No Higher Calling blog
From My Heart To Yours
It has always been my desire to speak out of the overflow. This is one way in which I can accomplish that. Here you'll find articles on a wide array of topics that have affected my life, and I hope will help!
Recent Articles
2026 Curriculum Choices
Hear about these resources and our new homeschool year on the NHC Podcast! COMING SOON!…
December 6, 2025
How to Encourage a Reluctant Reader
On The No Higher Calling Podcast: How to Encourage a Reluctant Reader Read Aloud Together…
October 12, 2025
2025 Reading Challenge (Quarter 3)
Hear me share about these books on the No Higher Calling podcast. There are many…
September 17, 2025
Featured Articles
Must read articles curated to help you be the best you can be for the Lord’s service.
Articles By Category
It is our prayer that these articles will help you to be the wife and mother God created you to be!
Christian LivingStanding for Light While Surrounded by Darkness
I'll start blunt. We do not celebrate any part of Halloween. I know that the…...
October 9, 2020
Christian LivingKeeping Christ the Center of Christmas
Luke 2:19 "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." ponder:…...
November 28, 2020
Christian LivingChristmas Traditions
Christmas is my favorite time of year! It has always been special, but I've loved…...
December 6, 2020
Christian LivingAs Thy Days, So Thy Strength
Deuteronomy 33:25 ". . .and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” It takes strength to be…...
January 28, 2021
Christian LivingGifts Discovered in Grief
At any given moment, I can close my eyes and relive every detail of a…...
March 3, 2021
Christian Living, ParentingAnswering Your Questions about Great Hymns for Growing Hearts
Answering questions about my book, Great Hymns for Growing Hearts...
March 4, 2022
Christian Living, ReadingWhat’s Currently on my Night Stand
Bible, Devotional Resources, Current Reads, Planning Tools...
November 19, 2022
Family LifeThe Story of How We Fell in Love
If you were to ask Simeon and I how we met and fell in love,…...
October 6, 2020
Family LifeThe Story of Our Engagement
August 2013, the summer was drawing to a close. Simeon and I had been dating…...
January 6, 2021
Family LifeThe Story of Our Wedding
July 12, 2014 was the day that I had been dreaming of all my life.…...
January 14, 2021
Family LifeOur Favorite Date Night Games
My family didn't play many games growing up. It was mainly just Uno and Life.…...
February 3, 2021
Family LifeA Poem Remembering Our Baby
On April 28, 2021, we found out, much to our surprise that we were expecting!…...
June 19, 2021
Family LifeDate Night Game Ideas
We are in a season of life where date nights are essential, yet difficult to…...
August 28, 2023
Family LifeChristmas Gift Guide 2023
Kicking off Christmas December 1st kicks of the Christmas season for our family! We celebrate…...
November 15, 2023
- Family Life
Christmas Gift Guide 2024
Kicking off Christmas December 1st kicks of the Christmas season for our family! We celebrate…...
October 16, 2024
Family Life, featuredSummer Rhythm
It's December which means it's time for our summer holiday from school! (Bet you never…...
November 18, 2024
Family Life, Home Education, ParentingEstablishing an Afternoon Quiet Time
I remember those first days of motherhood. They were precious, a dream come true, and…...
July 1, 2025
featured, ReadingFinding Time to Read as a Busy Mom
It doesn't take knowing me long to figure out that I LOVE books. From The…...
February 17, 2024
- Family Life, featured
Summer Rhythm
It's December which means it's time for our summer holiday from school! (Bet you never…...
November 18, 2024
featured, Homemaking, Natural LivingA Guide to Natural Cleaning
Crunchy? Silky? Crispy at best? Crunchy? Silky? Or as Abbie Halberstadt has coined it, crispy…...
April 10, 2025
Home EducationMy Favorite Preschool Resources
The early years of a child should be filled with reading, free play, engaging activities,…...
August 13, 2020
Home EducationCreating a Morning Basket
What is a morning basket? It can be anything you want it to be! Basically,…...
March 10, 2021
Home Education, ReadingOur Kindergarten Read-Alouds
If you've been following me for any length of time, you'll know that our family…...
September 22, 2021
Home EducationWelcoming A New Homeschool Year
Sharing our school day schedule, morning basket resources, unit lineup for Gather Round Homeschool, and…...
January 11, 2022
Home EducationCurriculum Line-Up for Fall/Winter 2023
We are in the middle of our school year since we follow the Australian school…...
August 3, 2023
Home EducationCurriculum Line-Up for 2024
Hear about these resources and our new homeschool year on the NHC Podcast! Bible Abeka…...
December 30, 2023
Home Education, ReadingSetting a Reading Goal for Kids
It's a new year and many of us are setting reading goals for 2024! Don't…...
January 12, 2024
Home EducationMy Favorite Books on Homeschooling
Homeschooling has been on the highlights of my motherhood! To draw your children close and…...
July 25, 2024
Home EducationMorning Moments
There are many different terms to describe this portion of a homeschool day. Some call…...
January 4, 2025
Home EducationCurriculum Line-Up for 2025
Hear about these resources and our new homeschool year on the NHC Podcast! COMING SOON!…...
January 4, 2025
Home EducationMid-Year Homeschool Update
While many of my friends in the States are soaking up summer sunshine and planning…...
June 25, 2025
- Family Life, Home Education, Parenting
Establishing an Afternoon Quiet Time
I remember those first days of motherhood. They were precious, a dream come true, and…...
July 1, 2025
Home Education, ReadingHow to Encourage a Reluctant Reader
On The No Higher Calling Podcast: How to Encourage a Reluctant Reader Read Aloud Together…...
October 12, 2025
Home Education2026 Curriculum Choices
Hear about these resources and our new homeschool year on the NHC Podcast! COMING SOON!…...
December 6, 2025
HomemakingPerfect Pizza at Home
When Sim and I first got married, there were three foods I wanted to find…...
May 20, 2021
HomemakingChatting All Things Kitchen
On episode 50 of the No Higher Calling podcast, I chat all things kitchen! This…...
November 9, 2021
HomemakingOur Favorite Breakfast Recipes
Breakfast is the favorite meal of the day in our household. We all love breakfast…...
September 19, 2023
- featured, Homemaking, Natural Living
A Guide to Natural Cleaning
Crunchy? Silky? Crispy at best? Crunchy? Silky? Or as Abbie Halberstadt has coined it, crispy…...
April 10, 2025
Natural LivingFighting Sickness Naturally
It was a delight to have Elisabeth Parsons from @purelyparsons on the No Higher Calling…...
October 2, 2024
- featured, Homemaking, Natural Living
A Guide to Natural Cleaning
Crunchy? Silky? Crispy at best? Crunchy? Silky? Or as Abbie Halberstadt has coined it, crispy…...
April 10, 2025
ParentingTraining My Little Soldiers
Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of…...
September 8, 2020
ParentingPraying for Your Kids From Head to Toe
O be careful little eyes what you see. O be careful little eyes what you…...
October 31, 2020
ParentingFor Such a Time as This
Esther 4:14 "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there…...
January 28, 2021
- Christian Living, Parenting
Answering Your Questions about Great Hymns for Growing Hearts
Answering questions about my book, Great Hymns for Growing Hearts...
March 4, 2022
- Family Life, Home Education, Parenting
Establishing an Afternoon Quiet Time
I remember those first days of motherhood. They were precious, a dream come true, and…...
July 1, 2025
Biblical Womanhood, ParentingBody Talk Basics Mom/Daughter Puberty Course
Puberty. It's funny how one word can conjure up so many emotion. My memories of…...
August 15, 2025
- Pregnancy Postpartum Baby
Cloth Diapering 101
I remember the warm summer day like it was just yesterday, though it's been almost…...
January 31, 2020
Pregnancy Postpartum BabyEden Brielle’s Birth Story
Eden Brielle Brazzell November 25,2016 / 8:26am 7lbs 14oz / 20 1/2 inches Eden's due…...
April 6, 2020
Pregnancy Postpartum BabyKnox Clayton’s Birth Story
Knox Clayton Brazzell August 27, 2018 / 4:51pm 7lbs 10oz / 20 1/2 inches I…...
April 8, 2020
Pregnancy Postpartum BabyIvy Jade’s Birth Story
Ivy Jade Brazzell June 4, 2020 / 3:06am 7lbs 6oz / 20 inches I'm writing…...
June 7, 2020
Pregnancy Postpartum BabyOur Home Birth Experience
“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but…...
June 10, 2020
Pregnancy Postpartum BabyBaby Registry Essentials
I have been meaning to write this post for, well honestly, a few years!…...
January 23, 2021
Pregnancy Postpartum BabyPostpartum Essentials
Sharing products and tips that have helped me have a wonderful postpartum experience...
March 2, 2022
Pregnancy Postpartum BabyNourishing Your Postpartum Body with Rebecca Grant
Show notes for the No Higher Calling Podcast Episode 78...
April 25, 2022
Pregnancy Postpartum BabyWillow Noelle’s Birth Story
Sharing the beautiful details that brought us our precious Willow...
June 3, 2022
Pregnancy Postpartum BabyFlora Quinn’s Birth Story
Hear me share Flora Quinn's birth story on the No Higher Calling podcast: Out of…...
February 8, 2024
ReadingMy 2020 Book Challenge
As far back as I can remember, I've loved to read. Boxcar Children and Nancy…...
July 9, 2020
ReadingBecoming a Read-Aloud Family
“A book can’t change the world on its own. But a book can change readers.…...
August 13, 2020
ReadingMy 2020 Book Challenge Part II
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires…...
December 31, 2020
ReadingMy 2021 Reading Challenge
My passion for books began in middle school when I picked up my first Nancy…...
March 29, 2021
ReadingMy 2021 Reading Challenge Part 2
I challenged myself to read 40 books this year, and I decided to do a…...
June 25, 2021
ReadingMy 2021 Reading Challenge Part 3
My reading challenge for 2021 continues. I'm excited to say that I have hit my…...
September 22, 2021
- Home Education, Reading
Our Kindergarten Read-Alouds
If you've been following me for any length of time, you'll know that our family…...
September 22, 2021
ReadingMy 2021 Reading Challenge Part 4
Summary of the books I’ve read in quarter 4 of 2021...
December 27, 2021
ReadingMy 2022 Reading Challenge (Quarter 1)
Summaries of the books I’ve read during the 1st quarter of 2022...
March 24, 2022
ReadingFitting Books Into Your Budget
“Do you buy all the books you read?!” How can you afford this hobby?” These…...
August 2, 2022
ReadingChristmas Books for Little Ones
Christmas book recommendations for children ages 0-6...
October 17, 2022
- Christian Living, Reading
What’s Currently on my Night Stand
Bible, Devotional Resources, Current Reads, Planning Tools...
November 19, 2022
ReadingMy 2023 Reading Challenge (Quarter 2)
Hear my reviews on the No Higher Calling Podcast! *Amazon links are afflilate links. As…...
June 28, 2023
ReadingMy 2023 Reading Challenge (Quarter 3)
Hear me share the book reviews on the No Higher Calling podcast! *Amazon links are…...
September 25, 2023
ReadingMy 2023 Reading Challenge (Quarter 4)
Hear me share the book reviews on the No Higher Calling podcast! Disclaimer: Just because…...
December 15, 2023
- Home Education, Reading
Setting a Reading Goal for Kids
It's a new year and many of us are setting reading goals for 2024! Don't…...
January 12, 2024
- featured, Reading
Finding Time to Read as a Busy Mom
It doesn't take knowing me long to figure out that I LOVE books. From The…...
February 17, 2024
ReadingSetting a Reading Goal
For the past several years, I have set a reading goal for the year. I've…...
March 12, 2024
ReadingFavorite Book Series for Elementary Age Girls
My 7 year old daughter, Eden, is quite the voracious reader! She joins me on…...
March 14, 2024
Reading2024 Reading Challenge (Quarter 1)
Hear me share about these books on the No Higher Calling Podcast: *Amazon links are…...
April 17, 2024
Reading2024 Reading Challenge (Quarter 2)
Hear me share about these books on the No Higher Calling Podcast: *Review on the…...
June 27, 2024
Reading2024 Reading Challenge (Quarter 3)
Hear me share about this quarter's books on the No Higher Calling podcast. *Amazon links…...
August 28, 2024
ReadingWhat To Do When You’re in a Reading Slump
I am an avid reader. For the past 5 or more years, I have taken…...
December 6, 2024
Reading2024 Reading Challenge (Quarter 4)
There are many places where you can purchase or borrow books! Some of my favorites…...
December 18, 2024
Reading2025 Reading Challenge (Quarter 1)
Listen to me share about these books on the NHC podcast....
March 19, 2025
Reading2025 Reading Challenge (Quarter 2)
2025 Reading Challenge (Quarter 2) Listen to me share about these books on the NHC…...
June 20, 2025
Reading2025 Reading Challenge (Quarter 3)
Hear me share about these books on the No Higher Calling podcast. There are many…...
September 17, 2025
- Home Education, Reading
How to Encourage a Reluctant Reader
On The No Higher Calling Podcast: How to Encourage a Reluctant Reader Read Aloud Together…...
October 12, 2025
RecipeHomemade Hamburger Buns
*The bread machine I have was purchased in Australia, but this one is very simliar…...
May 11, 2024
