Good News - February 2022

COVER STORY 26 FEBRUARY 2022 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Strengthening marriages “Family is the backbone of our society,” emphasized Debbie Groeneveld. Debbie and Kevin Groeneveld, married for 31 years, also serve as Live the Life board members. Kevin was a marriage and family counselor at Sheridan House Family Ministries and now teaches at Calvary Christian Academy while Debbie operates her medical equipment company, Groeneveld Enterprises. She shared that “seeing the devastation that divorce causes, whether it's Kevin seeing it in the private practice and in the classroom with students, or us seeing it with friends who have walked through divorce and the effects it's had on their families and kids, has just made us passionate about the commitment of marriage and the benefits of staying together - even when it's not easy.” Having attended Adventures in Marriage and a Hope Weekend themselves, the Groenevelds now coach other couples as they work through the tools they’re given in the program. “Being able to see a couple who has come into the weekend with any multitude of problems, whether it’s adultery, pornography, addiction, just baggage that people come into a relationship with, and they’ve not been able to work through it - then to see them at the end of the weekend with a light at the end of the tunnel and feeling hopeful about their marriage is so encouraging and rewarding,” said Groeneveld. “We all have things in our marriage that are hot buttons, and it gives you the tools to address those issues and guidelines to go through them.” Couples also explore their family history to recognize how it may be impacting their marriage along with ways to break unhealthy, generational patterns. “When we follow up with those couples, it's exciting to see something you’ve been a part of to grow and flourish,” she said. Live the Life has also started a program for singles to teach them how to have health relationships, how to have boundaries, added Groeneveld. “A lot of kids are postponing marriage or having children without being married. Maybe they’ve seen the destruction of broken marriages in their own families, but we’re encouraging them that marriage is a good thing. It can be a very healthy thing if you bring the right tools into it.” Marriage and relationship resources Live the Life focuses heavily on bringing communication and care back into the home so that families can see measurable change. What follows is a listing of some of the available resources as well as upcoming events. Resources for students and singles: Real Essentials - middle and high school level courses teaching social emotional wellness and healthy relationship education skills facilitated by Live the Life and offered in more than 30 public schools in Broward County. Singles Events - Boundaries are an indicator of mental health that assist in preventing additional stress or anxiety. When it comes to dating, having those boundaries in place can help you relax and enjoy the process of getting to know someone. Marriage resources: Adventures in Marriage - Appropriate for couples at ANY age or stage, this course helps couples discover better ways to meet needs, communicate, resolve conflict, express anger, avoid dirty fighting and understand how their personality styles impact relationships for better or worse. Refresh &Renew - This is a four-week class addressing topics such as sexual intimacy, affair proofing your marriage, family origins. Attending Adventures in Marriage is a prerequisite. The Power of US - Acourse designed for couples wanting to experience deeper levels of intimacy, knowledge, and understanding of one another HopeWeekend - Amarriage retreat that combines Christian principles with the latest research to provide specific, practical, attainable skills to help couples reconnect and develop or restore trust. Start Smart - A comprehensive premarital education program with 4 key elements: a premarital inventory, 5 mentoring sessions, communication and conflict resolution skills, and a workbook of resources. Personal Coaching - Our emphasis is on coaching couples or individuals with our communication tools and how to properly implement them into your lives and relationships. Happy Together Hoedown Live the Life will kick off their ten-year initiative to transform Broward County for the better through healthy relationship education at their Happy & Together Hoedown. Grab your boots for a night of country fun on Saturday, February 12th at the Green Glades Ranch. Enjoy mechanical bull rides, a fire lasso performance, live music from the Shadow Creek Band, amazing food, dancing, S'mores by the fire pit, a photo booth, and the exclusive premiere of their short film "All In." RSVP at bit.ly/HappyHoedown 5 Love Languages Date Night The 5 Love Languages Date Night Event with Dr. Gary Chapman will help you discover the tools you need to make a good relationship great, or a hurting relationship heal. Expect to learn, laugh, and connect as Gary reveals powerful insights that will give you a better understanding of yourself, and your loved one, in the ways that connect you most. February 16 from 7 - 9 p.m. at First Baptist Church Fort Lauderdale. Register at moody.regfox.com/date-night-fort-lauderdale It Takes Two Women's Luncheon Live the Life will host a women’s luncheon onMarch 29 with Vicki Rose,Author of Every Reason to Leave: AndWhyWe Chose to Stay Together. For more information, visit livethelifesoflo.org or call 954-909-0360. Upcoming Events:

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