JANUARY 2015
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On Making Mom Friends During those early years with children, making and maintaining friendships with other moms can be hard. You may feel you just don’t have time, but you need these friendships now more than ever. Here are some tips that might help. 1. Take the initiative! Start by talking to other moms at the park or preschool. Try to have a few conversation starters ready so you do not miss out on opportunities to make new friends. Something simple like asking “how old is your child?” or “do you belong to any mommy groups?” or “where did you get that cute sweater?” I was always amazed how I could talk a mile a minute – until I met another mom. Then my mind went blank.
Announcements The next meeting is the deadline to pay for fees this semester. Fees are $70/ semester or $140/year. Make checks out to FPCE and give to Jessica Filson. If you know that you will be missing a MOPS meeting or that you will not be bringing your kid(s) to a meeting, please e-mail childcare@fpcedmond.org to let them know. This will greatly help our childcare workers in MOPPETS. Looking to join a Bible study with other MOPS moms? Cindy Elass will be leading a Bible study God’s Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart from 9:30-11 a.m. on the Fridays that we don’t have MOPS. Childcare is available by e-mailing childcare@fpcedmond.org. Contact Cindy if you would like more information or would like to participate.
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by Lisa Allison, http://www.mops.org/blog/on-making-mom-friends
2. Say yes! When you get an invitation to go to the park, a mom’s night out, any event, say yes as often as possible. If you don’t, you limit your chance of meeting other women and making friends with those you most likely share common interests. I know sometimes you are tired, but trust me – the right women friendships will rejuvenate you! You will be happy you said yes! 3. Host! Host a playdate or a mom’s Bunco night. The house may be a mess with toys everywhere and Sharpie drawings on your walls. First, realize we are all in the same boat. Second, set the timer and tell the kids whoever can pick up the most toys in five minutes wins! Third, hang up all of the art your kids bring home from preschool over the Sharpie marks. 4. Don’t push. Making friends with other moms is like dating. This is why you need patience. I thought I met the perfect mom at my first MOPS group. We had a lot in common. I was so excited. I immediately wrote her an email going on about our common interests. My chance to talk to another adult! I was excited, and I just unleashed it all in this email. She did not respond, and we never spoke too much again. Looking back, I revealed too much, too soon. My advice – don’t push it. Try to let the friendship take its natural course and have the patience to know it will work out if it is meant to. 5. Don’t rush. When you first become a mom you may feel so overwhelmed that you simply cannot see yourself making the social circles. If you are not ready, then don’t rush it. But do not wait too long. With a new baby, it can be easy to feel isolated and alone.
2015
Meeting Dates January 9 & January 23 February 13 & February 27 March 13 & March 27 April 10 & April 24 May 8
S low Cooker Pepperoni and Chicken http://www.skinnymom.com/2012/07/13/slow-cooker-pepperoni-and-chicken/
INGREDIENTS
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp black pepper 2¾ oz turkey pepperoni (about 40 slices), sliced in half ¼ cup black olives, sliced ¾ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 Tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp Italian seasoning ¾ cup shredded, low moisture, part-skim, shredded mozzarella cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place chicken in a slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 2. Cut pepperoni slices in half. Add pepperoni and olives to cooker. 3. In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, tomato paste and Italian seasoning. 4. Pour mixture in cooker. 5. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. 6. Five minutes before you serve, sprinkle cheese on top of chicken. Cover with lid and allow cheese to melt. 7. Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken, pepperoni and olives to plates. Discard cooking liquid.
If you want to read more about what this means, visit the link below to read the full blog post by Ann Voskamp.
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2014/12/how-to-step-forward! into-the-new-year-when-you-want-a-do-over-on-the-last-year/ !
Like this graphic? You can find a library of free printables, memory verses and other downloads at
http://www.aholyexperience.com/free-tools-library-signup/
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Alisa Nelson Studio
Newsletter Submissions If you have any ideas of articles, recipes or tips you would like to include in upcoming newsletters, please submit your ideas to mopsedmondfpc@gmail.com.
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Paintings * Lettering * Children’s Art * Art Lessons * And More! alisanelsonstudio.com alisa@alisanelsonstudio.com facebook.com/alisanelsonstudio 405-921-1883
Don’t Seek From Your Parenting What God Has Provided Through Grace By Tricia Goyer (From http://www.triciagoyer.com/parenting-grace/) What do you want most as a mom? If someone would have asked me that years ago I would have said something like, “To raise children to love God and to serve others. To raise smart, successful adults.” I would have said that, but it wouldn’t have been the whole truth. In my mind, yes, but not in my actions—not in my heart. As a young mom I made many decisions concerning my parenting, and the truth was deep down these decisions were not Christ-motivated. Instead: As a mom, I wanted the approval of others. As a mom, I was trying to live up to unrealistic expectations I’d set up in my mind. As a mom, I was trying to earn God’s approval, instead of understanding what He’d already provided through His grace. Mom, maybe you can relate. Are you trying to seek from your parenting what God has already provided through His grace? The right approval comes from God I became a Christian when I was pregnant with my oldest child but somewhere along the way my zeal for the cause of Christ was pushed to the side by the hunger and praise of people. I wanted to be seen as a “good mom” by others. “If we take our meaning in life from our family, our work, a cause, or some achievement other than God, they enslave us,” says Tim Keller. Too often I filled my schedule with activities that I thought were for my kids, but really they were to make me look good. I was enslaved by a busy schedule in an effort to look good, but I’m thankful that over the years God reminded me who I truly serve. As I’ve sought God, He’s helped me to adjust my thoughts and where I find my meaning. Yes, I’m still busy. I homeschool three kids, write books, blog, speak (on occasion) and lead a teen moms support group, but deep in my heart I’m doing these things as service to God. Deep down I can tell the difference. My kids are only involved in a few activities a week (like Sunday School and Awana) because I prayed about it and God and I feel these things will benefit them—and not because I’m trying to “keep up” with society’s ideas of what kids should be involved in. I can’t describe the feeling of peace that “not trying to keep up” brings. Realistic expectations come from focusing on what’s already been provided by God When I think about it, as a mom I’ll never be able to get the approval of others—ever. I can never live up to “their” ideas of what a good mom is, because everyone has a different opinion. I don’t need the approval of others to be worthy. I already have God’s approval because of what Jesus has done for me and in me. God sees me and thinks, “This is my child, who I love completely. This is my daughter, and I am preparing her a heavenly home.” When I live my life out of those thoughts of approval everything changes. Grace changes everything. Somewhere on the parenting journey it became easy to focus on others. In the process, I pushed
God’s grace to the side. Do you find yourself doing that? Do you tend to try to take credit for the good things you do or good things you have? “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT Being reminded of grace brings peace to my day. I don’t have to “strive” for approval. Instead, I simply have to accept what’s already been given. Some days I look around and think, “The house is a mess. I have no plans for dinner. The kids are out of control but God still loves me in this moment absolutely and completely.” I turn to God’s Word and I’m reminded again and again who I’m trying to please. “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 NIV Approval starts with humility and faith. This sounds wonderful—this seeking God’s approval, but how do we get there? “Faith coupled with humility is the secret to every kingdom woman’s success,” says Tony Evans and Crystal Evans Hurst. We need to have faith that as we see God first, He will guide us in our parenting. We have to be humble enough to realize that doing things God’s way means not “keeping up” with the world’s standards. Now, after being a mom for 20 years, what do I want most? To seek God’s approval. To look at Him first. To lift my children up to Him in prayer. To encourage the unique gifts God has given my children, and to look into His eyes and hear, “Well done.” When I focus on God, first as a mom, He will guide me on how to raise children who do love Him first, who serve others, and who will be smart and successful (according to God’s wisdom and idea of success). And this is truly what I’ve wanted all along.
r ea
ppy New Y Ha
Lay on the couch and read for an hour
B u il d a n i g
Birthday of the drinking straw
Bub
ble B at
often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.”
y Da
Movie day with the kids
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Write poetry with your kids
Cuddle Up Day
Get your family organized
Winter indoor fun
Plan a Favorite Things Party with your girlfriends
Send your husband a text
Frozen fun
Don’t forget to
Create a winter feather wreath
Stuff your peppers
Give your fridge a makeover
Martin Luther King Day
Save money at the grocery store
Polka Dot Day
Mommy & me manicure
Belly Laugh Day
breathe
“Hardships
Have a fancy cookie party with the kids
C.S. LEWIS
Des
ig n a
st
eb or
Chocolate Cake Day
Make your house glow
Snow painting
et
FIND MORE ACTIVITIES http://www.metrofamilymagazine.com/Calendar/
Dec. to Feb. // FREE Mondays at the Zoo 9 AM - 5 PM // Oklahoma City Zoo The Oklahoma City Zoo will be offering free admission every Monday from December 1- February 23. January 9 // LIVE on the Plaza 7 - 11 PM // Plaza District Oklahoma City’s Plaza District comes alive each month with LIVE on the Plaza, a monthly celebration of the vibrant businesses and people in the area. Businesses and art galleries stay open late and welcome visitors with special treats and activities. Dine with local food trucks and enjoy street performers at this evening event that’s fun for the whole family. January 15 // FREE Cuppies & Joe Storybook Hour 9- 10 AM // Cuppies & Joe Children are invited to listen to a story while parents enjoy coffee and conversation.
Play with numbers
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Community Events
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Learn something new
ought
Recycle in a new way
Until February 2 // Devon Ice Rink Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W Reno) Monday - Thursday 3 pm-9 pm, Friday 3 pm-11 pm, Saturday 11 am-11 pm, Sunday 11 am-7 pm Gardens Members skate for $7. Nonmember pricing is $12 including skates or $8 with your own skates. Group Rate (10 or more guests) is $8 and includes skates. Tuesdays until May 26 // Tiny Tuesday 10 AM - 12 PM // Oklahoma City Museum of Art Join the Oklahoma City Museum of Art guest artist each Tuesday for come-and-go, open-ended art making, geared towards children, ages 2-5, with a parent or caregiver. Dress for a mess! No advance registration is required. Free for Museum members or included with general Museum admission.