Friday, February 20, 2026
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Don't Stop Praying! {Review}
What do you think of when you hear the phrase "prayer warrior?' What images come to mind? If we're honest, most of us don't picture much of a warrior at all. Prayer often feels like a last resort, the Hail Mary of Christianity. But what is prayer really? What if we have it all wrong?
In Matthew West's, Don't Stop Praying, readers will travel through 40 foundational prayers... ranging from healings to strength, faith to addictions... this book addresses the power and intimacy of a personal relationship with the Lord. Each chapter includes a short devotional, a specific prayer focus, and thoughtful journaling questions for reflection. The devotions are short, easily read in a few minutes, without being shallow or condescending. And the prompts and journal questions require real reflection, without bordering on cliche.
When I first picked up this book, I wasn't sure if West could really have enough to say to cover 40 different aspects of prayer. But I was wrong. This book was a fresh reminder of God's presence in every aspect of life. It reminded me that prayer isn't just for the giant issues, but the pressures of every day. God desires to hear our thoughts and concerns on every level. It was a good recentering for my own life and I play to reread it, working slowly through each prayer and growing in what it means to truly be a prayer warrior. This would also make a great study for a group. But be ready to be challenged by this one. It's an incredible resource for those desiring to grow in their conversations with the Lord.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Monday, February 16, 2026
Homeschool Week in Review ll February 2-6, 2026
Ready to take a peek into our homeschool week???
I'm always curious what other families' homeschools look like so I thought I'd share a week in the doldrums of February. February is notorious for being hard on homeschoolers. The holidays have come and gone, and now we're back into routine. So what does our homeschool look like?
Monday morning was a little slow moving. Our mornings are still dark and it's so tempting to sleep in. But if I want to have a morning meeting, it's important we get moving so my high schoolers have the time they need to get other things done. Morning meeting flowed well: Bible, memory work, current events and listening to a podcast on Aaron Copland since we have a symphony field trip coming up. Mondays are clear of most extra curricular obligations so it's a good day to make progress on our bookwork. My ninth grader worked on some writing while I worked out. And when it warmed up later, we took our books out to the patio. That evening my husband and I went to the dance studio to watch my daughter's modern class for parent's week. It's always fun to see what she's been working on. Her face is instantly transformed when she's dancing.
Tuesdays are always what we affectionately call "Crazy Tuesdays." That's when most of our extra curricular occur. So I still make a checklist for my 9th grader, but I secretly have a minimized list in my head. As long as we hit a couple of key subjects, I'm happy. I prepped stuffed pepper soup for the crockpot while he completed a Shormann Algebra lesson. Then I drove the mom taxi as he had Robotics class and choir in the afternoon. Luckily Grandma was able to drop him off that evening for trampoline class so my husband and I could go watch some more dance. This night was ballet and jazz. Totally different styles, but my 12th grader still rocked them both. Then it was back home to read a little and prep for the next morning.
Wednesday morning started off strong. It's one of the days we are home more so I was anxious to have the kids working. It was also beautiful outside. So after an algebra lesson on the computer, we spent most of the day doing school work on the patio. Later that afternoon, my ninth grader and I took a walk around the neighborhood, and visited with the neighbor's cats. Our afternoon walks always give us lots of time to connect and petting kitties is a great motivator. :-) That evening, he went to youth group while I got to watch more ballet.
Thursday was a whirlwind. We watched some of our Shakespeare play during Morning Time and then off to do school work. My ninth grader had a robotics class, and afterwards my 12th grader and I joined him for a meeting with our "teacher." The kids updated her on their progress and we talked about a few details for graduation. I can't believe how close my daughter is to graduating. It's unreal. Later, I took her back to ballet while my son stayed home and played card games with Grandma. We've been playing a lot of card games this season. My favorite has been Dutch Blitz, but I think I've burned him out on it. :-)
Friday has become our homeschool group days. We have a couple of families we meet with for encouragement, friendship, and adventures. This week my husband joined us and we went hiking. We packed our lunches and ate when we got to the peak. It's been a fun way for us to get out, and for the kids to meet some likeminded families. Afterwards, we came home for our read aloud and Friday Night pizza and a movie. Cool Running, of course, since the Olympics are starting.
It was a full week. Choir is getting rolling. Dance is filling my daughter's days. And I'm just soaking up the moments. We've hit a sweet rhythm this year.
And I'm all about enjoying it!
What are your homeschool weeks looking like?
Friday, February 13, 2026
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Top Five Nonfiction Reads of 2025
The Familiar Stranger by Tyler Staton
See my full review here.
Out of a Far Country by Christopher Yuan & Angela Yuan
This book has been on my to-read list for a while. The son of Chinese immigrants, Christopher Yuan got good grades, listened to his parents, and dutifully took piano lessons. He seems like the model son... until he wasn't. After coming out to his parents in his early 20s, Chris distanced himself from his family. His mother Angela found herself in a dark place, ready to end her own life. Eventually, she learned to relinquish control and place her son in God's hands. Chris' life takes a different turn... dropping out of college, dealing drugs, and eventually being arrested. There were points in this autobiography that were really challenging to read, times when Christopher Yuan described the drug scene that he was involved in. But overall, Out of a Far Country is a beautiful story of family and redemption. So glad I finally got my hands on a copy.
Saving My Assassin by Virginia Prodan
This powerful memoir follows Virginia Prodan as she grows up in communist Romania. After becoming a lawyer, she starts defending pastors and churches. It's through her political activism that she becomes a target of the government, and eventually has to escape with her family. Incredible story of prayer, perseverance, and the Lord's protection.
Experience Jesus. Really. by John Eldridge
See my full review here.
Rescue Story by Zach Williams
Wow! This book was an honest look at the singer/songwriter's life. Wrestling with alcohol and drug abuse for 10+ years, Williams finally finds hope and purpose in coming to the Lord. He shares his testimony of how the Lord saved his life, marriage, and family before he made it big in the music industry. What struck me most was his dedication to sharing his story as a way of saying, "Look what God did." Powerful, encouraging, and a true testimony of faith and prayer.
What Nonfiction Are You Reading?
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