Join Brenda’s tribe to learn more about an uncomplicated life, and life, faith, and family beyond the storybook image.
Steps to Health and Healing – Pushing Through Fear
"Ouch, that hurts," I told the physical therapist working on my knee. He was trying to figure out what was stable and what needed to be stretched after last week's surgery. "We're going to get you walking," he said, in a thick Polish accent. "That pain? It's...
Parenting Series: Allow Yourself to Breathe – God’s Got You!
by contributing writer, Kristin L. Nelson at Not Alone Mom. I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 We need to remember as mothers we can’t do it on our own… we will...
Taking Risks Despite the Gloomy Forecast
I'm going to try" I said. Snow was no longer coming down, but school had just been canceled. The winds were blowing snow across the road in front of our house. I checked the weather between Indiana and Virginia. "Winter advisory for Shenandoah Valley" the Weather...
Inspiring Stories: Stacey’s Story
Friday I posted The New Normal: 8 Tips for Working Moms at Not Alone Mom. It is my greatest privilege to share Stacey's story of love and grace. She has walked many paths familiar to women - loss of love, abandonment, abuse, looking for love only the Father can...
The Notecard Series
Why Today’s A Not-So-Big-Deal {But It Really Is}
She sat across from me, leaning in, with tears in her eyes. She listened to the story. Today (Monday) I'm having surgery. A simple procedure. I recently tore my ACL and meniscus playing basketball in a school-wide event. The injury warrants arthroscopic surgery....
Guest Post: H. John Lyke, “What Would Our Founding Fathers Say”
I have the privilege to have H. John Lyke as a guest writer today. We've connected through social media and have similar passions in the social sciences. As a history teacher and counseling professional, it's a privilege to have his voice today at Life Beyond the...
Parenting Series: Lessons in Proofreading
I have a senior in high school this year and it's that time of year when scholarships are due. When my daughter was a senior, she diligently searched for scholarship applications and faithfully submitted various essays. Her brother is doing the same. I've learned a...
Parenting
As an educator, counselor and mom, Brenda's passion is encouraging and educating parents. She's a parenting columnist for 10 t0 20 Parenting, Choose Now Ministries, Whatever Girls, and Not Alone Mom. She'd love to share with your parent's group!
Stop the Train, I Want To Get Off
This past week, we had three theater performances, four basketball games, a science fair project, an Aztec pyramid model to make, a major scholarship interview, youth group meetings, a Valentine's Day party, Valentine's Day gifts to buy and make for the girlfriends...
{Dis}Courage
Does it feel like sometimes there's a big, thick wall surrounding you, isolating you from all that is good on the other side? I call this wall discouragement. I don't like it. Are you discouraged? What are the bricks in the wall surrounding you today? In...
Boy Meets Girl. They Fall In Love. Then What?
Today I'm posting today at Not Alone Mom about marriage, love, and the thieves that sneak in and steal. Come join me there! And have a great weekend!