Come in from the Cold Day | JOY for Today

It's not the coldness that brings us joy. No, joy is the warming up process that follows the bitter cold. Come in from the cold; know JOY.

Come in from the Cold Day | January 22nd Annually

JOY for Today Offerings:

• Did You Know... Facts about keeping warm.
• Wolfe Stew Connects To sharing warmth.
• Bible Verses and Quotes Related to the cold.
• Activity Suggestions Appropriate attire, outdoor activities, writing prompts, discussion questions, and family challenge.

UPCOMING HOLIDAYS: 

• Library Shelfie Day (January's 4th Wednesday)
• Spouses' Day (January 26th Annually)
• National Inspire Your Heart with Art Day (January 31st Annually)

Did You Know:

1. Our body temperatures are not stable? They fluctuate throughout the day, usually starting lower in the morning and reach a peak in the evening. Younger people are usually warmer than older people. Women are usually warmer than men but seem colder because their bodies focus on keeping their cores, not their extremities, warm.  (WebMD, The Healthy,  & Harvard)
2. Eating helps keep you warm? It takes calories to maintain our core temperatures. The colder it gets, the more calories we require. Eating a spicy (Spicy foods actually warm you!) diet rich in iron and Vitamin B12 helps. A lack of these nutrients lead to fewer red blood cells, making us feel chilly. Eat chicken or seafood to ingest both of these nutrients. Chicken tortilla soup sounds like a a perfect cold weather meal! (WebMD & Everyday Health)
3. Layering clothing warms you better than a single, heavy layer? When layering, focus on keeping the torso warm. Start with a moisture-wicking, snug-fitting shirt followed by a wool layer. Adding on a vest or shirt warms even your hands and feet more than an extra pair of socks or gloves. (WebMD, CNN, & Life Hacker)
4. Flannel makes great winter sleepwear? Not only does it keep you warm, but flannel breathes. Flannel pajamas will keep you warm without overheating you. If you still can't get warm at night, consider wearing a nightcap. Because most of us sleep with our head outside of the blankets and heat escapes though any exposed body part, wearing the nightcap will trap the heat in. (WebMD, CNN & Everyday Health)
5. Heated mattress pads are more effective than heated blankets? Half of the heat from an electric blanket goes to the ceiling and the blanket is likely to get bunched up. A heated mattress pad, however, stays in place underneath you where it also traps the heat. If you don't have either, layer your bedding right. Start with flannel sheets, add a thick, fluffy blanket (crocheted or knitted blankets provide air pockets that keep the warmth in the middle), and top it off with a thin, dense blanket to lock the heat in. (WebMD & Life Hacker)

We'd Love to Know:   

What new tactic you will try to get warm?

Wolfe Stew Connects

When we had two extremely cold days in a row, I knew I had to write this post. Our water pipe froze, school was canceled, and I found myself being very grateful that I could come in from the cold.

Generally speaking, the cold is not something I desire. When you are truly cold, it is hard to get warm again. But, there are a few things I enjoy about the cold:

• Snow toast. A family tradition! My grandparents would serve snow toast to celebrate the first snowfall of every year. Now, I serve it every time it snows. It's peanut butter toast topped with golden-brown marshmallows roasted under the broiler..
• Snow days. An unexpected but welcome day when everyone gets to stay home safe and warm.
• Fresh snowfalls. There is no substitute for the beauty its sparkle and cleanliness offer.
• Getting warm. Hot beverages, tasty soups (or stew!), a crackling fireplace, heavy blankets, and thick socks all add up to comfort and coziness.

Spiritually, coming in from the cold might mean inviting someone to share in the truth, or recognizing the truth yourself - being warmed from the inside. Don't let your loved ones live in the cold, invite them in to live in His warmth. Then, you will have no need to fear the snow, because you'll know they are clothed in His righteousness.

In response:

1. Pray for someone who lives in the coldness of unbelief. Ask that Jesus comes to show them His warmth. Persist in prayer. God listens and answers.
2. Join us as we study Isaiah. Chapter two speaks of a day when men who think they do not need God realize they do. The solution offered is humility. Recognize God for who He is and stop putting man, and the things we make, above Him.

Bible Verses and Quotes 

Bible Verses 

• He sends his orders to the world - how swiftly his word flies! He sends the snow like white wool; he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes. He hurls the hail like stones. Who can stand against his freezing cold? Then, at his command, it all melts. He sends winds, and the ice thaws. Psalm 147:15-18 NLT
• "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:12-13 NIV
• "If you won't plow in the cold, you won't eat at the harvest." Proverbs 20:4 TLB
• "She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet." Proverbs 31:21 KJV
• Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart." Proverbs 25:20 NKJV

Quotes

• "Snow endures but for a season, and JOY comes with the morning." - Marcus Aurelius
• "To keep a warm heart in winter is the real victory." - Marty Rubin
• "I like the cold weather. It means you get work done." - Noam Chomsky
• "Love keeps the cold out better than a cloak." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
• "One kind word can warm three winter months." - Japanese Proverb

We'd Love to Know:

Which verse or quote warms you?

Activity Suggestions

What to Wear

If your learners are anything like the ones we know, they think dressing properly for the weather is unnecessary. However, learning these tips early in life might help them later on. 

• PreK-1st: Diagram a picture of a person ready to go out into the cold. 
• 2nd & 3rd: Describe the process of getting ready to play in the snow as if you were talking to a kindergartener.
• 4th-6th: Persuade me: What one item does everyone need when they face severely cold weather? Support your position with credible sources.

What to Do

Play in the cold weather. If there's snow, make a snow fort, have a snowball fight, build a snowman, or make snow angels. If there's no snow, play tag, hide and seek, or a team game.

How to Get Warm

After coming inside, talk about your favorite ways to warm up. Then have students:

• PreK-1st: Draw and write about a warming up scene.
• 2nd & 3rd: Journal about your favorite way to warm up. Help the reader imagine what it looks like and why it works.
• 4th-6th: Draft a story about characters warming up after being in extremely cold weather for an extended period of time. Establish a detailed setting, strong characters, logical plot, and emotional dialogue. 

Discuss "Would You Rather..." Questions

• Get cold from sledding or from a snowball fight?
• Warm up with a soft blanket or a hot bath?
• Drink hot chocolate or tea?

If you would like three "Would You Rather...?" questions for every January day, download this Wolfe Stew PowerPoint or get it (for free!) at our TPT store.

Take on the Family Challenge

Be warm to each other! And if you're having a day when you are struggling to be kind, let your family know. Then, set a time when you will commit to being warmed up. Together, list warming-up strategies for each family member.

We'd Love to Know:

Your favorite way to get warm.

We’re excited to share one more day with you and wish you JOY for Today and HOPE for Tomorrow. 

Your Partners in JOY Finding,

Sample these related posts:

To dig into Proverbs 31:21, the verse about fear, snow, and scarlet.

To think about winter.

To think more about kindness.

To consider the kindness of God.

To connect with the Mr.'s kind grandma.

Find even more JOY for Today in our monthly calendars, holiday, and seasonal posts.

*Image credit: Winter Tree by JillWellington at Pixabay