Charlie is growing up, and that means the way he learns is changing too.In this episode, we share an honest update on parenting a five-year-old, why his Scripture memorization looks different today, how his love for God's Word has matured, and why we've learned to adapt our parenting rather than force the same methods.Every child develops differently, and we're simply sharing what we're learning along the way.

Our third baby, Maggie, arrived sooner than we expected… and before the midwives made it.In this episode, we share the short version of Maggie’s birth story, how labor unfolded unexpectedly, what it was like welcoming her at home, and why going through birth together deepened our marriage.This was our third home birth by God’s grace and one we’ll never forget.Tell us in the comments:What was the most unexpected part of your birth story?Subscribe for more conversations on marriage, family, faith, parenting, and life together.

How much of who you are today was shaped by your childhood?In this episode of Called to Marriage, we sit down for a simple conversation over dessert and answer questions that led somewhere deeper than expected.We talk about:• What we loved most as children• How our childhood experiences shaped who we became• Growing up in different family environments• The influence of parents and siblings• Faith, church, and spiritual upbringing• Why understanding your spouse’s story builds intimacy00:48 Childhood Favorites Question01:19 His Answer Thinking Soccer02:46 Her Answer People Learning06:54 How Childhood Shaped You07:07 His Story Fatherless Upbringing10:35 Faith Formation and Church12:42 Her Shaping Faith and Family16:45 Wrap Up and ChallengeMarriage is not just about learning who your spouse is today. It is also about understanding where they came from, what formed them, what they longed for, and what they carry into the relationship.Sometimes the answers to present-day behaviors are hidden in old stories.Take these questions home. Ask your spouse and listen carefully.You may discover something beautiful.

In a culture that increasingly fears family, we wanted to talk about something we believe is deeply valuable: sibling relationships.In this episode, we reflect on our own experiences growing up, the beauty of watching our children bond, and why we believe siblings can become one of life’s greatest support systems.Family is not perfect. But by the grace of God, sibling relationships can become a lifelong source of love, strength, accountability, and joy.00:49 Trust God With Family Size02:20 Our Sibling Backgrounds03:53 Thomas and Sister Bond06:10 Watching Our Kids Bond07:11 Siblings as Lifelong Support09:45 Parentification and Shared Care11:51 Adult Friendships vs Siblings16:22 Faith and Jesus Had Siblings17:59 Encouragement for Parents20:06 Security and Shared Burdens22:45 How We Foster Sibling Bonds23:11 Sharing Rooms Benefits24:04 Let Them Bond Alone24:23 Birth Order Dynamics26:29 Sibling Love Stories29:19 Kids Close in Age30:50 Build Common Ground35:15 Homeschool Togetherness37:31 Age Segregation Critique38:50 Shout Out Siblings39:50 Repair Sibling Bonds42:26 Closing

Communication is essential in marriage, but knowing how to deepen it is where many couples struggle.One simple and powerful exercise we’ve used in our own marriage is asking each other intentional questions. Some are light and fun. Others invite us to reflect on our past, our experiences, and even the deeper questions of life. Each one opens the door to meaningful conversation and connection.Questions create space for honesty, laughter, vulnerability, and intimacy. Over time, they help strengthen the bond between spouses and draw hearts closer together.We’ve benefited immensely from this practice and have recommended it to many couples over the years.In this episode, we model what this exercise looks like in real time. It’s simple, fun, and easy to try in your own relationship.Try it with your spouse or partner (if you're in a relationship) and let us know how it goes. And if you already use questions to stay connected in your marriage, share in the comments how it’s impacted your relationship.00:00 Introduction to Call to Marriage00:04 The Connection Call Conversation02:03 Ground Rules for Deep Conversations02:35 Handling Sensitive Topics02:52 Family Interruptions and Realities03:12 Indirect Questions for Better Communication04:47 Starting the Q&A Session05:22 Reflecting on Our Relationship08:51 Strengthening Our Bond11:16 Feeling Loved and Appreciated16:20 Expectations in Marriage21:03 The Importance of Communication in Marriage22:26 Forgiveness and Managing Expectations26:00 Handling Conflicts with Transparency and Vulnerability29:57 Resilience and Levity in Conflict Resolution34:04 Receiving and Giving Constructive Feedback36:58 Maintaining Oneness in Marriage40:40 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

In this intimate episode, we celebrate our 7-year marriage anniversary. We reflect on our journey together, from moving from China to the States, raising two boys, and experiencing God's constant faithfulness. We also share insights on parenting, facing challenges, documenting memories, and ministry, all while balancing life and family. We candidly discuss the importance of faith, family unity, homeschooling, and managing finances, providing an honest glimpse into our life.00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast00:10 Reflecting on Seven Years of Marriage01:59 Faithfulness of God in Our Journey03:30 Parenting and Raising Children09:31 Discovering and Nurturing Passions15:51 Balancing Work and Family Life31:19 Challenges and Daily Life33:28 Managing Chaos and Gratitude34:22 Entrepreneurial Challenges and Conversations36:10 Navigating Transitions and Family Dynamics42:41 Homeschooling Thoughts and Strategies54:50 Health Challenges and Support59:59 Financial Reflections and Future Plans01:04:34 Final Thoughts and EncouragementFOLLOW US FOR MORE CONTENT:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calledtomarriageFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/calledtomarriageTikTok: tiktok.com/@calledtomarriageCALLED TO MARRIAGE PODCAST:https://anchor.fm/calledtomarriageYou can listen on several different platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, etc.

In this episode, we share insights from a Christian Homeschooling convention we attended recently. We discuss our plans for home education, the enriching experience of the convention, and provide a compact list of 10 lessons we learned from the convention. From fostering a vision for your family’s education to practical tips for engaging your child’s imagination and curiosity, this episode covers essential aspects of homeschooling from a Christian perspective. Learn about the importance of valuing both parents' contributions, the challenges and rewards of homeschooling, and the critical role of spiritual education. Whether you're new to homeschooling or a seasoned parent, this episode offers something for everyone.00:00 Introduction to the Episode00:21 Our Homeschooling Plans02:41 Overview of the Homeschool Convention03:11 Keynote Speakers and Sessions05:50 Family-Friendly Event Highlights06:40 Lessons Learned from the Convention07:12 Vision for Homeschooling12:21 Practical Tips for Homeschooling26:59 Encouraging Fathers to Get Involved in Education28:34 Balancing Household Responsibilities32:23 Validating Our Homeschooling Journey35:22 Challenges and Sacrifices in Homeschooling39:23 Exploring Homeschooling Resources40:28 The Importance of Socialization Across Ages47:43 Teaching Children to Know the Lord51:36 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of 'Called to Marriage, we dive deep into the challenges and joys of the postpartum period, emphasizing the crucial role of paternity leave. We share personal experiences from our journey with our second child, contrasting it with our first, and highlight the transformative power of teamwork and spousal support. This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring testimonies, making it a must-listen for mothers, fathers, and anyone involved in family life. 00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode 00:32 Postpartum Period and Paternity Leave 01:07 Experiences and Challenges with Newborns 02:17 Importance of Paternity Leave 03:42 Father's Role in Postpartum Support 04:35 Teamwork and Family Bonding 07:20 Rest and Prioritizing Family 16:09 Home Adjustments and Planning 22:23 Planning for Family Time 23:02 The Sacrifices of Paternity Leave 24:18 The Importance of Being Present 25:09 Supporting Your Spouse 28:55 The Benefits of Taking Time Off 30:48 Making Career Decisions During Leave 34:29 Cherishing Family Moments 36:35 Encouragement for Fathers 42:46 Concluding Thoughts and Future Topics

In this episode, we share our personal experience of home birthing our second child, Nti. We recount the details from the early contractions to the challenges of labor, and the joyous moment of delivery. We discuss the spiritual significance of childbirth, the importance of trust in God, and the significance of supportive spouse roles. Marcia provides insights on labor pain, the concept of the mucus plug, and the physical demands of birth, while Thomas touches on the father's role and our collective experience as a family. This episode includes a mix of personal anecdotes, scriptural reflections, and practical advice on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. 00:00 Introduction and Scripture Reflection 01:14 Early Labor Signs and Timeline Confusion 03:28 Errands and Increasing Discomfort 05:48 Active Labor and Midwife Support 10:58 The Birth and Immediate Aftermath 18:01 Unexpected Sensory Experience 19:06 Reflecting on Childbirth Experiences 19:57 Delivering the Placenta 22:07 The Mystery of Childbirth 26:34 Postpartum Journey and Breastfeeding 28:14 Father's Role and Paternity Leave 29:10 Healing and Reintegration 34:05 Final Thoughts and Advice for Husbands

In this episode, we delve into the thought-provoking and personal journey of naming our sons. From discussing the significance of names to sharing family traditions and personal anecdotes, this episode provides a heartfelt look at how we navigated this important aspect of parenthood. Learn about the stories behind our choices, how we balanced tradition with personal preference, and the meaningful conversations that strengthened our bond. Whether you're expecting, already a parent, or just curious about the naming process, this episode offers valuable insights and a bit of fun. Don’t forget to share your own experiences in the comments! 00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic 01:09 Naming Our First Child: Charles 11:35 The Significance of Names 14:48 Cultural Perspectives on Naming 23:05 Introducing Our Second Child: Nt 25:27 The Significance of Names 26:58 Cultural and Personal Reflections on Names 30:16 The Importance of Names in History and Religion 34:02 The Process of Naming a Child 36:15 Concluding Thoughts on Naming 46:30 Final Reflections and Farewell FOLLOW US FOR MORE CONTENT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calledtomarriage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calledtomarriage TikTok: tiktok.com/@calledtomarriage