Striving for perfection?: November 29th meeting

Leigh Sawtelle told us it is okay to NOT be perfect. Society tries to tell us how to parent our children and what milestones they should be meeting, but this is unnecessary pressure we put on ourselves. You are not expected to be Wonder Woman. You are expected to be YOU. If you take away the titles of mother and wife, then who are you? 

To survive motherhood you need to stay in tune with your authentic self. Find time during to week just to be you: Read books, play music, draw... whatever desire is living within you. Remember that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14).

She encouraged us to answer these questions:

• Who are you? If you laid down all of the hats you wear and your super hero cape, who are you?
• What is your biggest fear?
• Do you like yourself? What would you change if you could?

Strive for progress, not perfection. • Proverbs 31 is a process.

Leigh specializes in counseling and life coaching for couples, families in crisis, PTSD, behavior management and Aspergers in adults. 

Announcements

* Tonight! Treat your family to Milton's Pizza & Pasta and support our MOPS group at the same time! From 5-10 PM, Milton's will donate part of the proceeds from our group's dinner back to our group. Just let them know you are with Crossroads MOPS. Dine in or carry out! *Only at the Six Forks location.*

* Please bring a small gift ($1-3) for each of your child's MOPPETS teachers to our next meeting on December 13. This is a great way to bless them for all they do for our kids during our MOPS meetings. A list of teachers and classes is below. 

• Cuddlers: Suzi, Sheila, Natalie, Shirley, Anna, Luciana
• Walkers: Natalie, Maria, Phyllis
• Runner: Stephanie, Heather, Hillary
• Younger 2s (left side of hall): Laura, Bri
• Older 2s (right side of hall): Glenda, Sami
• 3s: Christine, Lydia
• 4s+: Valerie, Brenda, Rebecca
• Subs/Floaters: Danielle, Challen, Hana, Barbaranne, Kataya
• Coordinator: Helen

Please also consider blessing our subs and coordinator for all of their dedicated work.

* Crossroads Fellowship is hosting a Christmas special on December 16 called Frosty's Magical Adventure. It includes singing and dancing and will share the true meaning of Christmas. Appropriate for all ages. More details are on the Crossroads website. *You do need to purchase tickets to attend.*

One of our own, Heather Franchi, sponsored our meeting as a LuLaRoe consultant. Heather sells a variety of beautiful dresses, skirts, shirts, and of course, comfortable leggings! Check out her Facebook page to see what she offers and to book a pop up.


Of Oaks photography sponsored our raffle this week. This December they are offering Christmas mini-sessions for $50. You can see their portfolio on their website and Facebook page. 

Thank you to our sponsors this week!

We made bracelets this week for our craft. Hopefully they can serve to remind us that we were each individually made by the Creator and, although we might not always look or feel perfect, we are who He created us to be.

Our MOPPETS learned about the 10 Commandments this week. They spent time discussing what the commandments are and what each of them means.

Our next meeting is December 13 and will feature a message from Jackie Alvarez with MOPS Intl. about "Becoming Seen." 

Hannah, Jamie-Lee & Julie's groups will be providing breakfast. You can sign up here.
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Setting healthy boundaries: November 15th meeting

We focused this week on creating healthy boundaries in our life. Laura Katz, a marriage and family therapist, shared about how being intentional of setting our boundaries will help our lives go much better.

You have a right to your boundaries. You have a right to say, "no." And a right to say, "yes." And you have a right to celebrate those decisions.

Focusing on yourself and your need for sleep, food and personal time is essential to being the best woman, wife and mom that you can be.

She encouraged us to take a step towards setting a new boundary in our lives, whether that means saying "no" to something we should step away from or saying "yes" to something we want to add to our lives. You are ridiculously in charge!

Announcements

• Yankee Candle & Butter Braids fundraiser forms were due November 15. If you still have forms to submit, please send an image of the form to Kara at CrossroadsRaleighMOPS@gmail.com by Wednesday, November 16.
• This Friday we will be baking pies to help support StepUp Ministry & Alliance Medical Ministry. If you'd like to help support them in another way, you can purchase a pie here. Also, if you're able to join us on Friday without kids, we'd love for you to join us, but childcare is currently full. We'll be baking in two shifts at Crossroads Fellowship from 9-11 a.m and from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Treat your family to Milton's Pizza this month! They will be donating a portion of meals ordered on November 29 from 5-10 p.m. back to our group. Be sure to mention you are with Crossroads MOPS! (Only applies to Raleigh location.)
• 'Tis the season to... bless our childcare workers! At our December 13th meeting, please bring a small $1-2 gift to contribute to gift bags. The list of childcare workers for your child's class are below. Please bring any gifts to our MOPS room and NOT directly to the teacher, so we can package them all together.
• Cuddlers: Suzi, Sheila, Natalie, Shirley, Anna, Luciana
• Walkers: Natalie, Maria, Phyllis
• Runner: Stephanie, Heather, Hillary
• Younger 2s (left side of hall): Laura, Bri
• Older 2s (right side of hall): Glenda, Sami
• 3s: Christine, Lydia
• 4s+: Valerie, Brenda, Rebecca
• Subs/Floaters: Danielle, Challen, Hana, Barbaranne, Kataya
• Coordinator: Helen

Please also consider blessing our subs and coordinator for all of their dedicated work.

Angela Livingston with Matilda Jane Clothing was our sponsor this week. Matilda Jane makes clothing meant to celebrate young girls and the youthful, playful and expressive people they are. Check out Angela's Facebook page to set up a Matilda Jane trunk show! Thank you for sponsoring our meeting, Angela. 

Learning Express Toys also donated some raffle items for our group this week! Stop by their North Hills location and check out their site-wide 20% off sale this Friday, November 18.

Our MOPPETS this week spent time learning about thankfulness and how important it is to thank God for how He blesses us and takes care of us. 

Here's a part of their lesson for the week: He cares for YOU and we are thankful for His care. God loves you so much, He put it in his Word—the Bible! He also tells us in the Bible to give thanks: “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” - Psalm 9:1 NIV

They also put this lesson into their craft by creating thankfulness wreaths, full of leaves representing what they are thankful for this year.

Our next meeting will be November 29, when we'll be discussing how it's OK to not be perfect. Annette & Becky's groups will be bringing brunch. Here's how you can sign up. 

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."

1 Chronicles 16:34

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