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Hello, Reader.

The first Thursday of every October has been set aside in the US as "Bring Your Bible to School Day." In high school, I carried my Bible to school every day, but even back then, the practice met with resistance.

I had an art teacher in ninth grade who told me I was violating the separation of church and state by carrying my Bible. She was mistaken. But I still wound up with a "C" in her class, despite my having natural talent and making high marks on individual assignments.

Today, standing for truth and boldly proclaiming it can result in much more serious consequences than stern reprimands or biased grades. Yet I am so encouraged that so many young people are choosing to take a stand, nonetheless.

Of course, the better you know and understand the truth, the more firmly you'll be able to stand upon it when storms rage against it. Which is why I'm dedicating this week's link list to knowing God's Word

Free resources for you this week:

• ​Books of the Bible printable - learn the order and major divisions of the 66 books of the Bible
• ​Bible Knowledge Conversation Starters - free printable discussion prompts
• ​Andrew Jackson Coloring Page on Bible - "The Bible is the rock upon which our republic rests"
• ​50 Bible Verses to Memorize - a printable list of recommended passages to hide in your heart
• ​Abe Lincoln on the Bible - another great presidential quote on the importance of scripture
• ​Trust in the Lord Coloring Page - it's not enough to know what it says... you've got to believe it!

What I'm reading this week:

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My daughter and I have been reading The Hiding Place for school. It has been years since I last read Corrie ten Boom's classic work, and I'd forgotten what rich examples of God's faithful presence and sustaining grace she packed into this Holocaust account. Oh, for the ability to view others -- friend and foe alike -- from an eternal perspective, just as Corrie's sister Betsy was so wont to do! She pitied and prayed for her tormenters, because she rightly understood they were in far graver danger than herself.

On the podcast this week:

Loving Life at Home: Episode 100 ​Q&A - BUSY TODDLERS, MORNING SICKNESS, & DISAPPROVING PARENTS​ My answers to questions about training toddlers who get into EVERYTHING, homeschooling even when you feel nauseous, and dealing with parents who do not approve of your life choices. ​ Listen Now

Progress on last week's goals:

I finished almost all the things on my to-do list last week: I ✅ finally got registered for family camp, ✅ babysat 9 grandkids x 3 days, ✅ attended my friend's fabulous book launch party, ✅ painted my daughter's water bottle, ✅ cheered for her team at another volleyball tournament (they won!), ✅ submitted freebie for upcoming Homeschooling Summit swag bag, and ✅ graded part (but ❌ not all) of my students' math homework (mainly because my grandkids keep taking theirs home with them instead of leaving it with me long enough to check)

Personal goals for this week:

• make quilled card sample for craft class
• transplant iris bulbs
• replace water filters
• record audio for our new family movie-making challenge
• set up campsite for family camp
• plan menus for camping
• attend party for homeschool co-op moms
• make an outline for our family's 2025 Christmas letter
• felt a few more mushrooms for my fall tree

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Thanks so much for all your help! I'll be back next week with more links, reviews, and resources. If you have any special requests, please let me know. 😊