Josh Bishop wrote at Story Warren this week that, “There is a goodness and a glory in things being themselves.” And I’ve been chewing on that for a bit. It so true isn’t it? And so hard to live by, right? How often are we tempted to be something we are not? Be yourself this week, friends. The world needs you.
Around the Web
Could you spend 1,000 hours outside this year?
Have you heard of 1,000 Hours Outside? One of my friends from high school started the organization a few years ago, and it’s really taken off—particularly in this pandemic season. If you’re looking for a way to get motivated to be outdoors, check it out!
- It started as a lark. In the fall of 2011, Ginny Yurich had three kids under the age of 3 and spent most days struggling to keep them occupied. A friend suggested Yurich join her in trying a concept popularized in the 1800s by British educator Charlotte Mason: Children should be outside four to six hours during “tolerable” weather days. They agreed to meet in a park with some blankets and food for the kids and see how it went. Yurich was skeptical.
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On the Longing to be Seen, Heard, and Known
Rebecca Matt explores something deep in the heart of each of us.
- “We all desire to know and be known.”
“I just want to be heard.”
“I feel seen.”
The desire to be seen, heard, and known is universal. We all want to feel significant, worthy of attention, and validated by others. It’s painful to feel ignored, anonymous, or irrelevant.
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Our Charlotte Mason-Inspired 5th Grade Homeschool Curriculum Picks
Whether you are a Charlotte Mason homeschool family or not, there are some great book recommendations here!
- I’m wrapping up the current homeschool year with my youngest kiddo right now, which means I’m also in full-blown curriculum planning mode for the upcoming school year. Today I want to share our Charlotte Mason-inspired 5th grade homeschool curriculum plans and (spoiler alert) tell you about some big changes to next year’s lineup.
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In the Name of Jesus
Tim Challies digs into what we mean when we say “in Jesus’ name.”
- “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do,” promised Jesus. And ever since that day, his followers have prayed in his name. Parents teach their children, pastors teach their parishioners, evangelists teach their new converts to close their prayers with the familiar words, “In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
But familiarity has its ways of breeding contempt, even in a task as sacred as prayer. And so it is wise for us, from time to time, to revisit even the simplest and most well-used phrases so we can remind ourselves of their importance and consider once again their sheer wonder. For we must know and must remember that it is no small thing, no small honor, no small privilege, to pray in the name of Jesus.
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Around the Warren
On the Goodness and Glory of Things
Josh Bishop tackles Chesterton and the goodness of things being themselves.
- “I do not think there is anyone who takes quite such a fierce pleasure in things being themselves as I do,” G.K. Chesterton wrote. “The startling wetness of water excites and intoxicates me: the fieriness of fire, the steeliness of steel, the unutterable muddiness of mud.”
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For the Adventurous Among Us
Liz Cottrill sends us on an adventure.
- If you are a young boy, or know any, you know that you do not wake up on a Saturday morning with no intentions for the day. This is especially true if you are like Henry and have been concocting schemes to go where no one else has been. You don’t know what you will find there, or even where you are going, but you do know that it will be exciting.
Adventure always is.
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Something to Do with Your Kids
The folks at What Do We Do All Day have some great lists of games, including this one of STEM games that encourage a growth mindset.
Something to Watch
Speaking of STEM, these density experiments from The Dad Lab are a perfect opportunity for Dad to pull out his “you are my density” jokes from all that Back to the Future watching as a kid and try them out on the family.
Thanks for reading. We’re on your side.
–The Story Warren Team
You can find her at carolyncgivens.com or on Facebook or Instagram at @carolyncgivens.
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 2 - January 18, 2025
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 1 - January 11, 2025
- The Warren & The World Vol 12, Issue 45 - December 21, 2024
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