Today we celebrate Juneteenth–the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. It was on June 19th in 1865 that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. It’s impossible to understand this holiday and… [Continue Reading]
books
Find Freedom From Regret
“I wish I hadn’t done that…” My youngest child Casey broke his pinky toe on Friday. He was at gymnastics camp, and I later heard that he’d tried to do a front flip on the tumbling ramp … without the help of a coach. He is not a gymnast, but he is a daredevil. Casey… [Continue Reading]
Praying God’s Word For Yourself and Your Child
Praying God’s Word Through the years I’ve seen how important it is to pray God’s word over and for my children. I’ve also watched how God moved in my kid’s hearts and lives when I shared the scriptures with them. That’s why I’ve made it a priority to read through the Bible each year and… [Continue Reading]
One Brave Step Started My Road to Publishing
24 years ago I took ONE brave step. I was at the Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference, and I’d taken a workshop on article writing. I’d attended the conference wanting to write a novel, but article writing intrigued me. I jotted down a few ideas for articles, but didn’t think much of it. Then, the next… [Continue Reading]
Spring is a Celebration!
They say ‘April showers bring May flowers.’ But when you’re an author (and a homeschooling mom!) it also brings a busy conference season! However, when May comes around the first thing I think about is my WWII friends. Because my first novel From Dust To Ashes was inspired by the liberation of Mauthausen Concentration Camp… [Continue Reading]
How to Invite Others Into Your Healing through Transparency
Years ago, in 2005, I faced one of the hardest struggles of my life. I thought I was doing so well—as a writer, as a mom, and as a wife. One November, I pondered my family and my work, and I thought things couldn’t get any better. I even prayed Psalm 139:23-24: Search me,… [Continue Reading]
A Podcast Launch Giveaway with Joanna Weaver
I’m so excited to be an upcoming guest on Joanna Weaver’s new podcast, THE LIVING ROOM and to share with you her Podcast Launch Giveaway! In case you don’t know her, Joanna Weaver is the author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, which has sold over a million copies, Having a Mary Spirit, Lazarus Awakening, and… [Continue Reading]
How to Teach Your Children to Depend on God
Hi Friend! Greetings from Nashville! I’m here with the Teach Them Diligently Conference. Yesterday I taught about 40 Ways to Be Present In Your Child’s Day. I also taught with Kristi Clover about Homeschool Basics. I love, love, love meeting up with friends I’ve met at previous conferences and making new ones! Even as I write… [Continue Reading]
How to Stop Your Child’s Angry Cycle
Today we’re talking about how to stop your child’s angry cycle. Once a child is angry, it’s easy for him to stay in a cycle of thoughts, emotions, and physical responses that feed his rage. Here’s what the angry cycle looks like and to stop the spiral. How to Stop Your Child’s Angry Cycle The… [Continue Reading]
3 Ways Children Teach Us To Pray – Kari Patterson
As I type these words, my daughter is snuggled up next to me with her head resting on my stomach. She’s been mostly quiet, but throughout the past few minutes she’s softly spoken a thought: “I loved seeing the ducks today.” A question: “When am I going to Madison’s house?” A praise: “I love you,… [Continue Reading]
50 Read Alouds to enjoy with your child for Read Across America
One of my favorite times of the day is when I get the kids settled in a night and it’s time to read. Bedtime reading has been a tradition that we’ve done for the last 20+ years. We make sure all electronics are turned off, the kids get ready for bed, and we sit down as… [Continue Reading]