FAVORITE THINGS! April 5, 2014

April 4, 2014 we had another fantastic meeting! The wonderful  ladies from CUMC were here to sign kids and volunteers up for VBS June 23-27. Please do so if you haven't already! It will be a great time!!!

We enjoyed another delicious breakfast this week brought by the green table (and Liz- thank you!) 

Cori  informed us about Kids College $65/session for 2 weeks with daily 1 hr classes at WCJC. This is a wonderful and cheap day camp including academic and fun classes!

Amanda reminded us of young life formula/diaper drive. Come together as a table for a plan to get together to get donation to bring to next meeting.

This Sunday, April 6th we will meet at Oyster Creek Park for our annual MOPS family picnic!  Bring the kids, the husbands, a few chairs, some toys, food, and drink and join us from 4pm.  In the event of rain, we will cancel.  See you there!

This was one of everyone's favorite meetings as it was full of all our favorite things! Before divulging into all the wonderful things to share, Cintia led us in another blessed devotional reviewing last meeting's prayer journal challenge with Meredith and Cindy sharing how they have gotten into routines and organizing their prayer life to start and end their days more blessed. Cintia encouraged us that even though it may be difficult to put our secret concerns of our hearts into writing where they can be seen, writing it down can help with memory.

 She helped us get a better understanding of devotionals and how setting time of quiet reflection with God and now in the technological world there are a lot of online/app choices including Jesus Calling & Daily Bread that are quick and easy giving a verse, meaning and reflexion. She encourages us that devotionals can help us grab a hold of God and raise our children to do the same. Have him in your life/ a relationship incorporated into daily schedule. Repetition of prayers and verses for even babies...as they learn to speak they can recite it back and they will stay with then.  Time with God can comfort you, give perspective and direction. God wants to love on you. Just need to come to him. 

Then we got to share all our favorite things and socialize with each other. Some add ins included 

Original sprouts product line - hair and body baby wash, buy online or central market that includes a Natural curl calmer and smells great! It is expensive but smells "like Heaven" . The Wetbrush- doesn't pull hair! No one really knows why but it works!!! The talented and fashionable Aleini gave us a hair demonstration on the Sock bun & head band hair-do. She uses only a little help from you-tube to always look fabulous! Another great write in was "potty mouth spray" that is really just a breath freshener but works as a great deterrent for those "sassy" kid mouths. It can be purchased at the register of Magnolia House next to Kroger.

If you missed the meeting and would like the official list of "favorite things", please email Liz Brown at lizbrown2002@hotmail.com.

As always our meetings are an amazing way to start the weekend!

Next meeting is April 25th with the blue table up for breakfast.  Have a blessed Easter with your families!

Recap of March 21st Meeting

Hi all!

Friday brought with it another wonderful meeting.  Many thanks to the yellow table for providing another fantastic breakfast.

Our meeting started with Jessica Forray leading us in an awesome workout!  Jessica owns two franchises that focus on fitness classes for busy moms.  To learn more about her fitness programs (and even sign up to try one!) contact Jessica at jessica.forray@babybootcamp.com or visit:

http://babybootcamp.com/Default.aspx?pageid=1021&mid=109&fid=674&visdate=3%2F16%2F2014+12%3A00%3A00+AM

 

 

Sue Lange from CUMC came to speak to us on behalf of Fort Bend Seniors, a Meals on Wheels program designed for home bound seniors in need.  This worthy cause is in desperate need of volunteers to deliver meals and spend a little quality time with a very special and deserving population.  To learn more, visit www.FortBendSeniors.org or contact the coordinator, Ranett Ramazetti-Montemayor at ranett@fortbendseniors.org.

 

Many thanks to Breanne Ward who answered our leftover burning questions from our talk on nutrition with Heather Reichert.  She did an awesome job!

Cintia Listenbee gave us another thought provoking devotional about journaling our prayers.  Her advice is to follow a PRAYER:

Practice

Releasing

Anxieties

Yielding

Expecting a

Result

 

To see more of her talk, check out her blog here: http://www.simplycintia.com/2014/03/how-to-journal-your-prayers.html

 

Mark your calendars for the MOPS picnic on Sunday, April 6th from 4:30pm to 7:30pm.  We will meet at Oyster Creek Park.  Bring your own chairs, food, beverages, and activities.  Last year this was a great opportunity for us to relax, chat, and for our children and husbands to play and get to know each other.  You don't want to miss it!!!!

 

Our next meeting is on April 4th and it is one of the most popular meetings of the year, MOPS favorite things!!! If you submitted a favorite thing to Cori Atkins, please remember to bring it with you.  Green table is up for breakfast.  See you all then!!!

February 28th Meeting Highlights!

What a great meeting we had for the last day of February!  Thanks to the Orange table for a great breakfast.

Our meeting started with our fabulous speaker Heather Reichert, Registered Dietitian. 

She talked to us about obesity trends, and how it is really becoming such an epidemic, and some things we need to start and STOP doing so that we can be healthier!  Below are some highlights from Heather's discussion:

What Are We Doing Wrong?

We don't drink enough water
We don't eat enough fiber
We eat too much sugar/refined flour
Our portions are too large
We eat too many processed foods
We don't eat enough fresh foods
We don't get enough activity

We need to incorporate resistance training.  As we age we lose muscle mass so it is very important to start doing what we can to keep what we have.  Try to eat food that has 10% or less sodium content.  Remember: Over 70% of disease is preventable through good nutrition.

Please visit Heather's web site at www.heatherreichert.com or like her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/coachheathershealthyhabits


This week Kathleen Randall talked with us about her journey in MOPS and what is has meant to her.  Each year is a little different and a little better and here are six things Kathleen has learned from MOPS:

1. She can make an egg casserole without evening looking at a recipe!
2. Adults need to share too -  we all seem to offer up our time or possessions when someone needs something.
3. You get out what you put in - get involved and don't just go to the meetings, go to the socials.
4. Ask for help when you need it
5. The grass isn't always greener - all journeys are different
6. Never doubt that one person or idea can change things

Upcoming Events

• March 4th (Tuesday) and March 5th (Wednesday) - Park Social at Lost Creek Park around 9:30.  Check our Facebook page because the weather could cause a location change.  A notification will go out if that happens.
• No meeting week of Spring Break
• March 21st - Next MOPS meeting.  This is our exercise meeting, so get ready to sweat, and then eat!
• April 6th - Sunday Family Picnic at Oyster Creek Park around 4:30.  More details to come later, but please put this on your calendar! It should be a lot of fun.

Don't forget the Houston Rodeo is going on March 4-23!

The Yellow Table is on breakfast duty for our next meeting so see you there!  We only have one meeting in March on the 21st. Have a great Spring Break.

February 14th Recap

Hi all!

Valentine's Day brought another great meeting for the MOPS!  Thanks to the red table for the awesome breakfast!

We spent the meeting relaxing in our PJs and getting to know our new table-mates.  We did some ice breakers about dating/gifts/vacations and several people walked away with $10 gift cards to Town Center for their great ideas!  We also got to hear some sweet messages (and see some goofy photos) from our hubbies!

February 20th is the Young Lives dinner.  Please check the Sign Up Genius on Facebook if you need a reminder of what you are bringing.  Contact Amanda Gates with any questions (amanda.gates9@gmail.com).

Cori Atkins is organizing a happy hour for all current MOPS and alumni at Blu in Town Center (across from Flying Saucer) at 6:30pm on Tuesday, February 25th.  This will be a great opportunity to catch up with everyone!  www.blusugarland.com

March 21st is the MOPPET teacher appreciation day.  We used some of our surplus money from the auction to purchase a $20 gift card to a store of each teacher's choosing.  Cintia Listenbee was asking for 15 volunteers to bring food for breakfast for them at that meeting.  Contact Cintia (zekencintia@gmail.com) if you can help out!

Cintia gave us another wonderful devotion about filling our "Love Tank".  Her talk was based on the work of Dr. Gary Chapman (The 5 Love Languages).  If you missed it, here it is:

http://www.simplycintia.com/2014/02/love-as-fuel.html



Renata helps Cintia demonstrate how we fill our "love tank".


Congratulations to the Mistretta family on their beautiful new addition, Bode Richard Gregory Mistretta!  Little Bode made his arrival on February 12th and came in weighing 8lbs, 5oz, 21.75 inches. Rest up, Lana and we hope to see you and meet him soon!

Our next meeting is Friday, February 28th.  Orange table is up for breakfast.  See you all then!

January 31st Recap

Hi all!  Friday was another great MOPS meeting.  Many thanks to the purple table for breakfast!  It was delicious!  An extra-special thanks to those who brought Paleo-friendly items! :-)  You rock!

We would like to send out a HUGE thanks to our Mentor Moms for helping out with child care at the January 17th meeting.  You lovely ladies take such great care of us and we appreciate you so very much!!!

February 20th is our second dinner that we are providing for Young Lives.  We were all asked to participate in one of these dinners, so if you did not participate in the Thanksgiving feast you are up! We will need some volunteers to be there that night to help serve the dinner and set-up.  If you've never been to a Young Lives meeting, it is something very special.  Amanda Gates has a Sign-Up Genius going here:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4CA8AA2FA46-February

Amanda is also gathering information for East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry's Souper Bowl of Caring event in March.  Stay tuned for more information! http://www.souperbowl.org/

The monthly social with kids will be Tuesday, February 4th and Wednesday, February 5th at the Playscape at Sugar Creek Baptist Church from 9:30am-11am.

Heather Lovell led the Secret Sister reveal at our meeting.  If you participated in Secret Sisters and you were not able to attend the meeting, be sure to reveal yourself to your "sister" at our next meeting.

Meg Ruffing led us in a fabulous craft making nest necklaces.  They are super cute!  Thank you Meg!!!

 

 

 

As always, we were treated to a wonderful devotional by Cintia Listenbee.  If you missed the meeting, you can read it here: http://www.simplycintia.com/2014/01/friendship-as-fuel.html

 

Our next meeting is Valentine's Day!  Liz's gift to us is to have a "Day of Relaxation." Come to the meeting in your pj's (and bring your kids in their pj's too!) and use the time however makes you happy!  You can bring games from home, bring some nail polish and give yourself a manicure, bring magazines, bring an unfinished project and complete it while you chat with your new table members!  It's your day momma, enjoy it! 

 

Finally, we have some fabulous new faces in our group.  Meet them here!

Lauren Newton, Sarah Smith, Brooke Hudson, Whitney Moody, Christie Bergeron (with sweet Evie)
Not pictured: Lauren Shapiro, Lynn Shearer, Mila Nyaga, Lindsey Prouada

 



Our next meeting is Friday, February 14th.  Red table is up for breakfast.  We are switching tables, so if you do not know where to go, consult Julia's spreadsheet on Facebook.  Hope all the sick kiddos (and sick mommies) are feeling better real soon.  Take care of yourselves! 

Christmas by Candlelight Recap

We had a wonderful Christmas by Candlelight Meeting!  We enjoyed a delicious catered breakfast in a beautifully decorated room.  Each table was unique and filled with Christmas spirit thanks to the hard work of our Discussion Group Leaders and Steering Team.  A big thank you for all of their hard work spent planning and decorating!  Also a big thank you to Kathie Kelly for the slide show displaying all of our beautiful families throughout the meeting!

 

Tricia Zody, a friend of Cintia, joined us for the meeting and sang several Christmas Carols.  She then shared a message describing her life experiences as a mother and a woman of God.  She offered great advice, tips and reminders.  She really encouraged us to remember that this season when our children are very young is so short and we should cherish it.

 

Announcements:

·        The end of the first semester of MOPS is February 14^th.  Please notify Julia Steinhaus if you are not interested in being in MOPS again for the second semester.  Dues will be due again if you will be continuing for the rest of the year.  Julia will be posting the link to register for the second semester soon.

·        OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY: MOPS provided a $200 gift card to a family in the community who lost their mother in a car accident.

·        A cookie exchange will be held at Christ United Methodist Church Sunday Dec 15^th.  If you would like to participate, please bring 3 dozen cookies.   You will enjoy cookies at the party and also take some home.  Cookies will also be donated from the event.  Childcare is available if you sign up in advance.  Please contact Kathleen Randall if you have questions.

·        Cori Atkins hosted a Wrapping Party at her house on Tuesday! 

·        The Painted Bowls event is coming up as a part of the Super Bowl of Caring.  The event benefits East Fort Bend Human Needs.  Bowls are painted and then donated and auctioned off.  Several MOPS ladies participated last year and really enjoyed it.  More details to come!

·        Young Lives are having their Christmas celebration on Dec 12^th.  If you would like to help you can sign up to drive or help with childcare.  There is also a sign up genius to help with the Christmas Wish List created by the girls in the group.

Amanda shared that the Thanksgiving Meeting at Young Lives was a huge success.  We provided plenty of food and several of the girls were able to take some food home as well.  A big thank you for all who provided food and helped serve at the meeting.  Honey Baked Hams donated $200 worth of ham for the event!  Please support their business over the holidays if you are able.  It is the location located in Sugar Land near Sugar Land Town Center.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!!  Our next meeting is January 17^th!

Recap of November 15th Meeting

Hello ladies!

November 15th was another fabulous meeting.  Thank you so much to the blue table for the amazing breakfast!

Renata Smith and Cintia Listenbee started the meeting with their top 10 recaps from MOMcon 2013.  If you missed it, here they are:

1. What keeps you feeling like a masterpiece?  Positive thinking and focusing on the positive, not the mess (beautiful as it may be!) http://www.handsfreemama.com/2013/11/17/cleaning-up-the-heart-break/
2. Get organized and never organize alone.
3. Kathi Lipp's (www.kathilipp.com) organizational tips-- "The only difference between a project and a crisis is time!"

1. Work backwards--care for your future self.
2. Apply pressure when needed-start with the place that makes you crazy.
3. Wait for a path to appear.
4. Never organize alone.
5. Treat your home like a grown-up kindergarten room-establish a routine of where things go.
6. 3 boxes, 2 bags: green-give away, purple-put back, orange-other rooms, paper bag-recycling, trash bag-trash.
7. Make a decision, even if it's wrong. Clutter is indecision.
8. It's your house, you make the rules.

4. Writing and sharing stories--telling stories is more effective than preaching.
5. Let jealousy be your teacher-make connections vs. comparisons.
6. Save on your grocery bill! http://www.simplycintia.com/2013/10/how-to-save-money-on-your-grocery-bill.html
7. Renata attended a hospitality workshop where she learned about a "Wrap & Relax" party where friends gather to wrap presents and visit.  We all LOVED this idea, so mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 10th at 7pm.  We will meet at Cori Atkins's house (4930 Moss Run Dr., Missouri City, TX 77459).  Bring your gifts, wrapping paper and paraphernalia, and beverage of choice!
8. Cintia attended a session on MOPS essentials.  Find out more about how MOPS started at www.mops.org.
9. How to eliminate your energy drainers (the 5 D's):

1. Do it--do only what you can do.
2. Delegate
3. Dump it
4. Detach
5. Discern-think about what God wants you to do. 

10. Who puts life into living for you? Finding things that feed your soul outside motherhood.
http://momastery.com/blog/2013/11/22/little-girls-get-get-eat/

Thanks to Cintia and Renata for the fantastic recap!  If MOMcon sounds like fun (and trust me, it IS), next year's is October 2-4 in Louisville, KY.  Registration opens in January! http://www.mops.org/momcon

 

 

Thank you to all who participated in Operation Christmas Child! Thank you to Amanda Gates for dropping off our boxes!

 

In January, we will have a paramedic come and speak with us about common issues first responders are faced with.  He will NOT be able to dispense specific medical advice.  Cori Atkins is organizing a group CPR/First Aid class at CUMC for us to take prior to his visit.  Stay tuned for more info!!!

 

If you are participating in Secret Sisters and have not received anything from your sister yet, please contact Heather Lovell (llovells@earthlink.net).

 

Send your family/kid pictures to Kathie Kelly for the Christmas meeting!  kathiekelly@hotmail.com

 

Thank you to all who came to the Couple's Social--it was TONS of fun!

 

Thank you to Amanda Gates and all who brought food and served at the Young Lives Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a great success!

 

The rest of our meeting was spent under the careful tutelage of Meg Ruffing as we made our Christmas wreaths!

 

 

At the end of our meeting, Kathleen Randall shared a recent find that she discovered about how to have a more simple and mindful holiday.  The book is Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas by Bill McKibben. 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Dollar-Holiday-Joyful-Christmas-ebook/dp/B00AK9ISCS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385138955&sr=8-1&keywords=hundred+dollar+holiday

 

 

Our next meeting is December 6th.  This is our Christmas by Candlelight meeting and it is very special.  We will be meeting upstairs in room 210/211.  Feel free to dress up since this is a special meeting.  The breakfast will be catered and we will have a very special guest.  You don't want to miss it!

 

 

Y'all, we have some SERIOUS talent!

 





 

 



November 1st meeting

Hello Ladies!

Well, we started off the month of Thanks with a great meeting! Big thanks to Green table for a FABULOUS breakfast! I also need to give thanks for this blog because if I wasn't set to write it this week I would have easily given in to a "reason" to miss but I really needed to hear our wonderful speaker!

Holly Wright blessed us all with her testimony, sharing her heart and relationship with God. You can continue to follow Holly on her blog www.forthebrokenhearted.org.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please check the MOPS closet for items left behind as Liz reminded us how full it is getting.

Infant massage classes happening Mondays at 9:45 am or 6pm at CUMC. To register call or email Kim Ripley at 281-690-4765 or kimr@cumcsl.org

Amanda reminded us of Young Lives Thanksgiving meeting where we will be providing the meal for approximately 50 people. The sign up is posted on Facebook for the 6:30 meeting at Parkway on November 21st.

Kathie Kelly has requested will all send 2 (no more) pictures of our children/families for the Christmas meeting that will be held upstairs and is certain to be a special morning! Email pictures to kathiekelly@hotmail.com.

If you haven't had a chance to pay Meredith for auction items please do so.

Reminders for next meeting November 15th:

-Bring your shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
-Craft meeting on the 15th to make gorgeous wreaths under the direction of the talented Meg! Please being supplies such as ribbon, flowers, burlap, ornaments, embellishments, etc. Get creative :)
 -Couple's social will follow later that evening from 6-8 for only $30/couple including child care! This fun evening will also be held upstairs so we have more space.

As always, we ended with a wonderful prayer full of praises and concerns.

Our next meeting is November 15th.  Blue Table is up for breakfast.

Have a wonderfully blessed week!

October 18th MOPS Meeting

Hello all!  We had a great meeting this Friday.  Thanks to the Yellow table for a fabulous breakfast!

Happy Birthday to all of our October birthday ladies: Catherine Kubala, Kathleen Randall, Lynnette Thompson, Melissa Bland, Jessica Forray, Constance Ritter, Christy Grover, Anne Leder

We had a fantastic time at Dewberry Farm on Monday!  We could not have asked for better weather!

 

 

On November 15^th MOPS will be hosting a couple’s social at Christ United Methodist Church.  Bring your husbands!  The price is $30 per couple.  This includes a fabulous Italian dinner and childcare!  Please bring your money to the next meeting if you want to go.  It was a lot fun last year! 

It's time again for Operation Christmas Child!  Amanda Gates is organizing this year and gave a great example of how to get your Christmas boxes started.   These boxes are delivered all over the world to children who otherwise might not receive anything at Christmas.    Flyers were passed out with more information.    You can start with a shoe box or a plastic container the size of a shoe box.  Then you can determine if you want to make the box for a boy or girl.  Next pick an age group: 2-4 years old, 5-9 years old, or 10-14 years old.  Fill the box with goodies such as small toys, school supplies, hygiene items, or candy that doesn’t melt.   Please do not include any war-related items (toy guns, military figures), no liquids or lotions, no medications, no vitamins, nothing breakable, no aerosol cans.  If you have any specific questions about what can or cannot go in the box please ask Amanda Gates!   The dollar store and the Target dollar bins are a great place to find items for your box.  After you fill your box you will need to include $7 for shipping.  You can do this online which will allow you to track your box and find out where in the world it is delivered.  Check out: www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.  Or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note OCC on the memo line).  Put the check in an envelope at the top of your box.   You can bring your boxes to either meeting in November (Nov 1st or 15th).

We collected $80 for Young Lives through the coin bucket!  Thanks for your donations!

The Silent Auction was a huge success!  Thank you so much to those that planned and organized such a great event!  We raised $1, 512 for MOPS.  Thanks to those that participated as well!  It was a fun night.  If you have not paid for your items please get your money to Meredith.  Congratulations to our MOPS VIPs: Leah, Anne, and Christy!

Liz Brown led us in a great activity to discover new authors and resources to help us navigate through motherhood.  Here are some of the authors and resources she shared:

·         Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst

http://www.amazon.com/Unglued-Making-Choices-Midst-Emotions/dp/0310332796

·         Out of the Spin Cycle by Jen Hatmaker

http://www.amazon.com/Out-Spin-Cycle-Devotions-Lighten/dp/0800734483

·         Makeover

·         www.mops.com

·           www.3thingsformom.com This includes a truth, tip, and a find

·         Carry On Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton  (This is Liz’s favorite)

http://www.amazon.com/Carry-Warrior-Thoughts-Unarmed-ebook/dp/B008J4GRTM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382622853&sr=1-1&keywords=glennon+doyle+melton

·         Momastery: this can be found on facebook and is done by the author of Carry On Warrior

www.momastery.com

·         www.handsfreemama.com

·         Proverbs 31 ministries

www.proverbs31.org

Constance Ritter led us in a great devotional entitled “I am Not Alone” from Proverbs 31 ministries.  She encouraged us to remember we are surrounded by a network of other moms.  She shared her personal experience and reminded us that it is okay to pray for friends to help us through this journey!

Next meeting is November 1st!  Green table is up for breakfast!  Have a spooky Halloween!!!!

October 4th Recap

We had another wonderful meeting and as usual breakfast was awesome!  Thanks, orange table!

Get ready for some shopping!!!  Our Boo-tacular Bizarre is this Wednesday, October 9th from 6:30 - 9:00 pm.  We have a lot of great items like purses, clothes and jewelry.  We had a couple of people eyeing the same items - but let's keep it civil ladies - you can fight with your checkbook.  The highest bid wins!  If the spirit moves you, dress up in your best Halloween attire.  Come out for a great night of shopping and time without the kids!

Our next social is planned for October 21st at Dewberry Farm.  The cost is $7 for adults and kids 3 and over.  Kinds under 3 are free!  We need at least 15 adults, so please sign up.  It should be a lot of fun.  Plan to bring your own food; however, you can purchase food out there.  This is a great place for the kids to run and go crazy and get rid of some energy. If you want to caravan, plan to meet at Christ Church no later than 8:45.  The caravan is leaving the Church at 9:00 am - sharp!  Please be on time as we have to enter Dewberry Farms as a group and we don't want anyone left behind.  Please pay by check or cash and get your money to Cori!  Visit www.dewberryfarm.com for more information.

The month of October is our diaper and formula drive for Young Lives.  If you can donate something, please bring to the next meeting.  Remember how much these girls need our support!  A suggestion was made to put money into a 'table pot' and having one table member buy on behalf of everyone.

The St. Catherine of Sienna Pumpkin Patch is now open!  The patch is located at 4747 Sienna Parkway (behind the levy) and is open every day from 10am-7pm until Halloween.  This is a fantastic place to take photos!  The pumpkin proceeds go to a great cause so come and check it out!

Once again, Cintia gave a wonderful, thought provoking devotional.  This week was about Godly thought patterns and 'How to Recognize, Change and Manage Thought Patterns'.  A most notable quote from her devotional and words to think of and remember:

“Watch your Thoughts; for they become Words. Watch your Words; for they become Actions. Watch your Actions; for they become Habits. Watch your Habits; for they become your Character. Watch your Character; for it becomes your Destiny.”

 

Our meeting ended with everyone getting crafty!  We decorated adorable sippy cups to give to the young ladies at Young Lives.

 

Meet our wonderful Mentor Moms!  We are so blessed to have these great women in our group!

Top: Sue Bridges, Nancy Burford
Middle: Colleen Flint, Jennifer Wells, Evelyn Smith
Bottom: Jan Santoro, Amy Young
Not Pictured: Sunday Coffman



The next meeting is Friday, October 18th and the yellow table is on breakfast duty.  See you there!

One last thing: everyone get ready to say "Awwww..." in 3....2.....1:

Sept 20th Recap

Hello all!  Friday was another fabulous MOPS meeting. Many thanks to the Red Table for the wonderful breakfast spread!

The bulk of our meeting was devoted to learning more about our Missions ministry, Young Lives.  Cheslee Escobedo gave us a wonderful talk about this amazing ministry.  The purpose of Young Lives is to offer Christ-centered support for teen mothers.  Cheslee really stressed how the goal of Young Lives is to create relationships with these girl and to walk beside them as they come to know Christ.  If you have been looking for an organization with which to volunteer, this group is truly wonderful and offers many different opportunities to serve.  They are in need of volunteers to bring food to the meetings, provide childcare during the meetings, drive girls to and from the meetings, and mentors who are paired with the girls and offer support.  Mentoring does require extra training as it is a sensitive situation and many of these girls come from difficult backgrounds.  Young Lives offers "Club" typically on the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 at Parkway United Methodist Church on New Territory Blvd.  Their first meeting of the year is next Thursday.   One additional way to help is to bring donations to our meetings and Amanda Gates will make sure they get to Young Lives.  Currently, their top three needs are diapers, wipes, and formula. As the year goes on, they will happily take gently used baby clothes, toys and baby equipment/paraphernalia.  This year, MOPS has committed to providing the Thanksgiving Feast in November and another meal in February.  A sign-up was passed around and everyone was asked to volunteer for one of these dates.  If you missed the meeting, please see Amanda Gates.  If you are feeling called to volunteer further with Young Lives, contact Cheslee Escobedo (chesleek@yahoo.com).

Next, we all got to know each other better with an M&M ice breaker.  Good times!

Meredith Canny reminded us about our upcoming Halloween auction on October 9th.  Meredith will accept any and all donations through our next meeting on October 4th.  At our October 4th meeting, we will have a live auction of 2 items to get us revved up for the festivities on the 9th.  This is shaping up to be a really fun evening, so you won't want to miss it!  Everyone is invited and you are welcome to bring a friend.  You do not have to donate or purchase anything at the auction to attend. Just come, eat, shop, socialize and have a fabulous time!  The auction will be held at former MOPS member Shelli LeBret's house in Riverstone: 6427 Crystal Point, Missouri City, TX 77459 and begins at 6:30pm.  This event will hopefully serve as our only fundraiser if we reach our $600 goal. Let Daddy put the kids to bed and come and shop!

Leah Hammonds and Julia Steinhaus introduced us to all our new members.  It is so great to see so many new smiling faces!

Kathleen Randall reminded us that our stylish black MOPS t-shirts are for sale for $10.  All sizes are available.  You know you want one!  Kathleen talked about some of the wonderful things that we as a group have been able to do with our Outreach Fund, such as sending two Young Lives girls to camp and supporting Becky Neese's niece's family who just tragically lost their young mother shortly after she gave birth to their second child.  We were able to give this family a $250 gift card to Babies 'r Us and we will have a formula drive for them at an upcoming meeting.

Kathleen also reminded us about the costume swap that we will have on October 4th.  If you have a gently used costume that your kiddos have outgrown, bring it to the swap.  Those who bring a costume will have first dibs on any of the costumes that are brought for the swap.  After that all the costumes are fair game to the group! 

Heather Lovell distributed the "Secret Sister" forms.  Remember, each secret sister is supposed to "treat" their sister twice during the semester.  The fall semester runs through February 14th.

Cori Atkins is working on a trip to Dewberry Farm for October.  The tentative date is October 21st.  If you have never been, Dewberry Farm is tons of fun for your kiddos and well worth the drive to Brookshire.  You really will want to take advantage of being able to go with our group during the week as it is MUCH less crowded than the weekends!  www.dewberryfarm.com Stay tuned for more info!

As usual, Cintia Listenbee inspired us with a fantastic devotional about "Sailing with Gentleness".  The biggest takeaway?  "If you can choose it, you can change it." --Chris Judd.  If you missed it, you will really want to check out her slide presentation on our group Facebook page.

 

Meet your amazing Discussion Group Leaders (DGLs):

Top row: Tina Koenig, Melanie Hausmann, Andrea Cashiola
Bottom row: Aleini Lacombe, Caitlin McNamee, Breanne Ward

 

 

And Finally, Friday was also our PJ party!  A million thanks to our fearless leader, Liz Brown for hosting!  As you can see, much fun was had by all!

 

Seriously, can we be any cuter?!?!



Our next meeting is October 4th.  Orange Table is up for breakfast.  See you then!