MOPSTalk Zone 22 ~ Eastern PA and NJ: New Year's Resolutions: How Are You Doing?

CONVENTION UPDATE

Ta da! A Convention announcement!
We just signed the papers and we thank you for your prayers as we worked on moving, well, a whole lotta details in just a few days.

Drum roll #1: The Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, FL (Orlando area) was able to welcome us (in the midst of many conventions needing to move).

Drum roll #2: We're able to keep the registration fees the same, so some of you might decide to come early or stay late, and enjoy the Orlando amenities with your friends (or family).

And thanks for all the great ideas of cities! You helped our future dreaming. 'Twould be fun!
And again, it will be great because of Who we'll be with: "Where(ver) two or three (thousand) are gathered in my name, there am I with them." (Mt. 18:20, our year's theme verse with my additions).

Naomi Cramer Overton

Convention Details:
The MOPS International Convention will be at the Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee, FL (Orlando area). Dates will be the same, August 5-7, 2010. Speakers and artists will be the same great lineup — Julie Barnhill, Margaret Feinberg, Donald Miller, Naomi Cramer Overton, Shelly Radic, Go Fish, Mandisa, The Katinas and Richie McDonald.

Convention registration will re-open on Monday, May 17.
The early bird registration deadline will be extended to June 7.
We are working with the Gaylord Opryland for an official letter we can provide to anyone who has already purchased airline tickets to use with airlines to avoid rebooking fees. This letter should assist you in rebooking airline tickets — it will be posted online at www.MOPS.org/convention.
We continue to pray for families and businesses affected by the flooding and we have sent MOPS materials to local MOPS leaders who are distributing supplies in the Nashville area.

MOPS International Convention 2010

August 5-7, 2010
Gaylord Palms, Orlando FL

Check back often for more information!

Your MOPS International Convention Checklist:

Register for Convention (re-opens May 17)
Reserve a room at the hotel (register first!)
Schedule shuttle transportation

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

New Year's Resolutions: How Are You Doing?

It's February 10th, the 41st day of 2009. Did you make any New Year's resolutions? If so, how are you doing? I'm sure that question will have a variety of answers such as, I'm right on track; I've steered off a little, but getting back on track; I'm off track; and my all time favorite, what is a track? The good news is wherever you are with your New Year's resolutions, you are not alone.

Phil 3:13b-14 says, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." One of Webster's definitions for the word strain is excessive tension or exertion. Now it all makes sense. No wonder many of us have struggled to keep up with our New Year's resolutions: they require hard work. Well, wasn't that the point? You don't jump off a roller coaster ride once you realize it's more than you originally bargained for, right? I know some of you are thinking, I NEVER got on the roller coaster in the first place. Humor me anyway by not focusing on the hard work (strain) it takes to achieve the goal, but think about what you'll gain once the goal is achieved. I love focusing on outcomes.

Our kids had always been homeschooled. Last spring, my husband and I decided to send our 4 children to school outside of the home starting in September 2008. I was terrified of what this new beginning would require of us including, keeping up with 4 different teachers, hectic schedules, and homework. The transition has been very painful. I feel like I am straining everyday to achieve what is expected of us. This morning I was deep in thought about it all and decided to call my beloved husband, Keith, on his way to work and asked, "Do you have a plan for how we are going to finish this school year well?" My loving and wise husband recognized this was potentially a very loaded question, so he asked, "Do you have something on your mind that you would like to share with me?" I love when he answers my question with a question. The truth is, I didn't. I know in order to reach the goal, which is completing the school year successfully, we have to forget what is behind (poor test scores and name calling) and continue straining ahead (get tutors, meet with teachers, talk to our kids regularly about how to handle unpleasant situations). I n the end, I know this outcome is well worth the strain.

So, I ask you again, how are you doing with those New Year's resolutions? Don't answer, just keep straining ahead, knowing you are heading toward somewhere good. As women, mothers, and leaders, be encouraged that as we continue to develop, we are equipped to strain across the finish line.