Welcome to MOPS and MOPS NEXT at First Federated Church!

MOPS/MOPS NEXT stands for Mothers of Preschoolers and into the next step -- Elementary school. We exist to meet the needs of every mom -- moms with different lifestyles who all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be! MOPS/MOPS NEXT recognizes that the years of infancy through kindergarten are foundational in a mother-child relationship and are filled with unique needs. MOPS/MOPS NEXT helps moms through relationships estabilished in the context of local groups that provide a caring atmosphere for today's mother of young children. Come join us at Federated to begin your quest to be the mom God intended you to be!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Summary from Liz Nead

Thanks again for inviting to speak to your MOPS group. I thought they were a fun and open group!

I wanted to follow up and summarize what we talked about.

Nothing with God is impossible. You are called to "ask and imagine" and let God do the rest.
Don't let your fear of failure keep you from those amazing seeds of vision in your life.
Don't externalize your life- you were born with the Holy Spirit living inside of you!
You have a game you can play better than anyone else- you were born with it! When you play your game, you can move towards fulfilling the life God intended for you.
We explored three different areas of "game."

Love (Romantic)

Health

Mothering

Love:
Think about what works for you, what relaxes you, what gets you going. When you open
yourself up, you also open up your partner to love you and invest in you!
Ask for what you want (think shaving)- if you are into a clean shaven husband, then tell him
that! Get yourself ready and let your partner know you want to hook up later in the day.
It will make it exciting for you. If you feel unattractive, you will not be attracted. What can you do to prepare yourself? Get cute, get moving, get rest. Get it out- what are you holding back emotionally? Try to talk it out. Be affirming. Don't hold your game back from your partner!

Health:
What is your game in health? Nurture yourself so you can give to your family and community fully as God intended. Get enough rest. Take time for yourself. Eat the right things- what works for your chemistry. Acknowledge your health issues - don't "wish or pretend" them
away!

Mothering:
Again, remember- take care of you so you can take care of your children
Be in the moment - take time to enjoy the kids
Don't set yourself up for failure in your life. - Take care of yourself so you have the
energy and clarity to take care of those who depend on you!

~ Liz


Recipes on the Ladies Home Journal Feature! Pineapple salsa and cauliflower popcorn
Click if you are interested in taking a 30 Day Challenge!
Click if you are interested in building a Vision Board!
Check out Life Dare TV featured on Ladies Home Journal!
Check out Jen Chedester- the Television Star of the "Spicing up your relationship" episode!
515-664-6881 liz@neadinspiration.com

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Resurrection Eggs

If you were not at MOPS yesterday, you missed a fun activity making Resurrection Eggs -- a set of eggs designed to teach your children about Easter. I still have several sets of eggs left, so if you want one, let me know and I can bring it to church tonight or you can get it from me at home.

Resurrection Eggs:


1. Palm Branch
Matthew 21:1-9 (8)

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday, the people
were praising Him as they waved palm branches and laid their coat on the
road. They shouted, “Hosanna!”

2. Silver Coins
Matthew 26:14-16, 46-50

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of Silver.


3. Flowers at the Garden of Gethsemane
Mark 14:32-42

Jesus and His disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, but
the disciples kept falling asleep. Jesus was so troubled that He sweat drops of blood as He prayed to His Father.

4. Leather Whip
John 19:1-15, Matthew 27: 26-31


After His trial by Pilate, the soldiers used leather straps with
rocks and metal attached to them to whip Jesus 39 times.

5. Thorns from the Crown
Matthew 27:29-31

They shoved a crown of thorns on His head and mocked Him saying,
“Hail, King of the Jews!”


6. Dice
John 19:23-25

The soldiers gambled to see who would get Jesus’ robe.

7. Cross
John 19:17-18
Jesus had to carry His cross before His friend took over.

8. Nails
John 19:16-22

The men nailed Jesus to the cross using three nails – one in each
hand and one through both feet -- and left Him there to die.

9. Spear
John 19:31-37

Because it was getting late, the soldiers were going to break the
legs of the men on the cross to speed up the death, but since Jesus was
already dead, they put a spear in His side to verify that He was dead.

10. Linens
Matthew 28:1-6

His friends wrapped him up and placed Him in a new tomb.

11. Stone
Matthew 28:5-6

They put a stone in front of the tomb to keep Jesus safe.

12. EMPTY
Matthew 28:5-8

When they arrived at the tomb on Sunday morning, Jesus wasn’t
there! He was ALIVE just as He said He would be!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

We have a GREAT meeting planned for THIS Tuesday! We will have Liz Nead share with us...check her out at http://www.neadinspiration.com/ She is a GREAT speaker and will be an encouragement to ALL of us!
Then we will be making our own Resurrection Eggs to teach our little ones the REAL meaning of Easter! Please bring your own empty egg carton! See you there!
PS If it is a nice day and you want to stay to play on the playground at FFC or at the park, I am sure there would be moms to join you!! :)

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Des Moines Mothers of Multiples Sale!

Don't miss out on one of the best yard sales of the season... the Des Moines Mothers of Multiples Sale! It is open for everyone -- not just moms with multiples. It is held at Zion Lutheran Church on 4300 Beaver ave in DSM. It will be on March 30-31.

For more information, check out their website:

www.dmmom.bravehost.com

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Organizational Websites

Here are the great resources that Cindy mentioned last night for us to get more organized:

www.straightenyourpaths.com

www.flylady.net

Let us know how they are helping you or what you like about each!

Check them out on FACEBOOK as well!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Family Camp


Are you looking for a great activity for your WHOLE family to do TOGETHER this summer?
Then you MUST check out Twin Lakes Family Camp: www.twinlakescc.com
Dates of Camp:
Session 1: June 7-9 (with focus on Parenting)
Session 2: June 21-23
Session 3: August 10-12 (this is the one that many of the MOPS are going to and Danny Lightner will be speaking at)

Sunday, March 11, 2012

CHOPPED


WE NEED CREATIVE BAKERS!!!
This Tuesday, March 13, we will have our regular MORNING MOPS and need YOU to make it happen. We will have a friendly competition among small groups... CHOPPED STYLE! That's right... we will be baking desserts like they do on the popular Food Network Show, Chopped! Come with creativity and a hungry tummy ready to taste our new creations! (If you don't know what we are talking about... check out Food Network online!)
Hope you can make it!
BRING A FRIEND!!!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Playdate Tomorrow

Looking for a fun activity tomorrow? Join your MOPS friends for a time of fun at the Franklin Ave Library at 10 tomorrow morning -- Tuesday, March 6! Hope you can make it!