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Susan Alexander Yates

Susan Alexander Yates

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Celebrating 50 Years: How to Make a Marriage Last

by Susan Alexander Yates

This summer John and I celebrated 50 years of marriage.  We can hardly believe it!  One of the most common questions we’ve gotten in recent years is What does it take to make a marriage last?

We’ve written and spoken a lot about marriage over the years, but today we’re going to do something different. Today we’re inviting you in to our marriage, and sharing some of the lessons we’ve learned over these many years. 

John and Susan Yates - wedding photo and 50 year anniversary photo

Then and now!

John and I are each sharing three different things we’ve learned over the years that are crucial for a marriage to be successful.  When we sat down to film, we didn’t know what the other was going to share, but we seem to be pretty in sync.  I guess 50 years will do that!

Join us in our backyard for a glimpse into our marriage and what we’ve discovered along the way.  Wherever you are in your relationship — or if you’re just considering marriage — I hope this will give you some perspective and practical ideas.

And yes, John cut me off at one point. You might say I’m a talker — and that we’re still a work in progress.

PS:  We’re thrilled to recommend these new books by our friends Matt and Lisa Jacobson:  100 Words of Affirmation Your Husband Needs to Hear and 100 Words of Affirmation Your Wife Needs to Hear.  Click the links to order your copy today!

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October 2, 2019 · Leave a Comment

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Hello, I’m Susan.

Susan Alexander Yates

I’m a wife (of more than 50 years), mom to five children (including a set of twins), and grandmother to 21 (including a set of quadruplets!). My favorite time of the year is when all my kids and grandkids are together for a week of “cousins and family camp” in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia.

Read more…

Recent Posts

  • How God’s Creation Comforts and Restores Me
  • Help for Parents of Middle School Kids: Insights From My 8th Grade Diary
  • Family Can Be Hard: How to Handle Painful Family Relationships
  • Our Best Advice for Your Marriage: What We’ve Learned in 53+ Years
  • Good News: Growing as a Christian is Not About Trying Harder

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31 Days Of Prayer For My Child: A Parent’s Guide

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One Word: Warrior One Verse: “The Lord is a One Word:  Warrior 
 
One Verse:

“The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name." Exodus 15:3
 
One Thought:

Lord, it is good for me to be reminded that you are a warrior. You are not a pushover, or weak. You are mighty. You fight for me. You defend me. You have my back. You are for me.
One morning recently I watched my dog, Charley, wa One morning recently I watched my dog, Charley, watch me. He noticed my every move. If I looked him in the eye he would hop up and come to me. If I moved he would follow me. He listens for my voice. His greatest joy is for me to communicate with him, to pay attention to him. He loves me unconditionally, even if I’m having a bad day, blown it with a family member or friend, or still have on my smelly sweats! Watching him watch me I think about how he reflects God. Our heavenly Father watches over me. He waits for me to notice Him. He takes great joy when I call out to Him. He loves me no matter what.

“Father thank you for Charley and for using him to remind me how much You rejoice when I pay attention to You. At this moment, You are waiting patiently for me.”
These are my two 8th grade granddaughters (cousins These are my two 8th grade granddaughters (cousins). Last time they were in town we went thrift shopping, and they found a single pair of pajamas that they could both fit into at one time, lol!⁣
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I've been thinking about them a lot lately as I just discovered my old 8th grade diary, which is hysterical. One of the main things I discovered is that even though so much has changed in the many years since I was in 8th grade, there are still lots of things that are the same.⁣
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Read some excerpts and get insights for parenting middle school kids in my blog, "Help for Parents of Middle School Kids: Insights From My 8th Grade Diary."⁣
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Link in bio or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog
One Word: Sustains One Verse: “Surely God is One Word: Sustains 
 
One Verse:

“Surely God is my help. The Lord is the one who sustains me." Psalm 54:4
 
One Thought:

Father, you sustain me in the tediousness of drudgery or the extreme challenges of life. Whatever I fear - you are sustaining me, my friend, my child. It is your joy to do so!
Getting ready for Holy Week: One of my favorite re Getting ready for Holy Week: One of my favorite reads! I read this every couple of years to prepare for Easter.
Recently I found the most hilarious thing — a di Recently I found the most hilarious thing — a diary I kept when I was in 8th grade! (Swipe right to see a photo of me with my siblings from around that time.)⁣
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Here are a couple excerpts:⁣
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“I’m afraid I’m beginning to like Jimmy but I don’t want to because I really hate him.”⁣
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"Nothing much happened today. Linda and I are real pals now and don’t like Becky. She’s bossy and conceited.”⁣
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"I am a complete failure. I must remember that popularity isn’t everything.”⁣
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I'm still laughing as I read it. But it actually gave me some insights that are helpful with my two 8th grade granddaughters -- and insights you may appreciate if you're the parent of a middle schooler. ⁣
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Get the full scoop on my blog -- link in profile or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog
One Word: Understands One Verse: “Great is o One Word:  Understands
 
One Verse:

“Great is our Lord and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure." Psalm 147:5
 
One Thought:

When no one else can understand me or my situation, you do completely, O Lord.
I had the best time recently with the Women from A I had the best time recently with the Women from Apostles Anglican Church in Houston! Our retreat was held at the lovely Hill House in the countryside. We were spoiled by incredible food, restored by the bucolic scenery, and spiritually fed by rich fellowship. Thank you Langley and these wonderful women!

 @apostleshouston  @historichillhouse
This is so important to remember when we're strugg This is so important to remember when we're struggling with our family relationships: God created family.⁣
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It was His idea. In the beginning He was part of a family -- Father God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. But that wasn’t enough, so they created man, Adam. Then God said it was not good for man to be alone, so He created Eve as a wife for Adam.⁣
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Through their disobedience sin entered family units. Even so God did not give up on family. Family has continued ever since.⁣
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Family has a broad meaning. We usually think of family as a dad, mom, and kids. But throughout both the Old and New Testaments we see family described as large tribes, small units, particularly the family of the church. A family might include singles as well as married people, young people, and old people.⁣
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God knows that we are not meant to be alone. We need one another. The big concept here can be summarized in a single word: together.⁣
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But that doesn't mean family is easy! It can be incredibly difficult at times. If you're looking for hope or help with your family relationships, check out my blog this week: "Family Can Be Hard: How to Handle Painful Family Relationships."⁣
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Link in bio or go to  susanalexanderyates.com/blog

Copyright © 2023 · Susan Alexander Yates · All Rights Reserved
Calligraphy by Jessica Blanchard · Paintings by Christen Yates
Blog and Ask Susan Photo by Natalie Puls Photography · Books Photo by Cambria Elizabeth

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