Mentor Moms Panel

This week we were blessed to hear from our Mentor Moms panel, who shared with us their collective wisdom and experience about how to parent our children in a loving and godly manner. Below is a summary of the questions that were asked of them, and some of their answers.

-  What was your favorite/most challenging ages?

• Twos and teens - they are uniquely challenging
• Every age has its challenges - look for the good at each stage/age.

- What would you do differently?

• Be able to show my kids what a real relationship with God is like.
• Not to stress about things - stop worrying about what others think.
• Not be as angry. Not worrying about living up to others' expectations.

- What is something you wish you did more as a mom? How do you balance it all?

• Do your family the way it works for you.
• Don't worry about the things everyone else is doing.
• Take time for self care.
• There is no such thing as balance - you do what you can do, and sometimes things have to be let go during certain seasons.

- What did you attempt to be grateful for each day?

• Be thankful for the little things.
• "His mercies are new every morning" 1 John 1:9
• "Because of His great love, we are not consumed" Lamentations 3:22-23

- How did you teach your kids important skills and qualities?

• Making a family meal a priority - sitting and talking about your day.
• Kids knowing they can talk to you.

- What are the most important things you did to help your kids become successful adults?

• Teach them to have a relationship with God.
• Teach gratefulness and generosity
• Lots of books - teach them to be lifelong learners

- What did you do in your spare time to spend time with God?

• When the kids were little, do it after they went to bed.
• Make time by getting up early.
• Playing worship music during the day.
• Read Bible stories to the kids.

- What should moms know about the teenage years?

• Don't need to be dreaded.
• Start good communication with your kids when they are little
• Learning how to let kids make mistakes.
• Your kids' mistakes don't reflect on you and your parenting skills.
• It is not my job to convict my children of sin.
• God loves your kids even more than you do.
• Don't be afraid when your kids question stuff.
• COMMUNICATE
• Don't go into teenage years with any kind of expectations.
• God will be with them no matter what.

- How did you make lasting friendships?

• Make it a priority.

- One piece of advice for finding and maintaining your sense of identity

• Remember WHO you are and remember WHOSE you are (I Peter 2:9 - Chosen, Matthew 5:14 - Light of the World, Colossians 2:10 - Filled in Him, Ephesians 1:7 - Redeemed, Forgiven, Given grace, Ephesians 2:10 - Workmanship
• Don't forget the things you enjoy doing

- Technology

• Communicate limits

- How to discipline toddlers

• They are not min adults. They don't understand and reason like we do.
• Be consistent with routine and schedule. Give them time for change. Let them know what's going on.
• Distraction/re-direction
• Stay calm!
• Nobody is perfect!

The mentor moms also shared with us a list from Beth Moore - "Prayers Drawn from Scripture for your Children"  You can find it here to print it.

Announcements:

We have lots going on at our December 11 meeting! Here is our newsletter for more details about all of the announcements.

- Our auction fundraiser starts on December 7 online, and will conclude at our December 11 meeting. This is the link for the auction event on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/455795934945664/ Please share the event with your friends and family! 

- Christmas toy swap on Tuesday! Bring any toys you'd like to swap with others!

- Butterbraids will be delivered on Tuesday at 11. Come prepared to pick up the Butterbraids you ordered, or make arrangements for someone else to pick them up for you. They need to be stored in a freezer within 2 hours.

- Bring a note or a gift to thank your child's teachers! Most classes have 2 teachers. See our newsletter for more information.

Nicole, Victoria, and Torri's groups will be bringing brunch. Sign up here at Signup Genius. You can also check out the upcoming brunch schedule and info by clicking on the "Brunch" tab here on the blog.

Hope for the Tired, Frustrated, and Empty Mom - November 13

As Thanksgiving is this week and the rest of the holidays loom closer, many of us feel even more tired, frustrated, and empty than usual, wondering how we can possibly give more than we already are. Christina Patterson's timely message was wonderfully encouraging as she shared how God can use the little we have for His glory.

Christina began by sharing how she felt that God was calling her to stay home after she had children, something she never thought would happen. She found it very challenging, and thought there was something wrong with her!  She told us that being a parent is supposed to be hard - we are constantly pouring ourselves out for our families. We often feel like we are not enough, and that we are doing it wrong.
Christina shared the story of Elijah and the widow from I Kings 17. The widow felt like she was not enough, when Elijah asked her for more than she felt like she could give. His response to her was that she should not be afraid.

• We always feel like we are not enough when we are operating out of fear.
• When we pour ourselves out for God, we will not run dry. We are to work unto God, and not unto men.
• God does not want your ability - He wants YOU to trust HIS ability.
• It's in our weaknesses that the power of God rests on us.
• He doesn't want us to try harder; He wants us to trust Him more.
• God will take what we already have and multiply it in miraculous ways.
• When God is in the midst, it will be enough.
• We can do more with God with a little bit than by ourselves with a lot.
• When we have more, we can start to make idols of those things (money, sleep, time, etc.) We don't need those things more than we need God

Remember - motherhood is a ministry that God calls us to! 

Christina is from a ministry called Beloved Women. There are some amazing resources on the website if you check it out!

Announcements: 

- Auction Fundraiser coming up in December! If you have anything you would like to donate, or know a business that you'd be willing to ask for a donation, please contact Rachel Chevalley at therachelchevalley@gmail.com

- Christmas Toy Swap coming up! Bring your unused kids' toys (gently used!) and Christmas decor items to our December 11 meeting, and swap with others!

Join us on November 27 for our Mentor Moms panel. 

Jamie-Lee, Lacinda, and Rosemary's groups will be bringing brunch. Sign up here at Signup Genius. You can also check out the upcoming brunch schedule and info by clicking on the "Brunch" tab here on the blog.

Surrendering Our Greatest Treasure: October 23 meeting

This meeting we heard from Felicia Bridges who spoke to us about "Surrendering Our Greatest Treasure."

Romans 8:28 tells us that God works for good in each of us. What does that mean for us and our kids?

We are commanded to trust God. He gives us freedom from worry. If we are truly free from worry, that will leave a void, which must be filled with the right things.






Thinking through these discussion questions may give us more insight into what God has for us to learn.

We also had an all-group playdate on October 30. The kids had a lot of fun playing at the playground! 

Announcements: 

- These are the final days for our Butterbraids fundraiser. Please bring your order forms to our meeting on November 13. The Butterbraids will be delivered on December 11.

- Auction Fundraiser coming up in December! If you have anything you would like to donate, or know a business that you'd be willing to ask for a donation, please contact Rachel Chevalley at therachelchevalley@gmail.com

Join us on November 13 to hear Christina Patterson speak to us about "Hope for the Tired, Frustrated, and Empty Mom". 

Amanda/Mindy, Ann, and Kristen's groups will be bringing brunch. Sign up here at Signup Genius. You can also check out the upcoming brunch schedule and info by clicking on the "Brunch" tab here on the blog.

How To Stay Sane When Life Isn't: October 9 meeting

Rachael Smith from "Oh Lord Help Us" spoke to us this week about time management and how to stay sane even when our lives are crazy. 

She opened with the reminder to tell others (and ourselves!) "Don't 'should' on me!", meaning that we don't need to listen to anyone who tells us that we "should" or "shouldn't" be doing certain things! 

We all have our own crazy/chaos, and we all have to learn to manage it in our own ways. Each family is different, and needs different methods to cope. However, believing that there is a bigger picture to life can change our perspective. 

Rachael shared about how she loves to run, and compete in marathons and triathlons.  She needs support in order to be able to reach her goals.  She said that if she were ever to give an acceptance speech, she would thank Jesus, her husband, and the YMCA.  Even though she was speaking specifically about herself, she said that each of us can receive support in a similar way.  Jesus represents her priorities, her husband represents her community, and the YMCA represents healthy living. 

Rachael gave us some practical tips for managing our time well: 

A reminder that we should do what we love! Don't spend time doing unnecessary things that you don't want to do! 

And finally, some practical questions to start us thinking about our own time, how we spend it, and how we could manage it more efficiently. Remember that everyone is different, and things that work for others may or may not work for you! Don't compare, and don't "should" on yourself!

Announcements: 

- Our next meeting will be October 23. Nicole, Torri, and Victoria's groups will be bringing brunch. Sign up here at Signup Genius or click on the "Brunch" tab here on the blog for more info.

- It's time for our Butterbraids fundraiser!!!  If you need an order form, click here for a printable one. Try posting on Facebook or NextDoor for local friends, family, and neighbors to order! Please note that Four Cheese & Herb and Double Chocolate are NOT on the order form, but ARE available. They are $16 each. 

-  Our City Barbeque fundraiser is in just a few days!  It's all day long on Tuesday, October 23. All you need is to show this barcode (print it, or show the image on your phone) and Crossroads MOPS will get 25%!  City Barbeque is conveniently located just north of 540 on Falls of Neuse, in the same shopping center as Sprouts grocery store. Stop and pick up some lunch after the MOPS meeting, or bring your family for dinner that evening (or both!) Post the image on Facebook so your local friends and family can use it, too!

- Auction Fundraiser coming up in December! If you have anything you would like to donate, or know a business that you'd be willing to ask for a donation, please contact Rachel Chevalley at therachelchevalley@gmail.com

Join us at our October 23 meeting to hear Felicia Bridges share about "Surrendering Our Greatest Treasure". 

Finding Your Fire in Rest - September 25 meeting

This week we heard from Bomi Roberson with an inspiring message.

She spoke about how we can find our fire in rest, and reminded us that God validates us as moms.

What we are doing is important!  The rest that God wants for us is to be before Him and to see what God is doing in our hearts and lives.

Remember: 
* God loves you!
* You are doing an amazing job!
* God wants us to abide in Him, even in this! That is true rest!
* God wants you to read and do His Word.

Some books that Bomi mentioned/recommended were: 
"She's Still There: Rescuing the Girl in You" by Chrystal Evans Hurst
"Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace" by Sarah Mackenzie
"Find Rest: A Woman's Devotional For Lasting Peace in a Busy Life" by Shaunti Feldhahn"The Daughter's Walk" by Jane Kirkpatrick (fiction novel she mentioned in her talk)

We are so thankful for our small groups and the opportunity they give us to get to know each other on a more personal level! 

Announcements: 

* Our next meeting is October 9. Jamie-Lee, Lacinda, and Rosemary's groups will be bringing brunch. Sign up here to bring brunch items. Click over to the Brunch tab on this blog to see more information about brunch and the signup schedule.

*  Like our Facebook page and join our private Facebook group for more opportunities to connect with other MOPS members, and for announcements about upcoming events

* Auction Fundraiser coming up in December! If you have anything you would like to donate, or know a business that you'd like to ask for a donation, please contact Rachel Chevalley at therachelchevalley@gmail.com

* Need to pay your dues?  You can pay your dues here.  If you aren't sure if you need to pay, e-mail Rachel at therachelchevalley@gmail.com. Moms who haven't paid their dues before our October 9 meeting will not be able to use childcare.

* As kids start school, lots of sicknesses get passed around, too! If you have questions about whether to bring your kids to MOPS or not, check out our MOPS Kids sick policy below:

Join us on October 9 to hear Rachael Smith talk about Time Management!

Crossroads MOPS & MOMSnext Kickoff Meeting 2018-2019

Welcome to a new year of MOPS and MOMSnext here at Crossroads! It was so good to see so many of you at the meeting on Tuesday! If you weren't able to make it, we would love to see you at our next meeting on September 25.

We were welcomed by staff members of Crossroads Fellowship holding signs up to encourage us as we walked into the building. 

This year we were all able to sit with our small groups and start getting to know each other from the very first meeting. We enjoyed a delicious brunch and also a s'mores bar (Don't judge! S'mores for breakfast are delicious!)

We kicked off this year with a fun photo scavenger hunt where we quickly became acquainted while taking photos such as: acting like toddlers, acting out a labor and delivery scene, making a human pyramid, and taking a selfie of our group.

Check out even more photos of our scavenger hunt in the album in our Facebook group. 

We watched a video from MOPS International that talked about our theme for this year:

We were reminded of the following things:

- Transformation can begin with a hug

- Love is the catapult that can start us on our journey

- Fire is always a tool of transformation

And, along with our theme of Find Your Fire: 

We will be hearing much more about our theme and how we can live expectantly, surrender daringly, and breathe freely throughout the rest of our meetings this year.

To finish out our meeting, we spent some time with our small groups and talking about the ways that each of us Find our Fire:

We look forward to this coming year of MOPS and hope you all are excited for what is to come!

Announcements: 

- Like our Facebook page and join our private Facebook group for more opportunities to connect with other MOPS members, and for announcements about upcoming events

- You can pay your dues here if you haven't already (if you still have your yellow card from our meeting, on the back you will see a check mark next to the items that have already been paid.) If you aren't sure if/what you need to pay, e-mail CrossroadsRaleighMops@gmail.com for more information or if you need a scholarship or a payment plan. Please be sure to pay your dues in September so that you will be able to continue to use childcare.

- We all love to enjoy brunch at MOPS! Each group will help to bring brunch 5 times each year. The brunch dates for each group are: 

• Amanda/Mindy, Ann, Kristen: September 25, November 13, January 15, February 26, April 9
• Jamie-lee, Lacinda, Rosemary: October 9, November 27, January 29, March 12, April 23 
• Nicole, Torri, Victoria: October 23, December 11, February 12, March 26, May 7 

Sign up for Brunch on our Signup Genius page or bookmark it for later (make sure you're signing up for the right date!) 

- It will help the childcare workers greatly if you have already labeled your child's bag/sippy cup/etc before dropping them off on Tuesday morning. Also, make sure that your child has an extra diaper/pull-up/change of clothes if needed.

- Want to get more involved in MOPS and have a little extra time before or after the MOPS meetings? Our hospitality team could use your help!  There are approximately 157 little details that happen every month to make MOPS happen for you, and we could use a hand!  This is a great way to get to know other MOPS friends a little better, and see some of the behind-the-scenes magic!  Our main areas of need for the coming year are set up, greeters to welcome new moms and get them to where they need to be in the building, and clean up after the meeting. Even if you only have 15 minutes a week to give or if you're super bored while your baby naps and want a few more responsibilities, you can serve!  Join our Hospitality Team FB group if you would like to get connected to serve! Many hands make light work. Even if you only have 10 extra minutes to offer on meeting days, we can use you!

- So that we don't have to close classrooms if a worker calls in sick last minute, we are going to have this sign-up for moms to volunteer holding babies or in classrooms.  Babes-in-arms volunteers will "adopt" one of our Cuddler Kids to keep in the meeting with them; they'll get their baby fix and their mom will get a break!   It may end up that we are fully staffed for the day you signed up for, and you get to attend the meeting!  However, this wouldn't be known until the morning of.   I am hopeful we will have enough women offer to serve on a volunteer basis so that we don't have to assign women/small groups Volunteers who do end up serving will receive a thank-you gift card.   Thank you for supporting the moms in our group by volunteering!

We hope you will join us for our next meeting on September 25 to hear Bomi Roberson speak about Finding Your Fire in Rest. 

Summer playdates!

Luopads!

Each year Crossroads Fellowship hosts a Serve Week during the summer, offering a variety of opportunities for individuals and small groups or friends to serve the community.

One of the Serve Week events, Luopad Asembly, would be a great opportunity for your small groups to serve together!    We hope you can join us as we trace and cut for the Glory of God's Kingdom as women and girls are blessed around the world!

Luopads are washable feminine pads that help women in developing countries who often can't leave their homes due to the lack of feminine hygiene products available.
To hear more about the vision behind the Luopad initiative, visit https://vimeo.com/130476873.
 

Saturday, June 19
Two shifts: 9-11am & 12-2 pm
Great Room at Crossroads Fellowship (our MOPS room)

More information on Serve Week and to sign up: http://crossroads.org/serve-week

If you cannot come, please help by donating 100% cotton terry cloth and 100% cotton flannel at both campuses.

Summer playdates, last meeting, and more!

Join us this summer for groupwide playdates twice a month!

 

Early registration for the next MOPS year is OPEN! 

Win $25 off local dues by paying your 2018-2019 MOPS Int'l Membership fee!

Wondering why this is so important to us? 
We earn 1 reward from MOPS International for every 7 women who register and pay their $31.95 fee! This will transition to 1 for every 20 women this summer so we want to register as many returning women as possible.  We use these rewards towards scholarships for our local group.

Visit Crossroads.org/MOPS to pay with a card or bring cash/check at our May 22nd meeting.  For the MOPS International Fee, just select "1 Year Membership." For the local dues, feel free to pay now or to save that for the fall.

**All women who have already paid will be entered to win.

Triangle Area MOPS groups are hosting a Comfort Station at the Freedom Balloon Fest!!!
This is a HUGE deal and the biggest endeavor Triangle Area MOPS groups have undertaken. They have secured an air conditioned trailer for moms to nurse babies, change diapers, etc. There will be goodies for the moms too, and MOPS International is sending a bunch of swag to give away.
 

If you'd like to support, check out this Facebook group for Comfort Station planning and volunteers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/194584064473756/
Interested in donating snacks, diapers, or other needed supplies? Visit the Wish List: https://goo.gl/ar6Lp2
Interested in volunteering? Visit the Worker Shifts sign up: https://goo.gl/JvUJBL

https://www.freedomballoonfest.com/



Our speaker this week was Rachael Smith and titled "But God... Where the Story Changes."

 

Rachael attends Crossroads' Wake Forest campus and first began Oh Lord Help Us in 2014 as a blog for mommas at http://www.ohlordhelp.us/. God has really taken Rachael on a journey. Oh Lord Help Us has gone from a mom blog, to a full blown ministry. Last fall, her study, But God...Where the Story Changes, was published. Her mission is to help women replace the lies whispered to them their whole lives, with the truth of God. Her heart is to encourage women to be who they were created to be. She will be bringing a few of the items from her shop tomorrow. You can view them here: http://www.ohlordhelp.us/shop/. The items for sale are simply reminders of God's truth. 100% of sales go back into serving others, and 25% is donated to other ministries that are on the front lines serving women in need.


Our last meeting before summer break is on Tuesday, May 22nd!
Becky/Kristen, Ann, & Karin's groups will be bringing brunch.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d48aaad2ca13-crossroads

Announcements!

Next week on March 20th, we'll have a meeting instead of a playdate.
The church has agreed to wait to begin the kids ministry installation project until after our make-up meeting!  We'll want to honor them for that and make sure to pick up our kids quickly at the end of the meeting. 

And another reminder....
We will NOT meet on March 27th because of the installation project.

We are also adding a meeting on to the end of our year so mark your calendars for May 22!
 

Updated Brunch Schedule - Go HERE to sign up!  ALL brunch slots were shifted.  Existing sign-ups were migrated to the new dates.

• March 20 – Mindy/Amanda, Rachel & Rosemary
• April 10 – Becky/Kristen, Ann, & Karin
• April 24 – Jamie-Lee, Lacinda, & Megan
• May 8 – Mindy/Amanda, Rachel & Rosemary
• May 22 – Becky/Kristen, Ann, & Karin

Public Sale Friday March 16th to Sunday 18th
Visit the link below to get a $5 off $25 coupon, early entry pass for Thursday 15th, and raffle ticket to win $25 G2G Bucks!
For a full schedule and more information, visit Good2GrowKids.com.
You need to PRINT this flyer and take it with you.
Link to Print Coupon & Raffle Ticket

Note: If you do not have access to a printer, I am going to make a few copies at the church on Wednesday night that you could pick up at my house.  I live just under 2 miles from the sale location.  Send me an e-mail at CrossroadsRaleighMOPS@gmail.com to arrange.  -Kara


Last call to submit a favorite brunch or dinner recipe your family especially loves!
I won't begin compiling until Thursday so submit TODAY.
We have over 50 recipes so it will be printed.
Link for Recipe Submission


Our Leadership Team is in need of someone to serve in our MOPS Kids position for the 2018-2019 year.
The responsibilities include prepping the kids' lesson and craft. We have a curriculum that is available to use so you don't have start from scratch!  This leader also helps coordinate between moms and teachers if needed.  This leader DOES NOT have to hire or manage teachers; the church handles that.
If this is something that would interest you, please be in prayer about it, and I would love to talk to you!
E-mail me at CrossroadsRaleighMOPS@gmail.com if you are interested in discussing more or applying.