Have you ever found a tadpole in the water or a toad crawling in the grass? How exactly does a tadpole grow into a toad?

Here’s our trail map:

• What Is the Difference Between a Toad and Frog?
• How Are Tadpoles Born?
• How Do Tadpoles Grow Into Toads?
• How Can We Grow Into God’s Plans for Us?

Episode Links:

• Order Eryn’s book: The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
• Save 25% on Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Forensics Course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/forensics-self-paced-course-set
• Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/
• Try CTCMath’s simple and effective math lessons: https://ctcmath.com/
• Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videos
• Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club
• Toad Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/tadpole-life-cycle-for-kids/
• Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask
• Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

“With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20 (NCV)

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” 2 Peter 3:18 (NCV)

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

• Cutaneous Respiration: “Skin breathing.” This is when oxygen is absorbed (taken in) through the skin instead of through lungs or gills.
• Toad: An amphibian with thick, bumpy skin that spends the majority of time on land and crawls.
• Frog: An amphibian with thin, sleek skin that spends much of its time in the water and uses a jumping motion to get around.
• Tadpole: A baby frog or toad with a tail and gills for breathing underwater.
• Metamorphosis: When a creature goes through a big transformation or change from its baby form to its adult form.
• Apoptosis: A process sometimes called “programmed cell death.” A creature breaks down cells in order to grow. In a toad’s case, the tail is not only broken down but the materials in it are recycled to use for growing other body parts like legs and lungs.
• Toadlet: Young toads. They are no longer tadpoles. They look a lot like an adult toad, but are very small.
• Potential: You can do something, even if you haven’t done it yet. 

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Explore Creation and the Bible in the Nat Theo Club

https://erynlynum.com/club

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be on TV—surrounded not by lights and makeup, but by marmots and moose? Join us for a wild behind-the-scenes adventure with Peter Schriemer, host of Hike & Seek, as he shares what it’s really like to film wildlife in unpredictable settings. From raising orphaned squirrels to dodging moose, Peter takes us into the unpredictable, awe-inspiring world of wildlife television. Discover what it takes to bring those stories to the screen.

Episode Links:

• Watch Hike & Seek on Answers in Genesis TV: https://www.answers.tv/hike-seek
• Order Eryn’s book: The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
• Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club
• Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Birds might perch on a branch or hunker down in a nest to rest… but what about a bird that sleeps while flying?

Here’s our trail map:

• How Does a Sleeping Bird Not Fall Out of a Tree?
• What Is the Great Frigatebird?
• How Does a Great Frigatebird Sleep While Flying?
• How Can We Filter What We Let Into Our Minds?

Episode Links:

• Order Eryn’s book: The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
• Apologia’s Zoology 3 Land Animals Course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-3-course-set/
• Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/
• Try CTCMath’s simple and effective math lessons: https://ctcmath.com/
• Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videos
• Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club
• Free Frigatebird Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/bird-sleep-facts-for-kids/
• Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask
• Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NCV)

“​​Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.” Philippians 4:8 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

• Tendon: Flexible collagen tissue in a body that connects muscles to bones. They are kind of like elastic chords. They make it so that when our muscles move, the connected bones move also. 
• Wingspan: A measurement used for birds. How long a bird is from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other wing when their wings are spread out, like in flight.
• Gular Sac: A thick, featherless skin pouch on some birds extending from their lower jaw to their neck in which they catch and store food.
• Unihemispheric Sleep: When a creature allows part of its brain to rest while the other part of its brain is still active and alert.
• Filter: Something that allows some things through, but not all things.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Explore Creation and the Bible in the Nat Theo Club

https://erynlynum.com/club

Take a nature walk through Psalm 23! Enjoy green pastures and restful waters as you learn about sheep, bummer lambs, shepherds, and still waters.

Here’s our trail map:

• Why Do Sheep Need Shepherds?
• What Is a Bummer Lamb?
• What Are the Still Waters in Psalm 23?
• How Can We Trust God and Follow His Lead?

Episode Links:

• Order Eryn’s book: The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
• Apologia’s Zoology 3 Land Animals Course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-3-course-set/
• Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/
• Try CTCMath’s simple and effective math lessons: https://ctcmath.com/
• Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videos
• Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club
• Free Psalm 23 Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/psalm-23-for-kids
• Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask
• Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” Psalm 23:1-2 (ESV)

“If a man has a hundred sheep but one of the sheep gets lost, he will leave the other ninety-nine on the hill and go to look for the lost sheep.” Matthew 18:12 (NCV)

“...I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NCV)

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

• Grazers: Animals that feed on low-growing vegetation like grasses and herbs.
• Ruminant Animals: Animals with separate compartments in their stomachs and a unique way of digesting food, including chewing their food two times.
• Vulnerable: To be without protection. Something that is vulnerable can be easily hurt.
• Bummer Lamb: A baby sheep that has been rejected by its mother. The mother does not nurse the baby, meaning the baby cannot get the milk it needs from its mother. The mother also does not protect the lamb. A bummer lamb is cared for by its shepherd.
• Stagnant Water: Water that is not moving or circulating.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Explore Creation and the Bible in the Nat Theo Club

https://erynlynum.com/club

Hummingbirds are a blur of motion as they zip from one flower to another. But do they ever stop to rest? Discover which creatures would lose or win against a race with a hummingbird, and the unique way God designed hummingbirds to do their important gardening work.

Here’s our trail map:

• Why Do Different Birds Flap Their Wings Differently?
• What Creatures Would a Hummingbird Beat in a Race?
• How Do Hummingbirds Fly So Quickly?
• Do Hummingbirds Ever Rest?
• How Can We Live and Work Better by Resting?

Episode Links:

• Order Eryn’s book: The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
• Plan Your Visit to the Family Adventure Days at the Creation Museum: CreationMuseum.org/family-days
• Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videos
• Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club
• Free Hummingbird Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-fast-can-a-hummingbird-fly/
• Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask
• Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“Then God said, ‘Let the earth produce plants—some to make grain for seeds and others to make fruits with seeds in them. Every seed will produce more of its own kind of plant.’ And it happened. The earth produced plants with grain for seeds and trees that made fruits with seeds in them. Each seed grew its own kind of plant. God saw that all this was good.” Genesis 1:11-12 (NCV)

“...In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.” Ephesians 2:10 (NCV)

“In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.” Colossians 3:23 (NCV)

 “...The LORD is the God who lives forever, who created all the world. He does not become tired or need to rest…” Isaiah 40:28 (NCV)

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” Genesis 2:2 (NIV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

• Pollinator: A creature that helps spread pollen, which helps plants grow.
• Lookout Perch: A landing spot, often a branch, where a hummingbird repeatedly lands to rest or scan an area for food resources.
• Torpor: When a hummingbird goes into a deep state of rest. It can lower its body temperature by around 50 degrees F or 28 degrees C and is unresponsive as it saves energy.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Explore Creation and the Bible in the Nat Theo Club

https://erynlynum.com/club

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel in space? You could ask an astronaut, or…lichen! Discover God’s amazing designs in this surprising space traveler!

Here’s our trail map:

• What Is Lichen?
• How Is Lichen a Weather Reporter?
• How Did Lichen Survive Space Travel?
• How Did God Design Lichen to Live Well Through Rest?
• How Can We Rest During Hard Times?

Episode Links:

• Order Eryn’s book: The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
• Plan Your Visit to the Family Adventure Days at the Creation Museum: CreationMuseum.org/family-days
• Join us at the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference! SAVE $30 USING CODE nattheo25*! https://rockymountainhomeschoolconference.com/
• Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videos
• Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club
• Eryn’s Lichen Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvxkm-LJBjq/
• Free Lichen Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/lichen-facts-for-kids-2/
• Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask
• Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Some Resources Used In Research:

https://www.nps.gov/articles/lichens-and-air-quality.htm

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn8297-hardy-lichen-shown-to-survive-in-space

https://explorersweb.com/lichen-survives-space/

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“...In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength…” Isaiah 30:15 (ESV)

 “And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

• Symbiotic Relationship: When two species have a close relationship, often helping each other, or one helping the other. Symbiotic relationships can benefit both species or only one.
• Algae: A living organism that has similarities to plants. Although they are different from plants because they do not have roots, stems, or leaves. They belong to a group of living things called protists. They are plant-like things living in water that can create their own energy from the sun.
• Fungus: A living thing in its own category. Fungus include mushrooms, molds, yeast, and lichen.
• Bioindicators: Living things that act like a meter, showing the conditions around it.
• Hardy: Something or someone can endure very hard circumstances.
• Dormant: When something is not active or growing. But it could become active and keep growing in the future.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Explore Creation and the Bible in the Nat Theo Club

https://erynlynum.com/club

Meet the master parkour animal of the mountains: the bighorn sheep! Discover how bighorns run up steep mountains, balance on cliffs only a couple of inches wide, and find their way to safe resting places.

Here’s our trail map:

• What Is a Bighorn Sheep?
• Why Do Bighorn Sheep Ram Each Other?
• Why and How Do Bighorn Sheep Balance on Cliffs?
• How Did God Design Bighorns to Live Well Through Rest?
• How Can We Follow God’s Lead When the Way Gets Tough?

Episode Links:

• Order Eryn’s book: The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
• Plan Your Visit to the Family Adventure Days at the Creation Museum: CreationMuseum.org/family-days
• Join us at the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference! SAVE $30 USING CODE nattheo25*! https://rockymountainhomeschoolconference.com/
• Discover God’s wild and wonderful world with the Kids Answers magazine by Answers in Genesis: GetAnswers.org/kids 
• Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videos
• Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club
• Free Bighorn Sheep Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/bighorn-sheep-facts-for-kids/
• Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask
• Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“The LORD is my shepherd;

    I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in green pastures.

    He leads me to calm water.”  Psalm 23:1-2 (NCV)

“‘​​Go up to a fertile land. But I will not go with you, because I might destroy you on the way, since you are such a stubborn people.’ When the people heard this bad news, they became very sad…” Exodus 33:3-4 (NCV)

“The LORD replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” Exodus 33:14 (NIV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

• Ewe Bighorn: Female bighorn sheep with short horns that grow to a simple curved point above their heads. 
• Ram Bighorn: Male bighorn sheep with large, thick horns curling around their face.
• Horn: A permanent part of the bighorn’s body. It has two main parts: a core made of bone, which we cannot see. Then, over that bone, there is a large sheath, or covering, made of a material called keratin. That is the part of the horn we see.
• Keratin: A type of protein that covers bighorn sheep’s horns and makes other things in nature including hair, nails, claws, scales, feathers, horns, hooves, and even the outermost layer of our skin.
• Versatile: Something that can be used for many different things.
• Cortical Bone: A very hard and strong outer layer of bone. Also called dense bone.
• Trabecular Bone: Spongy bone that is very porous.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

Mentioned in this episode:

Explore Creation and the Bible in the Nat Theo Club

https://erynlynum.com/club

This is no fairy tale… this is a fairy shrimp! Discover an amazing creature that makes its home in seasonal vernal ponds and whose eggs can wait for years, or even centuries, to hatch!

Here’s our trail map:

• What Is a Vernal Pond?
• What Is a Fairy Shrimp?
• Where Do Fairy Shrimp Come From?
• How Did God Design Fairy Shrimp to Thrive Through Rest?
• How Can We Wait and Rest Well?

Episode Links:

Order Eryn’s book: The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891

Plan Your Visit to the Family Adventure Days at the Creation Museum: CreationMuseum.org/family-days

Discover God’s wild and wonderful world with the Kids Answers magazine by Answers in Genesis: GetAnswers.org/kids 

Eryn’s Fairy Shrimp Video: https://www.instagram.com/erynlynumauthor/reel/CuZtkzvgsqB/

Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videos

Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club

Free Vernal Pond Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/fairy-shrimp-facts-for-kids/

Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Some of the resources used for research:

https://www.vernalpool.org/fairy-shrimp

https://coloradostories.online/colorado-connie-blog/f/in-search-of-colorado-fairy-shrimp

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“Then God said, ‘Let the water be filled with living things…’” Genesis 1:20 (NCV)

“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

“They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength…” Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Vernal Pond: Temporary seasonal pond that forms when rainwater fills an area during wet seasons.

Habitat: An area where something living makes its home. It’s an area that provides what that living thing needs to survive including food, water, shelter, and a mate.

Invertebrates: Creatures that do not have a backbone or bony skeleton.

Fairy Shrimp: Small, see-through crustaceans that live in freshwater vernal ponds.

Dormant: When something is not active or growing. But it could become active and keep growing in the future.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

Mentioned in this episode:

Explore Creation and the Bible in the Nat Theo Club

https://erynlynum.com/club

Dive into an adventure with this listener-created lesson on pufferfish! Discover this amazing balloon-of-the-sea fish and how it inflates, along with how we can inflate our hearts with God’s love.

Here’s our trail map:

• Are All Pufferfish Spikey?
• Why Do Porcupine Fish Have Spikes?
• How Do Puffers Puff Up?
• What Do Pufferfish Eat?
• Are all Pufferfish Poisonous?
• How Can We Inflate Our Hearts Full of God’s Love?

Episode Links:

Order Eryn’s book: The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891

Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videos

Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club

Free Pufferfish Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/pufferfish-facts-for-kids/

Plan Your Visit to the Family Adventure Days at the Creation Museum: CreationMuseum.org/family-days

Join us at the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference! SAVE $30 USING CODE nattheo25*! https://rockymountainhomeschoolconference.com/

Discover God’s wild and wonderful world with the Kids Answers magazine by Answers in Genesis: GetAnswers.org/kids 

Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Resources used for research:

American Museum of Natural History: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.amnh.org/content/download/109168/1987445/file/stepread-for-grade-4.pdf

Seattle Aquarium: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/animal/pufferfish-and-porcupinefish/

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NCV)

“Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Pufferfish: A family of fish called Tetraodontidae known for puffing up. Some have short, prickly bumps that appear when they puff up.

Porcupinefish: A family of fish called Diodontidae. Like pufferfish, they also puff up. They have long spikes that are visible even when they are not puffed up, and that point out when they do puff up. 

Tetrodotoxin (TTX): A neurotoxin present in some pufferfish, porcupinefish, triggerfish, and ocean sunfish. A very dangerous toxin with no known antidote.

Pufferfish Spines: A special type of scale on pufferfish that lays flat until the fish puffs up, which causes the spines to spike out as a defense strategy.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. All testimonies are the honest reviews of the host after personally using each product and service.

Mentioned in this episode:

Explore Creation and the Bible in the Nat Theo Club

https://erynlynum.com/club

What are your favorite sounds in nature? And what is the “music of the spheres?” Music Director Sean Bohnet of the Bohnet Music Academy joins us as we discover the incredible musical world around us, and what creation’s music teaches us about God.

Episode Links:

Order Eryn’s book: The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891

Begin or continue your musical journey with Bohnet Music’s in-person or online classes: https://www.bohnetma.com/

Plan Your Visit to the Family Adventure Days at the Creation Museum: CreationMuseum.org/family-days

Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club

Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. All testimonies are the honest reviews of the host after personally using each product and service.