The Durenda Wilson Podcast

Time is a gift from God and how we spend our time matters. It matters to God and since it matters to Him, it should matter to us. There are countless podcasts, books, and media on how to manage our time, but does God have any direction for us in this area? Today I'm digging into some passages of scripture that have brought so much clarity and peace to my heart. My prayer is that you are encouraged as well! Resources mentioned in this episode: The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom's Heart The Four Hour School Day Scriptures mentioned in this episode: Matthew 6:24 Job 36:18 Psalm 39:4-7 Psalm 62:10 Proverbs 3:9, 10:2, 13:11, 21:20, 29:3 Ecc. 4:4, 5:3, 5:7 Eph. 2:10 1 Timothy 6:6, 6:9,10, 6:11,12 James 5:3 P.S. Please check out my latest book, The Four Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life on Amazon, durendawilson.com, or your favorite bookseller!      

Most homeschooling parents find writing to be one of the more challenging subjects to teach their children. In our over 26 years of homeschooling, our go-to approach for writing was very simple and straightforward.  I always encourage moms to listen to their God-given instincts, but I’m also hoping our story will encourage and inspire you somehow! Resources mentioned in this episode: The Unhurried Homeschooler  Homeschooling Today Learning Language Arts Through Literature P.S. Please check out my latest book, The Four Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life on Amazon, durendawilson.com, or your favorite bookseller!

Today I’m talking about “soul weariness”. It’s a term I recently heard being used to describe something I couldn’t describe before, but have felt to the very core of my being.  Maybe you can relate. We all have things that can cause “soul weariness”…circumstances, relationships, etc,  but today I want to talk about a remedy for this.  It’s not a quick fix, but it is powerful. Be sure to listen to this song at the end of this episode! https://youtu.be/P1qgyLTH6Xg Resources mentioned in this episode: The Unhurried Homeschooler The Four Hour School Day The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry ( I'm listing book this because I said I would. Although the author's work on hurry can be helpful, I would not recommend this author as a solid biblical teacher who rightly handles the word of God) Simply Unhurried(Community) with Durenda Wilson  A way of homeschooling. A way of life. A sneak peek into more about what this community will have to offer. https://youtu.be/UEbHr2iH-cs (Projected launch date: May 1)

Newer isn’t always better. I’ve come to appreciate a more traditional approach to worship for many reasons, but I also love using some of the more traditional methods to disciple my kids that lend themselves to the simple, unhurried lifestyle. Resources mentioned in this episode:  The Unhurried Homeschooler The Four Hour School Day Huggy Hymns Catechism for Young Children http://sovgraceto.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Catechism-for-Young-Children.pdf Children’s Scripture Catechism https://shearerpca.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Childrens-Scripture-Catechism.pdf A short history of the catechisms and the New City catechism app https://servantsofgrace.org/short-history-catechisms-review-new-city-catechism/ Then Sings My Soul by Robert Morgan One of our elders shares our reasoning behind the way we choose to worship at our little church in the barn: “One of the reasons that we do music the way that we do at Christ Church (stripped down and understated) is because we want to ditch the spectator mentality that encourages everyone to listen to what is coming through the speakers without contributing to it.  We want our voices and the voices of our children to fill the barn as an outpouring of praise that our God both richly deserves and requires. We can’t do that if we don’t know the songs! So one of our members created a playlist on Spotify that includes the songs we usually sing. Put it on in the car, play it while you’re fixing dinner, let your kids dance to it, and make up moves to match the words (mine do this constantly!)- get those melody lines and lyrics in the heads and hearts of your family so that when we come together on Sundays WE are singing to Lord, not listening to someone else do it.” Our church playlist (including many traditional hymns):  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0XPJcXLF0yndvISYL8FhP6?si=2gOIWFCuRP6O2WRh5w3DBA Related podcast episodes The Importance of Discipleship https://www.durendawilson.com/podcast/episode/d4c4c2ed/the-importance-of-discipleship-with-karen-debeus-podcast-80 Bible and Apologetics: Where Do We Start? https://www.durendawilson.com/podcast/episode/be116b53/bible-and-apologetics-where-do-we-start-podcast-226 (Please check out my latest book, The Four Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life on Amazon, durendawilson.com, or your favorite bookseller!)

When in the thick of homeschooling and raising kids, it can be easy to forget to keep investing well into our marriages, but one of the best gifts we can give our kids is a strong, healthy marriage! Today I'm sharing 6 simple ways to sweeten your marriage. It's not rocket science and you are probably doing some or all of these already, even after 32 years of marriage, I know I need reminders! I hope you enjoy this simple, short podcast and that you find some inspiration and encouragement to keep investing! Homeschooling Today Magazine The Four Hour School Day The Unhurried Homeschooler (Please check out my latest book, The Four Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life on Amazon, durendawilson.com, or your favorite bookseller!)  

Do you have a child who is saying that they don’t want to be homeschooled?  Whether you are homeschooling or considering it and this is happening at your house, find encouragement and some practical suggestions in today’s episode! Homeschool Iowa (Connect with me at this conference in June!) Homeschooling Today Magazine The Four Hour School Day The Unhurried Homeschooler (Please check out my latest book, The Four Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life on Amazon, durendawilson.com, or your favorite bookseller!)

College is NOT the only path to success. In fact, I believe it's becoming more and more irrelevant. The job market is and will be very fluid and constantly changing at unprecedented rates so our kids will need to be able to change with it. That means that as homeschooling parents, we are going to have to think outside the box when it comes to preparing our kids for their future. Fortunately, many fantastic higher education options are becoming available and today I am chatting again (part 2) with Angie Murrell from Apprentice University to find out more about how their program works! She will be answering questions like: What do your classes look like? What is the normal workload for an apprentice University class? What's the average age of an apprentice University student? Can high school students attend Apprentice University? Do you have any residential options? Do you offer any off-campus classes or distance learning? Is Apprentice University accredited? How are digital badges earned and certified? When can I apply to Apprentice University? How does this application process work? What if I'm not ready to commit to Apprentice University? Can I host any events with Apprentice University? Where can I learn more? Key Dates for Apprentice University Friday, April 29 – Student Preview Day on campus Friday, May 6 -- Student Preview Day on campus All registration links can be found on our website: Apprenticeu.com We are also happy to meet with people at any time and arrange for homeschool groups to host us virtually at their convenience. Ways to connect with Angie: Email: angie.murrell@apprentice.university Site: apprenticeu.com Homeschooling Today (Please check out my latest book, The Four Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life on Amazon, durendawilson.com, or your favorite bookseller!)

College is NOT the only path to success. In fact, I believe it's becoming more and more irrelevant. The job market is and will be very fluid and constantly changing at unprecedented rates so our kids will need to be able to change with it. That means that as homeschooling parents, we are going to have to think outside the box when it comes to preparing our kids for their future. Fortunately, many fantastic higher education options are becoming available and today I am chatting with Angie Murrell from Apprentice University to find out more about how their program works! She will be answering questions like: Is Apprentice University a trade school? What types of careers can I pursue with my Apprentice University education? How long does it take to graduate from The Apprentice University program? How much does it cost to attend Apprentice University? What's the difference between an apprenticeship and an internship? How many apprenticeships do students have? What kind of apprenticeships have students held? Are apprenticeships paid? Key Dates for Apprentice University Friday, April 29 – Student Preview Day on campus Friday, May 6 -- Student Preview Day on campus All registration links can be found on our website: Apprenticeu.com We are also happy to meet with people at any time and arrange for homeschool groups to host us virtually at their convenience. Ways to connect with Angie: Email: angie.murrell@apprentice.university Site: apprenticeu.com Homeschooling Today (Please check out my latest book, The Four Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life on Amazon, durendawilson.com, or your favorite bookseller!)    

My friend Marianne Sunderland is joining me again today (part 2) to talk about the freedom you have to give your kids with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences a meaningful education! Marianne is a 25-year veteran mom of 8 kids, 7 of whom have dyslexia. She is an incredible resource and a kindred spirit in her simple, unhurried and relational approach. Today we will address questions like: How important is an early diagnosis? Can a mom really do an adequate job teaching her dyslexic child? (You'll love the answer to this!) Is there a simple, unhurried way to homeschool kids with dyslexia? Resources mentioned in this episode: homeschoolingtoday.com The Unhurried Homeschooler The Four Hour School Day Ways to connect with Marianne and her resources: https://homeschoolingwithdyslexia.com/start-here/   My Beyond the Box Learning mentoring group:   https://homeschoolingwithdyslexia.com/beyond-the-box-learning/   My books:   No More School: Meeting the Educational Needs of Kids With Dyslexia and Language-Based Learning Difficulties https://amzn.to/3qx1oNC   Dyslexia 101: Truths, Myths, and What Really Works https://amzn.to/36v9gZ8   What is Dyslexia? A Parent's Guide to Teaching Kids About Dyslexia https://amzn.to/36v9gZ8   (Please check out my latest book, The Four Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life on Amazon, durendawilson.com, or your favorite bookseller!)    

My friend Marianne Sunderland is joining me today to talk about the freedom you have to give your kids with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences a meaningful education! Marianne is a 25-year veteran mom of 8 kids, 7 of whom have dyslexia. She is an incredible resource and a kindred spirit in her simple, unhurried and relational approach. Today we will hear Marianne's story and answer questions like: When should a mom be concerned that her child might have dyslexia? What are some of the signs that a child may struggle with dyslexia? Resources mentioned in this episode: homeschoolingtoday.com The Unhurried Homeschooler The Four Hour School Day Ways to connect with Marianne and her resources: https://homeschoolingwithdyslexia.com/start-here/   My Beyond the Box Learning mentoring group:   https://homeschoolingwithdyslexia.com/beyond-the-box-learning/   My books:   No More School: Meeting the Educational Needs of Kids With Dyslexia and Language-Based Learning Difficulties https://amzn.to/3qx1oNC   Dyslexia 101: Truths, Myths, and What Really Works https://amzn.to/36v9gZ8   What is Dyslexia? A Parent's Guide to Teaching Kids About Dyslexia https://amzn.to/36v9gZ8   (Please check out my latest book, The Four Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life on Amazon, durendawilson.com, or your favorite bookseller!)    

Perfectionism involves putting pressure on ourselves to meet impossibly high standards, thinking that what we do is never good enough. This is something I have dealt with my whole life and I know that other moms struggle with it as well. Many of us also have children who struggle with perfectionism, so I thought it would be a good time to tackle this topic! Listen in for biblical encouragement so you can be equipped to deal with perfectionism more effectively! Scriptures mentioned in the podcast: John 14:26 John 16:13a Genesis 3:1-6 Romans 3:23,24 Matthew 11:28-30 Colossians 3:23-24 2 Timothy 2:15 Colossians 3:17 Ecclesiastes 9:10 Titus 2:7 Colossians 3:23  Galatians 6:4 Proverbs 15:32 Proverbs 29:15 Proverbs 3:5-8 homeschoolingtoday.com (Please check out my latest book, The Four Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life on Amazon, durendawilson.com, or your favorite bookseller!)          

Reading is an important skill, but does every kid have to love reading?  Does it matter what age a child learns to read? Today I'm sharing some of my own homeschooling experiences along with some facts about reading that you might find both helpful and interesting. Praying this episode will relieve unnecessary burdens you might be carrying when it comes to reading! (Join me for 2 upcoming episodes on dyslexia with my friend Marianne!) Resources mentioned: Better Late Than Early by Dr. Raymond Moore Learning all the Time by John Holt The Unhurried Homeschooler by Durenda Wilson Homeschooling Today (Please check out my latest book, The Four Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life on Amazon, durendawilson.com, or your favorite bookseller!)  

This is another episode in a series that I’ve been doing that you can use as a tool to help you and your family to meditate on God’s word. You can listen as soon as you get up, before bed, if you’re feeling anxious, during quiet time with the kids, or having a hard time sleeping, whatever works for your family! I include the verses here in the show notes for your reference and/or to use as copy work for your kids! (Don't forget to listen to the song. The link is at the bottom of the show notes!) Today we are going to be focusing on God’s lovingkindness. One of the ways lies that Satan often tries to convince us of is that God isn’t really good or loving or kind, so it’s important to meditate on the truth about who God is and that truth is found in God’s word. The Hebrew word most often translated as “lovingkindness” is checed, which literally means “covenant loyalty.”  Lovingkindness  is most often used to describe the character of the Lord Checed or lovingkindness, as it relates to the character of God, is most often used to describe God’s heart toward those who are His own. Exodus 15:13  “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;     you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode. Jeremiah 31:3  I have loved you with an everlasting love;     therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Psalm 6:4(uses the word steadfast which means: (firmly loyal and constant, unchanging, immovable) Turn, O Lord, deliver my life;     save me for the sake of your steadfast love. Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,     on those who hope in his steadfast love, Psalm 119:149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;     O Lord, according to your justice give me life. 119:76 Let your steadfast love comfort me     according to your promise to your servant.   God’s lovingkindness brings us comfort and redemption from sin Numbers 14:19  Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.”  Psalm 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;     according to your steadfast love remember me,     for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! Psalm 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God,     according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy     blot out my transgressions.   God’s lovingkindness assures us of His promises Deuteronomy 7:9  Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, Nehemiah 1:5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,   2 Samuel 7:15 (Covenant with David) I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him,  Psalm 18:50 Great salvation he brings to his king,     and shows steadfast love to his anointed,     to David and his offspring forever. Numbers 14:18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’   God’s steadfast lovingkindness is abundant, everlasting Psalm 33:5;He loves righteousness and justice;     the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,     slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love Jeremiah 33:11 “‘Give thanks to the Lord of hosts,     for the Lord is good,     for his steadfast love endures forever!’ Psalm 57:10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,     your faithfulness to the clouds. Psalm 69:16 Answer me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good; According to the gr

Is your child struggling with lying, but you aren’t sure how to address it from a heart-oriented, biblical perspective? Then we’re glad you’re joining us today as Ginger Hubbard talks about why children lie, what God’s Word says about lying, and encourages parents with practical ways to train children to speak the truth. We will be tackling questions like: Why is lying such a temptation for children (or for that matter adults)? In other words, what’s at the heart of lying. What are 3 methods parents should avoid when dealing with a lying child. Why should parents avoid them? How can parents help young children understand that lying is a sin and how it hinders their relationship with God and others? AND MORE! Ginger's books for kids: Chloe and the Closet of Secrets Ginger is the bestselling author of Don’t Make Me Count to Three, Wise Words for Moms, and I Can’t Believe You Just Said That. She speaks at women’s events, parenting conferences, and homeschool conventions across the country, and co-hosts the Parenting with Ginger Hubbard podcast.  Ways to connect with Ginger: www.GingerHubbard.com Podcast: Parenting with Ginger Hubbard Podcast Books: Don’t Make Me Count to Three, Wise Words for Moms, and I Can’t Believe You Just Said That! Check out Homeschooling Today Magazine: homeschoolingtoday.com (Please check out my latest book, The Four Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life on Amazon, durendawilson.com, or your favorite bookseller!)    

In a world that is moving at warp speed, it’s easy to forget that kids are still kids. Their needs haven’t changed: they need time to explore and experiment with the real world around them, to absorb life through all their senses, to process their thoughts at their own pace. All of these are crucial in laying a firm foundation for higher learning, but this TAKES TIME.   Listen in for some encouragement to take a simple, unhurried approach when it comes to our kids' education! (This short episode is only 11 minutes, please share with a friend!) (Please check out my latest book, The Four Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life on Amazon, durendawilson.com, or your favorite bookseller!)