*Last* Week at MOPS!

We had an amazing and encouraging pre-Thanksgiving meeting!

Our Crossroads liaison Cindy Orange encouraged us last week to watch for God to show up!

In 1st Samuel 7, it talks about how Samuel set up a stone and named it Ebenezer. 

An Ebenezer is a "stone of help," or a reminder of God's real, holy presence, and divine aid.  Cindy encouraged us to watch for things that are repeating in our lives, ways that God is communicating specifically to you as an individual.  When we see Him in the little things, we start expecting Him to show up! 

So... how has God show up for you recently in a way that deserves an Ebenezer? 

What physical reminders has God given you to help us remember to keep watching for God?

Pray for eyes to see what He's doing!  Watch for Him to show up!

How about you start an Ebenezer in the form of a list of all the ways that He shows YOU that He loves YOU?

Then celebrate those moments with the same intensity that we pray!

At our last Leadership Meeting, Jamie shared about a friend's idea of playing "I Spy God" with her kids.  She has started doing this, and it's made a big impression!

How can you impress about your kids watching for God?

Little signs of His love... His help... how your kids show His love to others... and more!

Try it for yourself... and with your kids!

It's amazing what a little perspective shift can do!

If you missed it, check out the MOPS video about Noticing Goodness:

https://youtu.be/Ch0l2zKULbM

Thank you to Mary Kay consultant Ashli Messina for sponsoring our meeting!

If you'd like to order from her, visit http://www.marykay.com/amessina2/

In November and December our kids are learning about Daniel and how he honored and obeyed God!

Big Idea: With God I can!
Song: Awesome God

Key Verse: Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God"

Bible Story: Daniel Chapters 1 and 6

Daniel and his friends were told to eat the King's rich food and drink wine. However, Daniel and his friends refused, only eating fruits and vegetables and drinking water, keeping their bodies clean in God's eyes. They were healthy because they chose to honor God! Daniel also honored and obeyed God by continuing to pray to him when others tried to get him in trouble. Daniel was thrown into a den of Lions, but God calmed the lions and saved him! We can honor God in our lives too.

Half of the small groups made this adorable light-up snow man ornament! 

The other 3 small groups plus anyone who missed it last time will make theirs at our December meeting.

Thanks, April!

Coming up next...

It is a Crossroads MOPS tradition to have a "Tea and Testimony" at our Christmas meeting on December 8th!

In our desire to really focus on the now and watch for God during this season, we invite anyone who would like to share a testimony of how God is moving in your life right now or any "I Spy God" moments that you've had since our last meeting!

We want to celebrate these moments and thank God for them!

In addition to our usual delicious brunch, we will have a Waffle Bar!  Allison's group will be responsible for bringing brunch. Please sign up HERE to specify what items you will be bringing!

Our raffle will be from Rainbow Room!

Remember to bring your MOPPETS teacher gifts (a small $1-3 item, handmade card your kid scribbled on, candy, etc) for the wonderful childcare workers that take care of your children each meeting! Please bring any gifts to our MOPS room and NOT directly to the teacher, so we can package them all together in gift bags.  Here is the list of childcare workers names to check your child's class:

 

Yankee Candle orders will arrive this week in time for our December 8th meeting.  If you placed an order but cannot attend the meeting, please arrange to have someone else from your small group pick up your order or send an e-mail CrossroadsRaleighMOPS@gmail.com.

December 8th will be the last MOPS meeting of 2015.  

The next meeting will be on January 12, 2016!

November 10th Meeting - Holidazed!

Susan Ely gave us some great advice about keeping calm during the holidays! Did you know that the word "tradition" originates from the word "treason"? Don't betray God by forgetting the true meaning of the season!You can also check out her new kindle book at http://holidazedbook.com/

Susan's best holiday cooking, entertaining, and Grocery Shopping Tips for the holidays:

1. Stock up on staples like butter, cream, and sugar when they go on sale - anything you know you'll use in multiples over the next month.
2. Load up your freezer with meat NOW while its on sale, because in a couple of weeks all that will be on sale is turkey and filet mignon.
3. Don't try to be Martha Stewart. Develop 1 or 2 signature dishes, then try your hand at variations.
4. If you plan on baking, do a quick spice inventory and check dates. Old Allspice doesn't taste like allspice; it just tastes old.
5. Make your own whipped cream at a fraction of the cost. Please. Your store-bought pumpkin pie will be redeemed and your guests will think you're a genius.
6. Avoid the Christmas week killer grocery bill by picking up a few things each week between now and Christmas.
7. Make my mashed potato casserole. It will save you untold last minute stress and everyone loves it:
   
   Ingredients
1. 1 - 8oz. package cream cheese, softened
2. 5 cups hot mashed potatoes (8-9 med)
3. 1 egg, beaten
4. 1/2 tsp. salt
5. dash pepper
6. dash cayenne pepper
7. 1/2 tsp. paprika
8. 2 Tbsp. chopped chives
   
   Instructions
   Beat cream cheese and add hot mashed potatoes; combine.
   Add rest of ingredients, beating thoroughly and turn into buttered 1 1/2 quart casserole or souffle dish, swirling potatoes on top with a knife.
   Brush top with melted butter, springle with a bit more paprika, and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
   May prepare 1-2 days ahead, up o point of baking. Refrigerate and then bake at time of serving.
8. In busy weeks before the holidays, make friends with rotisserie chicken: Use in ceasar salad, soup, on top of pasta, chicken salad, tostadas and tacos, quick soup, and casseroles. Save the carcass to make a tasty stock.
9. When you have overnight houseguests write a note with instructions on how to operate the tub and shower. What looks like a no-brainer to you can be very frustrating when you're standing there naked.
10. Learn to make a decent cup of coffee.

Sara Watford from Perfectly Posh was our sponsor this week! Check out her Facebook page. 

Perfectly Posh is a line of skincare products that are: 

• Paraben-free and paraffin-free
• SLS Free
• Gluten free
• Soy free
• made with essential oils
• full of butters, oils, and other nourishing ingredients
• preserved with gentle, effective vitamin E
• MADE IN THE USA!

In November and December our kids are learning about Daniel and how he honored and obeyed God!

Big Idea: With God I can!
Song: Awesome God

Key Verse: Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God"

Bible Story: Daniel Chapters 1 and 6

Daniel and his friends were told to eat the King's rich food and drink wine. However, Daniel and his friends refused, only eating fruits and vegetables and drinking water, keeping their bodies clean in God's eyes. They were healthy because they chose to honor God! Daniel also honored and obeyed God by continuing to pray to him when others tried to get him in trouble. Daniel was thrown into a den of Lions, but God calmed the lions and saved him! We can honor God in our lives too.

Announcements

 Yankee Candle Fundraiser Money is now overdue! Please email Kara at CrossroadsRaleighMOPS@gmail.com if you were unable to turn in your money at the last meeting.

 Thank you to everyone who brought shoebox items to the last meeting! Don't forget to turn the boxes in during collection week starting November 16th  - 23rd. Please also include a $7 donation per box to cover shipping.

 This Sunday, Nov 15th, at 6:30pm in the Millbrook worship center, Crossroads Fellowship will have Babbie Mason perform a worship concert. All are welcome and you can find ticketing information HERE

At our December 8th meeting please bring a small $1-$2 gift for the wonderful childcare workers that take care of your children each meeting! Please bring any gifts to our MOPS room and NOT directly to the teacher, so we can package them all together in gift bags. Below is the list of child care workers for each class:

Next week Sarah's group will be responsible for bringing brunch. Please sign up HERE to specify what items you will be bringing!

We will watch a great video from MOPS international and have some discussion time in our small groups!  Plus, we will be making a fun craft! You won't want to miss this wonderful time with friends!

Operation Christmas Child!

Let's pack some shoeboxes!

Crossroads MOPS will be participating in Operation Christmas Child this Christmas by packing shoeboxes with gifts and necessities for underprivileged children at our next meeting!

• What is Operation Christmas Child? The world's largest Christmas project of its kind, Operation Christmas Child uses gift-filled shoeboxes to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Individuals and organizations pack shoeboxes and turn them in during collection week on November 16 - 23 so they can be distributed to children in over 150 different countries!
  
• How will this work? Each small group will pack at least one shoebox to give to a child overseas. Your group will decide if you are packing for a girl or boy, and which age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. 
  
• What do I do? Bring items to go in your shoebox and $1 to cover shipping costs to the next MOPS meeting on November 10th. Your group may want to discuss what each person is bringing in order to prevent duplicates. See below for ideas to go in your box. It may also be fun to take your child shopping with you! You can let them know that they are picking out gifts for children who otherwise probably won't get any Christmas gifts. 

What kind of items should I put in the shoebox?

• a WOW item: toys like a soccer ball with pump, doll, jump rope, musical instrument, shoes, etc.
• Accessories: Short sleeved shirts with no writing on them, socks, hats, hair clips, jewelry
• Hygiene items: bar soap and soap dish, toothbrush and toothbrush holder, combs, washcloths
• School supplies: pencils, erasers, colored pencils, and sharpeners for shool aged children
• Crafts: make them hair bows, finger puppets, or friendship bracelets - a great way to get your child involved in the process!
• Other items: plate, bowl, and cup, small flashlight with batteries (if batteries are outside of packaging both ends must be covered with tape)
• DO NOT INCLUDE: used items, liquids or candy that can melt like paint or glue or any toys filled with liquid, no military toys, no used or breakable items.

For other age and gender-specific ideas go HERE