Marriage Goodies: FTF University/Hitching Post /Relationality: The Game/Tees/ Tiles - 2/10/09

Tue Feb 10 17:48:12 EST 2009

- OH MY GOODNESS: FIRST THINGS FIRST UNIVERSITY!!
- RELATIONALITY GAME
- THE TEXAS HITCHIN POST: NEW TEXAS WEBSITE LAUNCHES
- MARRIAGE TEE SHIRTS
- FLOOR TILES

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Let me begin by sending a huge Tah Dah out to all of you who worked so hard
and are hosting such incredible Marriage Week celebrations (including mayor
and governor proclamations and lots of TV and radio coverage) and/or are
being featured in a truly amazing number of "Marriage & Romance Tips" for
Valentine's Day  while at the same time I have to apologize that there
simply isn't space on the list to feature all these posts. We're on Marriage
overload - what a great problem, and who ever thought I'd be saying that!

Instead I will share news of the NEW and unusual with a focus on TOOLS we
can use.  

Also, though I know you are all aware, have to say that with all the
celebrating about Marriage Week we have to be mindful of the context and
think long and hard about how we can help the millions of couples facing
foreclosure and job loss. Send a post about how you or your church came up
with new ways to help these couples - these marriages in need - and it will
make the list.  For sure.  - diane

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- OH MY GOODNESS: FIRST THINGS FIRST UNIVERSITY!!

Look at this!! If anything will help us become better helpers, this is it.
As you know, First Things First of Chattanooga has long been THE recognized
leader in training communities in how to set up and sustain Healthy Marriage
Initiatives.  Now they've put it all ONLINE at the First Things First
University website. It's expensive to fly your staff to a training or to fly
trainers to your staff - now, just in time for this tight economy, you can
do it all online. And in many ways, it's even better - the training is
ongoing, with access to all the comprehensive/practical First Things First
materials but also with ongoing mentoring and coaching - and it's just like
being there  it's completely INTERACTIVE! (God bless the ever more amazing
internet.)  You get access to the entire First Things First Training TEAM
for as many times as you need them (not just the one or two trainers you can
afford to fly in for one or two days.) You also get to interact with others
across the country - your fellow University students - in discussions and
*classrooms* - ask your questions or listen in as others ask questions you
hadn't even thought of.

There are classes on classes on marketing, fundraising, board development,
strategic planning, coalition building and more, with new classes added all
the time. Plus with the interactive website you get to actually SEE examples
- photos and videos so you can SEE what a training event, fundraiser,
classroom exercise looks like.  And, you can post your own examples - show
and tell. 

AND, LISTEN UP   because they're still in the *Beta phase* (still working
out the kinks), they are offering a limited-time special tuition of $500 for
a LIFETIME enrollment for your ENTIRE ORGANIZATION.  Let me repeat: Sign up
now and your organization has lifetime training access with all the bells
and whistles.   DON'T SAY I DIDN'T TELL YOU.  And, please forward this to
anyone who might be interested in starting a marriage ministry in their
community or congregation - pass the word.

Go here to check it out: http://www.firstthingsu.org/

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- RELATIONALITY GAME

Hot off the press! The new board game Relationality has arrived just in time
for Valentine's Day and National Marriage Week!

It's an informative, engaging game that teaches everyone - teens, young
adults, engaged couples, married folks, and families - about relationships.
Through role playing and realistic scenarios, players experience the
dynamics of decision making in many areas of their lives. They make choices
about money, education, work, romance, living arrangements, marriage,
children....and more! Each decision has consequences which affect both
emotional and financial well-being -- outcomes based on independent
research. 

Orders place by the end of February will receive free shipping!
<http://www.dibbleinstitute.org/>

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- THE TEXAS HITCHIN POST: NEW TEXAS WEBSITE LAUNCHES

Note: If you're a Texas Marriage Educator, GET YOUR CLASSES LISTED
IMMEDIATELY  - take advantage of the Marriage Week/Valentine's Day PR!

> Diane, We are very excited about a new website we just launched to encourage
> the retail world to support healthy marriages!  The Hitchin Post is also
> designed to encourage Texas couples to attend a premarital or marriage
> enrichment education class. If they attend they get a Membership to the site
> where they can find great deals - whether they are planning a wedding or a
> date! Dr. Pat Love is our Spokeswoman and is hosting a Dr. Love Blog. We also
> have several other blogs that focus on marriage and relationships: The Tin
> Star Sweetheart - A single person's take on finding love; The Hitchin' Post
> Gal - Wedding tips and newlywed experiences; and His and Hers - A Co-ed
> perspective on married life. Check it out at:
<http://www.TexasHitchinPost.com>
> 
> The advertisement listings for vendors is FREE until Oct. 2009!!! and there is
> space for TEXAS marriage education providers
> to list their workshops and classes.
> Please have anyone interested contact me at
> Ads at TexasHitchinPost.com or Erin at TexasHitchinPost.com

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- MARRIAGE TEE SHIRTS

Here's one we can support.  I'll link you to the women's apparel page, but
they also have husband shirts, etc.  Is this someone we know?
http://www.frommetees.com/products/womens-apparel

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- FLOOR TILES

I'm told the floor tiles with marriage quotes sold in SF were not from the
PREP booth but from the Before I Do Booth. I heard from several of you who
also purchased them and said you love them.
Before ³I Do² € Jason Krafsky € 425-432-8433 € fullmarriageexperience.com

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