Hello, Reader.

Happy "Willing to Lend a Hand Day!" It's another of those lesser known holidays with the potential to make the world a better place if only more people would choose to observe it -- and not just on August 26, but on the other 364 days of the year, as well!

Thankfully, I am surrounded by people who do exactly that. Both my husband and my children are quick to lend a hand whenever there's work to be done. That may just be a by-product of living in a large family: They've learned that unless everybody pitches in and pulls their weight, the cart won't get very far.

The good news is, many hands make light labor. And working alongside one another can be downright fun. If you have trouble getting your children to do their chores heartily -- or at all -- don't give up. Keep setting a good example while teaching, training, and patiently calling them back to the task, and you, too, may eventually be amazed at what good, cheerful workers they grow up to be!

Free resources for you this week:

• ​Age-Appropriate Chores for Children - chores build confidence & character, so train them early
• ​A Wise Woman Builds Her House - but the foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands
• ​50 Ways to Volunteer - small but impactful ways to lend a helping hand
• ​In Defense of Multitasking - yet another way to work with your hands
• ​Whatever Your Hand Finds to Do - this coloring page features Ecc. 9:10 and Col. 3:23

What I'm reading this week:

My daughter and I have been listening to Gordon Korman's Ungifted while driving to and from volleyball games in remote East Texas towns. What a hoot! Through a crazy clerical mix-up, a student whose only "gift" seems to be getting into mischief winds up being transferred to a school for geniuses. And while his abysmal grades cause his teachers to question how he ever gained admission, his presence benefits ends up benefitting his brilliant classmates in surprising and substantial ways. This book was such a fun way to kick off the new school year!

This week's reader request:

A couple of readers let me know about some typos they found in a few printables, which I've now corrected and switched out on the blog: This includes fixing the answer key for my Ampersand Quiz and correcting all the mislabeled YIELD signs on my travel Bingo cards. So thank you to eagle-eyed Linda and Jenny for spotting those errors and taking time to let me know about them!

On the podcast this week:

Loving Life at Home: Episode 115 ​STAY IN THE BOOK (BIBLE STUDY BASICS)​ I'm answering questions about Bible study on the podcast this week: where, why, and how to get started 📖 This is the first installment in a 3-part series based on an adage an old youth pastor taught me in my teens: Stay in the book. Stay on your knees. And stay after souls. Something I've been trying to live by ever since. Listen Now

Progress on last week's goals:

I was able to mark 5 items off last week's to-do list completely: I ✅ recorded a podcast episode 👆🏼, ✅ shopped/worked the CCC Sale, ✅ decoupaged a plate for my craft class, ✅ reduced my inbox to 25 messages, and ✅ sent 2 boxes of stuff we no longer need to Goodwill.

As for the other 3 items, I made only minimal progress: I ✅ edited ½ of an audiobook chapter (❌ not 5), ✅ researched Airbnbs for a Christmas trip (but ❌ still haven't booked anything), and ✅ cleared my closet desk almost completely--twice! (but ❌ I can't mark it off the list, because it's already accumulated a pile of new stuff awaiting my attention, including letters to be answered, linens to be mended, a broken china bird to be glued back together, papers to be graded, games to be reviewed, verses to be memorized, clothes to be put away, gifts to be wrapped and/or mailed, craft supplies to be sorted, and a new thumb drive awaiting a back-up of all my current computer files.

So, the question is... how much of that can I reasonably expect to accomplish in the next 7 days, in addition to my other projects and responsibilities? As usual, I think I'll set the bar high and adjust as necessary....

Personal goals for this week:

• give haircuts to kids/grandkids who want them
• finish repairing broken bird
• back up computer files to thumb drive
• make embellished hairbrush sample for girls craft class
• review Fun-Squared games (we've been playing & love them... just need to write & post it)
• send Messi magazine to one of his biggest fans (my 7-year-old grandson)
• mend son's pillow sham
• finish grading math x 5 students
• record another podcast
• edit 1½ chapters of audiobook
• touch up peeling paint on daughter's car
• make FLANDERS pennant for DIL's co-op wagon
• finish penguin Christmas stocking
• attend church potluck
• enjoy a day at the lake with family
• cheer daughter on through two more volleyball games

I probably could've finished 1-2 of the above items in the time it took me to make my list... but then I'd miss the thrill of crossing them off once they were accomplished. Ha! Is that something you do, too, or is it just me?

If you enjoy this newsletter and would like to support my work, there are five ways for you to do that:

1. Say a prayer for me & my family 🙏
2. Invite a friend to subscribe to this newsletter 📭
3. Subscribe to my podcast on your favorite platform 🎧
4. Follow me on Instagram 📸
5. Buy & review one of my books 📚

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, hit reply and let me know. 😊