Hello, Reader.

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and since I myself am now a survivor of breast cancer, I wanted to post something- to commemorate the occasion. Especially since I just had another follow-up visit with my oncologist yesterday afternoon, and all the tests we’ve gotten back so far are clear!

I’m still waiting for the results of my circulating tumor DNA test, but will have that report in another week or two. I’ve had one every 3-6 months since being diagnosed in 2024, and –thus far — they've all come back negative. Please join me in praying that remains the case!

Anyway, consider this your reminder to keep performing those self breast exams! This week's link list offers a few more resources you may be interested in.

Free resources for you this week:

• ​Prayer for Those with Cancer: we all need prayer! here's what I pray for friends with cancer
• ​Bible Verses about Healing: post these around your house for encouragement
• ​Unwrapping Cancer for Christmas: one of the first podcasts I did after being diagnosed myself
• ​Gracious Blessings Coloring Page: a beautiful prayer for God’s saving health
• ​Think Pink Trivia Test: a fun new quiz for you (because a cheerful heart is good medicine!)

What I'm reading this week:

I finished Escape this week, the third and final installment in Gordon Korman's Island Series, and I must say, I found the conclusion very satisfying. Six troubled kids whose parents, for various reasons, signed them up for a cooperative program called "Charting a New Course" find themselves marooned, alone, on an uncharted Pacific island in the after the ship they were on sinks during a storm. There they really learn the meaning of cooperation as they face harrowing dangers on multiple fronts. Will they ever be able to escape the dire circumstances and find their way back home? This book takes several unforseen twists and turns to answer that question.

On the podcast this week:

I did not, in fact, record part 2 of my homeschooling podcast this week (though if you're interested in getting some great homeschool encouragement, you should tune in to this free 5-day online summit, going on now. Otherwise, here is another episode from my archives:

Loving Life at Home: Episode 101 ​SURPRISING BENEFITS FROM FAMILY STORYTELLING​ Studies show that the #1 predictor of a child’s emotional well-being is how well that kid knows his family history. So this week, we’re talking about how important storytelling is for the growth and development and emotional wellbeing of our children, and about what kinds of stories parents need to make sure they pass down to their kids. Listen Now

Progress on last week's goals:

I completed all but one item on last week's to-do list: I ✅ cheered for my daughter at volleyball nationals (they took home silver) 🏐, ✅ traveled back to Tyler afterwards 🚙, ✅ finished crocheting a pumpkin (& started a nutcracker) 🧶, ✅ got art samples/ supplies ready for my co-op craft class 🧵, ✅ prepared my talk for a life skills class 📔, ✅ organized all my gift bags and tissue paper 🛍️, and ✅ reduced my inbox to fewer than 50 messages 📨 .

The only thing I didn't finish was ❌ recording more homeschooling Q&As for my podcast.🎙️

Personal goals for this week:

• deliver study skills talk to homeschooled high schoolers
• host bridal shower for sweet friend
• decopauge a sample candle holder with pressed flowers
• host family potluck (this month’s theme: Octoberfest)
• record podcast episode
• straighten boys' bathroom cabinets
• babysit grandkids

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. 😊