Moms of School-Age Kids Group Needs a Name

Moms of School-age Kids. What should we be called?

MOPS International has received tremendous interest in our new groups for moms of school-age kids. Leaders and moms are excited about this ministry and we are chartering new groups. We initially launched this program under the name “momfluence” after having done due diligence on that name and extensive legal work. We since learned of usage of that name and we have decided to select a new name.



Share your best ideas for a new name today!

Go to this site to particpate: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=h1nouLVIWuK_2fCpMstpYjtg_3d_3d

Inspirational MOPS Group Video

Hi, I am so excited about this video that I just had to share it with all of you. Tracy Snyder, Coordinator Ebenezer Bible Fellowship MOPS Group in Bethlehem (my MOPS Group), put together this year-end video of our MOPS Group. When she sent it to me...I was inspired! I asked her if it was ok to post to our Zone blog and she gave me permission. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Remember as you wrap up your MOPS year that 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.





Thank you for all you do,
Christy

Zone Leadership Training Conference Call

Hi!

I just wanted to remind you that your Zone Field Leaders along with Zone 14 (Western PA & WV) Field Leaders will be hosting our second Zone Leadership Training Conference Call this Thursday, May 14, 2009 from 8:30 - 9:30 pm. It will be on Choosing Leaders for Next Year. Please plan to join us for an interactive discussion. If you have any questions now, please send them. All Steering Team members are invited.

Call # (218) 339-2500
Access Code: 122231#

To prepare for the call, please read and reflect on Matthew 6:25-34. Focus will be put on Matthew 6:33.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all things will be given to you as well.

Thank you for all you do,

Christy

Manor Brethren, Lancaster Summit Site

Summit site: Willowdale Chapel, Kennett Square, PA

Here is a picture of the MOPS leaders who attended Summit at Willowdale Chapel in Kennett Square, PA. We had a blessed time together learning how to lead authentically.

If you attended Summit, please share your greatest take home message or what impacted you most. For me, I loved what Margaret Feinberg shared about combining the public me and the private me into one and trusting God with taking the risk of being that authentic. YIKES...it was a very compelling challenge. I try to live authentically, but that would really be a leap of faith to walk around like an orange with its skin peeled off for all to see my impurities. I'm going to put forth a great effort to live this authentically because I realized people will determine what my impurities are whether I display them or not. I trust I will encounter Jesus on a deeper level...that enough is worth it for me. What about you?

Blessings,

Nichole, your AC

Sayre, PA Summit Site

Hi, ladies! Did you get to attend Summit 2009? Here's a photo from our site in Sayre, PA. We were pleased to have 55 moms attend our site this year!

Susan Entingh
CC Zone 22
North Central PA

Moms of School-Age Kids

At MOPS International we believe Better Moms Make a Better World. This is true during the preschool years and beyond. As mothers enter the school years, new challenges and issues arise, but the need for community and hope remains. We initially launched this program under the name “momfluence” and we were in the legal process of trade marking when we learned of usage of that name ahead of us in the process. Watch for a new name soon -- and continue to make plans for chartering a new group for moms of school-age kids.

For thirty-six years MOPS International has been reaching out to mothers of preschoolers to encourage, equip and develop them to be better moms. Now this group format will encourage, equip and develop moms in the next phase of mothering. All of the excellent MOPS leadership resources will be available to group leaders as they start groups around the world.

A mother’s influence is great during the school years. Join us as we launch this ministry to reach more mothers with community and hope that is life-changing.

For more information or to start a group for mothers of school-age kids, call 1-888-910-6677 or email charters@MOPS.org.

Go to the Mothers of School-Age Kids Home page at http://www.mops.org/page.php?pageid=2507&srctype=linklist&src=2507 for more details.

Connecting with Zephaniah

There are times in my life when I go through the motions just to get through the current moment. I nod my head when it is appropriate and I try to contribute a comment when necessary. Yet, the week that Zephaniah kept appearing in front of me, I was awakened. I stopped going through the motions and started living for God's purpose.

It all began a couple of weeks ago, when I ordered the MOPS DVD Lift: Elevate Your Leadership and sat down and watched it. In the second section, Liz Selzer speaks about our strengths and uses several scripture references. One of them was for Zephaniah 3:17.

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)

I remember thinking that I don't often hear people quote from Zephaniah.

Oh, if I only knew.

I was sitting in my Women's Bible Study some days after watching the DVD. We are studying Cynthia Heald's Becoming a Woman of Purpose and we were in Chapter 4 "God's Purpose: To Establish His Kingdom". Question 4 of Chapter 4 references Zephaniah 3:8-9. As we opened our Bibles and read the passages, I commented that I hardly hear about Zephaniah and we ended up reading more of Chapter 3 together.

Zephaniah is a short book, 3 chapters, in the Old Testament after Habakkuk and before Haggai. According to my NIV Study Bible, Zephaniah was a prophet of considerable social standing in Judah and was probably related to the royal line. His intent was to announce to Judah God's approaching judgment and his main theme is the coming of the day of the Lord.

Anyway, as we read through Chapter 3, Rachel, a woman in my Bible study, commented that she really liked the song "Mighty to Save" and was glad to now know where that phrase had originated. She said that when she first heard the song, she had a difficult time figuring out what they were singing. She sang a short verse for us. As our Bible Study leader attempted to get us back on track, it suddenly connected in my head. I happily announced to everyone that Kim Hill sings that song and that I knew it as well.

That song was in my head for the rest of the day. I went home and got out the 3 Kim Hill cds that I have, but couldn't find the song "Mighty to Save" on any of them. Technology is so helpful in these types of situations. I did a search for "Kim Hill Mighty to Save" on Youtube and came up empty, but there was a group called Hillsong that had a video called "Mighty to Save". I listened to it on Youtube (here's the url for anyone curious http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08YZF87OBQ&feature=related)and suddenly it connects again.

Oh, Kim Hill led us with praise music at this year's MOPS Convention and this was one of the songs. Cool. Then I look at my Kim Hill cds a little closer. She also led praise music at the 2005 MOPS Convention and I stood in line to have her sign my copy of her "Surrounded by Mercy" cd and, guess what she wrote on it?, Zeph. 3:17.

There are times in my life when I go through the motions just to get through the current moment. I nod my head when it is appropriate and I try to contribute a comment when necessary. Yet, the week that Zephaniah kept appearing in front of me, I was awakened. I stopped going through the motions and started living for God's purpose. I read through the book of Zephaniah. I sent an email to everyone in my Monday Women's Bible Study about the connection because I had to share. I sat down and watched the MOPS "Lift: Elevate Your Leadership" DVD again. I encouraged my husband to sit down with me and listen to the "Mighty to Save" song.

Have you had any moments, days, or weeks like that where things start to connect and you see God's purpose working for you? Please share them here with us.

Thank you for all you do,
Christy

Zone Conference Call

Our first Zone Training Conference call went well on Monday, March 16th. We had a nice group of leaders join us from our Zone, Zone 22, and Zone 14. If you or your MOPS Steering Team leaders were unable to listen in live on the call, the call was recorded. You can listen to the recording by dialing:

Zone 14 and 22 Training Conference Call
Playback number # (218) 339-2599
Access Code: 122231#

Please let us know your thoughts on the Conference call & be sure to take the survey for what night is best for you for the next call.

Thanks,
Christy

REMINDER Conference Call Tonight at 8:30

Please call in for our first ever Zone Conference call tonight from 8:30 - 9:15 pm.
ALL Steering Team Members are invited

Dial in #: (218) 339-2500
Access code: 122231#

The call will be hosted by our AC, Nichole Bethel, and Gayle Stahlman, AC for Zone 14(Western Pa and WV) It will be an introduction to doing a dual Zone conference call and the topic will be Called to Lead.
The agenda will be as follows:
· Welcome (2min)
· Open with Prayer (2min)
· Introduction (5min)
· Training (15min)
· Q&A (20min)
· Closing Prayer (1min)

The Daily Adventure...of Laundry

I'm doing laundry today. At least seven loads of it. (I'm sensing you're either empathizing with me, or panicking that you haven't yet done your own laundry.)

Well, I don't like doing laundry, and I really don't know anyone else who does. There may be one of you out there who does, but you would never publicly admit it, because people like me would think you've been inhaling way too many noxious cleaning product fumes.

I think I've come to a realization, though. I believe God gave us laundry to give us a glimpse, inadequate though it may be, of the concept of eternity. Think about it...you don't really know when laundry began for you, and it's never going to end!

Seriously, though, as I was putting my load of delicate darks into the dryer a few minutes ago, and thought about how much I dislike this monotonous routine, something new came over me. The overwhelming desire to thank God for loving me enough to give me the gift of laundry.

Before you call the people with the white jackets on me, let me share what God just revealed to me.

Here's a list of ways I can be thankful to God for my laundry:
1) Clothes - We have them.
2) My husband and kids - They wear the clothes.
3) Washer and dryer - I have both. They're in my house, so I don't have to go to a laundromat to wash and dry our clothes.
4) Dirt and stains - This means my family is playing, eating, exercising and enjoying life.
5) Laundry detergent, Spray 'N' Wash, bleach, dryer sheets - I can afford to buy all of these things used to clean and "de-static" our clothes.
6) My body - I have a healthy, strong body that enables me to sort, move, pre-treat, load, unload, fold, hang and put away the laundry.
7) Time - I get to be a stay-at-home mom, which gives me plenty of time to do the laundry.

I could probably think of many more things related to laundry that I could thank God for, but soon I'll have to go tend to my "lights".

What, in your daily adventure, can you thank God for? Add them to my post so we can all join in praise and thanksgiving to our God, who alone is worthy to receive it.

And maybe, the next time you consider how wide and long and high and deep is the pile of dirty laundry in your home, you'll also consider how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ for you, sister.

2009-2010 MOPS Theme Announced

Be sure to check out the MOPS International leader's website for the new theme for 2009-2010. Also, there will be an article in your March Connections magazine.

http://www.mops.org/leaders/bb/viewtopic.php?t=11790

Tell us your thoughts right here on the blog.
Thanks,
Christy

Roadside Assistance

Recently the words "roadside assistance" caught my attention. I immediately thought that if you had to use those words in a sentence there would have to be an adventure story to go with it. That thought reminded me of an adventure I had with my boys over 10 years ago.
We were still fairly new to Jersey Shore PA in 1998. My sons were 1 and 6 years old. We got in the minivan and went to the Lycoming Mall. I can't recall why we went to the mall that day, but it is a bit of a drive. On the way home, while driving on the highway, I noticed that the van was making a strange pinging noise. It didn't feel safe for me to be driving with the kids on a highway with a strange noise emitting from the engine, so I exited in Williamsport (about halfway home from the mall) and pulled into the Pep Boys. I unloaded the boys and silently prayed that the noise was not too serious. One of the mechanics went out and checked the van.
Ugh, I do not like to admit my weaknesses, but I don't know too much about cars. (Fill them with gas, get the oil changed & tires rotated every so often, and make sure there are some children's cds in there to entertain Danielle.) I feel uncomfortable in repair shops and usually let my husband handle the details. Even if I did understand everything that the mechanic said to me, remember that I am in a Pep Boys with a 6-year-old and 1-year-old. My attention was divided. When he came back, he said many things to me, but in the conversation I heard that I shouldn't drive the van anywhere because the engine could blow. (ok, slow down and take some deep breaths) I quickly called my husband at work, about a 45-minute drive away, and he was sympathetic to my plight, but was unable to leave work early. He said he could probably get there in the next 2-3 hours.

WHAT???

I didn't want to be sitting in a Pep Boys for 2 or more hours with my children. We were going to have the car towed to our repair shop in Lock Haven, but I didn't think I would be able to get two car seats and me in the tow truck too.
I was not very happy. I was probably near tears trying to figure out an alternative.
Then it happened.
One of those God moments. (I think some people call them coincidences.)
Deanna, from my MOPS group, came into the Pep Boys. What were the chances? She heard parts of my conversation when she came over to say hi to me and then without a moment's hesitation, she offered us a ride home.
THANK YOU GOD!
Thank you Deanna!
I had not been a member of my MOPS group for very long and Deanna and I only knew each other through a couple of meetings. She rescued me that day.
Who knew that I would eventually become the Coordinator of the group and Deanna would serve on Steering with me and we would become good friends?
It is those small moments that sometimes get forgotten that really helped me build friendships within my MOPS group.
It all happened so quickly, but I know in the moment that I was very grateful to Deanna. I didn't have to hang out at Pep Boys for a couple of hours with my boys. I didn't even have much time to be too stressed about it.
That memory remained tucked away and almost forgotten and then I heard the words "roadside assistance" and I recalled an adventure that ultimately brought me closer to God.
Do you have a MOPS adventure like that? Please share.

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.

Optimism: Where can I get some??

OPTIMISM. Bath and Body Works is selling it all bottled up as an aromatherapy. I admit that I shop there, but this discussion isn't about where I shop. Perhaps we can discuss that at another time. No, this discussion is about what I want. I got the coolest flyer in the mail with a picture similar to the one here and inside there was a coupon for "a free aromatherapy body care or home fragrance item of your choice with any purchase of $15 or more". I couldn't stop my mind from wandering and I thought "Wow, I could really use some optimism right about now."

Within the flyer, it says "Optimism: jump-start your day with confidence and a smile! Our newest Aromatherapy Collection for body and home is a bright blend of jasmine, tuberose and mate(accent over the e)absolutes to help lift your mood and instill a sense of optimism."
Ok, so I don't really know what tuberose and mate(accent over the e) absolutes are but they must be some pretty powerful scents mixed in with jasmine to help lift that mood that I'm in. I want some. Give me, give me, give me.

Before I go out and get my free bottle of optimism (after a $15 purchase), I was inspired to check on the definition. My The New Merriam-Webster Dictionary has this definition:
op.ti.mism:an inclination to anticipate the best possible outcome of actions or events

Super, that is what I really want right now to anticipate the best possible outcome of actions or events. WOW! I really want some optimism when I see people's homes going to foreclosure, so many job cuts every time I open the paper and read the news, and friends and their families falling ill and struggling. Being bombarded with the recession and how it is affecting everyone has really made it difficult not to worry. (sigh) I start to worry, then I get myself a little worked up, and then I become a downer. It is all I can think about and all I can talk about and it consumes me and my life. So, ok, give me that bottle of optimism, I am ready.

Wait a second. Slow down sister. Let me think. There is a way for me to get some optimism and I don't think I need a coupon. It doesn't come in a bottle either. I think I can find it in the Bible. If I truly want to "jump-start my day with confidence and a smile" I can turn to God. It sounds almost too good to be true in advertising "jump-start my day with confidence and a smile", but isn't that (and, oh, so much more) what God offers us through a relationship with him.

Looking at the MOPS International theme verse for this year helps me to understand that through my relationship with God and through the Holy Spirit (verse 16), Christ is a part of me and I can know God's love.
“…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17-18

We also have the much-loved and well-known verse:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Knowing that I have eternal life should help me start my day with confidence and a smile.

Maybe I will use that coupon or perhaps I will let it expire, but it doesn't really matter because I know that when I am down, I can turn to God. I can start my day with confidence and a smile by renewing my relationship with him and refreshing my attitudes with his Word. I am "optimistic" that no matter what happens, God is with me.

Thanks,
Christy

How's Your Fruit?

Something other than my alarm clock awakened me this morning. It was unpleasant... annoying...irritating. It was my daughter.

The instigator: my son. The crime: inequitable distribution of cereal. Why, oh why, must we live in a world of finite resources? It's so unfair!

But that's not my point. My point is, I didn't want to deal with this. I was annoyed, irritated by this meltdown of magnificent proportions. So, I acted swiftly. I yelled at her to go to her room immediately. She did. There. Problem solved.

Well, not so much. After another 20 minutes of tantrum-throwing that I feared would wake our wall-sharing neighbors (I enjoyed a brief reprieve while I brushed my teeth and the running water drowned out her shrieks), I did finally take real action. (And no, I didn't inflict physical punishment -- in case you were wondering.)

Later in the day, after she and her completely innocent and falsely accused brother departed for school, I happened to be reading the words penned by Matthew, the apostle.

In Chapter 13, verse 31, Matthew writes, "Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'" Jesus was talking to Peter, just after he had walked out onto the lake's water in faith, but then allowed doubt and fear to distract him from looking at Jesus.

But did you notice how the verse starts with the word "immediately?" That's what caught my eye this morning. Jesus acted immediately. Even though Peter looked away, Jesus immediately reached out to save him. He didn't hesitate -- wondering if Peter was worth it, pondering His annoyance at Peter's lack of faith, irritated at the inconvenience of it all -- His act of love was immediate.

In an in-the-moment prayer, I asked God, "Why is it so hard to put my faith into action? Why is it so hard to be fruitful? To show love? Patience? Kindness? Gentleness? Faithfulness? How can I do that without hesitation?" (You recognize some of these words as the Fruit of the Spirit, right?)

How is your Fruit? Mine could be better. Jucier. Tastier. More abundant.

The IVP New Testament Commentary says with regard to this passage of Scripture in Matthew, "Jesus is training disciples who will not simply regurgitate his oral teachings but will have the faith to demonstrate his authority in practice as well."

With the training we receive through God's word, God's ministers, and fellow followers of Christ, let's all strive to be better practicers, demonstrators and imitators of our Savior, and give God the glory, great things He has done!

Zone 22 Council B Meeting Pictures

Hi Everyone,

I had 19 MOPS Steering Team Leaders attend our Council Meeting on Saturday, January 17. I was able to take some pictures of the group and wanted to share with all of you.
If you aren't sure what a Council Meeting is or want to know if your Steering Team is invited to a Council meeting, please leave a comment and your Zone 22 Field Leaders will get you the information you need. As you know, some groups do not have a Council Coordinator and we are always praying that moms in our Zone will answer God's call to fill these roles. Please let us know if you have any questions or if you are feeling called.
Thanks,
Christy

KidsLink Downrange ~ MOPS Service Project

KidsLink Downrange is a service project for all MOPS groups to help military moms and their families! MOPS groups will create card kits for kids whose parent is deployed. Kits will be delivered to kids at Fort Hood, Texas this spring.

MOPS groups will design card kits that contain everything a military child will need to write to his or her parent throughout the year. In this way, children who are separated from a parent can still have the vital interaction they need with their parent as they grow and develop. Anyone can choose to be a part of this project – all it takes is a little time and creativity. View instructions here.

Card kits will be sent by groups to Cadence International in Colorado and delivered by the Military Children’s Ministry staff at Fort Hood elementary schools. There is an imminent need for MOPS groups to help create card kits for kids there! Our goal is to send 5,000 card kits to the 70,000+ kids living in the Fort Hood area. Registration ends February 15, 2009.

Pledge your participation today!

Click on the KidLink Downrange header at the top of this blog and you can go to the MOPS website for additional information. I have checked out the KidsLink Downrange MOPS page and I am so encouraged to see that several groups in our Zone have already pledged their support. Please share your thoughts and ideas about this service project with us here on the blog.

MOPS International Survey ~ Closes 1/30/09

As your Field Leaders, we are praying for energy, passion and excitement for you, your Steering Team, Discussion Group Leaders and moms as you begin the new year and the second half of our MOPS year.
We're also praying for you to lean on God’s strength as you continue to serve the Lord faithfully. Like you, We are also evaluating our ministry efforts and would love your input on how we're doing.
This survey is being conducted by MOPS International and groups throughout the MOPS organization are being asked to complete this survey.
Click here to provide your input.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=RGQGoiqueajxANk0LfHvnw_3d_3d

Leadership for Life Summit

Hi!
Happy New Year to all of you! I hope that everyone had a happy and healthy holiday with your family and friends. If you had a MOPS meeting that you would like to share with us, please do so here.
I wanted to remind everyone that the MOPS Leadership for Life Summit scheduled for April 25, 2009 registration is now open on the MOPS website.
http://www.mops.org/page.php?pageid=1331&srctype=menu
Our Zone has 3 locations hosting the Summit: Manor Brethren in Lancaster PA, Willowdale Chapel in Kennett Square PA and Athens Wesleyan in Sayre. Hopefully, one of these locations is convenient for you and your Steering Team.
Please be sure to discuss this with your Team and plan to attend together.
Also, let your Council Coordinator know if you are going, so she can plan to see you there.
God Bless,
Christy