The New MOPS Year Has Begun

Can you believe it's that time of year again?? School is back in full swing and you all know what that means...MOPS!! We all look forward to those two hours away from those beautiful, huggable, sticky, fun-loving children of ours. We look forward to spending quality time with other moms in our shoes...crafting, making new friends, and learning more about the path God has for us as Mothers of Preschoolers. 

Some of our Steering Team promoting MOPS

"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

Isaiah 55:12

The new MOPS theme this year is "A Fierce Flourishing." How can we fiercely flourish as moms? 

• Celebrate lavishly those small moments throughout the day: a successful day of potty training, the first time the baby slept in their own bed (This is a personal victory for me!), getting your to-do list finished, and many more! 
• Embrace rest: Perhaps it is time to let go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as a measure of worth. What if one of the most life-giving activities that would contribute to our flourishing is welcoming rhythms of rest and play into our lives? Creating healthy rhythms in our life is one way we nourish the weary spots in our soul.
• Notice goodness: Could it be possible that we don't need new things but rather new eyes to see what we already have? Noticing what is good, gives us the gift of perspective and reminds us that the sacred is closer than we think.

MOPS Kick-off Party
We had our MOPS kick-off party in August. We welcomed many new members, spouses and LOTS of children!! We had hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, cookies, and brownies. The children were kept busy between the coloring tables, face painting, playing with beach balls and inflatables generously donated by Space Walk of Clarksville. There were many door prizes given out that were donated by Berry Bear frozen yogurt, Chick-Fil-A on Madison St., Haute Tots Consignment, and Little Lambs and Ivy Consignment.

If you are interested in joining our MOPS group, please email mops@hilldale.org. 

MOPS Pinterest Party!

Move Over Craft Day! In Waltzes Pinterest Party!

There was simply no better way to scratch that itch. You know what I mean. That need MOPS Moms' have to chat, craft, laugh, brunch it up, and be kid free for two glorious hours! A Pintrest Party WAS the cure!

How did we do our Pinterest Party?

1: We got our budget together--$300 on crafts for 50 women.

2: The Creative Activities Coordinator, along with a trusty sidekick, picked  4 reasonably priced, handy, yet adorable crafts for all crafter skill levels. See below for crafts and instructions. We also including a DIY wreath tutorial area, and a Pinterest inspired photo-opp area which included a cute backdrop and fun picture props for moms to snap photos with their phones. Way cute! Check out other pics below!


Sock holder/Or homework/Art
Disply

TIP: Use a first come, first serve basis concerning the crafts. Ideally, each mom can do all four crafts, but we encouraged the moms to pick their favorite craft first, then see what was remaining.

3: We decided on the room layout, even drawing it out. Each crafting area would get either one or two tables depending on the need. The DIY wreath tutorial would have their own room, and moms could come and go as they pleased. Three tables, seating 8 people each, would be toward the front of the room, close to the food ('cause that's a must), for those wanting to chat and skip out on crafts.

We hung the P's all around!

4: We decided on décor, and set up the area the day before the meeting.  The famous Pinterest red and white P's were blown up, cut out, and attached to the mason jar table centerpieces. Pin it "buttons" were cut out and stuck to toothpicks which were used to "pin" the food on the buffet table. Tables were alternated with red and white plastic table clothes. Red and white balloons were hung upside down from the ceiling over the buffet table, and then placed around the room at different heights.
TIP: When hanging balloons upside down, use the water faucet to put a little water--maybe 1/4 cup--in the balloon before blowing it up. This keeps the balloons from blowing around.

Pin it Toothpicks!

5: We gathered materials/supplies for crafty pinterest doorprizes and attached directions. ie modge podged scrabbook tile coaster, special day glass plates, chalkboard mugs. We bundled each gift up and tied it with a cute red, white, or polka dotted bow.  Door prizes were drawn randomly throughout the meeting. They were a hit!

6:  We advertised months in advance to the moms via our Facebook page, email, newsletters, and meeting announcements.

7: Those slotted to bring food were encouraged to bring pinterest inspired food and multiple copies of their recipe to share. At each meeting, we vote with small stones for the best dish and the winner receives a small prizes.
TIP: It would have been very clever of us to give each mom a "pin it" toothpick for them to place by the favorite dish that was shared. 

8: We sat back, and had a blast!!

by: Hannah Conway

Crafts (Click on Craft for picture and instructions):

1:Sock/Homework/Art Holder; a little more challenging to make with painting the board and all, but overall, fairly simple. We simply hot glued on wooden clothes pins, and had stencils available for the moms to make the project their own.

2:Conversation Stones; great for ice breaker games and dinner table conversation ideas; beyond easy to make!

3:Sticky Notepad holders; excellent Teacher gift idea! SUPER easy to make!

4: Tile Necklace; super adorable and easy to make!!

Other Pics!

Our Way CUTE backdrop for DIY Photobooth!



Table Setup for the Sock Holder

Table Setup for the Note Pad Holders



Table Setup for Conversation Stones

It Freed a Slave. What can your spare change do?

Hilldale Baptist Church MOPS Moms Unite to Free the Enslaved!

It still exists. Maybe not in a North vs. South kind of way, but slavery is still very much active all over the world. Small children, and entire families forced to work under unforgiving, illegal circumstances. Young girls deceived, kidnapped, and forced into prostitution. Their stories are gut-wrenching, and brought out the Momma Bear in our MOPS Moms. We couldn't just stand by and let these kind of atrocities happen on our watch. Our God is a God of action, justice, mercy. He tells us to "do justice, love mercy," and walk humbly with Him, and so, Hilldale's MOPS Mom's made it their mission to take action. It was game time! War paint on! Can someone say, 'Minivan Warriors?'

We partnered with the IJM (International Justice Mission), a Christian based organization that works through the government to legally free those enslaved and prosecute the perpetrators. Amazing organization, please check them out! It costs around $500 to free one child in slavery, and around $1000 to free a girl in forced prostitution. The IJM are not paying ransom notes, they are using this money for aftercare of the child, and to cover the costs of what it takes to rescue them--swat teams, lawyers, travel etc.

How could we, a small group of women, make a difference? Five hundred to a thousand dollars is a lot--but if we all could save our spare change, maybe we could do it. AND WE DID!!

For two months, each MOPS table (there are 11 tables in all), brought in their spare change. Some put bills in, a few put checks, but for the most part it was A LOT OF COINAGE! Crazy heavy stuff! To make it a bit more appealing, we added in a table competition. Each person assigned to the table bringing in the most change would receive a SECRET prize. FUN!!

In TWO meetings, that's right, TWO, we had made our goal of $500!! We are awaiting the final tally, but something tells there's gonna be a whole lot of FREEDOM going around!!

So. What can your spare change do? It can FREE someone, who will then be presented with the Gospel! I feel like saying AMEN!!

We would love to hear from you! Tell us how your MOPS is changing the world. :)

 

How to Have a Mediocre Marriage

Welcome our Special Guest Bloggers, Joe and Andrea Bennett Here to Share their Expertise on Mediocre Marriages! Feel free to applaud Dear Readers!

 

So you’re tired of working so hard to have the perfect marriage, huh?  You’re a busy person.  Who has time to have the perfect marriage when you have reruns of The Big Bang Theory to watch?  Well, you have come to the right place.  My wife and I would love to share five easy tips on how to settle for a mediocre marriage.

1.  Keep a record of wrongs

When your spouse hurts or wrongs you in some way be sure to hold on to that.  You can “forgive” them, but never forget how they have caused you pain.  Harbor that anger and sneak attack them in the future.  If you have trouble remembering how your spouse has hurt you we suggest keeping an Excel spreadsheet with the date, the hurt and how you can use it against them later. 

 

2.  Maintain unrealistic expectations

You have big expectations of your spouse and when they don’t meet those expectations you should feel crushed.  When your husband doesn’t bring you flowers and write you love poems every week, let him know how upset you are by giving him the silent treatment.  When he asks, “What’s wrong, honey?” make sure you say “Nothing.  Nothing is wrong.”  Your passive aggressive response will confuse him and leave things awkward between the two of you for days.  By day three or four, he will eventually break. 

3.  Avoid mutual submission

Submit?!?  Hahaha! 

4.  Never plan a budget

Planning a budget may seem like a good idea, but it just complicates things.  How can you keep up with the Jones’ with a strict budget?  You should feel free to spend money as you please.  And when your checking account is running low apply for as many credit cards as possible.  Credit cards are basically free money from we’ve been told.  Having as much debt as possible is imperative to maintaining a mediocre marriage.

5.  Make yourself the priority

Never put your spouse or their needs above you.  You are too important.  The minute you start thinking of your spouse more than yourself is the start of a healthy marriage and that is not our aim here.  And don’t get us started about making Jesus the center of your marriage.  If you intentionally start praying and reading your Bible with your spouse you will destroy any chance you have at a mediocre marriage.  If you want to settle for a mediocre marriage (or worse) then you must avoid having Christ at the center.

If you follow these five easy steps then you will be well on your way to having a mediocre marriage!

Hopefully at this point you realize these five steps are absurd.  Jesus Christ does not want you to settle for mediocre.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” 

So go love your spouse like Jesus loves you.  It’s just a better way to live.

 

Thank you for joining us today, Joe and Andrea! For more information on Joe and Andrea, visit iamjoebennett.com.

 

A Beautiful Baby Shower: MOPS at HOPE Pregnancy Center

The Feet of Those Who Were Given Life

Hilldale MOPS recently had the honor of taking part in hosting a Baby Shower for many mothers-to-be at the Hope Pregnancy Center here in Clarksville.

Months earlier, many of the women in attendance found themselves pregnant & scared. There were many who didn't want to be pregnant, didn't want the baby, and considered having an abortion.

But they changed their mind. Some will choose adoption for their baby, and bless a loving and deserving family. But all of these women chose life.


Thank You Chick-Fil-A for
Donating to the Shower!

I admire their courage. In the face of fear they sought help and guidance. So many people, myself included, find it difficult to reach out in a time of need. I don't want anyone to think I'm incompetent. Besides, I'm an Army Wife, and we can do it all, right? 



Sweet Treats!

Their bellies were large, and their feet were swollen as these lovely ladies neared the end of their pregnancy. Were they still scared? I never asked, but to some degree, I'm sure they were. We chatted about due dates, gender, baby names, nursery rhymes and shared labor stories--women want those details.



The "Don't say Baby" game!

Listening, watching, and socializing with these women, I realized that every expectant mother deserves a baby shower. All of the shower stuff. From the fabulous food to the fun, right of passage baby shower games (I never lost my clothes pin!). Every mother-to-be deserves to be celebrated, especially these Mommas, because they chose life when they didn't have to, when they thought it would be easier not to, when they knew their families would disapprove of their situation and possibly abandon them. Even then, they still chose life. Now that is something to throw a shower for!

Gifts for All the Mommas!

No matter the circumstance, right, wrong, whatever the reason these women found themselves pregnant and at a Pregnancy Center, they are still a child of God. They are beautiful, worthy, loved, special, and hand crafted by our Creator with a purpose. The child they carry is not a mistake. That baby was handcrafted for a purpose, he or she is beautiful, loved, special and worthy of the best life possible.

I know I'm speaking for our group, but I'm praying that we as the host were able to bless these expectant Momma's as much as they blessed us.

Being an Army Wife, I've kind of adopted the saying of "grow where you're planted." For me, that means making a Kingdom impact on the community where I currently live. What better way to make a difference than partnering with a local pregnancy center to speak words of life and encouragement to women who may have found themselves unexpectedly expecting? 

Article by Hannah Conway
www.hannahrconway.com

Money Mess: Finances and Budgeting

Give. Save. Spend.
MOPS tackled the almighty dollar and put it in its place!

Does our money control us? No way. We control it! That's how the ladies at MOPS roll.

It's a fact. Americans spend more than they save. We bury ourselves in debt. Financial Stress/Money Fights is one of the leading causes of divorce. In our more, more, more, bigger, better, we can have it all society, one thing is very evident: We need help managing our money.

Where to find help? The Bible.  It's FULL of money managing concepts; check out Proverbs. Financial Advisor, Dave Ramsey uses the concepts in Proverbs that helped us provide pointers to the Moms in our group on money management. Concepts so easy, a child can do it. SO! We decided to teach our kids about money while we were learning. We made Give, Save, Spend containers for our kids, and you can do it too!

To download the MOPS Money Mess: Finance and Budgeting presentation, click here.

Article by: Hannah Conway
www.hannahrconway.com



Pringles Cans or Peanut Butter Jars work Great for this




Create your own stylish envelopes to help you budget



Sticky Sticky Fingers From Candy

Yogurt in the Hair!

Fingerprints everywhere. 

"Keep them," my Mother says. It's hard not to clean them off, but I put my rag and cleaner down with a sigh.

"You're gonna miss seeing them one day." She smiles looking at them. Little prints on the screen door, bathroom mirror, and TV screen. How are those sticky, sticky fingers from candy not driving her nuts, 'cause I'm about to lose it if I don't clean them off. What if someone unexpected comes over? They'll think I'm a mess--I like to pretend I've got it all together you know.

"Enjoy these little messes." She laughs as my daughter runs around naked, covered in finger paint, hair completely not the way I fixed it. I huff. It's like I clean, and clean, pick up, fix stuff, and then redo it over and over. How do I enjoy the messes? How is my Mom enjoying watching my kids make the messes?

It's because she has perspective. Wisdom. She has the ability to see past the now, through all the clutter, dirt, tears, stress and know what's really worth it...what it's really all about. Embracing the mess. And if I'm willing to listen to wisdom--it's a continuous prayer--then I can learn from my Mom, and from all the other Moms who are cheering me on...cheering all Moms on to have perspective. Life is Messy, but nonetheless beautiful.

Close friends of mine, musicians Matt & Joanna Black have a song entitled "The Sticky Fingers Song." Give it a listen...it helps me smile, and helps add a bit of perspective of the messes my kids make.

By: Hannah Conway
www.hannahrconway.com

Embrace the Mess! Embrace Your Story!

Ready...Set... Let's MOPS it up! It's time to make A BEAUTIFUL MESS!