INTENTIONAL TODAY - Helping earlywed wives create intentional happily-ever-afters.

4 Things to Remember When His Sweet Dating Habits Drive You Nuts in Marriage

September 25, 2016 by Ngina Otiende Filed Under: Becoming a Better Wife, Conflict Resolution, Loving My Husband, Newlywed Advice 2 Comments

One of the things I loved about Tommy when we were dating was his deep sense of loyalty.

But back then I didn’t even know what it was; I was just enthralled by his kindness and commitment to my welfare.

After years of marriage, now I know my husband is intensely loyal. He doesn’t keep a big circle of friends but the few he connects to, he’s all in.

The online dictionary defines loyalty as “a strong feeling of support or allegiance.”

That describes my husband to a tee. It also describes what I am not. READ MORE...

Why Sex Is Worth Waiting For: Lesson From My Teenage Crush

September 18, 2016 by Ngina Otiende Filed Under: Becoming a Better Wife, Sex in Marriage, Single life 1 Comment

A few weeks ago, I had a strange dream.

It was one of those things that can only happen in la-la land; a boy (who I had a secret crush on as a teenager) showed up and tried to woo me from my husband.

I was pretty silly in the dream because I tried to “weigh my options”; stay married versus take off with boyfie?

Suffice it to say, I woke up horrified.

To dream such a dream..well, that was new. And totally weird. I was in turmoil (seriously I was) until God showed me what to do with the absurdity. Write this post. READ MORE...

5 Bible Verses to Remember When Your Husband is Discouraged

September 11, 2016 by Ngina Otiende Filed Under: Becoming a Better Wife, Loving My Husband, Newlywed Advice Leave a Comment

How can a wife lift her husband when he’s discouraged?

Often as wives, our sense of security is tied to our husbands.When his world is rocked, ours hurts along.

If he is stressed about finances, you tend to worry too. If he is concerned about something at work, you get concerned right along.

This is the dynamic of being one-flesh. But we need to remember who holds our world; it is not our husband. It is God.

5 Bible verses to remember when your husband is discouraged

The other week I was up in the middle of the night unable to find sleep because I was over-thinking a situation. READ MORE...

Of Oral Sex, Inhibitions and My New Video Channel

September 4, 2016 by Ngina Otiende Filed Under: Becoming a Better Wife, Loving My Husband, Newlywed Advice, Sex in Marriage 9 Comments

Fair warning; this is a detailed post. If you are single, you might want to scroll all the way to the bottom and check out the “The Videos” section.

I am trying to make more YouTube videos.

I feel a time has come for me to put out more teaching content in a different format, but I’ve been dillydallying, filled with ~~reasons~~ excuses – from “I don’t have proper lighting” to “I don’t know how to edit videos” and “I’m not sure people will understand my accent.”

But finally it is time. READ MORE...

3 Things You Might Not Know About Christian Courtship

August 28, 2016 by Ngina Otiende Filed Under: Personal Growth, Single life 2 Comments

Courtship can be the most exciting season in a single woman’s life. It can also be the most confusing.

Tommy and I were friends for two years and by the time he was thinking of taking our friendship to another level, I was sorting out feelings from another “potential” relationship that ended up on a bad note.

My dad passed away around the same time.

I did not feel ready for a relationship (You can read our story in my book). The mush and butterflies, probably. The adjustments and stretching, not at all. READ MORE...

15 Inexpensive Ways to Bless Your Husband

August 21, 2016 by Ngina Otiende Filed Under: Becoming a Better Wife, Conflict Resolution, Loving My Husband, Newlywed Advice 2 Comments

Recently, I finished reading Kristen Welch’s book “Rhinestone Jesus” in which she shares her story of unpinned faith; moving from safe faith to radical obedience.

Kristen shares openly about the struggles in her marriage. Towards the end of the book, she talks about the incredible value of service and these little lines jumped at me;

“Serve your spouse in unexpected ways. Enjoy surprising him.”

It cut deep. Because while I like being a blessing to my husband, sometimes I am lazy. And excuse-laden.

15 inexpensive ways to be a blessing to your husband READ MORE...

Cultivating a Missions-minded Marriage

August 14, 2016 by Ngina Otiende Filed Under: Becoming a Better Wife, Loving My Husband, Newlywed Advice Leave a Comment

The last few months I’ve been telling you about the missions outreach we are having in Kenya, this September.

Today I want to introduce Pastor Wycliffe Okari and his wife Felister, who pastor Jesus Last Time Ministries, our partner church in Kenya.

He will share how last year’s marriage conference changed his marriage as well as share his dream for the community he pastors.

Pastor Wycliffe and Ms Felister

After that we’ll hear from another couple, John and Irene, who attended the same conference. And then we’ll look at how to become more missions minded as a couple. READ MORE...

Silent Treatment: Why it Doesn’t Work in Marriage

August 7, 2016 by Ngina Otiende Filed Under: Becoming a Better Wife, Conflict Resolution, Loving My Husband, Newlywed Advice 6 Comments

Silent treatment – the typical reaction of a wounded female soul.

At least, it was my default as a newlywed wife. I have since come to see the futility of silent treatment. All though to be honest, the discovery hasn’t stopped me from wanting to slide back sometimes (though the desire isn’t as strong as it used to be!)

Why silent treatment doesn't work in marriage and what to do instead.

To illustrate the folly of silent treatment, here is an article I wrote a few years ago. We’ll glean some lessons at the end, including what the Bible has to say about it.

~ READ MORE...

4 Ways Scripture Memory Can Build a Strong Marriage

July 31, 2016 by Ngina Otiende Filed Under: Becoming a Better Wife, Loving My Husband, Newlywed Advice 9 Comments

Do you struggle to commit scripture to memory? Have you wondered how memorizing Scripture can change your marriage?

Today I am excited to have my online friend Carlie Kercheval talk about how memorizing Scripture has changed her marriage.

I love Carlie’s heart for marriage, family and home and I hope her tips will inspire you to commit more scripture to memory. I am currently reading and loving Carlie’s new book, “Matters of the Heart” and you’ll find information about the book at the end of the post

Here is Carlie.

I remember the night my husband proposed to me just like it was yesterday. READ MORE...

4 Ways To Respond To Challenges In Marriage (An Ezekiel 37 Study)

July 24, 2016 by Ngina Otiende Filed Under: Becoming a Better Wife, Conflict Resolution, Loving My Husband, Newlywed Advice, Personal Growth Leave a Comment

How can we better respond to difficult marriage situations?

Last week I wrote a post titled “When Marriage Problems Just Don’t Make Sense” and invited you to send in prayer requests. (You can still do that by responding to this email if you are an email subscriber, or using my contact form)

In the course of the week, I came across a teaching from Ezekiel 37 and the sermon inspired me to continue building on what I shared last week.

4 ways to respond when marriage problems overtake your faith