In honor of a family friend leaving for college today to start his Missions Major, I thought it would be perfect to share 5 of my favorite Missionary biographies. I don’t know about you, but I love a good missionary Biography, so today, I am happy to tell you about five men/women who buried their heart on the field God gave them!!!

*Indicates the need to check the scriptures in the book, not all are correct.

1.Adoniram Judson by Janet and Geoff Benge*
I’ve always been fascinated by forign missions work, especially back in the old days, but this story! Oh! There are so many good parts! From Mr. Jusdson’s conversion, to his becoming a baptist, to the whole story of exactly how he ended up in Burma, the story of this man of God will not fail to inspire you. We actually got to help fund the printing of his translation of the Bible for the people of modern day Myanmar! His work carries on to the people he loved with all his heart.

2.Jacob DeShazer by Janet and Geoff Benge*
A little known missionary, if anyone had a heart for Japan, it was this man and his wife. But if anyone had a reason to hate Japan, it was also this man. Mr. DeShazer’s was a Doolittle Raider and flew over Tokyo with his squadron. After bailing out over China, he was captured and kept as a POW for around 40 months…most of that being spent in solitary confinement. Read this book and see just how God turned his life around!

3.Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Diebler Rose
This is an autobiography and another WWII missionary story. I don’t want to say too much, because I don’t want to spoil her story, but oh! You have to read this one (recommended for 16 and up). I will tell you that she was a missionary to Paupa New Gunia and that she came in direct contact with the Japanese. Her story witll break your heart and grow your faith. READ IT!

4.Lillian Trasher by Janet and Geoff Benge*
Ever heard of Amy Carmichael? Take a person like her and drop her in war torn Egypt and you have Lillian! I loved getting to know more about a missionary I had admired for years after hearing a short story about her. Her ministry was amazing as was the history and culture wrapped in this story.

5.David Livingston by Janet and Geoff Benge*
This list would not be complete without the story of the man who’s heart was literally buried on the Mission field. Oh, wow. I had never heard his complete story, though I grew up reading short stories about him. David Livingston is an inspiration to me, his love for the people of Africa and his passion for science and reaching the lost for Christ…This book is a beautiful tribute to the man, the missionary and the explorer. I look forward to meeting him in heaven someday, and perhaps greeting him, “Dr. Livingston, I presume?”

Something to Think about: Who is your missionary hero? Is there someone you’ve heard about, but don’t know their whole story? Check out a book about them ASAP!

I love first responders, and I have a special place in my heart for Firemen 🚒. My dad was a volunteer before he married my mom.💚 When we were at the NC Homeschool Book Fair, I found this book and met the author. I grabbed a copy for my niece, who loves fire trucks. And of course…I had to read it first 😉

Uncle Rocky: Fireman
Collection #1
By James Brewster
(2014)
Five Stars

Overall: This book is about Uncle Rocky, a Tillerman on a Hook-and-Ladder truck (which my town doesn’t have ☹) It’s so endearing! Not too scary for kids, just right for middle readers and just plain cute to us older ones 😉 I want to get the second collection and maybe get the picture books someday! It’s so important to teach kids respect for first responders! I loved how they always thank God and say ,“Glad to do it!” I also liked how even though there was a mention of girlfriends, there was no kissing or anything like that and they were always with others. AND THERE IS A POLICEMAN FRIEND IN THE STORY! 🚓

My only complaint was the reference to the theater and a reference to a bad song and how they sing that song to keep beat with CPR.


So if you want a sweet fireman read, pick up this book and give it a try!
Have a blessed week!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

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Time for another exclusive devotion, ladies, lol! Hope you enjoy!

Did you know that being feminine and working hard went hand in hand? Sometimes we get so caught up in what we think is feminine that we forget that working hard is a vital part of what God expects us to be!

Let’s take a look at 9 young ladies (3 examples) of the Biblical portrayal of hardworking women.

Genesis 24:14-15, 20 // 14And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master. 15And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 20And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

Eleazar was looking for a wife for his master’s son and while he doubtless wanted a lady who was pleasant to look at and be around, he was looking for a hard worker. Someone eager to serve. And Rebekah didn’t disappoint.

Just so you know, Rebekah was offering to draw upwards to 300 gallons of water, y’all! Now that is hard work. Plus, camels slobber and make a lot of…unpleasant noise. So yeah, she wasn’t volunteering to do something fun here.

Ruth 2:5-7 // Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab: And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.

I never really thought about it until now, but Ruth caught Boaz’s attention because she was working hard to feed herself and her widowed mother-in-law. What if she had begged the government for handouts or forced Naomi to go to work? She might never had met Boaz and I seriously doubt he would have wanted her for his wife.

Exodus 2:16 // Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.

Sheep may see sweet, but they can be a handful sometimes. Add drawing enough water for them (it took 7 girls to watch them, so I assume there were a bunch!) and that’s exhausting work. One would later go on to be Moses Wife.

Moral of the story? Never underestimate the value of hard work. God has given us work for a reason and who knows, maybe God will do as He did with these ladies and let your hard work lead Mr. Right to you!

Now, don’t make that your reason for working hard. God has a time and place for everything and He can see your thoughts and motives. There is nothing you can do to speed up His timetable. But by not doing your Christian duty, you can slow it down! God does not reward Laziness. He rewards the faithful steward.

To Quote Mrs. Sheryl Ross: A lazy woman is a curse to any man. She is a shameful example to her daughters, and a hindrance to the work of God. Behind the scenes in every successful ministry is a small army of ladies with willing hearts and working hands. This has always been true…If you do not develop as part of your character a stellar work ethic, do not claim to be a lady.

You do not have to sacrifice modesty or femininity to work hard. If there is a job that needs to be done that would require you to dress immodestly or to cross-dress, then that is not your job—it is man’s work. However, having lived in the country on a small farm these many years, let me testify to the fact that MOST jobs can be done by a lady, while still being a lady. Never use femininity as an excuse for laziness.

From The Twenty-One Tenets of Biblical Femininity by Jerry and Sheryl Ross. All rights Reserved, Used by Permission.

I hope you enjoyed today's post! Have a blessed week!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Ahh, I’ve been looking for this book for years! I went to a local book shop, and the guy there found it for super cheap and offered to get it shipped for a small fee! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so without further ado, let’s hop in!

I Varina
By Ruth Painter Randall
Five Stars

Overall: I LOVE THIS BOOK! Okay, I’ve always been a huge Jefferson Davis family fan, but I’ve never read a book solely about them. This was the perfect book to start with. My mom read this years ago and told me about it, and I’ve been looking for it ever since. The story follows Varina, but it’s impossible to talk about her without paying homage to her amazing husband and her adorable children.

What I Loved: Getting to know my president and his wife on a more personal level. Seeing their heart for their people and their conservative values. It was a fantastic story. And of course little Jim Limber! Oh, I wish we knew what happened to him…

Cons: Multiple references to the Lincolns in an annoyingly positive light. The author acts as if they were a god and goddess and knowing what I do about the Lincolns, I found her comments offensive and her comparisons of the Lincolns and Davis’ to be extremely rude. Their values were very different, and I don’t think the couples would have appreciated being compared to each other. They had some similar unfortunate situations happen to them (losing children), but that doesn’t justify the author’s assertions that they were following the same track in life.

Hope you enjoyed this review! Have a Blessed Week!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Last month I mentioned that July was a crazy busy month for us, telling others about the Fundamental Broadcasting Network. Well, it certainly was! We had the Southeast Old Threshers Reunion, our church’s VBS, The Sword of the Lord Conference, and additional meetings in between!

July Favorites

Verse: Again, a specific verse didn’t jump out at me, but reading through Genesis has been very enjoyable! I love the story of Joseph, and every time I read it, it’s like I’m there, watching it all happen, wishing I could prevent some things, rejoicing with Joseph at other times. And seeing how God worked it all out for good is so thrilling!

Song: Complete in Thee. I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this one before, but it has been such a blessing to me this month.

🎼Yea, justified! Oh, blessed thought! And sanctified Salvation wrought! Thy blood hath pardon bought for me, and glorified I too shall be.”🎼

Event: The Majesty Music Conference! I was able to attend the conference in Raleigh this year, and it was worth every penny! I, at last, learned precisely what I need to work on in singing and learned techniques to take care of my voice. After all, we should be good stewards with everything God has given us, and while I’m by no means an expert singer, I want to be all that I can be to honor Him. I also received free music and purchased more. Can’t wait to put it to use! And who wouldn’t want to sit and learn from the crew of the Jolly Roger️?⛵ (If you aren’t familiar with Patch the Pirate...you are missing out! 😉)

Book of the Month: Enemy Brothers by Constance Savery. I’m not quite finished with it yet, but it is sooo good! (Review to Come!)

Ministry: As I mentioned earlier, we set up for FBN at Threshers (a tractor show) and Sword Conference. I look forward to both events every year. Last year, our representative, Rep. Ted Budd, came to Threshers to hear my dad preach! We had a wonderful time at both events, sharing about our ministry! God is so good!
Writing Update: Because we had the opportunity to do VBS at our church again this year, we didn’t get as much editing done as we had planned on, but my mom did get some solo edits done! Now to meet…But I did get some writing done on side projects, and when I added it up, it was over 41k! I wasn’t planning on having that much done this month, but it happened and I’m grateful!

A Book I am Anticipating for August: Last month I mentioned Jefferson Davis, American and I am still working through that one, but I also hope to finish The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg. It’s a Holocaust story and very moving so far. Definitely not recommended for children, but oh! So eye-opening!
 
And Now, Some Writing Prompts…

Well, that's it for now!
Have a blessed week!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

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