Have you ever taken a spiritual gifts quiz? I have. More than one. And I’ll admit, there’s something satisfying about seeing the results. Teaching. Exhortations. Faith. It feels like getting a map of who God made you to be.

Those quizzes can be helpful. God has really placed gifts, talents, and experiences in each of us that He wants to use. But lately I’ve been chewing on a different question: What if we get so focused on discovering our gifts that we miss God’s call? Because your gift and your call aren’t always the same thing. Let me explain …

When God Asks for Something That Doesn’t Make Sense

Sometimes God calls us right into the area where we feel most gifted. That’s a sweet season. And sometimes He calls us somewhere that makes absolutely no sense.

God, this isn’t my thing. Have You seen my skill set? If you’ve ever prayed that prayer, you’re in good company. When God called Moses from the burning bush, Moses gave Him a list of reasons He’d picked the wrong guy.

“Who am I to appear before Pharaoh?” (Exodus 3:11 NLT), and “O Lord, I'm not very good with words. I never have been, and I'm not now,” (Exodus 4:10 NLT).

God wasn’t confused. Moses was looking at what he could do. God was looking at what He could do through Moses.

“Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” (Exodus 4:12 NLT)

That changes everything. God’s call doesn’t depend on our competence. It depends on His presence.

The Detour May Be the Training

David was anointed king as a teenager… and then went right back to the sheep. After that came Goliath, Saul’s court, battles, and years of hiding in caves. Caves don’t look much like classrooms for kings. But they were.

Joseph dreamed of leadership and ended up a slave, then a prisoner. Not exactly a career ladder. Yet in those hidden places he learned faithfulness, discernment, and how to manage well when no one was applauding. Then, almost overnight, he was leading a nation through a famine. What looked like a detour was development.

Not every hard season is a special assignment. But before you dismiss a season because it doesn’t seem connected to your gifts, try asking: “God, what are You growing in me here?”

A Gift Makes a Great Tool, but a Terrible Compass

This part stings a little.

Even good gifts from God can become things we hold tighter than we hold Him. We start saying, “I’m a writer”, “I’m a leader”, “I’m good with people,” and those things may be true. But they describe our abilities, not our identity. Our identity is found in belonging to Christ.

When we’re not careful, we start telling God which assignments we’ll accept. I’ll do this, Lord, because I’m good at it. But not that. That’s not me. That’s when the gift has started leading instead of God.

You May Have Gifts You Haven’t Found Yet

Here’s one of my favorite thoughts: you may not know everything God has placed inside you yet.

You may not know you can lead until someone needs a leader. You may not know you have courage until everyone else is afraid. You may not know you can write until God gives you something that needs to be said.

Sometimes we don’t discover the gift and then accept the assignment. Sometimes we accept the assignment and then discover the gift.

I learned this firsthand in my twenties when God asked me to start a crisis pregnancy center. Up until that point, I had never led a team, managed a budget, or launched a ministry. Looking at my experience, I felt completely unqualified. Yet as I said yes and took one small, reliant step at a time, God provided the wisdom, courage, and leadership skills I didn’t know I had. 

God didn’t need my expertise—He just needed my willingness, and He built the leadership in me along the way.

God Uses Ordinary People

Gideon didn’t see himself as a warrior. Peter was a fisherman. Mary was a young woman from a small village. Again and again, God chose people who didn’t look qualified.

Paul put it this way: “God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise… As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:27, 29 NLT)

Friend, that’s freeing! You don’t have to feel qualified to say yes. The God who calls you will equip you, often in ways you never expected.

So maybe the better question isn’t “What am I good at?” Maybe it’s “God, what are You asking me to do, and will I trust You enough to follow?”

Use your gifts. Just don’t let them choose your direction. Your gift is the tool. Your calling is the assignment. And God Himself is the compass.

Looking Ahead with Open Hands

So, if you ever find yourself looking back at those spiritual gift quizzes or feeling unsure of where God is leading, remember to keep your focus on Him. Discovering your gifts is a helpful step, but following His call is the ultimate destination. Let God use the tools He’s given you for the assignments He sets before you, trusting that His presence will guide you every step of the way.

A Prayer for Today

Father, thank You that You don’t call the qualified, You qualify the called. Forgive me for the times I’ve let my gifts lead instead of You. Help me hold my abilities with open hands and keep my heart tuned to Your voice. When Your call doesn’t make sense, give me courage to obey anyway. In Jesus’ name, amen.

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

Want more insight? Join us on the Daily Bible podcast! LISTEN & WATCH

Introducing the Daily Bible Podcast
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Weekly readings for the Daily Bible Podcast with Tricia and Michelle

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October 12
Mark 8:22-30, Matthew 16:13-20, Luke 9:18-20, Mark 8:31-9:1, Matthew 16:21-28, Luke 9:21-27, Mark 9:2-13, Matthew 17:1-13, Luke 9:28-36

What Is Worth More Than Your Soul?

Is anything worth more than your soul?” It’s a question that asks us to weigh the eternal against the temporary, to measure the value of a soul—our soul—against the fleeting things of this world. Let’s dive into the heart of these passages and explore how Jesus reveals the true worth of our lives.

The Blind Man in Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-30)

The healing of the blind man in Bethsaida is intriguing because it happens in two stages. After Jesus leads the man outside the village and touches his eyes, the man initially sees people, but they appear like trees walking around. Jesus touches him again, and his sight is fully restored.

This gradual healing mirrors our spiritual journey. Sometimes, our understanding of Jesus and our faith grow in stages. We may not see clearly at first, but with time and more “touches” from Jesus, we begin to understand who He is and the depth of His love for us. This reminds us that faith isn’t always instantaneous. It grows and develops as we continually seek Jesus.

Then, Jesus asks His disciples a crucial question:

“Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29)

Peter answers, “You are the Messiah.” This was the moment Peter fully recognized Jesus’ identity, though he did not yet understand the full scope of what that meant. It’s easy to say the right things, but truly understanding and living out that truth is the greater challenge.

Take Up Your Cross (Mark 8:31-9:1)

Jesus goes on to predict His death, and Peter rebukes Him, not understanding why the Messiah would suffer. Jesus responds sharply:

“Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Mark 8:33)

This rebuke reminds us of how often we view life from a limited, earthly perspective, rather than from God’s eternal viewpoint.

Jesus then calls His followers to a radical discipleship:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)

Following Jesus isn’t about comfort or earthly success. It’s about sacrifice, surrender, and a willingness to lose one’s life for His sake. This is where Jesus asks the profound question:

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36)

We often invest so much in temporary things—success, material possessions, human approval—yet Jesus reminds us that none of these are worth the value of our soul. Nothing in this world is more valuable than our relationship with God. Our soul’s worth is immeasurable, and it’s worth surrendering everything to follow Jesus.

The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13)

Six days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain where they witness His transfiguration. Jesus’ face shines like the sun, and His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets, and a voice from heaven says:

“This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7)

In this moment, the disciples catch a glimpse of Jesus’ divine glory, confirming His identity as the Son of God. The transfiguration emphasizes Jesus’ worth—He is not just a teacher or prophet; He is God’s beloved Son, the fulfillment of all God’s promises.

Peter, eager to memorialize the moment, suggests building shelters. But the glory of God is not something to capture or contain. It’s not a memory to hold onto but a living reality to experience in our everyday lives. Just as the disciples needed to listen to Jesus in that moment, we too are called to listen to Him in our lives, letting His Word guide us in all that we do.

Word of the Day: Worth

Definition: The value of something.

Today, Jesus challenges us to consider the worth of our soul. In a world that constantly pressures us to chase after material success, Jesus asks us to pause and reflect: Is anything worth more than your soul?

Jesus’ miracles—healing the blind man, feeding thousands, and showing His glory in the transfiguration—demonstrate His deep care for our souls. Our souls are of such value to Him that He was willing to lay down His life for us. This is the ultimate demonstration of worth.

The Canaanite woman in today’s reading also demonstrates the worth of relentless faith. Her daughter’s healing came through her persistence, even when Jesus seemed indifferent at first. She understood that Jesus was her only hope, and she was willing to push through cultural boundaries to receive His mercy.

What Is Worth More?

Jesus’ question lingers: “What is worth more than your soul?” It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of life—work, responsibilities, relationships. But we must remember that our soul is eternal, and the only thing worth living for is Jesus. He is the one who gives our soul its true value.

Are we like Peter, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah but still holding onto our limited view of life? Are we willing to surrender our lives, take up our cross, and follow Him? Or are we still chasing after things that, in the end, will not matter?

LISTEN HERE WATCH HERE

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October 13
Mark 9:14-29, Matthew 17:14-21, Luke 9:37-43, Mark 9:30-32, Matthew 17:22-23, Luke 9:43-45, Matthew 17:24-27, Mark 9:33-37, Matthew 18:1-6, Luke 9:46-48, Mark 9:38-41, Luke 9:49-50, Mark 9:42-50, Matthew 18:7-35

Debating Greatness

As we journey through today’s readings, we encounter a theme that resonates deeply: debate. The disciples, much like us, had their own struggles and questions as they followed Jesus. They debated who among them was the greatest, asked questions about spiritual authority, and tried to understand the deeper meanings behind Jesus’ teachings.

The Healing of a Demon-Possessed Boy (Mark 9:14-29)

After coming down from the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus and His disciples were immediately met by a crowd and a desperate father. His son was possessed by a spirit that caused seizures and physical harm, and the disciples had been unable to heal him. Can you imagine the scene? A bustling crowd, onlookers waiting to see what Jesus would do next, but for the father, this wasn’t a spectacle—this was his last hope. His words to Jesus were both a plea and a challenge:

“If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” (Mark 9:22).

Jesus’ response was filled with grace and authority: “If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes.” The father’s response is something I believe we all relate to: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). How many times have we approached God with doubts, yet a deep desire to believe more fully? Jesus doesn’t rebuke the father for his uncertainty but instead heals his son, showing that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.

This story reminds us that faith is not about having it all figured out. It’s about bringing our doubts, fears, and unbelief to Jesus and asking for His help. It’s okay to pray, “Lord, I believe, but help me with my unbelief.” Jesus responds not to the size of our faith but to the sincerity of our heart.

The Greatest in the Kingdom (Mark 9:33-37)

Later, the disciples found themselves caught in a debate. Who among them was the greatest? Jesus used this moment as a teaching opportunity. He didn’t rebuke their desire for greatness but reframed it. “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35). To drive His point home, Jesus brought a child into their midst, stating that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, they must become like children—humble, trusting, and dependent.

In our culture, we often equate greatness with power, success, and recognition. But in the Kingdom of God, greatness is defined by humility, service, and a willingness to care for others, especially the least among us. Jesus wasn’t concerned with titles or ranks. Instead, He taught that true greatness is about putting others first and having a servant’s heart.

Forgiveness: Seventy Times Seven (Matthew 18:21-35)

Later, Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving debtor to emphasize the importance of forgiveness. Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him. Jesus’ reply? “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). This wasn’t a literal number but a call to infinite forgiveness. Jesus went on to explain that we must forgive others as God has forgiven us. If we refuse to forgive, we jeopardize our relationship with God.

Forgiveness isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a command that reflects God’s character. Just as we have received mercy, we are to extend mercy to others, no matter how many times they wrong us.

Word of the Day: Debate

Definition: An argument about a subject, especially in a formal manner.

Debating Faith

Today’s readings remind us that it’s not about winning debates but about understanding and aligning ourselves with God’s truth. When we argue, especially about matters of faith, our goal should be to grow in our relationship with Jesus and reflect His love and humility.

Just like the disciples, we often find ourselves in debates about faith. Whether it’s in our personal conversations or on social media, we argue about theology, church practices, and even who’s doing Christianity “right.” But what if, instead of trying to win debates, we took a step back and focused on understanding what’s right from God’s perspective?

Jesus’ teaching challenges us to reframe our spiritual debates. Instead of seeking to be right, we should seek to grow in humility and understanding. The goal isn’t to win arguments but to grow closer to God and to each other. Remember, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” So, in our debates, let’s be slow to speak and quick to listen, aiming to promote unity and understanding in the Body of Christ.

When it comes to debates—whether they are spiritual, relational, or personal—it’s not about being right; it’s about doing what’s right in God’s eyes. Humility, service, forgiveness, and faith are what Jesus values most, and those should be the foundation of any discussion we have. Let’s approach every conversation with a heart that seeks to understand, grow, and reflect Christ.

LISTEN HERE WATCH HERE

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October 14
John 7:1-9, Luke 9:51-56, Matthew 8:18-22, Luke 9:57-62, John 7:10-8:20

Are We Willing?

In today’s readings, we see Jesus continuing to heal, teach, and navigate the opposition around Him. He moves from town to town, all while knowing that the leaders are plotting His death. The pressure must have been immense, but Jesus was willing to follow God’s plan, trusting in His perfect timing.

We start with John 7:1-9, where Jesus’ brothers urge Him to go to the festival and show His power, but they say it in disbelief. It’s interesting to note that Jesus’ own brothers weren’t supportive of His ministry at this point. Yet, Jesus responds with patience, reminding them—and us—that God’s timing is everything. Jesus was not concerned with public approval or the opinions of those around Him. He was willing to wait for God’s perfect timing, even when pressured to act prematurely.

Then we see Luke 9:51-56, where Jesus heads to Jerusalem and stops in a Samaritan village. The people reject Him because He’s on His way to Jerusalem. In their zeal, His disciples ask Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven to destroy the village! But Jesus rebukes them, showing that God’s way is not about vengeance or retaliation. Instead, Jesus is willing to move forward in peace, even when others oppose or reject Him.

In Matthew 8:18-22 and Luke 9:57-62, Jesus encounters people who say they want to follow Him, but they also have personal matters to attend to first. Jesus’ response is striking: “Follow me now,” He says. The cost of discipleship is real. It’s not easy, and Jesus makes it clear that following Him means being willing to forsake comfort and security, and even personal obligations, to pursue the calling of God.

Finally, John 7:10-8:20 takes us to the Feast of Tabernacles, where Jesus teaches in secret. The Jewish leaders are amazed at His wisdom, but they question His authority because He didn’t have formal training. Yet Jesus’ response is profound: “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.” (John 7:16) Jesus also confronts a group ready to stone a woman caught in adultery, offering mercy where others demanded judgment. He saw beyond her sin to her potential redemption.

Word of the Day: Willing

Definition: Being ready, eager, or prepared to do something.

In today’s passages, we see Jesus’ willingness to follow God’s plan, to confront opposition, and to offer grace over judgment. The question we must ask ourselves is: Are we willing to follow Jesus even when it’s hard, inconvenient, or goes against what the world tells us?

What Does It Take to Be Willing?

1. Willingness to Wait on God’s Timing:

In John 7:1-9, Jesus shows us that just because others want us to act doesn’t mean it’s the right time. He waited for God’s direction, not man’s opinion. Are we willing to wait for God’s perfect timing in our lives, even when the world pressures us to act?

2. Willingness to Walk in Peace:

When the Samaritans rejected Jesus, His disciples wanted to retaliate (Luke 9:51-56). Jesus’ response reminds us that being willing to follow God means choosing peace over vengeance, even when we feel hurt or rejected. Are we willing to choose peace and trust God with the outcome?

3. Willingness to Count the Cost of Discipleship:

Following Jesus isn’t just about saying the right things—it’s about doing the right things. In Matthew 8:18-22, Jesus makes it clear that following Him requires sacrifice. It means letting go of comforts and being willing to follow Him, even when the road is tough. Are we willing to follow Jesus, no matter the cost?

4. Willingness to See People Through Jesus’ Eyes:

In John 7:10-8:20, the Pharisees saw the woman caught in adultery as deserving of punishment, but Jesus saw her potential for redemption. Are we willing to see people not for their mistakes, but for who they can become in Christ? Are we willing to extend grace instead of judgment?

Final Thought:

Being willing to follow Jesus is more than just saying, “I’ll follow You.” It’s a daily decision to trust Him, even when it’s hard. It’s about being willing to wait, willing to walk in peace, willing to count the cost, and willing to see others as He sees them.

In John 7:17, Jesus says, “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is of God, or I am speaking from Myself.”

When we are willing to follow God’s will, even when it’s uncomfortable or unclear, we begin to see His work in our lives. We may not always understand the path, but we can trust the One who leads us.

LISTEN HERE WATCH HERE

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October 15
John 8:21-59, Luke 10, 11:1-13

Embracing Interdependence

In today’s reading, Jesus continues His confrontation with the Jewish leaders, making profound declarations about His relationship with God the Father. He tells them plainly that they are from below—earthly—while He is from above—heavenly. Jesus goes on to warn them that if they do not believe in Him, they will die in their sins.

One of the most powerful verses from this passage is when Jesus says:

“I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin … So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” (John 8:34, 36)

What a promise! True freedom is found only in Him.

But then, Jesus goes even further and claims, “Before Abraham was, I am.” This statement is monumental. By using the term “I Am,” Jesus is directly aligning Himself with God, the same God who spoke to Moses in Exodus, declaring, “I AM WHO I AM.” The Jewish leaders immediately recognize that Jesus is claiming divinity, which is why they pick up stones to kill Him. Yet, Jesus escapes because His time had not yet come.

There’s more going on here, though. Jesus wasn’t just declaring His identity—He was challenging everything the Jewish leaders believed about themselves. In a collectivist culture like theirs, identity was rooted in their lineage, in being descendants of Abraham. But Jesus was telling them that their collective identity was not enough—they needed to believe in Him personally. This would have shaken their worldview. They believed they were already free, but Jesus reveals that only He, the Son, can truly set them free.

Luke 10:1-11:13 – The Power of Interdependence

Next, we move to Luke, where we read about Jesus sending out seventy-two disciples. He instructs them to go in pairs, showing the importance of community in ministry. They are sent with the message: “The Kingdom of God is near.” Jesus warns them that not everyone will welcome them, but He gives them authority over the power of the enemy.

The theme of interdependence is strong here. Jesus didn’t send His disciples out alone. He knew they would need each other for strength and support. This is a reminder that we are not meant to walk this journey alone. We need each other—our faith grows stronger when we serve, pray, and live out our mission in community.

Later, we read the famous story of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan helps a man beaten and left for dead, while others—who should have helped—passed by. Jesus teaches us through this parable that loving our neighbor means showing mercy to those in need, regardless of their background.

Then we see Mary and Martha. While Martha is busy preparing for her guests, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, focused on Him. Jesus gently tells Martha that Mary has chosen the better thing. This story highlights the importance of focusing on Jesus rather than getting caught up in the busyness of life.

Finally, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray, giving us the Lord’s Prayer—a beautiful reminder of our dependence on God for everything. In this prayer, we see the deep relationship Jesus invites us into—a relationship marked by persistence and trust in God’s provision and timing.

Word of the Day: Interdependence

Definition: The dependence of two or more people or things on each other.

We see the theme of interdependence woven throughout today’s readings. Jesus’ ministry wasn’t about individuals doing their own thing; it was about community, reliance on God, and leaning on each other. The disciples were sent out in pairs. They were instructed to pray for workers for the harvest. The Samaritan stopped to help a stranger, while Mary set aside the busyness of life to sit at Jesus’ feet.

This reminds us that, while we may live in a world that values independence, we are called to something different. We are called to be part of a body—dependent on God and interdependent with one another.

Application:

In John 8, Jesus emphasizes His relationship with the Father, showing us that He is nothing apart from God. How often do we try to go about life, relying on our own strength? Today, let’s be reminded that we, too, are nothing apart from our heavenly Father. Our strength, identity, and purpose are found in Him.

In Luke, Jesus sent out seventy-two disciples—together. This is a beautiful picture of the Christian life. We were never meant to walk alone. God designed us for community, and as believers, we need to embrace that interdependence, whether through serving together, praying together, or simply being there for each other in times of need.

Finally, Jesus teaches about the power of persistent prayer. Prayer isn’t just something we do when we need something from God; it’s how we stay connected to Him. It’s how we acknowledge our dependence on Him and allow His will to shape our lives. Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, because God delights in our persistence and faith.

LISTEN HERE WATCH HERE

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October 16
Luke 11:14-54. 12:1-34

Jesus’ Call to Authenticity

Today’s reading from Luke 11:14-54 and Luke 12:1-12 challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith. As Jesus teaches and confronts the Pharisees, He exposes the importance of genuine faith that comes from the heart, not just external actions.

Confronting Accusations (Luke 11:14-28):

When Jesus casts out a demon from a mute man, the crowd accuses Him of working with Satan. In response, Jesus explains that a divided kingdom cannot stand and that He is working with the authority of God. He encourages the people to look beyond the surface and recognize the true power and authority of His message. Jesus tells them to ensure that their light is genuine and not false: “Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness” (Luke 11:35 NLT). This is a call for self-examination—are we truly living in the light of Christ, or just pretending?

Authenticity vs. Hypocrisy (Luke 11:37-54):

When Jesus dines with a Pharisee, He does not wash His hands before the meal, prompting a question from His host. Jesus uses this moment to emphasize that it is the heart that matters. Outward cleanliness or religious rituals mean nothing if our hearts are not right with God. He rebukes the Pharisees for focusing on external appearances while neglecting inner purity. Jesus calls for authenticity, warning that hypocrisy will only lead to judgment.

This theme continues in Luke 12:1-12, where Jesus teaches His disciples to beware of the Pharisees’ hypocrisy. He explains that nothing is hidden from God and that our true selves will eventually be revealed. We are to live with integrity and humility, recognizing that our lives are in God’s hands.

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Word of the Day: Authenticity

Definition: Authenticity means you’re true to your personality, values, and spirit, regardless of the pressure that you’re under to act otherwise. You’re honest with yourself and others and take responsibility for your mistakes.

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Authentic Faith Starts with the Heart

The message of today’s reading is clear—God desires authenticity in our relationship with Him. Jesus wasn’t interested in superficial displays of piety; He was concerned with the state of the heart. When we focus on external appearances, we miss the point of what it means to follow Christ. True faith is about aligning our hearts with God’s will and living out that faith with sincerity and humility.

Are we, like the Pharisees, more concerned with how we appear to others, or are we committed to a heart-level relationship with Jesus? Authenticity in faith means examining our motives, confessing our shortcomings, and seeking God’s transformation from the inside out.

Living in the Light of Christ

When Jesus says, “Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness,” He is challenging us to live in true light. We may think we’re doing everything right on the outside, but if our hearts aren’t right, our actions mean little. Authentic faith is about letting the light of Christ shine through us—not just in public, but in every area of our lives.

As we follow Jesus, let’s make sure we are living in His light, not just going through the motions. Let’s allow God to cleanse our hearts so that we can reflect His love, grace, and truth to others.

LISTEN HERE WATCH HERE

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October 17
Luke 12:35-59, 13:1-21, John 9

Being Ready

In today’s readings, we are reminded about the necessity of being ready—not just for the expected, but for the unknown moments when God calls. Jesus, through parables and real-life encounters, teaches His followers about vigilance, preparedness, and faith.

In Luke 12:35-48, Jesus compares His followers to servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet. The faithful servant, who remains alert and ready, will be rewarded, but those who are not will face consequences. This passage echoes the importance of being spiritually prepared, as we never know when God will call us to act. Jesus also addresses the responsibility that comes with being given much—if we have been blessed, we are also expected to give and serve much.

Further in Luke, Jesus speaks about bringing division, not peace, as His message challenges societal norms and family structures. He rebukes the crowd for interpreting earthly signs but missing the spiritual ones right before them. He also emphasizes the urgency of reconciling with others quickly—highlighting the importance of being “ready” in our relationships, both with God and people.

In the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, Jesus demonstrates God’s patience but also the need for repentance and fruitfulness in our lives. We are given time, but we must not take it for granted.

Later in Luke 13:10-21, Jesus heals a woman crippled for eighteen years, despite it being the Sabbath. The synagogue leader criticizes Him for healing on the Sabbath, but Jesus points out the hypocrisy. Through this healing, Jesus not only restores the woman but also reveals the importance of compassion and mercy over rigid adherence to tradition. He then teaches about the Kingdom of God, using the parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast—small beginnings leading to great outcomes, just like the small steps of faith that lead to readiness for God’s work.

In John 9, we see another powerful healing—Jesus restores the sight of a man born blind. His disciples, reflecting cultural assumptions, ask whether the man’s blindness was due to sin. Jesus corrects them, saying that the man’s condition was an opportunity for God’s work to be revealed. As the Pharisees interrogate the man and his parents, their blindness to the truth of who Jesus is becomes apparent. The healed man’s faith and Jesus’ actions show that spiritual sight—being truly ready to see and accept God’s truth—is far more important than physical sight.

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Word of the Day: Ready

Definition: In a suitable state for an activity, action, or situation; fully prepared.

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Being Ready Requires Vigilance and Faith

Are you ready? Jesus’ analogy of servants waiting for their master’s return in Luke 12 paints a vivid picture of the kind of vigilance and faith He calls us to. Being “ready” doesn’t mean living in fear but keeping our hearts open, our spirits willing, and our eyes on Jesus. The disciples, the Pharisees, and the crowds who followed Jesus often missed the mark—not because they lacked desire, but because they were focused on the wrong things.

Being ready means being willing to see things through God’s eyes. It’s about aligning our priorities with His. Whether in prayer, relationships, or the unexpected challenges of life, being ready is an act of faith that says, “Lord, I’m listening. I trust You.” When the Lord calls, will you be prepared to respond, or will you be too distracted by the world around you?

Being ready also means repentance and seeking a heart of transformation. The barren fig tree had time to bear fruit, just as we have time to turn to God. But time is not infinite. Our readiness to turn to God in moments of conviction, to seek His guidance, and to lean on His promises is essential for bearing fruit in our spiritual walk.

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Ready, Set, Go!

The phrase “ready, set, go” often takes me back to track meets. I think of the preparation that went into those moments—months of training, practice, and discipline. The thrill of hearing “Ready” would send my heart racing, and at “Go!” I would push forward with all the strength and preparation behind me.

Spiritually, being ready requires that same level of preparation and commitment. It’s the behind-the-scenes work of prayer, reading God’s Word, and being obedient in the little things that gets us ready for the big moments. We can’t be ready for God’s call if we’re not consistently preparing ourselves for what He might ask of us. Just like a runner who’s trained for months, we must train our hearts to be in tune with God, ready to act when He says, “Go.”

LISTEN HERE WATCH HERE

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October 18
John 10, Luke 13:22-35, 14:1-24

The Good Shepherd

Today, the Good Shepherd addresses the ones who have been misleading the people. Just before this, Jesus had healed a blind man, only for the Pharisees to cast him out of the synagogue, proving once again that they were more focused on rules than on caring for people’s hearts. Jesus contrasts Himself with these false leaders, explaining that His sheep recognize His voice and follow Him because He is the Good Shepherd.

What does it mean for Jesus to be our Shepherd? Jesus tells us that He came to give His sheep a rich and satisfying life—also known as an abundant life. This abundance doesn’t necessarily mean a life free from struggle or hardship, but it is a life of contentment and fulfillment found in Him.

One powerful story illustrates this beautifully. During World War I, some soldiers tried to steal a flock of sheep from a hillside near Jerusalem. The shepherd, upon realizing what was happening, didn’t attempt to fight off the soldiers with force. Instead, he called out to his flock with his distinct call. The sheep recognized their shepherd’s voice and returned to him, leaving the soldiers behind, unable to stop them. Just like those sheep, when we hear the Good Shepherd’s voice, we are drawn back to Him, finding safety, peace, and purpose in His care.

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Word of the Day: Shepherd

Definition: Someone who cares for sheep. In Biblical times, shepherding was a common profession.

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The Good Shepherd Leads Us to Abundant Life

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, doesn’t just call us into a life of following rules—He calls us into a life of abundance. But what does that abundant life look like? According to James Montgomery Boice, the Greek word for “abundance,” perissos, denotes a surplus, a life of overflowing contentment. This abundant life isn’t necessarily an easy one, nor is it about material wealth. It’s a life where we can trust that God will supply our needs and walk with us through every season.

In the wilderness moments of life, where we may feel like we are wandering, hungry, and thirsty, Jesus promises that He will guide us to springs of living water (Revelation 7:16-17). This is a life marked by satisfaction in Him, no matter the circumstances. The question for us is: Are we listening for the Shepherd’s voice, and are we willing to follow where He leads?

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The Good Shepherd Guides and Protects Us

In Luke 13:22-14:24, we see Jesus continually guiding His followers and teaching them what it means to be part of the Kingdom of God. As He moves towards Jerusalem, He warns His listeners to strive to enter through the narrow door, emphasizing that many will seek entrance but won’t be able to. Jesus, like a shepherd, is leading His sheep, urging them to stay on the right path, even when the way is narrow and difficult.

Throughout His teachings and parables, Jesus highlights His deep care for His followers. He is the Shepherd who guides us, not just through the green pastures but through the valleys as well. When we feel lost, overwhelmed, or unsure, we can trust that the Good Shepherd is always leading us toward a greater purpose—toward springs of living water and eternal life.

LISTEN HERE WATCH HERE

I have ten children, all in various stages of life. I care for aging in-laws. I have a new ministry I’m trying to get off the ground. I’m always in the middle of writing a book. I teach at conferences throughout the year. Until this year, I was homeschooling all my kids. If anyone were to have a built-in excuse to skip quiet time with Jesus, you would think it would be me! Between managing all these aspects of daily life, every extra minute of rest feels like a luxury.

Yet morning after morning, my eyes pop open. Not because I am fully rested or wide awake, but because my heart is hungry. I need Jesus. I need to read His Word, linger in His presence, and anchor my soul before the day’s learning begins.

In Jesus’ arithmetic, “subtracting” time from our busy schedule to sit at His feet actually multiplies the potential of every remaining hour. Spending time with Him gives us a clearer vision, a more peaceful heart, and a far more patient spirit when math lessons get tough or attitudes clash. When we seek Him first, our day simply works better.

The same truth applies to our children. Beyond teaching history, science, and grammar, our highest calling as homeschool parents is to model a living faith and guide our children into a daily relationship with their Savior.

"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." — Matthew 6:33

5 Simple Ways to Incorporate Jesus Into Your Homeschool Day

You don’t need a formal Bible degree or hours of free time to create a Jesus Christ-centered home classroom. Small, intentional habits sprinkled throughout the day make a lasting impact.

1. Start Each Morning with Daily Family Prayer

Before opening a single textbook or logging into a online lesson, gather your children for a brief morning prayer. Dedicate the day to God, ask Him for wisdom, and invite the Holy Spirit to guide your hearts and minds. Starting the school day in prayer sets a peaceful tone for the household.

2. Read Daily Devotionals with Your Kids

Incorporate a short, age-appropriate devotional during breakfast or morning circle time. Gathering around shared Scripture invites rich conversations about character, kindness, and faith. Let your children take turns reading the Bible passages or answering reflection questions to keep them engaged.

3. Practice Scripture Memory

Choose a verse or short passage to focus on each week or month. Write it on a whiteboard in your learning space, create simple hand motions with younger kids, or sing the verse to a catchy tune. Hiding God’s Word in their hearts equips them with truth they will carry for a lifetime.

4. Take “Micro-Breaks” with Jesus Throughout the Day

Follow a simple routine of stepping away for two-minute prayer pauses. While the bread is baking, during a 10-minute quiet reading block, or right after lunch cleanup, pause to reset your heart. A quick sentence prayer—“Jesus, give me Your patience right now”—refreshes your spirit mid-day.

5. Integrate God’s Truth into Academic Subjects

Look for God’s hand in every subject you teach. Trace His design in science, examine His sovereignty in world history, and appreciate His order in mathematics. Pointing out spiritual truths across your curriculum reminds kids that God is connected to all of life, not just Sunday morning.

Faith Step for Today

Look at your schedule today and identify at least two small pockets of time where you can pause with Jesus. It might be ten minutes while dinner is in the oven or five minutes before read-aloud time. Take a deep breath, offer Him your day, and watch how He multiplies your peace and energy.

A Morning Prayer for Your Jesus-Centered Homeschool

Lord Jesus, thank You for the privilege of raising and educating our children at home. We acknowledge that we cannot do this in our own strength. Fill our home with Your peace, give us wisdom as teachers, and grant our children hearts that are eager to learn. Help us prioritize time in Your Word each day, both individually and together as a family. May our homeschool be a place where Your love is felt and Your truth is honored above all else. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How do you make time for Jesus during your busy homeschool days? Do you have a favorite family devotional? Let us know in the comments below!

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

Looking back over two decades of walking with the Lord through ministry, writing, and raising a large family, I’m constantly amazed by how God directs our steps.

Many years ago, I came across a beautiful prayer by Peter Marshall, chaplain of the United States Senate in the 1940s, recorded in the book Mr. Jones, Meet Your Master:

Those words—“when God wants us to do or not to do any particular thing, God finds a way of letting us know”—have served as a guiding light throughout my life.

I was first reminded of that prayer years ago after watching the film End of the Spear, which told the story of the five young missionaries—Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming, and Roger Youderian—who gave their lives in 1956 to reach the Waodani people in the Amazon jungle. When those men stepped onto that sandbar, they simply wanted to share the love of Jesus with a single isolated group. They had no idea that decades later, millions of people around the world would still be moved to tears and inspired to deeper faith by their sacrifice.

They were obedient in the small step. God took care of the reach.

Listening for the Gentle Nudge

Over the years, I’ve learned that God often speaks in gentle nudges rather than loud alarms. Sometimes He places a burden or an idea on your heart, and try as you might, you simply cannot shake it.

I remember a season over twenty years ago when my schedule was completely full. I had book deadlines, speaking events to prepare for, and my kids to care for and homeschool. Yet during that busy season, God kept placing an overwhelming weight on my heart to write a book specifically equipping Generation X parents. Everything in my natural mind said, Now is not the time. You are already overwhelmed.

But the Holy Spirit wouldn’t let the thought rest.

I decided to stop overthinking and simply obey. Within a month, I wrote and submitted the proposal. Within two months, publishers were expressing interest. By that fall, Multnomah offered a contract, and a year later, that book was on store shelves.

Looking back now, after decades of seeing how God used that project to touch families—and how He has guided dozens of books, adoption journeys, and ministry turns since then—I am reminded of a fundamental truth: Our job is obedience; God’s job is the outcome.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." — Proverbs 3:5-6

What Makes It Hard to Follow His Lead?

Why do we hesitate when we feel God asking us to step out—or asking us to step back?

Usually, it comes down to two things: fear of the outcome and the weight of our current schedule.

• We worry: What if I fail? What if people misunderstand me? What if I misheard God?
• Or we look at our already packed days—caring for aging parents, tending to our families, carrying emotional burdens—and think: I don’t have the capacity for one more thing.

But biblical obedience doesn’t mean taking on endless tasks in your own strength. Sometimes God’s guidance is an instruction to DO something new. Other times, as Peter Marshall prayed, His guidance is an instruction NOT TO DO something—to lay down a good thing so you can hold onto His best thing.

"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." — Psalm 119:105

A lamp in the ancient world didn’t illuminate the whole highway five miles down the road. It lit up just enough ground for the very next step. God doesn’t always show us the whole 20-year master plan. He simply asks for trust for today’s step.

Step Out with a Surrendered Heart

Whatever season you find yourself in today—whether you’re managing a busy household, navigating family challenges, or caring for aging loved ones—God is still in the business of guiding His children.

If God is placing a quiet prompting on your heart today, here is how you can move forward in peace:

1. Pray for Willingness: Ask God to make your heart willing to follow, even before you know all the details.
2. Take the Immediate Next Step: You don’t need to finish the whole journey today. Just take the single small step of obedience right in front of you.
3. Release the Results: Remind yourself that you aren’t responsible for how God uses your obedience. You are only responsible for saying, “Yes, Lord.”

When we surrender our plans to Him, we don’t have to carry the pressure of manufacturing success. We can rest in the sweet assurance that He who calls us is faithful.

A Prayer for God’s Guidance

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a loving Shepherd who delights in guiding Your children. Give me the faith to believe that when You want me to step forward—or step back—You will make the path clear. Forgive me for letting fear, busyness, or the desire for control hold me back from simple obedience. Quiet the noise around me so I can hear Your still, small voice. I place my plans, my family, and my future into Your hands today, trusting You with the outcome. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Journal Prompts

• Is there a quiet prompt or direction God has been putting on your heart recently that you’ve been hesitating to follow?
• What is one expectation or fear about the future that you need to surrender to God today?
• Looking back over your life, what is one time when a small act of obedience led to a blessing you didn’t expect?

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

Managing a full house with multiple generations is an incredible blessing, but it certainly requires a heavy dose of grace. For most of my homeschooling years, I’ve had more than lesson plans on my plate. While I’ve been teaching my kids, I’ve also been caring for aging generations: first my grandma, and now my in-laws.

If you find yourself in this beautiful, demanding season of the “sandwich generation,” you are not alone. Below are twenty practical tips for the days when you’re teaching your children and caring for older family members at the same time, followed by some of my favorite ways to turn caregiving into real, meaningful learning for your teens.

20 Tips for Homeschooling While Caring for Aging Generations

Caring for Your Own Heart

You can’t pour into two generations if your own cup is empty. These first tips are about keeping you steady.

1. Anchor your morning in prayer. Start the day seeking wisdom before the house wakes up. As Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (NLT).

2. Give yourself grace. Some days will look messy, and the lesson plans will get tossed aside. The goal is faithfulness to your family, not an unattainable ideal.

3. Designate a daily quiet hour. Everyone in the house benefits from a mandatory rest time, from the youngest student to the oldest grandparent. Use this time to read your Bible, close your eyes, and recharge your own spirit.

4. Take short mental breaks. Five minutes outside petting the family dogs or walking around the yard can completely reset your mind for the next challenge.

5. Prioritize your marriage. Taking care of multiple generations is draining. Make sure to connect with your spouse regularly, even if it’s just a quiet conversation over coffee in the kitchen.

Building Rhythms that Bend Without Breaking

Once your heart is anchored, it helps to put a few simple systems in place so the practical details don’t overwhelm you.

6. Embrace a flexible routine. A rigid schedule often shatters under the weight of real life. Instead, create a gentle rhythm that can accommodate both a math lesson and an unexpected doctor’s appointment.

7. Create a central family calendar. Write down every therapy appointment, co-op class, and grocery run in one highly visible place. You’ll need it, I promise!

8. Keep a unified command center. Organize school records and medical information in separate, easily accessible binders so you never have to search for important documents.

9. Set realistic daily goals. Pick three main tasks to accomplish each day. Anything else you manage to finish is a wonderful bonus.

10. Stockpile simple meals. Double your recipes on your less busy days. Having a freezer meal ready makes evenings so much smoother when caregiving takes extra energy.

Learning Together Across Generations

Here’s the good news: caring for older family members doesn’t have to compete with homeschooling. Often, it can become part of it.

11. Combine generations for read-aloud time. Reading historical fiction or biographies aloud benefits everyone. Your teens can absorb the history lesson, and your older relatives can enjoy a wonderful story right alongside them.

12. Encourage cross-generational storytelling. Have your children interview the older generations about their youth. This covers history and language arts while building beautiful family bonds. (More on this below!)

13. Make medical visits a life skills class. When you coordinate appointments, teach your teens how to advocate for older family members. It’s a powerful, hands-on lesson in compassion and communication.

14. Utilize audiobooks. When your voice is tired, turn on an audiobook. It’s a wonderful way to keep the learning going while you tend to other caregiving tasks.

15. Focus on character over curriculum. The kindness your children learn by helping care for their grandparents is far more valuable than any textbook lesson.

Sharing the Load

Finally, remember that you were never meant to do this alone, and that every faithful day counts.

16. Delegate household tasks. A home functions best when everyone chips in. Assign age-appropriate chores to keep the laundry and dishes manageable.

17. Accept outside help. If a friend offers to pick up groceries or watch the kids for an afternoon, say yes. We are not meant to carry the heavy loads alone.

18. Find a support community. Connect with other caregivers and homeschooling families. Sharing the journey lightens the emotional weight.

19. Celebrate the small victories. Did everyone eat lunch and experience a moment of peace? Count that as a highly successful day.

20. Remember your eternal impact. The work you do within the walls of your home is deeply significant. “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9, NLT).

Turning Caregiving Into Curriculum for Your Teen

If you have teenagers, this season offers some of the richest learning opportunities you’ll ever find, and none of them come from a textbook. Here are five ways to weave caregiving right into your homeschool.

Living History and Oral Traditions

Teens often read about historical generations in textbooks, but sitting down with a grandparent to record oral histories brings those eras to life. Assign your teenager to interview their grandparents about their childhood, their early marriage, or the major historical milestones they witnessed. Then have your teen transcribe the interview or craft it into a biographical essay. This easily translates into rich history and language arts credits.

Practical Home Economics

Preparing a meal for an aging family member teaches essential life skills. Teenagers can learn to follow specific dietary restrictions, prepare nourishing foods, and serve meals with grace. Getting them involved in meal planning and grocery shopping for the household is hands-on home economics at its finest.

Health Sciences and Advocacy

Under your direct supervision, older students can help organize daily vitamin boxes or log blood pressure readings. They can also sit in on routine telehealth visits to practice taking notes. This provides practical applications in biology and health sciences, teaching them how the human body changes over time and how to advocate for those who need medical support.

Technology Tutoring

Grandparents often appreciate help with modern devices. Ask your teenager to teach Grandpa how to navigate a new smartphone app or show Grandma how to video call a distant relative. Translating technical steps into simple, easy-to-understand language builds immense patience and communication skills.

The Curriculum of Compassion

The most valuable lesson our young people can learn is how to love well. Caring for family members is a direct fulfillment of biblical mandates: “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God” (1 Timothy 5:4, NLT).

A House Full of Grace

When I first started homeschooling with my grandma under our roof, I thought caregiving was something I had to squeeze in around school. Years later, with my in-laws now part of our daily rhythm, I see it differently. Caring for older generations hasn’t taken away from my children’s education. In many ways, it has been their education.

The days are undeniably long when you’re managing lesson plans and caregiving routines at the same time. Some days the math book never gets opened, and dinner comes out of the freezer. But the fruit of this demanding season is a teenager who deeply understands the value of family and the inherent dignity of every stage of life. Your children are watching how you love the people who once loved you, and they’re learning that, one day, they’ll know how to do the same.

So yes, a full house requires a heavy dose of grace. The beautiful thing is that God never runs short of it. He offers it fresh every morning, to the weary mom, the curious student, and the grandparent at the kitchen table alike.

A Prayer for the Sandwich Generations

Lord, thank You for the full house You’ve given me, for the children I teach and the parents I care for. Some days I feel stretched in every direction, and I confess that I can’t do this in my own strength. Please give me wisdom for each decision, patience for each interruption, and rest when my body and spirit are tired.

Help me see the holy work hidden in the ordinary moments: the read-aloud on the couch, the doctor’s appointment, the meal served with love. Grow compassion in my children’s hearts as they learn to care for others. Bless my marriage, and surround our family with friends and community who will help carry the load.

When I’m tempted to give up, remind me that at just the right time, You will bring a harvest of blessing. Let our home be a place where every generation feels valued, loved, and close to You.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

The phone call came at 11:47 p.m. I remember the time because I’d been staring at the ceiling, waiting for it, dreading it, and there it was—my child’s name lighting up the screen, and my stomach dropping before I even answered. I won’t tell you which of my ten kids, or which choice, or which year. If you’ve raised teenagers or young adults long enough, you don’t need the details. You have your own 11:47 p.m. story. Maybe you’re living inside one with your own kids right now.

Here’s what I want to tell you, mama-to-mama, dad-to-dad: the way you respond in that moment—and in the hundred quieter moments before and after it—matters more than you know. Not because your words have magic power to fix your child. They don’t. But because your words can either build a bridge for the Holy Spirit to walk across, or a wedge that takes years, sometimes decades, to chip away. I know, because I’ve built both kinds.

The Wedge We Build Out of Fear

After raising ten kids, I’ve made a lot of mistakes. More than I’d like to admit in print. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned in the trenches of real, lived-out, messy parenting, it’s this: when we confront our kids’ wrong choices out of fear or anger, we build something between us. A wedge.

It usually doesn’t come out in one blowup. It comes out in the tone. The lecture that goes five minutes too long. The Bible verse we weaponize instead of offer. The silence that follows a slammed door.

We can see, with perfect clarity, that the path our kids are on leads to heartache. We can see it coming a mile off, because we’ve either walked it ourselves or watched someone we love walk it. But here’s the hard truth I’ve had to swallow again and again: no strong words of mine have ever changed a child’s heart. Not once. Only the Holy Spirit can do that.

What my strong words have done, more than once, is push a child further from me—and further from the very God I was trying to point them toward.

The Enemy Attacks Our Kids from Within the Household

I think about King David often these days. Anointed as a boy, called to be king, and through his lineage came the Messiah Himself—Jesus, King of Kings. You’d think a calling that significant would be shielded from the enemy’s schemes. It wasn’t. If anything, it was targeted because of what it carried.

And where did the attack come from? Not from a foreign army. Not from Saul, even, in the end. It came from within David’s own household. Sons who rebelled. Family who betrayed. Grief that David carried into some of the rawest psalms in Scripture.

If there’s an area of your life—your child’s life, your family’s story—where you feel the enemy is trying to steal something precious, take that as a signal, not a defeat. Jesus told us plainly in John 10:10:

"The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." 

The very fact that the enemy is fighting so hard for your kids tells you something: this is an area God desires to bless and prosper. The struggle you’re in the middle of right now is not the end of the story.

What We Do While We Wait

Last night we had small group at our house. As we shared pieces of our past with each other—openly, the way you can only do with people who’ve earned your trust—one thing stood out. Almost every one of us lived a self-focused life before we knew the Lord. We made big mistakes. We sinned in ways we still carry regret over. We hurt people we loved.

And now, decades later, sitting in that living room, our greatest longing is to see our own children walk with the Lord and skip some of the potholes we fell into. Some will. Some won’t. But God knows the end of every one of our children’s stories, even the chapters we can’t bear to read right now.

So what do we do in the meantime? I look to David again—specifically 1 Samuel 24. Chased, threatened, cornered, David didn’t respond by scheming or forcing an outcome. He asked the Lord. He prayed. He trusted that God would answer. He trusted in God’s protection, even when the protection didn’t look the way he expected.

That’s the posture I’m trying to grow into with my own kids. Not control. Not fear dressed up as concern. Not anger dressed up as truth. Prayer. Trust. 

Yet I do not wait just twiddling my thumbs. Instead, I wait, pray, and seek the Lord’s guidance. Galatians 5:16 says:

"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves." 

That’s not just an instruction for our kids—it’s for us, first. Because our sinful nature craves control just as much as theirs craves rebellion.

Truth, Yes. But Tenderness First.

Here’s something worth sitting with: when you look at whom Jesus confronted sharply in Scripture, it wasn’t the wayward, the broken, or those caught in obvious sin. It was the Pharisees—the ones convinced they were already righteous, already better, already had it figured out. The ones who were hurting, lost, and openly struggling? Jesus moved toward them with tenderness. The woman at the well. Zacchaeus up in his tree. The woman caught in adultery, kneeling in the dust.

If Jesus led with tenderness toward the wandering, who am I to lead with anything less toward my own children?

This doesn’t mean we stay silent about truth. Love doesn’t mean pretending sin isn’t sin, or that consequences aren’t real. But it does mean the way we speak that truth matters as much as the truth itself. 

Friend, share your heart instead of your fear. Show your kids, again and again, that you’re there to love them—not to fix them, not to control them, not to win an argument with them—simply to love them, the way the Lord loves us in our own wandering seasons.

Fixing Our Eyes Further Out

Susan Hunt wrote something that has stuck with me for years:

That’s true for me. It’s true for you. And it’s true for our sons and daughters, even now, even in the middle of whatever hard chapter they’re writing.

Answered prayers for our children don’t sprout from quick fixes, ultimatums, or the perfect confrontation delivered at exactly the right moment. They grow from years of looking ahead—eyes fixed on Jesus and the future He has in store, unwavering, even when the present looks nothing like the promise.

So tonight, if your phone lights up at 11:47 p.m., or if you’re simply lying awake worrying about a choice your child is making in plain daylight, let me leave you with this: speak truth, but let mercy soften it. Set boundaries, but let love carry them. And above everything else, invite the Holy Spirit into the room before you open your mouth.

Jesus is the only one who’s ever truly changed a heart. Mine included.

A Prayer for the Parent’s Heart

Heavenly Father, thank You that You love my children even more than I do. In the moments when fear threatens to overtake me, wrap my heart in Your peace. Soften my words with Your mercy, ground my spirit in Your truth, and remind me that only Your Holy Spirit can truly change a heart. Help me to let go of control, to trust You with every step of my children’s journey, and to keep building bridges of love back to You. Give me grace for today and unwavering hope for tomorrow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

Have you ever hit a wall where you weren’t just physically tired, but deeply, completely worn down in your soul?

I’ve been there more times than I can count. Between caring for my elderly in-laws, supporting troubled teens through heavy seasons, managing the needs of a large extended family, and keeping up with writing deadlines, there are days when the sheer weight of it all makes me feel like I’m sinking. It’s like trying to carry a towering stack of overfilled bags through a crowded room. One bag is family care, another is caregiving, another is ministry, and another is the endless emotional and mental load of supporting those going through real pain. Just when you think you have them balanced, something shifts—a sudden crisis, a hard conversation, or pure physical exhaustion—and every single bag tumbles to the ground.

In those moments, the emotional demand feels too loud, the needs feel too heavy, and even the smallest decision feels overwhelming.

If you are standing in that space today, if your soul is feeling overstimulated, emotionally drained, and running on empty, I want to share a gentle truth: you were never created to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.

Share the Load

When we are overstimulated and exhausted, our instinct is often to push harder. We tell ourselves that if we just organize a little better, stay up a little later, or try a little harder, we can keep all the plates spinning. We fall into the trap of believing that if we don’t hold everything together, it will all fall apart.

But there is a vast difference between physical fatigue that a good night’s sleep can fix and the deep soul-weariness that comes from carrying burdens we were never meant to bear alone.

Jesus recognized this exact kind of exhaustion. He didn’t offer a quick-fix checklist or demand that we pull ourselves up by our bootstraps. Instead, He offered an invitation:

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." — Matthew 11:28-30

Notice the imagery Jesus uses here. A yoke joins two oxen together so they can share a load. When Jesus asks us to take His yoke, He isn’t adding another task to your already overflowing to-do list. He is offering to step into the harness with you. He takes the heavy side of the load, matching His steady, gentle stride to our weary pace.

Finding Stillness in the Middle of the Noise

When everything feels like too much, “getting away from it all” isn’t always an option. The caregiving duties remain, the emotional needs of our teenagers don’t pause, and the responsibilities of family life don’t vanish just because we are tired.

Resting in Jesus doesn’t mean the daily tasks go away; it means our internal environment changes even while the external environment stays busy.

"Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10

Being still doesn’t require a quiet house or an entire weekend away. In the middle of caregiving, walking alongside hurting teens, and managing a home, being still can simply mean taking a deep breath, stepping back for thirty seconds, and reminding your soul: God is God, and I am not.

It means releasing the illusion that you have to fix everything or manage it all perfectly. Lysa TerKeurst expressed this so well when she wrote that God might allow more than you can handle, but He will never leave you to deal with it alone. When you run completely out of your own strength and discover you are still standing—that isn’t your stamina. That is the miracle of God’s sustaining presence.

3 Small Ways to Swap Weariness for Peace Today

If you are feeling completely overstimulated and worn down right now, try these three simple shifts:

1. Drop One Optional Bag: Give yourself permission to let go of an unnecessary expectation today. Say no to an extra commitment, simplify dinner, or pause a non-essential task.
2. Practice a 60-Second Reset: When emotional overload strikes, step into a quiet room or close your eyes. Inhale deeply, release your physical tension, and whisper Matthew 11:28: “Jesus, I bring You my heavy load.”
3. Look for the Small Moments of Grace: Even on the hardest days of caregiving and parenting, God scatters tiny gifts of joy—a quiet laugh, a moment of connection, or a peaceful sunset. Focusing on those small grace-notes softens the weight of a heavy day.

You are going to make it through this season—not because you are strong enough on your own, but because the Lord holding your hand is infinitely strong, endlessly gentle, and ready to carry the weight with you.

A Prayer for the Weary and Overwhelmed Heart

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You today completely exhausted, overstimulated, and worn down. The demands of my life feel so heavy, and the emotional weight of caring for those I love feels like more than my soul can bear. Forgive me for trying to hold everything together in my own limited strength. Today, I lay down my heavy bags at Your feet. I accept Your invitation to take Your yoke upon me, trusting that You are stepping into the harness right beside me. Fill my heart with Your supernatural peace, grant rest to my weary soul, and remind me that I am never walking through this season alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Journal Prompts

• What is one heavy emotional burden or expectation you are carrying today that you can surrender back to Jesus?
• Where in your daily caregiving and parenting routine can you build in a 60-second pause to practice being still before God?
• How does knowing Jesus walks alongside you change the way you view your current responsibilities?

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

Every homeschool mom needs a little pick-me-up. I love being there for my kids and facilitating their learning process, but even with decades of experience, I can still get a bit frazzled.

If you know a homeschooling mom in your community, church, or co-op, here is one of the sweetest things you can do to make her week: send her a care package! A while back, I asked the wonderful moms on my Facebook page what they would love to find in a gift basket created just for them.

Whether you are looking to assemble a physical basket or simply want to offer a gentle act of service, here are some of the absolute best ideas straight from veteran homeschool moms:

1. Daily Encouragement & Inspiration for the Homeschool Mom

Homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint, and daily reminders of God’s truth help keep our hearts aligned during challenging afternoons.

• Devotionals & Journals: A cute devotional journal or a book of encouraging quotes and scriptures.
• Personalized Notes: A handwritten letter assuring her that her investment matters.
• Wall Art: A small plaque or framed print for her desk or wall with an uplifting quote or verse.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9

2. Practical Homeschool Mom Supplies

Ask any homeschool mom—fresh, colorful office supplies are a legit love language!

• The “Good” Pens: Fancy colored pens, thick and thin dry-erase markers, and a fresh pack of Sharpies.
• Planning Gear: Sticky flags for marking curriculum pages, a homeschool lesson planner, and fun reward stickers or stars.
• Dream Classroom Tools: A personal laminator, earplugs, or gift cards to local teacher stores and Christian bookstores.

3. Rest & Cozy Refreshment

When the school day wraps up, helping a mom unwind is one of the greatest gifts you can offer.

• Coffee & Tea: A gift card to her favorite local coffee shop, a cute mug, or a selection of calming Earl Grey and chamomile teas.
• Comforts: A warm throw blanket for read-aloud time, fuzzy socks, fine chocolate, or soothing lavender lotion.
• Self-Care Vouchers: A gift certificate for a haircut, mani-pedi, or facial.

4. The Ultimate Gift for the Homeschool Mom: Time & Service

Sometimes the most meaningful item in a homeschool mom care package isn’t a physical product at all—it’s the gift of a helping hand.

• Childcare Vouchers: A coupon for a 90-minute weekly break or an evening of childcare so she can run errands or sit somewhere peaceful.
• Home-Cooked Meals: A coupon for a homemade dinner brought to her door or a week’s worth of baked goods.
• Practical Help: Offering a day of laundry service or stepping in to sub or help with schoolwork for an afternoon.

The Power of Community

In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul writes, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Homeschooling is a beautiful calling, but it was never meant to be done in isolation. When we reach out to lift up another mom—whether through a surprise cup of coffee, a pack of fresh laminating sheets, or an hour of babysitting—we are reflecting Christ’s love in a deeply practical way.

A Prayer for the Homeschooling Mom

Lord, thank You for the incredible calling of homeschooling and for the privilege of discipling our children day by day. On the days when energy runs low and the to-do list feels overwhelming, grant us Your peace and patience. Surround every homeschool mom with a supportive community that offers encouragement, practical help, and gentle reminders of Your grace. Strengthen our hearts, renew our joy, and remind us that our labor in You is never in vain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What about you? What would you love to receive in a homeschool mom care package? Share your favorite ideas in the comments below!

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

Homeschool moms, I hear you. You want your teen son reading — really reading, not just skimming a required chapter before he darts back outside. You want a story clean enough that you don’t have to preview every page, faith-affirming enough that it reinforces what you’re already building into him at home, and gripping enough that he forgets he’s “doing school” at all.

That’s exactly why I want to put The Dogs of War by Emily Hayse on your radar. I recently sat down with Emily to talk about this Realm Award-winning novel. It’s part 1930s industrial drama, part gladiator epic, part underdog sports story, with just enough sci-fi tech thrown in to keep your teen turning the pages. 

This is the first book in her War Games trilogy, and it checks nearly every box on a homeschool parent’s wish list: clean, immersive, action-driven, and built on a theme our sons need modeled for them again and again — brotherhood that costs something.

A Story Built for Reluctant Teen Readers

Let’s be honest. A lot of “clean” fiction for teens skews gentle, and gentle doesn’t always win over a fourteen-year-old boy. The Dogs of War doesn’t have that problem. The world feels like industrial-era America ruled by an empire obsessed with its national sport. This world is as consumed by it as ancient Rome was by the gladiator games. Two teams of thirteen collide in matches that are part capture-the-flag, part rugby, part controlled chaos, with armor, strategy, and real stakes on the line. It’s physical. It’s tense. It moves.

And that’s by design. Emily set out to take everything compelling about real sports — courage, leadership, split-second sacrifice — and put it in front of readers who’d normally never pick up a sports book. It’s working on the other end, too: some of her most devoted fans are people who claim to dislike sports altogether, and still can’t put this story down. If that formula works on skeptical adults, it’s a strong bet for a teen who’d rather be doing almost anything but “required reading.”

The Brotherhood at the Heart of It

Here’s the part that makes this book worth handing to your teen son specifically: underneath the action, The Dogs of War is really a story about a band of brothers.

Jackson Van starts the book with everything. He has status, a shot at the championship, the admiration of everyone except his own captain. Then he takes a fall that isn’t entirely his fault, and the only way back is through the Iron City, a team and a place written off by everyone. Atlas Bolton, a strategist with nothing left to prove, volunteers to take the blame for a loss that wasn’t his either — because someone has to, and he’d rather it be him than one of his men. Taking command of the Iron City Wolves should be the end of his career. Instead, it becomes the beginning of something worth fighting for.

What surprises readers most, according to Emily, isn’t the strategy or the action scenes — it’s the brotherhood. It’s the quiet, un-glamorous moments of one guy taking a hit so another doesn’t have to. It’s a locker room full of men who’d do anything for one another, built through hardship rather than comfort. That’s exactly the kind of picture of loyalty, sacrifice, and community we want our sons absorbing — not as a lecture, but as a story they can’t put down.

Teen Loyalty That Runs Deeper Than Convenience

The Golden City and the Iron City aren’t just two settings. They’re two competing pictures of what loyalty looks like. Emily compares it to the Palio di Siena, the centuries-old Italian horse race where entire city districts hold loyalties so fierce they can split families. In The Dogs of War, that same intensity plays out between privilege and grit, between a team that’s used to winning and one that’s forgotten how to win. It’s the underdogs, the ones with the least reason to trust each other, who end up building the deepest bonds.

It’s a picture worth sitting with: sometimes the hardest circumstances produce the strongest community. That’s a conversation starter in itself for a family discussion after the last page.

More Than the Games

Book two, Bolton’s Boys, dives even deeper into the Wolves — their backstories, their growing bond, and a match played entirely in the dark, with fans watching through night-vision goggles while the players fight blind. Book three turns more political as the team’s success threatens the empire’s delicate balance of power. It’s a trilogy with real momentum, which is exactly what you want when you’ve finally found the book that gets your son to keep reading past bedtime.

If The Dogs of War Is a Hit With Your Teen, Try These Next

Once your teen son is hooked on stories of brotherhood, sacrifice, and faith-shaped courage, here are a few more clean, character-driven reads worth putting in his hands:

• The Kingdom Series by Chuck Black — A beloved homeschool staple. Medieval allegory of knights bound together by loyalty to their King, with clear echoes of the gospel woven throughout, never feeling preachy.
• Guns of Thunder by Douglas Bond — Christian historical fiction set in the pre-Revolutionary War era, following young men forged by hardship, faith, and fierce loyalty to one another.
• Dragons in Our Midst by Bryan Davis — A Christian fantasy series with strong themes of courage and self-sacrifice, popular with teen boys who love action alongside faith.
• The Door Within Trilogy by Wayne Thomas Batson — Christian fantasy adventure built around a tight-knit band of unlikely heroes and the cost of standing together against overwhelming odds.
• Code of Silence series by Tim Shoemaker — Clean, faith-infused mystery and suspense following a group of friends navigating real moral stakes together.

Every one of these leans on the same formula that makes The Dogs of War work so well: real stakes, real brotherhood, and a faith-based foundation that shapes the story rather than lecturing the reader. These books are especially great for teens who are reluctant readers, sports fans, or both. 

Connect with Emily Hayse

Catch Emily on Instagram at @songsofheroes or visit emilyhayse.com for more. One important note from the author herself: her last name is spelled H-A-Y-S-E, not Hayes — search it wrong, and you’ll land on a different author entirely. Her books are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and if your library doesn’t carry them yet, request a copy — a simple way to support the author and help more families discover this story.

If you’ve been hunting for a book that will actually get your son reading, friends, it might be time to send him to the Iron City.

Until next time — happy reading!

Tricia

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

As our children step into adulthood, our role as parents changes dramatically. We move from directing their daily steps to watching from the sidelines as they make their own decisions, navigate careers, build relationships, and manage life’s heavy pressures.

And if we are honest, that transition can bring moments where fear tries to creep in.

We lie awake at night and wonder: Are they walking closely with the Lord? Are they surrounded by friends who encourage their faith? How are they handling the stress and anxiety of the world?

Those quiet concerns are completely natural. But when we catch ourselves spiraling into worry, we have a higher calling: we can turn our anxieties into intercession.

We may no longer have control over their choices, but we always have access to the Heavenly Father who loves our adult children even more than we do.

Here are three powerful scripture anchors from 2 Corinthians to guide your prayers as you release your adult children into God’s capable hands.

1. Pray for Their Pure and Undivided Devotion to Christ

The Apostle Paul understood the deep ache of wanting those he cared about to stay tethered to Jesus. He wrote to the believers in Corinth with a shepherd’s heart:

Scripture Anchor: "But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent." — 2 Corinthians 11:3

Our first and most important prayer for our adult kids is for their spiritual core. The world is full of subtle distractions, cultural pressures, and deceptive ideas that try to pull their hearts away from simple faith.

How to Pray:

• Ask God to protect their minds from cultural lies and moral compromise.
• Pray that they will cultivate a deep hunger for God’s Word and daily prayer.
• Ask the Lord to surround them with godly mentors, Christian friends, and a solid local church community.
• Pray for your own heart—that you will continue to model a life of genuine, joyful faith before them.

A Fill-in-the-Blank Prayer for Spiritual Protection

Heavenly Father, I come to You today with a heart full of love for my adult child. I lift up [Name] into Your care. Lord, protect [Name]’s pure and undivided devotion to Jesus. Guard their heart and mind against the subtle lies of the enemy and the pull of the world. Draw [Name] close to You every single day. Give them a desire to seek You through Scripture and prayer, surround them with wise, faith-filled friends, and guide their choices. Strengthen my own faith so that I can lead by example. Thank You for loving [Name] even more than I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

2. Pray for Their Mental and Emotional Health

The struggles our children faced growing up don’t automatically disappear when they turn twenty-one. In fact, the pressures of adult life—financial stress, career demands, relational hurts, and modern anxieties—can feel overwhelming.

In a culture that demands constant perfection and self-sufficiency, Paul offers a radical, comforting perspective:

Scripture Anchor: "Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (See also 2 Corinthians 11:30)

We don’t have to pray that our children never face hardship; instead, we can pray that when they hit moments of weakness or anxiety, they will lean into God’s all-sufficient grace instead of trying to carry the load alone.

How to Pray:

• Pray that they find their ultimate worth and identity in Christ, not in their achievements or perfection.
• Ask the Lord to trade their anxiety for His supernatural peace.
• Pray that they won’t be crushed by failure or feelings of inadequacy, but will trust God’s strength in their weak moments.

A Fill-in-the-Blank Prayer for Emotional Peace

Lord, I lift up [Name] to You today. You know the silent burdens, insecurities, and anxieties they carry. I ask that You anchor [Name]’s identity firmly in Your love. When they feel overwhelmed or inadequate, remind them that Your grace is sufficient and Your power is made perfect in their weakness. Replace their fear with hope, their anxiety with peace, and their exhaustion with Your joy. Help me to rest in Your grace as well, trusting You to care for their emotional and mental well-being. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

3. Pray for Their Courage to Stand Boldly for Truth

Our goal as Christian parents isn’t just that our adult children avoid major life pitfalls—it’s that they become bright lights in a dark world. We want them to live with unwavering integrity and conviction.

Paul gives us a powerful line of resolve in 2 Corinthians:

Scripture Anchor: "For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth." — 2 Corinthians 13:8

Standing for biblical truth takes real courage today. It requires our adult children to align their actions, words, and daily decisions with God’s Word, even when it’s unpopular.

How to Pray:

• Pray that God’s Word remains the unshakable foundation for every decision they make.
• Ask for the Holy Spirit to give them courage to speak truth with gentleness, grace, and love.
• Pray that their lifestyle, work ethic, and character will point others directly to Christ.

A Fill-in-the-Blank Prayer for Courage and Integrity

Heavenly Father, I pray that [Name] will stand boldly for Your truth in a confused world. Make Your Word an unshakable foundation for their life. Give [Name] the courage to live with deep integrity, to make choices that honor You, and to speak Your truth with grace and wisdom. Let their life be a shining testimony of Your goodness that inspires others. Give me that same courage in my own daily walk. Thank You for guiding our family with Your unchanging truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Releasing the Weight

Parenting doesn’t end when our children grow up—it simply evolves into a ministry of prayer.

Whenever worry tries to steal your peace today, let it be a prompt to drop to your knees. When we continually surrender our adult kids to the Father, we can trade our fear for a quiet confidence, knowing that the God who began a good work in them is faithful to complete it.

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

Teaching real-life skills in our homeschool goes far beyond textbooks. Going grocery shopping, meal planning, and learning to cook are essential ways we build confidence, teamwork, and practical math and science skills in our children. While standard kitchen prep can sometimes feel like just another daily chore, step back and compare it to WWII family life: our modern trips to the grocery store look vastly different than what families experienced decades ago.

Stepping into history through cooking provides a tangible way to teach our kids about resourcefulness and gratitude.

Learning Gratitude in the Kitchen Through WWII Rationing

During World War II, food rationing changed how American families ate every single day. Items like sugar (rationed from May 1942 to 1947), coffee, meat, butter, cheese, and processed foods were limited so that troops overseas had enough supplies.

In my historical novel Where Treetops Glisten, my character Meredith serves as a nurse on the war front. Stationed in The Netherlands during Christmas of 1945, she witnesses the “Hunger Winter,” where food was critically scarce. While conditions in the United States were not as severe, home front families sacrificed daily. Connecting these history lessons to our own kitchen tables gives our kids a fresh appreciation for God’s abundant provision.

As Philippians 4:19 reminds us, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus."

Resourceful Recipes: Victory Garden Baking

Rationing inspired incredible resourcefulness. Recipe ads, wartime booklets, and Victory Garden cookbooks showed home cooks how to bake treats using garden vegetables and pantry staples to save on rationed butter, flour, and sugar.

One ingenious recipe from the era is Chocolate Potato Cake. Adding mashed potatoes added moisture and texture to the cake without relying on heavy amounts of rationed fats. It’s an adventurous history lesson you can taste in your own kitchen!

Kids in the Kitchen: Hands-On Learning Tasks

Preschool – Early Elementary (Ages 3–7)

• Potato Masher: Mash warm boiled potatoes until completely smooth.
• Dry Ingredient Helper: Scoop and measure flour, cocoa powder, and spices into small bowls.

Upper Elementary (Ages 8–11)

• Sifting Specialist: Sift dry ingredients together to eliminate lumps and incorporate spices.
• Batter Mixer: Alternate adding dry ingredients and liquid to the potato mixture while stirring.
• History Discussion: Talk about why sugar, butter, and canned goods were limited during the war.

Middle & High Schoolers (Ages 12+)

• Oven Master: Preheat the oven, grease the baking pan, and monitor the cake while it bakes.
• Pantry Historian: Compare WWII ingredient limits to your modern pantry staples to reflect on daily blessings.

A Taste of History: WWII Chocolate Potato Cake

• Prep Time: 15 Minutes
• Bake Time: 35 Minutes
• Servings: 8–10

Ingredients:

• ½ cup vegetable shortening or butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup plain warm mashed potatoes
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup milk or water

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prep the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8×8-inch baking pan.
2. Cream Base: In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
3. Add Potatoes: Stir in the warm, plain mashed potatoes until well combined.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.
5. Mix & Bake: Alternately add the dry mixture and liquid to the potato mixture, stirring until smooth. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes (until a toothpick comes out clean).

Discussion Questions for Your Homeschool Kitchen

• Gratitude Focus: What is one ingredient in our kitchen pantry today that we take for granted?
• Resourcefulness: Why do you think using potatoes in a cake recipe helped families stretch their ration coupons?
• Service & Sacrifice: How did families at home support the troops during World War II through small daily sacrifices?

A Prayer of Thanks for Family Blessings

Lord, thank You for Your faithful provision and for meeting all our needs. Help us teach our children to appreciate the abundance we have and to use our blessings to serve others. May our kitchen be filled with gratitude, learning, and fellowship. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

Raise your hand if your homeschool has ever felt less like “Little House on the Prairie” and more like “Lord of the Flies.”

I remember one particular Monday that broke me. The dishwasher was humming, math books were open, and the air was thick with tension. My youngest was crying over phonics, convinced that the letter ‘A’ was a personal enemy. One of the teenagers had just stormed off because I “didn’t get it.” And me? I was hiding in the pantry, tears mingling with a handful of chocolate chips I was stress-eating straight from the bag.

In that moment, the voice in my head was loud and cruel:

You are failing them.

You aren’t patient enough.

You aren’t smart enough.

They would be better off in school.

If you are hiding in your own version of the pantry today, I need you to know you aren’t alone. And more importantly, I need you to know that that voice is a liar.

5 Truths to Anchor Your Heart 

When the feelings of failure rise, anchor yourself in these truths.

1. “Behind” is a Myth.

We often feel we are failing because we aren’t keeping up with the public school schedule. But as homeschool mentor Sarah Mackenzie, author of Teaching from Rest,  wisely reminds us, “Curriculum is not something you buy, it is something you teach.” You cannot be “behind” on your own custom journey. If you need to spend three weeks on multiplication because your child needs it, that isn’t failure. That is parenting, friend! And how amazing that you have the time to spend with your child in this way.

The story that I shared at the beginning of this article happened a decade ago. The child who struggled with reading is now driving and starting esthetician school at age sixteen. And that moody teen who felt so frustrated with her schoolwork has a college degree, is a mom, and works as a therapist for children with special needs. 

I am so proud of them both. And I have a feeling your children will do amazing things, too. Don’t let this snapshot of the present cloud your vision of the future. God makes so many things happen in the lives of His children — yours and theirs.

2. Your Weakness is God’s Workspace.

We think our impatience or lack of organization disqualifies us. Sally Clarkson, a sweet mentor in the homeschool world, often shares this reminder: “Your failures do not define you. God knew exactly who He was choosing to be the mother of your children.” He didn’t choose a perfect version of you. He chose you, trusting that His grace would be sufficient for your gaps.

For many years I believed that homeschooling was what God could do for my children. All these years later, I realize that it was also about what He could do through me and for me, too! 

3. Relationship Trumps Rigor.

I have never met a homeschool graduate who said, “I wish my mom had yelled more about finishing that science diorama.” But I have met many who said, “I’m so glad my mom listened to me.” If the math lesson is destroying your relationship, close the book. The relationship is the bridge all learning crosses. If the bridge is broken, the facts won’t get across anyway.

I learned long ago that when kids’ emotional brains are “on,” their thinking brains are turned off. Whenever emotions are high, learning stops. Since pushing through won’t get you anywhere, it’s a good time to pause, pray, and take a break. 

It’s also a great opportunity to discover whether something needs attention. This is not a sign of failure. It’s a sign of growth. And know that in that moment, what you’re offering is the chance to take a break, reconnect, and try again later. This is a key lesson that will be used throughout life!

4. Rest is Part of the Curriculum.

We feel guilty when we take a break, but a tired mom is a dangerous weapon. You are not wasting time when you rest. Instead, you are preparing to do the work better. 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." — Isaiah 41:10

Rest gives us time to still our minds and hearts before the Lord. This is not an optional part of the curriculum. It’s the most important part. When we rest, the Lord strengthens us and helps us to do the work better.

5. Comparison is the Thief of Joy.

You are comparing your chaotic Monday morning to someone else’s curated Instagram highlight reel. Stop it. Their kids cry over math, too. God didn’t call you to parent or homeschool someone else’s children. He entrusted yours uniquely to you.

When you focus on another mom and her highlight reel, you miss the quiet, beautiful victories happening inside your own home. Yet when we compare we often compare our weaknesses to other people’s strengths. Then, because we believe that we could never live up, the worries become bigger than all the things going right.

The Shame Spiral

As the worries grow, they often grow into shame. We take every small challenge as a sign that there’s something wrong with us.

There is a massive difference between Guilt and Shame.

• Guilt says: “I lost my temper today. I made a mistake.”
• Shame says: “I lost my temper today. I am a mistake.”

Guilt is a helpful signal. It tells us we moms need to apologize or change a tactic. Yet shame goes deeper. It makes us feel fundamentally flawed and incapable. The thing is that all of it comes from our own thoughts, of not feeling as if we are enough.

When you feel like you are failing as a homeschool mom, check your self-talk. Are you trying to fix a behavior (guilt), or are you tearing down your identity (shame)? Your bad day does not cancel out your calling. You are a brave parent doing hard, holy work. Do not let shame steal your seat at the table.

Tiny Habits for a Reset

• The “Stop-Drop-and-Read” Reset: When the atmosphere gets difficult or charged, stop all schoolwork. Drop onto the couch. Read a picture book aloud (even to teenagers). It can reset the tone of a room immediately.
• The “One Thing” Rule: On bad days, pick just one thing to accomplish (e.g., “We will do one math page”). Once it’s done, celebrate the victory. Some days you just need to lower the bar until you can clear it.
• The 10-Minute Quiet Time: Institute a mandatory “Quiet Time” after lunch. Everyone (including you, Mom!) goes to their separate corners for 20 minutes. No talking. It gives you the headspace to finish the day without exploding.

Step Out of the Pantry

So, the next time you find yourself hiding in the pantry, stress-eating chocolate chips and listening to that cruel voice whispering that you are failing, take a deep breath. Dust off the crumbs, quiet your heart, and remember these truths. You are not failing. Instead, you are parenting, teaching, and growing alongside your children. Your weaknesses are simply the places where God’s perfect grace shows up most clearly.

Scripture & Prayer

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Prayer:

Father, I feel empty today. I feel like I am messing this up and failing the children You gave me. Please silence the voice of the accuser. Remind me that my worth is not found in a checked-off to-do list, but in You. Fill my cup so I can pour out grace to my family. Help me to trust that You are working in the mess. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

When God first called me to lead a mission trip to the Czech Republic in 2007, all I could focus on was the immense task. As I looked at the road ahead, the logistics were staggering. I worried about raising funds, preparing a team, and coordinating travel across the globe. The calling felt incredibly heavy.

But if I’m being completely honest, that heavy feeling wasn’t new to me. In fact, carrying heavy things was a lifestyle I had perfected decades earlier.

The Gen X Armor of Self-Reliance

I was a Gen-Xer. Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, self-reliance wasn’t just a trait. It was survival. When I was just nine years old, my daily routine included picking up my little brother from kindergarten and walking him home—just the two of us, walking a few miles alone on a secluded path, over active railroad tracks, and down Main Street for goodness sake. 

By the time I was twelve, I was babysitting multiple kids at a time. I did all my homework myself, without anyone checking it or pushing me. As soon as I could work, I got a job to pay for my own gas, buy my own school clothes, and purchase whatever else I needed. That’s just how things were. The unspoken rule of my childhood was simple: If I didn’t do it, no one would. 

Brené Brown often talks about the ways we “armor up” to protect ourselves from vulnerability. For me, and perhaps for many of you, self-reliance was my armor. When we experience seasons where we feel unprotected or overwhelmed, we build a heavy, steel wall of independence. We tell ourselves that needing help is a weakness, and that taking care of our own problems is the only way to stay safe. We wear our exhaustion like a badge of honor, whispering to ourselves, “I’ve got this. I have to.”

Carrying the Hustle into Faith

The trouble is, when we dedicate our lives to God, we don’t automatically leave our armor at the altar. When I surrendered my life to Christ, I brought that exact same Gen X, “do-it-all-myself” mentality with me. I believed it was entirely up to me to be good, righteous, and loving. I stepped into the Kingdom of God still striving, believing that my main job was to serve God flawlessly and work hard to make Him proud. My relationship with the Creator became another project to manage, another checklist to conquer. Maybe you can relate.

Have you ever felt that suffocating pressure in your chest, believing that the entire spiritual universe will collapse if you stop striving for even a second? Did you ever wonder if God is pleased with your frantic, weary service, or if He is actually grieved that you are trying to carry a calling He never asked you to bear?

The Myth of Our Own Strength

We often look at the hard things of God as burdensome. When the Lord places an assignment before us—like leading a mission trip across the world or navigating a difficult season at home—the sheer gravity of it can feel overwhelming. We look at our own limitations and wonder how we will ever carry the load. But our human effort was never meant to be the engine of God’s work.

As the beloved author Catherine Marshall once wrote in her reflections on surrender,

“God is the only one who can take all you are and make it more than you ever imagined.”

There is more good news that we can take heart in, too: God always gives us enough time to do His will.

If we are constantly running out of time, energy, and strength, perhaps we are trying to squeeze in expectations that aren’t His will. My sweet friend Holley Gerth also exposes this deep struggle in her book, You’re Already Amazing:

“After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” (quoting Galatians 3:3). She gently reminds us: “God has the ultimate word on who you are—not your spouse, friends, parents, co-workers, or spiritual leaders or even you. And He declares you’re loved, valuable, accepted, and irreplaceable.”

We don’t have to perform to earn the love of the Father. We don’t have to strive to make Him proud. We are already His.

From Crushing Weight to the Weight of a Feather

Out of curiosity, I recently searched my Bible for the exact phrase “weight of a feather.” While those exact words aren’t there, the imagery resonates deeply with the Christian walk. The Bible frequently discusses scales and balances, reminding us that it is God who gives us our true calling, judges our worth, not our parents, our bosses, our friends, or even ourselves. 

We see this weightiness in Daniel 5:27, where King Belshazzar was “weighed in the balances” and found wanting. Yet, God’s standards are not those of the world. In Ezekiel 45:10, He calls for “honest scales” and accurate weights, establishing that His integrity is the true measure by which we are evaluated. 

Knowing that the Lord alone holds the balance releases us from the crushing pressure of human expectations. When we trust Him to define our value and our calling rather than relying on the shifting metrics of worldly success or opinion, we experience the profound relief of knowing that we are found cherished and secure in His kingdom—light as a feather, held by His grace.

The renowned preacher Charles Spurgeon beautifully warned believers not to trust even the weight of a feather to earthly comforts. Countless theologians remind us of this beautiful truth:

“Our human effort cannot add the weight of a feather to the finished grace of the cross.”

God’s calling is never meant to be carried in our own strength. When we walk with God, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the hard things He gives us.

That is exactly what happened on our trip to the Czech Republic. When I finally surrendered my checklist, opened my hands, and let the Spirit lead, we received divine wisdom and strength. God provided more than we could have ever imagined. He paved the way step by step. He provided the grace and resources we needed, exactly when we needed them.

Those heavy burdens became deep joys! What I once considered a crushing weight transformed into the weight of a feather.

When we rely on Him, He lifts the load. When we surrender our heavy, self-reliant assignments to the Lord, the Holy Spirit equips us for the sky. The hard things simply become the wind carrying us upward.

God promises this very transformation in Isaiah 40:31:

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (NIV).

Let Go of the Armor

When the Holy Spirit empowers our steps, the heaviest burdens become the weight of a feather.

The next time you face a calling that feels too heavy to bear, or when that old, familiar whisper tells you that you have to take care of it all on your own, remember that you are not carrying it alone. You don’t have to armor up anymore. You can lay down the heavy shield of self-reliance and rest in His finished work.

Allow the Holy Spirit to give you the wisdom and strength you need. You might just find yourself soaring. Looking back on that 2007 mission trip to the Czech Republic, I realize it wasn’t just a journey across the world—it was the beginning of learning to let God carry what I was never meant to hold alone. When we surrender our heavy calling into His capable hands, the weight transforms, and what once felt impossible becomes a joy carried by the gentle wind of His grace.

Reflection Questions to Take Deeper:

1. Where are you currently relying on your own strength instead of His Spirit?
2. What “armor of self-reliance” from your past is God asking you to lay down today?
3. How can you practice resting in His finished grace this week?

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us too much to let us carry life’s heavy burdens alone. Help us put on the armor of self-reliance and trust in Your complete grace. Teach us to step out in faith, knowing that Your Spirit will give us strength, wisdom, and rest for every calling You place on our hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

The kitchen has always been the heartbeat of a homeschool home. As a mother of ten, I have spent decades standing over a stove, turning humble ingredients into meals that sustained my family through our seasons of life and learning. One of those recipes is my Grandma Lita’s Albondigas. While I am not a culinary professional, the lessons I learned from my grandmother’s table have shaped my understanding of what it means to truly nourish those we love.

I shared this recipe with my Heart Happy readers a couple of months ago, but today I want to share it with my fellow homeschool parents. When we gather around a table with our children, we are doing something far more significant than simply consuming calories or taking a lunch break from math lessons; we are participating in a rich tradition of hospitality, discipleship, and heritage.

The Aroma of Grace at the Altar

In the ancient stories of the Old Testament, the altar was the bridge between heaven and earth. When the people of Israel brought their sacrifices, Leviticus 3:16 calls them “a food offering with a pleasing aroma.” The sacrifices weren’t meant to be lonely acts; they were shared meals around the fire where families gathered to eat. It was a physical, tangible reminder of God’s mending grace.

It teaches our children a vital lesson: our sustenance comes from Him. Every meal shared at our table traces back to the hand of the Giver. When we invite our kids into the kitchen to prepare food, we are helping them remember that we are sustained by a God who loves to sit at the table with us.

The Table of Grace and Hospitality

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus flipped the script on how the world views meals. In Luke 14:12–14, He tells His followers to open their doors to those who have nothing to offer in return. On the hillside with five thousand hungry people, Jesus took a child’s humble lunch of loaves and fishes, blessed it, and made it more than enough.

Whether He was reclining in a quiet home or breaking bread on a dusty hillside, Jesus taught us that every meal is an opportunity to extend grace and offer a seat to someone who needs to know they are loved. When we teach our children to cook and serve, we are showing them how to turn a simple meal into a sermon of love.

A Taste of Heritage

Recipes can be copied, but your family’s story never can. The smell of simmering broth, meaty albondigas, and fragrant spices transports me back to my grandmother’s kitchen, where I first learned that food is how we tell those we love that they belong.

Bonus Spanish Lesson: The word “albondigas” is Spanish for “meatballs”!

My Grandma Lita’s Albondigas recipe is a cornerstone of my family’s history. It is a humble, nourishing Mexican meatball soup that fills the home with warmth and reminds us of Luke 1:53: “He fills the hungry with good things.”

Grandma Lita’s Albondigas

Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

Soup Base:

• 10 cups water
• 4 chicken-bouillon cubes
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2–3 whole pepperoncini peppers + a splash of their juice

Meatballs:

• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• ½ Tbsp browning sauce
• 1 egg white
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 Tbsp oregano
• 1 Tbsp parsley
• ½ tsp garlic powder

Add 30 Minutes Before Serving:

• 2–3 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2–3 small potatoes, diced
• ¼ cup uncooked rice

Garnishes For Serving: Queso Fresco slices and warm corn tortillas

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start the broth: Combine all soup-base ingredients in a large pot and bring to a rolling boil.
2. Make albondigas: While the broth heats, mix meatball ingredients well and roll into golf-ball-size rounds. Drop raw meatballs into the boiling broth.
3. Simmer: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
4. Finish the soup: Add celery, carrots, potatoes, and rice. Cook 30 minutes more, until vegetables are tender and rice is done.
5. Serve: Ladle soup (about 3 meatballs per bowl) and serve with garnishes.

Tricia’s Kitchen Tip: When serving, wrap a slice of Queso Fresco and a smashed meatball in a warm tortilla for the full “Grandma” experience!

Print your copy of the recipe here!

Kids in the Kitchen: Hands-On Learning Tasks

Preschool – Early Elementary (Ages 3–7)

• Measuring & Spices: Measure out dried oregano, parsley, and garlic powder into small dishes.
• Meatball Rollers: Help roll the turkey mixture into small, golf-ball-sized meatballs.

Upper Elementary (Ages 8–11)

• Produce Prep: Chop celery, carrots, and potatoes with child-safe knives or direct supervision.
• Measuring Rice & Liquids: Pour and measure the 10 cups of water, tomato sauce, and uncooked rice.

Middle & High Schoolers (Ages 12+)

• Broth Master: Safely bring the broth mixture to a boil and monitor the 1-hour simmer.
• Tortilla Warmer: Warm corn tortillas on a skillet or comal to prepare for serving.

Tips for Making Your Kitchen a Place of Connection

• Prioritize Presence: Turn off the devices during meal prep and dining to let conversation flow naturally.
• Embrace Imperfection: Your table doesn’t need to look like a magazine spread. Keep the settings humble and focus on shared stories.
• Invite the Unexpected: Teach your kids to look to the margins. Invite an elderly neighbor or a friend going through a tough season to join your table.
• Start with Gratitude: Pause before the first bite to acknowledge the Giver of all good gifts.

A Prayer for Your Family Table

Lord, thank You for the gift of this table and the privilege of teaching our children in this home. Thank You for the hands that prepared this food. Bless our family with nourishment and our spirits with fellowship. As we break bread, may our home be a reflection of Your grace and a foretaste of the great banquet to come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

If you step into our home in Arkansas on any given morning, you will quickly find that my days are a beautiful, full mix of caring for family, book research, writing, and health coaching. But for years, much of my day was spent raising and educating ten children—including seven through adoption. The most I ever homeschooled at one time was seven kids, ranging from first to tenth grade. As one person, I could not have taught six or seven different grade levels at once. Instead, I found ways to help my kids help each other. Viewing our household as a collaborative team transformed the daily atmosphere from chaos to (mostly) cooperation. Here are a few battle-tested ways we cultivate teamwork and joy in our homeschool routine.

The “Buddy and Rotate” Station Method

When wrangling multiple ages, one-on-one time often felt tricky. In our home, pairing siblings strategically was a game-changer. While I sat down with a younger child for handwriting or phonics, an older sibling stepped up to help a middle child with reading or supervise a math game. We rotated these stations often. Not only did this keep little hands productively occupied, but it also built real leadership skills in older children, showing them that their contribution was vital to our family team. 

Side note: one of my daughters works as a special needs therapist. Two others work as preschool teachers for kids with special needs. Perhaps the “buddy and rotate” system gave them unique skills?

Teamwork through Cooperative Learning with a Loop Schedule

Inspired by the Charlotte Mason approach, I loved gathering the whole family together for shared learning. To keep us moving forward without stress, we relied on a loop schedule. We listed our enrichment subjects in order—such as Bible Study, a Geography map game, a history video, and read-to-me times. 

Once our core work was wrapped up, we spent twenty minutes on the next item on our loop. If a doctor’s appointment or daily routine interrupted our schedule, we simply picked up right where we left off the next day. It kept our whole crew connected and learning together on the same page.

Teamwork through Collaborative Oral Narration

Oral narration was one of our favorite tools after a shared read-aloud. Asking a child to share what they remembered allowed them to synthesize information, organize their thoughts, and speak with confidence. Of course, they didn’t understand that this was what they were doing at the time. They just thought they were answering questions orally instead of writing them down. 

I would also have them share what they’d learned with their dad—or even visiting family and friends—in the evenings. It gave my children a sense of accomplishment to share, and it helped them to see how much they were learning.

For the littlest ones, I wrote down their words or prayers in a keepsake journal. As the kids grew older, big brothers and sisters often jumped in to listen to and cheer on their younger siblings’ stories or prayers, turning everyday learning into a family victory.

Teamwork through Inclusive Activity Bins for Little Ones

To keep younger kids happily engaged alongside the rest of the crew, we created special activity bins reserved exclusively for school hours:

• Kinetic sand or play-dough with cookie cutters
• Sorting trays with large colorful pom-poms
• Water reveal coloring pads and stickers
• Pattern blocks and simple lacing cards

As they grew older, we added:

• Perler beads
• Legos
• Pattern blocks
• Watercolor

Offering these special, dedicated hands-on activities helped the youngest kids feel valued and included in the school routine alongside their big brothers and sisters.

Teamwork through Establishing Firm Daily Boundaries

One key to peace in our busy home was setting a clear finish line for seatwork. Yes, they still had to do workbooks, especially for vocabulary and spelling, and I would let them know how many pages they needed to finish that day. 

Establishing consistent daily boundaries gave everyone a shared goal to work toward. The children learned that focused diligence earned precious free time for group play, outdoor exploration, or family board games—and John and I could preserve our evenings for rest (ha, ha) and family activities

Looking back at those full mornings, I am constantly reminded that homeschooling was never meant to be a solo effort; it requires teamwork. By shifting our perspective from managing six different grades to nurturing a collaborative team, we turned what once felt like an impossible task into a feasible journey in which the kids learned together. 

Of course, we are a real family, and the journey wasn’t always seamless. There were still struggles, squabbles, and sometimes tears. Yet cultivating this team mindset was one tool that helped us keep things as smooth as possible, even amid the beautiful chaos of raising ten children.

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV) reminds us, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” When we surrender our routines to Jesus and invite our children to work together to figure things out, our daily chaos transforms into sweet sanctuary. During those years, we were building a foundation of faith, family unity, and lifelong learning that lasts far beyond the school years. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it!

If you want to take this spirit of teamwork and harmony even deeper into your home, I share more of our family’s journey in my book, The Grumble Free Year. In it, I share practical tips and honest lessons on how we traded complaining for gratitude and cooperation—helping us cultivate a peaceful, joyful environment where our homeschool and family life could truly thrive.

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

As the autumn leaves begin to turn and the cool fall breeze sweeps through, there is nothing quite like wrapping up in a warm scarf, heading out for a brisk walk, or settling into a cozy corner with a great fiction story. Between raising teens, caregiving, writing, and tending to the (just sad) garden in my hydroponic tower, finding time to sit down with a physical book is nearly impossible. That is why audiobooks are my absolute favorite way to experience stories on the go. Whether you are taking a kickboxing class, painting with watercolors, or simply raking the leaves, having a skilled narrator bring characters to life is an incredible joy.

This fall, I challenge you to trade the grumbles of daily chores for the transformational power of a great story. To help you build your ultimate fall listening list, I have put together some of my audiobooks that will capture your imagination and the real, behind-the-scenes stories of how they came to be!

1. As Sure As the Stars (Co-authored with Jennie K. Drollinger)

Listen here: As Sure As the Stars

Imagine pulling into a coffee shop drive-thru on a freezing February morning and spotting your high school rival—and first love—in the car ahead of you, thirty-two years after they broke your heart. Can a love story survive a three-decade pause?

My Behind-the-Scenes Story: This novel is incredibly special to me because it is based on the unbelievable, real-life second-chance romance of my dear friends Bryan and Jennie Drollinger! Their reunion recently captured the nation’s heart, earning them the title of “America’s Favorite Couple” alongside Jeff Goldblum and Mary Steenburgen, and even being featured in Variety! 

Jennie first met Bryan in Alaska back in 1985; they were high school rivals who eventually fell in love, were separated by life, and reconnected thirty-two years later. Their journey of faith and destiny was so moving that I knew we had to write this book together!

2. Trust the Stars

Listen here: Trust the Stars

This compelling split-time novel weaves together two unforgettable stories of faith, love, and sacrifice. In the present day, Olivia travels to Kenya and unexpectedly meets Louis, unaware that he is actually Prince Louis of Alloria. As their connection deepens, Olivia must navigate her fear of vulnerability and the intense media spotlight accompanying a royal romance. 

Parallel to their story is the heart-wrenching World War II narrative of Princess Alessandra Appiani of Savoy, an Italian princess imprisoned in Buchenwald concentration camp after risking everything to protect her family and aid the resistance. Written across two eras, the novel explores how the quiet light of faith can guide us through the darkest seasons.

My Behind-the-Scenes Story: I got the idea for the story when I heard about a princess who had been in a concentration camp during World War II. Writing this story made me reflect deeply on how we navigate seasons of transition and uncertainty. I wanted to write a high-stakes romance that captures the feeling of looking up at the night sky and trusting that God is directing our steps, even when we cannot see the road ahead.

3. The Clockwork Chronicles Trilogy (Breath of Bones, Flight of Fate, and Twist of Time – Co-authored with Nathan Goyer)

Listen here: Breath of Bones | Flight of Fate | Twist of Time

What if a Jewish newspaper reporter in Nazi-occupied Prague was connected to an assassination of the “Butcher of Prague” and had to face the legendary Golem, while also standing against the Gestapo—all in a world filled with steampunk airships, robots, and Nazi spider tanks?

My Behind-the-Scenes Story: Writing this historical fantasy trilogy with my son, Nathan, was one of the greatest joys of my life! The idea was born in a moment of pure domestic chaos: I was actually in the middle of sweeping the floor when I suddenly paused, leaned on my broom, and asked Nathan: “What do you think about writing a WWII fantasy where Prague’s ancient Golem legend is reawakened, complete with steampunk elements?” 

Nathan immediately jumped on board! We spent hours brainstorming flying airships and massive steam-driven machines, creating a thrills-and-gears adventure that homeschool families and teens love.

4. The Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors Series (The Memory Jar, The Promise Box, and The Kissing Bridge)

Listen here: The Memory Jar | The Promise Box | The Kissing Bridge

Can a glass jar packed with secret keepsake trinkets and a dream of baking “fancy” cupcakes save a failing family business—and heal a heart that has been boarded up by grief? That’s the story behind The Memory Jar.

My Behind-the-Scenes Story: For fifteen years, I lived in northwestern Montana, just an hour away from the beautiful, remote West Kootenai community. When I visited local Amish families, I was fascinated to learn that thirty to forty young bachelors arrive there every spring to obtain hunting residency status for the fall! My imagination went wild thinking about what it is like for these young men arriving from across the country—and the young women waiting for them. I combined this unique tradition with my personal love for baking to create Sarah and her “fancy” cupcakes (they called me the “Amish Cupcake Boss”!).

5. The Big Sky Series (Beside Still Waters, Beyond the Gray Mountains, and Under the Blue Skies, On Golden Cliffs)

Listen here: Beside Still Waters | Beyond the Gray Mountains | Under the Blue Skies | On Golden Cliffs)

An eighteen-year-old Amish girl has her entire Indiana life and wedding planned out until her family packs their entire lives into two boxes each and moves to the rugged, wild frontier of Montana. How do you find peace when your simple world is completely turned upside down?

My Behind-the-Scenes Story: This modern-day pioneer romance was inspired by the incredible true story of my friends Ora Jay and Irene Eash, who moved to the Amish community in Montana in 1990. After sitting around their table numerous times over many months, listening to their deep tragedies (including the loss of their two daughters in a buggy accident) and their subsequent discovery of a grace-filled, personal relationship with Jesus, I knew their courage and faith had to be shared.

You can also listen to the Ora Jay and Irene’s true story in Plain Faith. Plain Faith was written directly with Ora Jay and Irene Eash to tell their true story of leaving the Amish and finding a grace-filled faith.

Listen Here: Plain Faith

6. The Amish Mysteries & Novellas (The Buggy Before the Horse, In the Fullness of Time, An Amish Garden, and An Amish Second Christmas)

Listen here: The Buggy Before the Horse | In the Fullness of Time | An Amish Garden | An Amish Second Christmas

My Behind-the-Scenes Story: In An Amish Garden, Sadie Chupp finds her greatest joy in the greenhouses in her Montana community. A company is interested in buying her heirloom seeds, but they are the only thing she has left from her deceased parents. Eli Plank is a traveling bachelor who believes he can help Sadie, but a misunderstanding leaves her heartbroken. Will she trust him again, and let the seeds of a new relationship take root?

7. Where Treetops Glisten (Co-authored with Cara Putman and Sarah Sundin)

Listen here: Where Treetops Glisten

Three heartwarming stories of courage, healing, and romance set during World War II, where the era’s iconic Christmas songs bring hope to weary souls on the home front and on the battlefield.

My Behind-the-Scenes Story: Co-authored with my dear friends Cara Putman and Sarah Sundin, this collection of novellas was inspired by the classic Christmas songs of the World War II era—such as “White Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” We wanted to capture how music could carry families through the deepest tragedies and keep hope alive during the dark years of war.

8. Non-Fiction Favorites

Listen here: Praying for Your Future Husband | The Grumble Free Year |  Faith That Sticks | Every Little Win | Heart Happy | Prayers That Changed History | Daily Bible Reader

Real, raw, and deeply encouraging guides to finding peace, joy, and spiritual growth in the middle of life’s most chaotic moments.

My Behind-the-Scenes Story: These books are born directly from my personal journey as a mother, wife, and believer. 

Praying for Your Future Husband, co-authored with Robin Jones Gunn, was inspired by our shared desire to help young women prepare their hearts for God’s perfect timing. 

Heart Happy was written in the thick of parenting our busy household, finding joy and staying centered in God’s love through chaotic circumstances.

Listening to these faith-filled stories is a fantastic way to uplift your spirit this autumn. 

What are your favorite audiobooks to listen to as the weather cools down? Let me know in the comments below!

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

The kitchen is one of the most effective classrooms in a homeschool home. Over years of raising ten children, I’ve discovered that teaching kids to prepare simple, wholesome, homemade dishes creates practical life skills and wonderful moments of connection. While a crisp Caesar salad feels like a special treat, turning it into a family project makes it even sweeter.

When we invite our children into meal preparation, we teach them stewardship, service, and hospitality.

Homemade with Gratitude

In the Old Testament, God reminded His people to give thanks for the good things of the land. Deuteronomy 8:10 says, “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.”

Preparing a fresh, green salad allows us to pause and appreciate the wholesome ingredients God provides. From crisp Romaine to golden croutons, teaching children to build a meal from scratch helps them connect the food on their plates to the Creator who provides all good gifts.

Serving One Another in Love

Cooking together gives children an opportunity to serve their family with joy. Jesus taught us that true leadership comes through serving others. When a child tears the lettuce, whisks the dressing, or bakes croutons, they are contributing to the family table in a meaningful way.

Making an approachable homemade version of Caesar dressing—without raw eggs or anchovies—gives kids confidence in the kitchen while creating a crowd-pleasing dish everyone looks forward to sharing.

Hands-On Learning Tasks

Preschool – Early Elementary (Ages 3–7)

• Lettuce Shredders: Wash Romaine leaves and tear them into bite-sized pieces.
• Crouton Seasoners: Toss bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl.
• Dressing Whiskers: Measure mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, and seasonings into a bowl and whisk until smooth.

Upper Elementary (Ages 8–11)

• Bread Cube Master: Cut sourdough or French bread into uniform crouton cubes using a serrated knife.
• Cheese Grater: Safely grate fresh Parmesan cheese using a box grater.
• Salad Tosser: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and gently toss with the homemade dressing.

Middle & High Schoolers (Ages 12+)

• Stovetop Chef: Season chicken breasts and cook them in a skillet over medium heat until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Oven Prep: Toast the croutons in the oven at 375°F until golden brown and crispy.

Kid-Friendly Homemade Chicken Caesar Salad

This recipe simplifies traditional Caesar salad with a child-approved dressing and homemade garlic croutons that kids love to make.

• Prep Time: 20 Minutes
• Cook Time: 15 Minutes
• Servings: 6–8

Ingredients:

• Salad Base: 2 heads Romaine lettuce (washed & chopped), 1½ lbs sliced grilled or pan-seared chicken breast, 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• Homemade Garlic Croutons: 4 cups cubed French bread or sourdough, 3 Tbsp olive oil or melted butter, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp Italian seasoning, pinch of salt.
• Easy Kid-Friendly Dressing: ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup Greek yogurt (or extra mayo), 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 minced garlic clove, ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, salt & black pepper to taste.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Make the Croutons: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Toss bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt in a large bowl. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes until golden brown and crunchy. Set aside to cool.
2. Cook the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a splash of olive oil. Cook in a skillet over medium heat for 6–7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice into bite-sized strips.
3. Whisk the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until completely smooth.
4. Toss the Salad: Place the chopped Romaine lettuce into a large serving bowl. Add the cooked chicken strips, homemade garlic croutons, and extra grated Parmesan cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the top and toss gently to coat.
5. Serve & Enjoy: Divide into bowls and serve fresh at your family table!

Print the recipe here!

Tips for Making Your Kitchen a Place of Connection

• Prioritize Presence: Put away screens during prep time to let conversation flow naturally.
• Embrace Imperfection: Let the lettuce pieces be uneven and the croutons rustic. Process matters more than perfection.
• Start with Gratitude: Pause before the meal to thank God for the food and the hands that prepared it.

A Prayer for Your Family Table

Lord, thank You for the bounty You provide and the joy of working together in the kitchen to make a delicious, homemade meal. Bless this food to nourish our bodies and these moments to strengthen our family bonds. May our home always be filled with Your peace and hospitality. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

An Exciting Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made. 

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.
• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.
• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!