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Showing posts with the label Joy for Today

National Parents Day | JOY for Today

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Parents, you have a tough job, and we know it. But we also hope your parenting role brings you JOY. For days when worry overwhelms joy, we pray you remember these words: " Family Concept " image by Perpetual Fostering at Flickr . Free for use under a CC  BY 2.0 license Parents' Day Guides: Did You Know...  One we did; four we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  Musings from the Mrs. Bible Verses and Quotes  About parenting. Activity Suggestions  Parent honoring and strengthening ideas. Did You Know: Parents' Day was established by President Bill Clinton in 1994?  Parents' day closes the trilogy of parental holidays and was initially observed in South Korea as a Mother's Day replacement. ( Edarabia ) You can nominate exceptional parents to receive recognition? Nominations are to be submitted by June 30th at Parent's Day . Criteria for nominees include exemplifying qualities of sacrificial love; overcoming major obstacles; exhibiting moral values; and having a

National Ice Cream Day | JOY for Today

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(Updated 6/29/2023) JOY is ice cream on a hot day. Pause for a moment and allow yourself to imagine it. Experience the taste of that perfect flavor melting on your tongue. Cooling you from the inside out. Soothing still as you ready yourself for another taste. Yes, Friends, JOY tastes of ice cream. Yet, sweet though ice cream may be, we know something even sweeter. Vanilla Ice Cream image courtesy of  Peakpx.com  *July's Third Sunday Ice Cream Day Offerings: Did You Know...  Five we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  About flavors for every mood. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by ice cream. Activity Suggestions  Recipe suggestions, discussion questions, & family challenge. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS: National Parents' Day (July's Fourth Sunday) Planner Day (August 1st Annually) Global Sleep Under the Stars Night (August 8th Annually) Did You Know: Ice cream originated in China?  Well, most people agree on that, possibly because it included an addition of milk. However, drink

Give Something Away Day 2022 | JOY for Today

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(Updated 6.23.2023) Giving well requires thinking outwardly. It means carefully considering what might benefit another and acting to make it happen. JOY is found on both ends: the giving and the getting. As you consider what to give away, we ask that you think outside material goods and consider what words and actions you might also give away to make someone else's day. Give Something Away Day Selections: Did You Know...  Five we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  Connecting charity and love. Bible Verses and Quotes  About charity. Activity Suggestions  Thoughts about choosing what to give, questions, family challenge. Did You Know: Giving is good for your health?  According to Cleveland Clinic , engaging in a charitable activity can lower your blood pressure, improve your self-esteem, lessen depression, decrease stress levels, prolong your life, and lead to greater levels of happiness and satisfaction. Only about 20% of donations come from corporations? In 2020, according to Digital

Independence Day | JOY for Today

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(Updated 6/22/2023) In this country, we take freedom seriously. It's synonymous with the United States of America. But what is freedom?  Freedom, exercised properly, brings great JOY. This Independence Day, we ask you to consider that freedom comes with responsibility. Our forefathers labored to create a land free from oppression and tyranny . Are you choosing to live a life in service to freedom for others or are you chained to selfishness? July 4th Annually Independence Day Choices: Did You Know...  Five we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  Our country's origins. Bible Verses and Quotes  About freedom. Activity Suggestions  Fireworks, crafts, history, questions, books, and family challenge. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS Give Something Away Day ( July 15th Annually ) National Ice Cream Day ( July's Third Sunday ) National Parents Day ( July's Fourth Sunday ) Did You Know: We have John Adams to thank for our firework tradition?  His vision of Fourth of July celebrations written in a

Forgiveness Day 2022 | JOY for Today

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(Updated 5/25/2023.) Sometimes seeking joy is not a task you want to undertake. Sometimes we want to sit in our anger, sadness, or hurt and are not ready for joy. But, when you are ready to let that JOY back in , forgiveness is a necessary step. June 26th Annually Forgiveness Day Findings: Did You Know...  Two we knew; three we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  To the difficulty of forgiveness. Bible Verses and Quotes  About forgiveness of self and others. Activity Suggestions  Posters, movies, books, and songs. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS: Independence Day (July 4th Annually) Give Something Away Day (July 15th Annually) National Ice Cream Day (July's Third Sunday) Did You Know: There is more than one day for forgiveness throughout the year? Additional designations for forgiveness include the third full week of June, July 7th, the first Sunday in August, September 27th, and October 7th. ( Checkiday ) Forgiveness is good for your health?  Mayo Clinic studied the health benefits of forgiven

Father's Day | JOY for Today

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(Updated 5/16/2024.) Fathers, on this day we honor you. We honor the commitment you made and upheld to guide, protect, and love your family. We are better because of you and with JOY we welcome your enduring presence. June's Third Sunday Father's Day Offerings: Did You Know...   Five we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  To the need for all men to father. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by Father's Day. Activity Suggestions   Card-making and book-reading suggestions. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS: Forgiveness Day (June 26th Annually) National Financial Freedom Day (July 1st Annually) Independence Day (July 4th Annually) Did You Know: Father's Day was inspired by a Mother's Day sermon? Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, heard a sermon on Mother's Day that started her on the path toward getting a Father's Day on the calendar too. She felt her father, William Smart, who raised six kids by himself after his wife died during childbirth, deserved a day that honored

Flag Day | JOY for Today

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(Updated 6/2/2023) Flags symbolize belonging. They announce in colors and symbols the values and traditions of the people who fly them. When you see your flag waving in unfamiliar territory, it communicates security and like-mindedness. Belonging. Community. Shared Values. Common Purpose. These sound like ingredients in a recipe for JOY to me.  JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  One we knew; four we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  To the banner over me. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by flags. Activity Suggestions  Crafts, games, food, history, "Would you rather...?", and family challenge. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS: Father's Day (June's Third Sunday) Forgiveness Day (June 26th Annually) Independence Day (July 4th Annually) Did You Know: Our flag was officially adopted June 14, 1777 by the Second Continental Congress? See alternate designs at USHistory.org . It took 135 years for our flag to be standardized?  Until 1912, stars were arranged differently in varyi