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!

If you have ever caught yourself staring at the clock at 2:00 PM—laundry piling up on the couch, kids bouncing off the walls, and half your homeschool lesson plan left untouched—I want to give you a gentle reminder: you are not alone. That heavy, familiar weight lands on all our shoulders at times: Am I really doing enough? Are my sweet kids falling behind?

Most of our stress comes from trying to bring a traditional classroom right onto our kitchen tables. A teacher managing twenty-five students needs seven hours just to handle line-ups, attendance, bathroom breaks, and paperwork. But at home with our children, true one-on-one teaching happens in small, beautifully effective moments.

There’s a Better (and Easier!) Way

When I first began to homeschool my oldest, I assumed our days would stretch into endless hours. I felt so much relief when I realized how unnecessary that was. Just fifteen minutes of your focused love and attention accomplishes what might take hours in a crowded classroom, where lessons have to move at a single pace for a large group.

When we build our days around real relationships and natural homeschool rhythms instead of rigid hourly schedules, real learning blossoms. Instead of racing against an unforgiving clock, we open up space for true connection, joyful discovery, and heart-to-heart conversations.

When your homeschool schedule fits the heartbeat of your unique family, learning becomes a welcoming, shared adventure rather than a stressful checklist. By gathering together for core subjects, keeping individual lessons brief, and leaning into a flexible rhythm, your entire home can thrive without the exhausting burnout.

How to Homeschool Multiple Ages Without Replicating the Classroom

1. Group Subjects: One Table, Multiple Ages

Teaching several children doesn’t mean you have to run four different schools under one roof. Trying to maintain entirely separate programs for every subject and child is a quick path to complete mama exhaustion.

Learning together brings such sweet unity to our homeschool mornings. You can all cozy up around the table with a Morning Basket to read wonderful stories, memorize Scripture, enjoy beautiful art, and explore history or science side by side.

History and Literature: Read a rich, living book aloud. Your older child can write a thoughtful essay or draw a detailed map, while your little one draws a picture and eagerly tells you what they remembered from the story.

Science and Nature Study: Explore the life cycle of a plant together. Your younger child can sketch the little sprout in their journal, while your older child digs into soil science and plant biology.

Beyond academics, learning as a family gives our kids daily practice in listening, offering help, and showing genuine patience to one another. As Paul gently reminds us:

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." - Colossians 3:12–14 (ESV)

2. The Power of Short, Focused Lessons

Little minds simply aren’t built for long, drawn-out lessons. When seatwork drags on, focus fades, and tears start flowing for both parent and child.

Charlotte Mason, an insightful 19th-century educator, loved using short, focused lessons. She famously taught that “education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life,” encouraging us to use rich, engaging books rather than dull worksheets, and showing how brief lessons protect a child’s natural wonder.

• For young children, fifteen to twenty minutes of concentration on math or reading builds far more understanding than an hour of weary struggle.
• Set a timer for twenty minutes during skill-based subjects (math, grammar, phonics).
• Work alongside your child with your full attention.
• When the timer goes off, stop and transition, even if the worksheet is not completely finished.

This boundary keeps their love for learning bright and builds healthy attention habits without making school feel like a test of endurance.

3. Establish a Daily Homeschool Rhythm Over a Rigid Hourly Schedule

Strict hourly homeschool schedules (like 8:00 AM Math, 8:45 AM Spelling, 9:30 AM History) can leave us feeling defeated the moment a toddler spills juice or a math problem needs a few extra hugs and explanations.

A natural daily rhythm honors the flow of your home rather than the numbers on the clock:

Morning Gathering & Devotions (Living Books, Scripture, Read-Aloud)

↓

Individual Skill Work (Focused Math & Phonics intervals)

↓

Lunch & Outdoor Movement

↓

Independent Reading, Nature Study, or Creative Project Time

When life happens—and it always does!—you can simply ease into the next step of your rhythm without feeling like your whole day fell apart.

4. Cast Aside the Guilt

Why do we feel guilty? First, because we care. Yet that quiet pressure to judge our worth by how many hours we spend “teaching” stems from underlying worry. We may worry about what others might think. Or we let fear about the future steal today’s peace. 

When our seven-year-old doesn’t know the days of the week or our ten-year-old still struggles with multiplication facts, we project into the future… How will we ever get through high school?  Scripture gives us such sweet comfort when those heavy worries creep in.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6

God’s Word also reminds is that each day has enough worries of it’s own. 

When worry creeps in, the best thing to do is take your focused energy off the problem and put it into the solution. As that worry takes root, I have to make a choice. It’s impossible to dwell on a problem and work on a solution at the same time. The brain just doesn’t work that way. 

So, when those anxious thoughts about math facts or missed homeschool lessons start spinning, I force myself to pivot. I take that heavy, anxious energy and consciously shift it. I stop obsessing over the “what ifs” and start asking, “What’s one small step I can take right now to help my child?” When I put that focused energy into the solution, the worry loses its power.

Remember, the Lord did not ask you to recreate a formal school building in your living room. He invited you to lovingly guide the hearts and minds of your precious children in this special season. So when 2:00 PM rolls around, you don’t have to stare at the clock with a heavy heart, feeling like you’ve fallen short. A simple three-hour homeschool rhythm gives you the freedom to step away from rigid expectations, trusting that brief, focused moments of loving connection accomplish far more than a long day of frustration ever could.

A Prayer for the Homeschool Family

Lord, grant us your deep peace and divine wisdom as we guide our children each day. Help us let go of worry, release the pressure to replicate a classroom, and joyfully embrace the sweet, simple beauty of this present season. 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 (and your homeschool family!) 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!

It was an ordinary Tuesday when I went to pick up my husband from the hospital after a routine procedure. It was a simple outpatient scope. My older son had dropped off John while I ran some errands, and I arrived in time for pickup. Yet when I walked into the office area, a doctor was waiting for me.

“Mrs. Goyer there were some problems with the procedure, and your husband is currently being worked on.”
My heartbeat quickened, and a boulder grew in my stomach. “How bad is it?”
“It was scary for a minute, but he should be fine. My guess is that he’ll need to stay in the hospital for a few days.”

When I rushed back to John, thankfulness filled my heart, and there was also a peace that I couldn’t explain. When I’d woken up that morning, I had no thought of anything different happening other than the day full of errands that I’d had planned. My husband having a major medical problem hadn’t been on my mind. And even though it was scary, John returned home five days later. He also shared God’s goodness with everyone who entered his hospital room. 

I also discovered something about myself. Even with the scary news, I had peace, knowing that God was with me. Knowing God isn’t just a cerebral thing. It’s not just about having enough facts; the reality of God tips the scale more to one side or the other. Instead, through the years of reading my Bible, seeking God, and walking in fellowship with Him, I have a true knowing of God’s character. I know God loves me and will take care of me. I know that God will be with me through every challenge, every heartbreak.

Knowing God

Sometimes we forget that the God described in the Bible is the same one who is active and present in our lives. We learn about God’s character and nature in the Old Testament, and we witness it in the New Testament. And when I understand God’s character in these ways, it helps me to trust that He will act in a similar manner with me today … and every day.

The very nature of God the Father in the Old Testament breathes life right through the actions and words of Jesus in the New Testament. Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. During His time walking around the earth, He showed us exactly what the Father’s character looks like in action. We know God for ourselves as we read and study. Yet we know these things to be true when we witness them in our own lives. 

10 Evidences of the Character of God

These ten examples illustrate who God is and how understanding His character can transform our daily lives.

1. The Compassionate God

Old Testament (The Father): “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” (Psalm 103:8, NIV)

New Testament (Jesus): “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36, NIV)

2. The Good Shepherd

Old Testament (The Father): “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1, NIV)

New Testament (Jesus): “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11, NIV)

Not a single loophole or worry or fear is left to the soul that knows God. –Hannah Whitall Smith

3. The Forgiver of Sins

Old Testament (The Father): “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25, NIV)

New Testament (Jesus): “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.'” (Mark 2:5, NIV)

4. The Light of Salvation

Old Testament (The Father): “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1, NIV)

New Testament (Jesus): “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” (John 8:12, NIV)

5. The Great Healer

Old Testament (The Father): “For I am the Lord, who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26, NIV)

New Testament (Jesus): “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” (Matthew 4:23, NIV)

6. The Creator of All Things

Old Testament (The Father): “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 40:28, NIV)

New Testament (Jesus): “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16, NIV)

7. The Righteous Judge

Old Testament (The Father): “God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.” (Psalm 7:11, NIV)

New Testament (Jesus): “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.” (John 5:22, NIV)

8. The Faithful Provider

Old Testament (The Father): “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:15-16, NIV)

New Testament (Jesus): “He took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied.” (Matthew 15:36-37, NIV)

9. The Holy God

Old Testament (The Father): “For I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44, NIV)

New Testament (Jesus): “Such a high priest truly meets our need, one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (Hebrews 7:26, NIV)

10. The Embodiment of Love

Old Testament (The Father): “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV)

New Testament (Jesus): “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13, NIV)

Every page of Scripture points us toward a God who loves us deeply and consistently. Seeing how Jesus modeled the Father’s heart gives us a solid foundation for our faith today. It was this very foundation that sustained me in that quiet hospital room with John. 

The peace I felt in that moment wasn’t random or circumstantial; it was rooted directly in these unchanging truths of who God is. Knowing Him as our Compassionate Shepherd, Faithful Provider, and Great Healer transforms abstract theology into a living anchor when unexpected storms hit, filling our hearts with a supernatural rest that passes all understanding.

Discussion Questions

1. Which character trait of God mentioned above resonates most with your current season of life, and why?

2. Can you recall a time when you experienced unexpected peace during a stressful or fearful situation? How did knowing God shape that experience?

3. How can actively reflecting on the connection between God’s character in the Old Testament and Jesus’ actions in the New Testament strengthen your daily walk with Him?

A Prayer to Know God More

Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Your true character and nature through Your Word and through the life of Your Son, Jesus. Help us to know You not just with head knowledge, but through a personal, daily trust in Your unfailing love and goodness. When unexpected challenges and storms arrive, ground our hearts in Your peace that passes all understanding. Remind us that You are our Shepherd, Healer, Provider, and constant Companion. 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!

Real life has a funny way of interrupting our best-laid lesson plans with one constant truth: people have to eat!

My family still expects food in the fridge and dinner on the table every single day. Over the years, as our family grew and life stayed busy, I made it my mission to collect easy, delicious recipes that feed a crowd without keeping me glued to the stove all afternoon.

This Taco Soup recipe was given to me by a former editor, and it has been a staple in our home for well over twenty years. Even now that my kids are older, it remains an absolute family favorite. It is rich, comforting, full of veggies, virtually foolproof, and best of all, it turns your kitchen into a hands-on learning lab where kids of all ages can pitch in and help.

Print your copy of the recipe here!

Fast and Easy Taco Soup

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 45-60 minutes (or 4 hours on LOW in a slow cooker) | Servings: 8-10

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 can pinto or kidney beans
• 2 cans chili beans
• 1 can whole kernel corn
• 1 can white corn
• 2 cans Mexi-corn
• 1 can stewed tomatoes (Mexican style)
• 1 can Ro-Tel diced tomatoes and green chilies
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix
• 1 packet original Ranch dressing mix

For Serving: Tortilla chips or warm cornbread, shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, and salsa.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brown the Meat: In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat until the meat is fully cooked and the onions are soft. Drain off any excess fat.
2. Combine the Cans: Add the taco seasoning and Ranch dressing mix to the meat, stirring well. Next, dump in all the canned beans, corn, and tomatoes. Do not drain any of the cans—the juices create the flavorful broth!
3. Simmer and Serve: Stir everything together thoroughly. Bring the pot to a gentle simmer, then turn the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 45 to 60 minutes so the flavors meld together. Alternatively, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours.
4. Garnish: Ladle into big bowls and top with your favorite fixings!

Tricia’s Kitchen Tip: This recipe is wildly forgiving. Don’t like onions? Leave them out. Missing a specific type of corn? Swap in whatever canned veggies or beans you have sitting in your pantry. You can also throw in a small can of green chilies if you are out of Ro-Tel. You truly cannot mess this up!

Print your copy of the recipe here!

How to Get Kids of All Ages Helping in the Kitchen

Involving your kids in meal preparation isn’t just a great way to lighten your workload; it doubles as practical math, life skills, and team building. Cooking together gives us a chance to slow down, talk about our day, and practice serving one another.

Here is how you can delegate this recipe based on age:

Preschool to Early Elementary (Ages 3–7)

• Can Duty: Let younger kids hunt through the pantry to find the right cans of beans, corn, and tomatoes.
• Pouring and Dumping: Once an adult opens the cans, little ones can safely dump the contents straight into the pot or slow cooker.
• Tearing and Crushing: Have them crush tortilla chips into bowls or tear up fresh cilantro for garnishing.

Upper Elementary (Ages 8–11)

• Measuring and Seasoning: Let them open the seasoning packets, measure out toppings like cheese and sour cream, and practice reading the recipe steps out loud.
• Can Opener Master: Under supervision, this is the perfect age to master using a manual or electric can opener.
• Prep the Toppings: Teach them how to safely slice green onions or dice avocado with a butter knife or child-safe nylon knife.

Middle & High Schoolers (Ages 12+)

• Stovetop Duty: Older kids can take charge of browning the ground beef, chopping the onions with a chef’s knife, and monitoring the pot as it simmers.
• Scale the Recipe: Challenge your middle or high schooler to practice fraction math by doubling or halving the recipe based on your family’s needs for the night.
• Sous Chef Status: Turn the entire meal over to your teen once or twice a month so they build confidence cooking complete dinners for the family before heading off to college or adulthood.

Nourishing Hearts and Homes

Scripture reminds us that gathering around the table to share a meal is about far more than just filling hungry bellies—it is about cultivating gratitude and Christian fellowship within our homes:

“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.” — Acts 2:46 (NLT)

When we bring our children into the kitchen, we teach them that feeding a family is an act of love, service, and hospitality.

Homework for Homeschool Moms

Sometime this week, hand this recipe over to your kids! Assign each child a job based on their skill level, step back, and let them take ownership of making dinner.

A Prayer for the Family Table

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithful provision in our lives and for the daily blessing of food on our table. As we gather in our kitchens to cook and share meals together, fill our home with Your peace, laughter, and joy. Help us to use these simple, everyday moments of meal prep to teach our children life skills, patience, and a heart for serving others. Bless our conversations around the dinner table, and let our home be a place of sanctuary and warmth for all who enter. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

YOUR TURN! What is your family’s favorite “go-to” easy weeknight dinner? Do your kids have a favorite job in the kitchen? Drop your recipes and tips 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!

It’s a strange thing to admit: as a homeschool mom, I was rarely by myself, but there were many, many seasons when I felt lonely. My children were with me all day—and often all night, depending on who needed a drink, couldn’t sleep, or suddenly remembered something important at bedtime.

There were lessons to teach, meals to prepare, dishes to wash, appointments to remember, and laundry that multiplied when I wasn’t looking. Add writing books and household and ministry responsibilities, and every hour already had an assignment. I was surrounded by people I loved, yet I sometimes felt deeply lonely. Maybe you’ve felt that way too.

Loneliness doesn’t always mean we’re physically alone. Sometimes it means we don’t have enough space to be seen as a person—not only as Mom, teacher, cook, driver, nurse, and household manager.

We love our children. We’re thankful we get to educate them. But we can love homeschooling and still admit that it’s hard. A full house doesn’t always mean a full heart. Yet the good news is that we don’t have to stay lonely. But before I get to the tips, let’s dig a bit deeper into the reality of our unique situation.

Why Homeschool Moms Can Feel So Lonely

Homeschooling asks a lot from a mother. We are educating our children, but that usually isn’t our only job. We’re also caring for our homes, planning meals, paying bills, managing schedules, helping aging parents, serving at church, and trying to maintain our marriages.

Many homeschool moms also have part-time jobs, businesses, ministries, or work-from-home careers. Because the work happens at home, others may assume it is flexible. But “flexible” doesn’t mean “free.” 

Personally, I write two or three (sometimes more!) books a year, and while I can switch up my writing, there are still deadlines, meetings, and emails. Just like there is always a to-do list running through my mind as a homeschool mom, there’s always a to-do list running through my mind as a professional writer, too.

In addition to work duties, when your children are with you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, it can be hard to find time to meet a friend for coffee—or even finish a phone conversation without someone needing help with a math problem.

For many years, things like coffee dates and book clubs felt impossible to me. Only recently, with my two youngest children now in high school, have I been able to add a few of those activities to my week.

I can now meet a friend for coffee or attend a book club at our local library. Those may sound like small things, but they have been life-giving. Before this season, getting away felt nearly impossible.

If that’s where you are today, please hear this: you aren’t doing something wrong. You may simply be in an intense season. Not every season has the same capacity.

You may not be able to build your friendships the way someone with older children does. You may not have childcare, extra money, or an open evening. That doesn’t mean connection is out of reach. It may simply need to look different right now.

The Homeschool Co-op I Didn’t Technically Need

One of the best decisions I made was joining a homeschool co-op. Honestly, it would have taken less time and energy to manage my children’s lessons on my own. Getting everyone ready, packing supplies and lunches, driving to the co-op, and spending the day there added more work to our schedule. 

But I realized that efficiency wasn’t our family’s only need. My children needed friends. And I needed friends too.

At our co-op, parents were required to stay with their children. This meant that I spent one entire day every week at the co-op. At first, that might sound like one more obligation. Instead, it became something I looked forward to every week.

I interacted with other parents and teachers. I got to know the other children. At lunchtime, I sat with other homeschool moms and talked.

We didn’t always discuss deep subjects. Sometimes we talked about curriculum, meals, children, or the strange things that had happened during our week. Yet those conversations reminded me that I wasn’t the only one trying to teach fractions while keeping up with laundry and wondering what to make for dinner. Over time, our relationships grew beyond co-op day. We planned other activities and began connecting outside of classes.

Coming out of the COVID lock-down, it was exactly what my children and I needed.

The most efficient homeschool isn’t always the healthiest homeschool. Sometimes we need to make room for something that takes more time because it gives us something more valuable: community.

You Don’t Need a Perfect Homeschool Group

Not every family has access to a large co-op. Maybe the co-ops near you are full, expensive, too far away, or simply not a good fit. Connection doesn’t have to begin with a formal program. It can start with one other mom. Here are some things I’ve done that you might try:

• Invite another homeschool family to meet at the park. The children can play while the moms talk. Bring coffee from home and let the children run.
• Plan a nature walk together. Meet at the library. Take turns hosting a simple lunch. Choose one science experiment, art project, or history activity to do as a group.
• You can also share the teaching load. Maybe one parent enjoys science while another loves art. One can lead an experiment while the other organizes a craft. The point isn’t to create a complicated program. The point is to stop carrying everything alone.

Community doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Choose a few that you can start with:

• Meet another family at a park twice a month.
• Invite a mom and her children over for lunch.
• Host a weekly summer Bible Study for other moms and kids
• Plan a monthly field trip with two or three families.
• Start a simple book club for moms.
• Create a group text where homeschool parents can encourage one another.
• Work on a science, art, or history project together.
• Ask another mom to exchange childcare for an hour.
• Meet at the library while older children work independently.
• Take a walk with another mom while the children ride bikes.
• Invite a family over for pizza without cleaning the whole house first.

Don’t wait to start! Don’t wait until your home is perfect, your schedule is peaceful, or your children are always well-behaved. If we wait until life is easy to build relationships, we may wait a very long time.

When Comparison Keeps Us Apart

Sometimes a lack of opportunity isn’t the only thing keeping us from friendship. Sometimes the barrier is inside us. If you’re hesitant to reach out to other moms, pause and ask yourself why.

Are you afraid you won’t fit in? Are you worried your children will misbehave? Do you feel embarrassed by your home? Are you concerned that another mom will judge your homeschool choices? Or do you struggle with comparison?

Comparison kept one of my dearest friends, Tara, and me from becoming friends for three years. We were both homeschool moms, and we knew of each other. Yet I would look at what Tara was accomplishing and feel as if I didn’t measure up. What I didn’t know was that she was doing the same thing when she looked at me.

Each of us saw the other woman’s strengths and compared them to our own insecurities. Then our families finally met up. Our spouses came too, and we all hit it off. Tara and I discovered how much we enjoyed each other. A beautiful friendship began. But I was sad when I thought of the three years we had missed.

Comparison had convinced each of us that the other woman had everything together. It built an invisible wall between two women who could have been encouraging each other.

Comparison turns potential friends into imaginary competitors.

The mom you find intimidating may be looking at you and feeling exactly the same way. She may appear confident but feel lonely. She may seem organized but be struggling in an area you can’t see.

We often compare someone else’s visible strengths with our hidden struggles. That comparison will never be fair. What would happen if, instead of pulling away, you took one small step closer?

What Scripture Says About Friendship

God did not design us to carry life alone. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 teaches that two people are better than one because one can help the other when she falls. Homeschool moms need people who will help us get back up—not people who expect us never to stumble.

Proverbs 17:17 reminds us that a friend loves at all times. A true friend doesn’t only show up when the house is clean, the children are cooperative, and the homeschool day goes according to plan. She loves us in the messy seasons too.

Galatians 6:2 tells believers to carry one another’s burdens. Yet no one can help carry a burden we continually hide.

Romans 12:10 calls us to love one another with genuine affection and to delight in honoring each other. Friendship grows when we learn to celebrate another woman’s gifts without treating her success as evidence of our failure.

Hebrews 10:24–25 encourages believers to keep meeting together and to motivate one another toward love and good works. Gathering matters because encouragement is easier to receive when we stop trying to live in isolation. Take some time to look up these Scriptures and write down what God is speaking to your heart.

Jesus Himself valued friendship. He ministered to crowds, but He also shared meals, walked with His disciples, and spent time with people He loved. If Jesus made room for relationships, we shouldn’t consider friendship selfish. Friendship isn’t a distraction from faithful living; it is often one of the ways God sustains us.

Friendship May Look Different in This Season

You may be reading this and thinking, That sounds wonderful, but I truly cannot get away. I understand.

There are seasons with babies, toddlers, special needs, health problems, financial limitations, or demanding work schedules. You may not be able to attend a weekly book club or meet a friend for coffee. Start with what is possible.

Maybe friendship looks like sending a voice message while folding laundry. Maybe you call a friend while driving to an appointment. Maybe you invite another mom to sit at your kitchen table while both of your families work on school.

Perhaps you exchange encouraging texts throughout the week. You might join an online homeschool community and then slowly build a friendship with someone in your area. Maybe you and another mom can agree to pray for each other every Monday morning. Small connections still count. You don’t need hours of free time to begin building a friendship. You need one intentional moment.

At the same time, be willing to examine your schedule. Sometimes we say we have no time for friendship, but we spend the small pockets of time we do have scrolling social media, watching other people’s lives, and feeling more alone. Online interaction can be helpful, but it isn’t always the same as being known.

Could you exchange thirty minutes of scrolling for a phone call? Could you invite someone to join an activity you’re already doing? Could you stay at the park a little longer and talk with another mom? Connection may not require adding another complicated obligation. It may mean opening the life you already have and inviting someone into it.

Give Yourself Permission to Have Needs

Homeschool moms can become so focused on meeting everyone else’s needs that they feel guilty acknowledging their own. But needing friendship doesn’t mean you love your children less. Wanting adult conversation doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful. Needing an occasional break doesn’t mean you aren’t committed to homeschooling. You are a mother, but you are also a woman created for relationship.

Your children can also benefit from seeing you build healthy friendships. They learn that adults ask for help, make time for people, apologize, listen, laugh, and encourage one another. When we model community, we teach our children how to build community too. Taking care of your need for connection is not abandoning your family. Instead, it is strengthening the person who cares for them.

Seven Practical Steps for the Lonely Homeschool Mom

1. Tell God the truth.

Don’t minimize your loneliness. Bring it to God honestly.

“Lord, I love my family, but I feel alone. Please help me notice the people You have placed around me. Give me courage to reach out.” God already knows how you feel. Prayer opens your heart to His comfort and direction.

2. Identify one possible homeschool friend.

Don’t begin by trying to create an entire community. Think of one woman you would like to know better. 

She doesn’t have to be exactly like you. Her children don’t have to use the same curriculum. You don’t have to agree on every homeschool method. Look for kindness, honesty, and a willingness to encourage one another.

3. Make a specific invitation.

“Let’s get together sometime” rarely becomes an actual meeting. Instead, try:

“Would you and your kids like to meet us at the park Thursday at ten?”

Or:

“I’m going to the library Tuesday afternoon. Would you like to join us?” A simple, specific invitation is easier to answer.

4. Connect friendship to something already on your schedule.

Invite someone to join you for a field trip, nature walk, library visit, or afternoon at the playground. Friendship doesn’t always need its own separate space. Sometimes it can grow alongside the life you are already living.

5. Consider a co-op or regular group.

A weekly or monthly gathering provides repeated opportunities for relationships to grow. You don’t have to manufacture a new meeting every time. Give a group time before deciding it isn’t working. Real friendship often develops through many ordinary conversations.

6. Be willing to go first.

Share something honest. Ask a meaningful question. Admit that you’ve had a hard week.

You don’t need to tell your entire life story at the first meeting, but a little vulnerability lets another person know she has permission to be real too.

7. Stop waiting to feel impressive.

You don’t need a spotless home, perfectly behaved children, or a beautiful homeschool schedule to be worthy of friendship. Come as you are, and give the other mom permission to do the same.

An Invitation to Reach Out

Maybe there’s a Tara in your life—someone you’ve admired from a distance but assumed wouldn’t need or want your friendship.

• What if you’re wrong?
• What if she’s lonely too?
• What if both of you have been comparing yourselves when God wants you to encourage each other?

Send the text. Make the invitation. Suggest the park day. Try the co-op. Join the book club when your season allows it. It might feel awkward. The first conversation may not turn into a lifelong friendship. Keep trying.

Community isn’t built through one grand gesture. It grows through small choices to show up, listen, share, and make room for another person.

A Prayer for the Lonely Homeschool Mom

Lord, thank You for the children and responsibilities You have entrusted to me. You see the work no one else notices, and You understand the loneliness I sometimes feel.

Help me remember that needing friendship is not a weakness. Give me the courage to reach out, the wisdom to recognize healthy relationships, and the humility to let others know the real me.

Free me from comparison. Teach me to celebrate the gifts You have placed in other women without believing their strengths diminish mine.

Please bring people into my life who will encourage me, pray with me, laugh with me, and help me keep going. Show me how to be that kind of friend in return.

When I feel unseen, remind me that You see me. When I feel alone, remind me that You are near. Lead me toward the community You have for my family and me. Amen.

Friend, if the house is full but your heart feels lonely, you are not the only one. There is another homeschool mom packing lunches, explaining fractions, switching laundry, answering emails, and wondering whether anyone else feels the way she does. Perhaps today is the day one of you reaches out.

Sometimes the friendship we’re waiting for begins when we become brave enough to say, “Would you like to join us?”

Additional Resources – 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!

Hey friends!

Can I be honest with you for a second?

I know you have a book inside you. Maybe it’s been there for years. Maybe you’ve started it a dozen times, or maybe it’s still just a dream you keep whispering to yourself at night… someday.

You tell yourself you’ll write it after the kids are older, after life slows down, after you finally have a free weekend.

But here’s what my friend Amber Lia and I have learned after writing and publishing hundreds of books between us: that a free weekend is never coming. And the good news? You don’t need it.

The Real Reason Your Book Isn’t Finished Yet

When Amber and I sat down recently to talk about what actually holds writers back, we didn’t discuss talent or time. We talked about three things that quietly steal your finish line:

• You’re waiting for life to slow down. (It won’t. Trust me. I have 10 kids. Amber has four sons and lives in what she affectionately calls a “testosterone house.” We both write anyway.)
• You’re trying to figure it all out alone. The editing process, the structure, the audience, the next steps. It’s a lot to carry by yourself. No one should have to.
• You have no finish line. Nobody at the front of the classroom is saying, “Get it done by 3 o’clock.” Without accountability and a clear target, even the best intentions drift.

Does any of that sound familiar? I thought so. You’re not alone, and that’s exactly why Amber and I are doing something about it.

Three Writing Tips That Will Change Everything

Before I tell you about the most exciting thing we’re doing this October, let me share a few of the things that have made the biggest difference in my writing — and in Amber’s.

1. Stop Writing for the Editor. Start Writing for Your Reader.

So much of our creative energy gets strangled when we’re worried about proposals and word counts and what an editor might think. The moment you shift your focus to one specific reader (someone you can picture, someone with real pain points you understand), everything gets clearer, faster, and more alive.

I never scroll social media just for fun. I’m always asking: What does my reader need from me today?

Our audience asks questions and posts about their struggles. These are HUGE clues about what they need from us as writers.

That’s the secret behind writing four books a year with a full house… focus on the reader and write FOR them in the fringes of your day.

2. Understand Your Format Before You Write a Single Word.

When I wrote my very first novel, I had my heroine going shopping for winter clothes and visiting a travel agency before her big adventure even started.

An editor finally told me: “Think of it like a movie. Cut to the next scene.”

That one moment of feedback saved me years of confusion. Once you understand story structure — the inciting incident, the midpoint, the climax — writing stops being a mystery and starts being a map.

3. Get the Words Down. Then Make Them Beautiful.

Early in my writing life, I would edit the same first page over and over again, trying to make it look like a bestselling book on the shelf.

Here’s the truth: nothing we write at first is “good enough.” And that is perfectly, wonderfully okay.

Write it rough. Write it messy. Write it imperfect. You can’t polish something that doesn’t exist yet.

What Would You Do With Four Focused Days?

Imagine this: four days where the only thing on your agenda is your book. No dishes. No to-do lists. No one needing anything from you. Just you, your words, the most beautiful fall foliage in Arkansas, and two bestselling authors right there beside you — cheering you on, coaching you in real time, and helping you finally cross that finish line.

That’s exactly what Amber and I are creating this October at our very first Writers Intensive Retreat in Hot Springs, Arkansas. And friend, we have been praying over this thing. Everything has fallen into place in the most providential way, and we are so ready to welcome you.

 Writers Intensive Retreat

Hot Springs, Arkansas
October 2026 (Thursday–Sunday)
Only 24 spots available — 6 already confirmed!

Register for The Finish Line Intensive

Register Now!

Here’s What Your Four Days Will Look Like

Thursday — Your Personal Deep Dive

We kick things off with a pre-conference day at my home. Yes, my actual house, with the medieval-European-castle kitchen, I fell in love with the moment I walked in.

This is your day for one-on-one attention from both Amber and me. Whatever you need:

• clarity on your project
• help choosing between ideas
• a fresh perspective on a stuck chapterPhoto by Nicolas Lobos on UnsplashWe are all yours. We end the evening together over a shared dinner right here in my home.

Friday & Saturday — Deep Work at Mariposa Retreat Center

We move to the stunning Mariposa Place of Wellness. Twenty breathtaking acres owned by my friend Dr. Kenisha Bryant, nestled between my home and Hot Springs.

There are nature trails for brain breaks, a commercial kitchen, hills overlooking the trees (which will be ablaze with fall color), and wildlife around every corner. It is the most inspiring place I can imagine doing this work.

This is where the magic happens. We’re not just going to talk about writing. We are going to write.

Amber says it best: it’s easy to get obese on information if you never exercise it. So we’re building in real, dedicated writing time, with Amber and me right there in the room with you, available to look over your shoulder and say, “What about this? Have you tried that?”

One evening, we’ll head into Hot Springs itself (where hot water actually bubbles up out of the earth!) for a fun outing together.

Fun fact: Hot Springs was once the spring training hub for Major League Baseball and the mafia. So, you know. It has stories.

Sunday — Send-Off at My Home

We close the weekend back at my place with a shared breakfast, a time of prayer, and the most important thing you’ll leave with: your concrete next steps.

Not vague encouragement — a real, specific, actionable plan mapped to exactly where you are in your project and where you want to go.

The Food, the Fellowship, the Fun

We are not messing around with the details. Every meal is included and prepared by our personal chef. Think nourishing soups, fresh salads, healthy snacks, and food that keeps your blood sugar stable and your creative energy flowing.

Your body and your brain are going to be so well taken care of.

And the people? Oh, the people.

Let me give you some backstory… some of my dearest author friends (bestselling names you’d recognize today) were complete beginners when we first met at a conference years ago.

The community you build at an event like this? It can last a lifetime. We’re also creating an online community that continues throughout 2026 and 2027, so the support doesn’t stop when you drive home.

This Is For You — Wherever You Are

Maybe you have a half-finished manuscript. Maybe you have three ideas and no idea which one to chase. Maybe your book is technically done, but you have no clue what to do next. It doesn’t matter. We will meet you exactly where you are.

There is no judgment here — only encouragement, strategy, and a whole lot of joy. And you don’t need more talent. You don’t need a quieter life. You probably just need this.

And you don’t need more talent. You don’t need a quieter life. You probably just need this.

Your 30 Seconds of Brave

Amber and I had our own 30 seconds of bravery when we hit “publish” on the application form and asked ourselves, Is anyone even going to want to come? People showed up. Because God is clearly up to something here.

Now it’s your turn.

Don’t wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow has a way of never arriving. You’re reading this for a reason. The obstacle in your way — the busy schedule, the self-doubt, the unfinished draft — that’s not a stop sign. That’s the very thing we’re going to tackle together. The obstacle, friend, is the way.

 Ready to claim your spot? Fill out the JotForm application. We’d love to have you. Grab a friend and come together. There’s nothing better than doing something brave with someone you love.

Only 24 spots total. Six are already gone. Don’t let this be the thing you put off until someday. Register Now!

We love you, we believe in your book, and we cannot wait to see you in Arkansas this October.

With so much love and excitement,

Tricia Goyer (and Amber Lia )

P.S. What do you like most about this? Also, if you had to plan a retreat here with us, what would YOU want?

The words “high school transcript” can make even an experienced homeschool parent nervous. I remember the first time I’d created my own transcript and joined my son as we met with the college counselor. I was certain he’d look at the page, crumple it up, and tell me I didn’t know what I was doing. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. I have created high school transcripts for seven of my children—and guess what? Every college has accepted them. Some colleges require my children to take standardized tests or a placement test at their school. Yet having an accurate transcript is important.

Make It Simple

As homeschooling parents, we’re used to creating lesson plans, choosing curriculum, teaching through interruptions, and adjusting when a child needs extra help. Then, suddenly, we’re expected to become a guidance counselor and school registrar too! We find ourselves shaking in our boots.

The good news is that creating a homeschool transcript doesn’t have to be complicated. A transcript is simply an organized summary of your student’s high school education. It tells colleges what your student studied, how many credits were earned, and how well the student performed. But it needs to do something else, too: tell the truth. A strong transcript doesn’t exaggerate your student’s story—it explains it clearly.

Colleges understand that homeschool parents prepare their children’s transcripts. What admissions officers need is a document that is professional, consistent, realistic, and supported by the student’s actual work. Let’s walk through the process together.

What Is a Homeschool Transcript?

A homeschool transcript is an official academic record, usually covering grades 9–12. It normally includes:

• The student’s full legal name
• The student’s date of birth
• The homeschool’s name and address
• The parent or homeschool administrator’s contact information
• Courses completed each year
• Credits earned for each course
• Final grades
• The grading scale
• Grade point average, or GPA
• Expected or actual graduation date
• The parent or administrator’s signature
• The date the transcript was issued

You may also include honors courses, Advanced Placement courses, dual-enrollment courses, and other significant academic information. The finished transcript should be clean and easy to read. In most cases, one or two pages are enough. Your transcript should be complete enough to inform, but simple enough to understand.

Putting Together a Homeschool Transcript

Step 1: Begin with the End in Mind

Before deciding what belongs on the transcript, think about where your student may be headed.

Is your teen considering:

• A four-year university?
• A community college?
• A trade or technical program?
• Military service?
• An apprenticeship?
• Employment?
• College athletics?

These paths may have different expectations. Research the admission requirements of several possible schools while your student is still in ninth or tenth grade. Do not wait until senior year to discover that a college expects an additional laboratory science, foreign language, or advanced math course.

Also check your state’s homeschool requirements for graduation. Homeschool laws and graduation expectations vary, and colleges may have their own course requirements in addition to state requirements.

Don’t build a transcript around where your student has been; build it with an eye toward where your student may be going.

Step 2: Choose Clear, Accurate Course Titles

Course titles should help an admissions officer understand what your student studied.

Instead of vague titles such as:

• Math
• Science
• English
• History

Use specific titles such as:

• Algebra I
• Geometry
• Biology with Lab
• Chemistry with Lab
• English Composition
• American Literature
• United States History
• World Geography
• Spanish I

Creativity is wonderful in homeschooling, but clarity is best on the transcript. “Exploring God’s Amazing World” may have been a beautiful year of study, but “Biology with Lab” tells a college exactly what the course covered. You can still describe your creative approach in a separate course-description document. Let the learning be creative, but let the course title be clear.

Step 3: Decide How Credits Will Be Awarded

A full-year high school course is commonly recorded as one credit. A semester course is commonly recorded as one-half credit. However, credit practices and college expectations can vary.

Parents generally award credit by considering one or more of these:

• Completion of a recognized high school curriculum
• Time spent studying the subject
• Mastery of the material
• Completion of significant projects
• Classes taken through a co-op or online provider
• Dual-enrollment coursework
• Documented instruction with a tutor or outside teacher

Keep records showing how you awarded the credit. Save course outlines, curriculum information, major assignments, tests, lab reports, reading lists, and grades from outside instructors.

I have never needed this type of information for my children, who have attended college, but they have not applied to top schools. We choose to start our children off at a local community college or state school. And when it came to my daughter who attended a private, Christian college, answering a few questions presented by the school counseler was enough to satisfy him.

For unusual or student-designed courses, create a brief description explaining:

• What the student studied
• Which books or resources were used
• What assignments were completed
• How learning was evaluated
• Why the amount of credit was appropriate

I’ve included this type of information in a brief “notes” section on the transcript. A short sentence about any unusual or student-designed courses was good enough. Yet remember this: If you award the credit, keep the records that support it.

Step 4: Create a Realistic Grading System

This step matters—a lot. As homeschool parents, we love our children and want to present them in the best possible light. But a transcript is not a place for wishful thinking. It is an academic record.

A common grading scale is:

• A: 90–100
• B: 80–89
• C: 70–79
• D: 60–69
• F: Below 60

You may use a different scale, but state it clearly and apply it consistently. Grades can be based on:

• Tests and quizzes
• Essays and written assignments
• Projects
• Laboratory work
• Presentations
• Daily assignments
• Class participation
• Final examinations
• Demonstrated mastery

If a course was taught by an outside instructor at a co-op, an online school, or a college, record the grade that organization awarded. Do not quietly change an outside B into an A.

A transcript filled with perfect grades may look impressive, but it can raise questions if those grades are not supported by the student’s work, outside classes, recommendations, or test results. Give the grade your student earned, not the grade you wish your student had earned.

Why Realistic Homeschool Grades Matter

A transcript is not only used to decide whether a student will be admitted. Colleges may also use academic records, test scores, placement testing, or a combination of factors to determine which classes a student should take.

If a transcript says a student mastered advanced algebra, but the student still struggles with basic equations, placing that student into a higher college math class may set the student up for frustration or failure.

Likewise, an inflated English grade may place a student in a writing-intensive course for which they are not prepared. That does not help our children. Our goal isn’t merely to help them get into college. Our goal is to help them be ready for college. Admission gets your student through the door; honest preparation helps your student stay there.

A lower but truthful grade is not a mark of parental failure. It is useful information. It shows you and your student where additional study, tutoring, or practice may be needed.

Step 5: Calculate the GPA

A standard unweighted GPA usually follows this scale:

• A = 4 points
• B = 3 points
• C = 2 points
• D = 1 point
• F = 0 points

Multiply the grade points by the credit value of each class. Add those grade points together, and then divide by the total number of credits attempted. For example:

• English II: A, 1 credit = 4 points
• Geometry: B, 1 credit = 3 points
• Biology: A, 1 credit = 4 points
• World History: B, 1 credit = 3 points
• Art: A, 0.5 credit = 2 points

The student earned 16 grade points across 4.5 credits: 16 ÷ 4.5 = 3.56 GPA

Some families use a weighted GPA for honors, AP, or dual-enrollment work. Colleges may recalculate every applicant’s GPA according to their own system, so identify clearly whether the GPA on your transcript is weighted or unweighted. When uncertain, an unweighted GPA is often the simplest and most transparent choice. A GPA should be calculated—not created.

Step 6: Include Outside and Dual-Enrollment Courses

Did your student complete courses through:

• A homeschool co-op?
• An online academy?
• A community college?
• A university?
• A private instructor?
• A public-school partnership?
• A technical program?

Include those classes and identify the provider when appropriate. For example:

• College Algebra—Central Community College
• Spanish II—Bright Path Online Academy
• Chemistry with Lab—Cornerstone Homeschool Co-op

Remember that listing a dual-enrollment course on the homeschool transcript does not replace the college’s official transcript. The student will usually need to request an official transcript directly from the college that awarded the credit.

Outside classes are helpful because they provide colleges with additional evidence of a student’s readiness and ability to work with instructors other than a parent.

Step 7: Understand Testing and Placement Policies

Families should not assume that every college follows the same testing policy. Many colleges require, recommend, or consider ACT or SAT scores. Others are test-optional, test-flexible, or test-blind. Even a test-optional college may require scores for certain scholarships, academic programs, athletic eligibility, or course placement. Always check the current policy of every school on your student’s list.

Homeschooled students may find ACT or SAT scores especially helpful because they provide an external measure that can support the grades on a parent-issued transcript.

Some colleges—particularly community colleges—may also ask students to complete placement testing. One widely used option is ACCUPLACER, which helps institutions evaluate readiness for courses in reading, writing, and math. Other colleges use their own placement exams or consider several factors, including high school grades and test scores.

A placement test is not necessarily a rejection of your transcript. Its purpose is to help the school place the student in a class where the student has a reasonable opportunity to succeed. Placement testing isn’t about proving your child is smart. Instead, it’s about finding the right place for your child to start.

Prepare for testing early. Do not wait until the month before graduation to discover that your student needs extensive review in algebra, grammar, or essay writing.

Step 8: Add the Finishing Details

Before calling the transcript complete, make sure it contains:

• A clear title, such as “Official High School Transcript”
• The student’s identifying information
• The homeschool’s identifying information
• Courses organized by year or subject
• Credits and final grades
• Total credits earned
• Cumulative GPA
• Grading scale
• Graduation date
• Parent or administrator’s printed name
• Parent or administrator’s signature
• Date issued

Save an editable copy and a PDF copy. The PDF prevents accidental formatting changes when the document is emailed or uploaded.

When sending the transcript, follow the college’s instructions. Some institutions accept transcripts uploaded via an application platform. Others ask the homeschool administrator to send it directly. A college may request a final transcript after graduation, even if an earlier transcript was submitted with the application.

Label the transcript “official” only when it is final, signed, dated, and being submitted through the method requested by the institution.

Keep a Supporting Portfolio

The transcript is the summary, but your records provide the evidence supporting it.

Consider keeping:

• Course descriptions
• Curriculum names and publishers
• Book and literature lists
• Laboratory records
• Major essays
• Significant projects
• Test results
• Volunteer records
• Internship documentation
• Co-op grades
• Online-course reports
• Dual-enrollment transcripts
• Certificates and awards

A college may never ask for most of these records, but having them available makes it much easier to answer questions.

For each high school course, write the description while the details are fresh. Reconstructing four years of coursework during the fall of senior year is possible, but it is not pleasant. Ask me how I know!

What Should Not Go on the Homeschool Transcript?

Not every accomplishment belongs on the academic transcript. A transcript usually should not contain lengthy descriptions of:

• Hobbies
• Volunteer work
• Church involvement
• Sports
• Employment
• Mission trips
• Clubs
• Awards unrelated to coursework

These experiences are valuable, but they usually belong on a student résumé, activity list, application, or school profile. They are not needed on your child’s homeschool transcrip.

If an experience was developed into a legitimate course, such as an internship connected to a career-exploration class, document the learning objectives and explain how the credit was earned.

A Final Homeschool Transcript Checklist

Before sending your student’s transcript, ask:

• Are all course titles clear?
• Are the credits reasonable?
• Are the grades accurate?
• Is the grading scale included?
• Is the GPA calculated correctly?
• Are outside providers identified?
• Does the transcript include a graduation date?
• Is it signed and dated?
• Does it look professional?
• Does it match the student’s actual level of preparation?
• Have we checked the requirements of every prospective college?
• Have we saved the records that support every course and grade?

Then ask one more important question: “Does this document honestly represent my student?”

If the answer is yes, you have done your job well. The goal is not a perfect-looking transcript. The goal is a trustworthy record of real learning.

10 Helpful Online Resources for Homeschool Parents

Policies and requirements change, so always check the latest information directly with each college. These are some amazing resources, but not that some do require membership to access the information.

1. HSLDA High School Transcript Templates
   Offers transcript guidance and downloadable templates, although some materials may require an account or membership.
2. HSLDA Sample High School Transcript
   Shows how course names, credits, grades, and GPA can be organized.
3. Common App
   Allows students to apply to participating colleges. A homeschool parent or supervisor commonly completes the counselor portion and submits school documents.
4. College Board’s Homeschoolers’ Guide to Assessments
   Explains how homeschoolers can access the SAT, PSAT, AP, and CLEP programs.
5. ACT Resources for Homeschool Students
   Provides ACT registration, planning, and college-readiness information for homeschool families.
6. ACCUPLACER
   Explains college placement testing and provides free practice materials and sample questions.
7. BigFuture College Planning for Homeschoolers
   Helps families research colleges, applications, financial aid, and other planning steps.
8. Federal Student Aid
   Provides official information about the FAFSA, federal financial-aid eligibility, grants, loans, and application procedures.
9. College Navigator
   A U.S. Department of Education tool for researching colleges, programs, costs, admission information, and graduation rates.
10. NCAA Homeschool Student Eligibility Requirements
    Essential for homeschooled students who hope to participate in NCAA college athletics. NCAA documentation requirements extend beyond an ordinary transcript.

You Can Do This

Creating a transcript can feel intimidating because it carries so much importance. But remember: you have already done the harder work. You selected the materials. You taught the lessons. You encouraged your student. You adjusted when something wasn’t working. You watched your child grow. The transcript simply gathers that learning into a form someone else can understand.

Be thorough. Be realistic. Be truthful. And give yourself permission to ask colleges questions. Admissions offices would rather help you prepare the correct documents than receive incomplete information later.

You are not trying to manufacture an impressive student on paper. You are helping a real student take the next faithful step. And that real story—told clearly and honestly—is worth sharing.

Additional Resources – 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 (and your homeschool grad!) 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’ve read any blogs about homeschooling (or have attended a homeschool conference), you most likely have been encouraged to Read Aloud to your kids. For some the idea of reading aloud to your children may feel foreign or intimidating, especially if you did not grow up with someone reading to you. Do you feel that way, friend? If so, you are not alone. 

The good news is that sharing a book together is not about putting on a theatrical performance or having formal literary training. Instead, it is simply inviting your child into a story, creating a warm bond, and discovering the joy of words side by side … no multiple character voices needed!

Cultivating a Love for Literature

Reading aloud became a core part of my homeschooling when I had seven children I was teaching at once. That’s when I turned to Sonlight curriculum.

One of the greatest gifts that Sonlight gave our family was a love of beautiful literature. Even years later, my children still remember many of these stories. 

Some of our favorite read-alouds included timeless classics like Charlotte’s Web, Owls in the Family, and Homer Price. These books are filled with both humor and moral values. They were written during eras when authors consciously embedded strong moral foundations into their narratives. The characters in these books model virtues like sacrificial friendship, family unity, and community responsibility. Children learn the value of these things through the pages of a story.

Why doe reading aloud matter? In today’s rapidly changing culture, children frequently face confusing messages about right and wrong. Returning to character-rich stories provides a steady and reliable moral compass … which is exactly what our children need.

Great books like these bypasses the need for a lecture. Instead our kids see morals, values, and consequences played out. These types of stories plant truths directly into children’s heart, shaping their character in ways that will last well into adulthood.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, NIV)

How to Read Aloud

For first-time homeschool parents, the idea of reading aloud might feel challenging. The secret is understanding that young children do not need to sit rigidly still to absorb a story. Aren’t we glad?

Kids can listen while they are busy with other things. You can easily read while they play with wooden blocks or color a picture. Keeping their hands busy actually helps anchor their attention to the words being spoken. This is a concept supported by Jim Trelease in The Read-Aloud Handbook, which is a great book!

Make the reading aloud experience interactive and engaging. You can pause to ask questions about what might happen next. You can also (if you choose!) give different characters unique voices. 

If your kindergartner or elementary school aged child is coloring, you can encourage them to draw the scenes they hear in the story. This removes the pressure of forced stillness and turns literature time into a joyful shared activity. 

Yet also read to older children too! I read to my kids all the way through high school. Reading aloud naturally builds vocabulary and comprehension, setting a strong foundation for their independent reading journey later on. My older kids had independent work too, of course, but they enjoyed listening along with their younger siblings.

Here are some books that I read aloud to my kids ages 5-15 as I homeschooled them together:

The Read-Aloud Handbook

Understood Betsy

Little Pear

Charlotte’s Web

Owls in the Family

Homer Price

My Father’s Dragon

Henry Huggins

Sarah, Plain and Tall

The Boxcar Children

As a homeschooling mom of many, I also loved using Five in a Row Curriculum. Instead of rushing through subjects, we’d spend an entire week enjoying one wonderful picture book together. As I read aloud, the conversations these books sparked were just as valuable as any workbook.

Some of our favorites were:

The Story About Ping

Make Way for Ducklings

Caps for Sale

Katy and the Big Snow

Madeline

Very Last First Time

Lentil 

Owl Moon

A Treasured Routine 

You do not need a background in literature to make reading aloud time a treasured part of your day. You only need a willingness to start. 

As you open these books, you will find that the shared laughter, the wide-eyed wonder, and the quiet moments of connection will naturally unfold. I love how God can use these simple stories to draw families closer together and to weave His truth into our children’s hearts. Pick out one story, find a cozy spot, and let the adventure begin.

Prayer for Aspiring Readers 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of stories and the precious minds of our children. Please give us the courage to step into new routines and the grace to enjoy the learning process. Help us to use these moments of reading together to build strong bonds and point our families toward Your unfailing love. Guide our words and our hearts as we explore these wonderful books side by side. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

An Exciting Opportunity

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 required to simply learn more.

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

If you want God to move in your life in ways that leave you breathless, there is one simple, radical posture you have to adopt: Just be available.

Be available, and genuinely believe that He will move on your behalf.

You have to believe this down in your bones. If you don’t believe in a BIG God with BIG dreams, there’s no real point in making yourself available. But when you learn to trust God completely and surrender your timeline to His divine imagination, you can rest in the absolute assurance that He will lead you down the right path.

Let me tell you how I know this is true.

More Than a Statistic

Fifty-two years before I wrote these words, a young woman was about to give birth. She was young, scared, and had no idea how she could afford a child without her parents’ help. She hadn’t spoken to her former boyfriend in months and didn’t even know how to reach him. Her conversation with God was stilted and filled with heavy questions: How could God let this happen to me? What is my life going to look like now?

When that baby girl was born, the young mother held her close and realized that things were going to be okay. This child wasn’t a burden; she was a gift. She raised her daughter the best she could, pouring love into her, wanting so desperately to give her a better life.

But history has a heartbreaking way of repeating itself.

Years later, that daughter found herself in the exact same situation—living at home, pregnant, terrified, and wondering how she was going to survive.

If you haven’t guessed by now, I was the daughter.

I was born to a single teenage mom, and at seventeen years old, I became a single teenage mom myself. My boyfriend was out of the picture, and I faced raising my son with no college degree, no money, and—according to the world’s calculations—little to no hope for a bright future.

If you take my story at face value, I was supposed to be a statistic.

Government research tells us that daughters of teen mothers are overwhelmingly likely to become teen mothers themselves, walking a path defined by hardship and cycle after cycle of poverty.

Yet, I am not a statistic. And do you know why? Because God doesn’t do statistics.

God loves to take human statistics and blow them completely out of the water. Throughout Scripture, He has a habit of seeing what nobody else can see. He saw a mighty king in a forgotten shepherd boy named David (1 Samuel 16:7). He saw a bold apostle in a persecutor named Paul. He saw a mighty warrior in a frightened nobody hiding in a wine press named Gideon (Judges 6:12).

God has spiritual X-ray vision. He looks past your current circumstances, past your past mistakes, and past national demographics, peering directly into the human heart.

And when God looked at a seventeen-year-old scared girl holding a newborn baby, He saw something worth redeeming.

Today, God has allowed me to author dozens of books, write for major publications, speak across the country, and walk alongside thousands of women through the Daily Bible Podcast and my Heart Happy community. Over the years, our family launched crisis pregnancy centers, supported teen moms, and stepped out in faith to adopt and foster children.

None of that happened because I was special, talented, or had it all together. It happened because of a BIG God with BIG plans for my life.

What Does “Being Available” Actually Look Like?

God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, but He invites us to participate. We have to open the door.

My journey toward availability wasn’t a one-time decision where I suddenly had everything figured out. It started on a quiet day when I was six months pregnant and surrendered my life to Jesus Christ as my Savior. That was Day One.

Over the decades since, God has taught me what it really means to live an available life.

1. Being Available Means Stepping Away from the Status Quo

Sometimes, being available to God requires you to do things that look completely crazy to the people around you.

Years ago, after I gave my heart to the Lord, birthed my son, and later married my incredible husband, John, we had three small children under the age of five. We felt a quiet, persistent prompt in our hearts to raise our family in Montana—a place we had literally never even visited! We had no job lined up there, very little money, and our family thought we had lost our minds.

We got on our knees and prayed a simple prayer: “Lord, if this desire is from You, make it clear.”

At the time, John sold computers on commission, usually selling one or two a week. The very next day after our prayer, he went to work and sold eleven computers in a single day—enough to pay off our lingering bills and fund our move.

We packed up our kids and moved 1,000 miles away. Within three weeks, John had a far better job. Within six months, we bought our first home. And within a year, we were deeply plugged into a thriving church, ministering to youth in ways we had only ever dreamed of.

When you trust a Big God, you can trust Him to guide your steps even when the destination feels unknown.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." — Jeremiah 29:11

2. Being Available Means Cultivating a Hungry Heart

To be truly heart-happy, you have to want God Himself—not just His blessings, not just answers to your prayers, but His presence. When you become hungry for His Spirit to work in and through you, you stop clinging to comfort and start asking, “Lord, what are You doing today, and how can I be a part of it?”

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." — Ephesians 3:20-21

Step Into Your Story

You might feel like your past disqualifies you. You might look at your current bank account, your relationship status, or your lack of formal training and think, “God could never use someone like me.”

Let my story be your reminder today: God loves using the broken, the overlooked, and the statistically improbable.

All He needs is your “Yes.” Lay down your need to control the outcome, stop worrying about what other people think, and make yourself available to the Creator of the universe. You will be amazed at where He takes you.

A Prayer to Become Available

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not view me through the lens of my past, my mistakes, or the world’s statistics. Thank You for having BIG dreams for my life and for seeing potential in me that I cannot see in myself. Lord, today I make myself completely available to You. Take my talents, my time, my resources, and my ordinary moments, and use them for Your glory. Give me the courage to step away from comfort and follow You down whatever path You lead. I place my hope and my future in Your faithful hands. 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!