4000+ MOPS

Last weekend, 4000+ mothers of preschoolers gathered at the Gaylord Opryland for MOPS Convention 2009. I was blessed to be there along with these two lovely ladies...


It was an amazing weekend of conversation, concerts, powerful messages and connecting with moms form all over the country.

Here is the connection point for all the Nebraska and Iowa moms - love the popcorn theme :)

We met incredible artists and authors, including the author of our MOPS theme book for this year, "Life on Planet Mom." She was so gracious and engaging despite fighting off the sickness being spread across the country right now! What a trooper!

Our surroundings at the "hotel" - way too big to be classified as a hotel! - were gorgeous and you would really never have to leave to have a good time or find something to do!

And then there were the moms - they were EVERYWHERE! So fun!

And even though we could have stayed entertained at the hotel, the three of us did head downtown the last night for a little food and music!

Stacy and I even did a little line dancing here at the Wild Horse! What a huge place!

And then it was time to head back to our families - to our supportive husbands who watched the kiddos while we were gone and to our angel children who wanted to give huge hugs and tell us everything that happened while we were gone.

And my mind is still putting together all of the messages I heard, encouragement I received, challenges I was given. But here is what sticks with me right now...

*"Tell them I love them. Tell them I love ALL of them." - God wants everyone to know His love for them.

* "No mom alone" - There is no point in a woman's life when she is more open to Jesus than when she becomes a mother. Bring moms together to show them the love of Jesus.

*"I am enough." - I'm not too much or too little. I am enough because Jesus is MORE than enough.

And our biggest takeaway from the weekend...

*"Be still." To put it in clearer terms, "shut up." Slow down and listen to God. Stop doing and just BE.

Thank you Jesus for an amazing weekend and beautiful women to share it with. Help all moms to know this type of love and connection. Especially with You.

Amen.

One week from today...

I will be headed to this convention...


...and I am beyond excited!

I'm ready to start packing today, but I don't think Stephen would appreciate the suitcase sitting out in our room for the next week!

For those who don't know, MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers (infants through kindergarten).

The MOPS International mission statement is this...

MOPS International exists to encourage, equip and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader in the name of Jesus Christ.

To many it is a lifeline - a chance to laugh, talk, cry, talk, eat, be crafty, talk, pray for each other, talk and feel supported in the journey of motherhood.

To feel like they aren't alone on "Planet Mom."

I am co-coordinating our group this year and we have an AMAZING group of women. And the best part is we all know what one another is going through.

We're all on the same planet. That's a great feeling.

So, even though I will be missing our regular meeting, I am super excited to be with 5,000 other inhabitants of "Planet Mom" next weekend for three days and I'm just wondering...

Are you going? Anybody? Anybody?

Or have you been before? What should I pack?

And by the way, PRAISE THE LORD, all of my money is raised! He is SO good!

Trust in the Lord

So I should know that in times of need, God is not only going to provide what I need, He is also going to teach me to trust Him.

When I wrote this post, I was just thinking about the beauty of the flower and how well it is taken care of its Creator.

Little did I know that this verse would be my lifeline for the next week.

Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:28-33

I am co-coordinating our MOPS group this year which is so fabulous! The other coordinator, another leadership member and I are headed to MOPS Convention next week - SO EXCITED. We have been raising money since this summer to pay for the trip.

And on Sunday, God illustrated perfectly His provision AND asked me to trust Him once again.

One of my best friends and her hubby randomly dropped by after church. That was enough of a pleasant surprise in itself because we love them, but on top of that, she gave me a very generous donation for my trip - just when I was starting to freak out about raising the rest of the money. What a GIFT FROM GOD! I was blown away.

And then, within a few hours, I found out that we need more money than I had planned on for the trip.

Bummer.

But what a perfect opportunity to lean on the Lord and watch what He can do. He's done it before and He'll do it again. And that's how He's teaching me.

So with one week to go, I have about $200 to raise. Sounds impossible but here is what my God says...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5

While my own understanding would say "not gonna happen," I am trusting the Lord.

And He will provide.

Are you going through a time where you need the Lord to provide in some way? I would love to pray for you! You can comment here or click on the e-mail link in the column to the right to send your prayer request. Let's watch God provide for us together!

MOPS

I have I told you yet how much I love MOPS?

Remind me to do that soon.

Right now, I have to get ready for our FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR!!!

(Yes, I am THAT excited about it.)

Now, off to get ready for the morning - and I don't have to eat breakfast before I go! Thank you MOPS!