Wolfe Stew

(Updated 10/27/2022) Fellow Leaders. Saints Clad in the Armor of Christ, Let's talk about Halloween. Yes, Halloween. Possibly the least favorite holiday for many Christians - at the very least, the most controversial one. Halloween is a time to celebrate and challenge fear. A holiday thwarted by many Christians as repulsive, diabolical, and shameful when celebrated. But I challenge you to start looking at Halloween differently. I'm calling on you, fellow Saints, to see it instead as a day we choose to look our fears in the face, call them out by name and tell them, "I'm not afraid of you!" How we Face Our Fears Fight our lies with the truth. Remember who we are. Remember where we came from. Remind ourselves where we are going. The Three-Day March And we can use this season to engage in this process! There are three days right in a row that work perfectly to remind us of this purifying, light-shining, soul-awakening process.  Halloween, All Saint's Da

Leaders, We know discussions are important to learning.  Communicating your ideas to others, hearing them accept and build upon them is tantamount to building self-esteem.  It helps us know we're accepted.  Making connections between ideas and expressing them in unique ways showcases learning.  Learners love talking, and it is important to their academic development, so why do we not always allow them the opportunity? I'll tell you why, because...chaos.  It's true.  I've seen it.  I've been there.  I had it all planned out in my head.  It was going to be great.  All the learners would sit in a large circle and freely express themselves.  We would dig into extremely emotional issues and all would emerge unscathed.  We would understand each other completely and no feelings would be hurt.  Bonds would form.  Unbreakable bonds.  We would unite as one.  I'll tell you right now, and I learned it the hard way, this kind of conversation, does not just happen.  I

(Updated 10/6/2022) Can you believe it, Leaders? November is only a week away!   It doesn't seem like it should be.  Does it feel like the year only started to you, too? Today we unveil our November Idea for Everyday Calendar. We hope that it will serve you well throughout the month and this month is a fun one! We bet you have a file folder full of activities to do and we hope you'll share some of them with us. We'd love to hear about your favorites! If you're looking to diversify those activities, or maybe your file folder is thin, we'd love to share some of ours. November welcomes a wide range of National Days. Some of which help us prepare for the big holiday at the end of the month. You know it - Thanksgiving!  Days such as Chicken Soup for the Soul Day, World Kindness Day, National Gingerbread Cookie Day, National Cranberry Relish Day, and Tie One On Day. There are other days that will just be fun, like Mickey Mouse's Birthday, Play Monopoly Day a

Leaders, Does it ever feel like you’re leading a group of monsters? You know how it is, some days you just wonder, “What was in the water?”  “ Is it a full moon tonight?”  “ Did aliens invade and plant secret technology in all the kids that just made them turn?” Well, whatever it is, know that we feel it too ! Today, we’re sharing a slew of activities for you to do with your little monsters.   These are hand-picked, child-tested, and monster-ready!   We’ve used them in our lab on our little monsters and we’re alive to tell the tale!   We’re even sharing our secret formula derived from the creative potion of another educational chemist.   Let’s welcome those monsters into our educational lab.   No way they’ll be prepared for what we have in store.   Mwhahahaha!    1.  Pumpkin Spice Playdough    This recipe (from Tinker Lab ) sat in the to-do pile since the end of September. But, when we came across the next activity, we knew it was time to move it on up to the

Listen Leaders, The much anticipated moment is here!  On this, the day of our nephew's birth, we're releasing a gift to you.  Today, we release to the world: Victoria, our technologist, is the second member of the STEAM Team.  By now, you and Silas - our scientist - are old chums.  If not, and all this ramble about the STEAM Team is lost on you, check out his story first: Meet Silas And then, choose from these cross-curricular activities to further immerse you in his story: Science and Research Music and STEAM Design Physical Education and STEAM Design Social Studies and Writing Oh, you're ready for Victoria now?  Well, then, allow me to tell you a little about her.  Victoria hails from a subdued, rural setting, unlike Silas' action-packed metropolis. But make no mistake!  Her wheels are still turning.  In Victoria's story, you'll begin to see into the inner workings of the STEAM Team.  Her story tells of inspiration from nat

Welcome Back Leaders!   Over the past few weeks, I’ve invited you along with me to dive deeper into David’s story.   During the first week, we looked at how God trained David carefully, over time, with purpose and unexpectedly to complete a task which brought glory to God.   And, if he did that with David, He’s working in you too! Next, we studied David’s response to Eliab’s verbal attacks .   Now, we will look at the third, and final, lesson. We last saw David in Saul’s tent, asking him about Goliath.   With a little convincing, Saul agrees to let David be the one to fight Goliath.    To make sure he was battle ready, Saul: “dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.” I Samuel 17:38 & 39 Two thoughts emerge here.    One is a kid wearing his daddy’s clothing.   Cute, but not quite what David needed.   T

Welcome Leaders! We’re glad you’ve joined us at Wolfe Stew today!   We’re hoping your mid-week slump is headed downhill and plans for the weekend are looking up.   Last weekend our family went cold weather camping. We’re talking biting-cold-despite-warm-layers and wind-possibly-carrying-away-the-tent-to-Oz weather camping.   And we loved every minute of it!   We’re even planning our next outing.   Indeed, our niece suggested we plan a camping trip in each season.   She, however, did think we were currently in winter. It was that cold! Despite the cold, we enjoyed the warmth of yarn crocheted gear (I Love Yarn Day) and developed outdoors skills (Train Your Brain Day) .   While sitting around the campfire roasting smores (necessity), we even had a well-mannered debate about Columbus Day .   And, upon our return, although warranted due to exhaustion and illness, none of us were grouchy . Now, back at home, we’re stewing on ways to help you celebrate the remaining national h