20 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR GOOD MARRIAGE GREAT

In one of my classes the other day we were given a hand out that was called 15 ways to make a good marriage great. I looked it up online and saw that there are actually 20 ways, the other 5 are just religious and she cut them out for sake of the class. However, if you are interested in the other 5 I'll list them below as well and bold them! I wanted to share this with everyone because I think it is fun and it can make marriage fun! Jace and I are working on all of these, but we decided that we would focus on one each day just a little more and see how it goes. Here are the 20 ways to make a good marriage great!

1. A weekly planning meeting- to discuss the calendar, talk over needs and problems, decide priorities and next steps.
2. A daily phone call or personal conversation- to say I love you, touch bases, show you care.
3. A weekly date- to a favorite park, the gym, the library.
4. Patience regardless- of missed meals, tardiness, forgotten favors, a thoughtless remark, impatience.
5. Daily service-helping with house or yard work,mending a piece of clothing, taking a turn with the baby, fixing a favorite meal.
6. A budget- to tie down income and expenses, help set financial goals, and give you control over your finances.
7. Listening- not only to what is said, but also what is meant.
8. Working together- scrubbing floors, painting a bedroom, caring for a garden, washing a car.
9. Forgiving each other- always learning from each other, trying a different way, being the first to make peace.
10. Courtesies- like saying please and thank you, not interrupting or belittling, not doing all the talking, continuing the niceties of courtship.
11. Soft and kind words- of tenderness, compassion, empathy.
12. Learning together by- reading to each other, discussing ideas, taking a class.
13. Respecting- opinions, ideas, privacy.
14. Caring for your spouse's family- enjoying their company, serving them, overlooking differences.
15. Occasional gifts- such as a note, a needed item, but mostly gifts of time and self.

16. Night and morning prayer- to say thanks, to ask for help in your marriage and family, to worship together.
17. Regular attendance- at church and when possible to the temple.
18. Daily scripture reading-to learn the gospel, to recieve inspiration for yourself and for your marriage.
19. Supporting your spouse- in church callings, and righteous goals.
20. Loving with all your heart- "thou shalt love thy wife [thy husband] with all thy heart, and shall cleave unto her [him] and noone else." (D&C 42:22)