As you might know if you've been following this blog for a while...I love fresh starts. And a new year is just the time to wipe the slate clean.

It also served as a way for me to see if Jason was serious about repairing the marriage.

Remember that the best thing you can offer yourself and others is honesty, grace, and love.

Know that your voice matters and when one speaks up, it gives another the courage to speak up. Before we know it, we realize that we aren't alone!

Because self-care is such an important part of this process (and to be exact, it's an important part of living life well), I believe that we can all hone in on our self-care skills through the winter.

And I'm beginning to think that one of the ways I can make friends with winter is to embrace its meaning. And for me, I'm beginning to think that winter = loving myself well. Taking a break, slowing down, and being good to my soul.

Just a quick note to let you know there is a new group starting December 2, 2015!

I almost decided to not write the book review - however, I feel like this book is an important one for any wife that finds themselves married to a husband with a sexual addiction or sexual integrity issue.

I was letting Jason completely and totally in. This is a big deal for a woman recovering from intimacy aversion. It's called being fully known.

Ladies, there are no quick fixes out there. Skipping ahead means you're missing out on true sanctification. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Put on your brave pants and come on. Together we can do this. One step at a time.

It forced me to look for the things that truly make my heart skip a beat.

Could it be that in order to be fully known in our relationship with our husband, we must first be fully known (as best as we know how) with ourselves?

As someone very witty once told me, "Well, Shelley, it sounds like you signed up for a personal development course and you didn't even know you registered for it!"

What you are doing is leaving your wife to die on the vine. You are allowing her to stay out at sea, day in and day out, without a life vest or a rope or any sort of hope to get to shore. It's selfish for you, yes you, Mr. husband to think that sharing tidbits with your wife here and there is best for her. Because it isn't.

Pause here while I stand, clap my hands, and say thank you to Marsha and Barbara. Thank you.

Just a quick heads up that there are two new groups kicking off this fall! One just started a couple of weeks ago and the other is set to launch on September 1st.

It isn't necessarily about doing something to take the pain away. But rather sitting in our individual circumstances. Taking a deep breath. Loving ourselves well. Doing what we can to help ourselves. And waiting on God. A tricky balance for sure.

So it seems this depression, this breakdown, well - it brought me to my knees. And I recognized yet again how fragile my mind is, and yours, too. Call it spiritual warfare. Call it whatever you may. A breakdown is no joke.