Happy Sunday, friends!

Hope you are well and have started off 2023 well.

Enjoy today's Sunday 7.

Blessings!

1)  Photo of the Week

Tree and sunset reflecting on Airey

2)  Quote to Ponder

We think sometimes we’re only drawn to the good, but we’re actually drawn to the authentic. We like people who are real more than those who hide their true selves under layers of artificial niceties. ~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.

3)  This Week's Hikes

The weather in Tucson in January is making this one of our favorite winters ever! Today we walked a straight line in a park near our RV site. Not a 10/10, but as hike two of 2023, it was worth it.

HARRISON GREENWAY 2/2023

View Relive Video and Photos

4)  Dad Joke

What do you get if you cross an angry sheep with an angry cow?

Two animals that are in a baa-d moo-d.

5)  💕 Relationship Corner: A Date in Delhi

It was October 19, 2009, our last day in India.

We were not flying out of Delhi until that night.

We could have just hung out in our hotel but my wife, Chrissy, and I decided on a spontaneous date to see the city.

One place that I had been wanting to see was the famous Red Fort built by Shah Jahan in the mid 1600's.

He also built the famous monument to love, the Taj Mahal.

So, we decided to head that way.

We took the morning train from our hotel unknowingly entering the crush of Delhi's morning rush hour!

The press of people was stifling. We never imagined so many people could fit on a subway train.

It was unreal and needless to say, a rough start to our day.

After departing the train we hired a bicycle rickshaw to take us to the Red Fort.

Come to find out it is closed every Monday, and it was Monday.

A gentleman who saw my disappointment approached us and offered a rickshaw tour of Old Delhi.

Sounded fun, and we were there, so we went decided to go for it.

Our one armed guide spoke English well and drove our rickshaw like a boss.

He told us all about Old Delhi as he pedaled into the bustling open spice market.

He continued his narrative as he navigated through a number of other street markets: the optical market, the sari market, the book market, and wedding market.

We were the only non-Indian folks that we saw the whole time.

No tourists, just lovely, hard working Indians.

We loved it!

And, in spite of the fact that we had been married almost 20 years, you would have thought we were newlyweds.

Therein is the lesson...

When you are newlyweds, almost everything about your spouse is new and exciting.

After a few years of marriage the newness and excitement begin to wear off.

Romantic feelings tend to decline.

Just as there is real danger in becoming too familiar your spouse, there is real value in doing new and unusual things together.

Here are four takeaways for married couples from Chrissy and my Date in Delhi:

1. If you have the option of doing the same old thing or something new, choose the new

I am so glad we did not just hang out in the hotel.

2. Keep each other’s preferences and limitations in mind

Look for what will be fun for both of you. The subway ride was exciting and I loved it. Chrissy did not. If we did it over I would skip that part for her sake. Everything else was a win.

3. Intentionally change your environment

Go to a place you have never been to. Something about an unusual place arouses emotional alertness. Experiencing this together can draw you closer.

4. Expose yourselves as a couple to others who are different, in person or in stories

We got both on our tour. The stories and the people were so different it was mind boggling. The experience gave Chrissy and me really cool stuff to talk about.

One big key to keeping romance alive in your marriage is to seek new sources of novelty and variety to compensate for becoming familiar with your spouse.

6)  Adventures of Steve and Chrissy Update

Being in "Being" Mode

The week started off here in Tucson with gorgeous 70 degree weather and blue skies. Steve and I enjoyed the weekend together. 

We got in lots of walks, connected with some friends and family, and did some maintenance things around the airstream. God’s presence was with us all throughout the day...

Read Full Update Here

7)  🤔 Question for Reflection

What is something of value to others that you can you create and share this week?