Wolfe Stew

I just finished updating my first December Idea for Every Day post and noticed a similarity: snow. Apparently, God nudges me into a December mindset by making it snow on the days I post my December calendars. Honestly, December on the horizon saddens me slightly. It means winter is near and ushers in the end of another year. But, then there's Christmas and the New Year to think about - so I never stay sad for long! How are you doing, Leader? How do you feel now that December is nearly here? Jingling all the way? Or are you settling in for a blue Christmas? What Christmas song best matches your mood today? While we hope it's one of comfort and JOY, we know that's not always reality. Know we are in prayer for you and the JOY you bring to each one of your learners. Here's what we're offering on the December 2022  Wolfe Stew  menu: December 2022 Ideas for  Every  Day Calendar  (family friendly, educational) December 2022 Growth for Today Calendar  (personal gro...

(Updated 11.16.2023) With a heart full of praise, that's how we hope you're entering this Thanksgiving season. There are many reasons to be thankful in every circumstance. Challenge yourselves (and others) to find those reasons - even in the difficult moments. This is how we stay rooted in JOY, friends! JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Five Thanksgiving facts we didn't know. Wolfe Stew Connects  To the difficulty of thanksgiving.  Bible Verses and Quotes  About giving thanks. Activity Suggestions  for classrooms organized in grade level bands, "Would you rather..." questions, and a family challenge. Did You Know: There were only four women present at the first Thanksgiving? While there were around 140 attendees - 90 Wampanoag and 50 colonists - only four of them were women. ( The Fact File  & History.com ) Turkey is now the most commonly served food on Thanksgiving?  So much so that Thanksgiving is often referred to as "Turkey Day." As a c...

(Updated 11.2.2023) Kindness grants JOY not just to the receiver but also to the giver. If that's true, why aren't we all kind to everyone we encounter? Is it fear? Is it that we think the other person is unworthy? Maybe we think it's unfair: we haven't received kindness, why should we spread it to another? Or perhaps we dismiss personal responsibility for kindness because it does not come naturally to us. But we all have the capacity for kindness within us, no matter our personal circumstances. Showing kindness might cost strength, courage, and humility but it produces exponential JOY. JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Facts about kindness. Wolfe Stew Connects  With a kindness competition. Bible Verses and Quotes  about showing kindness. Activity Suggestions  To promote kind words, actions, and thoughts in the classroom; "Would you rather..." questions; and a family challenge Did You Know: Even animals demonstrate kindness?  Male fiddler crabs refrain...

Thank you, Veterans, for serving to defend our freedoms. Today, we stand JOYFULLY united in honor of you! JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Three we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  To a war we all fight. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by veterans. Activity Suggestions  Informational resources, letter-writing templates, bulletin board ideas, Would You Rather questions, and family challenge. Did You Know: Veterans Day does not have an apostrophe? Because the day is for honoring ALL veterans, the apostrophe is intentionally absent. No one individual or veteran group owns the day, so no apostrophe is necessary. ( Defense.gov ) Veterans Day and Memorial Day serve different purposes?  Veterans Day honors everyone who has served - whether in war or peace, still living or deceased. While Memorial Day honors soldiers who died while fighting or as a result of fighting. Mostly, the intention of Veterans Day is to express our thankfulness to veterans for their sacri...

What about Halloween brings you JOY? Is it costumes? Candy? Spending time with family and friends? Challenging your fears? This year, I find myself distanced from Halloween and, surprisingly, am learning to embrace the JOY in that. JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Three we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  To celebrate or not to celebrate? Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by Halloween. Activity Suggestions  Costumes, trick-or-treating tips, pumpkin life cycle, writing, crafts, games, discussion questions, and family challenge. Did You Know: Halloween began as the Celtic festival Samhain?  October 31st was the last day of their year and represented the transition from harvest to winter. Moreover, this time of year was often associated with death. The Celtic belief was that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the living and dead was weakened which permitted ghosts entry to earth. To ward off ghosts and help predict the future, Samhain (pron...

I am tired today! Are you tired, too? The seasonal shift affected me physically this year, perhaps for the first time ever. Regardless, I am still loving fall. So breathtaking! The street that welcomes you into our neighborhood is lined with yellow trees that shine in God's glory. I'm determined to take my time in raking up the leaves on our front yard because each time I open my door the colorful splendor raises my spirits. How are you doing, Leader? Is there something in your world lifting your spirits that you are clinging to, too? I certainly hope so! If not, I hope you find that something soon. Please know, we are always cheering you on in the life-giving work that you do. Here's what we're offering on the November 2022  Wolfe Stew  menu: November 2022 Ideas for  Every  Day Calendar  (family friendly, educational) November 2022 Growth for Today Calendar  (personal growth, Bible-based) Blank 2022 Calendars   Bible verses  Inspirational Quotes ...

(Updated 11.28.2023) She welcomes immigrants coming to our shore and serves to remind us of the freedom we've obtained. I ask: are you spreading that hope? Are you living in that freedom? When we learn to, we discover profound JOY. JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Two we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  Musings from the Mrs. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by the Statue of Liberty and freedom. Activity Suggestions  Art, history, discussion, and family challenge. Did You Know: The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France? Originally named Liberty Enlightening the World , the statue was the dream child of Edouard de Laboulaye and was sculpted by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. It simultaneously memorializes the centennial of our independence and abolition of slavery. ( StatueofLiberty.org ) Fundraisers in both France and the United States paid for the statue? France gathered money from public fees, entertainment, and a lottery, while the U.S. relied mostly on entert...