No Higher Calling

...To love and to cherish til death do us part...

Simeon and I recently read the book Cherish by Gary Thomas. It was so good for our marriage, and it prompted great conversations between us. On this episode, we share our takeaways from the book.

A few topics we discuss. . .

-Making your spouse your one and only

-Not comparing your spouse with other people

-Building your spouse up to others

-Infatuation vs authentic intimacy

Resources:

Cherish by Gary Thomas: https://amzn.to/3uiyt4O

Great Hymns for Growing Hearts: Christ the Savior is Born Advent Devotional https://nohighercalling.org/product/great-hymns-for-growing-hearts-christmas-edition-hard-copy/ 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

Psalm 23:6 "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:"

This verse begins with a word of certainty- surely. God promises that without any doubt or question, goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. His goodness provides for every need, and His mercy covers every failure. Goodness and mercy keep us hedged in, walking the path of life, pressing towards the mark for the prize, Jesus Christ.

As we walk the path of life, we leave a trail of God's goodnes and mercy behind. Oh that our prayer might be that all who come behind would find us faithful! 

Scriptures Referenced:

Deuteronomy 31:8

Psalm 23; 139:5

Ephesians 6

Resources:

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W Phillip Keller: https://amzn.to/3CJZGid 

The Heart of the Shepherd by Stephen Chappell: https://amzn.to/3Sh6B8R

Great Hymns for Growing Hearts: Christ the Savior is Born Advent Devotional https://nohighercalling.org/product/great-hymns-for-growing-hearts-christmas-edition-hard-copy/ 

If you do not know Christ as your Shepherd, email me at [email protected]. I'd love nothing more than to share how Jesus Christ can be your Savior.

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

Vibrant: full of energy, life, and passion; pulsating (throbbing sensation, excitement)

One of the beautiful things about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, is that while I am so thankful for my soul's salvation, that is just the beginning, not the end. Jesus desires to save you, but also to walk through every moment of every day WITH you! He has come not only that we have life, but that we will have life abundant!

As we walk with the Lord, choose things that are excellent, and allow Him to do His sanctifying work in our hearts, the vibrancy of Christ should captivate our hearts. This will then affect our actions because all of our actions stem from our view of Jesus Christ.

"Make Christ so big in your heart and mind that it crowds out lesser things."

Scriptures Referenced:

I Chronicles 29:11

Psalm 8; 115:4-8

John 10:10

Romans 12:2

Great Hymns for Growing Hearts: Christ the Savior is Born Advent Devotional https://nohighercalling.org/product/great-hymns-for-growing-hearts-christmas-edition-hard-copy/ 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

Simeon and I have a lot of littles, and it can be difficult to find ways to connect with each of them individually. I recently saw a mom share about the "stay up late" nights they do with their children. It was a way for Dad and Mama to get quality time with each individual child without having to leave the house or pay for childcare for the other children. This caught my eye, and we have since began implementing a version of this in our home. It has been so sweet for us, and for our children! Listen in as I share what this looks like for our family, and the blessings that have come from being intentional to connect with the hearts of our children.

Resources:

Great Hymns for Growing Hearts: Christ the Savior is Born Advent Devotional https://nohighercalling.org/product/great-hymns-for-growing-hearts-christmas-edition-hard-copy/ 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

"Everybody has a family culture whether you intend to or not. It is important to be intentional about the culture your family has." -Simeon

Simeon joins me in this episode to talk about crafting a family culture. We start with the foundation of answering the question- what is family culture? This is your family's values, visions, and interests. What do your children think about when they think of your home and family? 

We share our family mission statement and our family culture statement that has grown out of our mission. When you outline these things for your family, it helps you prioritize, make decisions, and develop your unique family identity. 

One day, when our children are grown and have left our home, we hope they reflect on their childhood with fond memories, lasting traditions, and clear identity. Crafting a family culture is the foundational blocks these elements are built upon.

Resources:

Great Hymns for Growing Hearts: Christ the Savior is Born Advent Devotional https://nohighercalling.org/product/great-hymns-for-growing-hearts-christmas-edition-hard-copy/ 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

As we prepare for our 5th baby and 3rd home birth, we are excited to include our children in all the details of the process. One of the beautiful things of giving birth in the comfort of home is that you can have the siblings be a part of the experience. We loved having Eden present for Willow's birth, and we are preparing the others to be a part of this baby's arrival. 

Birth is beautiful and miraculous! I want to pass that message to my children, especially my girls. 

In this episode, I discuss. . . 

-How involved we allow my son to be in the birth

-Ways to appropriately introduce topics like sex, birth, and babies to your children

-Including your children in the pregnancy journey- be dazzled by God's design!

and much more!

Resources:

Scripture Promises for Labor & Birth Cards https://nohighercalling.org/product/scripture-promises-for-labor-birth/ 

Birds & Bees https://birds-bees.com/ (use code BRETTNAY to save 20%)

NHC Podcast: Brazzell Babies Birth Stories https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep-24-brazzell-babies-birth-stories/id1547126864?i=1000524934713

NHC Podcast: Willow Noelle's Birth Story

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep-86-willow-noelles-birth-story/id1547126864?i=1000565755697 

NHC Podcast: The Midwifery Care Model with Rebekah Mustaleski https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep-68-the-midwifery-care-model-with-rebekah-mustaleski/id1547126864?i=1000552290906 

Books on Home Birth for Children:

*These were recommened to me by a friend. I have not personally read any of them.

Mama Says Home Birth https://amzn.to/3QcIbwG

Welcome Home https://amzn.to/477LQ65

The Family Birth https://amzn.to/3rWbb41

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

Psalm 23:5 "thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."

In this Psalm, the anointing of oil symbolizes the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is a continual work. We continually need a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and minds. For the shepherd to know the sheep's need for the application of the oil, he must be among his sheep paying close attention to their needs. In the same way, our great Shepherd is ever-present in our lives ministering, comforting, and applying the oil of His Spirit.

Scriptures Referenced:

Psalm 23

John 14:26; 16:13

Romans 12:2

II Corinthians 10:5

Resources:

Enjoying the Journey Podcast: The Shepherd in the Shadows with Evangelist Scott Pauley https://enjoyingthejourney.org/series_title/the-shepherd-in-the-shadows/

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W Phillip Keller: https://amzn.to/3CJZGid 

The Heart of the Shepherd by Stephen Chappell: https://amzn.to/3Sh6B8R

Great Hymns for Growing Hearts: Christ the Savior is Born Advent Devotional https://nohighercalling.org/product/great-hymns-for-growing-hearts-christmas-edition-hard-copy/ 

If you do not know Christ as your Shepherd, email me at [email protected]. I'd love nothing more than to share how Jesus Christ can be your Savior.

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

As a homemaker, it is important to me to steward my family's health well. Planning, cooking, and serving meals are such a huge part of life. Busy lives can make microwave dinners and takeout pizza look quite appealing, and while we do enjoy those from time to time, I know that's not what I want for our everyday. I'm also realizing that I have a very important ministry to my family through the family table. 

Laying that foundation, we discuss how to live that out while having busy lives and schedules. You'll hear some of the tips that have helped me accomplish the goal of feeding my family well while also not spending all my time in the kitchen.

Resources

NHC Podcast: Cooking from Scratch with Jami Balmet https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/cooking-from-scratch-with-jami-balmet/id1547126864?i=1000617132827

NHC Podcast: Meal Planning

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep-62-meal-planning/id1547126864?i=1000549157611

NHC Podcast: Freezer Cooking

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep-77-freezer-cooking/id1547126864?i=1000558245327

Crock Pot: https://amzn.to/45IuZW8

Bread Machine: https://amzn.to/3Sbz2af

Souper Cubes: https://amzn.to/3Q1481O

Cooling Racks: https://amzn.to/3Q7j6Dl 

*Amazon links are afflilate links. As an Amazon influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you!!

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

As moms, one of the things we most dread to hear from our children are the words, "I'm bored!" We live in a culture that is so overstimulized. We have lost the ability to wait, to be still or to be bored. 

Ainsley Arment from Wild + Free said, "If only we could be content with ourselves long enough to make it through the desert of boredom into the oasis of imagination and creativity."

Boredom is not something that should be avoided at all costs. We just need to learn now to navigate our way through it to the beauty that awaits us on the other side. This is gift that we can give to our children!

We discuss...

-How parents model navigating boredom

-Balancing adventure and boredom

-Ways to encourage creativity and imagination

-Learning to slow down as a family

And so much more!

Resources:

NHC Podcast: Mothering in the Digital Age with Sarah Boots https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep-85-mothering-in-the-digital-age-with-sarah-boots/id1547126864?i=1000564948737 

NHC Podcast: Establishing a Quiet Time https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep-119-establishing-a-quiet-time/id1547126864?i=1000587712462 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

I'm often asked, "How do you juggle the first trimester of pregnancy while parenting other little ones?" I do not have the perfect answer, and some days are better than others! Growing a new life brings so many changes and challenges to the mama, but those things compound when you are trying to chase a toddler, manage your older children's education, keep up with the home, etc. 

This pregnancy was very rough in the first trimester. There were days where I didn't have the energy to get off the couch. In this episode, I share some different things that have helped me survive those early weeks while being mama to other little ones.

Resources:

NHC Podcast: Nourishing Your Postpartum Body with Rebecca Grant https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep-78-nourishing-your-postpartum-body-with-rebecca-grant/id1547126864?i=1000558592925 

NHC Podcast: Preparing for a New Baby https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep-70-preparing-for-a-new-baby/id1547126864?i=1000553542251 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org