Dear Auntie Linda, We’ve known our neighbors for years, often barbecuing together or trading babysitting.  Last night after we cooked out together, my husband told me Judy approached him, saying she wanted to have another baby and Jim didn’t.  She wondered if he’d want to help her out.  I thought he was kidding at first, but he wasn’t.  The next morning, Judy came over and apologized, telling the same tale.  She didn’t want either of us to say anything to Jim and jeopardize their marriage.  Strangely, she asked me to pray with her after confessing her embarrassment.  I told her I wasn’t feeling prayerful, and needed some time to digest this.  My husband and I are wondering where we go from here.  The kids are friends and we don’t want any awkwardness. How do we handle this?  Awkward

Dear Awkward,  It’s good you and your husband can discuss things.  It would be a good idea to get back with Judy and let her know you that you and your husband are distancing yourself from her and don’t want to socialize further.  Perhaps if she lets it drop, you can be no more than neighbors.  Maybe it will die a natural death.  If not, you can be more direct.  Auntie Linda

Dear Auntie Linda,  I am engaged to a wonderful man.  I did not have a religious upbringing, but have been attending services with Mark and am considering joining his faith..  He is about to graduate from college and has decided he wants to go to Seminary to become a minister.  This is a far cry from just attending services.  I don’t know that I can make the commitment to be a minister’s wife, though I love Mark passionately.  We had planned to marry next year, but I am worried about setting a date now.  What should we do?  Maybe

Dear Maybe, You are right to be concerned.  The commitment to be a minister’s wife may or may not be a road you are not willing to follow.  The two of you should take your time, pray, attend services and counseling together, and talk to other couples.  You surely are not the first couple to deal with this.  There is no hurry to marry.  Auntie Linda

Email Ask Auntie Linda at lbeth1950@hotmail.com