my tears started to run. I didn't think I was going to cry but I did. Then it was John's turn and he cracked as well.

It looks harder than it looks. On our way home, I felt a sense of peace and a headache! The stress from placing myself in that place again gave me a headache but my soul was at peace that I had served the Lord in this tough ministry.

The couples attending this talk feel at ease that they are not the only ones with marriage troubles. God willing, we will keep on doing this talk as long as God allows it. -Sandra.

Marriage Weekend

Tomorrow begins another Retrouvaille Marriage weekend with 25 registered couples. Couples who are angry, bitter, separated and some going through divorce.

I will ask for anyone who reads this blog to pray for these couples. Pray that they see that there is still hope in the midst of their differences and problems they face. As John and I experienced in our weekend back in 2007 is that nothing is impossible in the eyes of the Lord. Pray that these couples see the love they had for each other and that love is a choice, a decision we make to love each other every single day.

Thank you for your prayers. -Sandra.

Retrouvaille Weekend

For this marriage weekend beginning tomorrow, July 17th to the 19th, we registered 45 married couples who are desperately seeking help in their marriage with 3 couples calling it quits. As the Registration Couple for this past year, we have cried and prayed with many of them who find themselves desperate to save whatever is left of their marriage.

This job has been extremely hard for both of us. Many times taking us back to past painful moments during our fall, however, it has also been extremely enriching within our marriage because, God has used our testimony to give hope to those that don't think there is any hope out there. It is weird how God uses our fall to glorify him and to help others.

So, our journey as the Registration Couple for Retrouvaille ends as of tomorrow as we turn it over to a new couple. It is a bittersweet feeling. By that I mean as our family goes from 3 to 4 very soon, our time will be limited and it will be hard for us to give as much to it as we have been this past year. There has been times where we just didn't want to do it anymore because it can take a lot of you emotionally but we will also miss connecting with people who are seeking help.

What I take out of this past year journey is that no matter how great you think your marriage is, there should always be time for a tune-up before things change before your eyes.

We thank the Lord for this great opportunity to have served him. Now, we will wait on Him to give us our next assignment to serve Him. -Sandra.

Marriage Weekend

This Friday April 17th, Retrouvaille will have their marriage retreat weekend. So far, John and I have registered 35 couples. Some have dropped which is always sad because you can hear the pain in their voice or when we read their e-mails. Just today, I received a call from this guy who is desperate and not sure about attending the Weekend and wanted me to explain if it is possible that it could help his marriage heal from an affair his wife is having.

Every time I get a call like this it breaks my heart because I hear the pain and I can totally understand it and all I can say is "yes, it is possible. Not easy, but possible when you are open to do the hardest work you have ever done in your life."

Not all the couples attending are suffering from an affair. Some have just grown apart over the years and are just living like roommates or staying together for the kids. Some have decided that marriage is to hard and want to go out and live the single life again. I had a call a few weeks back when the husband asked me, "I bet this is your first call from a husband asking about help." WRONG!

We get inquiries from both. Many times the wife just gets tired and wants to call it quits and that's when the husband wakes up and figures out he better do something before is too late. We have heard husbands cry, and desperate to save their marriage and it hurts me as much when the wives cry.

This is a hard ministry to work for but it truly has been a blessing in our lives. Please help us pray for all these couples who will be attending this Marriage weekend. Pray that they see the light at the end of the tunnel where Jesus is standing waiting to embrace them on a job well done.

God bless. -Sandra.