Online Survey

WE NEED YOUR HELP! We would like your opinions to make our MOPS Program even better. Please follow this link and take the survey to give us your honest (and anonymous) answers. It will take less than 5 minutes! THANKS!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F9VT8RD

Question of the Week

"What was your favorite Christmas present as a child? Why?"

Promote the Papa

A few weeks back we heard from Sue Holcomb about how to "Promote the Papa". Here are the notes from that interesting and challenging day! (Thank you, Rachel, for sending them our way!)

Promote the Papa

1. Pray for our husbands (only God can change them).
Pray for our husbands’ protection and relationship with children

2. Don’t say negative things about him around the kids when he’s NOT home.
Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her home, the foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

Don’t say negative things about him when he IS there.
Doing this makes the children feel insecure.
Draw a line in your mind of where you won’t go in conversation.
If something hurtful comes into your mind, give it to God.

3. Get on his team when he has ideas
Encourage his ideas for outings with the family
Ideas may not always be convenient & can sometimes be messy but the kids will enjoy the time w/ Dad
Be willing to clean up and promote memories
(Popcorn popper example)
Purchase gifts for husband to give to kids so he can be the “hero” once in awhile.
Encourage one-on-one time with dad and each child.
Let him lead! He may not always do it the way you would, but that’s OK!

4. Men need respect even if they don’t deserve it.
We have a superiority complex and often feel more spiritual than our husbands.
We need to quit focusing on where they may not measure up to our standards and focus on how they do.
If you have major issues with your husband, ask God to give you a friend to speak to in confidence.

Marriage is not about being happy, it’s a covenant.
John Piper discusses this in This Momentary Marriage.

Christmas Party

You will NOT want to miss our Annual Christmas Party: Tuesday, December 14 at 8:45! We will eat good food, make a special Christmas Craft, and hear from author Kimberly Stuart. She lives here in Des Moines and has three children. She has been described as "quirky, thoughtful, and comically entertaining". Check out her website at http://www.kimberlystuart.com/

Hope to see you and a friend there!

December, Already?

Can you believe that it is already December? As we turn the page of the calendar tomorrow, we will start the push of 25 days until Christmas! There will be lights to hang, stories to read, parties to attend, presents to buy and wrap, etc. So much to do!

We would like to know:
What special traditions do you and your family do for Christmas or to get ready for Christmas?

Our November 23rd Meeting

Instead of our regular meeting, come join us at (3135 99th Street, Urbandale - Behind Stella's on 100th) THIS Tuesday!

Time: 9:30am - ?

What to Bring: Yourself, Your Kids, Sack Lunch If You Want to Stay For Lunch

Moms who have paid their Fall Semester Fee will get in for FREE and their KIDS too. (If you have not paid your semester fee you can do there as well - we would love for you to join us.)

Donna's Small Group will be providing refreshments for the Moms and Kids.

NOVEMBER 23 MEETING

We will NOT be having a regular meeting on November 23 because so many people will be away for Thanksgiving, but do not be too sad! We WILL be getting together.

Instead of our regular MOPS meeting, we will be meeting at Backyard Adventures. Please check back for more information! We will post more this weekend!