Hey y'all -
Some of you may check your email and look weekly at mops.org. Or perhaps you make it a habit to check their blog periodically… I find I forget often. But, I did read an excellent article there this week about choosing beauty regardless of circumstance. It's amazing. I'm going to let it speak for itself & be our inspiration today. Please check it out!
http://www.mops.org/how-to-be-beautiful-no-matter-the-day
Bethany
Showing posts with label MOPS International. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MOPS International. Show all posts
Monday, February 24, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Mom, You Make a Difference
Moms Who Change the World, Part Four
When Carrie Burnett was a little girl, she wanted to change the world.
And she is. But not in the way she once imagined.
“It’s hard for me to feel like the ordinary things are important,” Carriesays. “I’ve always wanted to do big things, but recently I’ve been learning that my family is the most important thing.”
As a young adult, Carrie envisioned her life. She finished college with a degree in intercultural studies, and spent her first year of marriage to Jeff in Rio de Janero, Brazil. Their first year in Brazil was deeply meaningful, but terribly isolating. She experienced firsthand the value of community, and the personal toll of living outside of one. When a series of logistical decisions led the couple back to her hometown in Alabama, she was at peace with the turn of events.
But Carrie and Jeff remained passionate about serving others, and living out their faith within a community. Before long, Carrie became pregnant.
That’s when Carrie’s chance to change the world expanded.
Nine years later, Carrie and Jeff have three little girls, ages 8, 6, and 2. Carrie has joined small groups, led a MOPS group, and served her community in countless ways over the years. But her most important work sits around her table every night.
“I believe in doing everything with a purpose,” says Carrie. “I try to help my girls see the larger purpose in what we do. I want them to be in love with God, and not just follow rules.” Carrie pours her heart into her children. Day after day she focuses on teaching good behavior, rewarding kindness and communication, and showing her children how to notice and serve others – no matter how young they are.
She also works hard to stay present with her family. “Even hard moments are easier if we can just stay in them,” she says. “I try not to let my kids be a means to my end.” As much as possible, she builds fun into their daily interactions. “I want them to like us, and each other, too! We have fun together as much as we can.”
Carrie wanted to change the world. Through intentional, thoughtful, loving parenting – she is.
So are you.
As the mother of small children, it is easy to lose sight of a higher purpose. But every juice cup poured, every diaper changed, every book read is an act of love. Day by day, you are building a worldview for your children, a launching pad for the rest of their lives. You are shaping the way they see the world, how they will approach others, how they will relate to God. And as intimidating as that sounds, it happens naturally, simply by loving your little ones.
The patience you show with your children now will one day be the patience they share with others. The kindness you plant in their tiny lives will grow into self-respect and respect for others. The love you naturally share with them will, in turn, be the love they have to give in the future.
In a thousand small ways, every single day, you are changing the world.
I am Stephanie - mom to four beautifully rambunctious little kids and wife to a guy who still makes me smile. If you have ever abandoned religion in search of faith, ever had to leave your hometown to find your home, or ever climbed to the very tip-top of a jungle gym to rescue an overzealous toddler, you may enjoy reading more at A Wide Mercy. You can also follow along on Facebook.Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Simplifying Christmas
Have you checked out MOPS.org lately? If you haven't, take a minute to hop over there…
Yesterday's blog post was entitled "Simplifying the Holiday Season." In it, Naomi Cramer Overton claims the following ideas to help her simplify during December:
1. Give some gifts early
2. Wrap gifts earlier
3. Keep Jesus at the forefront
4. Set a budget
5. Help kids learn about giving
6. Save husband/wife time
7. Get rid of things that no longer fit
What do you think? What do you do to simplify during this time of year? How do you keep your stress down and your joy up? How do you celebrate Jesus?
Here are a few of my thoughts. Take them or leave them. :) Please leave your thoughts in our Comments…
The "get rid of things that no longer fit" rule is helpful. I've been sorting and giving away or throwing away a lot lately - and it makes me feel free. Free from stuff, free from clutter, free from expectations I've held too long. It also has reminded me how much more fun it is to give than to receive - and I think it is rubbing off on my kids. And now, as a family, we are much more centered upon what we might need versus what we want. It has changed our Christmas lists dramatically.
We are also involving our children in the gift process this year - in the planning and purchasing for friends, neighbors and family. Wrapping doesn't have to look perfect; it's okay to let that be a kid-job, they love it!
The biggest thing I'm doing to keep things simple is this: taking lots of deep breaths. Both figuratively and literally. I'm committed to spending time with Jesus and allowing Him to direct our family as we spend our time and our money. I'm also committed to drinking a lot of hot tea (or apple cider) while sitting quietly and taking huge gulps of oxygen.
Yesterday's blog post was entitled "Simplifying the Holiday Season." In it, Naomi Cramer Overton claims the following ideas to help her simplify during December:
1. Give some gifts early
2. Wrap gifts earlier
3. Keep Jesus at the forefront
4. Set a budget
5. Help kids learn about giving
6. Save husband/wife time
7. Get rid of things that no longer fit
What do you think? What do you do to simplify during this time of year? How do you keep your stress down and your joy up? How do you celebrate Jesus?
Here are a few of my thoughts. Take them or leave them. :) Please leave your thoughts in our Comments…
The "get rid of things that no longer fit" rule is helpful. I've been sorting and giving away or throwing away a lot lately - and it makes me feel free. Free from stuff, free from clutter, free from expectations I've held too long. It also has reminded me how much more fun it is to give than to receive - and I think it is rubbing off on my kids. And now, as a family, we are much more centered upon what we might need versus what we want. It has changed our Christmas lists dramatically.
We are also involving our children in the gift process this year - in the planning and purchasing for friends, neighbors and family. Wrapping doesn't have to look perfect; it's okay to let that be a kid-job, they love it!
The biggest thing I'm doing to keep things simple is this: taking lots of deep breaths. Both figuratively and literally. I'm committed to spending time with Jesus and allowing Him to direct our family as we spend our time and our money. I'm also committed to drinking a lot of hot tea (or apple cider) while sitting quietly and taking huge gulps of oxygen.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Mentors
Yesterday Theresa shared some thoughts regarding the helpfulness of mentorship within our life network. She spoke of her experience of MOPS and this aspect of its built-in leadership.
Over the next few weeks, I will be introducing our Mentor Moms to you. I'm excited to share about who they are, their passions, experience and desire to grow with you. These ladies have made it through parenting young children. They have passionate relationships with Jesus Christ. They have experienced years of marriage. They love MOPS and want to find ways to encourage, assist and change with you.
Before the introductions begin, I thought it would be helpful for us all to understand what MOPS International has in mind for the Mentorship relationship; what their job description is exactly.
MOPS calls Mentors women who are "a few steps ahead of us." Their job is to provide us with perspective. This means, to guide us into a new space where we can see "the light at the end of the tunnel," or the "glimmer of hope" ahead. Remember, these ladies have done this parenting thing. They have raised their children and know what it is like to emerge from preschool-land. They know how difficult this phase of life can be, but they also have the ability to remind us honestly how precious these days really are. They are full of fond memories, ideas regarding what we could perhaps do differently and an ability to listen with truly understanding ears.
MOPS asks Mentors to seek God's guidance as they come to us as teachers, role models, counselors, friends and advisors. Those seem like pretty hefty titles, but I know these women - and they are up to the task! The beautiful part is that no one is asked to be all these things all at once. As we become friends with our Mentors, we will each find a different relationship grow, with different roles played by each woman at different times.
MOPS International reminds us (and our Mentors) that Mentors are able to mentor us "not because [they] have all the answers, but because [they have put themselves] under God's care."
We encourage you all to get to know one another this year, especially around your tables. Each table is assigned a Mentor who is actively praying for you, attends our bi-monthly meetings, helps with our Steering Committee and assists with setting up and cleaning up. If you need anything, please know your Mentor would love to hear from you!
We proved to be gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her own children. We were so taken by you that we not only eagerly shared with you God’s good news, but we also shared with you our own lives. That’s how much you’ve come to mean to us.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (The Voice)
Over the next few weeks, I will be introducing our Mentor Moms to you. I'm excited to share about who they are, their passions, experience and desire to grow with you. These ladies have made it through parenting young children. They have passionate relationships with Jesus Christ. They have experienced years of marriage. They love MOPS and want to find ways to encourage, assist and change with you.
Before the introductions begin, I thought it would be helpful for us all to understand what MOPS International has in mind for the Mentorship relationship; what their job description is exactly.
MOPS calls Mentors women who are "a few steps ahead of us." Their job is to provide us with perspective. This means, to guide us into a new space where we can see "the light at the end of the tunnel," or the "glimmer of hope" ahead. Remember, these ladies have done this parenting thing. They have raised their children and know what it is like to emerge from preschool-land. They know how difficult this phase of life can be, but they also have the ability to remind us honestly how precious these days really are. They are full of fond memories, ideas regarding what we could perhaps do differently and an ability to listen with truly understanding ears.
MOPS asks Mentors to seek God's guidance as they come to us as teachers, role models, counselors, friends and advisors. Those seem like pretty hefty titles, but I know these women - and they are up to the task! The beautiful part is that no one is asked to be all these things all at once. As we become friends with our Mentors, we will each find a different relationship grow, with different roles played by each woman at different times.
MOPS International reminds us (and our Mentors) that Mentors are able to mentor us "not because [they] have all the answers, but because [they have put themselves] under God's care."
We encourage you all to get to know one another this year, especially around your tables. Each table is assigned a Mentor who is actively praying for you, attends our bi-monthly meetings, helps with our Steering Committee and assists with setting up and cleaning up. If you need anything, please know your Mentor would love to hear from you!
We proved to be gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her own children. We were so taken by you that we not only eagerly shared with you God’s good news, but we also shared with you our own lives. That’s how much you’ve come to mean to us.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (The Voice)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)