Brides (and their mothers) spend countless hours planning the perfect day. The dress, the flowers, the venue, the photographer, the caterer . . . no detail goes unnoticed. In fact, according to Theknot.com,
- the average wedding costs around $32,000
- the average wedding dress costs $1357
- the average number of guests attending a wedding is 136
Even for the most organized bride, it takes a long time to plan such an affair. Maybe this is why the average engagement lasts 14 months.
Unfortunately, many couples spend more time planning for their wedding–which lasts ONE day–and not enough time planning for their marriage–which lasts a LIFETIME.
That is why Brandon and I are so passionate about Legacy Family Ministries . . . because we see too many couples playing house while lacking the proper tools needed for a healthy, thriving, Godly marriage. For the past nine years we have been honored to serve with Legacy Family to prepare engaged couples for marriage.
Legacy Family’s Mission
Legacy Family Ministries was created to pass on Biblical principles from one generation to the next, and they exist to serve engaged and pre-engaged couples by providing hope, direction, and vision.
Practically speaking, they accomplish their vision through their 6-week pre-marital class: Countdown to Marriage, which they offer every fall and spring, plus the shorter Weekender version offered approximately three times per year. In these classes a seasoned (that’s a nice word for “older”) married couple walks a group engaged couples through Legacy’s curriculum. Topics include:
- God’s Purpose for Marriage
- Finances
- Spiritual Intimacy
- Emotional Intimacy
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Physical Intimacy
- In-laws
- Communication
- Conflict Resolution
Classes end with a weekend retreat in Salado, Texas.
Fall 2016
This fall Legacy is offering the following classes:
- Oates Home (Waco) – Sunday nights, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. September 18 – October 23
- Weathersbee Home (Salado) – Sunday nights, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. September 18 – October 23
- Class ends with a retreat in Salado at Summers Mill: Oct 29-30
- Weekender (for those who cannot attend a 6-week class, they can attend the weekend retreat only) – Oct 28-30
- Cost: $300 per couple (limited scholarships available – contact 254-933-2300 or [email protected] for more information)
The Best Wedding Gift
While giddy brides spend hundreds of hours planning the perfect wedding, friends and family worry and fret over picking out the perfect gift: china that will break, silver that will tarnish, and that bread maker the happy couple will use once before they go Gluten-free.
You can shop until you drop on frivolous gifts such as these, or you can give a gift that will last for generations to come: the gift of a Countdown to Marriage class.
If you are engaged, consider giving yourself the only wedding gift you can’t find in a store . . . the gift of investing in your marriage with Legacy Family Ministries.
Don’t wait, classes are filling up. To register for Countdown to Marriage, click here.
Related Posts:
What Your Spouse Really Wants (and Needs) This Valentine’s Day)
Two Steps to Building a Stronger Marriage This Year
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