marriage – Stooping For Manna

Kneelers

July 8, 2017July 8, 2017Karen Brown2 Comments

1009875_636365949716895_808189913_n

“Mom, what were those dresses made of, again?” Even when it’s not near our anniversary, I often find my girls huddled around our wedding album. They laugh
at the big hair, dyed-to-match pumps, and shrub-sized flower arrangements.

“It was the style back then,” I explain.

They love to turn the pages of our story: church ceremony, roast beef dinner, touching toasts, cake-cutting, then late-night dancing. One day, I looked over my girls’ shoulders at my nearly twenty-six year-old memories, and it struck me…

The most vivid memory I have of our wedding wasn’t captured, and I never realized it before. Continue reading →

A Strong Start

January 7, 2017January 1, 2021Karen Brown20 Comments

c-swv5slqo-saeed-mhmdi

January is a hard month. There are new routines and rules. Special diets and detoxes. Lofty plans and new purpose.

There is this new version of yourself, but you’re not quite sure you like her. There is small progress, but nothing measurable. You know things will get easier, but not before they get much harder.

I’ll say it again: January is a hard month.

I know all too well. Too many of my years have had hard beginnings. Not any more. Continue reading →

GNO: Linda Tackes’ Favorite Things

October 30, 2016October 29, 2016Karen Brown1 Comment

I wear so many hats! I am a wife to John for 23+ years. We met 25 years ago in the law school library at UMKC where we both went to school. We have 3 great kids: Joseph, Julia and Jacob. With two in college now, life is changing! I work as a pediatricians, am a political news junkie and love to try new coffee shops. I met Karen Brown years ago at Central Presbyterian Church Central Presbyterian Church and we got to know each other better thru a Hidden Heart Ministry class. In my free time, I enjoy reading, gardening, traveling and spending time with my family and friends.

Continue reading →

GNO: Denise Dolan’s Favorite Things

October 29, 2016October 29, 2016Karen BrownLeave a comment

I was born in Perryville, MO and grew up in St. Louis. I’ve been married for thirty-five years to my best friend, and have been teaching music for thirty-four years. I’m Mom to three remarkable girls.

Continue reading →

GNO: Debbie Doriani’s Favorite Things

October 28, 2016October 28, 2016Karen BrownLeave a comment

I am Debbie Doriani, wife of Dan Doriani for 40 years and mother to 3 grown daughters. Since I am married to my favorite speaker who gives my favorite sermons, I will not choose that topic. By God’s gracious blessing, the favorite speaker has been able to take me on fabulous travels around the world to accompany him on his speaking trips, so that topic is out as well. Here are my favorites, although you should know there are way too many to enumerate and they overlap considerably. Continue reading →

GNO: Lisa Roth’s Favorite Things

October 22, 2016October 22, 2016Karen Brown1 Comment

Lisa is best friend and wife to Andy. They have 4 great kids. She works at Central Christian School as the Director of Development. In her free time, she tries hard to listen to God, stays up too late watching great shows with Andy, and enjoys cooking, crafting and camping with their crew.

Continue reading →

GNO: Melanie Braun’s Favorite Things

October 19, 2016October 18, 2016Karen BrownLeave a comment

My name is Melanie Braun. I’m married to Marc and I’m the mom of 3 really fun guys named Nicolaus, Noah and Gabriel. I’m from Farmington MO but I’ve lived in St Louis since 1999. I’m one of those Jill’s-of-all-trades, but mistress of none kind of gals. I can fix my own flat, ride a motorcycle, or pull and back a trailer(Farmington, remember?) – but you’ll just as likely find me whipping up dinner or sewing a skirt. My degree is in theater but I haven’t been in a play or musical for ages. Maybe some day when the kids are older…

Continue reading →

GNO: Christine Vandervoort’s Favorite Things

October 18, 2016October 17, 2016Karen BrownLeave a comment

I have been married to James for 27 years. We have five children: Heather (20), Holly (17), Caroline (16), Jay (14), and Sophia (9). It is a very busy household, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. As well as being a wife and mom, I am the Director of Early Childhood and PEEPs at Central Presbyterian Church.

During the rare moments that I have free time, I enjoy reading, scrapbooking, baking (not cooking), and trying new things (as long as it doesn’t include small spaces or heights). This summer I started taking piano lessons. I love trying new restaurants, as well.

Continue reading →

GNO: Susan Peck’s Favorite Things

October 13, 2016October 10, 2016Karen BrownLeave a comment

My name is Susan Peck; I live in Maplewood, MO with my husband Mark, our 4 kids Avery (17), Jordan (16), Jeremy (14), and Samantha (11), and our 5-month-old Border Collie/Black Lab puppy, Loki. I’ve homeschooled our kids on a series of one-year contracts since Avery was little, but as they grow older, I can see my role shift from teaching to overseeing and managing their education. Our family attends Crossroads Presbyterian Fellowship in Maplewood where Mark is a Ruling Elder. I enjoy singing, reading, the Cardinals, Netflix, and of course chocolate.

Continue reading →

GNO: Cathy Barnes’ Favorite Things

October 8, 2016October 8, 2016Karen Brown1 Comment

I am a wife, mother, and a daughter of the King. God has blessed me with a rich and varied life. I have been a dancer, police officer and art teacher, and have participated in everything from beauty pageants to search warrants.

I have been married to my hero, Jeff, for 26 years. We’ve raised two wonderful adults, Allie (27) and Charlie (24), and are enjoying the incredible bond that comes from weathering years of experiences together…. good times, and bad—joys and sorrow. I am blessed to be working with children every day teaching them about art, and the Ultimate Artist—God. I love drawing, painting, reading, …and picking up a gun for some target practice now and then. Continue reading →

To the Husbands of Our Youth

July 14, 2015July 23, 2015Karen Brown20 Comments

Dear Husbands of Our Youth,

We know it’s been a rough go sometimes. And we know marriage can be really hard work. We also know you love us, but honestly, we don’t understand why you say women are so complicated, unpredictable, and hard to please. It’s just not true.

Let us explain.

First, we are NOT complicated. We are a ~~simple~~ straightforward gender. You just need to remember these basic things:

If your wife is quiet, it means she is sad. Unless the silence has lasted for more than twenty-four hours. If that’s the case, it means she is angry. If she’s sad, you must gently pursue her. If she’s angry, you must give her some space. And when we say “pursue”, we know you heard “SEX”. For the record, this quiet sad/angry time is not a signal that we want you. Yes, seriously. Continue reading →