Wolfe Stew

April reminds me of promises. Promises to keep and promises kept. Two significant events this month specifically remind me of promises: the Mr.'s birthday and Easter. The Mr.'s birthday reminds me to daily renew my promise to love, honor, and cherish him. Easter reminds me of the faithfulness of God's promises. He promises struggle, but also deliverance. God never wants us to forget that; He's constantly reminding us that He will rescue us. What promises does April remind you of? Perhaps, you're thinking of promises you made regarding your students. Either promises made directly to them, or hopes forged from the year's beginning. Maybe you're looking at the school year coming to a close and April finds you recommitted to doubling down on those promises.  Perhaps, promises regarding your personal life are on your mind. Maybe you want to spend more time outside with family, now that the weather is warming. Or maybe you want to commit to taking one day, one hou...

March brings hope. The hope of warmer weather, of a week off of school, and of accepting restarts. Generally, by the time March rolls around, my New Year commitments need refreshing or revising. Right now, I'm pondering a more thorough and regular cleaning routine. Not at all what I want to do, but what I feel needs doing. What does March bring for you? Are you also looking forward to warmer weather, relaxation, and restarting forgotten goals? Or is something else entirely on your mind?  Whatever it is, know that God is ready to help, all you need do is ask. So, keep a song in your heart and know you're never alone. He wants to work  with you. We're praying you reach up and accept the help  and hope He's offering. Our March 2025 offerings: March 2025 Ideas for  Every  Day Calendar  (family friendly, educational)  March 2025 Growth for Today Calendar  (personal growth, Gospel study) March 2025 Ideas for EVERY Day View the  current month's ca...

Winter has officially settled in where we live. It's currently snowing the big, fluffy flakes that are so beautiful to watch - as long as you can from the comfort of your own home. The problem with winter is that sometimes it seems to drag on forever and it feels like spring may never come again. Perhaps that's why we look to a groundhog to bring us hope this month. We hope you are finding JOY in your winter. Perhaps you find it in a huge smile on a student's face, in an unexpected hug, or in a fresh cup of coffee that you actually get to drink while it's still hot. EnJOY these moments, Leader, because it's these little moments that, when added together, bring JOY. And we know, all too well, that sometimes that JOY is hard to find.  To help you find JOY this February, we're offering you a reason to celebrate every   day with activity tie-ins and a suggested schedule for daily meeting with Jesus: the unfailing source of lasting JOY. Our February 2025 offerings: F...

Happy (almost) New Year! We hope you had a very Merry Christmas and are gearing up for the new year.  Each new year offers an opportunity to evaluate and reconsider the choices we are making in life. Neither one of us takes New Year's resolutions too seriously, but I do choose a word for each year. Last year's word started as GLORIFY, but was changed to OPEN at the last minute. Which, come to think of it, served as a good segue into practicing being more open. This year (unless it changes at the last minute again) my word is COMMITTED. Last year opened me to accept opportunities I normally decline, and this year I'm committed to deepening them. Whether or not you choose a word of the year or commit to a resolution, all of us are looking to grow ourselves and others because that is what leaders do. Please pray for us as we seek to deepen our commitments and know that we likewise are praying for you. For some fresh ideas to begin a fresh new year, here are some ideas we'v...

When you realize that December is near, do you hear jingle bells or alarm bells? For me, the alarm bells are blaring: I cannot believe 2024 is nearly over! As you prepare for the festive season, we encourage you to take some time for yourself. Connect with God, family, friends, co-workers, and strangers, but don't forget to think about who you are and what you need. What is on your heart for you for next year? What is your biggest hope for 2025? What steps can you take toward achieving what you hope for? How can you partner with God in it? Will you trust Him even if it doesn't happen? My biggest hope for 2025 is that each one of you grow deeper in your relationship with Christ. That's my hope for me, too: to know  Him more.  We also hope to help you wrap up 2024 with a bow of JOY through this selection of activities we've stewed on for you. Our December 2024 offerings: December 2024 Ideas for  Every  Day Calendar  (family friendly, educational)  December 20...

As November nears our thoughts turn to thankfulness. I hope this year your gratitude lists are overflowing, and if they are not, I hope you are able to find a blessing or two in every day. They are there, even though they are harder to find on some days than others. A few ideas we're pondering this November are forgiveness and salvation. Often, we don't think we need forgiveness or salvation but are looking for ways to extend forgiveness and salvation to others. What if this November we took time each day to seriously consider, and be thankful for, the forgiveness and salvation we have been given? A few practices we plan to put into action include: Letting others - learners included - help us and express genuine appreciation for it.  Giving others - learners too - the chance to forgive us by apologizing when we've wronged them. Sure, you can do it on your own, and maybe an apology isn't necessary. But perhaps you need to learn to let others save you from time to time. M...

O-o-o-o-o-October. The month that tries to scare us. But we're not scared. No. We face a classroom of littles daily who stare directly into our faces and firmly tell us, "No!", in response to a gentle request; who hit other kids right in the face because they were too close; and who start crying uncontrollably because suddenly they miss their mom. No, we're not scared. Yet, truth be told, sometimes we are. Maybe we can face these kids seemingly confident, but on the inside, we're full of doubt. Like, "Please let this technique work, because I don't know what I'm going to try next if it doesn't." Or, "Do they know how much I actually care about them?" How about, "When others watch me, are they judging my response, or do they get it?" And the persistent one, "Are my efforts really getting anywhere?" The thing is, each day, you are serving those littles. You are using every tool you've been given to help them al...

 Hey Leaders!  Have you met your new learners yet? Or are you still frantically  calmly and collectedly preparing for their arrival?  We're one full week and two days into the 2024-2025 school year here, and it feels like every other school year beginning. How do we forget so quickly what these learners are like at the beginning of the year? There really is nothing quite so humbling as realizing you don't have it all together, no matter how well you plan. Thankfully, we have one another. Don't be afraid to admit your struggles and celebrate other leaders' victories. Every moment is an opportunity for a fresh start. So take that breath, remember He is with you, strengthening you, and start again. If you are looking for some fresh ideas for September, browse our 2024 offerings: September 2024 Ideas for  Every  Day Calendar  (family friendly, educational)  September 2024 Growth for Today Calendar  (personal growth, Isaiah study) Blank 2024 Calen...

Leaders! It's already back-to-school time!!  I hope you have had a summer full of relaxation and fulfillment, and that August's arrival finds you refreshed and revitalized. But, if you're anything like me, you wish you could slam the brakes on summer and rest here a little longer. I keep looking for that pause button. I haven't found it yet though, so I keep moving forward.  That's what we're called to do: to be faithful in today ( Hebrews 3:13 ). To do our best in each moment, and if a moment fails, commit to doing better in the next ( Ephesians 6:7 ). To face tomorrow with hope knowing the future is held in the hands of our Maker ( Jeremiah 29:11 ). To interact with love for others because we know the love God has for them by how well He loves us ( John 13:34-35 ). And to keep marching because we know we are where we are right now for a reason ( Philippians 3:17  & Ephesians 2:10 ). I'm here to encourage you in your faithful walk, just as I hope you...