september 2014
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Let’s Be Brave Together Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. I saia h 4 3 : 1 8 - 1 9
(NIV)
At any given moment in our lives each of us has... • Conversations we've been putting off. • Reasonable risks we've been avoiding. • Goals we want to achieve. Yet often times the more significant an action feels the easier it is to put it off. We get distracted from the big decisions by the immediate needs of the day. What all of us seem to have in common is that we need a nudge, a nudge to help us get out of our ruts and routines so that we can begin risking bravely.
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. We will be taking directory photos at both September meetings. If you are unable to have your photo taken at one of these meetings, send a photo of yourself to mopsedmondfpc@gmail.com. Looking to join a Bible study with other MOPS moms? There will be a Bible study from 9:30-11 a.m. on the Fridays that we don’t have MOPS. Childcare is available by e-mailing childcare@fpcedmond.org. The first meeting will be September 19.
At MOPS we believe that you were meant to live deeply and so we have created this year’s theme to inspire you to choose the extraordinary. Be you, Bravely is designed to help us focus on making the choices that could create the most good in our lives, help us to step into healthy risk and to do it in the context of community where we can cheer one another on. Sometimes, good people wait patiently for God to intervene when what he is wanting is for us to act bravely and do something. Being a follower of Jesus calls for courage. The journey feels unexpected and unconventional. It requires bravely playing hide and seek in the dark, confronting the fears that scare us and holding the hand of a redeemer-guide who calls us to courageous acts of risk and trust. It means coloring outside of the lines. Dreaming bigger than we ever have before and getting swept up into the plans of a God who leaves us breathless with wonder. It takes courage to ask brave questions and even more courage to search for the answers. We are so excited to journey alongside you this year as we ask one another what it means to “Be you, Bravely”.
2014 - 2015
Meeting Dates September 12 & 25 October 10 & 31 November 14 December 12 January 9 & 23 February 13 & 27 March 13 & 27 April 10 & 24 May 8
2014 - 2015
S teering Team
Your 2014-2015 MOPS Steering Team and Mentor Moms are here to serve you! Feel free to contact any of us if you have any needs or concerns throughout the year.
Coordinator Katie Moore // Finance Jessica Filson // Registration Ashley Prudhom Moppets Kimberly Madero // Be Creative Team Kara Woollard and Alisa Nelson Publicity Teresa Miller // Outside Activities Caroline Williams and Jenny McCoy Table Leader Leader Patricia Lodge // Table Leaders Danielle Herndon, Manetta Holtman, Jamie Smith, Odessa Cairns, Laura Opperman, Kara Hale
Assistant Table Leader Laura Reeves // Devotional Coordinator Shauna Austin Mentor Moms Cindy Elass, Veta Roberts, Leslie Travers, Jacque Costello, Karla Launhardt The first Steering Team meeting is from 6:45-8 p.m. on Thursday, September 18 at Cindy Elass’ house. Steering meetings will meet the 3rd Thursday of each month, unless otherwise specified.
Financial U pdate Why do you pay $70 for fees each semester? Wonder what that money goes to pay for each year? Here is a financial breakdown of the estimated expenses and income for the upcoming year. Account Balance as of August 2014: -$2,629.50 Yearly Expenses: Charter Renewal fee: $159 Estimated childcare cost for 15 meetings: $5,040 Estimated Moppetts supply fee: $1,200 MOPS Craft budget: $150 Meeting supply fee (plates, cups, silverware, etc.): $100 Membership scholarships: varies Total Expenses: $6,649+ Yearly Income: Membership dues ($140 fee x 48 members): $6,720 FPCE Women’s ministry funds to MOPS: $420 Total Income: $7,140
Sponsorship Opportunities Do you or anyone you know have a ministry, blog, product, service or event you would like to let Edmond families know about? Become a sponsor by placing ads in our newsletter, website, and/ or directory, or you can also become a meeting, giveaway, and/or scholarship sponsor! Visit our sponsor page at http://mopsedmondfpc.blogspot. com/p/sponsor.html for specific details and pricing.
http://mopsedmondfpc.blogspot.com
Alisa Nelson Studio
Paintings * Lettering * Children’s Art * Art Lessons * And More! alisanelsonstudio.com alisa@alisanelsonstudio.com facebook.com/alisanelsonstudio 405-921-1883
5 Ways to Move from Overwhelmed to Overjoyed Adapted from http://www.thebettermom.com/2014/08/25/5-ways-move-overwhelmed-overjoyed/
Today’s woman wears many hats; we experience thoughts on her blessings. Sometimes I personally this on a daily basis. Whether chauffeuring children feel overwhelmed by my daughter’s special needs. to their next activity, bandaging a skinned knee, or Perhaps someone who is scheduled to help care for washing the last dinner spoon, her doesn’t show up and this the responsibilities of wife and causes a ripple effect on my Lord, make me an instrument mother reflect many shapes. availability to care for my other of your peace. children. Or if I begin to think Where there is hatred, As a woman who, like you, about all the things she is no let me bring love; wears many hats, I don’t want longer able to do, then fear of where there is injury, pardon; to feel overwhelmed. Because the future begins to wreak havoc where there is doubt, faith; when I feel overwhelmed, I act on my spirit. Instead, I focus on where there is despair, hope; overwhelmed; and honestly, this the things she can do and thank where there is darkness, light; is not a good thing. How can we the Lord for those abilities. where there is sadness, joy. really move from overwhelmed O Divine Master, grant to overjoyed? What decisions 4. Recognize and enjoy that I may not so much seek can we make that will bring moments of joy and fun. to be consoled as to console, feelings of joy and not feelings of When a moment of joy arrives, to be understood as to understand, alarm? whether it’s a text message to be loved as to love. from my husband, a card in the For it is in giving that we receive, Here are a few ideas to best mail, or a kiss from my baby girl, it is in pardoning that we are focus our emotions. Maybe one recognizing its value can mold pardoned, and it is dying that we of these ideas will stick with you my outlook for the next hour. are born to eternal life. and bridge the gap between Savoring the simple things in life feeling bewildered and feeling certainly brings joy. From “Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary blessed. Radicals” by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson5. Pray for a change of spirit Hartgrove, Enuma Okoro 1. Think about the daily when the feelings of being schedule in small chunks of overwhelmed begin to peak. time, rather than a whole day’s When my head starts to spin a worth of events. little and things are moving faster than I can keep up On particularly busy days in our home, I only look with, then asking the Lord to give me direction makes at the schedule for the entire day one time in the all the difference. morning. For the remainder of the day, I focus on a couple hours, or even an hour, at a time. 2. Dwell on Scripture frequently throughout the day. Keeping God’s Word on display is so important to me. It’s my reminder to remember the promises of God’s provisions and reflect on His grace, mercy, and love. Continually acknowledging that HE is my strength prevents those threatening feelings of being overwhelmed. 3. Acknowledge the blessings in the midst of burdens. Everyone has their burdens; but the richer woman is the one who multiplies her
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Summer’s not over yet! 10 affordable Summer Dates.
Family Game Night
An apple a day...
Stay at home Date Night
MAKE a late summer vegetable tart
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Need some Back-to-School Lunchspiration?
Cheese Pizza Day
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Grandparents Day
ke a yea is li r ve
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READ to your kids about school
uilding i
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Labor Day
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National Swap Ideas Day
Take time to relax
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Don’t forget to
breathe
Adopt a Pet Rock Day
How was your school day, dear?
Guacamole Day
Help your sofa try on a new look for fall
“Every leaf
speaks bliss to me, International Day of Peace
Celebrate the last day of summer with a scavenger hunt
First Day of Autumn
Try some nature-inspired fall decorating tips
Enjoy a cozy cup of apple cider tea
Family Movie Night
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National Dog Day ea
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Get your kids to help you clean
riend ove rt
Leaves are falling MAKE a family tree
cones.
MAKE homemade trail mix
Community Events September 11-21 // Oklahoma State Fair
A large carnival, a variety of midway rides & games, exhibits throughout the fairground buildings, unique shopping opportunities, as well as Disney on Ice, contests, concerts, arts & livestock competitions. Adults $10; children (ages 6-11) $5; children (5 and under) FREE. Season passes $30. www.okstatefair.com
September 26-28 & October 3-5 // Day Out with Thomas 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Offers little engineers and their families the opportunity to take a 25-minute (approximate) ride with a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as activities for the whole family, including arts & crafts, storytelling, video viewing, live music & more. Advanced ticket
purchase is recommended. Children under 2 FREE as a lap child. $16 each, Friday. $18 for ages two and older, Saturday & Sunday. $14 each for 20 or more. ww.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org/day-out-with-thomas/
September 27 // Plaza District Festival 12 - 10 P.M. // 1700 Block NW 16th Street
The 2014 Plaza District Festival celebrates the revitalization of the historic Plaza District and the talent that is shaping Oklahoma’s cultural community.Peruse the work of more than 50 local artists, be wowed by the talents of stage and street performers, experience interactive art activities with the whole family and enjoy local cuisine and beverages by Plaza District restaurants and OKC’s finest mobile food vendors. In the evening, check out performances by local bands