From Sarah Brammer, Evening MOPS
We had the pleasure of listening to Mentor Mom Karen Bendell speak to us this evening about "body image." During her message, we were reminded that God created each one of us in his loving image, and that according to Him, each and every one of us is beautiful! This message is an important one to reinforce with our children. Remember this: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10). For links to the videos and other resources shared by Karen, click here. Thanks to Karen for shedding light on this very relevant child-rearing topic.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Giving Up On Perfection
by Kathi Lipp,
mom and stepmom of four
I may have to
give up reading blogs.
Once again I've
stumbled across a blog that my friend LOVES, and it's all about a perfect
family who looks perfect, who are making their clean eating, sugar-free snacks
(from scratch) as they do EVERY DAY, living on their pseudo-farm, where not
only are they all hard workers, but their kids are all gifted. And there are
plenty of Instagram photos to document all this perfect-ness.
It feels like a
bunch of mini-Marthas trying to out-perfect each other, and I have to say it
concerns me.
When all we are
seeing is the perfect slice of a person's life, it can make us, the reader, a
regular mom, feel like there is something wrong with us because WE aren't
perfect. I live with daily evidence of my imperfection:
• My kids talk back to me.
• No one ever offers to do chores.
• I’m happy if I get dinner on the table (even
if part of it came from a box).
• I may have (just possibly) watched a little
too much TV last night.
• My second child has exactly one page of her
scrapbook filled in.
But here’s the
thing: WE are not designed to be perfect.
Let me see your
dirty laundry.
Tell me about that cobbler that tasted like actual shoes.
Tell
me about the time you messed up as a mom.
And let me know that you are being
the best mom you can be, leaning on a community of moms and asking for help and
grace from others and God.
God, help me to be the girl you created me to be
– living loved. Help me to see others through your lens, not to compare myself
to, but to learn to love.
From: mops.org
Sunday, October 7, 2012
MOPS A Documents
MOPS A Schedule 12
MOPS A Directory 12
MOPS A Leader Bios 12
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BxfBRzugq9l-RzRrTURZNUxDSjg
Reflections on Alyssa's story
At our first meeting, our coordinator, Alyssa Theisen shared
with us some of her journey as a mom and her experience in MOPS. Thank you Alyssa for sharing your story
and being transparent with us.
I’ve been reflecting upon our first meeting and some of the
things that Alyssa said. She made
the comment that when she first came to MOPS, she didn’t feel like she needed
MOPS. But she felt compelled by
God to keep coming, and so she did.
Maybe she did need MOPS, and she just didn’t know it yet. Or perhaps she really didn’t need MOPS,
but maybe MOPS needed her! In the
years since then, Alyssa has served as a Discussion Group Leader, Caregiving
& Service, and as Coordinator.
I, for one, am so glad that she obeyed God and kept coming back!
I feel like Alyssa’s story applies to all of us. I don’t know exactly why God placed me
in MOPS this year. It’s my eighth
year – maybe I should move on and do something else. But here I am because I feel this is where I am supposed to
be. Maybe God has something to teach
me through MOPS this year. So I am supposed to wait and watch with
an open heart for whatever that is.
Or perhaps God wants to use
me this year. Maybe there is
someone else in that room that God wants to reach out to – and He wants to use
me to do it. So, again, I wait and
watch for opportunities to be God’s hands and feet to the women around me.
Really, this idea can go much farther. Where else do you find yourself? In your home, in your neighborhood,
your workplace, on the sidelines at your child’s soccer game, in a hospital
waiting room… I believe that God
can speak to us, and use us, anyplace and at any time. All He asks of us is an open heart and
willingness to obey.
Why are you in MOPS this year? Maybe you need MOPS, or maybe MOPS needs you! Whatever the reason, we are SO glad you
are here! See you next week!
HEIDI SONGER
MOPS A Communications
10/1/12
Monday, October 1, 2012
Serve on Saturday (SOS)
Join an S.O.S. crew on Saturday, Oct.13, 8:30am–12:00pm and demonstrate
the love of Jesus Christ through hands-on service. Open to all ages
S.O.S is a great way for individuals, families and small groups to spend a
few hours making a difference for God’s Kingdom. INFO/Registration:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)