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://nohig...
Aug 10, 2023•52 min•Ep. 218
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, civic...
Aug 07, 2023•52 min•Ep. 202
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 ...
Aug 03, 2023•26 min•Ep. 216
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...
Jul 27, 2023•29 min•Ep. 189
"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 learn...
Jul 20, 2023•34 min•Ep. 208
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 b...
Jul 17, 2023•40 min•Ep. 199
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 wit...
Jul 13, 2023•40 min•Ep. 201
Everyone seems to love when I do an Instgram day-in-the-life! It's fun to bring you in and show you a glimpse into our life and the rhythms of our home. It's been requested that I do a podcast sharing a more detailed look into what our life looks like. So, here's the episode! Listen in as I share how we tackle homemaking tasks, homeschooling, schedules, and more. Not all days are normal, and life often brings new seasons and rhythms of home get tweaked, but this is what our current season looks ...
Jul 10, 2023•47 min•Ep. 196
Crystal Paine from Money Saving Mom joins me to talk about her new book, Time Saving Mom . This book is all about how to juggle a lot, enjoy your life, and accomplish what matters most. Crystal writes about a four step plan to put this to action in your life, and it all begins with starting your day with the Lord. In this interview, she shares why it is so important for busy women to begin their day with Jesus. This allows you to serve the Lord and others from a place of peace instead of from a ...
Jul 06, 2023•29 min•Ep. 195
A recap of the books that I read in Quarter 2 of 2023! Resources: NHC Blog: 2023 Reading Challenge~ Quarter 2 https://nohighercalling.org/quarter-2-books/ Bible Studies for Teens by Rand Hummel: https://wilds.org/store/products/resources/bible-studies/ Brambley Hedge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=brambley+hedge Follow my journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram , YouTube , and www.nohighercalling.org...
Jun 29, 2023•32 min•Ep. 194
When Mary needed spritual encouragement and fellowship, the Bible says she made haste to go to one person- Elizabeth. The friendship between Mary and Elizabeth is beautiful, and there is much we can learn from their example. We are challenged to seek to be a Christlike friend, seeking to point those we love to the Lord. "We are hungry for the sustenance of sturdy, deep friendships, but we are fed an idea of friendshp that is neither nourishing nor satisfying. Friendship can and must be so much m...
Jun 26, 2023•37 min•Ep. 193
We are living in a day where children are coming in adulthood with little to no character. Being known as a man of your word or a woman of discretion is almost unheard-of. As Christian parents, it should not only be our desire, but it is our responsibility to instruct our children in righteousness and godly character! God put it on our hearts to create a resource full of Scripture and biblical wisdom to aid parents in teaching their children character. The Children of Character cards are now ava...
Jun 22, 2023•26 min•Ep. 190
Many of our families are facing the struggle of rising food costs and limited budgets, yet while having a desire to feed our families wholesome meals. Jami Balmet from Finding Joy in Your Home joins me to share how cooking from scratch has blessed their family in these areas. She also gives great advice on how to make cooking from scratch a very practical part of your homemaking- it doesn't have to be overwhelming and daunting! By taking baby steps in your kitchen, you will see progress and grow...
Jun 15, 2023•38 min•Ep. 191
We enjoyed 3 wonderful weeks of having my mother-in-law in Australia with us. The time went way too fast, and we are already trying to plan her next visit! While Roxanne was here, we recorded this Q & A episode together. It was a treat for me to get to share her with my podcast audience. Roxanne shares. . . -Her salvation testimony, her favorite Bible verse, and her hobbies -A mother's heart behind their child being called to a foreign mission field -Inside scoop on the early days of Simeon ...
Jun 12, 2023•24 min•Ep. 200
"But the path of the just is as the shining light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18 The Christian life is a path, a journey that leads us down the road of sanctification. How do we know what path to follow? We follow the Shepherd who guides us! In this episode, we discuss the path that God desires for us to walk, how to guide your children in the path of righteousness, what to do if you are doubting the path God would have you walk, how singing can free the soul, a...
Jun 08, 2023•35 min•Ep. 192
Simeon joins me to discuss the difference between convictions, standards, and preferences. This conversation can often be difficult, but God's Word gives a sure foundation of truth. We seek to define the difference of these three areas, and how we can best obey, glorify, and grow in Christlikeness in the decisions we make as families. In the age of social media, I often am asked questions about our choices, beliefs, etc. And being a ministry family, we have been approached for biblical advice re...
Jun 01, 2023•50 min•Ep. 188
We are entering birthday season in our home! As we seek to celebrate life and create fun family traditions, we have tried to make birthdays extra special. In this episode, you hear how the Brazzells celebrate birthdays. I also share some of my favorite gifts for children age 1- early elementary. Resources: NHC Blog: Links for Gifts Mentioned in Episode: https://www.nohighercalling.org/blog/the-best-birthday-gifts-for-children Memory Making Mom by Jessica Smartt: https://amzn.to/3ouzNhO Everyday ...
May 29, 2023•34 min•Ep. 186
Leah Boden, the Modern Miss Mason, joins me to give a beautiful introduction to a Charlotte Mason education. She emphasizes the wonder and delight found in this method, no matter what form of education your family chooses. In her own words, the advice she shares is, "For every mother who desires to cultivate a lasting foundation of curiosity and wonder for her children from home, whilst continuing a rich life of learning for herself." We discuss. . . -A brief introduction to Charlotte Mason and ...
May 25, 2023•35 min•Ep. 185
"We are living the transition between paradise lost and paradise restored." -Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth One day, paradise will be restored. All will be made right. But for now, we live in a broken, sin-cursed world. Because of this, we often find our souls in desperate need of restoration. This beautiful phrase in Psalm 23 reminds us that it is our Shepherd who restores us. Once we have been through the green pastures and by the still waters, our souls are restored. Restore means to "revive, refresh...
May 18, 2023•27 min•Ep. 187
Have you ever felt like you are too busy to spend time with the Lord? If we're being honest, I believe we could all answer "yes." There will always be distractions and pressing schedules. I'm not here to make you feel guilty, but I am here to challenge you (and myself!) to make Christ preeminent in our lives. Ladies, we will never be the women God desires for us to be if He does not have His rightful place in our lives! In this episode, I share how God is teaching me to keep my heart and mind in...
May 15, 2023•37 min•Ep. 183
The Brazzell household loves books, from the oldest to the youngest! I often receive messages from moms asking me, "How do you get your children to enjoy books?" In this episode, I share various ways you can encourage a love for reading in your child (and in yourself!) Rich literature provides such delight. Expose your children to a feast of it! Resources: NHC Podcast: Mothering in the Digital Age with Sarah Boots NHC Podcast: The Importance of Reading with Your Kids Part I with Sarah Boots NHC ...
May 11, 2023•41 min•Ep. 182
Simeon joins me in this episode to talk specifically to the husbands and dads represented by the ladies who listen to this podcast. So grab your husband and a cup of tea and join us as we chat about the role God has for dad in the home and in the education of your children. In the previous episode, Simeon addressed the importance that the father plays in the home as the spiritual leader. Many of those responsibilities lead families to make the choice that homeschooling is the educational model t...
May 04, 2023•35 min•Ep. 181
Simeon joins me in this episode to talk specifically to the husbands and dads represented by the ladies who listen to this podcast. So grab your husband and a cup of tea and join us as we chat about the role God has for dad in the home and in the education of your children. This is the first of a 2 part episode where Simeon opens the Scriptures and digs deep into the role of the husband and father. This episode, while touching on academic education, deals more with a father's role in his home as...
May 01, 2023•46 min•Ep. 177
Gracie Heaton, missionary to the United Kingdom, joins me to share how the Lord is challenging her to remember Him. Psalm 106 contains the record of the children of Israel, how they forgot the works of the Lord and sinned against Him. We can be quick to judge Israel, but how quick are we to forget the works of the Lord? Psalm 111:4 says, "He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered." Gracie shares Scriptural commands for the discipline of remembering God, and practical ways that we can imp...
Apr 27, 2023•29 min•Ep. 174
It is a rare day when the voice of "Patch the Pirate" (aka Ron Hamilton) is not heard in our home. Simeon and I grew up on Patch the Pirate audio adventures, and it has been such a blessing to our family to introduce them to our children. Join Patch the Pirate as he captains the Jolly Roger! You'll fall in love with characters like Sissy Seagull, Alberta Einstein, Commodore, Princess, and all many more. Adventure to many lands all while learning truths from God's Word. These stories are full of ...
Apr 24, 2023•26 min•Ep. 197
David, the shepherd boy, gives beautiful illustrations about God through the lens of the relationship he has with his sheep. We are journeying through Psalm 23, and this episode brings us to the still waters. Sheep will not drink from waters that are rushing. Neither should they drink from waters that are stagnant. The shepherd must find still, peaceful waters for them to be refreshed by. God does the same thing for us. Throughout hills and valleys of our lives, He has perfectly placed still wat...
Apr 20, 2023•34 min•Ep. 179
At the first of the year, Sarah Boots from Altogether Lovely Collective joined me to share how "Clean 15" has revolutionized cleaning in their home. I gleaned so much from her wisdom, but being in the middle of an international move, it was not a good time for us to implement them. Fast forward a few months, we are now settled into our new life in Australia, and we have implemented our own version of Clean 15. In this episode, I share: -what Clean 15 looks like for us -how to incorporate your li...
Apr 17, 2023•25 min•Ep. 178
As much as I wish this wasn't the case, we are raising our children in a sin-cursed, broken world. Satan wants nothing more than to sit on the throne of our children's hearts and minds and keep them in bondage to sin. One of the ways he is accomplishing this at epidemic rates is through pornography. The question is not if our children will be exposed, it is when. The average age of exposure to pornography is 8 years old. We MUST acknowledge this reality and equip our children so they will not fa...
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 176
Culture is giving our children's so many mixed messages when it comes to the topic of sex. It is not a matter of if they will hear these confused ideals, but when. And that age of introduction is getting younger all the time. As Christian parents, we need to be the loving authority who are the first to speak to our children about this topic so that we can give them a biblical view of sex. Sex was God's design. All things that He created He called good. In this episode, I discuss... -getting your...
Apr 06, 2023•47 min•Ep. 175
James 5:16 "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Stacie Loughrin, author of Praying Over Your Homeschool and Joy in the Chaos, joins me to speak on the importance of prayer in the life of a homeschooling family. She shares great thoughts on cultivating an atmosphere of prayer in your home and home education. "Homeschooling is not just about academics, but about nurturing the whole person and instilling in them a love for God and a desire to serve Him. And prayer is a c...
Apr 03, 2023•39 min•Ep. 180
