Meeting Recap - February 28th, 2013

We had not one but two outstanding speakers at our last MOPS meeting, but first lets go over some important announcements!

•  We will begin registration for MOPS for 2013-2014 at our next meeting!  A laptop will be available as our registration (and payments) will be done online this time.  Be sure to register as soon as possible if are unable to make this meeting, as there will be a waiting list for childcare!
• Our next Moms Night Out will be on Saturday, March 16th at 7pm at Lauren B.'s home.  We will be having a "Gold Party".  In addition to food and fellowship you can bring "scrap" gold, silver, or platinum and receive cash for its value!  Start rounding up those broken necklaces and mismatched earrings now.  As an added bonus, the portion of the proceeds that would normally go to the hostess will be donated to a worthy cause.
• MOPS Family Day is Saturday, March 23rd at 3pm at the Dunlora Clubhouse.  This will be a fun event for your entire family, so mark your calendars now!
• Our March 28th MOPS meeting will be SPA DAY!  Don't miss this morning full of pampering and relaxation!
• The Early Childhood Development Center at First Baptist Church has openings for Fall of 2013.  They accept children from age 2 1/2 through Kindergarten. Stop by or call the ECDC office at 296-6198 for more information.

For our "get to know you game" we learned that Kathryn over at the Purple Martins table played field hockey at Northwestern U.  Still wondering who can remember the day their handwriting changed and whose blog that they started in college is now their full-time occupation.

Megan S.

Our first speaker was MOPS mom Megan S.  Megan talked to us about her experiences both in the military and also as a military wife who has moved several times.  She talked about a problem many of us can identify with - finding close friends after a big move.  Megan called these closer friends "coffee friends".  These are the friends who you can meet up with any time and talk about anything over coffee.  Megan remarked that God had provided her with some wonderful coffee friends during some really stressful times, but in her latest move to Charlottesville, God was teaching her to look up to Him and not out for fellowship and someone to confide in.  Megan urged us to fill our cups with Jesus when we are feeling lonely.  Many thanks to Megan for this funny and inspiring message!

Laurie Kramer

Our guest speaker was Laurie Kramer, leader of Young Lives in the Charlottesville area.  Young Lives is the affiliate of Young Life that works specifically with teen moms.  Laurie spoke to us about the importance and power of our words.  Proverbs 18:21 says "Death and life are in the power of the tongue."  Laurie told us about how she has found this true both in her experience as a parent of three and in her time working with teenage mothers.  Our words can build up or destroy.  Laurie told us how speaking life to her kids is her number one priority.  She also watches what she says to others as she is setting an example for her children.  Laurie told us how if she encounters a difficult person, she tries to picture Christ standing behind them saying, "I love them, I died for them, they are precious to me." 

Another way Laurie speaks life and love to her daughter is their tradition of trading a journal back and forth. In the journal Laurie can write love and encouragement to her daughter, and she can reciprocate. 

Laurie also remarked that in order for us to speak life to others we need to be filled with the word of God.  When we are filled with God, it will overflow to others!  To that end she says that scripture memorization is huge.  It can also greatly enhance your prayer life; when you don't know what to pray you can offer up verses to the Lord.  Laurie highly recommends the books, "Praying the Scriptures for Your Children", and "One Thousand Gifts".

Finally Laurie advises us to gaze at God, and glance at our problems.  Often we focus our attention on the problem at hand instead of on the God of all Comfort!  Laurie also recommends asking God to give you a particular verse to pray over your husband, children, and friends/family.  Thanks so much to Laurie for blessing and encouraging us!

Our next meeting is March 14th.  See you then!