Meeting Recap - April 11th, 2013

For our first MOPS meeting in April we got some great advice...but first we have some great announcements.

• Registration for next year (Fall 2013 - Spring 2014) is going on right now for current members!  Don't delay, please register here.  In a few weeks you will receive an email directing you to pay online.  Please talk to Lauren or Elizabeth K. if you have any questions.
• Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Park Street will be held the week of July 8th.  Children must be 4 years old by Sept. 30th, 2013 through completed 7th grade to participate...unless you volunteer!  The younger children of volunteers are welcome to participate.  Volunteering requires one training session; click here for more information and to register.
• An evening women's Bible study will be starting on April 23rd at 7pm, in the Youth Fellowship Hall at FBC Park Street.  There is no childcare available. Contact Nancy R. (nancyr@fbcparkstreet.com) for more information.
• If you are interested in a leadership role for MOPS next year, there will be a quick meeting immediately following our next MOPS meeting.  The meeting should take about 10 minutes.  
• The next Moms' Night Out is a Bra Fitting Party on Thursday, April 18th at 6pm at Derriere de Soire on the Downtown Mall.  The store will be closing early especially for MOPS!  There will be food and fellowship even if you aren't in need of a fitting.  If you choose to purchase they are offering us a 20% discount that evening.  RSVP to Kelly P. (kellypedone@hotmail.com).
• Our next meeting will feature a cute craft that could make a nice teacher gift!  If you think you might want to make a few extra for your child's teacher(s) please bring $2 per extra craft.  
• Our last meeting for this year will be on May 9th. The previously scheduled May 23rd meeting has been cancelled.
• The Fellowship of Christian Athletes will be having their annual banquet and silent auction on April 30th at 6:30 pm at the Doubletree Hotel.  UVA Athletic Department Chaplain George Morris will be the guest speaker.  Thanks to a generous donation there are free tickets available; please see Karen Ward if you would like to attend.
• Volunteer opportunity!  On Monday, May 13th several volunteers are needed for babysitting duty for the moms in Young Lives from 6-8pm.  We are also looking for food donations for the Young Lives dinner that same evening.  Contact Marianne T. for more information.

Our door prize winners were Laurie B., Jen S., Beate T., Shannon T., Amanda W., Kathy F., and Corie S.  Congrats ladies!

Lee and Lauren

At this meeting we bid a fond farewell to one of our beloved mentoring moms, Lee Sadler.  Lee and her husband our moving to Northern Virginia next month, where he will be a pastor.  Lee has faithfully served our MOPS group for the last five years, and her wisdom and caring will be greatly missed!  Lauren presented Lee with a vase with a special inscription on it for her to remember us by.  Lee, you are in our thoughts and prayers as you answer God's calling up to NoVa!

Sarah Hamaker

Our guest speaker was Sarah Hamaker, author of "Hired @ Home",  the "Christian Mom's Guide to Working from Home".  Sarah is herself a work at home mom, whose entrepreneurial endeavors include writing, blogging, parent-coaching, and crafting.  Sarah began by asking us to consider what we would love to do if we didn't have to worry about anyone but ourselves.  Would you like to be an artist, writer, editor, or accountant? Working at home can mean many different things and encompass almost any type of career.  You can work for a company, have a home-based business, be full-time or part-time, have one client or many.  As moms we can thank the internet and telecommuting for these many options. 

With those many options, finding the right one for you can take some careful consideration.  How much time do you have available?  Do you have a workspace available in your home?  Do you have childcare options if you need them?  Do you tend to procrastinate? Do you prefer structure or flexibility?  Do you have the desire?

Once you have thought about those things, you need an idea.  Then your "big" idea needs to be broken down into smaller, more manageable steps.  Remember, there are no silly ideas!  Some ideas might turn out to be "unworkable", but these can lead to something great!  If you think working for a company might be more to your liking, be sure to tell people you are looking for work and get in touch with old colleagues and contacts from any former jobs you may have before.  Also, be sure to talk to your friends, family, and yes, even your children to get ideas and feedback.

In summary, Sarah tells us to find our niche, do some market research, think outside the box, and come up with a solid plan.  Many thanks to Sarah for her informative talk!

Hope to see you all at our next meeting on April 25th!