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!!
- 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.
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