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| The official newsletter of Marriage Partnership magazine Thursday, November 15, 2007
A few weeks ago, catching up with some friends, I was describing the unusual path my life's taken in the past few years. It probably looks like a pretty conventional journey from the outside. But knowing where I thought I'd be at this point, my current position—geographic, career-wise, spiritual—is almost comical. I resisted the Lord's leading at the time, but now I'm quite content with the direction he chose. And I'm confident it's much better than what I'd originally planned. After a shotgun wedding, Tripp and Barbara Curtis weren't sure what to expect out of their marriage. They were both from broken homes, recovering addicts, and decidedly non-spiritual. But God had big plans for them and their family, despite their backgrounds. Keep reading for their remarkable story.
Blessings,  Elizabeth Diffin for Marriage Partnership To reply to this newsletter: marriage@christianitytoday.com advertisement
 PROFILES Portrait of a Marriage: "Rebels with a Cause" Both from broken homes and dysfunctional relationships, Tripp and Barbara Curtis resolved to pursue more for their marriage and family. Running away to get married is unusual when you're 32 and 28. But for Barbara and Tripp Curtis, eloping seemed like the most natural decision in the world. Little did they know God would use their "shotgun" wedding to lead them where he wanted them to be: from radical, self-centered individuals to serving, self-sacrificing parents of 12. More …
COMMON CENTS/MONEY Common Cents
WORK IT OUT How do you and your spouse deal with differing driving styles? My husband is a "grandpa driver." He can't make a split decision, whether that means merging quickly because the hole in traffic is going to close any second, or to make an unexpected turn: "There's the street, hon—oops, there was the street." I, on the other hand, have no problem going with the flow of traffic and making lane changes to navigate around slow-moving vehicles (my husband usually is the slow-moving vehicle). We've come to terms with each other. He's learned to take a ribbing about his slowness and I've learned not to watch the speedometer—and even compliment him on the care he takes to keep his family safe on the roads. —Julie Ross, Wisconsin
My husband follows closer to people than I do, which scares me in situations requiring sudden stops. Sometimes I can't help but squeal—scaring him too. So I take a book along. If I'm reading and not looking at what he's doing, I don't get scared. When I do pay attention, I've learned not to say, "You're too close to that car!" Saying, "Being so close to that car scares me" is less accusing. Although he doesn't like criticism, he's willing to keep me from being afraid. —Gayle Reynolds, Georgia
I just keep my eyes closed! It's better than nagging him about his driving. We get along much better that way. —Mandy Clarkson, California
We take separate cars. —Beverly Kelmer, Illinois
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