MOPS

I was a stay at home Mom when staying at home wasn't cool. The Women "Libbers" of the 70's were telling us that we needed to have a "real job." For me, raising my son and two daughters,(with the help of my husband, Bob, of course) was the most fulfilling thing I've ever done.

I won't say that I loved every minute because, let's be honest, there were many days when they got on my last Mommy nerve. It was then that I would pray, "Lord, give me the patience to endure my blessings!"
Bedtime couldn't come soon enough some days!

Looking back over those years, I loved that season of my life. Mothering truly is an adventure. Every day presents its own challenges and its own rewards.

Now God has me in a new season; serving Him as a member of the VNC staff, and being the best grandma I can be to my precious grandsons.

I love MOPS because it places a high value on Mothering. The MOPS International logo says it all;
"Better Moms Make A Better World".

My name is Stephanie. I am the wife to Peter and mother to Grant. Peter and I have been married for 6 years this October and Grant was two in May. This is my first year as a MOPS Discussion Leader and I am so excited to be involved. I love this organization and hope to help the moms involved through my experiences. Although Grant is only two, daily there are stories to be told of how he has changed my life.

My husband and I own a pizzeria in Crown Point and I also enjoy my part time job as a Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics. My hobbies include Scrapbooking, shopping, being with friends, being a mom, spending time with Peter, Grant and my family. I also enjoy cleaning and organizing. I am strange, but it is therapeutic for me.

My name is Kari and I am so excited to be a part of MOPS here at VNC! My husband Gregg and I have been married for 15 years and are the proud parents of two daughters, Cassidy (9) and Mackenzie (4). Parenthood is truly an adventure as we never know where the ride is going to take us next! I feel that I have the best of both worlds, as I work part-time and still have a lot of time to enjoy my girls at home. I joined MOPS right after Mackenzie was born and am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this ministry. I've made some great friends as a result of MOPS, been encouraged by other moms, watched my youngest go crazy for the MOPPETS program and have witnessed firsthand an outpouring of support that other MOPS moms have given to each other. I hope that MOPS can be a blessing for all of you as it has been for me!

I'm Alisha Hughes. I am married to the always charming, and rather dashing, Scott Hughes. He swept me off my feet our junior year at ONU and we could not help but get married shortly after graduating from college. A couple of months after getting married we moved to Valparaiso so he could work at VNC, and we have been blessed by our church ever since. I first became a mommy on February 16, 2006 when we had our son, Preston. I joined MOPS immediately because a friend told me I should. I had no idea, at the time, how difficult being a mother could be and I had no idea how strongly I would need MOPS for support and encouragement as the months went on. I have faithfully attended ever since...first because it sounded like free babysitting, and now because I just love it and truly hate to miss it. We had another baby 6 months ago, sweet little Keely. We got our boy and our girl. Preston and Keely are fabulous children. We adore our darlings and base our lives around them, but I am always very quick to relate to any moms out there who just want to say, "Being a mom is hard work, doggone it!"

Hi there. I am Courtney Shannon McClellan (formerly Dryer)....I am a current Valporene...(Valpo Nazarene). I am originally from the mountains of Colorado.. Oldest of three, I decided to journey away looking for the eternal adventure. I found an adventure in San Diego California at Point Loma Nazarene University where I studied nursing and boys!
I then met my husband Shaun and we could not bear to be apart- so we got married! To make the long story short...the adventure then turned to a 'Calling from the LORD' to ministry...music ministry. We have served in churches in Denver, Wichita and now Valpo. We have now passed the adventure legacy on to our boys, Parker (5) and Turner (1). We love our family unit and continue to grow closer to the Lord as the daily struggles of life can only turn us towards HIM! Do I miss the days of being a river rafting guide? Yes. DO I miss the days of Starbucks every morning? Yes. Do I love the days of LEGOS and coloring? Yes. Would I trade anything for where I am now? NO WAY JOSE. The Adventure just changes..now I am the official 'wiper' and 'animal sound maker'. Mothering- the next adventure, just another chapter in the book!

My Bio is pretty simple - Married to J.R. for 39 years and we live in the home we built 32 years ago. We have two grown children, Karen, married to Michael and they have Megan Renee, as 7. Kevin, is married to Krystalin. I am a Director with The Pampered Chef - we are members at VNC and have been involved in Women's Ministries there for years - currently with MOPS since it began. I love to Cook and plan healthy meals on a budget. While raising our children, I had my own seamstress business and learned tailoring at Valparaiso University. We have enjoyed traveling to many places including Alaska, The Bahamas and Germany.