Intensive Testimonies

My wife and I went to NIM in Branson in 2008 and we had quite of few issues going in. I myself went with the
expectation that if this didn't work I was going back to New York and putting in divorce papers. Well we just
made 20 years in November and I'm not going to say we don't have struggles now and then, but at least we know
how to deal with them and get to the root cause of the problem. We were taught how to use the God given
tools within each of us to work our issues right out and continue to work at it. Marriage is a full time job, and
just like a full time job you have to learn how to do it in order to be good at it. If you learned it the wrong
way to begin with, it becomes a hard job. Now on the other hand, if you learn to do the job the right way, you
develop a routine, and the job becomes real easy. We love each other more than ever and can't wait to grow
old together!
God can and does do amazing things through this organization. I've seen it and felt it for myself. I will never
be the same person since the NIM Intensive. I am so thankful for NIM's guidance and encouragement that I
received.
My husband and I attended an intensive, and believe me when I tell you that I went kicking and screaming the
entire way. Today, I am a changed woman and my husband is a changed man. Words simply cannot express the
difference NIM made in our lives. This is a special, special organization.
WOW! Where do I start! My wife and I recently attended at Intensive at NIM. This has been a life changing
experience for us. "Thank you" to EVERYONE at NIM for your unconditional love, support and prayers. You have
no idea what you mean to us. You are a very special group of people. When everyone else wanted to throw me
away for my mistakes, you all portrayed the “true love” of God by loving me regardless of my past. In the past
I always thought counseling was ridiculous, but after attending NIM, it's a life saver. Thank you from the bottom
of my heart for everything!
The National Institute of Marriage has changed my life forever! I am forever grateful for Bob and the entire
staff. You have shown me how to love myself, my savior and my wife in ways that I could never imagine. The
tools you use are life changing. Thank you for all that you have done in my life.
NIM is sooooo NOT like traditional counseling.....when they say "intensive" that is very true in every meaning of
the word....but does it work???? ABSOLUTELY!! Thanks NIM for all you all do......you guys are the best. We are
still working on US which will be for the rest of our lives, but because of you all at NIM and allowing God to work
through you, we are at a much better place.
The National Institute of Marriage ministry is awesome. We went to the Marriage Intensive in Branson several
years ago and gained so much from that experience. It was life-changing.
I was expecting tools to separate/divorce my husband in a “safe”/healthy manner. I left knowing and
experiencing Christ, not ever considering returning the amazing gift that God has given to me.
The intensive saved our marriage, which up to that point had been 13 years of primarily disconnection,
loneliness, arguments, and sadness. The intensive was exactly what we needed--Godly counsel, love, support
and communication skills. It took some time to work through the hurt and pain that had built up over the years,
but I can honestly say that we are happier now than when we were newlyweds. By God's grace, we recently
celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary and are eagerly anticipating many, many more years together. God
bless you both as you make this journey together. May you be surrounded by His love, grace and the peace that
passes all understanding.
My husband and I attended an intensive last summer and I came back a changed person! When I returned home,
I told everyone that whether or not my marriage is saved, I was changed forever. However, almost a year later
and our marriage is better than it had been for years and is still improving! Learning how to deal with problems
in a healthy way.... who couldn't use that? Thank you NIM for showing me how changing my reaction to issues is
the one thing I can control to help improve our relationship, whether or not my husband changes at all! Funny
thing is... the way I respond to my husband changes how he responds to me! Bob and Cindy... thank you and
you're awesome!
The focus on safety and self-care was SO valuable for me. You guys provided an environment to fall in love with
myself and with my husband again. Thank you!
This was the safest experience my wife and I have ever been in at the same place and time. We finally got to
the heart of our conflict.
My husband and I attended an intensive 2 summers ago in Branson and are still going strong. The facilitators
were compassionate and full of concern for each couple there. The accommodations were wonderful and the
food was awesome. Thanks, NIM.
I've been to an intensive and I would say it's really the gift which gave me some hope to hang onto my marriage,
but also to myself and to God. The real work begins once you leave, but the way these tools are expressed is
beyond anything I've ever experienced.
My husband & I completed a week, just a couple of weeks ago. It was life changing & awesome. My husband
& I also had some communication struggles & NIM gave us the unbelievable tools to work on that. I highly
recommend it!
My husband and I just attended an intensive in early Jan (2009) and it has been a real blessing to us so far. We
are still working on putting everything we learned into practice. Chris and Brett (counselors) were great! We
recommend the intensive to everybody!
I had heard from many how great the success rate was, but so glad that I was able to experience this first hand.
I came to the intensive so fatigued by what I perceived as the "problems" we were having, and I'm leaving
refreshed, having come to understand how off base I was and it's revolutionized my thinking.
I still cannot believe what was accomplished in just 4 days. I am so amazed how God is using this program.
This experience was well beyond my own expectations.
I learned a lot from the intensive, where I tried and failed from just regular counseling sessions.
I learned tools that I never new existed.
I have been to a great number of different types of marriage encounters; this is the best program by far in
substance to go home with.
The chance to have long periods of time and the days to stay focused.
I found the step by step process of showing us how to find what is in our/my heart, heart listening/speaking
exercise so impacted me during the intensive.
My expectations were high and they still were exceeded!
I learned more about myself these last 4 days than during any other period of my life. Learning from seeing
others grow was extremely effective in helping me.
I went in expecting to be bullied, but instead I was taught with love.
I was against counseling to begin with but I'm glad that counseling was received. It will not only benefit my
relationship, but the future of our children.
COMMENTS ABOUT THE GROUP DYNAMIC
The most valuable part of the intensive was the openness and honesty of each participant.
Other couples made this week happen!!
Input of other couples' and counselors' personal stories exponentially increased vibe of safety and often
cemented into reality
Awed watching the miracles unfold as a result of the heart talk in others and ourselves. I can't imagine to what
generation of our children's children this will reach!
I had fear and anxiety about the group setting and the experience blew away my expectations.
At first I was really questioning whether choosing the couples intensive was the best, but now I am so glad we
did it this way. We learned so much from observing too.
Learning from the other couples here was so valuable. I was pretty reserved about that before coming but it was
an amazing experience. It surprised me how I was able to draw on the advice offered to the other couples and
apply it to my own life.
The group setting allowed us to have time between examples to absorb what we were learning. The group
setting answered questions for me that I didn't bring up.
I found the group format the most valuable, as I found safety and acceptance in this group. I found the reality of
my own personal responsibility to myself invaluable, and the emotional connection I made with my husband.
The group format serves for a unique opportunity to experience much more than one would do alone.
The group interaction was awesome-I cannot imagine being blessed this much without this group of people to
listen to, learn from, and share with.
I found the constant redirecting during couples practicing with their own experiences.
I thought all the techniques were valuable and I really learned a lot even when it was another couples turn.
We attended a 4 day intensive skeptical of a group session till we realized we had similarities with everybody.
ANYONE can save their marriage. NIM gave us the foundation, tools and safe environment to realize we could
be happy again. I can't thank you enough for offering this service to people to save the most precious thing for a
couple, their marriage. It showed me how to be a better husband for her and how to love her as GOD wants me
to. Again I can't thank you enough. May GOD bless NIM with every couple. Bottom line we were looking for hope
that it could work and we left knowing that it would work, thank you.
The group format was great. I was able to learn a lot more from the other couples. This was very effective.
I was very apprehensive as this is way out of my comfort zone but quickly felt safe and able to open up and