31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife

Pellicane Arlene

Description

You don't have to be married very long to discover that your husband will not live up to all your expectations. And even if he is Mr. Wonderful, he will still do things that disappoint you...and even make you unhappy. But being a happy wife has more to do with choice than circumstance. It begins with your personal decision to choose happiness. And it's characterized by a thread of thanksgiving that runs through your life, bringing with it contentment and cheerfulness. In 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife, Arlene Pellicane explores five character traits you can choose to develop in your journey toward happiness. Organized into 31 daily readings, her biblically based insights will show you the way to become Hopeful--believe that a happy marriage is within your reach Adaptable--learn to be open to change Positive--choose to be more optimistic Purposeful--discover a new vision for your role as a wife Yielded--experience joy as you submit to God's plan Commit yourself to this month-long quest to becoming a happy wife and discover newfound joy for yourself and for your husband. The book includes a "Happy Wives Club Discussion Guide," filled with thought-provoking questions for each daily reading that will enhance your personal or group study.

Informations

• Publié par: Harvest House Publishers, Inc.
• Date de parution: 01 février 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780736958080
• Langue: English

Extrait

Endorsements
Life s major accomplishments are made one step at a time. Thirty-one days is not long, but if you take daily steps you will make progress. Arlene Pellicane has walked the road and shares practical ideas on how to become a happy wife. I highly recommend this book to all wives who aspire for something better.
Gary Chapman , PhD,
author of The Five Love Languages
This book captured my heart. Page after page holds real-life examples of ordinary women who discovered freedom, joy, and adventure through the challenging seasons of marriage. This book is filled with wisdom and inspires hope for wives and points us to the powerful and transformative love of Christ. Thank you, Arlene!
Lynn Donovan ,
speaker and author of Winning Him Without Words
In this helpful and insightful new book, popular speaker and author Arlene Pellicane explains the awesome power of a happy wife. As with her other books, Arlene is positive, encouraging, specific-and talks about real life and real issues. Making the choice to become a happy wife will radically transform your world!
David and Lisa Frisbie , executive directors
The Center for Marriage and Family Studies
If you have ever longed for a better marriage, read this book. Arlene Pellicane masterfully unwraps five specific ways we can increase our happiness as wives. This book is filled with captivating examples, riveting interviews, biblical truth, practical action steps, and common sense advice. It s powerful to read alone, but even better when used as a group study with other wives who sincerely desire positive change.
Carol Kent , speaker and author
Becoming a Woman of Influence
Arlene Pellicane s message is every bit as clear, bright, cheerful, and wise as she is. Whether you re a newlywed or you ve been married for ages, you ll find valuable, practical advice here. The daily format makes it easy to read, absorb, and apply the truths Arlene offers, and the examples from her own marriage and others are honest, often funny, and genuinely helpful. Loved it!
Liz Curtis Higgs ,
best-selling author of The Girl s Still Got It
Have you ever wanted to become a happy or even a happier wife? Maybe the key is for your husband to make some changes. Or maybe, just maybe, it has very little to do with him and a whole lot to do with you. If you re willing to apply the concepts presented in Arlene Pellicane s new book, you can become what you ve wanted to become...a happy wife (and it may take only 31 days!).
Kendra Smiley ,
speaker, radio host, and author of Live Free
Arlene relates to every wife in this inspiring, fun-to-read book that I couldn t put down. If you re ready to become a happy wife, and make the most of your marriage, she ll get you there in 31 days...guaranteed!
Cindi McMenamin,
speaker and author of When Women Walk Alone
Arlene empowers women with an important life-changing truth. You do have a choice not only on the actions you take but the attitudes you embrace. Many wives feel stuck in their marital unhappiness and can t find a way out. 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife gives them a way out-practically, biblically, and winsomely.
Leslie Vernick,
counselor, speaker, and author of The Emotionally Destructive Marriage
It s one thing to say I m happy and another thing to radiate happiness. I know Arlene and her husband, and they emit joy and epitomize the happily ever after we all long for. 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife really is an adventure, a path, a roadmap to a happy life! Arlene will help you find joy and satisfaction with practical, biblical advice and lots of ideas to make you smile.
Pam Farrel , author of 38 books,
including Men Are Like Waffles-Women Are Like Spaghetti
HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Verses marked HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible , copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible , Holman CSB , and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Verses marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Verses marked MSG are from The Message. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
Verses marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible , 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( www.Lockman.org )
Cover design by Left Coast Design, Portland, Oregon
Cover photo Yuri Arcurs / Fotolia
31 DAYS TO BECOMING A HAPPY WIFE
Copyright 2014 by Arlene Pellicane
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Pellicane, Arlene, 1971-
31 days to becoming a happy wife / Arlene Pellicane.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-7369-5806-6 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-7369-5808-0 (eBook)
1. Marriage-Religious aspects-Christianity. 2. Wives-Psychology. 3. Husbands-Conduct of life. 4. Happiness-Religious aspects-Christianity. 5. Wives-Religious life. I. Title. II. Title: Thirty-one days to becoming a happy wife.
BV835.P455 2013
248.8 435-dc23
2013023668
All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other-without the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a nontransferable, nonexclusive, and noncommercial right to access and view this electronic publication, and purchaser agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of author s and publisher s rights is strictly prohibited.
Dedication
To Noelle and Lucy
May you grow up to be wives who truly live happily ever after.
Contents
Endorsements
Dedication
Introduction: Do You Wish You Were Happier?
Marriage Quiz: Are You a Happy Wife?
Focus 1: Becoming Hopeful
Day 1: Happiness Begins with Me
Day 2: The Years Are Short
Day 3: Tomorrow Starts Today
Day 4: Facedown
Day 5: Turn It Off
Day 6: Envy Slayers
Focus 2: Becoming Adaptable
Day 7: I m Not Budging
Day 8: Satisfaction (Not) Guaranteed
Day 9: Rags, Riches, and Everything In Between
Day 10: No Miss America Here
Day 11: Sex Yes, Dishes No
Day 12: The Rest Challenged
Focus 3: Becoming Positive
Day 13: It s Lonely at the Top
Day 14: Put Your Weapon Down
Day 15: From Bothers to Blessings
Day 16: Smile, Not Just for the Camera
Day 17: It s Easy Being Married to You
Day 18: Case Dismissed
Focus 4: Becoming Purposeful
Day 19: The Professional Wife
Day 20: Intimacy by Design
Day 21: Connection and Coffee Dates
Day 22: Death by Neglect
Day 23: I m Bored
Day 24: Beyond These Walls
Day 25: Most Valuable Prayers
Focus 5: Becoming Yielded
Day 26: Who s in Control?
Day 27: Father Does Know Best
Day 28: Stepping Up and Stepping Down
Day 29: Proud to Serve
Day 30: Going Bananas
Day 31: A Lasting Joy
Conclusion: So Happiness Isn t a Feeling?
Notes
Daily Affirmations of the Happy Wife
Bible Verses About Happiness
The Happy Wives Discussion Guide
Bonus Material
About the Publisher
Acknowledgments
About Arlene Pellicane
Introduction
Do You Wish You Were Happier?
I m not a natural on a bicycle. I have the distinct memory of riding my bike straight into a car when I was a girl. I m thankful it was parked-I just didn t know how to turn! Years later, when I began dating James, I quickly learned how much he loved bike riding. He told me, When I m riding my bike and having the time of my life, I want to look over my shoulder and see you. I don t want to see my buddies. I want to see you .
That was enough for my little lovebird heart. I would become a cyclist. We went to the bicycle store to pick out a mountain bike for me. That was the fun part. But then I actually had to ride the thing. The first time I went on a trail, I had a hard time just transitioning from the parking lot to the trail. You had to steer between wooden posts, and I was terrified that I would run my bike right into one of the posts.
As I stared at those wooden posts in fear, they were getting closer and closer, and suddenly James yelled Stop! It was time for a coaching lesson. He told me five simple words that have served me well on the bike and in life.
You go where you focus.
He told me that if I was focused on the wooden posts, I would definitely steer myself right into them. But if I focused on the path between the wooden posts, I would safely steer my bike right onto the path.
You go where you focus. In life, if you focus on your problems, you will be filled with anxiety. But if you focus on what brings true happiness, you will be able to enjoy with newfound satisfaction this amazing journey of being a wife. It s time to focus on creating more happiness in your marriage.
Happiness Unpacked
What is happiness anyway? Is happiness a selfish or noble goal? Do you get it by being beautiful, wealthy, intelligent, or powerful? There are so many misconceptions about happiness. Just look at advertising, which lures us to buy products that promise a happy life. Yet happiness is not a product you can buy with a credit card. It s more like a by-product of how you live.
Let s compare what happiness is and what it isn t.