I love starting out a new year!! I enjoy packing up the old, neatly, and planning towards the new... The "neatness" of packing up the old signifies having done my best to live out the previous year well, (blunders and all), having learned new lessons from the past, and being willing to take them into the next chapter of my life. "Planning" for the new signifies ideas and hopes for what is to come; looking to tomorrow with an eye on the sovereign Lord who loves me, passionately, and has good things planned for my future.
This is how most of us walk into a new year at MOPS. Yet, often it is tough to maintain our momentum through the long haul. So, as we are almost halfway through the MOPS year, in an effort to help encourage you along, here are a couple simple things to keep in mind:
I'd love to hear a testimony about how you have seen either of these be true This is how most of us walk into a new year at MOPS. Yet, often it is tough to maintain our momentum through the long haul. So, as we are almost halfway through the MOPS year, in an effort to help encourage you along, here are a couple simple things to keep in mind:
- Numbers - By our January meetings we've probably established a consistent average number of moms who attend our MOPS groups. But, because we've also hit cold & flu season, that average may begin to waver. That can feel discouraging. So, whether it's winter meetings, the kick-off meeting, or the fun outing...we have found that it is important to be challenged to find new ways to reach and encourage more moms, yet keep a balance of remembering that this is God's thing...not ours. That means that as we are faithful and willing to be used, He will take care of the numbers. It is freeing to put our gifts & abilities to work while keeping an eye on what He is doing in the lives of the ladies around us!
- Hospitality - Some of us have been endowed with a big dose of creative genes, yet others of us...not. Those who have make a great addition to a Hospitality Team because they seem to really know how to make our MOPS meeting rooms look inviting. What a gift! Yet, while an inviting ambiance is important (and truly a big factor in attracting me to the MOPS group I "grew-up" in), beautiful decorations must NOT make or break a MOPS morning!! It is our welcoming and sincere hearts that will keep moms coming from meeting to meeting, and allowing us the privilege of encouraging her through her motherhood journey.
- Teamwork - Because often stopping to wait for others can be be inconvenient because of time, this point can be easily overlooked. However, the most important aspect of MOPS leadership to keep in mind is: the best way to do MOPS is as a team! "Team" isn't only about getting through a to-do list as a group of leaders, but far more about remembering to fill-in each other's gaps and being quick to overlook each other's faults. This means that when things go well, the Leadership Team gets the credit (not just the Coordinator); and if something goes wrong, we all find a way to get through it...together :-).
in your MOPS group!
Use the comment box at the bottom of this blog post to share your short story...
COMMUNITY News & Updates:
- Coordinator COFFEE Break @ B&N ...YOU are invited: As we are approaching the halfway point of the MOPS year, how about a Coordinator (Coordinators, Co-Coordinators, Assistant Coordinators, or potential future leaders in these positions)-Coach coffee break at Barnes & Noble?! Let's share, de-stress, and encourage one another! I found a store that is within 20 minutes of some of you. Join me at the B&N Cafe, 210 Commerce Boulevard, Fairless Hills, PA, on Thursday, January 29th, 2015 at 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Evite to follow...
- Your (23N or 24F) MOPS Community: Be sure to take a look at your MOPS Community's list at the bottom of this blog page! Knowing who is in our communities makes us aware of each other, and therefore more accessible, too. You will also see a link to your Community's Facebook page at the bottom of each list. Join TODAY!! Facebook is a fantastic way to stay abreast of announcements from your Area Coach team, as well as receive and give ideas and prayer requests from fellow MOPS Leaders in your designated areas. Stay connected!!
- NEW!! Service Call & Ideas...Why not buddy-up?!: Looking for service ideas? How about teaming-up with another MOPS group in your Community? Emily @ Lincroft MOPS told me last month that she and Natasha @ Crossroads MOPS talked about doing this. Great idea, ladies!! I put out a Facebook post on Area 24's FB page to ask for service ideas from past experiences. We received great suggestions including: "Dress for Success" clothing drive, bag lunches to a local shelter, goodie bags for moms at a local children's hospital or facility, & donation drive for a pregnancy clinic.
- "HELP! I don't know where to begin!!"...Is this you??: Struggling with finding a focus in your role as a mom? Do you feel like there is so much to do and are having a hard time figuring out how to do to do it all well? It could be that you are struggling with narrowing down your God-given purpose! If your group is interested in this talk: "Motherhood with Purpose", including getting started with your DYO mission statement, let me know!
- 2014-2015 MOPS Registration: Don't forget to register your moms!! Registration is the vehicle MOPS International uses to step-in and help you encourage and equip your moms for their motherhood journeys! It also helps us keep track of who we are serving in order to better provide relevant resources to all MOPS moms. So, if you have questions or need help with the registration process, please let me know...
- MOPS on AmazonSmile: MOPS International is now registered with AmazonSmile! AmazonSmile is a great program that lets anyone who shops on Amazon pick a charity in order to donate 0.5% from their purchase to that charity. When first visiting AmazonSmile, customers are prompted to select a charitable organization from a long list of organizations. This choice will be remembered for eligible purchases every time you shop at Amazon. Easy-peasy!!
- ON-going Leadership Training Opportunities: Please make sure to check the left tab of this full blog for live training events, webinars from MOPS International, etc. throughout the year. These are excellent opportunities to grow your & your group's leadership potential! Plus, in truth, none of us know where God will choose to use our leadership experience in, or after, MOPS ;-).
Prayer Requests:
- PREGNANCIES: Toms River MOPS' Coordinator and their Assistant Coordinator are both due to deliver new additions to their family within the same week!! Please pray for a safe (and quick) labor & delivery, as well as a smooth transition into mom-of-one-more. Finally, please pray for their MOPS group & Leadership Team...that they will work together well to fill-in gaps that will open as these ladies need to focus on a growing family for the next few months.
- Pam, Area 24 Ministry Coach: Please continue to pray for Pam, a former member of our Area 24 MVS team. She is continuing to undergo treatment for brain cancer & is doing well! Please pray for God's hand of healing, as well as continued support & strength for Pam's husband and children.
