REMINDER ~ MOPS Training Call TONIGHT

REMINDER
Tonight (Thursday, February 4) is our next Dual Zone Conference Training call TOPIC: Leadership Relationships

***For ALL Steering Team Leaders***

SPEAKER: Nichole Bethel, AC Zone 22
DATE: Thursday, Feb 4, 2010
TIME: 8:30 - 9:15 pm

CALL-IN NUMBER: 218-339-2500
ACCESS CODE: 122231#

Please call in and have any questions, comments or concerns ready to share in the last 15 minutes of the call.

Give Thanks in All Circumstances

On December 23, 2009, our oldest son got up and took a shower. Our younger son got in the shower shortly after our oldest. As I started to wake up, I thought that our youngest just took the fastest shower EVER! I even commented to my husband that it had to be a record. Then the hustle and bustle of the morning didn't allow me the luxury of further thought.

Our oldest missed his bus and I was the lucky one to drive him to school. He usually misses the bus about 3-4 times a year and this was number 2. Actually, I do feel lucky to take him because we are alone in the car and can talk. We talked about Christmas, about school, but not a word was spoken about his shower this morning.

By the time I arrived back home, our younger son had left and my husband told me that he discovered why there was such a record time on the shower this morning. He said he took the coldest shower himself. As he left for work, he told me that he was planning to work a half a day and finish up some last minute Christmas preparations. I still was not at full thinking capacity and moaned that I would have to wait a good hour for the water to warm up. Off to work he went.

A friend called and I was telling her that I didn't want to get into the shower this morning and she commented that she hoped my pipes hadn't frozen especially since it was such a cold morning. My brain jump started at that point. When we got off the phone I began to put together all the pieces to the puzzle.

You see, 2 months after we had moved into our first home (we are in our 2nd home)over 10 years ago, our hot water heater cracked and had to be replaced. I ran down into the basement hoping and yes, praying, that I would not find a puddle...all...over...the...floor. UGH! The hot water heater had cracked and leaked all over.

Deep breath.

I picked up the phone and called my hubby, who turned around and came back home to see what needed to be done. Now it started to make sense the record shower and my husband's cold one. Although I was disappointed that neither of our sons had bothered to mention their showers and lack of hot water to either of us.

He called the company that had fixed our heater a year ago and had given us a very fair price. I was relatively calm as we moved some storage items and cleaned the puddle off the floor. After all, when this happened to us before the guys came and had replaced the hot water heater in the same day. Of course, it wasn't two days before Christmas. So I couldn't get my morning shower...I was planning to bake cookies all day anyway.

The repairmen didn't actually come until the afternoon and then they just confirmed what we already knew...we needed a new hot water heater. They wrote up a price estimate and my husband found it to be fair. I was so happy as I baked my cookies and they left. I told them I was so thankful that I would be able to get a hot shower tonight.

The guys never returned. They called my husband and said that they would have to get back to us in the morning. I did not have a good feeling about it.

Around 10 am we got a call from the company and they DOUBLED their estimate to install a new hot water heater and then told my husband that they would not be able to do the work that day...Christmas Eve.

Ohhhhhh, the emotions I went through when I heard all the news. Why didn't they tell us yesterday so we could have called someone else??? How do you find someone on Christmas Eve to come install a hot water heater???? How can this be happening at Christmas???? IT IS CHRISTMAS! I wanted to feel the spirit of Christmas, not feel like I was just visited by the Grinch. Then my brain started to really process. Wait! It is Christmas...I need to shower. I have laundry...dirty dishes. Do I really rely on hot water that much? You betcha!

I posted a plea on Facebook. Anyone want to help install a hot water heater? My hubby found out he could buy one at Home Depot, but he wasn't sure how to install it. We actually had VERY GOOD friends that lived 3 hours away respond and volunteer to come and help. I was overwhelmed. YES...there's the Christmas spirit. But realistically, we couldn't ask our friends to give up their Christmas Eve.

After several hours I was able to accept the fact that I was not going to be able to take a hot shower in my house before the Christmas Eve service. My husband started heating water on the stove and we washed dishes that way. I did a load of cold laundry to get some "needed" clothes cleaned.

I admit I did ask why it happened on December 23rd. I went through all the dates in my mind and couldn't think of a worse time to have it happen. I was standing at the edge of total self pity. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself. Then we had a neighbor volunteer to let us shower at their home...friends from church offered their bathrooms with hot water to us. As I started to teeter, they pulled me back. I started to realize all the things I had to be thankful for in my life. How lucky am I that I have my family, my friends, my home, heat, my God! We were going to celebrate the birth of Jesus with our church family and then spend several days with our families...exchanging gifts & eating good food. You know, I think I could even be thankful that our hot water heater broke at the most inconvenient time because it allowed me the opportunity to reflect on what is most important in my life.

So, I had no hot water...I had water. Good clean water. Thank you God!

We got some pots and heated up some water and one by one we took warm water sponge baths. Boy, if this was the worse thing that was going to happen to me....how lucky...how blessed am I?

Christmas morning we woke up...celebrated the day and headed to my parents' house. I got the best gift from them that day...a nice hot shower. I did truly appreciate that.

Seriously, I learned not to take my relationships for granted and to appreciate all I have. What a GREAT Christmas message.

Two days before New Year's Day, we went back home and a different company came to the house and installed our hot water heater for the first price that was quoted to us. I can now report that we have been taking nice warm showers every day of this new year.

Then the earthquake hits in Haiti. Families lost EVERYTHING. All that they owned. Families lost members of their families. There are orphans. People have no where to go, no where to live, no water, no food. Yet I read each day how even Haitians are finding things to be thankful for...a girl that is here in the US going to college lost her home and needs to get a job to pay for college, but her family is alive and they were able to leave the city and find somewhere to go. She is thankful that her family is alive.

I know it can be so hard to remember in our daily lives to give God thanks in all circumstances, but that is what he asks us to do.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 16-18

Dual Zone Training Conference Call ~ February 4th

Our next Dual Zone Training Conference Call is scheduled for Thursday, February 4, 2010

TOPIC: Leadership Relationships
***For ALL Steering Team Leaders***

SPEAKER: Nichole Bethel, AC Zone 22
DATE: Thursday, Feb 4, 2010
TIME: 8:30 - 9:15 pm

CALL-IN NUMBER: 218-339-2500
ACCESS CODE: 122231#

Please share this information with your whole Steering Team. Call in and support our Zone Area Coordinator, Nichole. There will be time after Nichole speaks for questions, comments, and concerns.

The 10th year...

All through December, I have been reflecting on the year 2009. It was a highlight year for me because my oldest children, three girls, turned 10 yrs old which means I've been on "Planet Moms" for a whole decade. Our family have been affectionately calling it "the 10th year", thanks to a friend who made the girls their own personal scrap book for their birthday with that as the title.

The 10th year did not come quickly. I distinctly remember thinking in the baby years that our diaper days would never end. I remember thinking in the toddler years that my children would never finish a meal where most of it did not end up on the floor. As we entered the school age years, just over five years ago, I thought I was on the road to success...they were all successfully potty trained, they helped me prepare meals, and were independent with completing their assigned chores around the house which made my job of mothering easier. However, homework and discussions around real life issues seemed to be the new season of it will never end.

I am more than ever aware that my husband and I are influencing these little lives to shape them into people who love the Lord for themselves and will commit their lives to advance God's kingdom. This reality makes me want to will time to slow down. I take every opportunity I get to stop and be "together" with my kids. Together, we read long books, take adventure hikes with no idea where we'll end up, and bake up some of the most amazing treats you've ever tasted. I know this next decade will speed by and it won't be long before they are graduating high school, walking down aisles committing to marriage, and achieving their life dreams. YIKES!!!

My saving grace comes from one of my favorite bible verses, Matt 6:33-34 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." I am humbly reminded in these verses that God will guide my steps during every stage of mothering. Knowing this brings forth a peace and comfort that can only come from our heavenly father. I am very grateful for this past decade and look forward to what the year 2010 will bring as my husband and I head into our next decade of parenting. "Together" I know we can make it! Write and share what you are looking forward to in the year 2010.

I pray you all have a blessed New Year,
Nichole, your AC

Sara Groves ~ O Holy Night Tour

Ok, so I am a big fan of Sara Groves and I missed having her perform at the MOPS Convention this year. (I guess they have to change it up...) Anyway, if there is someone out there that is a bigger fan it would have to be my husband, Dan. So, lucky me, I have seen Sara perform at two MOPS Conventions and at the last one I saw her, we were able to go to a dinner where Sara shared her testimony. I feel bad that Dan hasn't been able to experience it.

Sara was in Scotch Plains NJ last night (December 3rd)at Evangel Church and Dan and I were there. For those of you who go to concerts, you know how expensive it can get. The tickets for this concert were free. The concert was in a very comfortable (I don't think there were any bad seats) church sanctuary. It was a very intimate concert. Sara keeps her whole family involved too. Her hubby, Troy or "Mr. Sara Groves" as he called himself, introduced her and did all the "extra" sounds and noises for the songs. (If you've heard "Toy Packaging" you know there is some hammering and an electric screwdriver.) Her younger son, Toby, spoke during one of the songs, "It's True" (it is on her Christmas "O Holy Night" cd) and older son, Kirby, came on stage and shared his experience of visiting Rwanda with his parents over the summer and meeting his sponsored child. Their youngest daughter sat in the audience and was well-behaved. During intermission, the three kids were playing hide-and-seek in the pews and hid in our pew. I momentarily wished that we had brought Danielle because she would have joined right in on the fun. There were a lot of families and it was very kid friendly.

The concert started at 8 pm and the church's worship team performed some songs to warm up the audience. Sara was soon out with her band in their matching argyl sweater vests. I jokingly told Dan that I would be sure to get him one for Christmas this year. She mostly sang songs from her Christmas cd, but did sing some songs off of her newest "Fireflies and Songs" cd too.

So many moments within the concert that I want to comment on, but it is hard to choose one. I just felt how authentic Sara is with her life and her beliefs. She and her family are supporting Food for the Hungry and had information packets on children from the Rwandan village for people to sponsor. Sara reminded us that Christmas is about Jesus and I know I was grateful for the opportunity to sit and reflect on that. Too often in the past, Christmas has become all about shopping for me. I have been making a conscious effort to keep the focus of Christmas on Jesus and to be an example for my children.

I thank God that Dan and I had the opportunity to take a week day night and drive about an hour to the concert. It was a late night for us, we got home after 11, but it refreshed my soul and strengthened my resolve to truly celebrate Christmas this year.

One of the most interesting aspects of the concert for me didn't involve Sara directly. We sat on the side of the church behind the hearing impaired section. There were two women who each took turns signing the whole concert. At times I found myself fascinated by the signing. It was beautiful. I was really touched by it and especially appreciated the sign for angels singing. I feel as though I experienced an added dimension to a musical concert that I had never had. Seriously, words seem inadequate to describe the beauty. I was in awe and captivated.


Check out "I Saw What I Saw"

Also, for a lighter song, check out "Setting Up the Pins"

Hoping that you too can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas this year with your friends & family. If you attended the concert, please add your comments, I barely scratched the surface with my comments.

Christy

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