My first year of marriage seems like a big blur looking back!  So much happened!  I moved in with my husband, we had our daughter, I became a wife, I was expected to know how to run a household. Before becoming a wife I was a college student, and thought I knew everything I needed to know about life!

Marriage is hard!

Even when you have known each other for years, had a long engagement, the first year of marriage is hard!  You both have new rolls you’ve never played in life. You both come from different backgrounds, and the way your parents raised you were both different! Blending it all together, and figuring out what works for you as a couple is tough!  You will cry at some point, you will laugh at others!

If planning a wedding was chapter one the first year of marriage is chapter two

Today I wanted to share 7 books I wish someone had told me about my first year of being a wife!  I have read them all, and re-read a few!  I hope you find them helpful as you begin your journey of becoming a wife!

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The Life-giving Home-  Sally and Sarah Clarkson

“The Lifegiving Home will lead you on a new path to creating special memories for your children; establishing God-centered traditions, and cultivating an environment your family will cherish their whole lives long”

The Power of the Praying Wife – Stormie Omartian

“Seeing your husband through God’s eyes– not just as your husband, but as God’s child, a son whom the Lord loves…”

Thirty-One Prayers for my Husband -Jennifer Smith

This book is more of an interactive prayer journal where you look up verses and write out areas where you want to see God move in your marriage. This book is written by Jennifer Smith.  She has an amazing website www.unveiledwife.com This site is chocked full of articles to help you with your marriage! You can also sign up to get the first chapter of one of her other books The Unveiled Wife for free on her site!

A Simplified Life – Emily Ley

This book is super helpful when it comes to setting up your home and moving in together. Even though its written to the overwhelmed mom and wife, if you can get your hands on it before you get to that point I think you will be miles ahead in life!

This book is also a workbook type of book, so don’t get overwhelmed by the size, there are a lot of photos and writing space and can easily be read in a weekend, or over a couple of nights before bed!

Put your number on the Do Not Call list. Call 1-888-382-1222 After about 30 days you won’t be receiving anymore of those annoying telemarketers!

Grace not Perfection – Emily Ley

Another book by Miss Emily. (technically Mrs. Ley I guess!) This book is so amazing and is broken into three parts.  Part One is all about having grace with yourself. Part two goes over having grace with other people, and finally part three talks about having grace in your calling.  Again this is a workbook type of book, and is also super easy to read, with beautiful photography in it!

Pick up your copy of Grace not Perfection here! 

 

Cultivate- Lara Casey

 “We can’t do it all, and do it well. But, we can choose to cultivate what matters.”

On Purpose Wife Stefani & Cody Chapman

This is another marriage challenge.  This is a 28-day challenge where you look up a verse in your bible, read a lesson that goes along with the verse.  Next, you have the daily challenge. The challenges include things like sitting down and talking with your husband about a specific prompt, doing something for your husband like making his favorite meal, writing a letter, sending a text.

I’ll be honest some of these challenges are hard! But I whole heartily believe they are worth it! I love how it pushes me to serve my husband well!

Pick up your copy here! 

Stefani and Cody also wrote a book that goes along with this for husbands called On Purpose Husband!

Basically, I think you need to do a lot of praying your first year of marriage, actually I think you need to do a lot of praying throughout your entire marriage! What books would you suggest to new brides? Let me know in the comments!