Wolfe Stew

John Chapman, commonly known as Johnny Appleseed, was a man who lived his life serving others - in word and deed. Serving others brings JOY to you and the person served. Think about the others you already connect with in your life, how might you serve them even better  today? Apple tree picture from pxhere.com JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Four we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  Musings from the Mrs. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by Johnny Appleseed. Activity Suggestions  Book, craft, math, research, writing, and family challenge. Did You Know: John Chapman is Johnny Appleseed's real name?  John Chapman was the second child of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Chapman. He was born on September 26, 1774 in Leominster Massachusetts. ( Wikipedia ) By selling seedlings to settlers, Chapman helped establish their land claims? In Ohio and Indiana, planting an orchard showed your intent to stay on the land which persuaded the government to recognize your claim. By selling seedling

(Updated 8.11.2023) Genuinely positive statements directed our way fill us with JOY that lingers. These statements might come from others or from within. You have the power with your words to bring more JOY into your life and to the life of others. Let's do it! Let's fill our world with JOY!  Speak Kind Words Saturday Topics: Did You Know...  Kind words facts we didn't know. Wolfe Stew Connects  to the power of words. Bible Verses and Quotes  About speaking with kindness. Activity Suggestions  Articles for leaders, activities for learners, discussion questions, and family challenge. Did You Know: Negative words - spoken, heard, or thought - release stress hormones? These hormones lead   to not only situational stress but also contribute to long-term anxiety in adults and children. ( Business Relation Management Institute ) Positive words have the power to change your brain?  Neuroscientist, Dr Andrew Newberg, and communications expert, Robert Waldman, share that the longer

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

(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

(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

After watching my turtle recover from his tumble down the stairs yesterday (he's alright), I realized this is what turtles do: they take risks. They don't know what's at the bottom of that fall, but they trust their shell to protect them. I wonder, what shell protects you? Does your shell of protection provide joy and confidence or fear and isolation?  Meet Our Turtle: Waldo World Turtle Day Stops: Did You Know...   Two we knew; three we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  Musings by the Mrs. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by turtles. Activity Suggestions   Care, costumes, reading, crafting, games, habitats, and maps. Did You Know: Turtles existed alongside dinosaurs?  Turtles lived more than 220 million years ago, before snakes, crocodiles, and alligators. ( World Atlas ) The oldest turtle on record lived to 188?  Named, Tu'i Malila, this female radiated tortoise lived on Tonga Island but was originally from Madagascar. ( Tongan Tribes ) More than 356 species exist?  T