December 2013

A MOMMY Moment:
My mother-in-law cares for a 14 month-old little girl.  Because we are visiting my in-laws for the New Year holiday, I finally met the cute little toddler she's been telling me so much about. This morning's visit with little Reese reminded me, once again, why motherhood changes a woman's life, and why MOPS ministry is so important...

As Reese waddled through the house; met my sister-in-law's cat with squeals of delight; and carefully munched on small pieces of bread with puckered lips because she only has her front teeth to chew with, I was reminded that to this little person, everything is new and impressionable.  I thought of how overwheleming all of this newness was to me as a first-time mom, and realized how much more I am able to enjoy it all now...12 years into this incredible journey.

Because motherhood can encompass our hightest highs & lowest lows, we moms need support through the journey.  And so we have MOPS...and so we have each one of you, and others like you all over the world, who make MOPS possible in order to remind every mom that mothering matters and so does she. 

Thank you, ladies, for all you've done in 2013.  Thank you for answering the call and making a difference in the lives of individual women, families, and communities.  We will never know this side of heaven the extent of the impact God is using our willingness, commitment, and abilities for!

Area 24F Update:

Happy New Year!!

I am looking forward to speaking to each Coordinator in the next several weeks!  Please think about anything you'd like help with for your group, or any questions you have about MOPS International.  If you'd like, we can also set up information sessions or trainings with your Leadership Team via phone, web, or in-person.  And, as always, feel free to share your prayer requests with me or our other Area 24 leaders via Facebook (see below).

 

MI (MOPS International) Update:

MOMcon is…

A fun weekend just for you
A space to listen, learn and share
A call to be brave
A spiritual renewal
A practical investment
A life-changing opportunity to connect and grow

As a mom and leader you give.
Your love. Your time. Your self.
Come receive.
At MOMcon 2014
Woman. Mom. Leader.
You'll gain skills and confidence in each of your roles, strengthen your faith and renew your passion for outreach. Invest in yourself. MOMcon is a weekend you’ll never forget, and we’re saving you a seat.

REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 2!

Click here for info on speakers, etc: http://www.mops.org/momcon

Prayer Requests:
Instead of asking you to pray...
LORD... as 2013 comes to a close, I just want to thank you for each MOPS Leader that Area 24F represents.  Thank you for enabling each one to do what she does, even through the moments when she feels like she doesn't have enough.  What we do is only because of who You are and what Your heart is for moms, children, and families throughout the world.  What a privelege it is to serve through MOPS!  Thank you for the Staff at MI and all they do to serve us, and for the moms who come to MOPS from week to week to the 10 groups our 24F Community represents.  I am grateful for Your faithfulness, and look forward, with expectancy, to what 2014 will hold!

November 2013

A MOMMY Moment:
     The turning point in my motherhood journey came 9 1/2 years ago when my oldest child was 2 and my second was just a couple months-old. It had been a typical afternoon naptime at home, and I was tiptoeing through my family room with a Focus on the Family radio broadcast playing at a whisper in the background...
     That afternoon, Shirley Dobson and Gloria Gaither were interviewed as a follow-up to their 20 year-old interview about making memories with their children.  Now, almost a grandma, Shirley shared about a rough day she'd had as a mother of 2 preschoolers...  She had been feeling very frustrtaed with the details of her mommy-life, and was regretting having left a satisfying teaching career in order to become a stay-at-home mom.  At that thought, her mother-in-law called.  Shirley took the opportunity to unload her frustrations while the patient grandmother to her children listened.  When she was done speaking, the older Mrs. Dobson simply said, "Oh Shirley, these are the best days of your life!"  That statement flew through the airwaves and slapped me in the face.  I stopped what I was doing; looked at the radio with both a shocked & confused look; then thought, "What??  These are the best days of my life??" 
     By the grace of God my mind proceeded to fast forward life about 20 years.  I pictured my parents being much older and their physical ability not quite the same.  I pictured my children no longer with me almost every moment of every day like they were at that season of my life.  It was then that the truth broke through: "She's right!  These are the best days of my life!"  This became the beginning of a new perspective through which I began to view motherhood every day.  As a result, an attitude of gratitude began to permeate through both the smallest and the largetst deatils of my daily tasks.  I was now finally able to whole-heartedly own the joy the Lord intended for my journey!  I've never looked back <3

 

Area 24F Updates:

Happy belated Thanksgiving ladies :-)  Truly, I am so grateful for each one of you.  Your abilities and willingness to be used in the life of moms like you & me is a blessing to more people than you know...

•  Anna @ MOPS of Manahawkin: Despite meeting in a temporary location because their chartering church building was hit with a hurricane a couple months ago, the Leadership Team at Manahawkin is persevering through less space for MOPPETS, but still welcoming new moms to their group!  In the last year Anna & her MOPS Leadership Team have grown stronger together using some of the resources that MOPS International provides.  They have drawn on this strength to lead well together and resolve difficulties that comes up in their group.
• Brie @ MOPS of Princeton Alliance: PAC's MOPS group has added on several new moms this year and two new ladies that help Brie organize & host their MOPS meetings.  This is a huge praise report!  We're excited to see what God will do through you.
• Heather @ MOPS of Shore Fellowship: Check the Are 24 Facebook page for a fun & easy craft posted by Heather in October: decorating mugs with Sharpie markers.  My daughter & I tried these out this month with a couple of her friends.  We all loved our new mugs!  (check below for our FB page link...)
• Robin @ MOPS of Mount Holly: A new group to our Area 24F Community, WELCOME Robin!!  Please be sure to add your Leadership Team members to the email sign-up above.
• Please update us on YOUR MOPS group.  Type your update in the comments window at the bottom of this blog post.

Way to go, ladies!!

MI (MOPS International) Updates:

• MOMcon: Now YOU can also attend MOMcon 2013!  We have made on-demand viewing of General Session #1 (including Sherry Surrat & Elisa Morgan) available thru December 31st via webinar.  Here's the link: http://www.mops.org/webtraining.  Take a peek at what MOMcon is like and begin planning & saving for an amazing weekend of encouragement, training, and connecting with yours & other leaders in 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.    invaluable.  Start planning now for next year's MOMcon: October 2-4, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.
• "Continued Conversations": No matter what leadership position you fulfill in your MOPS group, MOPS International has resources available to help.  Click on this link: http://www.mops.org/continued-conversations, then choose the position you'd like to hear tips & ideas about.  Each conversation is visible through Adobe Connect and lasts between 30 -45 minutes.  Go grab  cup of coffee & relax in front of your computer :-) 
• IDEAS, IDEAS, IDEAS!!: Need ideas for Christmas, crafts, fund-raising, etc??  Check out the Idea Center for Leaders on the MOPS website: http://www.mops.org/ideas/#recent.

Prayer Requests:

• Christmas Season ~ The busiest time of the year!!  Please pray for peace & focus on the Reason for Season (Jesus) as we all balance MOPS ministry with plans & preparations for making this Christmas a special time to cherish with our family and friends.  Let's be listening for His leading in where & how to simplify.