REMINDER: Conference Call TONIGHT

Hello MOPS Leaders!



Before you take a much deserved break for Thanksgiving with your family and friends, why not spend a bit of time with your MOPS co-leaders and friends?



I am talking about our DUAL ZONE CONFERENCE CALL for all leaders of Zones 14 and 22We look forward to hearing your voices on the call Monday evening. Here is the topic and call-in information you’ll need to join us on the call.

CROSS ZONE CONFERENCE CALL

FOR ALL LEADERS IN ZONE 14 & ZONE 22

When: Monday, November 23, 2009

Time: 8:30 until 9:15 PM

Topic: “Answer the Phone: It’s God Calling!”

Call Leaders:

Gayle Stahlman, AC Zone 14

Carrie Burtt, CC Zone 14

Call-in Number 712-432-0750

Access Code 313034#

Limited to the first 100 callers

We hope you will take time to join us!

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Inspiration

Hi All,

Nichole Bethel, our Zone 22 Area Coordinator, and her daughter, Olivia were on "Good Day Philadelphia" this past week because Olivia helped to collect 535 boxes. Olivia collects shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child for her BIRTHDAY! What a great example for all of us.



Thanks,
Christy

She Did What She Could (SDWSC)

She Did What She Could: Five words of Jesus that will change your life is the title of Elisa Morgan’s latest book. I was fortunate enough to purchase a copy at the MOPS Convention and read it on my plane rides home. The title comes from Mark 14:3-9 and I think it is important enough to include it here:

Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from the essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.

Some of those at the table were indignant. “why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.

But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them wheneve you want to. But you will not always have me. She did what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.

Jesus said “She Did What She Could”. Elisa Morgan introduced that phrase to all the MOPS Convention Attendees last year with her SDWSC pin. I really liked the idea of delving so deeply into that one phrase. The book is divided into 3 parts. Part one takes each word of She Did What She Could and examines it. Part 2 asks and examines each word of the question “What If I Did What I Could?”. Part 3 then finishes by asking and examining the We in the question “What If We Did What We Could?”

I have definitely read that passage from Mark in the Bible before, but never have I had someone focus my attention on that phrase from Jesus…”She did what she could.” There is some comfort there for me now after reading the book and a call to action. I know I can’t do EVERYTHING. Some days I get that SUPERMOM syndrome and really try to do it all and I end up not getting anything done; however, if I find what I am suppose to do and focus on that, then perhaps I too can hear Jesus say about me that “she did what she could”?

From the back of the book”

Most of us care. We really do. We care about poverty and injustice, about orphans and the sick. And yet, weighed down by everyday tasks of bringing home a paycheck, putting food on the table, and shuttling kids around, we question our ability to make a difference. Bombarded by one celebrity help-the-world-athon after another, we shrug our shoulders in futility and do absolutely nothing.

But what if we did….

Something?

Just one thing.

The thing that matters more than anything else in that solitary moment.

What if we did just that?

What if?
If nothing else, She Did What She Could encourages us to be aware of our actions and how they reflect Jesus to others.

Have you read it or want to read it? Share your comments and questions here.

Thanks,
Christy

Events Going on in Our Zone

The holidays are quickly approaching! Below are some exciting events that are guaranteed to make you sing, " It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas..."

The Go Fish Guys are coming to our Zone in 2 weeks!

Go Fish Christmas Concert

Venue: Hawthorne Gospel Church, Hawthorne, NJ
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Time: 2pm
For more information, call the church at 973-427-6960 or go to the following websites: www.hawthornegospel.com , www.gofishguys.com , www.itickets.com

Sara Gorves is coming to our Zone this December at two locations!

Sara will present her "O Holy Night" Christmas Concert:

Venue: Evangel Church, Scotch Plains, NJ
Date: Thursday, December 3, 2009
Time: 8pm (doors open at 7:30pm)

For more information, go to www.evangel.com

Venue: Hershey Free Church, Hershey, PA
Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Time: 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm)

For more information, go to www.hersheyfree.com

If you know of other exciting events around our Zone, please share them here.

reflections on beads, bracelets, and imperfection

When my MOPS group last met, we had a craft that involved making a bracelet using beads of a variety of colors and sizes and wire. Our Creative Activities Lead, Jill, told us the different colors of beads represented different things: pink/purple represents friends, green represents family, blue represents community, red represents self, and white represents God. One of the moms, Leah Weikel, sent this email to our Discussion Group later that day about the craft and I thought it inspirational. I got her ok to share it on the blog.

I have to admit that the perfectionist in me wanted to keep me from attempting the craft today--saying, "If you start to strand the beads now, you won't get it perfect. You need to categorize the beads first, according to size and shape and then find the pattern. It's really quite simple." However, the practical side of me said, "If you don't start now, it will never get done." So I began stranding beads together, trying to make an eclectic-but-elegant pattern. I didn't seem to find my groove, as I watched other moms quickly and talentedly express themselves through beadwork. Then I stopped thinking about it, and I just began to strand the beads, one by one, not paying too much attention to color and size, just kind of winging it. Then it happened. I found my pattern-- or my psuedo-pattern. It was more of a general theme than an actual pattern, and I managed to tell my inner perfectionist to, in nice terms, "be quiet." I wasn't able to finish my creation in that comfy, blue table-clothed room, so I had to take it home with me, hoping that all of my work thus far wouldn't come apart, unravel and flood my purse with tiny, shiny raindrops of glass.

I was lucky. I managed to make it to my parents' house, with both kids asleep in their car seats. As soon as I took my tiny tots to their beds at Nana's house, I was back at it-- back in the flow of the rhythm of the beads. It didn't take me long to finish. And, I was actually happy with my creation. Then I began to reflect on the meaning and purpose behind the craft. I looked at the juxtaposed beads, and then looked at their perspective meanings. Every so often I saw a large, red bead. This reminded me of last week's lesson, that in the middle of all of these important relationships I have, there is me. And it's ok-- even good--to take some time for me, in order to be a better mom, a better wife, a better friend. There is also a great big green bead on my bracelet, swirled with gold, reminding me of how precious my family is. The enormity of this bead also reminded me of how much time it takes to be a mommy, too! And every so often there are these simple, white beads, reminding me of how important it is to be refreshed by the Lord. And the fact that all of these beads are connected reminded me that we are all connected to each other, mom to friend, friend to family, family to community, community to God.

Hopefully you were able to enjoy the craft and were able to learn from a pile of beads and a piece of wire.

May blessings fall upon you like raindrops,
leah

Miss the Go Fish Guys this year?

Go Fish Christmas Concert!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
2p.m.
Hawthorne Gospel Church
2000 Route 208 Hawthorne, NJ 07506
973-427-6960
www.hawthornegospel.com
www.gofishguys.com
www.itickets.com
$10 each for groups of 10 or more
$12 in advance/$15 at the door
General Admission/No Refunds!

We are also having an event after the concert called "Christmas with a capital C". The guys will be signing autographs, there will be baked goodies to eat, crafts for the kids, face painting, hot cocoa, snow cones, sleigh rides, carolers. It will definitely get us all ready to enjoy this Christmas season.

MOPS Speaker

Hi Everyone!
I received this speaker recommendation from Karyn, Coordinator of Messiah MOPS in Downingtown PA.

Together Moms Can Help the Planet Speech – ‘I’m just one Mom? Can I really make a difference?’

Karen Fletcher has a BS in Environmental Science and tries to help the environment each day, which can be tough some days with 2 toddlers in tow. She gives small, practical, easy-to-apply ideas to help your MOPS moms make more environmentally friendly choices for their family! Her presentation includes examples of appropriate recyclable materials, examples of all natural products and a hand-out summarizing all the ideas presented. If given enough notice, she will research the specific recycling programs in your area. She presented her speech for the MOPS moms at Messiah Lutheran Church (Downingtown, PA) in September 2009. Please feel free to contact her at knfletchlives@verizon.net with any questions.

Reminder: If you have a great speaker that you would like to recommend to the MOPS groups in our Zone, please send the speaker's bio and information to me, pamopscm@aol.com to post to our blog.

The Multi-Use Product You NEED

WOW! I got this as the title of an email the other day. It gave me pause because I have been trying to focus myself on the differences between the things that I truly need and the things that I want. So, before I opened the email (here's a hint for you it was from totalBeauty.com) I reflected on a Bible passage that has been prevalent to me this past year. These verses may seem familiar to you if you listened to my talk in May on Choosing Leaders for Next Year. Matthew 6:19-34. This time I am using my Message Bible.

Don't hoard treasures down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or - worse! - stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.
If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion - do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers - most of which are never even seen - don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Ok, so that is a lot to digest.

The verse that speaks to me the most says "What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving."

Hmmm...so is there really a multi-product that I NEED. NO...maybe there is one that I WANT. There certainly are plenty that I use. I admit these verses tug on my heart more and more as I grow older. There are so many anti-aging products and foundations, blushes, eye shadows, lip glosses (see, I am thinking I NEED my lip gloss), eye pencils, hair color, and, well, I could go on and on.

So, I get this email and I am curious. What do I NEED now??? Oh, a Tinted Moisturizer. Of course, how have I lived so long without a tinted moisturizer???? Sigh, maybe, just maybe, I should TRY to live without that tinted moisturizer and turn my focus to God. What a step of faith!

Oh, Father God, to be like the birds and to be "careless in the care of God". As a mere human that is my goal...it is my struggle.

Ultimately, there is only one thing that I NEED and that is God. I NEED to "steep my life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions" and then I am free.

Whew, luckily I was able to delete that email, but will I delete the next temptation?

What do you struggle with as far as things you NEED versus things you WANT? Do you turn to God for discernment? Please share your thoughts with us.

Thanks,
Christy

Hmmm...which are you? Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee Beans?

Ok, everyone is so quiet on our blog. I do hope that someone is stopping by and reading my ramblings or I may start to hear an echo in here.

I was asked by the Coordinator of my MOPS group to do the Devotion for our meeting and I found that story on the Internet (actually if you do a search you will find it everywhere.) and then I found a pastor's sermon with the story integrated in it with scripture references and used that as my main source. Anyway, when I went to the site to provide a link I realized that they update the sermons each week and it is no longer there. Here is the church's website http://www.centralunitedmethodist.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=25216 and the sermon was written for Sunday, September 20, 2009 by Dr. Mark Key from Central United Methodist Church in Asheboro NC.
(Please keep in mind I changed some of it to fit in with my MOPS meeting.)

A young new mom went to her mom and told her that her life now was so difficult with the constant demands of a newborn and the lack of sleep and she went on and on about how hard things in her life were for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to just give up. She was tired and she was tired of struggling and fighting. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mom took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and place each one on a burner on high. Soon the pots started to boil. In the first pot she placed carrots, in the second pot she place eggs and in the last pot she place ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying anything.

In a few minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee beans out and poured it in a cup. And then she asked her daughter, "What do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs and coffee." She replied.

Her mom brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She noted that they were soft. Her mom told her to take the egg and break it. She observed a hard-boiled egg. Finally, she instructed her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. "What does all this mean?" asked the daughter.

Her mom explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. It thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior; but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique; however, after they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?" As a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

Sometimes we are like the carrot, aren't we? We become weak or soft. And sometimes we have been like the egg and become hardened in response to situations around us. We may still have a shell around us that looks normal, but inside we are bitter or stiff or have hardened hearts.

God invites us to a new way of living. God invites us to respond to all the situations around us with kindness and love. And when we do, he uses us to actually change the world around us. Just like the bean changed the hot water, God, in Christ living in us changes others through us.

So, I have been very conscience of my reactions to situations in my life. I do tend to be more like the carrot or the egg, but I really want to be a consistent coffee bean. Then I find this story in Neil Cole's book, Organic Leadership: Leading Naturally Right Where You Are on pages 142-143:
"Nancy Reagan once said women are like tea bags, you find out what they are made of when they are placed in hot water. This is true for all of us. The hot water of life will draw out whatever is within us, good or bad.
If Jesus has placed his love in you, that love will come out in the decisions you make. It will also be evident in the regrets you have for poorly made decisions. His love redeems all of our good choices as well as our bad."

Hmmmmm......

So much to reflect. Take a moment. Next "hot water" situation you find yourself in, pause, and decide if you are going to be the carrot, the egg, or the coffee bean.

God Bless,
Christy

REMINDER Conference Call Tonight at 8:30

Our Dual Conference Call is scheduled for TONIGHT October 8, 2009 from 8:30 - 9:15 pm.
Topic: Convention Highlights
Led by: Denise Kother, CC
Conference Call in #: 218-339-2500
Access Code: 122231#

Please plan to call in and have any questions ready for discussion!

Thanks,
Christy

Dual Zone Training Conference Call Date Set

Please mark your calendars and send a reminder email to ALL your Steering Team Members.

Our next call is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2009 from 8:30 - 9:15 pm.
Topic: Convention Highlights
Led by: Denise Kother, CC
Conference Call in #: 218-339-2500
Access Code: 122231#

Have any questions or topics you want answered or addressed, please let us know.

Thanks,
Christy

MOPS Convention 411 God

Finding that some days you don't have time to sit down and read your Bible? Check out one of the sponsors from this year's MOPS Convention ~ 411 God. They will send a one-minute Bible verse to your phone or email at the time of day you specify. Try it!

Here's a video that gives you details:
Quick Time

Here's the website for 411 God:

http://www.411god.net/



God Bless,
Christy

MOPS Convention

Hello!

Well, I made it back home safe from Convention on Sunday evening. Got in around 5 pm and spent some quality time with my family and then, before I knew what was happening, my husband and oldest son, Chris, packed up the car and left at 7 pm to go spend the night in a hotel (4-5 hour drive away) for a college visit the next morning.
STOP!
Wait, I just got home...can't life just stop or at least slow down to let me catch up...NO WAY, not on Planet Mom. I am sure you all know what that is like. I know from talking to other leaders at Convention that there were a multitude of things that we were all going home to that day. Unfortunately, on Monday morning (as Kendall so rightly phrased it in our General Session) Matt Redman was not knocking on my door that morning to sing worship songs with me. aw, shucks (snap my fingers)

Our Zone had about 77 moms attend this year's Convention and it was a pleasure to connect with some of you during our First Link Cafe time on Friday. If I didn't get a chance to say "hi!" I apologize. So much to do in so little time...how often do we feel like that too? Convention was a whirlwind of inspiring music, touching talks, incredible speakers, lots of new friends and connections, and, of course, good times with friends.

I will have some stories about Convention that I want to share with you over the next week and I am HOPING and PRAYING that you will share your stories with us here too. If you have a Convention story or lesson learned that you want to share, email it to me and I will post it or you can put it in the Comments. (where are the comments...is anyone else out there...hello, hello???!!) Also, if you did not attend Convention, but want to share your MOPS story with us, please do so.

Before I sign off, I wanted to let everyone know that the MOPS Leadership for Life Summit is scheduled for April 17, 2010 (save the date now & let your Steering Team know) and is titled "PASSION: Simple Courage in the Everyday". We are hoping to have several locations host this event within our Zone. If your church has CCN, please prayerfully consider being a host. We will be giving you more information in the coming weeks.

Next year's MOPS International Convention is scheduled for August 5-7 and it is back in Nashville! How exciting that MOPS leaders now have an opportunity to attend Convention and take back what you have learned and apply it to your MOPS meetings before the year has started!

Mark your calendars!

Hope to hear from you,
Christy

ATTENTION: Convention Attendees

WHO: Any or all MOPS leaders

WHY: To share craft projects, publicity samples, etc., any ideas that make MOPS easier – better – more fun

WHEN: Thursday/Friday/Saturday of Convention. Drop off items anytime on Thursday; pick up anytime after 3:00 Saturday.

WHERE: In the First Link Café

The Show ‘n Tell Tables will be along the rear wall of the First Link Café.
Leaders, you can bring multiple copies of your ideas for people to take or just one sample for display. It’s a good idea to have e-mail addresses on the samples so others can contact you easily.


Need more information? Contact Elizabeth Bollinger, violawind@bluemarble.net or Michelle Flaherty, michelleflaherty@comcast.net

WE NEED PICTURES!!

Hello!

This year's MOPS theme verse is from Matthew 18:20 "Where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them." For the MOPS Convention our Zone, Zone 22, will have a table available for us in the First Link Cafe, which will be located in the Resource Area of the Convention Center. The Field Leaders in Zone 22, including me, are putting together a personalized Zone centerpiece and we could really use your help. If you have pictures of your MOPS group that can be emailed, please choose 1-5 and email them to me at pamopscm@aol.com no later than Wednesday, September 16th. Then you will have to be sure to stop at our First Link Cafe Zone 22 table on Friday, September 25 from 3:45 - 4:30 pm and see what we have created just for you. If you are not going to Convention this year, please send pictures and we will be sure to take pictures of our Zone 22 centerpiece and share them with the Zone right here on our blog!

Thank you,
Christy

MOPS CONVENTION

Well, the MOPS Convention is only days away....are you going? If yes, are you excited? The Field Leaders in Zone 22 want to know if you are going to the MOPS Convention. Please be sure to let your Council Coordinator (CC) or our Area Coordinator (AC), Nichole Bethel, know that you will be there.
MOPS International is doing something a little different this year. They will have an area called First Link Cafe in the Resource Hall at Convention. There will be tables and chairs and our Zone will have an area just for us!
We are all scheduled to meet at the First Link Cafe on Friday from 3:45 - 4:30 pm. PLEASE put that on your schedule and be sure to stop by and see us! This time is for us to connect as a Zone and (I am pretty sure) we will have some goodies for anyone who comes!

I hope and pray that your first MOPS meeting goes well for you, your Steering Team, and your moms! Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Hope to see YOU in Nashville,

Christy

Community

Community... What does that mean to you? How are you using the idea of community within your Steering Team and within your MOPS group this year. Please share...

I found this in an article in the August/September issue of Catalyst Leadership digital magazine.(from ChristianityToday.com) The article was titled Growth in the Gutter: Cultivating Spiritual Formation in a Community of Addicts by John Burke under the header Rigorous Honesty:
"The only thing we must do is stay connected. But we don't do this naturally, so creating the right environment, where we can best stay connected to God's spirit is critical. It starts with grace-filled, authentic relationships that make it okay to admit struggles, failure, and sin. James tells us God uses this kind of confessing, praying culture to heal us (James 5:16).

To read the article in its entirety, go to Catalyst Leadership http://www.catalystleadershipdigital.com/
The article is on page 14.

From Juicebox to Jesus ~ Taking Discussions to a Spiritual Level

Hi!
How is your summer going? I know for one thing it is going...We are at the end of July already. If you missed our Dual Training Conference Call on July 14th, you can call in and listen to the recording. Here is the information. If you listened or do listen, please share any thoughts or comments here with us...if there is anyone out there...

From Juicebox to Jesus - Taking Discussions to a Spiritual Level
Leader: Tina Skiles, Council Coordinator Zone 14
Playback number is (712) 432-1080
Access code is 313034#

Encouragement

My oldest son, Chris, is about to turn 17 and has his driver's permit and will be a senior in high school. He is a quiet young man and it takes some time and concentrated work to have a meaningful conversation with him. Luckily, we have had a couple while in the car together. He has been playing the trumpet since 4th grade and is in the high school marching band, concert band, and orchestra. Together we went to his Music Banquet at the end of the school year. While there two other trumpet players told Chris that he should apply for the Section Leader position. I asked him about it and wondered if he was going to apply. He said that he thought about it, but probably wouldn't do it. I wanted to know why he wouldn't especially since two trumpet players thought he would do a good job. I told him he shouldn't focus on "what if I don't get it" and focus more on "how can I be a good Section Leader". I thought the main reason he didn't apply was that he was afraid that he would "fail" and not get it. There were 5 people applying for the 2 positions, so 3 people were going to be disappointed. He did apply and was interviewed. Would he have if I hadn't encouraged him? I am not sure.

Well, he did not get the position. Ugh! It is so much easier when my child succeeds because I can be genuinely happy and give all kinds of encouraging words. It is more work to deal with the failures, but when I look at those failures I try to help him focus on what he has learned and how he has grown from the experience. I hope and pray that maybe next time he won't need my encouragement to try for something he wants and go for it. I am not sure.

Guess what? Right after he didn't get the section leader position, I found out that a position that I had applied for was given to someone else. I knew EXACTLY how Chris was feeling. There is a wave of emotions that go through you when you feel you have "failed". It is much easier to say all the "hope you feel better" cliches to my son then to swallow them myself. "You are qualified for the postion, there must have been another reason you didn't get it", "God has a plan for you and you have to have faith in him and it", and "Just because you didn't get this doesn't mean you should give up". Suddenly, all my "words of wisdom" sounded so hollow to me. What a wake up call.

I sat down with him and I apologized to him. I told him I was so sorry that he didn't get the position and that I knew how he felt. I told him what happened to me. I asked if he was angry, and he admitted he was a little angry. I asked if he was wondering if there was something wrong with him, and he admitted he did lose some of his self-confidence. I asked him if he would continue to go after what he wanted, and he admitted he wasn't sure. I told him we both needed to pray. After we prayed together, I told him that I hoped that he would still be willing to go after something that he wanted regardless of whether he would succeed or fail. I am not so sure. I do know this though, I will always be there to encourage him, pray for him and with him, and to love him whether he succeeds or fails.

He just got home from a Mission Trip with my husband and our church to the Dominican Republic. Our Associate Pastor asked him to give his testimony on their last day there at the church service. He wrote 3 pages in his notebook talking about how much his experiences in the Dominican Republic have helped him grow in his relationship with God. I had tears in my eyes when he let me read it. The verse that he focused on is from Jeremiah 29:11 (New Living Translation) For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

God is so amazing!

Hope you are having a good summer!
Christy

Dual Zone Training Conference Call Date Set

Our next Dual Zone Training Conference Call date has been set. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!

Call Date: Monday, July 20, 2009
Call Time: 8:30 - 9:15 PM
Call-In Number: 712-432-0750
Participant Access: 313034#

TOPIC: "From Juicebox to Jesus" - Taking Discussions to a Spiritual Level
Leader: Tina Skiles, Council Coordinator Zone 14

All Coordinators, DGLs, and MOPS Mentors are strongly encouraged to participate. All other steering positions are welcome too!