Featured Article: Embrace Your Beautiful Mess

Embrace Your Beautiful Mess
By Sara K.

Life is full of messes. Some last a day while others last a season or more. It's the messiness that makes of many of the memories. Whenever I find myself in a messy season, I am always reminded of this verse:

"For I know the plans I have for you, the plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV Jeremiah 29:11).

It may seem like you have a string of multiple messes, but God has a plan for you. I often find myself drawing on His strength. God gives us strength when we feel helpless, he helps us through "seasons of life" that seem unbearable. Throughout my marriage my husband frequently traveled for work, when my daughter was six weeks old he had an eighteen day business trip in London. During that time I had to return to work after maternity leave. My baby girl didn't transition well to a bottle. Needless to say I was stressed out. I wasn't sleeping because she would be up all night eating and boycotted the bottle during the day. Nothing I was doing helped. I was at the end of my rope when I received a call to come and get the kids from child care. My then two year old son, who was going through a biting phase, had broken skin on a little boy's nose, because the boy had a toy he wanted. I cried all the way home, and prayed to Him.

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." (NIV Jeremiah 31:25).

God helped me once I asked. 

"The LORD Is my stregth and my sheild; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me." (NIV Psalms 28:7)

I needed to rely on Him, on His strength to help me through this messy season in my lfe. I know everyone has a similar story, a messy season that is tucked in the back of their mind. By the time my hubsband got home, my dugher started to smile, my son was adjusting back to daycare, stopped biting other children. God is always there. Embrace your mess, and rely on him for strength for it is part of HIs beautiful plan for you.

Originally published in the October 2014 INdian Creek MOPS Newsletter.

My Favorite Things: Mommy Advice

Want to try a new restaurant but not sure where to go?

Are you pregnant and not sure what baby products you really need?

Are you unsure of what to cook on a busy weeknight?

What better place to turn than your fellow MOPS moms for ideas?

Our new feature My Favorite Things - will give you some ideas of where to start.

Each month we will feature a different question and recommendations will be listed by other MOPS moms in the group.

This month's feature:

What is your best mommy advice for a new mom?

• Trust your own insticts and intution - Melony S.
• Don't do it all, ask for help. Let people help when they offer to bring dinner or clean for you - Alisha D.
• Even if your blood is boiling try to act calm. Kids can sense stress - Ashley C.
• Find friends so you know you aren't in it alone - there is no right way to be a mom - Jessica F.
• You cannot spoil a baby with love. Hold your baby often. - Jane H.
• Enjoy the good moments and don't sweat the small things - Stephanie H.
• Don't try to do everything! Sleep when you can. - Emily H.
• It won't last forever - Katie H.
• Payer and daily devotion - Heather J.
• Take lots of phots and videos to be able to look back on - Stephanie L.
• Sleep all you can and enjoy every moment with your baby - Alicia P.
• Remember to take time for yourself - Lindsay R.
• Get out of the house! It's okay to let someone watch your kids - Amy S.
• Make time for yourself - Raychel V.
• Try not to be too critical of yourself, its okay to ask for help - Laura W.
• Accept and ask for help - Kelly R.
• Take time to rest and get a break. When you feel rested and happier you are able to handle stress- Erin B.
• Don't overbuy "baby" things until baby is born - Karla T.
• Get your kids to nap at the same time - Julie K.
• Workout - go take time for yourself and go on dates - Jennifer P.
• Sleep when baby sleeps try to set a schedule - Angela
  A.
• Don't try to do it all alone. Its okay to ask for help. - Sarah B.
• Remember that every child will be potty trained, tie their shoes, and sleep through the night by the time they go to college - Carrie M.
• Enjoy the moment and do what works for you and your family. - Nicki F.
• Remember to laugh. - Jessi C.
• Don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy the moments, it goes so fast! - Sarah L.
• Read Happiest Baby on the Block and have a vacuum cleaner or hair dryer ready to go - the loud "white noise" calms a fussy baby! - Nicole P.
• Mommy really does know best - trust yourself! - Lou Ann C.
• Google it! My best resource along with a couple baby books for when I felt absolutely clueless! - Rachael K.

Want to contribute your ideas for our blog or newsletter? Check your MOPS folder for the My Favorite Things feature!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from the Indian Creek MOPS Steering Team!

We hope you have a wonderful day with friends and family!

He is risen indeed!

What is Your MOPPET Learning: April

While we are enjoying some time with other mothers, the kids are busy in their classes as well. 

Each month we will post a sneak peak at the MOPPETS curriculum for the 2012-13 year.  

This year the kids will be studying the Fruit of the Spirit curriculum which has been a favorite in the past.

All kids in the Otters, Lions, Ostrich, and Giraffe classes will participate in a Bible lesson, craft, game, music, play time, short video related to the Bible lesson, (such as VeggieTales) and snack.

Here is a peek at the curriculum for the month:

April- Faithfulness (1) and Joy (2)

Song of the month- "Every Promise in this Book of Mine" and "Silver and Gold I have none"

4/2-Lesson- God is faithful in his promises to us.

Story- Noah

Verse-2 Thessalonians 3 But the lord is faithful.  He will…keep you safe. 

4/16-Lesson- God wants us to be joyful.

Story- Peter heals the crippled beggar.

Verse- 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Be joyful always.

For a list of the entire MOPPETS Curriculum for the year please check out the "About MOPPETS" tab.