I challenged myself to read 40 books this year, and I decided to do a post along with a podcast episode at the end of each quarter updating on my reading challenge. You can read the books that I read in the first quarter of 2021 here, and you can listen to me speak on those books and talk about how I read so much as a busy mama on episode 14 of the No Higher Calling podcast.

This second quarter has had me reading some wonderful books! My heart has been stirred, challenged, and blessed as I have gleaned much truth from their pages. Below, you’ll find links to each book and my review.

13. Love Stories of Great Missionaries by Belle Marvel Brain, David Hosaflook: 4 Stars- “How short is time, how boundless is eternity! If we may be considered worthy of suffering for Jesus here, will it not enhance our happiness hereafter?” -Adoniram Judson. I always love reading missionary stories, but this book gave a twist as it shared the love stories of missionaries. I was captivated to read of the devotion these people had for their Lord first and foremost, and then to each other. During a time when a surrender to the mission field most often meant hardship, sickness, loneliness and death, these missionaries gave their all for a Saviour who gave His all for them. Such a challenging read! I gave it a 4 star because of a slant that the original author put on a lady who refused to marry a missionary. She condemned this woman’s decision, but the lady, through much prayer and seeking the Lord, did not feel that it was God’s will for her to marry him. As a mother, I’d rather my daughter marry a business man with the peace that they were in the center of God’s will than to marry a man in the ministry and not be convinced that it was God’s will. The second author, Hosaflook, wrote an addendum at the end addressing his thoughts on this as well. I appreciate that he went deeper into the first author’s wrong assumptions.

14. A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman: 4 Stars- “. . . there is a huge difference between ‘entertaining’ and offering hospitality. Entertaining puts the emphasis on you and how you can impress others. Offering hospitality puts the emphasis on others and strives to meet their physical and spiritual needs so that they feel refreshed, not impressed, when they leave your home.” Hospitality is a topic that is dear to my heart. The first half of this book did a wonderful job at addressing what our heart focus should be as we try to minister to others through hospitality. Those chapters encouraged and challenged me. The second half gave more practical hospitality advice. While much of it was helpful, much of it was also outdated, hence the 4 star review. I would still highly recommend the book, but I would look to more current sources for practical tips.

15. Teaching From Rest by Sarah MacKenzie: 5 Stars- Every homeschool mom needs to read this! As moms, we tend to put so much pressure on ourselves to raise “perfect kids.” Being a homeschool mom, adds another layer to this stress. The feeling that our kids futures rest in our hands can quickly overwhelm us as we seek to give them the best education. Sarah MacKenzie addresses this in this little booklet. My biggest takeaway was that I do have a responsibility to work hard and give my all as a mom and educator, but I can rest in the Lord, trusting that He is the one that is in charge of the results. You’ll find so much encouragement and perspective shift in the pages of this book.

16. Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine : 5 Stars- “Living with purpose means wisely choosing and committing to a few of the best things for the season of life you’re in.” Earlier this year, I read Atomic Habits. Both of these books are along the same lines- establishing good habits, rooting out bad ones, arranging your life to have time for what really matters, setting yourself up for success and joy in your daily life and routines. While Atomic Habits was more “nitty gritty”, I enjoyed Crystal’s book so much more! Written from a Christian perspective, it struck a chord with my heart. I am very organized and structured. This book gave me much to think through as I seek to live my life with God as preeminent, and everything else in alignment with Christ as my highest motivation.

17. Love-Centered Parenting by Crystal Paine: 5 Stars- I have read quite a few parenting books, and this one stands out above many others! Crystal shares real and raw experiences of how God has transformed her heart as a mother, and in turn, has transformed their home. God opened my eyes to several specific things I need to give over to Him as I seek to be a love-centered mama. Our kids are worth any amount of growth, toil, or sacrifice it takes to love them like Jesus does!

18. God’s Battle Plan for the Mind by David Saxton : 5 Stars- “Hearing God’s Word is like one dip of the tea bag into the cup. Some of the tea’s flavor is absorbed, but not as much as would occur with a more thorough soaking of the bag. . . [Meditation] is like immersing the bag completely and letting it steep until all the rich tea flavor has been extracted.” This was such a powerful read! They had such a deep devotional to God and a seriousness about their relationship with Him. This book delves into what the Puritans had to say about the importance of meditation. This is not the eastern religion/new age meditation that we think of today. This is the rich study of the Bible, churning of the truths read in one’s mind, and the application of the truths that God reveal’s to our hearts. The author likens modern Christianity’s devotional life to someone shoving down a burger while driving 80mph down the highway. Instead, God want’s us to sit down with Him for a 5 course meal, thoroughly enjoying each bite of delicious food that was made specifically with us, as the consumer in mind. Too often do I scarf a 5 minute devotional before the demands of the day begin. I know I need more precious meals with my Saviour!

19. The Lifegiving Table by Sally Clarkson: 5 Stars- “Creating a life-giving table is an intentional act of gathering, blessing, eating, sharing, and serving.” This book is full of beauty, celebration, and pure enjoyment of life and love. Sally shares many ideas on how we can center our home around the dinner table. Whether it’s engaging group conversations, or a heart to heart with a child, the table is a place where all else can be set aside, and you come together to share life. I loved the chapters on how Jesus used the table and meals in His ministry. Sally includes some of their favorite family recipes. I’ve tried several of them, and will definitely be making them again!

20. For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macauley: 4 Stars- I gave this book 4 stars, because it took me a while to get through it. I got about half way through, and wound up putting it down for months. While the content was good, it was dry and difficult to get engaged in. After several months, I finished it as an audio book. I loved the second half! There was so much depth in analyzing educational philosophy, yet practical application to implement those ideas into your day to day homeschooling. My heart resonates with the Charlotte Mason approach to learning, and I enjoyed thinking through more ways I can tailor our children’s education to educate the whole child and ignite a lifetime passion for learning.

21. A Letter In Your Loss by Kristen Kelley: 5 Stars- This booklet was written by a missionary friend of mine. I remember when she published it. I thought- I know this book will encourage many, but I hope I never have a need to read it. God had other plans in store. We had to walk through our own miscarriage journey in May of 2021, and it broke our hearts. But God! He is always faithful and always good! Kristen shares her own stories of loss, heartbreak and sorrow, but she doesn’t end there. She goes on to share Scriptures that God used to strengthen their hearts. If God, in His infinite wisdom, ever chooses for you to walk through this trial, this book will bring you so much encouragement. It’s also a wonderful gift for a friend who is going through this dark valley.

22. It’s All Under Control by Jennifer Dukes Lee: 3 Stars- Control. I think it’s something we all want. Maybe different individuals want it to different levels, but we all like the idea of being in control- of our future, our present, our finances, our relationships, our children, the list could go on. But what does the Bible say about this? As believers, we are to allow God to have full control of our lives. He is the only one who is omniscient and sovereign. There are many things that have occurred in my life that I wouldn’t have included in my story, but as time moves on, I come to see depths of Christ’s love in allowing me to walk through things that made me feel as though circumstances were out of control. This was a message my heart desperately needed when I picked up the book. Parts of the book held Scriptural depth that strengthened my faith. Other parts were fluff that saddened me when I needed something to minister to my soul. Overall, I enjoyed the read, but it wasn’t even close to the best book I’ve read on this topic.

23. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller: 5 Stars- This book has forever changed the way I read Psalm 23. The author uses his knowledge of shepherding to open the readers understanding to exactly what David meant as he penned this Psalm. I finished this book with a greater understanding of the Lord, my Shepherd, and all that He does for me as one of His sheep. I think every Christian should read this book! Two quotes I loved from this book- “Yet the staggering fact remains that Christ, the Creator of such an enormous universe of overwhelming magnitude, designs to call Himself my Shepherd and invites me to consider myself His sheep- His special object of affection and attention.” “And now no matter what storms I face, His very life and strength and vitality is poured into mine. It overflows so the cup of my life runs over with His life. . . often with great blessing and benefit to others who see me stand up so well in the midst of trials and suffering.”

24. Redeeming Childbirth by Angie Tolpin: 4 Stars- Childbirth, especially childbirth as God intended, is a topic I’m very passionate about. I have been so encouraged by the Tolpin’s podcast and ministry, so I was excited to get this book. It is packed with wonderful truth, thought-provoking challenges, and a call to let God shine through our birth experiences. Angie’s style of worship varies a bit from my preference of worship, but I was challenged to think through ways in which I could experience God and glorify Him in greater ways in future birth experiences. This book left me hoping to have the joy and privilege of bringing another life into the world, because I want to embrace all that God has for Simeon and I in our birth experience. This type of birth wasn’t even on our radar with our first two. We got a glimpse of it with Ivy, but I hope any future children will align with what Angie presents in her book- a birth that leaves us in complete awe of our amazing Creator and full of gratitude that He fills us with His strength and power right when we need it. Everything that God has created was with the purpose of revealing Himself to us in a deeper way, birth is no exception! It is a beautiful opportunity to experience God in a whole new way.

25. Susanna Wesley by Arnold A. Dallimore : 3 Stars- This book was included free with my Audible subscription, so I thought I’d give it a try. It was an interesting biography on the life of Susanna Wesley. There were many details about her life, the ministry of her family, and her children. I learned many details about her that I didn’t know. Overall though, it was a very average read. I am glad it’s not a book that I paid for. It’s my least favorite book I’ve read so far this year.

26. Give Your Child the Word by Jamie C. Martin: 5 Stars- This book is an incredible resource! The first few chapters address the importance of opening your child’s eyes to the world and practical ways that can be accomplished. The majority of the book is book recommendations categorized by continent and age group (ranging from ages 4-12). All the books recommended provide rich reading and have been reviewed as some of the most popular books in that category. I have a huge list of books to look for at our local library from these recommendations.