The Value of Memorizing the Bible

This semester, one of our ladies Bible study groups has been reading a wonderful book about Bible memorization. Memorizing Scripture: The Basics, Blessings, and Benefits of Meditating on God’s Word is exactly what is sounds like: a guidebook to how and why we meditate on the Bible.

Memorizing is quickly falling out of favor in all areas of life. Spelling tests, multiplication facts, state capitals, things everyone had to memorize a generation ago are no longer required or even encouraged in some spheres. Why? Because we have phones, tablets, the Internet is available 24/7 with all the answers. When your math teacher told you to memorize the 12s times tables because you wouldn’t always have a calculator with you…that no longer applies. So why spend the time, effort, and brain space on things that we can look up faster than we could recall?

The case for Bible memory is stronger than any other subject because God’s Word is different than any other subject. It has the power to change us, help us, comfort us, guide us, convict us, and the list continues. While I still encourage my kids to memorize facts that others look up, my encouragement to memorize the Bible is far stronger because the Bible isn’t man’s ideas, it’s from God.

My own road with memorizing is shaky. As a kid, my mom would record herself saying Bible verses on an endless cassette tape {if you don’t know what I’m talking about, ask Google}. As I played or colored, I would listen and absorb those verses. It was multitasking in the 1990s. As I got older, I would read verses to myself on repeat, look away, and try to say it as fast as possible before it slipped away. In high school and college, it was required to write out our memory verses for tests and quizzes and I learned that writing something memorized is not the same as repeating it.

As an adult, memorizing became less of an emphasis in my life. I read the Bible and studied it, but not to the point of being able to quote a passage I was going through. It was now readily available on my phone! I could search for a phrase and get a whole list of verses! Surely we had arrived!

But after becoming a parent and going over verses with my kids on repeat{we no longer have endless tapes}, I became more and more convicted about my previous lack of conviction about Bible memory. I started finding a verse in my daily Bible reading and repeating it over and over throughout the day, trying to seal it in.

When Glenna Marshall, an author and pastor’s wife, posted that she had written a book on memorizing, I preordered it. And when our Bible study decided to read it together, I volunteered to lead the study and write discussion questions. It’s been a true blessing to learn about this topic, encourage each other in our personal memorization habits, and discover why this is a crucial part of the Christian life.

I don’t want to give away Marshall’s points because I want you to purchase the book and read them yourself {wink, wink}. But I will say Bible memory is not as daunting as I believed it to be. She breaks down every excuse for why you haven’t been memorizing and offers so many helpful tips to get you started. She also goes through biblical principles of why Bible memory helps us in various times.

I am currently memorizing Psalm 107. Unlike previous attempts at remembering a jumble of words to repeat as quickly as possible, I’m letting the words soak in and make sense. I’m connecting the thoughts and allowing the truth to grow my love for Who God is.

Bible memorization is for all Christians. Your age, time constraints, stage of life, profession mean nothing. God’s Word is profitable for all people to know, love, and hide in their hearts.

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out

Books I'm Still Talking About

I read a lot of books. And I love it! Reading has been a hobby, pursuit, enjoyment for me for years. What I have read has changed over the years but the love of reading and learning has been the same.

While what I enjoy reading varies depending on the day, there are a few books through the years that I still love, still talk about, and still recommend. And I want to keep talking about them here. :)

I should tell you I’m not all into happy endings. It doesn’t bother me if a story/novel ends sad as long as it makes sense. I do not enjoy predictable, everything-ends-in-a-perfect-bow type stories. Real life is sad and hard and difficult. I like realism with a dose of hope. So the books listed below are not guaranteed to be happy. You’ve been warned.

• “Remember” by Lisa Genova (non-fiction)

  I learned so much from this book! It was not only interesting but easy to read and helpful. Genova writes about why we remember, why we forget, and how to remember things better in an almost conversational way. She inserts stories and examples that are relatable and explains the workings of our brain in a way the average reader can understand. Highly recommend.

• “Everyday Faithfulness” by Glenna Marshall (Christian living)

  This book was published in 2020 and I read it twice in that year. It is such an encouraging reminder that a faithful life of serving God starts today. You don’t have to wait for perfect circumstances to be faithful. It comes in small, consistent ways that grow over a lifetime.

• “Humble Roots” by Hannah Anderson (Christian living)

  Humility is a topic I’ve studied at different times and consistently need to be reminded of. Anderson pairs facets of humility and what it looks like with nature examples and it’s a perfect combination.

• “Parenting” by Paul David Tripp (Christian living)

  I was very convicted and encouraged by this read. It was full of practical advice and biblical wisdom. While Tripp did mention how he parented in certain situations, I felt he always brought it back to biblical guidelines and didn’t hold himself as the perfect parent to emulate.

• “Blitzed” by Norman Ohler (non-fiction)

  I’ve read a lot of World War II books but this one blew my mind. The use of drugs in the Nazi regime is staggering and it makes so many things make sense. I was literally cringing as I read parts of this; it’s amazing what a persuasive person can convince others to do or what to inject into their bodies.

• “Salt to the Sea” by Ruta Sepetys (fiction)

  This novel was heartbreaking but so well written and truly gripping. The changing point of views and the unraveling of each person’s story was perfectly paced and climaxed in a way you won’t forget. A forgotten part of history that needs to be remembered.

• “We Were the Lucky Ones” by Georgia Hunter (fiction)

  A World War II novel. This one is based on the author’s family and follows their remarkable journey from Europe to South America, separated then together but in devastating ways. It was a book I wanted to devour because it was so well written and interesting but I wanted to slowly savor to make it last.

• “A Place to Hang the Moon” by Kate Albus (young adult fiction)

  With the feel of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, this book seems like a classic although it’s relatively new. Meet three children, looking for their forever home amidst the uncertainties of London in the early days of World War II. Trundled off to the country, their foster home is less than ideal but the village library and kind librarian keep hopes alive that someday, they’ll find a place to belong. Beautifully written and appropriate for all ages to enjoy.

• “The Swallow’s Flight” by Hilary McKay (young adult fiction)

  The lives and experiences of four young people during World War II from very different perspectives. Each fighting their own demons and discovering their worth and purpose in a changing world. Themes of friendship, courage, kindness, and doing the right thing make this a winning story for boys and girls alike.

• “The Light Between Oceans” by M. L. Stedman

  I have found you either love this book or hate it! Set off the coast of Australia after World War I, a lighthouse keeper, recovering from war, and his wife, desperate for a child, embark on a journey that will test them in unimaginable ways. How far would you go to fulfill your deepest wish? And what would you sacrifice to do the honorable thing?

I could certainly go on. And perhaps I will in a future post. Have you read any of these? I’d love to hear what books you can’t stop recommending.

Photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash

Bible Resources for Home

Of all the things we teach our children, the Bible and a biblical worldview are the most important. It’s tempting to think preparing kids for future jobs and adult life should command our highest attention, but if our kids aren’t saturated in biblical truth, the “education” we have given them for life will be pointless.

To thrive in life is more than succeeding at a job. It is following God, living for Him rather than the world, and standing firm in what you believe. There are so many things pulling our kids {and ourselves} away from biblical truth. If we are not reading the Bible and teaching our children the difference between secular thought and what the Bible teaches, we will get swept away.

Fortunately, we live in a time and place where resources to help us teach biblical truth are ready and waiting! I’m continually astounded by the level of quality and amount of good resources available. Here is a rundown of some of my favorites. I’ve tried to mention the age the series is appropriate for to help you out. :)

picture books

Tales that tell the truth series

This series is a perfect beginning place for reading aloud to toddlers. Bright pictures, simple language, and yet filled with profound truths, these books {currently 14 in the series} take Bible events and beautifully share the stories while weaving in how the story matters in the big picture of the Gospel. These are also great for elementary readers. My favorite is “The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross” and it makes the perfect Easter gift.

baby believer series

These board books are a great size for baby hands to grip and fun to read aloud. From opposites to emotions to shapes, each book has a theme that is brought out with biblical people, animals, and words. Even though my kids are older, they still love these.

God made me series

While newer to me, I’ve been very impressed with the quality of these books. The books in this series help teach children the value of all life, an age appropriate introduction to how babies are made, gender, being made in God’s image, protecting our bodies, and more. The colorful pictures keep attention and the text is age appropriate and covers biblical truth. Great to read aloud for younger kids or for elementary kids to read with parents.

story bibles

The biggest story & the biggest story bible storybook

Tracing the theme of God’s redemption and grace from Genesis to Revelation, these books show how the Bible is one large story and how it all fits together. The Biggest Story is divided into ten chapters and, while it doesn’t go in-depth with any one story, it mentions many of the familiar Bible events and shows how they point to the cross. The Biggest Story Bible Storybook offers more of a retelling of specific biblical events, still with the theme of the Bible as one overarching story. Lots of colorful illustrations in both.

the big picture story bible

This was the first story Bible I read to my son before bed when he was just a toddler. It is easy for kids to understand, just enough pictures to keep them interested, and each chapter is short enough to hold their attention. It’s a physically BIG book but a great resource.

The jesus storybook bible

We received this when my oldest daughter was a baby and we’ve read it with each of our kids in their baby/toddler stages. The format points to Jesus as the hero and focal point of the entire Bible, every story points to him. I can’t recommend everything from this author because she’s swung a little left but this book is beautiful. We also have the DVD, which is the pictures from the book animated with David Suchet narrating.

the gospel story bible

This is by the same author as Long Story Short and Old Story New {I’ll mention these more below in the devotional category}. This story Bible is covers the entire Bible and each day’s reading is one full page with an illustration on the facing page. This is another book that points every individual story to the truth of the Gospel. This is a great option for preschool kids bedtime or homeschool families to read before school.

biographies

I have A LOT of recommendations for biographies! Part of that is to give all ages a good resource for learning about Christians from the past. The other reason is because the series below have some different people highlighted. There will be overlap but if you are looking for a good biography about a certain person, I want to give you as many options to find who you are looking for!

Do great things for god series

The ladies in these eight books all served God in various ways with their all. Fun drawings, brief overviews, and timelines make these accessible for all ages and put them into a historical context. A great way to introduce biographies and women of the faith from before.

christian heroes: then and now series

The next step for kids interested in biographies! Great for reading aloud or for upper elementary to read alone. With 48 books in this series, there is a book for whatever time period your child is interested in. We have enjoyed reading these and learning more about specific people from Christian history. Hudson Taylor, Corrie Ten Boom, Eric Liddell, Amy Carmichael, Jonathan Goforth, and so many more. An option I love for these is to include them in geography. Find a person who lived in a country your kids are learning about and read their biography!

christian biographies for young readers

If you have young children not at reading level, this series is a good read aloud picture book option. At under 100 pages each with beautiful illustrations, these books will introduce kids to a variety of Christians from history. The series is published by Reformation Heritage Press so many of the people highlighted come from Reformation history or might not be as well known, but we’ve enjoyed all the books we’ve read from this series.

The lightkeepers series {boys & girls}

My kids have enjoyed these and we’ve learned about a few new people! There’s a set for girls and another for boys. I liked how each book had a theme: Ten Boys/Girls …Who Changed the World, …Who Used Their Talents, …Who Made a Difference, …Who Didn't Give in, and …Who Made History. Each book contains ten different boys or girls and also gives a timeline of their life. Another great, short way to introduce biographies.

trailblazer books

I read some of these by Dave and Neta Jackson when I was young and they were my first step into Christian biographies. Told with a fictional story of a young person alongside real events in the famous Christian’s life allows the children to experience what it would have been like in various places and times.

There are newer additions to this same series by a variety of authors. You can purchase individually or buy a boxed set on a theme {Heroes & Heroines, Missionaries & Medics, Arts & Science, etc.}. These are advertised for 8-12 year olds but could probably be read aloud to younger kids.

heroes for young readers series

This series is similar to the Christian Heroes: Then and Now series but for younger readers. Lots of colorful illustrations and the text is a running poem which makes it easier to read and less text on each page. I would recommend these for early readers, ages 6-9, although some of the words might be bigger and not as familiar.

Devotionals

Between Us {girls & boys}

If you have an upper elementary or Jr High daughter or son, these are great for beginning conversations about biblical worldview and life topics. It is made for a mom/daughter or dad/son to read together with fun, serious, and biblical questions mixed together. Each chapter covers a topic {some different for boys and girls} with Bible verses, conversation starters, questions, and short text about a biblical truth.

lies girls believe & a mom’s guide to lies girls believe

My oldest daughter and I went through this study with a group of girls and moms from our church and we loved it. It was great to read together during the week and then gather with friends and talk about it. There is a chapter about hormones and changing bodies and our group decided to not discuss that as a group but it can be skipped entirely if your daughter isn’t ready for that. We did this with girls ages 8-13. There is also a Lies Young Women Believe for ages 15-17.

Long story short & old story new

This is the devotional we are using as a family everyday this year. The kids take turns reading the Bible passage aloud and Tommy reads the devotional from the book and asks questions. This is great for all ages and getting everyone involved in Bible study.

unfolding grace

This is what we have been reading one morning a week before heading down for school. Each of these 40 readings is straight from the Bible. After a few paragraphs of introduction and an illustration, the text from the Bible is printed. It is usually about a chapter but is sometimes portions from various chapters. The text is the English Standard Version. There is also a version for adults and I believe the only difference is the length of each reading — the adult book is around 600 pages while the kids version is not quite 300 pages.

picture bibles

the action bible

Laid out like a comic book or graphic novel, The Action Bible brings the Bible to life for early readers and older kids alike. The Bible passage is given and the story unfolds through bubble text and colorful illustrations. There have been many stories that my kids were having trouble picturing but The Action Bible gave them a way to visualize what the Bible was describing. Huge hit!

Kingston bible trilogy

Similar to The Action Bible, this is the entire Bible in three graphic novels. We don’t own this one but I have seen it from a friend and it is high quality and good content. Probably best for older readers.

General information

The radical book for kids & the really radical book for kids

We received the first book for Christmas and bought the second this spring {it just released in March!}. These books are packed with information about the Bible, faith, theology, and answers to so many questions kids ask. Neat graphics and bright colors keep kids reading. My kids will pick these up, curl under a blanket, and read away or ask me to read certain sections.

bible infographics for kids vol. 1 & 2& epic guide to jesus

Similar in idea as the Radical Book for Kids but more for younger kids. These give information about villains and heroes, animals, Bible verses and themes, books of the Bible, and a whole lot more. Lots of charts and graphs, great for kids — or adults — who benefit from visualization. These are some of our favorites.

The Daily Grace Co.

I love the resources from this company! So many great options for all ages. Board books, picture books, Bible verse copying books, sermon notes notebooks, theology and Bible verse cards, and a bunch more. I always wait for a sale to order and they drop the price {sometimes down to $5!} on most of their items.

the answers books for kids

Have you had your kids ask a question from the Bible and you didn’t know how to explain it? These books are for you! Each book covers a range of questions actual kids have asked; everything from dinosaurs and fossils to salvation and death. Every answer is supported with Scripture and great to read as a family or for young readers to read alone. If you have older kids {teens}, they have another version with the same type of questions but deeper answers.

The heavens

I love this book! Gorgeous pictures of our incredible universe, Bible verses, and biblical, scientific information about space, stars, and the galaxy. My kids love looking at the pictures. Great resource for studying astronomy or just marveling at our Creator.

Wow! I got a little carried away on this one! But clearly, there are loads of resources available for all ages, all learning types, and I didn’t even list them all! I hope this takes some of the confusion and endless searching through websites for you.

Photo by Asal Lotfi on Unsplash

Favorites of 2022!

I love looking back at things. Reflecting and remembering are such important actions. We can’t measure growth or analyze what is working and not working without taking the times to look back.

This year felt slightly different to me for several reasons. As my children continue to get older {which is sad but exciting at the same time}, I found myself passing off chores and tasks that used to be too hard for them. Suddenly, I had more help in the kitchen, cleaning, folding and putting away laundry. It’s a fun stage to arrive at. My kids are also becoming better at amusing themselves. While we still do school, play games, etc. together, they are also content building Legos, crafting, imagining, and reading without me. These two changes have afforded me more free time in pursuit of new hobbies. I was able to practice watercolors, doodle, read, write, and work in the garden.

The reason I mention the two things above is because these shifts allowed me to enjoy some of the things I’ll get into in a minute. Stages of life change and this year I could definitely feel that difference. In previous years, I was not able to read as much, try new interests, get my plans finished. My family took more time and energy, which was fine because that’s what was needed in that season of younger, needy kids. As we’ve moved beyond that stage, I am able to pass some responsibility to them.

There is no portion of life that {I believe} is better than another. Every stage has challenges, joys, disappointments, frustrations, fun, excitement. The freedom of more time in my current stage means, yes, more time to do things I enjoy! But I also have to manage that time well, my children are maturing and that brings needed deep, meaningful conversations about life and guiding them in a difficult world.

So as I look back on the highlights of 2022 and what I enjoyed, I wanted to bring together a list of a few favorites that maybe will benefit you this next year for whatever stage you find yourself.

Podcasts

I’m not a huge listener of podcasts. It’s very hard to focus my attention on just audio unless it’s music. But when I’m folding laundry, doing my makeup/hair, fixing dinner, I sometimes turn on a podcast and these are some of my favorites.

• Why or Why Not with the Watsons - These conversations between Benjamin and Kirsten are always interesting and fun. And I like the practical ways they blend biblical wisdom into their daily lives.

• Based on a True Story - I find this fascinating. The host takes a Hollywood movie “based on” some historical story/event and interviews an expert on what they got right and what they got wrong in the movie.

• Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey - If I have a little more time, I’ll find one of her episodes about a current day issue. I enjoy that she is factual and biblically sound in her advice without being rude or obnoxious.

• The Bible Recap - I listened to this {and also read the corresponding book} after my daily Bible reading to get the host’s breakdown of that day’s reading. Very helpful.

Books

It’s always extremely hard to pick favorite books for me! And I read a dozen more than in previous years. You can read this post about some of my favorites in 2022 but a few honorable mentions are:

• M is for Mama - So encouraging and helpful.

• Hill House Living - I loved seeing her English home through the seasons and finding ideas for decorating and making a house more homey.

• A Visual Guide to the Bible - Not really a book you sit and read; more like a reference and resource to pull out when you have a question. Because I’m a visual learner, the charts and graphics in this book are so helpful for me.

• The Diamond Eye - This historical fiction was fascinating. Based on a real Russian {actually she was Ukrainian} woman sniper during World War 2 who later came to America and met Eleanor Roosevelt! Amazing story, some objectionable language/elements.

• Our Castle by the Sea - A YA novel about a seaside village in England before, during, and after Dunkirk. Themes of bravery, loyalty, who we trust.

movies

I don’t watch a lot of movies or TV. I usually have other things I want to spend my time on. But sometimes it’s nice to sit and enjoy a visual story and be transported away! Also great to have on while working a puzzle! These aren’t new movies; frankly I can’t think of anything new I want to waste time on. But these are some favorites I don’t mind watching again and again.

• Any black and white movie with Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Katherine Hepburn, etc. I grew up watching these and we still quote them! Musicals, comedies…I am here for it!

• 1917 - This movie makes you feel like you are in the middle on World War 1. Shot in a unique way, you travel with two soldiers on a mission to save 1600 lives. I jumped at a few places that surprised me and shed a few tears at the ending. Caution: war violence.

• Sense and Sensibility - One of my favorite Jane Austen books and the movie {1995 version} captures it so well. I love the music, characters, settings. It’s beautiful.

• Planet Earth/Blue Planet - We love watching these {and their sequels} as a family. The cinematography and music are incredible. And, for a secular nature show, there isn’t an overwhelming amount of evolution — but my kids call it out when it’s presented! I love sitting back and marveling at God’s creation.

newsletters

This might seem like an odd category but I have found several newsletters that have been interesting, good sources of information. These are all free to sign up for!

• Glenna Marshall’s monthly newsletter - Marshall is the author of one of my favorite reads of 2020 and her newsletters are filled with encouragement, recipes, book reviews, and other good things.

• The Pour Over - This Christian worldview news email has been helpful as I try to stay current with events but don’t want mainstream media bias or information overload. Emails arrive Monday, Wednesday, Friday and give a brief rundown of what is happening with links if you want to read more.

• The Cultural Tutor - I stumbled on this on Twitter and have found the weekly emails extremely interesting. Every Friday, the Tutor presents one of each example of seven pillars of classical culture: music, art, historical figure, architecture, rhetoric, writing, and The Seventh Plinth (which is usually something comical from history). It’s a good introduction to a variety of topics and would be great for high schoolers to add to their curriculum.

youtube

Like any type of social media, YouTube is a hole that’s easy to fall down and easier to get lost in! Here are the channels I keep going back to!

• Watercolor - This topic is the majority of my feed! It’s so tempting to get sucked into all the tutorials available with gorgeous paintings to try. But what I’ve found most helpful are the simple, basic channels that talk me through each step and color. My favorites: Shayda Campbell, Kristin Van Leuven, Ellen Crimi-Trent, and Emma Jane Lefebvre.

• Royal Fashion News - I have enjoyed getting to know more about some of Europe’s royal families and this channel indulges my favorite part: the clothes and jewelry! I’ll be honest, I was the little girl who wanted to be a princess when I grew up so watching actual royal ladies dress up and act elegant is my cup of tea! My favorites are Catherine, the Princess of Wales and Mary, the Crown Princess of Denmark.

• Suibhne and Absolute History - The first channel gives brief, animated histories of all different countries. We’ve watched a few for school and they give a nice overview. The second channel is more documentary style learning.

• The Waldock Way - This is a homeschool mom who gives book and game reviews. I’ve found some interesting things I wouldn’t have heard of otherwise through her channel.

Music

The last section is music. I listen to a variety of styles but I’m a little particular. I don’t listen to what most people consider popular music and I’m not sorry about it! But here are the things I turned on again and again in 2022. Note: I didn’t link any of these songs/singers because I can’t link to every streaming service you might be using. But they should all be available and easy to find wherever you listen to music!

• Togo soundtrack - I love this movie also {unfortunately it’s only on Disney+} but it’s perfect for reading background music on a snowy day.

• Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Matteo Bocelli - When my kids turn on music, it’ll probably be one of these guys! Our favorite dinner prep music!

• Hide ‘em in Your Heart by Steve Green - I listened to these when I was young and it’s a joy to sing them with my kids. Bible verses set to music make it so much easier to memorize! These songs are singable and memorable with words straight out of the Bible. The other day, one of my kids read the reference Romans 8:28 and another of my kids started singing the song!

• CityAlight - Not all their songs are my favorite but “Only a Holy God” “The Night Song” and “Jesus, Strong and Kind” are hummed, sung, and listened to on repeat over here.

This is definitely not exhaustive but I hope it gives you a few new things to read, try, watch, listen to, and enjoy in 2023! I would love to read some of your favorites in the comments!

Photo by Zoritza Valova on Unsplash

Best Books of 2022

It’s no secret that I love books and I love reading. I participate in the GoodReads Reading Challenge every year. Each year I type in how many books I believe I will read over the next 365 days. Most years I haven’t quite met my goal but this year I was able to get over 50 books completed!

It’s always difficult for me to choose a favorite…it’s kind of like choosing a favorite child. But there were a few reads that stood out to me for various reasons and I’ve given a brief review below of some of my favorites. I grouped them into categories {children’s/young adult, non-fiction, fiction}.

Just a quick note: I do read some difficult topics. Books that end sad don’t bother me as long as the ending makes sense with the story/plot/character development. I also like reading about lesser-known parts of history and history is rarely flowers and butterflies. I try to avoid books with graphic scenes of sex, violence, or loads of bad language. I don’t finish all the books I start, especially if I get into it and it’s wildly inappropriate. All that to say, I don’t endorse everything in the books listed below or agree with the worldview presented. But I believe it’s important and can be helpful to read things you don’t completely agree with and to work out for yourself what the problem is. It’s helped me to see what a difference a Christian worldview makes in every corner of our lives.

Children’s/Young Adult

“A Place to Hang the Moon” by Kate Albus
Three siblings, who recently lost their grandmother and guardian, are evacuated to the country before the London blitz. They hope to find a “forever” home, the type of belonging they’ve read about it their favorite books. But the families who take them in have other ideas. From bullying children to uncaring adults, the children find refuge at the village library and with the librarian who is an outcast for her own reasons. Together, the children and the librarian learn valuable lessons about family, courage, and the power of reading. My 11 year old and I loved this book. I might have teared up at the end. This would also be a good read aloud.

“The Swallow’s Flight” by Hilary McKay
In a story that spans countries and years, we are introduced to four children and one dog. How their stories weave together is a beautiful picture of not judging based on appearances, the power of showing kindness to all, holding friends tight, and not giving up in the face of evil. This is another book I read with my 11 year old and I think she liked it more than the previous book. She went on to read several other books by the same author that I never got around to. This is another World War 2 story from England and Germany.

“The Adventures of Miss Petitfour” by Anne Michaels, ill. by Emma Block
Miss Petitfour lives in a small fictional village in England with her 16 cats. Her favorite thing is adventuring by grabbing a tablecloth at the corners and letting the wind take her and her cats away! Each of the chapters is a different adventure filled with unexpected characters. Each cat has its own personality and contributes to the stories in different ways. There are also many new vocabulary words {think like Fancy Nancy and her fancy words}. I laughed out loud reading this to my kids. It’s fanciful and fun. The watercolor illustrations are delightful and add to the whimsy of the stories.

Good Dog series by Cam Higgins, ill. by Ariel Landy
My eight year old has recently started doing more independent reading and this series is one of his favorites. It is a beginner chapter book series about a dog on a farm who has adventures with all the different barnyard animals. There are themes of friendship, courage, humility, and thinking of others. So far, my son has read the first five out loud to me and he’s requested we buy the rest of the series.

Non-Fiction

“Remember” by Lisa Genova
Why do we forget things? Why are other things permanently cemented in our minds? Genova is known for her novels about neurological issues but in this non-fiction book, she writes in layman’s terms what our brain is doing, the different types of things we remember, and why there are some things we can’t forget. For being a book about a technical thing {memory}, it’s incredibly easy to read and understand. Genova writes in a novel-type style and slowly explains the ins and outs of her subject in fascinating detail without losing her readers in the bushes. Highly recommend!

“Cultural Counterfeits” by Jen Oshman
I read this because I often feel at a loss with how to talk about current cultural issues that affect women. Oshman breaks down how we got here, why each issue is important to be educated on, and gives loving yet biblically sound advice. She admits from the beginning that she struggled with wanting to write this book because she knew it would have a lot of hard truth; that people she knew would disagree with her. But I’m so glad she pressed on and faithfully studied what the Bible teaches on these issues and presents them with clarity.

“Find the Good” by Heather Lende
Lende is a small town obituary writer for the local paper and this short book takes some of the people she’s met, people she’s remembered in print, and the lessons she’s learned from a life of reflecting on the ups and downs of others’ lives. This is not a Christian book and some of the author’s beliefs or observations I was not in agreement with but I did smile and nod a few times, as she recounts the value each life has, the memories tied to a place or time, and how that can continue to shape who we become.

Adult Fiction

“The Last Year of the War” by Susan Meissner
Did you know German immigrants who were “red flagged” in America during World War 2 were sent to detention camps with the Japanese and some of them were deported back to Germany? I had no idea! Again, those little known fascinating historical facts! This book follows a girl whose parents immigrated to America in the 1920s but never became citizens. After a series of events her father wishes he could change, the family is sent to Texas where she meets a Japanese girl, born in America like her, and wondering when life will return to normal. Unfortunately, her family is sent back to Germany — a place she’s never been, surrounded by a language she doesn’t know — during the final year of the war. The course of her life is forever changed as she wonders about her friend, suffers through bombings and loss, and ultimately does whatever she believes will get her home to America. I was so moved by and wrapped into this story. Meissner is a master at first person writing and historical detail. I was invested from the beginning to the end.

“Salt to the Sea” by Ruta Sepetys
Have the tissues handy! This story takes place toward the end of World War 2 as Eastern Europeans are fleeing toward Germany to avoid the Soviets. Several stories weave together and the histories of the characters are gradually revealed through the journey towards the sea. The fact that this historical tragedy was covered up, ignored, forgotten for so many years is heartrending. I don’t want to give away spoilers but honestly, I couldn’t put this book down. It’s technically classified as a young adult historical fiction but it has some dark themes that I would suggest for older more mature readers. If you want something with the same gasp factor that’s not WW2, check out “I Must Betray You” by the same author. This story dives into Romania just before the revolution of 1989, a country that was never part of the Soviet Union but whose people were ruled by terror, surveillance, and control.

I could go on and on but these were my favorites from this year. If you want to see my full list of what I read in 2022 — or all 1,000+ books I’ve read since joining GoodReads, check out my profile. I don’t always give long written reviews unless I really loved it or there was something that bothered me or I need to explain my ranking. Happy reading in 2023!

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Reading Time!

If you know me even the slightest bit, you know I love reading. I love books. I love words and how they come together to make people laugh, cry, think, learn, and experience new things.

The power of the written word is something I think some people underestimate. This might just be me — because I’ve been told I remember way too many things — but I remember sitting on my daybed with a stack of Nancy Drew books and not moving all afternoon. I remember carrying Gone with the Wind outside and sitting under the apple tree for hours reading. I got through the first semester of high school by devouring The Count of Monte Cristo on the wooden swing in our backyard. And I stayed up way too late one night to finish Crime and Punishment as a high school senior.

I have very vivid memories tied to when and where I read certain books. I remember the emotions I felt, the parts that confused me, the French and Russian names I stumbled over. Words and the ideas conveyed through those words have changed and shaped me in ways movies haven’t.

My oldest is ten years old and just as avid a reader as I was/am. She’s definitely stretched herself more than I did at her age; she’s already polished off all the Jane Austen novels, A Little Princess, and is currently deep in Anne of Green Gables, plus reading quite of stack of more recently written books. She set a goal of reading 25 books this year…she just finished her 24th so we’re upping the challenge to 50 books this year!!

I love talking about books with her; what she thought of them, her favorite parts and why, words she didn’t understand in context. I love seeing her mind grow through these book interactions and I’m enjoying the journey with her.

People often ask me how I continue, as a homeschooling mom, to read book after book. It’s not because I’m just sitting on the couch all day! But it is a priority for me. While others binge watch a show, I choose to read. Instead of shopping, I read. It’s not a magic formula. It’s an intentional choice to make time for reading when what I need to do is finished. It’s relaxing and enjoyable for me. Here are a few things that help me, maybe they’ll help you also.

1. Read in the small moments. I’ve said this before, but if I’m just stirring something for dinner in a pot, I will read while I do it! Now if I’m doing something that requires my attention {chopping, measuring, etc.} then I keep my focus on the cooking. But if I’m waiting for rice to finish cooking or the InstantPot to beep, chances are I’ll sneak a few pages in.

2. Read while the kids fall asleep. My younger kids are notorious for not wanting to be alone. They want to know I’m close by, not across the hall, but in their room while they fall asleep. So after I read a bedtime story aloud {I’m currently reading Bear Grylls survival series to my son}, I’ll sit on the floor and get some stretches in while I read. This time is golden. It helps me slow down before bed, the house is quiet, and I can fully focus on what I’m reading.

3. Read during the kids’ activities. When I sit with my children for their piano lesson, I take a book with me. I can still hear what’s going, what we need to work on at home, interact with the teacher as needed, but I’m using the other moments in that hour to read, not scroll my phone.

4. Read, don’t scroll! Which leads us to this point: when you find yourself reaching for your phone when you don’t really need to, pick up a book instead! If you sit in carline, at the sideline of soccer practice, waiting for your curbside grocery delivery, take a book with you. These are moments we have trained ourselves to think of as small, inconsequential blocks of time that aren’t good for anything but catching up on memes and Instagram. I get it. I’ve done it. But honestly, you can read a lot in those moments. If that means you keep one book in your car so you don’t have to remember to grab one, do it!

5. Read what you love. If you struggle to read, start with something that interests you. Whenever I read a historical novel, I will inevitably read a non fiction book about that time period/event after. Even if it’s something I hadn’t been interested in before, experiencing it through the eyes of a novel with characters and a story can make it intriguing enough to make me want more. This happened with the children’s blizzard, the depression, the Spanish flu, immigrants coming through Ellis Island, and the Revolutionary War. I read a novel, my interest was piqued, and I went in search of more.

6. Read a variety. I’m a read-more-than-one-book-at-a-time girl. I usually have a fiction, nonfiction, Christian living, light read, and maybe biography going at the same time. This way, no matter what my mood is, I have something to read!! Some days, if the bad news comes pouring in and the weight of the world is too much, I don’t want to read about the suffering of child laborers in Victorian England, no matter how interesting the story is. On those days, I want a book that encourages me and helps me dig into my Bible study more. If my kids have asked about a certain time period, I may feel like reading about it on my level. If I’ve been curious about how to organize, clean, or decorate my home, if I’m interested in pursuing a new hobby, if I’m studying a certain word or topic in the Bible. There are books and words and answers for all these. And I always have a selection on hand.

I hope this helps you look for the little moments in your day as new possibilities to enjoy a book. I didn’t even cover audiobooks {I really struggle with these because I like to see the words to fully focus on them} but I know people who listen while they drive to work or on errands, while they walk through the neighborhood, or while cleaning the house. If you have a hard time reading but not listening, I highly suggest looking into audiobooks. Most books are available this way now and many libraries offer them for free, either on CD or to download to an audio app.

We never stop learning and books are an excellent way to stretch the mind. If you’re interested in what I’ve read/am reading, check out my GoodReads profile and follow along! You can see all the books {read and want to read} in reverse alphabetical order by author or you can look under certain bookshelves to see what I’ve read/want to read in that category!

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Homeschool Resources

There are so many places for educational resources out there! It’s easy to get bogged down or not even know where to start! If you are new to homeschooling or if you just want some educational things for your kids, I hope you find this helpful.

Before you start looking for resources, I would recommend knowing what type of homeschooling method or style you plan to follow. I’m not going to get into all the options here but it will dramatically change what you look for depending on your philosophy {unschooling, Charlotte Mason, traditional, classical, literature based, etc.}.

NOTE: If you don’t know what I’m talking about, this post from Pam Barnhill is a great breakdown of the methods of homeschooling and some resources for each type. If you want information on starting to homeschool, check out this post from Confessions of a Homeschooler.

There is always Amazon but I’ve been surprised to find some curriculum and games less expensive on some of the sites listed below. It pays to look around! So let’s get into a few of the great places to look for educational supplies!! I’ll mention if the website is Christian or carries Christian curriculum. I’m sure I’m leaving out some but these are websites I’ve shopped on or heard about in my homeschool community. In no particular order:

1. Lakeshore Learning - I love so many things here! Great bulk art/craft supplies, fun games and puzzles and toys, daily journals. You can get an educator card — even as a homeschooler — for a discount.

2. Oriental Trading Co. - Did you know they have a whole education line?! Lots of craft supplies, notepads, stickers. I get their pom-poms and buttons for counters to use in math.

3. Dover Publishers - When I was little, it was always a treat to get paper dolls from Dover. They have paper dolls or sticker dolls to show the fashion of just about every era, previously out of print books, novels, stickers, activity books. They are a great place to check for inexpensive fun ‘fillers’ to your school curriculum.

4. Barnes and Noble - Of course you know they have books! But did you know you can get an educator card and receive 20% off all purchases {except things like Legos}? I like to take my kids and let them pick out a book or two, then stop at the cafe for a sweet treat and coffee to start the school year!

5. Rainbow Resource - This is a great place to look for discount curriculum and books. I’ve found so many fun things here, including Usborne books! They are a Christian company and have a great selection of Bible curriculum, books, etc. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed on their site; they have a ton of stuff for all ages. I like to request a free catalog to browse instead of searching online. They send out a curriculum catalog and a separate catalog for educational toys, books, and manipulatives.

6. Timberdoodles - This is a new company to me but I’m impressed with what they have. You can get complete curriculum kits if you aren’t sure what you want or some fun educational toys. My daughter is very intrigued by the Graphic Library history books {like comic books} that we found here. This is a Christian company but you can get secular curriculum/kits.

7. Christian Book Distributors - As the name implies, this is a Christian company. But they have an entire search option for homeschool supplies. They frequently have sales and also offer popular curriculum {Bob Jones, A Beka, Saxon, etc.}. I’ve gotten some Melissa and Doug educational toys from here at great prices.

8. Mardel - Another Christian company that offers big name curriculum, often at a discount. They also have planners {I’m using their homeschool planner and really loving it!}, religious shirts and jewelry, and Bibles.

9. Masterbooks - If you are familiar with Answers in Genesis, you’ll recognize this name. They publish many of the books Ken Ham has written but they also have their own curriculum. I’m planning to use, “A Child’s Geography: Explore Viking Realms” and “Passport to the World” for part of our unit lessons this fall. I also love all their resources about dinosaurs and creation for kids.

10. Homeschool Used Book - I recently found this site through the Well-Planned Gal page. This is an online place for you to sell and buy used curriculum. They offer a range of grades, curricula, and subjects and note on each one the condition of the item and the discount from retail price. Many are 50%+ off!!

11. ThriftBooks - I’m a fan of book buying but especially discount book buying! ThriftBooks has just about any book and DVD and if they don’t currently have it, you can add it to a wishlist and be notified when they get one in. I’ve saved so much money comparing here to Amazon. I usually pay about half what it is on Amazon. They have a points program and you can earn free books by buying books, sending friend referrals, and using their mobile app. They have adult books, cookbooks, UsBorne, picture books, dictionaries….

12. Home Science Tools - Last year I ordered the science kit that went with our curriculum and we received in one box all the materials to do all the experiments listed in my third grader’s science book! They have kits that go with a variety of curricula and also offer individual things like microscopes, dissection kits, chemistry supplies, weather and geological experiments, and more.

13. UsBorne - I love UsBorne books! They are great quality, colorful, educational, and cover so many topics. I look for these books on other sites {a few I mentioned above} but there are certain titles that are impossible to find unless you go straight to the source. We love the Lift a Flap, Shine a Light, and doodle books from here!

14. A Child’s Dream - This is a Waldorf method website. They have mostly arts and crafts type things and not as many books. I haven’t ordered from them but they have high quality wool, felt, and painting supplies.

15. Nature Watch - If you want rocks, minerals, butterfly kits, fossils, and other hands-on things about nature, this is a great site! If you teach a Co-Op class or want a fun activity for a group of kids, they also have craft kits that are less expensive the more you order {does that make sense?}. I haven’t ordered from here but I have my eye on a few things if the budget allows.

Now, you can also go to publisher’s websites and order straight from them for curriculum. I have not ordered or used curriculum from all these companies but I know families that do use products from the companies listed and have recommended them to me. I’ve mentioned a few of the major ones below.

If you are interested in classical learning: Classical Conversations, Memoria Press, Classical Academic Press.

If you are interested in Charlotte Mason: Beautiful Feet Books, Ambleside Online.

If you are interested in traditional learning: Bob Jones Press, A Beka.

A few other companies are: All About Learning Press, Sonlight, My Father’s World, Math-U-See, The Good and the Beautiful, Rod and Staff.

Like I said, knowing your homeschool teaching style/method is important so you don’t get bogged down in all the possibilities! It is possible to mix things. We are traditional style {using Bob Jones Press for most things} but we use Song School Latin from Classical Academic Press and New American Handwriting from Memoria Press. But I like using the same company for our core subjects because it gives a cohesion and familiarity to our school day and makes sure we’re not forgetting something.

If you are feeling like homeschooling is impossible, don’t give up! Just choose one of the above websites and start looking around. You don’t have to buy everything available to get started. Just get your core subjects {math, language arts, science}, start slow, get comfortable, and gradually expand. You also don’t have to buy everything at once. I’ve ordered supplemental books or activities in October once I saw what we were learning for the year and what my kids enjoyed doing.

Please comment below if you have questions! I’d love to help and encourage you if I can.

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Choosing Books

I mentioned in a previous post about letting your kids read what interests them. However, that doesn’t mean you have your hands off the wheel of what they’re being exposed to. So how can you help your kids make good choices about books?

I think one of the keys is communication. Even once children can read for themselves, parents shouldn’t leave them to their own devices. There are a lot of crazy books out there!! And mature topics are being introduced at earlier ages. So as a parent or caregiver, communicating with the children is so crucial. Ask what they’ve learned, why they love that series, or read some of it for yourself.

Another key is to be the gatekeeper. My kids know when we go to the library, I can veto any book they want to put in the bag. They are welcome to browse and bring me books that look interesting to them, but if I look through it and decide it wouldn’t be best, they know I will put it back. End of story. This hasn’t happened often but I have reshelved books and said it’s not something I want them reading.

In order to be a gatekeeper, you have to know what you want in and what you want to keep out. Reading preferences vary from house to house and depend on your children’s ages, how sensitive they are to scary/frightening things, etc. We have made a rule to not read things {at this time} with witches, zombies, or other scary type creatures. Even in picture books, we have decided to not go there. If we get books about dinosaurs from the library, my kids know I won’t read the evolution stuff. We read about archaeologists digging up bones and how large the dinosaurs were but not the millions of years parts. Knowing what you want your kids learning from books and dwelling on is crucial to picking out good literary choices!

Since I love reading, researching children’s books and series is fun for me. I also have so many fond memories of books I loved as a child that I want to share with my kids. But if you weren’t/aren’t a bookworm, I suggest looking up “Laura’s List” by Beverly Darnall. It is a wonderful resource to get ideas of books for children of all ages. There is also “Books Children Love.” These books give the title, author, age range, and basic description of the story.

If you would like a Christian mom’s perspective, I recommend the “Read Aloud Revival” website. Sarah Mackenzie is a homeschool mom who is passionate about getting kids to read…and families to read together. She offers recommends and reading lists on her website and talks books on her podcast of the same name.

Choosing books can be daunting if you just step into a library or bookstore with no idea what you’re looking for. But with these guidelines and a little prep work, you — as a parent or caregiver — can help your kids make great choices about what they’ll read and introduce them to the wonderful world of books.

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Five Novels You Have Time to Read

We're all busy. I get it. And often sitting down to read just feels like too much of a luxury. Or maybe you're one of those people who doesn't enjoy reading (I don't understand you but please keep reading! This post is for you too!). I consider reading relaxing and a great way to learn about new things. But with three young kids, housework, cooking, ministry to keep up with my reading time is significantly less than it used to be.

That hasn’t stopped me from stacking books to read on my nightstand and filling up my library account with holds. However, because my time is more limited now, I’m becoming more choosy about what I’ll spend time reading. Every book that looks interesting doesn’t get a pass like it used to. I measure how interested I am in the subject, how well I like the author, what benefit the book will have on me. I hate starting a book and not being able to finish it. There is a very short list of books I have started and not completed - most of them because of objectionable material that I just couldn’t put up with. So when I pick up a book, I want to know it’s something I will want to read and complete without feeling like I’ve wasted my time.

I know others are in the same situation. They may not take it as far as I do - I’ve been seen stirring spaghetti sauce while reading a book because I just couldn’t stop reading but my family still wanted to eat - but many busy women out there are trying to tackle their TBR lists and still keep life running smooth.

So here is my current list of novels that I think are worth your short, precious time to read.

The Butterfly and the Violin and A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron

These dual time historical novels are beautiful and tragic. The present day stories follow the same woman as she learns about two different heroines during World War II. What they endured will haunt you.

The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman

A lighthouse keeper in 1920s Australia is torn between helping his distraught wife and following the law when a boat containing a baby washes ashore. The anguish he goes through and the resolution to the twisted lies they lead will bring you to tears. The movie was good but the book was much better.

As Bright as Heaven and Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Messiner

The first one is about a family newly in the funeral business when the flu epidemic of 1918 hits Philadelphia. One decision leads to events that trickle through the next decade. The second novel finds two sisters in London before the Blitz during World War II. Guilt drives one of them the rest of her life as she tries to undo one fateful morning.

While I have many other books that I’ve enjoyed, these are the ones that I kept thinking about long after closing the back cover. I’m working on a post of non fiction reads that I’ve enjoyed so keep your eyes open for that in the coming weeks.

What’s a book that has influenced you?

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