http://operationbeautiful.com/
Hi Ladies -
I found this link this evening, and wanted to share it with you. How inspiring to encourage other women around our town anonymously, by silencing the "fat talk" that we all hear.
Love yourself and others today... because as we were reminded this morning "our outcomes are not determined by our intentions, but by our actions".
See you Thursday!!
Erin Morgan
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
"Mom"
Hello ladies! I hope this note finds you well and that you thoroughly enjoyed celebrating the birth of Christ with your loved ones.
This year my husband had to work on Christmas, so my 2 1/2 year old son Micah and I headed to Portland to spend a few days with my cousins and auntie. Micah loved having lots of other kids to play with and had the time of his life...especially when his 7 year old cousin Sol broke out the light saber. It was like he was in boy heaven. Micah followed Sol around all day every day. It was so much fun just to watch them together.
....until we got home and Micah started calling me "Mom". Yes, I realize that I am a mom, but up until 2 days ago my son had called me "Mama" exclusively. Ever since he learned how to talk I have been "Mama". Yes, in Micahs efforts to emulate his wonderful cousin, he had begun to call me what Sol calls his mother, "Mom".
Maybe it's just me, but this transition has hit me hard. It's like Micah grew from toddler to boy overnight. Calling me "Mom" is just another sign that he's growing up little by little everyday--and there's nothing I can do to stop it. That is, besides reminding him each time he calls me "Mom" that my name is not "Mom", it's "Mama".
~Keli Douglass (MOPS mom)
This year my husband had to work on Christmas, so my 2 1/2 year old son Micah and I headed to Portland to spend a few days with my cousins and auntie. Micah loved having lots of other kids to play with and had the time of his life...especially when his 7 year old cousin Sol broke out the light saber. It was like he was in boy heaven. Micah followed Sol around all day every day. It was so much fun just to watch them together.
....until we got home and Micah started calling me "Mom". Yes, I realize that I am a mom, but up until 2 days ago my son had called me "Mama" exclusively. Ever since he learned how to talk I have been "Mama". Yes, in Micahs efforts to emulate his wonderful cousin, he had begun to call me what Sol calls his mother, "Mom".
Maybe it's just me, but this transition has hit me hard. It's like Micah grew from toddler to boy overnight. Calling me "Mom" is just another sign that he's growing up little by little everyday--and there's nothing I can do to stop it. That is, besides reminding him each time he calls me "Mom" that my name is not "Mom", it's "Mama".
~Keli Douglass (MOPS mom)
Get Out of that Pit
As I was laying in my bubble bath reading Get Out of that Pit by Beth Moore, I was posed with a question. The irony behind the asking of this question is that just the other day I was crying out to God, in the shower (me and God like WARM, secluded places) with my answer to the question before it was even asked.
What is the question, you may be asking your self? Well, as Beth puts it...
"Is it any wonder that the first words of Christ recorded in the imcomparable Gospel of John are, "What do you want?" Hear Him echo the same words to you today. "What do you want, child?".
If I would have been asked this two years ago, it would have been a baby. Then there was Jaden. If you would have asked me one year ago it would have been a house. Since then we have moved two times in two months and are in our home to stay...til God moves us. If you would have asked me six months ago I would have said to be in full-time ministry (writing and teaching) and going to school. I am starting my second class in a few short weeks and I get the privilege of serving in MOPS. But...just a few days ago, as I cried out to God for mercy in the shower, my heart had a need FAR exceeding that of the list provided above.
"God, if you could grant me one wish, as if you were a genie in a bottle, I would beg you to give me a heart of joy, peace and contentment about being a mom and being home and that my husband would OVERFLOW because of my love for him. That he would know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am WILD about him."
If you were present for our first MOPS meeting, you know that my heart is plagued with a thorn of something seemingly unnatural regarding my role as mom and homemaker. Praise God we have come SO far in the last six months and that thorn is no longer causing irritated, infected wounds in my flesh, however, it is still present and will be until God chooses to pull it out. You see he told me that I have this thorn for a reason...assuming so this broken mess can cast a beautiful rainbow before you when His light shines through. A rainbow as a sign of His faithfulness to see all of us through this challenging life. Anyway...not the reason for writing.
Today, as I read Beth's question, as provided from the mouth of Jesus, my answer was the same as I stated above, with the addition of wealth. :) Oh if I had unending financial resources, everyone around me, near and far, would be showered! But..neither here nor there, it was a part of my answer. I was just talking to God about my answer once again and it dawned on me...yes, in my truest of heart (which God knows my hearts desires and the motives of that desiring heart) I want to be the best mom and wife but from that I realized I have a deep-seeded need to have a 'failure-free' life.
The book I am reading (see the title above) does not necessarily sum up the life I am living. I am not in a pit, praise God! BUT I have been in one, lots of them actually, which is part of the reason I have a need to be without error. Once you have lived in error so long, knowingly, and have been rescued, you want NOTHING to do with the error...causing me to desire a life where I am not failing, or so it seems, in my heart as a mom and wife.
We are going to be introducing a bible study, which will be taught by Susan Anderson (mentor mom) on marriage relationships. This hits the core of my heart. My error and redemption were birthed in my love relationship with my man. I am sure I will share a little here or there as the study begins and carries us through the MOPS year, so I will leave it there for now.
(Please don't misunderstand, I am WILD about my husband and we have a great marriage, by God's grace, and I am a good mom and care tenderly for their inner and outer beings. My heart and mind, however, struggle immensely at times to find joy, peace and contentment in the midst of my role as mom and homemaker...my thorn, however,you can bet your life on it that joy, peace and contentment in this area of my life is mine...God said so and therefore it is so and I will live it until I feel it.)
Point: What would you say if you were asked, by God of course, "My Beloved, what do you want?"
"God looks intently not only at what we've done and how, but also at why we did it. The Bible tells us that, unlike people, God doesn't look on the outward appearance of things. He looks upon the heart. First Chronicles 28:9 says, "the LORD searches every heart and understand every motive behind the thoughts." (77) Don't be bashful in your answer, He already knows what you are thinking! :)
He has given me a realization that it is by grace I have been saved, not by works. So it is not necessary for me to try and live error-free but rather ... just free. I am free, indeed, by God's power and grace! (I could write for hours, but I dare not bore you and cause you to never return to our blog. :))
I have not been a pit-dweller for some time now and I need to walk in confidence, security and freedom knowing that he who began a good work in me WILL see it to completion...and that means that I will be joyful, peaceful and content in my role as mom and housewife and that my love for my husband will be evident and abundant. Amen!
Lovingly laying it all out there so you too can be free!
Love to you
Sara
What is the question, you may be asking your self? Well, as Beth puts it...
"Is it any wonder that the first words of Christ recorded in the imcomparable Gospel of John are, "What do you want?" Hear Him echo the same words to you today. "What do you want, child?".
If I would have been asked this two years ago, it would have been a baby. Then there was Jaden. If you would have asked me one year ago it would have been a house. Since then we have moved two times in two months and are in our home to stay...til God moves us. If you would have asked me six months ago I would have said to be in full-time ministry (writing and teaching) and going to school. I am starting my second class in a few short weeks and I get the privilege of serving in MOPS. But...just a few days ago, as I cried out to God for mercy in the shower, my heart had a need FAR exceeding that of the list provided above.
"God, if you could grant me one wish, as if you were a genie in a bottle, I would beg you to give me a heart of joy, peace and contentment about being a mom and being home and that my husband would OVERFLOW because of my love for him. That he would know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am WILD about him."
If you were present for our first MOPS meeting, you know that my heart is plagued with a thorn of something seemingly unnatural regarding my role as mom and homemaker. Praise God we have come SO far in the last six months and that thorn is no longer causing irritated, infected wounds in my flesh, however, it is still present and will be until God chooses to pull it out. You see he told me that I have this thorn for a reason...assuming so this broken mess can cast a beautiful rainbow before you when His light shines through. A rainbow as a sign of His faithfulness to see all of us through this challenging life. Anyway...not the reason for writing.
Today, as I read Beth's question, as provided from the mouth of Jesus, my answer was the same as I stated above, with the addition of wealth. :) Oh if I had unending financial resources, everyone around me, near and far, would be showered! But..neither here nor there, it was a part of my answer. I was just talking to God about my answer once again and it dawned on me...yes, in my truest of heart (which God knows my hearts desires and the motives of that desiring heart) I want to be the best mom and wife but from that I realized I have a deep-seeded need to have a 'failure-free' life.
The book I am reading (see the title above) does not necessarily sum up the life I am living. I am not in a pit, praise God! BUT I have been in one, lots of them actually, which is part of the reason I have a need to be without error. Once you have lived in error so long, knowingly, and have been rescued, you want NOTHING to do with the error...causing me to desire a life where I am not failing, or so it seems, in my heart as a mom and wife.
We are going to be introducing a bible study, which will be taught by Susan Anderson (mentor mom) on marriage relationships. This hits the core of my heart. My error and redemption were birthed in my love relationship with my man. I am sure I will share a little here or there as the study begins and carries us through the MOPS year, so I will leave it there for now.
(Please don't misunderstand, I am WILD about my husband and we have a great marriage, by God's grace, and I am a good mom and care tenderly for their inner and outer beings. My heart and mind, however, struggle immensely at times to find joy, peace and contentment in the midst of my role as mom and homemaker...my thorn, however,you can bet your life on it that joy, peace and contentment in this area of my life is mine...God said so and therefore it is so and I will live it until I feel it.)
Point: What would you say if you were asked, by God of course, "My Beloved, what do you want?"
"God looks intently not only at what we've done and how, but also at why we did it. The Bible tells us that, unlike people, God doesn't look on the outward appearance of things. He looks upon the heart. First Chronicles 28:9 says, "the LORD searches every heart and understand every motive behind the thoughts." (77) Don't be bashful in your answer, He already knows what you are thinking! :)
He has given me a realization that it is by grace I have been saved, not by works. So it is not necessary for me to try and live error-free but rather ... just free. I am free, indeed, by God's power and grace! (I could write for hours, but I dare not bore you and cause you to never return to our blog. :))
I have not been a pit-dweller for some time now and I need to walk in confidence, security and freedom knowing that he who began a good work in me WILL see it to completion...and that means that I will be joyful, peaceful and content in my role as mom and housewife and that my love for my husband will be evident and abundant. Amen!
Lovingly laying it all out there so you too can be free!
Love to you
Sara
Friday, December 11, 2009
Frozen Peanut Butter Bars
Here is a delicious recipe from the kitchen of Stephanie V, one of our awesome MOPS moms.
Frozen Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
1c. Butter or Margarine
2c. Peanut Butter
2.5c Graham cracker crumbs (usually equal to about a bag and a half)
1.75c Powdered Sugar
2c. Chocolate Chips (1/2 semi-sweet, 1/2 milk chocolate)
1/3c Milk
In a large saucepan, melt butter and peanut butter togethere. Mix well. Remove from heat. Add crumbs and powdered sugar, mixing well. Spread peanut butter mixture in a jelly roll pan. Chill.
When the peanut butter layer is firm, melt chocolate chips with milk over low heat. Spread over chilled peanut butter mixture. Chill Again.
So simple to make and I swear they taste just like Frozen Reese's Peanut Butter cups.
Frozen Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
1c. Butter or Margarine
2c. Peanut Butter
2.5c Graham cracker crumbs (usually equal to about a bag and a half)
1.75c Powdered Sugar
2c. Chocolate Chips (1/2 semi-sweet, 1/2 milk chocolate)
1/3c Milk
In a large saucepan, melt butter and peanut butter togethere. Mix well. Remove from heat. Add crumbs and powdered sugar, mixing well. Spread peanut butter mixture in a jelly roll pan. Chill.
When the peanut butter layer is firm, melt chocolate chips with milk over low heat. Spread over chilled peanut butter mixture. Chill Again.
So simple to make and I swear they taste just like Frozen Reese's Peanut Butter cups.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
THE Sustainer....
"There's no such thing as perfect people,
There's no such thing as a perfect life,
So come as you are, broken and scarred
Lift up your heart, be amazed,
And be changed, by a perfect God"
~Natalie Grant
I believe that God speaks to us in so many ways, through His Word~The Bible, through other people, and through music just to name a few. It is so important that we take the time to be still, and listen to what He is saying to us. The above song lyrics remind me that no matter what crazy things are happening in my life, or how broken I may feel, God is always right here waiting to help me through.
There have been many difficult obstacles and challenges in my life over the past year. I am so grateful for my relationship with Jesus, for I know that He is the only reason that I have managed to deal with the circumstances that have been presented to me. As it says in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (my own para-phrasing), His grace is sufficient.......when we experience challenges, persecutions, and difficulties which make us feel weak, but turn to Christ for help, He will give us strength and help us grow. I thank God daily for His mercy and grace, and for the strength that He has given me this year. I know that there are many more challenges ahead, but with Christ I can do all things (Phil. 4:13).
Friends, remember that no matter what you are facing or going through He is waiting to help you, so 'lift up your heart" to Him, "and be amazed, and be changed" today!
Loree Arthur
Friday, November 13, 2009
How long should that stay in the fridge???
How long can a bottle of ketchup stay in your fridge before it goes bad? I'm thinking 5 or 10 years, but if you want an expert opinion, go to the web site below. This site lists all kind of foods and how to keep them fresh longer as well as when to get rid of them. If you have a question click on the particular picture, and a whole list of stuff appears.............WHAT A GREAT SITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1st meeting, Sept. 17
Here are some quick photos from our first MOPS meeting this year, held on Thursday, Sept. 17.
MOPS Coordinator Sara Guilfoyle welcoming all the moms at the beginning of the meeting. Sara spoke to us about motherhood. She shared some of her personal blessings and struggles in her journey as a mother of two boys, Patrick and Jaden. She also talked to us about the differences in being a "born-mom" or a "made-mom."
MOPS Hospitality Team Leader Cristi Taylor
Our first yummy brunch of the year!
Daisy sharing a story with friends Jen (on the left) and Andi (on the right).
Table leader Loree chatting with her MOPS friends.
Sherrie listening to a funny story.
Mentor Moms Kelly and Sharon.
Janice looking over all her Welcome to MOPS packet, put together by the MOPS leadership team for every MOPS member.
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