It's Marvin MOPS Week (10/25/12)!

Good Morning Moms,

We are full speed ahead into the Fall, and there are so many wonderful events to enjoy and this especially includes MOPS!  Please join us this Thursday, October 25 ^th at 10 a.m. to hear Debby Brown speak about “How to Keep the Sizzle in Marriage.”  Mrs. Brown has a very close connection to our group;  she is the aunt of our own Shelby West and she is speaking about a topic that is directly impacted by these early years of child rearing and mothering.   We will meet back in our regular meeting Room 246 (second floor, FAITH classroom) and let’s really engage in how we can strengthen and enrich the most important relationship our children observe.

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.

Also, please bring your children in their HALLOWEEN costumes for some trick –or- treating MOPS style! 

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

Thursday Meeting Reminders:

1. 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. 
2. Financial assistance is available in the form of scholarships or payment plans.  Please see Heather Parker for additional information.
3. The ORANGE table will bring food
4. Please bring your new and gently used coats in support of our Fall Missions Project in support of St. Paul’s Children’s Foundation

UPCOMING MOPS Events:

-          October 25 (THURSDAY)- 6:30 p.m. - MNO at the home of Kari Smith

-      November 1 (THURSDAY) – 8:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.- Pumpkin Roll Baking Day (Come and Go)

 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.net or 903-363-7447.

I hope to see you all on Thursday!  

Have a wonderful and blessed week,

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

Kung Fu Fighting

It was so good to see all of our wonderful moms this past Thursday. We missed those who were absent and pray that all the sickness going around would soon cease! We had a good morning of fellowship in Pirtle Hall followed by an informative and entertaining guest speaker, Dometrius Hill. Dometrius gave us great tips and advice on child safety while demonstrating an easy self defense tactic. Many of you were interested in Dometrius's martial arts academy and the classes he provides so we have included his contact information below. Hope you all had a relaxing weekend and we will meet back on Thursday, October 25th. See you soon!

Dometrius Hill

http://www.atasma.com/

hilldd@atasma.com

 

 

It's Marvin MOPS Week (10/11/12)!

Hello Moms,

The colder temperatures have come not a moment too soon!   Bundle up your kids, babies and most importantly, yourself and join us this Thursday, October 11^th at 10 a.m. in PIRTLE HALL (FIRST FLOOR, across the hall from the nursery), wear comfortable attire as we learn and practice “Self Defense 101” led by Demetrius Hall.

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

Thursday Meeting Reminders:

1. 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. 
2. Financial assistance is available in the form of scholarships or payment plans.  Please see Heather Parker for additional information.
3. The RED table will bring food
4. Table Leaders:  Start coordinating your Table Night Out before our calendars fill up with school and holiday plans! 

UPCOMING MOPS Events:

-          October 16 (TUESDAY)- Playdate (location and time TBD)

-          October 25 (THURSDAY)- 6:30 p.m. - MNO at the home of Kari Smith

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.net or 903-363-7447.

I hope to see you all on Thursday!  

Have a wonderful and blessed week,

Debra Bochow

Discussion Group Coordinator

Vines and Heart Strings

Hello Moms,

We missed each of you at last Thursday’s MOPS meeting on 9/27/12 and hope that whatever may have ailed you, your children, or whatever obstacle arose, that you now are well on your way back to your normal and healthy routine and self. 

Our time together was filled with deep spiritual and practical insight and advice on whom we are as women of faith and mothers. 

Judy’s devotion centered on the following verse John 15:5-
“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit;   apart from me you can do nothing.”

When vines have overgrown and feed into/take over spaces they should not, they often cause problems and are unsightly.  In order for a vine to be healthy, they need to be trimmed, cut back, groomed and loved.  Boundaries need to be re-established for a vine to flourish.  This is exactly how our relationship with God should be.  He is the strong, rooted, sturdy vine, and we are the branches and growth.  What do our vines look like in our own lives, and what is hanging on the edges?  Are we willing to cut out those vines and branches that are wandering into spaces they should not?  We are reminded to trim our vines back, come back to God to be nourished and fed.

Kristin Jones, accomplished mother of seven (three of whom are in our MOPS group!), reminded us that in order to “Train the Heart of a Child” we must GAIN the heart of our children by being attentive, understanding and empathetic.  Training them how to think will come from what is in their heart.  

QUESTION: How then does one train and gain the heart of their children? 
ANSWER:  By Tying Heart Strings!

“Tying Heart Strings” comes from building a bond within a family and using strings of mutual love, respect and honor that weaves one’s family together.  Selfishness, stubbornness and indifference can cut heart strings and break familial relationships.  But, before we can even tie or re-tie heart strings, our own hearts as mothers have to be surrendered to God.  A mother is a window to God.  We are modeling God for our children!  This is the first relationship and experience our children will have with God, and must be in place for us to gain the hearts of our children.

Some ways in which we can tie or re-tie heart strings, if they have been cut:

-          Look at your children with PLEASURE, lots of eye contact and smiles

-          Show AFFECTION;  hugs, kisses, touch

-          Enjoy your children’s company.  Invite them to places where they do not often go.  Show them they are important and that you want them to share in your experiences

-          Sit on the floor and just PLAY

-          Take outings and create adventures for and with our children

-          Encourage them to build outside projects (like a fort) and see what they have done and accomplished. Fly a kite together, set up bird feeders, etc.

-          Teach your children to do things around the house.  Have them help you with your daily tasks.  This gives them a purpose and sense of accomplishment.

 

The goal is for our children to feel a special connection with us, that which is filled with great delight and satisfaction.

Thank you again to Mrs. Jones for her words of experience and encouragement, and always to Judy for her mighty prayer and devotional.

Our next MOPS meeting is Thursday, October 11^th at 10 a.m.  We will meet in PIRTLE HALL (first floor) across the hall from the nursery.  Demetrius Hill will lead us in “Self Defense 101.”  Come comfortably dressed.  Food will be provided by the RED Table.

Have a wonderful week and see you on October 11^th!

Debra Bochow
Discussion Group Coordinator

It's Marvin MOPS Week (9/27/12)!

Hello Moms,

FALL is officially here, and not a moment too soon.  We are starting the year with an incredible lineup of events/speakers, coupled with an amazing, enthusiastic membership and dedicated leadership!  Please join us this Thursday, September 27^th at 10 a.m. in room 246 (second floor, Faith classroom) to listen to our much anticipated speaker, Kristin Jones.  She will be speaking on “Training the Heart of a Child.”  This is such an important and relevant topic for us moms of young and impressionable children!   

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

Thursday 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. Our Mentors will provide food for our first meeting.
5. Table Leaders:  Start coordinating your Table Night Out before our calendars fill up with school and holiday plans! 

UPCOMING MOPS Events:

-          September 28 (FRIDAY)- Mom’s Night Out at Don Juan’s on the Square, 6:30 p.m.

-          October 16 (TUESDAY)- Playdate at Pumpkin Patch, 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.net or 903-363-7447.

I hope to see you all on Thursday!  

Have a wonderful and blessed week,

Debra Bochow
Discussion Group Coordinator

Our first MOPS Meeting of 2012-13

A New Beginning... LOVING Other Mothers Right Where They Are...

Hello Sweet Moms,

Our new year started with lots of conversational buzz of reconnecting, making new connections, and confirming how thankful we are to be back together again as a group.  We missed each of you yesterday, and we hope to see you at our next MOPS event (Playdate on September 21^st) or meeting on September 27^th. 

The standard fare for the first meeting took place with introductions to our leadership, steering committee, our MOPPETS coordinator to review childcare guidelines and our Mentor moms.  There are so many women who are joyfully working together and behind the scenes to make this commitment and service spiritually fulfilling and nurturing for you as a mother!  We look forward to getting to know each of you on this journey.

Sherry Trump (Co-Coordinator) beautifully summarized this year’s MOPS theme and how we can apply this objective in getting the most out of our MOPS experience and in our day to day lives.  I have provided Sherry’s discussion below: 

"Plunge" - Love as if your life depended on it.

1 Peter 4:8-11 (The Message)
"Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it.  Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless - cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it:  if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be Gods hearty help.  That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything - encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

1 Peter 4:8-11 (NIV)
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in it's various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  Amen."

To sum these scriptures up...

God has called us to love extravagantly.
God can use my love to fill in the gaps.
We can share what God has given us.

We do it for God.

God calls us to love and puts such an emphasis on love in his word.  According to Google, the NIV Bible mentions the word love 697 times. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13

"Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres.  

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

As a real life self reflection to practice the love that God has called us to show; insert your name in place of the word Love.
(ex. Sherry is patient, Sherry is kind...)

Galatians 5:13-14
"You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command"  Love your neighbor as yourself."

Love other mothers right where they are.  We are all at a different place in our journey of motherhood.

What if Christ was as critical/judgmental of us the way we are of ourselves and others.  Would you want to serve a God like this?  Even more, if this is what other mothers see in you (critical/judgmental), would they want to serve the God you claim to serve?  Meaning, are you showing others the love that Christ shows you?

Love the way Christ loves you

Bless others the way Christ blesses you
Show grace the way it is shown to you
Forgive the way Christ forgives you

Use the gifts God has blessed you with to bless others.  We all have a gift, some big, some small.  All of them important!

We can ALL show love through kindness and a simple Smile!  A smile can break down walls and barriers that we have built around us.

MOPS Faith Position Statement:

MOPS International exists to encourage, equip, and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother, and leader in the name of Jesus Christ.

To break this down, this year MOPS is here to:

Encourage: To inspire with courage and hope
Equip: To supply with needed resources
Develop: To bring out all the possibilities
Every: Every one and every kind
Mother of preschoolers: Mother of children from infancy through kindergarten
Realize: To be aware of, to understand, to accomplish
Potential: Something that can develop or become actual

Woman, Mother and Leader: The three distinct roles of a mother of preschoolers:

Woman: As a female, daughter and possibly wife
Mother: As the mother of her children, natural, adopted and blended in a relationship with their father
Leader: As an influence over others

In the name of Jesus Christ: To the honor of Jesus for his purposes

MOPS exists for every mom - urban, suburban, and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, single and married moms - moms with different lifestyles who all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be!

This room is made up of a very diverse group of women who come from all different walks of life.  Its not important where you attend church, what preschool your kids go to, who does your hair or where you live.  What is important is that we are a group of women who ALL have one thing in common, we are mothers.  We all have something to give to this group and we can all learn something from one another.  Throughout this year, we are going to laugh together, learn together and even make new friends together!

Only you can determine what you get out of MOPS this year.  A theory behind relationships and friendships is you get out of them what you put into them.  I urge you to take a step outside of your comfort zone and form some new friendships, take Judy's devotions and apply them to your everyday walk with Christ, take a piece of advice from a guest speaker and use it in your parenting,  let the common bond you share with other moms fill you with hope and joy, and enjoy fellowship at play dates and moms nights out.

This year, challenge yourself to take the "plunge" and love others the way Christ loves you!

We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on Thursday, September 27^th.  Our featured speaker will be Kristin Jones presenting “Training the Heart of a Child.” 

Other Items of interest:

-          Our first MOPS playdate is next Friday, September 21^st at Faulkner Spray Park, 10 a.m.-noon.  If the weather is cool, we will still meet and play at the adjoining playground.  If it is raining, an email will be sent out that morning alerting us to the playdate status. 

-          Our first MNO (Mom’s Night Out) is Friday, September 28 at Don Juan’s on the Square, 6:30 p.m.

-          Collection of dues is ongoing until the end of October. 

-          Please email a family picture to Amber Reinhardt (amber.reinhardt@gmail.com) for our MOPS picture board!

-          The MENTORS will provide food for the next meeting

-          An ecopy of our first MOPS newsletter is attached.  There will be a newsletter generated at each meeting.

Hope to see you all of you at our next meeting on September 27^th!

Have a wonderful weekend,
Debra Bochow
Discussion Group Coordinator