Take the PLUNGE at our First Marvin MOPS Meeting 2012-2013

Hello and welcome back wonderful moms! 

We are about to begin another brand new MOPS adventure together.  The first meeting of the year is this THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 10 a.m.- Noon in ROOM 235- The Seekers Classroom (across the hall and down from our previous meeting room) on the 2^nd floor.  For the first meeting, there will be signs and greeters to meet and direct you.

We are so fortunate to have Sarah Burkett and Sherry Trump return as our Co-Coordinators this year.  We are also blessed to have Judy Carter continue as our Lead Mentor.  These dedicated women and the rest of the Steering Team have thoughtfully planned our group’s activities and are ready to help support you in your role as mom this year. 

In addition to email, text and personal calls, we will continue to utilize our Facebook page- Marvin UMC MOPS, and our blog: www.marvinmops.blogspot.com to enhance our support, connection and communication with one another.  Please join our Facebook group and follow our blog to get up to the minute information on upcoming meetings/events or be part of a “mom moment” conversation.   You will each be contacted prior to our first meeting by your Table Leader, who will notify you to which table you have been assigned, along with other first meeting reminders.

This year’s theme is PLUNGE-  Love as if your life depended on it.  The emphasis is relationships and hope.  Taking the plunge in relationships is being authentic and going deeper.  All facets of relationships can be strengthened through taking risks, going deeper and showing authentic love- neighborhood, friendships, marriages, extended families, and ultimately relationship with God.

If you will be using childcare, also known as our MOPPETS program, you may bring your children to the childcare rooms which are located on the first floor.  There will be a sign to direct you.  If your children are not coming, and you are signed up for childcare, it is important that you contact Stephanie Lamb, our MOPPETS Coordinator, to let her know:  Steph.lamb@sbcglobal.net, or 903-363-7447.  This affects how many volunteers/workers/rooms we need.

Some additional important reminders about our MOPPETS program:

·         Please LABEL ALL of your child’s belongings (sippy cups, pacifiers,etc.) 

·         Please DO NOT bring your child if he/she shows ANY signs of illness.  Please refer to the “Moppets Guidelines” for further instruction

·         Drop off time is 9:50-10:00 a.m. before the meeting.  Please pick up your children promptly by noon to be courteous of the MOPPETS staff

Other First Meeting Reminders:

1. Please bring a picture of your immediate family to be displayed on a board so we can learn each other’s families.  You may bring an actual hard copy photograph or email your picture to Amber Reinhardt (Hospitality Coordinator) at amber.reinhardt@gmail.com
2. First Semester Dues are due:  $40 if you are using childcare/ $24 if you are not using childcare.  If you have not paid the $25 MOPS International (once a year) dues, then these are also due.  Checks made payable to “Marvin MOPS.”  Cash is also accepted.  Dues go to Heather Parker, our Financial Coordinator. 
3. Financial assistance is available in the form of scholarships or payment plans.  Please see Heather Parker for additional information.
4. Members of the Steering Committee will provide food for our first meeting.

We are so excited to welcome our many new and returning moms to a new MOPS year! 

See you on Thursday!

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

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   

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

"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!

I have also attached this week’s newsletter with additional information on our last few activities:

-          Last MOPS Playdate is Tuesday, May 15 at the home of Jordan Delaney (10-12 noon).

-          Next and FINAL meeting of the year is this Thursday, May 10^th at 10 a.m.  The Mentors will bring food. 

I hope you all have a relaxing and wonderful weekend with your families!

See you all next Thursday!

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

It's Marvin MOPS Week (5/3/12)!

Hello Ladies,

The countdown to the end of our MOPS year has begun.  Just two meetings left and we have saved the best for our last few meetings!   We hope you will all join us this Thursday, May 3^rd at 10 a.m. to hear our own fellow MOPS mom, Katie Butts, speak about raising “sense”-itive children.  She lives and brings forth a powerful and personal testimony that we all can learn from (and not just our own children)! 

As we wind down the year, our leaders Sarah and Sherry are already planning for next year;  who, alongside our steering committee help create and run our wonderful program.  There are open steering positions for next year.  If you are interested we'll have Steering "Interest Forms" at our next meeting to complete or visit with Sherry or Sarah.

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.

- The STEERING COMMITTEE 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:

·         Our LAST meeting will be next Thursday, May 10^th in our annual “Tea and Treasures” finale.  We plan to celebrate this past year, reflect on the wonderful friendships and memories made.  Dress up and bring your favorite tea cup or mug as we close in our last fellowship of the year. 

·         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.

I hope to see you all this Thursday!

Have a wonderful week,

Debra Bochow
Discussion Group Coordinator

Mommy Feud and The Price Is Right...

What a fun morning of fellowship and laughter!  In keeping with our game theme for the 2011-2012 MOPS year, we thought some "mom" games were appropriate for our meeting this morning.  The Yellow Table knew the prices at Wal-Mart on household cleaning supplies, claiming a victory!  Then Team Pink/Purple/Blue won "Mommy Feud" with the winning pacifier nickname.  Everyone took home outdoor Summer goodies for their kiddos to enjoy!     

 The "feud" begins...

 Some of our answers didn't always match the game... but we still had lots of fun!

 Focused on answering the question first...

 Team Work...

 Interviewing the contestants...

 Ready to begin the round...

 Working hard on the correct answers...

 The coordinators who planned this silly but fun morning...

 Our "Mommy Feud" winners!

 Our Game Show Hostess with her "microphone"

Working on the bonus round answers...



Let's Be Real...

Hello Moms,

We hope you are all well, and as we approach May, we hope you will be able to attend our last few meetings.  You were all missed today!

Since we did not have a speaker, presentation or even a craft in store, our time together today was a much needed “break” from reality.  Our table time was extended to visit and reconnect with one another.  For once, unstructured time just felt perfect! 

Judy always manages to find the right words and message to convey.  She draws upon her own life experiences, and often times, these “happen” to make an impact as she is going about her day.  Today she conveyed two themes that impacted her while listening to her favorite radio station, KVNE.  The first drew upon the notion of “spiritual warfare” and how we are surrounded by negative influences every day in our lives.  It is up to us, as the mothers of our children to keep the angels close, and around our families and children to ward off evil.  Specifically, Judy points to what we listen to in the car while driving with our children.  “What are we listening to?”  If it is songs with questionable lyrics/messages, than we are surrounding our precious children with evil.  We are allowing Satan access to those we love and care for the most.  So moms, be mindful of what is playing in the car.  Keep it wholesome and spiritually healthy!

Second, Judy recounted a precious story about a young girl and her imitation strand of pearls.  She admired them from afar, saved her money, and although she knew they were not “real” she desperately wanted them.  And so she purchased them and held them close and tight.  Her sweet father every night would ask for her pearls, and she denied him.  These were her pearls and she loved them so.  Night after night her dad would ask for her pearls, but she repeatedly would refuse.  Until one night she offered them to her dad saying that he had asked so many times and it obviously meant a lot to him.  Her dad would then take out of his pocket the genuine “real” strand of pearls and gave them to her.  What and why are we holding on to our own “imitation pearls?”  Our Father has the ability to give us the “real thing,” but it is up to us to see and give up what is not true or real for his many rich and “real” blessings. 

Who knew that playing a simple game of “MOPS Family Feud” would be so fun and exhilarating?  Or that we would know so much about topics related to “stuff we find in a car seat” or “name the top 5 baby food flavors.”   And how wonderful is it to hear a room full of women/moms laughing while working together?    I can’t wait for another GAME Day.  It’s good for the soul.

We look forward to next Thursday, May 3^rd (our next meeting) when Katie Butts (fellow MOPS mom) will be speaking and sharing her personal experiences and insight into raising “sense”-itive children.  We are thrilled that she will bless us with her words, and perspective. 

Other Items of interest:

-          Upcoming MOPS playdate is next Tuesday, May 1^st at the home of Jackie Lowe.  

-          Several positions are open for our 2012-2013 MOPS Steering Committee.  Please inquire with either Sherry or Sarah if you have any questions, are interested or would like to learn more about Steering.  It’s a fantastic way of getting to know (better) your fellow moms and working for a wonderful and supportive group of women. 

 Hope to see you all of you next Thursday, May 3^rd!

Debra Bochow,
Discussion Group Coordinator