A "TEAM US" PERSPECTIVE OF MARRIAGE (BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY)

When I [Ginny] walked down the aisle at my wedding, I walked down as an individual.  I had amazing dreams about what marriage would be like, and all I could focus on was how grateful I was that Tim was waiting for me at the end of the aisle.  He was such a PERFECT choice for me, and at that time, it was truly easy to focus on the things I considered perfections and overlook the things I wasn't as excited about.

Time changes things.  As we lived together, we began to notice the little quirks in each other. 

*I left my clothes on the floor - *His closet is neat as a pin

*I internalize things and run during arguments - *He needs to talk things out

*I dream - *He analyzes

*He chews his food really loud

*I leave the lights on all the time

*He talks with his mouth full

*I lose my keys ALL THE TIME

Sound familiar? 

At first, they don't seem like a big deal, but as time goes on, those quirks turn into frustrations, and those frustrations, if not kept in check with grace, patience, and loving communication, can lead to bigger problems.  It truly takes a team effort to make it through marriage. 

It is this team approach that Ashleigh Slater, in her book Team Us, emphasizes. 

If you think you have read everything there is about marriage, think again. Ashleigh, with the help of her husband, brings a fresh team-oriented perspective to marriage that will entertain, inspire, and challenge you to take a new look at your marriage. Whether you are about to get married, a newlywed, or living in a seasoned marriage, you will find wisdom within the pages of the book that will bring life to your marriage in a way you never thought possible. This book is a must for those going through pre-marital counseling to go through together as a couple.

I am in what I consider a beautiful and strong marriage, and I still found new ideas and things to consider that will bring even more life to our partnership in the coming years.

What I love most about her book is her casual style.  I feel like I am having beautiful conversation over coffee with an old friend while her husband peeks his head in for a comedic intervention every once in awhile.  While reading, you will find yourself laughing, crying, or feeling other emotions you didn't even know were there.  I even felt surprise when she creatively connected marriage and the Olympic sport of curling!

Sometimes when I read a book, I feel like the people writing it are perfect, but Ashleigh's stories remind us that they have not had a perfect marriage.  She and Ted share about clashes they had in parenting styles, personality differences that presented challenges, and moving issues.

Her chapter about the Weeping Years really spoke to me.  I cried with her as she shared about a painful miscarriage and the challenges they faced as a couple through this and other challenges.  I could almost hear the "Oceans" soundtrack playing in the background as I read about her experiences.  All of what they went through could have easily ended their marriage, but instead, their marriage strengthened, and they share how in Team Us.

This is a book that you can read on your own, but you are encouraged to read it in conjunction with your spouse.  There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter that will challenge any marriage and inspire not just discussion, but change.

Marriage truly is a team effort.  It is work.  It is HARD.  But if you truly learn how to be a team full of grace, love, and with a common goal, it can lead you toward a "winning season."

You can read a free excerpt of the book here.

Team Us is available for purchase at Amazon, Goodreads, Christianbook.com, and Barnes and Noble.  

You can also win a copy of the book by entering through the Rafflecopter box below!  


CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

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