Marvin MOPS: May 2012

Thursday, May 10, 2012

In Closing...Last Marvin MOPS Meeting 5/10/12

Ladies,

We missed each of you this morning, and hope that you all will join us this summer at the various play dates and Mom’s Night Out(s) planned. I have attached a copy of this summer’s activities schedule. Please mark your calendars now and hope to see you at the various get togethers scheduled.

What a year! We have immensely enjoyed meeting, making new friends, and strengthening established friendships over crafts, speaker discussions, prayer requests and good food. Today was no different. In a slight change of direction, Sherry opened the meeting with a beautiful devotional that really underscores why MOPS is so important to each of us. We are all in this together with God, and with that comes a genuine bond and connection we have with one other. Our MOPS friendships come with an understanding of where we all are in our lives. Please read the beautiful and poignant devotional that I have attached to this email. It sums up this idea perfectly!

Judy and Mary Ann lead a beautiful prayer circle for our dear mentor, Natalie Box, and her precious granddaughter, Nixon, and Brittany, Natalie’s daughter, and Nixon’s mother. Our room full of moms joined together in a determined and focused force of prayer for Nixon’s recovery, continued strength for Natalie and Brittany, and protection for Brittany’s baby boy. What a moment to share and experience.

Our “dinner project” was a homemade pizza pie! Finally, a project that I could actually execute and have it look as it should J (just kidding).

In closing, we all hope that you have enjoyed MOPS this year as much as the leaders and steering team have! We hope it has met your needs as well as helped you gain strength, perspective and faith in all that you are doing as a mother of young children. Thank you for making this year so wonderful!

Please don’t forget, our LAST MOPS Playdate is at the home of Jordan Delaney on Tuesday, May 15 at 10 a.m. Jordan’s address is 2110 Dueling Oaks, Tyler 75701. 210-355-7309.

I am also attaching today’s newsletter with additional information.

Have a wonderful and safe summer!

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Last Marvin MOPS Meeting of 2011-2012 Year

Ladies,
Our wonderful year is sadly coming to an end. Please join us at our LAST meeting this Thursday, May 10^th at 10 a.m. This year we will celebrate our final get together with a “Mother’s Day Brunch” in honor of all of us who are moms! No need to prepare dinner or set the crockpot before our meeting. Each mom will go home with a family dinner for Thursday evening (yay!). Come dressed in casual clothes for a wonderful morning of fellowship and to celebrate our MOPS year together. Also, bring your apron if you think about it.

Thank you all for your enthusiasm and support of this wonderful organization!

THURSDAY MEETING REMINDERS:

- Please DO NOT bring your child(ren) if he/she shows ANY signs of illness. Drop off time is 9:50-10:00 a.m. Please pick up your children promptly by 12 noon.

- Our wonderful MENTORS will be providing food.

- Registration for the 2012-2013 Marvin MOPS year has begun! Registration forms will be made available during our meeting. Please complete the form and a $25 annual registration fee will also be collected. Please complete your registration soon to reserve your place and childcare for this next year!

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

· The Last MOPS Play Date at Jordan Delaney’s Home (2110 Dueling Oaks, Tyler 75703 210-355-7309) on Tuesday, May 15th at 10 a.m.

If you are UNABLE to attend this Thursday’s MOPS meeting, please notify your Table Leader. If your children are not coming, and are signed up for childcare, please also notify Stephanie Lamb (MOPPETS Coordinator) at steph.lamb@sbcglobal.netor 903-363-7447.

Lastly, please continue to keep Natalie Box’s granddaughter, Nixon, in your prayers. Mary Ann and Judy are traveling to Tulsa tomorrow to provide support to the family. Please also pray for their safe journey. We will provide updates as they are known.

I hope to see you all this Thursday.

Have a wonderful and blessed week,

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

Friday, May 4, 2012

"Live Compassionately, Love Deeply..."

Hello Ladies,

These last few weeks leading up to the end of the school and MOPS year are quite busy, but exciting. Our meeting yesterday was indicative of that end of year “buzz;” lots of communicating amongst ourselves about the upcoming summer, busy vacation schedules, and looking forward to closing a year of achievement and accomplishment. We missed each of you, and I do hope that ALL of you will attend our LAST meeting of the year this Thursday, May 10 at 10 a.m. It will be a time to reflect and look forward as we all continue on this journey called motherhood together.

Judy’s devotional opened up with a recommendation on a website she was directed towards by our own Amber Reinhardt called “The Power of Moms.” She highly recommends that we read the blog that is found within the website titled “Your Children Want You.”

Comparisons. Aren’t we all guilty of “comparing” ourselves to someone at some point in our lives? At first, we probably have compared ourselves to a family member (sibling, cousin), and then as we get older, our comparisons are made with our peers (friends). As we journey through life, get married, and then have a child(ren), it is inevitable that we now compare ourselves with other moms. And perhaps we also compare ourselves with other Christians. As women, we seem to be CONSTANTLY comparing ourselves. The danger is that this exercise can lead to jealousy and envy and God does not like these qualities. The lesson is to be our very best as God has made us to be. Do not try to be someone that we are not.

Our featured speaker was Katie Butts. She is a fellow MOPS mom who has two beautiful children (Will 4 ½ and Ellie 1 ½ ) each with their own unique physical conditions and special needs. In a very short period of time, she has experienced and learned about how differently (and sometimes hurtful) children and adults interact with her children and even herself. This encompasses everything from gestures, questionable verbal interactions, and questions. From her own point of view and others that she has consulted with from her journey (parents of children who face difficult physical and mental challenges), Katie has compiled a wonderful reference tool for adults and children in how we can sensitively and successfully integrate other children/adults who are visibly “different” into a world of inclusion and friendship. In addition, Katie has also compiled a resource list of media, and books that can introduce your children to characters/individuals who look different, but are really just like all of us! I have attached these documents to this email.

Following Katie's wonderful presentation, each table had discussion questions that continued the dialogue about raising sensitive and compassionate children. We all learned and gained specific skills and vocabulary that will make a positive difference!