Wolfe Stew

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...

Potatoes are simple, satisfying, and familiar. Although not typically what we crave, they bolster any meal you include them in. What a lesson for us. What JOY we would bring if we made this our purpose: to support every interaction with simplicity, goodness, and humility. Celebrate with this  Potato Dish recipe. JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Five facts about potatoes. Wolfe Stew Connects  To potatoes, Jesus, and ourselves. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by potatoes. Activity Suggestions : Experiments, art, games, recipes, discussion questions, and family challenge. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS:   Statue of Liberty Dedication Day (October 28th Annually) Halloween (October 31st Annually) All Souls Day (November 2nd Annually) Did You Know: Potatoes are a highly desired crop to grow? Potatoes produce more food using less land and less water than most other crops, making them profitable to produce. More than a billion people eat potatoes worldwide and most coun...

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...

To love and be loved - a surefire recipe for JOY. It takes time, commitment, and effort, but the outcome is beyond worth it! JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Facts about love in the Bible. Wolfe Stew Connects  To the difficulty with loving everyone, always. Bible Verses and Quotes  About loving others. Activity Suggestions : Love notes; Love languages; Book list; Would you rather...?; Family challenge. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS:   World Communion Sunday (10/6/2024 - October's First Sunday) Inner Beauty Day (October 7th Annually) Columbus Day (10/14/2024 - October's Second Monday) Did You Know: There are seven words for love used in the Bible? The four Hebrew words for love from the Old Testament are: ahava/aheb (similar to our meaning of love; used 209 times), hesed (we translate as lovingkindness but more deeply denotes a covenantal love; used 247 times), racham (compassion, love between parent and child, infinite love; used 47 times), dod (commonly used to mea...