2013 New semester--welcome!

 WHEN did that happen?  I feel like 2012 FLEW by. 

 

 I really have enjoyed being a table leader at MOPS for the first time and am blessed to be able to do it again this year!  What a blessing to be able to minister to and befriend all the ladies at my table and be going through the SAME struggles and life stage as them!  MOPS has truly been a blessing to me, I was just saying last night on facebook that I can't believe the NUMBER of friends have made from MOPS alone.  Add that to friends at church and I am one FRIEND filled person and I can thank the Lord for that.  Thank you ladies for making my MOPS experience one a great one!

 

If you are a new mom joining us for the first time--

 

 

   It's rather hard to look up a new group and then just show up, kids in hand, and just introduce yourself, throw yourself out there and just socialize. I know how that feels, I was there last year! 

 

 But that does go rather well with our "PLUNGE" theme for the year.  We are SO glad to have you ladies and I know you will take home a wealth of knowledge and friendships from MOPS. Come expecting to laugh, cry, chit chat away, listen, learn, craft, discuss, pray, and MOST of all------ drum roll please--------  be CHILD FREE for 2 hours!  We NEED that time away, I love that we can trust our moppets workers and take full advantage of the time they spend with our kiddos.  We are moms and we NEED that time away and connection with other moms. 

So thanks for joining us! 

Here are 2 helpful things:

*Next mops will be January 23rd. 

*if you haven't already paid for this semester:    Please keep in mind that you don't need to pay the international fee, but you do need to pay the $50 local fee.  Most if not all of that money goes to the child care.  If you have any other questions  regarding what your money is covering, please see our leader, Rachel W.  or you can comment any questions to me and I will pass them along.


Today we enjoyed a "LOVE"ly message from our very own Lori W.   (excuse my pun ) . She taught about the true meaning of the word love and what it means to love courageously.  I really enjoyed it and actually have never thought about love quite in the ways that she challenged me too!  Here are the discussion questions that she passed on to me, to pass on to you.  Read, ponder, pray, and discuss amongnst yourselves! :

Discussion Questions


Make sure to lift each other up in prayer – either today in your group, after the meeting, and/or throughout the week.  We all can use some courageous love in our lives from those around us!

1. What is one area that is easy for you to love and express love in - And what is one area where you want/need to step out of your comfort zone and choose to love courageously? (ie - Where will you put aside your fears, your doubts, your anger, offenses, and other things . . . to love as Christ loved us . . . and as God the Father loved Him?)

2. What gifts/strengths has God put in your life that you can use to courageously love others and pour out God’s love with?

3. Napoleon Bonaparte said, “Courage is like love; it must have hope to nourish it.” In order to nourish courageous love in your life . . . where are there areas that need hope?  (in your marriage, with raising your kids, other relationships, difficult issues or people, etc).      

*** Francis Frangipane said -  “Any area of your life that does not glisten with hope reveals that you are believing a lie & is a stronghold of the devil." Once you discover what the lie (ungodly belief) is  – give it to God and ask what He has to say about it.  His truth will replace those lies and bring hope into that area of your life . . . freeing you up to be more courageous – in love, obedience, and more!  Do that this week for those areas you mentioned.

4. Do you feel like you “know” (experientially/relationally) God’s love for you?  Why/How do you know (or why not)?  How do you view God’s love? (ie - like a Father, brother, savior, distant relative, a judge . . . limited, have to earn it, abundant,