Join Brenda’s tribe to learn more about an uncomplicated life, and life, faith, and family beyond the storybook image.
Why I Run and Why You Need Freedom, Too
The sun was in my face, good music was in my ears, and my feet hit the pavement. As my feet hit the ground with each strike, I was careful to land just right. After months of being injured, having knee surgery, and currently undertaking physical therapy, I was aware...
Why The Breakfast Club is Still Relevant Today
When I taught high school Sociology, we studied stereotypes and social groups via the movie "The Breakfast Club." As I'm watching it at home tonight, I realize the movie's content may be even more accurate in today's high schools, middle schools, and elementary...
Speaking
Brenda is a national speaker for women's groups, church events and educational seminars. She'd love to speak for your next event. Click on the Speaking tab for information.
Friday Chat: Piecing, Publishing, and Pouring Out
Fridays are busy days in the other parts of the ministry at Life Beyond the Picket Fence, especially today. Just a quick Friday Chat about what's happening here. This weeks' posts at Parents Space include: "I'm Proud of You: Parental Insecurities" - lessons in...
Parenting Series: How To Build Respect with Boys
Written By Rebecca Kissee Rebecca and her husband, Josh Kissee have authored a new e-book "Bringing Up Boys Of Virtue" that can be purchased from Amazon. Check it out now for a reasonable price. A book review I've written is also posted here. Luke 6:31 "Do unto...
A Light in the Fog: Can You See Me?
I was driving in dense fog the other day when I passed an Amish pony cart filled with teen girls. They were holding a small light that blinked on and off, in an attempt to let oncoming cars know they were there. It looked so feeble, this small light that flickered at...
Inspiring Stories: Ingrid’s Story
It's my great privilege to have a dear friend share her story of cancer survival. This is Ingrid's story: My friend holds her daughter's hand, whispering prayers as the daughter lay in the Intensive Care Unit. This young, single mother just barely survived an...
Catching Up
Some weeks seem to be so busy. I don't get a chance to interact with you, my readers, with whom I'm not connected through FB or Twitter. This Friday as I'm ready to walk out the door, I want to catch you up with some Life Beyond the Picket Fence updates. This...
Parenting Series: The Power of Bragging on Your Son
By Contributing Author Josh Kissee of Manbuilders.com "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing and thats why we recommend it daily. "- Zig Ziglar "The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions, the little, soon forgotten...
What It Takes To Bloom and Thrive
Today I put my hands in the ground for the first time. I pulled away dead stems, branches and leaves from plants and flowers that haven't bloomed since Fall. Underneath the ugly brown foliage was fresh, green growth. The dead material needed to be removed so new...
Parenting Series: Be An Encouraging Mom
By Contributing Author, Kristin L. Nelson of Not Alone Mom. “If you can’t say anything nice - don’t say anything at all.” You’ve heard the saying time and again. We use it to teach our children about the value of holding their tongue and being the bigger person....
Silent No More
I can be silent no more. Today's Easter. For the Christian faith, it's the most important celebration - more so than Christmas. It's not popular to say you're a Christ-follower. It wasn't in the day of Christ and it isn't now. Following Christ is different than being...