The Durenda Wilson Podcast

Last Christmas season I shared an episode on our family's favorite Christmas movies and favorite traditions. Today I'm sharing our family's favorite Christmas Foods and Music! I'm including a few of the recipes here along with a link to a Christmas playlist! Resources mentioned in this episode: Excel College ctcmath.com  The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day Our Family's Favorite Christmas Movies Our Family's Favorite Christmas Traditions Wilson Family Christmas Playlist (Spotify) Unhurried Christmas Playlist (Spotify) RECIPES: Gen's (Jen's) Potatoes 10 large potatoes, cooked, drained, and blended with hand mixer. 1 8 oz pkg cream cheese 1 c sour cream 1/2-1 t garlic powder salt and pepper to taste (1 cube of butter melted/paprika) Beat all until fluffy and spread into a buttered 9x13 glass baking dish.  Drizzle with melted butter, sprinkle with paprika, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes if already warm and 40-60 minutes if refrigerated.    Curried Fruit 1 15 oz can of peaches, drained 1 15 oz can of pears, drained 1 15 oz can pineapple, drained Place fruit in a 9x13 glass baking dish Melt 1/3-1/2 c melted butter and add 1-2 t curry and 1/3-1/2 c brown sugar Drizzle over fruit and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes   Pecan Fudge Pie Use a basic recipe for Pecan Pie, but before you pour the filling into the pie shell, layer the bottom of the pie crust with 1 c chocolate chips, then pour the filling over top and bake.   (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!)

Christmas can be a wonderful time of the year, but also very stressful. If you live on a limited budget (like most of us), you might be looking for ways to give this Christmas without breaking the bank! Excel College ctcmath.com  The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day Gift in a Jar Ideas Fort Kit (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!)

Interrupting can be one of the more frustrating parts of parenting so I thought I'd address this topic with helpful suggestions and reasons why addressing this is so important! Resources mentioned in this episode: Excel College ctcmath.com  The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day Nurturing Sibling Relationship Series (this is the first of 3) Scriptures mentioned in this episode: Hebrews 12:11 Proverbs 25:28 2 Timothy 1:7 1 Corin. 9:27 (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!)

It can be challenging to know what the role of grandparents actually is in the lives of their grandchildren.  Today I'm going to share my perspective based on experience, but also on God's word.   Resources mentioned in this episode: The Excel Camp (chose "Durenda Wilson" for $100 off) CTC Math The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day Gentle Encouragement for Mothers-in-Law Proverbs 17:6 Psalm 92:14 Proverbs 16:31 2 Timothy 1:5-7 (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!)

Domestic abuse is more common than we would like to think and homeschooling families are not immune that's why I wanted to address this topic in a way that would better equip us as wives and moms. Whether it's something that's happening in your home, you suspect it is happening to someone you know or you would just like to know more for future reference, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. With compassion and kindness, Darby Strickland brings much-needed biblical clarity to this topic. Resources mentioned in this episode: Called to Peace Ministries Is It Abuse?   ctcmath.com  The Excel Camp (Select "Durenda Wilson" for $100 off the camp!) The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day   (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!)

Not that long ago, time for unstructured play was naturally built into a child's daily rhythm. Today, it's something that we as parents have to fight for. As a mom to eight kids, I needed my kids to spend time playing each day, for their sake and for mine. Little did I know the incredible benefits that that simple daily ritual would yield. Today I'm chatting with Ginny Yurich from 1000 Hours Outside about the essential need our children have for play and the countless benefits both kids and parents experience from making this a priority! Resources mentioned in this episode: Excel College ctcmath.com  The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day Ways to connect with Ginny:  1000 Hours Outside Until the Streetlights Come On   (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!)

A while back I talked about concerns I had about 2024. This episode ties into that message as I share an update on our family and answered prayers. I'll also be pulling our family experience from the past and seeing how God has tied it to our present. It really is amazing how He answers prayers in unexpected, but meaningful ways. I pray this will inspire you to keep trusting God for all things concerning your family and their future! Resources mentioned in this episode:  Excel Camp (click "Durenda Wilson" for $100 off!) ctcmath.com  The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day Search for Episodes on The Durenda Wilson Podcast The Family Garden Plan: Grow a Year's Worth of Healthy and Sustainable Food by Melissa K Norris (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!)

More families than ever are interested in homesteading. Whether you are moving forward with this lifestyle, dreaming about it, or would simply like your kids to learn science, social science, and health in a very practical way, you won't want to miss today's episode! Resources mentioned in this episode:  ctcmath.com  Excel College The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day Connect with Kody and Homestead Education: www.thehomesteadeducation.com Instagram (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!)      

Have you doubted your ability to homeschool? Whether you are already homeschooling and could use some encouragement or simply thinking of homeschooling this is the episode for you! Today Nicki Truesdale and I have an encouraging conversation about why anyone can homeschool!  If I had to describe this episode in one word, it would be "FREEDOM"!! Resources mentioned in this episode: ctcmath.com  Excel College The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day nickitruesdell.com Facebook Instagram Anyone Can Homeschool Anyone Can Homeschool  (including Audible)  (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!)

The holiday season can be a wonderful time of year to take a break from the normal rhythms of homeschooling and really focus on seasonal rhythms like Advent.  Today we are going to be talking more about what seasonal rhythms are, why they are important, and how to find rhythms that are good for your family.  Resources mentioned in this episode: ctcmath.com  Excel College The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day Lyndsey's connection information: COUPON CODE: DURENDAWILSONPODCAST15 Website: https://treehouseschoolhouse.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treehouse_schoolhouse/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/treehouse.schoolhouse/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TreehouseSchoolhouse Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TSMotherhoodHomeschool/_shop/ (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!)

Grieving the loss of your baby to stillbirth or miscarriage can be lonely and agonizing. As most of you know, our family has experienced both: I’ve had 5 miscarriages, 2 of our daughters and one daughter-in-law have had miscarriages and our first grandson was stillborn, so we are no strangers to the overwhelming sorrow, loneliness, and fears that come with this kind of loss. Today I am praying that this episode can bring hope to those who have experienced this or know someone who has as Jackie Gibson tells her story and the biblical truths that she gleaned from her journey through the deep loss of her daughter, Leila. Resources mentioned in this episode: You're Still a Mother: Hope for Women Grieving Miscarriage or Stillbirth   ctcmath.com    The Unhurried Homeschooler   Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart   The Four-Hour School Day   Excel College    Deut. 3:27   Psalm 139:16   Job 38:4-5, 12, 16, 22   The Moon is Always Round (children's book on grief)   (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!)

Almost every mom I know has had at least one miscarriage. The journey of grief that comes with miscarriage and stillbirth can be a lonely one so today I want to share our family's story.  In the next episode, I will be having a very tender and hopeful conversation with Jackie Gibbons who experienced a full-term still-birth.  Even if you've never been on this journey, these episodes will help you better walk with someone else who has. Resources mentioned in this episode: ctcmath.com  The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day theexcelcamp.org and select “Durenda Wilson” for $100 off the camp. The Story of Isaac (3 episodes) Song: Sometimes He Calms the Storm performed by Scott Krippayne     Lyrics: All who sail the sea of faith Find out before too long How quickly blue skies can grow dark And gentle winds grow strong Suddenly fear is like white water Pounding on the soul Still we sail on knowing That our Lord is in control Sometimes He calms the storm With a whispered peace be still He can settle any sea But it doesn't mean He will Sometimes He holds us close And lets the wind and waves go wild Sometimes He calms the storm And other times He calms His child He has a reason for each trial That we pass through in life And though we're shaken We cannot be pulled apart from Christ No matter how the driving rain beats down On those who hold to faith A heart of trust will always Be a quiet peaceful place (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 Professor Owen Strachan (IG: @profstrachan) and I are specifically addressing our role in the lives of our sons and husbands as we engage in the war on men that is raging in our culture. This war is very real and one that we must win because the future of society depends on it, but it's an uphill battle and we need regular doses of encouragement and that’s what you’re going to find on today’s episode! ctcmath.com  The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day theexcelcamp.org (select “Durenda Wilson” for $100 off the camp) The War on Men  Twitter Instagram (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!)

I've had this nagging feeling that 2024 could bring a fair amount of upheaval in our country and maybe you've had the same feeling. This is why I thought it would be a good idea to drill down on this and look to God's word for wisdom in the upcoming days. Resources mentioned in this episode: ctcmath.com  Excel College Summer Leadership Camp The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day   Verses mentioned in this episode: Proverbs 31:10-31 1 Peter 1:3-4 Zephaniah 3:17 Romans 15:13 Romans 12:12 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 Romans 8:18 Romans 15:4 Lamentations 3:21-23 Psalm 46 (God laughs at the nations that war against Him)   Other related podcast episodes for more encouragement: Simple, Unhurried Word of God: God's Sovereignty How Knowing God's Character Can Relieve Anxiety Dealing with anxiety: living by faith in a toxic world Anxiety: Finding Comfort and Answers Anxiety: A Journey Toward Contentment Finding Hope in the Midst of the Storm Unhurried Grace: No Worries Guarding Our Hearts Tips for Reducing Anxiety Simple Unhurried Word of God Psalm 1 Heaven Rules: Take Comfort. Our God is in Control (book) by Nancy Leigh DeMoss Are We Living in the Last Days?   Living with Hope When the Church Says Things Will Only Get Worse    Jesus Return: Revelation, The Mark of the Beast and the Anti-Christ (P.S. Don't forget to 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!)

We all want to know if we are doing enough. We want a measuring stick to help reassure us that we are doing right by our kids. Today, Ashley Wiggers and I are talking about how to measure performance in a homeschool way!  I know you will be encouraged! Resources mentioned in this episode:  Excel College ctcmath.com  The Unhurried Homeschooler Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart The Four-Hour School Day 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!)