Wolfe Stew

Rocks and humans have a shared history. Early humans found shelter in caves and recorded their histories on the walls. Today we use rocks in endless applications. Your rock collection may be conventional: a display in your home or the border for your garden. Or your rock collection may be unconventional: reapplied to your face daily or reflected in the smiles of the people you meet, but you do have one. And, after connecting with the ideas in this post, we're hoping that your rock collection will bring you even more JOY! Gemstones by byrev at Pixabay . JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Five facts about rocks. Wolfe Stew Connects  To God's rock collection. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by rocks. Activity Suggestions : Start a rock collection, learn about rock formation, read books about rocks, share opinions about rocks, and go on a rock walk. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS:   International Day of Peace (September 21st Annually) Fall Equinox (September 22, 2024 - Cha...

 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...

All of us are on a quest for JOY. One of the ways people in early America sought it was to "Go West!" West was the land of opportunity, freedom, and adventure. What is your West today? What are you doing to find JOY? Go West Day | July 13th Annually JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Five facts about the American West. Wolfe Stew Connects  To the command to "Go!" Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by opportunity. Activity Suggestions : Write ads, identify rules, design hats, discuss questions, and encourage  opportunity-taking. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS:   Give Something Away Day (July 15th Annually) National Ice Cream Day (July's Third Sunday) Gorgeous Grandma Day (July 23rd Annually) Did You Know: Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase, "Go West, young man"? Editor of the New York Tribune , Greeley wrote a letter in 1871 to a young man seeking career advice telling him to "Go West!" as this was the place where workers were wanted. Thou...

Freedom! That's July in one word. We celebrate our independence this month, and we do it in many ways: cookouts, camping, music, and fireworks. It's a month that reminds us to celebrate what brings us together instead of fixating on what tears us apart. So while we celebrate our freedoms to govern how we want to govern, say what we want to say, and believe what we want to believe, remember that just because we can, doesn't mean we should: I have the freedom to do anything, but not everything is helpful. I Corinthians 6:12  CEB I must check my thoughts, words, decisions, and habits for helpfulness. Am I helping or hurting myself? Am I adding value to others?  This July, I'm homing in on celebrating freedom by saying what I want to say. I want to communicate in helpful, encouraging, and true ways. My action plan is to listen more and speak less so that when I open my mouth, intentional words of worth come out. Pray for me, would you? I know I'll need it. How are you c...

The following post from Well Parents offers tips for managing parental anxiety. Well Parents provides resources to support you in parenting by encouraging you to focus on your physical and emotional well-being. Links to more Well Parents articles are listed at the end of this post. Guest article provided by:  wellparents.com Parental Currents: Detecting the Undercurrents of Your Anxiety In the journey of parenting, one often navigates through a complex maze of emotions and responsibilities. Amidst this intricate dance, a vital aspect frequently remains unaddressed: the impact of a parent's anxiety on their children. This Wolfe Stew article delves into understanding this influence and offers practical strategies to mitigate it, ensuring a healthy emotional environment for both parent and child. Subtle Indicators: Deciphering Anxiety in the Young Children, with their unfiltered expressiveness, often mirror the emotional climate of their homes. Noticeable shifts in their behavior,...

Summer is the season of JOY! Warm temperatures, smiling faces, longer days, and fewer obligations invite adventure and rest. Embrace each moment. Cherish the memories. First Day of Summer | When the Sun is at its Northernmost Point JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Five facts about summer. Wolfe Stew Connects  To storing provisions. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by summer. Activity Suggestions : Goal setting, summer party, discussion questions, memory tracking, and countdown. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS:   Forgiveness Day (June 26th Annually) National Financial Freedom Day (July 1st Annually) Independence Day (July 4th Annually) Did You Know: The dog days of summer reference an annual pattern of summer misery? The ancient Greeks and Romans noticed increased temperatures, drought, misery, and illness in the days ranging from July 3 to August 11. Because Sirius, a star in the Canis Major (the "Greater Dog") constellation, rises along with the sun at this time of y...