No Higher Calling

Prayer is one of the most powerful tools God has given us for every aspect of life, but especially when it comes to parenting. The most important prayer request we can intercede for on the behalf of our children is for their salvation and relationship with the Lord. The next most important, I believe, is praying for your child's future spouse. So much of what their future will look like will be directly connected with the person they marry. 

In this episode, I challenge mothers to pray for their child's future spouse. We take it a step further giving the challenge to also pray for the parents of your child's future spouse. If you are anything like me, you need the power of the Holy Spirit and divine wisdom to raise your children for Christ. So do the parents who are raising your future daugther or son-in-law! What a powerful thing it would be to meet them one day, and be able to say that you've spent decades praying for them! 

Scriptures Referenced:

II Corinthians 6:14

I Thessalonians 5:16

Resources Referenced:

Head to Toe Prayer Journal: https://nohighercalling.org/product/head-to-toe-prayer-journal/ 

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

Motherhood is sanctifying work, and mothering a strong-willed child is extra sanctifying! The challenges parenting this personality type brings can lead a mother to feeling isolated, frustrated, and exhausted. What are we to do when everything we try doesn't work? How can we find hope in the midst of tantrums and attitudes?

Sarah Boots from Altogether Lovely Collective joins me to share how God is helping her grow in this area. This episode is less about the strong-willed child, and more about the mother who's been gifted that unique life. God promises to give us wisdom when we ask it of Him. Claim His promise and find strength to believe forward into the life of your child, seeing the potential that God has for them! 

Scriptures Referenced:

Galatians 6:9

Resources:

Altogether Lovely Collective Blog: Mothering the Strong-Willed Child https://altogetherlovelycollective.com/blog/mothering-the-strong-willed-child 

Altogether Lovely Collective https://altogetherlovelycollective.com/ 

Altogether Lovely Collective Instagram https://www.instagram.com/altogetherlovely.co/ 

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

Homeschooling with toddlers and babies is no joke! Yet there will be endless opportunities for laughter and fun! A question I get often is, "How do you manage homeschooling your older children while juggling having a toddler and baby under foot?" 

In this episode, I share practical advice on how we've structured our school days to best fit the season of life our family is in right now. I also share ways that I keep my toddler and baby entertained and involved in what we are learning. 

Not every day looks like what I picture and some days I cling to the promise that "His mercies are new every morning", but this life is a true joy! It is the greatest priviledge to get to teach my children at home and have our whole family involved in a lifestyle of learning (toddler and baby included)!

Resources:

NHC YouTube: Our Favorite Activities and Resources for the Kids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=womti80cqOo&t=106s 

Grocery Sort & Play Book (PaperPie) https://paperpie.com/p/9902/grocery-day-sort-play 

NHC Podcast: Encouraging Your Children to Enjoy Books https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/encouraging-your-children-to-love-books/id1547126864?i=1000612612054 

Children of Character Cards https://nohighercalling.org/product/children-of-character-cards/ 

NHC Podcast: Establishing a Quite Time Routine https://podcasts.apple.com/us/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

The Australian school year begins in January, so we are right in the middle of a fantastic homeschool year. But, I know all my friends in the US are back-to-school! I thought it'd be fun to share a glimpse into our homeschool days and the curriculum line-up we have for the next semester. Researching curriculum is a geeky hobby of mine; it's been so fun to come up with these resources, unit studies, and curriculum choices!

Resources:

NHC Blog: Curriculum Line-up for Fall/Winter 2023 https://nohighercalling.org/curriculum-line-up-for-fall-winter-2023/ 

The Four-Hour School Day by Durenda Wilson https://amzn.to/3ONO6cl 

NHC Podcast: Clean 15 with Sarah Boots https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/clean-15-with-sarah-boots/id1547126864?i=1000593962267

NHC Podcast: Cleaning with Littles https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/cleaning-with-littles/id1547126864?i=1000609275443 

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

For the next three episodes of the podcast, we'll be chatting about homeschooling! This is a huge part of our lives, and it is something and Simeon and I are very passionate about.

The goal of education is so much more than academic success. Our goal for the education of our children is to introduce them to God, allowing them to know God better. As they learn of Him, we learn about the world He created (science, history, literature) and the order He instilled in the world (math, languages, civics). Home is the ideal place to invest in this calling of discipleship and learning. Home is where we can lay the foundation of what real like looks like and how to accomplish real life skills. You do not have to homeschool to emphasize those things, but homeschooling does give margin for more time and opportunities to train.

Simeon and I share our hearts, and why we believe that home education is the best choice for our family. If you are on the fence about school choices, or maybe you've never thought and prayed through the decision, we hope that this episode will give you some great conversation and prayer points!

Outline of biblical reasons why we have chosen home education (taken from the list in the the Clarkson's book)

Scriptures Referenced:

Deuteronomy 6:7-9

Mark 3:13-15

I Corinthians 11:1

II Timothy 1:5

Resources:

Educating the Wholehearted Child by Clay & Sally Clarkson https://amzn.to/3DMy5Nb 

General Order Four (discipleship podcast) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/general-order-4-podcast/id1529928237 

NHC Podcast: Parenting & Discipleship https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-38-parenting-and-discipleship/id1547126864?i=1000534090284 

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

I can hardly believe we are at the halfway point of my pregnancy with baby #5! We could not be more delighted about this new addition to our family. In this episode, I answer listeners questions about the baby & pregnancy.

-When's the due date?

-Will we find out baby's gender?

-Will baby be an Australian citizen?

-What is my birth plan?

And more!!

This podcast was recorded live for the NHC YouTube Channel. You can watch the q&a here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX_hxph0IqY 

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

One of my favorite aspects of making hospitality a big part of our home and ministry is getting my children involved. They have become wonderful hosptiality helpers! Through intentional training, they have learned how to greet others with kindess and welcome, how to do a quick tidy and clean of the home, how to prep dinner, how to remember manners through meal time, how to engage in conversation with people of all ages, and more!

In this episode, I pull some thoughts from the Hospitality Guide I put together (find at www.nohighercalling.org/shop) and give practical ideas on how to get your children involved in hospitality no matter what their age!

Do you practice hospitality on a regular basis? Do you involve your children? I'd love to hear how you get your family involved in this wonderful Gospel opportunity!

Resources:

NHC Hospitality Guide https://nohighercalling.org/product/hospitality-guide/ 

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

"I truly believe that a successful day begins the night before. Setting yourself up for success before bed is an amazing way to not only have more peace in your day, but it's a way to feel calmer and happier- and to have time for those things that matter most to you." -Crystal Paine

I am a busy wife and mama. With 4 kids under 6, a baby on the way, homeschooling responsibilities, homemaking tasks, a husband, minstry, and the list could go on. . . I get asked often, how do you manage?! I've learned (from lots of trial and error) that if I want to set myself up to have a successful day, I have to begin preparing the evening before. In this episode, I share what our evening rhythms look like and give practical tips to creating a good evening routine. 

Resources:

Time Saving Mom by Crystal Paine https://amzn.to/44T4Kwp 

NHC Podcast: A Quiet, Contented Heart with Erin Bates Paine https://podcasts.apple.com/om/podcast/ep-59-a-quiet-contented-heart-with-erin-bates-paine/id1547126864?i=1000547089912&l=ar 

Peaceful Hymns CD by New Mercies Music https://www.newmerciesmusic.com/product-page/peaceful-hymns-cd-piano-solos 

Hymns CD by Erin Bates Paine https://www.chadanderin.com/product/hymns/

Scripture Meditations by Erin Bates Paine https://www.chadanderin.com/product/scripture-meditations-2-disc/ 

Hive Pocket Game (a great game for a parent & child ages 4+) https://amzn.to/3Oiycq5 

Parks Board Game (a favorite 2 player game!) https://amzn.to/3Q0FO1u 

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

Psalm 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;"

Deep trials are a reality of life because we live in a broken, sin-cursed world. Yet, our gentle Shepherd reminds us that in the midst of the darkest valleys, we need not fear! How can that be so? Because of the Shepherd's presence. We can weather the storms of life victorious because Christ walks with us. 

The journey we walk is worth the endurance required. The valleys provide blessings that nothing else can provide. They make us dependent upon Christ. They provide a way to higher ground. They provide wisdom we must glean to continue on the path.

As we continue our journey through this rich Psalm, may your soul be encouraged as we learn more about the loving heart of our great Shepherd.

Scriptures Referenced:

Psalm 8:4-6; 23; 91

Isaiah 6:5

Daniel 3:18

John 9:1-3

II Corinthians 10:5-6

Philippians 3:10

Resources:

Fear Not! Meditations to Overcome Fear, Worry, and Discouragement by Rand Hummel https://amzn.to/3NG4x8u 

Children of Character Cards https://nohighercalling.org/product/children-of-character-cards/ 

Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard https://amzn.to/447tQrp 

Always, Only Good by Shelly Hamilton https://www.majestymusic.com/always-only-good-book.html 

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

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

Family-integrated worship is becoming more common in churches today. Whether that is your choice or because your church doesn't have separate nursuries and classes, many parents find themselves wondering- how do we teach our littles to sit in church? 

I'll say upfront, I am not the authority on this topic! We are in the process of training our children in this, but I have learned some things that I share in this episode. I also had a friend reach out with some great questions to think through with your spouse as you train your children to sit in the main worship service. 

Scriptures Referenced:

Romans 10:17

Resources:

Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham https://amzn.to/44pgyGV

Great Hymns for Growing Hearts Family Hymn Study https://www.newmerciesmusic.com/product-page/great-hymns-for-growing-hearts 

NHC Podcast: Teaching Children to Pray with Heidi James https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/teaching-children-to-pray-with-heidi-james/id1547126864?i=1000598838116 

Sermon Notes for Kids Printable https://www.theferventmama.com/free-kids-sermon-notes-printable/ 

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