By Sue Fuller (shared at the September MOPS meeting)
WOULD YOU take more time to play with your child if you were convinced that fairness, sharing, honesty, and pure joy are better caught than taught?
WOULD YOU prepare meals with more purpose and be more committed to family dinnertime if you realized you were exampling servant hood, meaningful conversation, manners, and a heart of gratitude.
WOULD YOU respond with kinder words to your husband if you knew your daughter would say those exact words to her husband some day?
WOULD YOU choose your closest friendships more carefully if you were convinced those relationships would make a forever impact on your child by reinforcing the character qualities you have been teaching them?
WOULD YOU be more deliberate with worship attendance and daily communion with God if you were absolutely convinced that eternity started now and what Jesus said really could make a difference in your daily life?
WOULD YOU treat your own parents with more tenderness and honor knowing that someday you will be treated that same way by your children?
WOULD YOU change anything about your parenting if you knew your child was to become—
--a missionary to a lost nation to impact thousands with the gospel
--a doctor who ministered with skill to heal bodies and truth to heal hearts
--a teacher who embodied Christ’s love to the unlovable
WOULD YOU change anything about your parenting if you knew your son
or daughter would parent your grandchild JUST LIKE YOU?
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
"Coffee" Cake Recipe
I didn't get a picture of this cake but Melissa Phillips brought it as a snack for the MOPS meeting today (9/11). It was the chocolate cake in the 9x13 pan with the chocolate chips inside. It was yummy and Melissa gave me the recipe to share with everyone!
Here is the recipe for my "Coffee" Cake:
Mix:
1 box of brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup of coffee
1 cup of oil
3 cups of flour
1 tsp of vanilla
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of baking soda
Top: 1 pack of 6oz of chocolate chips ( I mix most of the chips in the mixture and then just top with the rest)
13X9 pan for 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes
Here is the recipe for my "Coffee" Cake:
Mix:
1 box of brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup of coffee
1 cup of oil
3 cups of flour
1 tsp of vanilla
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of baking soda
Top: 1 pack of 6oz of chocolate chips ( I mix most of the chips in the mixture and then just top with the rest)
13X9 pan for 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Legend of Supermom
Faster than a speeding toddler ... more powerful than a Hoover upright ... able to leap large PTA meetings in a single bound!
It's a bird ... it's a plane ... it's Supermom!
Or at least that's who you're trying to be. The problem is, being the perfect mom is as impossible as becoming an actual superhero—it is not who we were created to be.
Barbara Rainey, co-author of the book Parenting Today's Adolescent, understands the pressure to be perfect. "It comes from expectations that we place on ourselves that may not be in line with what God's called us to do," explains the mother of six. "God clearly has expectations of us that we would walk with Him and that we'd raise our children to become godly adults. I think a lot of times we get confused on how to get there."
The notion that you're failing if your kids aren't involved in the right activities or schools leaves moms feeling discouraged. The idea that you're a lousy Christian if you're not reaching out to your community and active in your church leaves moms feeling defeated. Add on the desire to exercise, keep your home in order and have something left over for your husband, and women can feel downright crushed—which is how the archenemy of moms wants them to feel.
The only expectations that matter
"Too often behind our smile is a growing frustration and fatigue that starts to come out in other ways," writes Carol Kuykendall, director of communications for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) International. "We have less patience. Shorter fuses. Headaches."
Thankfully, with God's priorities as a plumb line, and God's power as their source of strength, moms can conquer these feelings of discouragement and foil the evil one's plan. Moms can meet the only expectations that matter—God's.
His priorities for you are different in motherhood than they were for you as a single woman or as a wife without children. They also differ from person to person, but God can tell you what you can and cannot handle.
Challenges of a stay-at-home mom
Nancy Kern found herself succumbing to the pressure that she had to do everything right when it came to raising her two boys—especially when son number two turned out to be a challenge. His hyperactivity caused problems in school and in her heart. "I didn't know how to keep his self-esteem up through all of it," says Nancy, "and yet enable him to fit into the school system."
Nancy realized she needed to give up the idea of perfection and give it to God. Her main objective became loving her son and introducing him to Jesus.
The stay-at-home mom also dealt with others' assumptions that she had tons of time to work at her church, head up committees and dive into other commitments. "I ended up being hurt by my own failure of not doing it all," says Nancy. "But I realized if [during the day] all He was calling me to do was read to those kids, then that's all I was going to do." Nancy withstood the pressure to participate in activities, instead preserving family time, and her sons—now adults—both walk with God and married Christian women.
Whether you have one child at home or 10, whether you work outside the home or not, and whether you're single or married, God's Holy Spirit can help you sort out His priorities from unnecessary pressures you put on yourself. But there is no quick fix to the supermom problem.
Relinquish control to your Father and tap into His power. The power that raised Christ from the dead can conquer the misleading urges to try to do it all and be all things to all people.
As a believer in Christ Jesus, God has given You an amazing gift -- His very life, breath and power lives in You in the person of the Holy Spirit.
We experience the Holy Spirit's constant help, guidance, comfort as we ask Him and we trust Him to keep on filling us. When we do, we overflow: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
From Christian Women Today
Written by Elizabeth Bahe
To see the complete article, click on the link below.
http://christianwomentoday.com/parenting/supermom.html
It's a bird ... it's a plane ... it's Supermom!
Or at least that's who you're trying to be. The problem is, being the perfect mom is as impossible as becoming an actual superhero—it is not who we were created to be.
Barbara Rainey, co-author of the book Parenting Today's Adolescent, understands the pressure to be perfect. "It comes from expectations that we place on ourselves that may not be in line with what God's called us to do," explains the mother of six. "God clearly has expectations of us that we would walk with Him and that we'd raise our children to become godly adults. I think a lot of times we get confused on how to get there."
The notion that you're failing if your kids aren't involved in the right activities or schools leaves moms feeling discouraged. The idea that you're a lousy Christian if you're not reaching out to your community and active in your church leaves moms feeling defeated. Add on the desire to exercise, keep your home in order and have something left over for your husband, and women can feel downright crushed—which is how the archenemy of moms wants them to feel.
The only expectations that matter
"Too often behind our smile is a growing frustration and fatigue that starts to come out in other ways," writes Carol Kuykendall, director of communications for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) International. "We have less patience. Shorter fuses. Headaches."
Thankfully, with God's priorities as a plumb line, and God's power as their source of strength, moms can conquer these feelings of discouragement and foil the evil one's plan. Moms can meet the only expectations that matter—God's.
His priorities for you are different in motherhood than they were for you as a single woman or as a wife without children. They also differ from person to person, but God can tell you what you can and cannot handle.
Challenges of a stay-at-home mom
Nancy Kern found herself succumbing to the pressure that she had to do everything right when it came to raising her two boys—especially when son number two turned out to be a challenge. His hyperactivity caused problems in school and in her heart. "I didn't know how to keep his self-esteem up through all of it," says Nancy, "and yet enable him to fit into the school system."
Nancy realized she needed to give up the idea of perfection and give it to God. Her main objective became loving her son and introducing him to Jesus.
The stay-at-home mom also dealt with others' assumptions that she had tons of time to work at her church, head up committees and dive into other commitments. "I ended up being hurt by my own failure of not doing it all," says Nancy. "But I realized if [during the day] all He was calling me to do was read to those kids, then that's all I was going to do." Nancy withstood the pressure to participate in activities, instead preserving family time, and her sons—now adults—both walk with God and married Christian women.
Whether you have one child at home or 10, whether you work outside the home or not, and whether you're single or married, God's Holy Spirit can help you sort out His priorities from unnecessary pressures you put on yourself. But there is no quick fix to the supermom problem.
Relinquish control to your Father and tap into His power. The power that raised Christ from the dead can conquer the misleading urges to try to do it all and be all things to all people.
As a believer in Christ Jesus, God has given You an amazing gift -- His very life, breath and power lives in You in the person of the Holy Spirit.
We experience the Holy Spirit's constant help, guidance, comfort as we ask Him and we trust Him to keep on filling us. When we do, we overflow: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
From Christian Women Today
Written by Elizabeth Bahe
To see the complete article, click on the link below.
http://christianwomentoday.com/parenting/supermom.html
Monday, September 7, 2009
Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
If you like chocolate and peanut butter you have to try this recipe. It's super easy and tastes amazing! I found the recipe on another blog called Baked Perfection.
Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
Recipe adapted from Nestle’s Very Best Baking
Makes 40 brownies as adapted
1 box of your favorite brownie mix
1/2 cup peanut butter chips (I didn't have any of these so I just put mini choc chips on top)
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray or grease 40 mini-muffin cups.
Prepare boxed brownie mix as directed.
Spoon batter evenly into muffin cups (about 1 heaping teaspoon).
Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top is set and a toothpick inserted into center comes out slightly wet.
After brownies are out of the oven, wait for centers to fall. This will happen upon cooling. If not then tap the centers with the back of a teaspoon to make a hole for the peanut butter.
Place peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds then stir. While brownies are still warm spoon about half a teaspoon of peanut butter into the center of each brownie. Top with semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Cool completely in pan.
Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
Recipe adapted from Nestle’s Very Best Baking
Makes 40 brownies as adapted
1 box of your favorite brownie mix
1/2 cup peanut butter chips (I didn't have any of these so I just put mini choc chips on top)
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray or grease 40 mini-muffin cups.
Prepare boxed brownie mix as directed.
Spoon batter evenly into muffin cups (about 1 heaping teaspoon).
Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top is set and a toothpick inserted into center comes out slightly wet.
After brownies are out of the oven, wait for centers to fall. This will happen upon cooling. If not then tap the centers with the back of a teaspoon to make a hole for the peanut butter.
Place peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds then stir. While brownies are still warm spoon about half a teaspoon of peanut butter into the center of each brownie. Top with semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Cool completely in pan.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Excited for the New Year!
This year's steering team got together today to go over some last minute items for the meeting next week. Everyone is very excited to see what God has in store for our MOPS group in the upcoming months.
We couldn't have had this meeting if it wasn't for Lisa and John McCoy. They watched ALL of our children so we could have some uninterrupted time. We are so thankful for their help! Thanks McCoys!
Jen Grundy (our Hospitality Leader)
John McCoy and Stacie Garvine's (Coordinator) son Evan (isn't he adorable)!
We couldn't have had this meeting if it wasn't for Lisa and John McCoy. They watched ALL of our children so we could have some uninterrupted time. We are so thankful for their help! Thanks McCoys!
Jen Grundy (our Hospitality Leader)
John McCoy and Stacie Garvine's (Coordinator) son Evan (isn't he adorable)!
Winnie Kaati (MOPPETS Coordinator), she was the answer to a lot of prayer!
*********************************************************************
Don't forget to put the 1st meeting on your calendar!
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11th @ 9:30a.m.
We pray that this blog becomes a helpful tool to our moms. A wide variety of information will be found on this site, such as:
- Upcoming Events (monthly meetings, Mom's Night Out, Mom's Prayer & Praise)
- Yummy New recipes
- Pictures from MOPS events
- Helpful Local Information (great places for kids, cost saving deals, & more)
- Prayer Requests
- Devotions
Please email me if you'd like to have something posted on this site to share with other moms! Any suggestions for making this site as helpful as possible to all our moms is always welcome!!
Have an safe & blessed Labor Day weekend and we look forward to seeing everyone at our 1st meeting next Friday.
"And the fundamental mission of motherhood now is the same as it always was: to nurture, protect, and instruct children, to create a home environment that enables them to learn and grow, to help them develop a heart for God and his purposes, and to send them out into the world prepared to love both fully and meaningfully. It's up to us to embrace that mission as out own, trusting God to walk us through the details and to use our willing mothers' hands as instruments of his blessings."
The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
A Message from the Steering Team
WELCOME LADIES!
We hope you have had a nice summer with your families. But with the weather turning cooler, and the hum of school buses in the morning, that can only mean one thing. . . IT'S TIME FOR MOPS! (AND BUCKEYE FOOTBALL!!! YEAH!!)
The steering team is very excited about the 09-10 MOPS year,and it is already bringing some changes from last year. . .Lisa McCoy, our coordinator for the last two years, is taking on a different role with our hospitality team. Natascha Hinduja, Stacie Garvine and April Litman are serving as coordinators this year. Can you imagine; it's taking three women to do the work of one? Thanks for your hard work Lisa!
Just like mothering, our MOPS year is going to be full of change. I am eager to reconnect with my MOPS friends and to get to know new women. It's a blessing to be a part of MOPS.
Our theme for this year from MOPS International is “Together on Planet Mom”. The MOPS experience equips women for the joys and challenges of their lives as moms. One key factor in the MOPS experience is the relationships built within a group. MOPS moms share that the friends they make in MOPS are significant for this season of their life and on into the future. God created us for relationship! It’s one of the defining parts of being human.
However, when you become a mom, all your relationships change. It’s like you have landed on a different plant – Planet Mom – and the relationships on “Planet Mom” don’t look like the ones on your previous planet. Your relationship with yourself is different – you are a mom! Your relationship with your husband, girlfriends, extended family, community and God have all changed. Many of these changes are positive,some are not. Even positive change requires adjustments on your part.
During the 09-10 MOPS year, we will explore how to thrive in relationships Together on Planet Mom.
Blessings,
Natascha Hinduja
We hope you have had a nice summer with your families. But with the weather turning cooler, and the hum of school buses in the morning, that can only mean one thing. . . IT'S TIME FOR MOPS! (AND BUCKEYE FOOTBALL!!! YEAH!!)
The steering team is very excited about the 09-10 MOPS year,and it is already bringing some changes from last year. . .Lisa McCoy, our coordinator for the last two years, is taking on a different role with our hospitality team. Natascha Hinduja, Stacie Garvine and April Litman are serving as coordinators this year. Can you imagine; it's taking three women to do the work of one? Thanks for your hard work Lisa!
Just like mothering, our MOPS year is going to be full of change. I am eager to reconnect with my MOPS friends and to get to know new women. It's a blessing to be a part of MOPS.
Our theme for this year from MOPS International is “Together on Planet Mom”. The MOPS experience equips women for the joys and challenges of their lives as moms. One key factor in the MOPS experience is the relationships built within a group. MOPS moms share that the friends they make in MOPS are significant for this season of their life and on into the future. God created us for relationship! It’s one of the defining parts of being human.
However, when you become a mom, all your relationships change. It’s like you have landed on a different plant – Planet Mom – and the relationships on “Planet Mom” don’t look like the ones on your previous planet. Your relationship with yourself is different – you are a mom! Your relationship with your husband, girlfriends, extended family, community and God have all changed. Many of these changes are positive,some are not. Even positive change requires adjustments on your part.
During the 09-10 MOPS year, we will explore how to thrive in relationships Together on Planet Mom.
Blessings,
Natascha Hinduja
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