The Warren & the World Vol 5, Issue 36

The Warren & the World is Story Warren’s weekly newsletter, providing a round-up of our favorite things from around the web as well as a review of what was on our site over the past week. We’re glad you’re here!

Around the Web

Last First Day

Our own Julie Silander has, up at Greener Trees, the prayer they prayed for her son’s last first day of school

He awoke this morning before I did. His shower taken, lunch packed, and first-day cinnamon roll eaten before I made my way downstairs. No longer the sleepy-eyed tow-headed toddler in Superman pjs. He stands over six feet and is freshly shaved. The boy has become man, and it’s his last first day of school.

Meet God’s Called & Courageous Girls

Called & Courageous Girls is a new picture book series highlighting the stories of brave women from Scripture. My friend Michael recently filmed a trailer for the authors, and introduced me to the series. The first book on Miriam, is available for pre-order, and the next book on Priscilla will be out in April.

Called and courageous girls are disciples, political and spiritual leaders, philanthropists, moms, businesspeople, evangelists, prophets, and so much more. Called and courageous women of the Bible face overwhelming odds, finding strength, faith, and courage to join God’s Story.
Through examples of steadfast faith and—ultimately—God’s direction, the Called and Courageous Girls series invites children to answer God’s calling to discover and use their talents, passions, and gifts to journey with Him on a lifelong adventure.

How a Parent’s Affection Shapes a Child’s Happiness for Life

This article from ParentCo has some great information on the scientific backing of why showing your kids affection is a good thing.

How often do you hug your children?
We all live busy, stressful lives and have endless concerns as parents, but it is clear that one of the most important things we need to do is to stop and give our kids a big loving squeeze. Research over the past decade highlights the link between affection in childhood and health and happiness in the future.
According to Child Trends – the leading nonprofit research organization in the United States focused on improving the lives and prospects of children, youth, and their families – science supports the idea that warmth and affection expressed by parents to their children results in life-long positive outcomes for those children.

Playing in the Rain of a Hurricane

Sarah Geil wrestles through finding joy when there is tragedy around us.

We played in the rain while children drowned. My mom took a picture.
We’d asked our mom if we could go play in the rain, and she consented, as long as we wore bathing suits. Too young to care what the neighbors thought, my sisters and I donned our bathing suits as quickly as we could. Mine was littered with yellow flowers, as bright as the sun that wasn’t shining. Hannah’s was blue with palm trees blowing gently in an island wind. Rebekah’s—a hand-me-down—didn’t fit her well, but that didn’t stop the five-year-old’s smile

Around the Warren

A Gentle Introduction to Hard Occasions

Kelly Keller recommends two books that can serve as an introduction to hard history like September 11.

Soon we’ll be marking another anniversary of 9/11. In the last couple of years I have encountered two books — both based on true stories — that have helped introduce the tragedy to my children. In both cases, the tragedy takes a a back seat, but is still a very present reality, to the main storyline. I’ve found these books to be a gentle introduction to the tragedy of 9/11, giving me an opportunity to chat with the kids about that horrific moment in our nation’s history. News footage is too harsh for children. What better way to navigate some darker waters but between the safe pages of a storybook?

Embracing a Pigpen Spirituality

Alan Howell introduces his “spiritual avatar,” Pigpen of Peanuts fame.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should start by telling you that I have a complicated relationship with the “Peanuts” Comic Strip. I tend to cringe, resist, and pull back from all things related to Snoopy and Co. You see, back in high school, I played the role of Charlie Brown in a student directed musical. Maybe it was my blonde hair (or my inability to kick a football), but during that semester classmate after classmate after classmate (even complete strangers!) would approach me to comment that I was “perfect for the part of Charlie Brown.”
This was tough to hear because, well, Charlie Brown is kind of a loser. So, I intentionally kept my distance from Charles Schulz’ creation. But lately I’ve been drawn back again to the world of “Peanuts.” This time around I’ve found myself identifying with a very different character – Pigpen. You know who I’m talking about, right? Pigpen is that extremely dirty child who’s known for living in a perpetual cloud of dust.

Something to Do with Your Kids

Whether you live in a place that’s already experiencing crisp days and changing leaves, or you’re looking ahead toward such things in a few weeks, or, if perhaps you’re on the other side of the globe and need to file this away for another six months, here are some fall activities for your family to add to your to do list.