MennoLink Books and Music

Gerald W. and L. Marlene Kaufman offer another way to find real contentment in marriage. They suggest that you take a rain check on the fantasies. They know that all couples have stresses from work, children, finances, and may distractions. The Kaufmans help you find ways to manage your life. They especially want couples to be realistic about each other when the mystery and intense romance disappears.

This book is about discovering the wonderful things that occur in the daily routines of marriage. Things that many couples miss because they chase impossible dreams and fantasies. For example, the quiet of an evening together after the kids are in bed. Sometimes without a word being said! Maybe the closeness comes form an unsolicited back rub. Mainly they are close because nothing else is allowed to come between them. That is when they discover a richly ordinary marriage. What the Kaufmans call Monday Marriage.

Copyright 2005 Herald Press

Herself a second wife, Marth Stahl talks straight about the preparation required for those women who are marrying a widower. Because they're older and considered "wiser," such couples tend not to take the care needed for happiness and satisfaction in their marriages.

Stahl married for the first when she was in her late 40s. The marriage turned out well, but it presented her with situations she hadn't imagined before: How to date privately in a small community? (There are tricks!); What about premarital counseling? (What's a young pastor to tell two romantics twice his or her age?); What to do with the first wife's things, and photos from the first marriage?; How to handle different expectations about money, sex and vacations?; How to survive personality quirks, and daily likes and dislikes?.

Stahl writes from her own life. She draws, too, on 40 responses to a questionnaire she sent to second wives who share her Christian faith.

Copyright 2005 Good Books.

Harvey Yoder emphasizes areas of relationship maintenance often ignored in other similar books. These include the importance of a solid support network of friends, family, and congregational family; and the need to take seriously Jesus' teaching about a joyful and simple lifestyle. Charmingly illustrated by Lee Eshleman.

Copyright 2007 Herald Press