Welcome to the Strong Women Podcast, where we explore a deeper understanding of the humanity,

value, intellect, and creativity of women. I'm your host, Erin Kunkel. And I'm your co-host, Sarah Stone Street.

Today on the podcast, we are talking to Carol Joyside.

I first met Carol 14 years ago when my husband and I attended a seminar.

She was leading about homeschooling.

And from that day forward, Carol had a profound effect on my life in several areas, but the biggest was in my desire to become a reader, a person who is not only well read,

but someone who loves books and saw the importance of having books in my life. So we ask Carol to come on today

and talk to us about how books shape us, how they grow us, how they challenge us, and why it's so

important for followers of Christ to love the written word. Our discussion led to the topic of biographies,

which led to our discussion of one of the greatest Christian missionaries,

Amy Carmichael.

I don't know anyone who's read more about Amy Carmichael than Carol,

so we knew she would be the best person to introduce you to her if you haven't read

about this incredible woman before. We hope at the end of the podcast today, you will want to

stop whatever else you are doing and sit down with a great book. Here's our conversation with

Carol.

Well, Carol, one thing that Aaron and I know about you is that you are a great lover of books.

And so I want to know, I'm curious, when did that love start?

Was it in your childhood or later?

Great question.

Well, I was raised in a non-literary home.

Neither of my parents were readers, although my mother particularly was very highly educated and studied four languages and had a master's degree.

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