A brand-new year is before us! What a fantastic opportunity to make it the best year yet, with the Help of Jesus Christ! Don’t know Him personally? Check out my testimony. Having a personal relationship with Christ is the very best way to begin the New Year!

2020.

So different, but it sounds so right, too. It’s a clean slate "with no mistakes in it yet." (Anne of Green Gables, probably my favorite quote from that story!)

Very quickly, I’d like to share a few things to expect here on the blog; then, we will dive right into my word of the year (click here for 2019’s word of the year!)

I am a ministry kid (well, I’m technically an adult, but I still live at home, so “kid”!), and that means that sometimes, I cannot adhere to a schedule. I try to post on Saturdays (changing from Friday). But if something comes up and my posts are not there, you know what happened 😉. I post devotions, writing advice, historical articles and bookish posts! I also post reviews of books that I’ve read, fiction and non-fiction, traditionally published and Self-Published. But a new feature that I’m adding this year is a special post on the first Monday of each month (Lord Willing!) and that I shall share with you after our Word of the Year.

Word of the Year is very special to me, even though this is only my second year doing it. I learned so much from my 2019 word, Stand, and I can’t wait to see what God will show me with this word.

So without further ado…

*Drumroll*

2020’s Word of the Year is…

Now, before you go laughing, thinking this is a pun off of 20-20 Vision, it’s not. When I picked this word (or rather felt God impressing this word on my heart over and over), I hadn’t even thought about the fact that this was 2020.

This verse keeps coming to the forefront of my mind. Since my family travels full-time for the Fundamental Broadcasting Network, I attend multiple missions conferences a year. It has touched my heart in a way hard to express. Though I don’t feel called to overseas missions (but I’m open to that if it’s what God wants for my life), Missions means a lot to me. These people are dying, lost without Christ. And when we turn our backs on the Vision of Missions, not only do they perish, but so does our effectiveness in the Christian life. Missions is the heartbeat of God.

We’ll talk about this more in our upcoming devotion, “Where is Your Vision?”

Now, in keeping with this theme (although there are certainly more aspects to one’s vision beyond missions), I decided to share with you my Monday Blog post theme and a challenge for you.

Every First Monday (as I said, Lord Willing), I will be posting a spotlight on a different country in the world. Basic facts, interesting information, missionaries that serve there if applicable (Have to make sure they are the kind I want to promote!), and a little about the spiritual condition of the country.

Here’s where your part comes in.

Please join me in the Missions Vision Challenge! Will you commit to praying for that country throughout its assigned month? Will you pray for laborers to go to that country to reach it for Christ? Will you give to your church’s missions program, trusting the Lord to send it to the Missionary that needs it most? Will you find out if you have a missionary in that country, and if so, pray for them by name, read their prayer letter, and perhaps send them a card/email of encouragement?

Before we go, I have a few Missions themed Story Prompts for you. And a few Missions book recommendations. Here you go!

Books to Read

Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Diebler Rose (18+ if read independently)
Missionaries with the Millers by Mildred A. Martin
Wounded Tiger by T. Martin Bennett (18+)
David Livingston, Louis Zamperini, Lilian Trasher, Amy Carmichael, and Jacob DeShazer by Janet and Geoff Benge.
 
That’s all I have for you today!
Have a Blessed New Year!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Another month had come and gone, and CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE! Need I say that this is one of my very favorite Holidays?!? November was busy as usual but in a good way! We had a lovely month, and I can’t wait to share a few things with you!

November Favorites

Bible Verse: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

This verse has become very special to me over the last several months, and even now, it has permanently become one of my favorites. The visual picture of God as the Father of Lights…it’s breath-taking and mind-boggling. We serve such a truly awesome God. All I can picture is the Northern lights. With our God being the Father and Creator of Lights like that, can you imagine what Heaven will be like? And knowing that every good thing that happens to us, all the blessings we receive, are special gifts just for us from God, is such a special feeling!

Song: I know…I’ve mentioned this song multiple times, but Every Good and Perfect Gift by Adam and Megan Morgan is still on my radar and was an especially loved song this past month.

Event: Getting to gather with my family for thanksgiving two weeks in a row! It was such a blessing to spend time with family, especially those we don’t get to see as often. We had a wonderful time!

Book of the Month: Worth Dying For by Rorke Denver. Mr. Denver is a Navy SEAL and this book…wow, it was profound. He explained why he thinks there is such a divide between military and civilians, how the problem can be fixed, and the whole reason Americans fight. Why we are so dedicated to what we believe in. It was a rare, raw glimpse at the Warrior’s Heart and is not something I will soon forget. His analogy about Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs was so good. Now, there were one or two words I had to mark out, but not used often. After editing, I would gladly hand this over to a 16-year-old. I’m not sure that I agree with everything that he said, but you know, few people agree on everything. Personally, I think every American should read this book, especially our politicians and our up and coming generation.

Ministry: Revival! We had a lovely week of revival with a pastor friend of ours in Liberty, N.C. We got to sing a new song for us girls, God of Wonders (ever heard me talk about that one? 😉). The services were excellent and God did a work in hearts.

Writing Update: We are still editing book 4 of The Battle for Heritage Series and am happy to report that it is going well. I am also drafting Book 5 and making headway. We’ll probably take a break due to Christmas, but we are right on track with our new goals! Also, since Christmas is such an inspiring time of year, I try to take some time to work on future Christmas stories, just for the fun of it!

A Book I am Anticipating for December: Quick note on last month’s anticipated read, The Real Lincoln was so good! 5 stars! If you are interested in that time era and learning some oft-hidden truths about the war, read this book! I’m really looking forward to all the Christmas books! I love this time of year, and I’ve heard about a few new ones I want to check out, as well as reread a few, like Wind Chimes by Victoria Minks and Behold by Faith Potts! Might even dig out my copy of Faith Blum’s O Come All Ye Faithful! And I just realized all of these are collections…
 
And Now, Some Writing Prompts…

That's all for now!
Merry Christmas!
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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Summer is here officially and one of my favorite holidays is just around the corner! I love fireworks! July is a busy month at the Miller house thanks to all the special events we have lined up for our ministry, The Fundamental Broadcasting Network. But I wouldn’t trade any of it! Ministry life is the best!

My June Favorites…
 
Verse: Rather than a specific verse, the book of Habakkuk really stood out to me. I noticed in the beginning as Habakkuk was describing the state of Israel and how bad they were, that a lot of the things he was praying about were problems America has today. I was eager to read, to know what God would do to bring His children back to Him. I was devastated to realize that this was one of those times God chose to allow His people to go into captivity.

Are we better than Israel? What is to keep God from allowing the same thing to happen to America? It’s amazing to see through history how God often uses the worst circumstances to bring the most people to their realization and acceptance of Salvation. Like Jacob DeShazer, a WWII airman who was captured following the Doolittle Raid. He was kept in solitary confinement in horrible conditions and tortured for the majority of his 40-month imprisonment. And yet during that time, God saved him and called him into the ministry. I certainly don’t want to see anything horrible happen to my country, but what a comfort to know that if it were to come to pass, the Gospel would only take off like wildfire through our nation. 

Book of the Month: It’s going to be a tie between two biographies. Unbroken and I Varina were both great reads. I had a few issues with both, but for the most part, both were amazing tributes to brave Americans who survived horrible, unmerited trials and came out better for having gone through them.

Ministry: FBN is continuing to reach the world with the Gospel! We’ve had a listener in the Vatican, have been able to present the ministry to several churches this past month and we helped celebrate 20 years of FBN in Oakland, Maryland! God is so good!

A few months ago, I requested prayer for the nation of North Korea, who have not been reached with FBN. And while I would continue to pray that FBN be heard there one day, please pray for the underground Christians in the country now who undergo persecution on a daily basis. FBN has never saved anyone; it’s the Gospel Jesus Christ preached on FBN that does that. Pray for those in the country as they labor in secret for the Master. Pray for their protection, faithfulness and strength as they Shine the Light of Christ into their dying nation!

Writing Update: A Song of Home is progressing through the team edit! Already, mom and I have found several things to make the story better and added a fun scene with a particular character deciding to volunteer at a hospital! No details on that, though 😉 Prayers are appreciated as we continue to work. Summer is a busy time for us, in our home life and ministry wise, so meeting together for edits gets harder.

A Book I am Anticipating for July: Jefferson Davis, American by William J. Cooper, Jr. I started this book last year, but it’s thick and small print. I’d like to read a few more chapters of it this month. The writing is very good, just a lot to process! Definitely not a quick read!

A now for your story prompts!

Until Next Time,
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Hello everyone! This past month was amazing! We were able to attend several special services, I celebrated my birthday, Memorial Day rolled around (my favorite holiday!) and the North Carolina Home Educators Book Fair closed out the month for us! Today, I’m gonna share some of my favorites from my favorite month of the year!

My May Favorites…
 
Event: Born Alive Survivor Protection Act Rally. This was my very first Pro-Life event and our family thoroughly enjoyed it! We were able to give our loads of FBN information (we gave some to our Lt. Governor, Dan Forrest!!!). It was wonderful to gather with hundreds of people from around the state of various ages and background, all to support the lives of our smallest, most vulnerable citizens. Currently, North Carolina Representatives are trying to pass a veto override to protect our unborn, but we have to wait until certain voters change their mind or decide not to show up for the vote. I thank God we have a Representative who is willing to hold out until we have the votes we need to protect our babies!
Song: Jesus Saves, as sung by Caleb and Katie Garraway. It’s so beautiful!
Verse: Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12
I’m reading through the minor prophets now and this verse jumped out at me on May 20th. It’s time to seek the Lord in our country in the day and age that we live in. And we all know that is change is to come to our country, it’s got to start with us, the Children of God!
Book of the Month: Lincoln Unmasked by Thomas DiLorenzo! 5 stars! It was sooooo good, y’all! One of the best nonfictions I have read this year! (Review coming soon!)
Ministry: The God Bless America Rally in Canton Ohio! Yes, I added another states to my growing list of states visited! 13! The meeting was wonderful as always and we were blessed to see over 200 saved during the door-knocking and services! Them we got to have Evangelist Byron Foxx with us on the way to services in Kentucky! So yes, that was my top ministry even for this month!
Writing Update: We are in the team edit stage! We are hoping to make some good progress in June, so stay tuned for that! Once we start meeting, rewrite get intense and wonderful and I love it!
A Book I am Anticipating for June: I Varina by Ruth Painter Randall! It’s the story of Varina Davis, First Lady of the Confederacy! I finally got this book this year after searching for it for years! So yes, this is a much anticipated read! I also have a few books that I’m waiting on from my library about D-Day, so I’m looking forward to that!
 
I’ll give you a quick recap on my anticipated reads for May. I am still reading Unbroken, but so far, I love it! There have been a few edits needed, and I anticipate that increasing as I get into the war, but so far, I really like it! Number the Stars wasn’t my favorite book on WWII, but it wasn’t bad either. I have a review coming soon, so watch for that for more details. And y’all. I finished The Hiding Place! At last! After being urged by friends and a few reading slumps, I finally finished that book! Review to come on that one as well!
 
And Now for your Story Prompts!
 
June Edition: Summer is here! Write about your favorite summer activity, but with a twist. Set the scene in 1932, during the Great Depression and make sure you include a train, a hobo and your favorite summer treat!
 
D-Day Edition: I shouldn’t be here! He thought desperately as the landing craft carried them closer and closer to the battle. I should have listened to Mama and waited until I was older to go! The 17-year-old soldier gritted his teeth as the craft ground to a stop, just shy of the French beach called Omaha. Lord, please let me live through this!
 
Father’s Day Edition: The young German soldier’s breath came in ragged gasps, frightening his little boy. The American medic gently pulled the toddler from his father’s arms and handed him to the private kneeling next to them. The boy whimpered, “You not hurt my daddy!” The medic smiled as the American private said, “He won’t. He’s going to make your daddy feel all better. Then, we’ll take you both somewhere safe.” The medic sighed. Judging by the looks of the exhausted prisoner, a prison camp would be an improvement indeed!
 
Until Next Time,
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

PS (Sorry there are no graphics for the story prompts! This week has been crazy, lol!)